International Reports
Upon breathing in the fresh air, concepts were also renewed. (Morning exercises during the outdoor camping trip, Hsinchu Center.)                     Report From Formosa  "Clear Stream Trip" Cleansed The Heart

[Hsinchu] In the hot summer heat, the Hsinchu Center had tried for the first time to organize a "Clear Stream Trip" camping activity for fellow practitioners and their relatives. The site was the Wu Fung Hsien Valley and Creek. It was completely surrounded by hills and filled with beautiful scenery. The creek was so clear that one could see the bottom. As well, there was a small waterfall and a hanging bridge decorating the scene. It was a wonderful arrangement from Master, giving us such a paradise, and allowing fellow practitioners to recall the taste of the San Di Mun 7-Day Retreat.

The activities included a welcoming ceremony, meditation and praying for peace, vegetarian meals, campfire at night, interesting competitions, vegetarian barbecues, playing in water, and cleaning up of the environment. About two hundred people participated in this activity.

From the planning of the activity at the start all of us could feel Master's omnipotent blessing power. In the search for the site, making the activity information booklet, insurance, purchasing, transportation, preparing the site, building of toilets, digging a garbage pit, and laying out safety road marks, etc., everything went very smoothly with a lot of wonderful incidents.

Before the activity, some practitioners were sent to prepare the site. Since there were stones of various sizes below the ground, they had to do it with their hands. Although they were sweating and exhausted, the spiritual atmosphere of the great outdoors had cleansed their physical dirt. Master had also given them invisible blessings. On the way home, everyone felt uplifted with the joy of grace. When they looked up at the sky, there were two rainbows, and together with some white clouds encompassing the hill tops, it looked like a heavenly scene. Inside their hearts, they felt the extra gift from Master.

On the day of the activity, it was unbearably hot during registration time, due to the midday heat. Luckily, there was a shower. It looked as if the guardian angels were giving them a good reception as well as making it a bit cooler. At night, while meditating and praying for peace amidst the mountain breeze, everyone had better experiences than usual.

In lighting the campfire, remember that Master has encouraged us to be a 'Great Man' to hold up the torch, bringing light and goodness, for the world! (Hsinchu Center's outdoor camping activity.)

The next morning, everyone meditated on the large stones next to the creek. They looked like "stone buddha" statues. Some faced the cliff, some faced the waterfall, and some faced the rising sun. They formed a line of proud upright images. It was an extraordinary scene. After the vegetarian barbecue, they played in the creek water. No matter old or young, they happily enjoyed and took care of each other. The large Quan Yin family, under Master's teachings of love, had manifested the ideal realm of being one with each other.

During the entire activity, all fellow practitioners, guests and family members participated enthusiastically. The atmosphere was lively and harmonious. The surprising thing was that the usually meditating and solemn looking children of the Buddha had all become happy and naive when they were playing. In practicing the Quan Yin Method, isn't it true that the practitioners are immersed in a realm of love and purity?

With this activity, fellow practitioners felt that the children growing up in the Quan Yin family, apart from being serious about their work, practice, precepts and meditation, they were much more open and relaxed at the time of relaxation than other people. They could reach the realm of "forgetting the self"!

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Report From Formosa

A New Feature In Community Bazaars

[Kaoping] The Taiwan Machine Company, situated in the industrial area facing the sea in Kaohsiung, had recently organized a bazaar for the public. It was the first time that the Kaoping Center of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association had participated in a community activity of this kind. At the bazaar, our association had two booths: One was a display of books and artworks, and the other was for vegetarian food. As well, sample booklets and News magazines were placed at the entrance, hoping that people with affinity would be able to hear the teachings of God.

On the day of the event, the sky was clear and the bazaar was swarming with people; it was very popular. The book and art exhibit, decorated with a special elegant design due to the efforts of fellow practitioners, became the most attractive booth of the whole bazaar. Master's graceful and majestic poster was placed in the front of the booth and attracted people to linger around again and again. Many guests came and curiously asked about Master's teachings. Fellow practitioners earnestly answer them accordingly. There was a lovely little boy who had walked by our exhibit area several times, just wanting to see Master's photo a few more times. The attraction of a master is limitless. The passionate love from heaven had already brightened up the darkest, deepest recess of the souls of innumerable sentient beings.

Fellow practitioners from Kaoping arrange Master's art creations just like an outdoor art gallery.

Furthermore, the exquisite vegetarian dishes jointly prepared by skilled fellow practitioners, were not only outstanding among all the booths, but were also quite reputed. The delicious and attractive dishes and drinks included the following: chrysanthemum tea, fried spring cake, flat noodle rolls, toasted hand rolls, milk-jello, fried vegetarian seafood and noodle broth. Among these, the fried vegetarian seafood was the most popular. Very often, people asked for one more serving. The sisters in charge of the kitchen were all wearing proper kitchen clothing with masks and caps on their heads. Apart from eating more delicious food, it was hoped that people would also have it prepared and served more hygienically, allowing them to enjoy with a restful mind. Very quickly, all the vegetarian dishes were sold out. The tastety and wide variety of vegetarian food had widened the range of vision of the visiting guests.

Nearing the end, the directors and managers of the Taiwan Machine Company appeared at the bazaar. Fellow practitioners presented them Master's sample booklets and magazines. They bought some pins with Master's pictures and asked about Her teachings. After midday, the activity was officially closed. Bright smiles could be seen on the face of fellow practitioners. In the sharing of love, they forgot their fatigue and hoped to participate in similar activities in the future.