The Argentinian fellow practitioners and the Quan Yin messenger recently visited Peru - a spiritually developed country. Since the ancient Inca civilization advocated vegetarianism, many Peruvians are vegetarians, and can easily accept Master's teachings.

Several seminars held by the Truth-Spreading group were all fully attended. After the video lectures, many people requested to learn the Convenient Method, or enroled for the initiation.

During their stay in Peru, two radio stations repeatedly invited fellow practitioners for interviews. In an one hour interview program, they introduced Master, mentioned the awards She has received, told of Her efforts to elevate the spiritual level of the world and relieve the world's suffering disaster victims, and so on. During the interview, many members of the audience telephoned the radio station wishing to know more. Some even went straight to the radio station to ask questions or request the initiation. Their sincerity and earnestness was truly touching.

The hosts of the two radio programs later learnt the Convenient Method. The host of Radio National even invited the Quan Yin messenger to his home to teach him and his wife meditation. When practicing the Convenient Method meditation he perceived brilliant and beautiful white and pink light, which made him raise his thumb and exclaim, "Wonderful!" Immediately he decided to become a full vegetarian. Many other staff members at the radio station are also practicing the Convenient Method.

One of the major newspapers in Peru, the Expreso, and another paper specializing in culture and art, the Salud, both printed articles on prominent pages about Master. The News editor of Salud asked us to give them more information and material about Master so they could continue to report in the future.

Channel Four TV also invited us for an interview, and broadcasted the video footage of Master receiving the World Spiritual Leadership Award in the United States.

Before leaving Peru, the last video lecture was held in a vegetarian restaurant, and the producer of Channel Seven TV was there to cover the event. The producer asked many profound questions and was greatly interested in and convinced by Master's teachings. He hoped to report on Master in the future. Later, he learnt the Convenient Method, and told us that he had a very good experience.

Meanwhile, in Peru, many people earnestly enroled for the Convenient Method and initiation. A would-be initiate practicing the Convenient Method was so anxious that she flew all the way to Formosa for the initiation.

The first person to have received the initiation in Peru - a fellow sister, has been a vegetarian since childhood. She was interested in all spiritual paths, and often eagerly helped any spiritual group coming from abroad. However, she never became a member of any of them until she met Master. After the initiation, she had plenty of experiences, and was filled with bliss. She hopes Master will go to Peru soon, because this is the unanimous prayer of many of her compatriots. Lots of them have written letters requesting Master to visit Peru.

A university professor repeatedly thanked us for introducing Master and Her noble ideal to Peru. He is hoping to spread this good news to every Peruvian, so that everyone can practice together to make Peru become a truly highly spiritually developed country, restoring the glory that the ancient Inca civilization symbolize.

Recently, an exhibition of Suma Ching Hai's artwork and videos was held in San Jose, Costa Rica. The exhibition was presented in the newly built FANAL Museum. Fellow practitioners displayed more than a dozen reprints of Master's paintings, providing a rather romantic, spiritual feast for the visitors. The public were much impressed by the delightful pictures and the deep spiritual explanations of the different pieces.

Master's big poster and pictures were displayed, giving all those who were there a feeling that She was indeed present. Her Buddhist chanting recording was played in the background throughout the whole exhibition, creating a sublime, loving and friendly atmosphere. Fellow practitioners also prepared an exquisite buffet of vegetarian dishes for the passers-by. They could hardly believe such delicacies had no meat in them.

Videos of Master's public lectures were projected in an adjacent cozy little theatre. On stepping in, the audience were overtaken by the high level of energy that was being emitted. It created such a sense of peace and tranquillity, that people did not wish to leave. Even at closing time, some people were still reluctant to go home.

The atmosphere was so good that fellow practitioners decided to meditate there. On receiving the sample booklet, many people read it immediately. They liked it and so they also bought some of Master's books, pictures and other items.

At the end of the exhibition, quite a number of people applied to practice the Convenient Method. When they were taught the Convenient Method, because of Master's blessing, many people could smell a strong scent of sandalwood. This enriching experience brought more confidence to fellow practitioners and determination to organize more similar activities in the future to promote Master's teachings and vegetarianism.

Recently, there was an initiation at the Ohio Center. Before the initiation, a fellow practitioner had a few dreams of Master's manifestation body coming to bless the center - preparing it for the initiation. In the dream, the fellow practitioner also saw some other invisible beings wanting very much to follow Master's teachings. Master's manifestation body also instructed this fellow practitioner to clean up the environment and described the preparations needed for the initiation.

During the initiation, the new initiates as well as other disciples present had experiences. Even the children who received half initiation could also hear the beautiful holy sounds, proving that the Quan Yin Method is suitable for everyone. Through Master's power, even children can easily get enlightenment. The disciples could feel the presence of Master's boundless love inside the initiation room.

After the initiation, everyone sang 'Happy Birthday' to the new initiates. A new initiate from Europe felt so touched by Master's love that she cried with great happiness. Tears poured down her cheeks like rain. She could not sing - 'Happy Birthday to the New Borns' to herself, because she truly felt that she was reborn.

Each new initiate received a bottle of nectar water and a bag of blessed candies and cookies. These precious gifts had been brought home for the new initiates by practitioners who had attended the seven-day retreat in Hsihu.

After that, everyone enjoyed the delicious vegetarian dishes that had been prepared so delicately and with so much love. The new initiates were so surprised by the great variety of vegetarian food that they asked for recipes and signed up for vegetarian cooking classes at the center.

After dinner, a question and answer session was held. The new initiates asked many questions about spiritual practice and how to deal with the outside world after getting initiated. The atmosphere was full of love and had a relaxed feeling.

A few days after the initiation, a group of initiates followed up on the new initiates to make sure that they knew how to fill out their spiritual diaries. This concern and loving care made the new initiates feel that they were part of the Quan Yin family.

Fellow practitioners of the Suma Ching Hai International Association, Hawaii Center, participated in the "Annual Food And New Products Show" at the Neal S. Blaisedell Center.

While video tapes of Master's lectures were continuously played on a TV, practitioners happily distributed Master's sample booklets and News magazines. Master's photos and paintings were also displayed.

There were long lines of people waiting outside the exhibition center an hour before admission time. People passing by our booth recognized Master immediately from having seen Her on channel 25 every Saturday afternoon.

The lecture being showed during the exhibition was "We Cannot Have Peace Until All Is At Peace" (Portland, Oregon, U.S.A., December 1993). A lady that was watching attentively was so impressed that she requested to buy that tape to watch at home.

An old man asked how could he become happy. After hearing the wonderful ultimate benefits of the Quan Yin Method, he accepted the sample booklet with great interest.

In the corner opposite our booth an exhibitor was so attracted by Master's smiling face, she found herself staring at Master's photo whenever she had spare time. When fellow initiates offered her the sample booklet and News magazine she was so delighted that she couldn't wait to read them, and said that as soon as the show was over she would enjoy them.

The most frequently asked question was, "When would the Master come to Hawaii?".

Although Master wasn't physically present, Her omnipresent love and blessing was always there throughout the exhibition to fulfill the longing desires in the hearts of those souls who are now receiving seeds of wisdom.

Looking down from the inside of the plane, the entire vast and neat city of Calgary was sighted. Quan Yin messenger did not realize that there was such a big city in Canada. Later, she discovered that Master had quietly arranged a prelude to this spiritual date with Calgary a long time ago.

Aided by a fellow practitioner who is practicing the Convenient Method, the Quan Yin messenger smoothly found a temporary place to stay. The lady of that home is a devout Christian. She told us that in the Bible, Hebrews Chapter thirteen it says: Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for some thereby have entertained angels unawares. We could not help smiling when we heard that. If this was not Master's arrangement, what else could it have been?

Before we started out, we got in touch with a local lady, who is a follower of Yee Quan Tao, and a long-time vegetarian. She had read Master's books. It so happened that she was on holiday for a week.

Through their enthusiastic help and recommendation, we promptly secured a place for the lecture at the Calgary University. Under the care and arrangement of Master's almighty power, even in the snowy early winter, we were very warm and positive inside as we organized the promotion work.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Quan Yin messenger asked everyone to pray that they would receive the best benefits from the gathering. From the people's attentiveness to Master's teachings and the waves of laughter, we knew that Master's love had already filled their hearts.

After the gathering, many people registered to learn the Convenient Method and decided to start a vegetarian diet, in preparation for their initiation.

At first some fellow practitioners worried about not having enough help. In fact, whatever Master arranges is always just right. All of the fellow practitioners know from experience that when we sincerely serve others in their search for the Truth, our lives shine brilliantly, and at the same time, this spiritual brightness will in turn light up even more bright lights.

The Phnom-Penh Center has developed tremendously since it was established a year ago. In front of the Center, there is a beautiful garden. Everyone who walks by seems to be very attracted to the Center, even monkeys. Children often slip their hands through the gate to pick flowers. Some soldiers who live next door sometimes come to the Center to take pictures in the front-yard. They look like very cute and innocent children when having their photos taken.

Sometimes the students of the language class come earlier than their class time, taking this opportunity to browse at Master's photos and News magazines. They even remember Master's spiritual songs and hum a few lines.

Laughter always resounds in the classroom. Every day is a happy day for teachers and students. The students usually leave the classroom with blessed smiles on their faces, as if they have reaped enormous benefits within and without. Sometimes on holidays, or when we have additional classes, they still come, showing their eagerness to learn.

The recent Ching Hai Day 7-Day Retreat was the first retreat that the Cambodian initiates had ever attended. When they came back they praised that the retreat was most rare and precious, and felt they had improved in many aspects. They became more confident in their spiritual path.

The Center's book circulation area has been renovated to become a more spacious and beautiful area. Coincidentally, the renovation work was finished just before the Center held a vegetarian dinner. Fellow practitioners could bring many guests to share Master's teachings, and to tie good affinities.

Previously, all the fellow initiates in Cambodia were from foreign countries. Recently, the first local Cambodian disciple has joined us. When he was practicing the Convenient Method, he saw Master's manifestation body come to save him in his dream. Therefore, he has strong faith in Master and the Quan Yin Method.

An Au Lac initiate residing in Cambodia recalled that before she had met Master when Master visited Cambodia a year ago, she had a vision of Master in her dream, so she went everywhere looking for Master, and finally got a sample booklet. After seeing Master, she and her five children all came for initiation. Although they are very poor, and live very far from the Center, they still manage to attend group meditation once a month.

After only passing by the Cambodian Center, an African would-be initiate is now a vegetarian, and is waiting for initiation. Each weekend, he is always the first to come for the Convenient Method group meditation, and to ask spiritual questions. When reading about Master's trip to Africa in the News magazine, he was very surprised and delighted, and hoped that Master would visit his home country, Ghana. He hopes to spread Master's teachings in his country to help elevate his compatriots spiritually.

In Jiangsu, some people have been waiting for initiation for a year or even longer. They prayed everyday to Master, begging for an early initiation, so Master responded to their heartfelt longing.

When the designated Quan Yin messenger arrived in mainland China, the would-be initiates cried with joy. Some of them missed Master so much that they cried uncontrollably when they saw the Quan Yin messenger, because they felt as if they were looking at Master.

Owing to their sincere longing, many people had very good experiences during the initiation. Some perceived extremely bright levels; some saw stars, the sun, the moon, the manifestation form of Master, or Quan Yin Bodhisattva. Some people even saw the Heavenly Paradise with their eyes open - identical to the "paradise on earth" mentioned in the scriptures.

A new initiate had very good experiences even when practicing the Convenient Method. One day, she and her husband went to meditate on a hill near their place. Soon after they sat down, she heard the manifestation form of Master tell her, "You have an ashram in your home." Hearing these words, she immediately called her husband and told him, "Master said that our house is an ashram, so we don't have to meditate here on the hill any more."

Her husband also often has good experiences. One day, when he came home from work, when an initiation was being held at their home, he saw a gigantic, and resplendently dressed manifestation form of Master standing in front of the entrance way, watching the pedestrians and traffic on the street. When he walked into the backyard, he also saw a tremendous manifestation form of Master guarding the door of the house. She did not leave until the initiation was over. Therefore, his faith in Master has become even stronger.

When there is an initiation, regardless where the physical form of Master is, Master's manifestation form is always there for the occasion to bless the whole venue.

Graced by Master's infinite love, fellow practitioners in Malaysia now own a Center in the serene and natural southwestern region of Balik Pulau, in Penang. Fellow practitioners from various places, including Ipoh, Alue Setar, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, gather at the Penang Center each month on pre-arranged days, to tidy up the Center. When working, fellow practitioners look after each other, and are closer than brothers and sisters.

Master's immaculate care is always there. Many times, it was still raining before they arrived, but the rain stopped when they started to go up the hill to the Center. All the tree branches and leaves were washed and cleaned. The cool and soothing breeze protected practitioners from the scorching sun, and the mosquitoes and insects.

The only exceptional incident was when a fellow practitioner was careless while cutting grass. Some bees were disturbed and started to attack her. While fleeing down the hill, she kept reciting the Holy Names and praying to Master to save her. Later, when the worried fellow practitioners examined her, amazingly, there were no traces of any stings. Everyone knew that it was entirely due to Master's blessing.

During the noon break, some practitioners meditated while others picked ripe nutmegs from trees and take home with them to make juice or jam which would be shared with fellow practitioners.

As they left at sunset, everyone was in high-spirits and showed no signs of fatigue. Fully charged with Master's blessing, they blissfully went home.

As a warm-up to the promotion of vegetarianism in the community, Penghu Center's Activity Planning Group recently held a cooking contest. Enthusiastic initiates busily began setting up the contest and dining areas very early in the morning. The participating brothers and sisters worked hard, trying their best for the contest. Every taster held remark cards and the recipes to grade each contestant.

After the contest was over, even though the initiates' taste buds were satisfied, they didn't forget to give marks for the food after they had tasted it. They discussed and judged the food so enthusiastically, just like experienced experts. When the results were determined, the first three winners were awarded grand prizes and all other contestants were given smaller prizes for participation.

From this contest, everyone learned that a good cook should know how to explain clearly the method of cooking, as well as how to combine the ingredients and present the food. They also learned that courage is needed to put things into action.

Dining is an important time when the family gets together. When cooking for family members, one should do it with love and care, and learn more about the excellence of various types of cooking.

In winter, towards the end of the year, the Preaching Vehicle from Taichung, for the first time, parked in front of the Old Railway Station in Dongshi for a heartwarming Truth-Spreading activity. A new approach of spreading Master's teachings was used -- advocating the healthy vegetarian diet and introducing environmental protection ideas at the same time.

Different types of delicious teas were served. Many heaters were used to make the guests feel comfortable while watching the videos in front of the preaching vehicle. Spectators were warmed inside and out as they relished the spiritual nourishment.

The benign and pure-minded residents of Dongshi were greatly interested in vegetarian cooking; they earnestly asked for recipes. Suddenly inspired, fellow practitioners decided to put the recipes inside the sample booklets and News magazines, as they distributed them to the people. They were very delighted to receive them.

When looking at Master's photo, a guest said, "This is the most beautiful spiritual Master!"