================================================================== ======= Contents ======= ? Selflessness and Innocence Make Everything Wonderful ? Poland | UK | Ghana | Mexico | USA | Korea | Formosa ? Ashes to Taxes | Publish or Perish! ? Developing Wisdom in Daily Life ? ? Appreciation of God Comes About through Knowing a Master | We are One with Godliness | God Can be Experienced Every Day, Everywhere | Direct Contact with God Leads to Ultimate Oneness ? Only by Reuniting with God Can We be Contented ? A Lesson from a Pure and Trusting Soul | An Open Heart Leads a Seeker to the Truth ? Timeless Understanding of Prophet Muhammad's Teachings | The Living Master is the Prophet of the Time | The Wisdom of the Masters Comes from God ? Master Saves Me Twice ? Surviving the Tsunami through Master's Blessing | No Outage in God's Power Supply! ? Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest DVDs | MP3s | Books ? Sri Lanka | India | Thailand | Indonesia | Somalia | Expenditures for 2004 Tsunami Relief Work by Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her Association ? Apple Daily, Hong Kong | Medan Daily News, Indonesia | Animals" Sixth Sense Saves Them from the South Asian Tsunami | Animals Show Human-like Compassion in Rescuing Tsunami Victims | Post-Disaster Despair is Transformed into Hope ? Togo | Costa Rica | USA | Canada | Thailand | Hong Kong | Indonesia | Philippines | Formosa | 2004 Global Disaster Relief Activities by Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her Association ? Niigata Prefecture, Japan ? Becoming Liberated by Getting a Glimpse of the Master ? ? Quan Yin WWW Sites A Little Message: In speaking of God or the Supreme Spirit, Master instructs us to use original non-sexist terms to avoid the argument about whether God is a She or a He. She + He = Hes (as in Bless) Her + Him = Hirm (as in Firm) Hers + His = Hiers (as in Dears) Example: When God wishes, Hes makes things happen according to Hiers will to suit Hirmself. News No. 156 Published: March 20, 2005 Founded: April 1, 1990 Published By: The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publisher: Hsieh Hsin-Lin The Supreme Master Ching Hai News magazine is published on the Internet in the following languages: Aulacese, Chinese (in both traditional and simplified versions), English, French, German, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese and Thai. Please refer to the "Quan Yin WWW Sites" of the News magazine for related websites. ================================================================== Master's Words Selflessness and Innocence Make Everything Wonderful Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Florida, USA, June 6, 2001 (Originally in English) Videotape # 714 You just have to be sincere and then everything will turn out all right. And don't have expectations! You should do it because you love to do it for others, then it works wonders. Everything is like that, but people still haven't learned this, or at least many haven't. It's just the ego that stands in the way. If you do everything like this without ego, with no strings attached, just unconditionally and for other people's benefit, not for yourself and not even in the hope that Master will come, not in the hope of getting merit or getting a blessing from God—not for anything at all—then it's wonderful. It feels very good to join this kind of group and to help or interact with these kinds of people. I like that very much. I wish all of us could become like that. The same is true when different people ask the same thing. Sometimes I feel very irritated by one person but not another, even though they ask the same question. It's the selflessness, the innocence that makes everything good. Even though it may be the same question, it's the different motive or inner purity that makes people feel good or not. The same is true of actions, whether they make people feel positive or not about joining, helping or even watching. We all know that, but not all of us can practice it. That's the problem: the ego, which always wants to do things for profit, for fame, for fortune, for whatever, even for blessings from Heaven! That's also not the right way to do things. We have to do things because we like to do them, to share goodness with people and make others happy just as we are. If we benefit from something, we want to give it to others, and that's the only motive we should have. But unfortunately, some of us haven't learned this, even those who are long-time practitioners. On the other hand, some people are new but they're quick. Perhaps because they've practiced in many lifetimes before, they're very natural, pure and selfless. ================================================================== Panorama of Events Report from Poland The Message of Truth is Disseminated in Poland By Beata Lukaszewska, Lodz [Lodz] On November 6, 2004, initiates from the city of Lodz in central Poland conducted a video seminar introducing Master's teachings to the public at the Astro3 bookstore in downtown Lodz. Despite the dismal weather that day many, people with an affinity for Master's teachings came to the cozy, beautifully decorated seminar room set up by the initiates. When the video lecture We are Here to Bless the World was shown, the guests showed deep interest in Master's teachings and strongly responded to Her words, especially during the seminar's question-and-answer session. Several already knew of Master and had longingly awaited the event, while others new to Master inquired about the Convenient form of practice and full initiation. Several days later, some of the guests learned the Convenient Method. The Astro3 bookstore video seminar was a wonderfully joyful experience for all. Thus, the Lodz initiates thank Master for giving them the chance to conduct this fruitful Truth-sharing activity, feel extremely happy that they could arrange such an event for local spiritual seekers, and plan to organize similar events in coming years. Report from the United Kingdom (UK) Precious Spiritual Lessons Learned through Selfless Service By the Surrey News Group [Surrey] The Surrey Center has been in operation for ten years, and recently local initiates realized the need to expand due to an increasing number of members, especially during monthly retreats, as well as a growing interest in spiritual practice among Surrey residents. Thus, through Master's wise, loving guidance, a newly refurbished Surrey Center officially opened on November 21, 2004 to provide spiritual information for local residents and a two floor meditation area. The Center's new information area is open to the public six days a week, and is staffed by local initiate volunteers. The Center's ground floor was originally a video shop that has now been renovated and converted into a meditation hall and reception room. It took two months of concerted effort and devotion from local sisters and brothers, with everyone giving their time, energy and love to transform what was originally a run down space into a beautifully restored meditation venue displaying Master's paintings and Celestial Lamps. In the front reception room, which provides the public with direct entry from the street, visitors can watch Master's videos, read Her publications and talk with initiates about meditation practice. As the work on the new Center progressed, Master's power continuously guided and directed the initiates at every stage. For example, each time they considered taking a shortcut or "doing it the easy way" to save time, money or energy, the sisters and brothers would be reminded inwardly of Master's constant attention to detail and emphasis on perfection. It was as though what everyone was doing physically in terms of attention, care and devotion to the project was a reflection of his or her spiritual level. Through this process, decisions and ideas flowed smoothly and naturally because all the volunteers worked together wholeheartedly, putting love into their efforts and letting Master's power lead the way. And as it turned out, the initiates discovered that while functioning in this manner, many obstacles were overcome perfectly as if by accident! Thus, the layout of the rooms, doors and windows, the positioning of lights, the color of the walls and so on all ended up in perfect balance and harmony, being far better than was originally expected or imagined. From this experience the initiates came to realize how Master's power works best when we are dedicated and work together without calculating too much with the mind. The Surrey initiates offer their deepest gratitude to Master for giving them this opportunity to learn together and share Master's love with the greater community. And now that the Golden Age is upon us, there is a greater need than ever to serve and share with others and thus spread Master's unconditional blessings through our efforts, as She always does for us. Captions: 1. The reception room at the Surrey Center 2. The Center's meditation hall Report from Ghana A Colorful, Spiritual Vegetarian Food Fair in Ghana By the Accra News Group [Accra] On December 26, 2004, the traditional English holiday known as Boxing Day, initiates from the Accra Center, Ghana, West Africa, organized their first food fair as a way to promote Master's teachings among neighborhood residents, friends, relatives and Convenient Method practitioners. The event was also organized to enlighten guests on the spiritual and physical benefits of vegetarianism. Prior to the fair the Center was beautifully decorated to welcome the visitors. Then after a brief opening prayer, Master was introduced through a biographical video. And afterwards, having been captivated by Master's wisdom, sincerity and pure, simple speech, the guests showed deep interest in Her teachings by asking many insightful spiritual questions. The sisters and brothers also shared with the audience how their daily lives have changed since encountering Master's teachings. Among the guests was a Christian minister who had already registered for the Convenient form of practice and said of Master, "I see Master as the embodiment of God, the Supreme Master of the Universe and a manifestation of God on Earth." The reverend also expressed a longing to be initiated into the Quan Yin Method and to help spread Her teachings to bring peace to the planet. Other members of the clergy were also touched by Master's words and wished to return to the Center and register for the Convenient Method. After the video presentation and question-and-answer session, the visitors were offered a variety of sumptuous vegetarian dishes created from local foodstuffs and prepared by fellow initiates, along with soft drinks made of soy beans and corn sprouts. While sampling the food and drinks the guests were highly appreciative, with many asking for further information on vegetarianism and the recipes for the food items. During the fair, several visitors had wonderful experiences to recount. For example, one woman said that after entering the Accra Center she suddenly experienced a great sense of bliss and happiness and felt a warm, spiritual presence within the building. Another guest, upon seeing Master's picture, walked straight to it, stood in front of it and stared at it for about fifteen minutes. In addition, another sister pleaded to stay behind after the fair to watch two more of Master's videos. These experiences, combined with the confidence exhibited by the initiates, implied the fact of Master's presence during the event. Thus the Accra Center initiates would like to say, "Thank You, Master. We love You and are deeply grateful to You for always being at our side to direct and guide us in whatever we do." Report from Mexico The Heavenly Teachings Quench the Thirst of Cancun's Souls By the Mexico News Group [Cancun] At the end of 2004 local initiates held a beautiful video lecture in the resort city of Cancun, Mexico to share our beloved Master Ching Hai's teachings with the public. Despite it being hurricane season, through Master's blessings the weather was pleasant, and Her loving presence was felt deeply as all the arrangements were carried out with ease. Before the seminar, the initiates eagerly distributed promotional leaflets in the city's streets. The venue was a sister initiate's home, where all the guests were offered an array of delicious fruits and candies. Since the attendees were deeply captivated by Master's words of wisdom, the entire audience stayed to learn the Convenient Method. Then, after a thirty-minute CM meditation session, everyone felt contented and joyous, as evidenced by their bright, happy faces. In addition, the guests were excited about continuing their CM practice and living their lives according to Master's Heavenly teachings. The Cancun initiates" message to Master is, "Thank You, beloved Supreme Master Ching Hai, for giving us the chance to hold the 2004 year-end video lecture. We hope to be able to hold similar events in the near future, always with Your help, limitless love and highest ideals.' Report from Ohio, USA A New Year's Prayer for the 2004 Tsunami Victims By the Ohio News Group [Ohio] On New Year's Day 2005, Midwestern disciples gathered at the Ohio Center for a one-day retreat to pray for the 2004 Asian and African tsunami victims. At the end of the retreat, candles were passed around and lit, symbolizing the light of hope. The initiates then read aloud the following prayer: Dear Master, we pray that the souls of those who died will be liberated to Heaven through Your grace. We also pray for the children who lost their parents during the disaster, and for all the others who lost their loved ones, relatives and families. Moreover we pray that the world's leaders will lead their people toward peace. Lastly, Master, knowing that You have done so much to elevate the consciousness of the world already, we pray that its remaining people will soon be spiritually awakened. While reading this prayer many initiates had tears in their eyes as they felt Master's omnipresent blessings. And on New Year's Day Golden Year 2, all were more thankful than ever and hoped to practice more diligently to repay Master for Her boundless love. Caption: Disciples read aloud a New Year's prayer while holding candles symbolizing the light of hope. Report from Korea Sharing the Eternal Light with the People of Miryang By the Busan News Group [Miryang] On December 10, 2004, fellow initiates from Busan conducted a video seminar in the nearby city of Miryang, which in Korean means "secreted, unexposed light," and is known to be a center of loyalty and devotion to spiritual pursuits in southern Korea. On the day of the seminar, despite extremely cold weather, the initiates steadily worked with their usual wondrous cooperation in the knowledge that the Almighty was ever present to help guide them in the right direction from deep within their hearts. When the starting time for the event drew near the day was sunny and warm. The initiates thus gave their deep thanks to Master and soon afterwards began welcoming visitors. The guests watched Master's video-lecture Life Continues Forever very attentively and occasionally nodded in agreement. Generally speaking, the people of Miryang are deeply concerned with learning about the Truth. One guest, an elderly lady who had been a Catholic from a young age, told the initiates how she wrote articles for Catholic newspapers, and after listening to Master's words, she was helped very much in her work: "Master explains very well the difficult and serious meaning of spirituality with easy words and examples. And it really helps people to understand properly." A Buddhist monk who was also among the guests was deeply impressed with one of the oldest sister-initiates in attendance, observing that her happiness with her practice and firm belief in the Quan Yin path helped him to feel interested in Master's teachings. And so he listened carefully until the lecture video ended and subsequently learned the Convenient Method. The audience members at the Miryang video seminar were very humble and seemed sincerely interested in Master's teachings and meditation. Thus at the end of the seminar everyone departed with satisfied hearts and souls, and enthusiastically received Master's News magazines and some blessed food. Their smiles were bright and full of happiness, and their souls radiated bliss through their twinkling eyes. Whenever the Busan initiates have the opportunity to spread our beloved Master's teachings as they did at the Miryang video seminar, they show their deep gratitude to Her, praying that many other people receive the benefits of Her blessing and come to know the Truth. At the end of Golden Year One, the practitioners made a new year's resolution to hold more encouraging events and renew some projects in 2005 in order to elevate others" spiritual consciousness and progress more quickly on the spiritual path themselves. Report from Formosa The Nectar of Truth Spreads to Penghu Residents By the Penghu News Group [Penghu] On December 19, 2004, local initiates introduced Master's precious, noble teachings to residents of the Penghu Islands off the coast of Formosa by holding a Truth-sharing video seminar and displaying Her publications and art work at the Jhongjheng Primary School in Magong City, the Islands" county seat. The event was organized by Penghu initiates after the inauguration of their new center during the 2004 Mid-Autumn Festival. Thanks to Master's loving blessings and the earnest assistance of fellow initiates from Taipei, Hsinchu and Taichung, preparations for the event went smoothly. Being simple and pure at heart, the people of Penghu left deep impressions in the minds of the disciples, who were allowed to put up Master's posters by practically every shop owner in the Islands. The initiates responded by diligently distributing fliers to many local residents. On the day of the seminar, visitors were fascinated by the exquisite display of Master's publications, paintings, Longevity Lamps and Celestial Clothes arranged by the initiates in the "Smile Square" of the Jhongjheng Primary School. Distinguished guests who attended included Penghu County Council Speaker Liu Chen Zhao-ling and Mayor Wang Qian-fa of Magong City. Being impressed by the initiates" warm, peaceful and benign energy, and recognizing the bliss they experienced in being disciples, speaker Liu expressed hope of one day practicing the Quan Yin Method himself. In addition, Mayor Wang said, "This activity brings back memories of a lecture by Master that I attended over a decade ago at the Penghu branch of the China Youth Corps [a national organization that sponsors activities for young people]." During the lecture, Mr. Wang was greatly impressed by the practitioners" peaceful aura and the large audience in attendance, and was so touched by Master's words that he thought spiritual progress must be the most wonderful gift of life and expected he would one day join the Quan Yin Family. Mr. Wang also praised the initiates" noble desire to introduce the supreme Method to the residents of Penghu and thus make it a more beautiful place. Then, after the presentation of Master's lecture video, the initiates were surprised to find Speaker Liu, Mayor Wang and several other participants basking in tranquility with their eyes closed, as though immersed in the bliss of samadhi. Moreover, the sisters and brothers were delighted when dozens of guests registered to learn the Convenient Method. As countless spiritual seeds were sown in the Penghu Islands through the Jhongjheng Primary School video seminar, the initiates thanked Master for another precious opportunity to work with a spirit of piety and sacrifice in spreading the supreme Truth and enhancing their experience on the path of practice. ================================================================== Master Tells Jokes Ashes to Taxes Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Florida, USA, December 28, 2001 (Originally in English) Videotape #735 There was a businessman who was dying so he called his friend and said, "Please, after I die, can you do me a favor? Can you cremate me?" And the friend said, "OK, yes. But what shall I do with your ashes?" So the businessman said, "You can put all my ashes into an envelope and send them to the tax office of the IRS, with a note saying, ‘Now you have everything!'" Publish or Perish! Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Florida, USA, December 28, 2001 (Originally in English) Videotape #735 Two friends were talking together, and one asked the other, "What have you been doing lately?" And the other friend said, "Since last year I've taken up writing full time." So the first friend said, "Oh, really, writing full time? Have you sold anything so far?" And the other friend said, "Yes. I've sold my car and I've sold my house." Please visit the following websites to enjoy the original video versions of these jokes, and you may share the joy of Master's humor with those around you: http://www.Godsdirectcontact.net/eng/news/156/jk1.htm (USA) http://www.Godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng/news/156/jk1.htm (Formosa) ================================================================== Spiritual Interludes Developing Wisdom in Daily Life By bother-initiate Cheong Wo, Surrey, United Kingdom (Originally in English) During the renovation of the Surrey Center in 2004, I was in charge of searching for a company to produce a large sign with the words "The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association" to be placed in the Center's front window. During this project, I contacted four companies, all of which gave expensive quotes that were far beyond the Center's budget. Intuitively I felt that there must be a more economical way to make the sign, and remembered Master's teaching that we should never give up and always try our best until the end. So I meditated for a while and prayed for Master's guidance. Then I suddenly felt a strong urge to pick up the phone book and call one more company, and to my delight the salesperson quoted a price that was only one third of the amount the Center had budgeted for the sign! So we were able to use our funds for many signs instead of just one, revealing another of God's amazing arrangements and teaching us to always trust in our inner feelings and thus develop our capacity while working for Hirm. In the process of informing the public about the new meditation center in Surrey we realized that automobiles could also be useful for this purpose. So we designed a sign for our car windows that beautifully displayed Master's picture along with the Center's contact information. Many initiates thus came to understand how valuable a car can be in sharing Master's teachings so they began to ask the Center to make more signs for their cars. And now the Surrey sisters and brothers freely promote Master's teachings while driving around town, taking their children to school, parking at work places and so on! Having a car window sign has also proven useful to the initiates themselves, as several brothers and sisters recently reported that they had gotten lost while driving to a Center retreat, but when they spotted a car displaying the Center's sign, they immediately knew to follow that vehicle! In this way they easily made it to the Center. >From these experiences the fellow practitioners of Surrey have learned that if they try to apply Master's wisdom in daily life, they can serve the world more effectively. ================================================================== Introductory Book Notes The Greatness of a Master's Love: Review of Tales of the Mystic East By sister-initiate Lynn McGee, Ohio, USA (Originally in English) With its ancient sacred tradition, India has been graced by the presence of many great Masters through the centuries, including Shakyamuni Buddha, Jesus Christ and Supreme Master Ching Hai, and its literature is replete with spiritual lore. The elevating vibrations of these and countless other Saints have helped the Indian people become tolerant of all religious beliefs. India's heritage of religious understanding is reflected in Tales of the Mystic East (published by Radha Soami Satsang Beas Publishers), a collection of parables that depict the actions of past Masters and their disciples. The settings of the Tales range from Egypt to India, and the texts describe well-known Masters such as Kabir along with many "unknowns" who are referred to simply as "Saints." Each story in the anthology brings to life a different aspect of the Master-disciple relationship. But all express the theme that spiritual progress is best achieved when the Master's absolute love and wisdom are met by a disciple's complete faith and devotion. An example of how a disciple's loyalty is his ultimate protection can be seen in the story "The Price of Hot Coals," in which a spiritual devotee finds himself being constantly tempted by a prostitute. One day, he is instructed by his Master to obtain some hot coals, but the only person he can find with any coals is the prostitute. So he approaches her and asks her to sell him some. Tauntingly, she replies that the "price" will be his eyes, and then she watches in amazement as the disciple immediately plucks out one of his eyes and places it before her. Immensely regretful for what she has done, the prostitute gives the disciple the coals and he then returns to his Master with the coals and a bandage over his eyes. When the Master sees the bandage, he asks about it and then tells the disciple to remove it. As the disciple takes off the dressing, he finds that his eye has been completely restored! There are many other similarly inspiring stories in Tales of the Mystic East, and after reading them I asked myself why Supreme Master Ching Hai does not speak of such wonders from Her own life experience. But I soon realized that Master's reluctance to speak of such matters is due to Her deep humility. Although She teaches that a living Master's task is to re-connect us with God, Her unwillingness to be identified as more than what she calls "a transmitting pole" for divine energy is a sign of Her greatness (Experience Heaven on Earth, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, May 9, 1999). Since coming to this understanding, I have been nearly moved to tears with each story I read in Tales of the Mystic East as I am reminded of Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her selfless work for humanity. As the greatest of living Masters, She interprets universal law and applies it flawlessly to each individual's karmic situation. Master is the only One Who can communicate to disciples on the inner or outer level exactly how to account for their thoughts, words and deeds. In addition, She is the only One who can show us how to progress spiritually and, when we fall, carry us in Her arms until we can walk again. May we all remain worthy of this gift. Thank You, Master. ================================================================== Pearls of Wisdom Appreciation of God Comes About through Knowing a Master Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, February 27, 1992, Malaysia (Originally in English) Videotape #220 There are many tales in Indian folklore about the Lord and the Master that are sung as songs and say things like, "If God appeared before me and my Master appeared before me, whom would I bow to? I would bow to my Master first. God doesn't care about my transmigration through the cycles of this life and death existence. God has thrown me into the sea of suffering, but my Master lifts me up. He or She saves my soul; He or She carries me through this stormy life. So I worship my Master." Truly, without the Master, how can you know God? How will you know that God exists within you, that you can make use of this God power to save yourself, save your life and your energy, save your relatives and friends and make use of your existence? Only the Master can show you the way to do this. I know from my own experience that it's beautiful to know God inside. And what we call the inner Master and the inner God power are really the same thing. We are One with Godliness Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 30, 2000 (Originally in English) Videotape #688 God is the Light that's brighter than thousands of suns put together. God is the melody that fills our souls with all happiness and contentment no matter where we are, no matter what race or nationality, no matter what kind of background or religion we're from. And if we want to touch God as one of us, Hes even manifests as one of us; for example, Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed, the Sikh Gurus or the Krishna Masters. These are all personal, individual manifestations of God for us to love, to see, to touch and to believe in. Also, we can still contact these Masters when we raise our consciousness to their Heavenly dimension, which is higher than the physical consciousness of this planet. If I can do it, you can. If our brother- and sister-initiates can, you can. And it's happening now, not a thousand years ago! Because the good news is that we're one in this system, we're one with this Godliness, we're one with everything we can see or dream of or imagine. We are that. God Can be Experienced Every Day, Everywhere Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Videoconference with initiates from the San Francisco Center, August 25, 2002 (Originally in English) Videotape #748 God is to be experienced not only through the wisdom eye center or the Heavenly "audio center" but also every day with everything—with your breath, with your body, with your feelings, with your intellect, with your emotions, with your mental attitude and also with the people around you. Because God is everywhere Hes brings you experiences and wonders every day, all the time. You just have to notice it. And sometimes we don't notice. We just wait for God to appear in meditation, but God isn't like that. So, in meditation we can have a more quiet experience with Hirm. But most times every day Hes blesses us everywhere. However, sometimes you don't know it. Sometimes you're supposed to have an accident, and it looks like you're almost having a car accident, but who is veering your car away or veering some other car away so that you remain safe? These are the times when we notice God is there. But then we just think, "Oh, it's a coincidence." Or sometimes we happen to find a good job that we never expected and we think, "Oh, it's another coincidence." But no—God is everywhere and Hes always protects us and helps us. I think you know this very well. So, quit expecting God to appear to you only through the wisdom eye center. Hes appears all the time. Direct Contact with God Leads to Ultimate Oneness Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, London, UK, June 9, 1999 (Originally in English) Videotape #662 God has no form even though Hes can manifest in physical and metaphysical forms so that we can identify ourselves with Hirm, talk to Hirm and even complain to Hirm; we can also hear Hiers advice and become wiser so as to better take care of our daily problems. And that's how we become saintly and wise people. In the old times, people became wise men or women because of direct communication with God, or through direct teaching from the Most High. So in the beginning when we first come to know God, Hes might appear to us as Light or talk to us in human language or as intuition in our minds. But later on Hes will raise us higher and higher until we become one with Hirm. And that's when we can declare, "I and my Father are one" the same way our Lord Jesus reached God. ================================================================== Master Says Only by Reuniting with God Can We be Contented Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Cape Town, South Africa, December 1, 1999 (Originally in English) Videotape #676 Our heavenly Father never looks at our so-called sins because in Hiers eyes we don't ever sin; we just make mistakes. We forget the noble beings that we are. Therefore, Hes always sends some special person like Jesus, Buddha, Krishna, Muhammad, Guru Nanak or the Jain Masters, to name a few, to show us how to remember again that we truly are the greatest beings imaginable in the whole universe. Even the angels envy us; even the greatest of the angels has to serve us. Can you imagine? And all the while, we pray to the angels as if they were our greater protectors. They are, but only as long as we're still ignorant of our own glory. As soon as we remember who we are, they stand by and serve us because we're made in the image of God. Suppose we have access to Heaven anytime, which we do after initiation. According to your concentration, you go to a higher or a little lower part of Heaven; we all do, and we all see God in different ways. So suppose we go to Heaven when we attain a higher degree of enlightenment through diligent, daily practice; then we'll see all the angels and all the great beings with the greatest Light imaginable, lining up on both sides to welcome us. That's what we truly are. It's better than any "red carpet treatment." And if God Hirmself deemed us really fit to receive a true vision of Hirmself, which isn't anything we can describe in human language, we would melt like ice in the Himalayas under the June sun. We'd feel like a baby; we'd feel incredible bliss. The most incredible experience that people describe in human relationships is sexual ecstasy, which pales in comparison to this. I have to tell you this so that you can compare it to something! Otherwise, I don't know how to describe the bliss of Heaven. When you're in ecstasy, when you're in samadhi, when you face God, sometimes Hes deems fit to appear as an image or as a face. Depending on how we'd like to see Hirm, Hes can appear as a Mother or as a Father. Then again, Hes can be just splendor with Light, and thousands of suns around Hiers image. And yet, you also have thousands of suns around your Self. Because at the time your soul is liberated, it radiates this kind of Light and you are the Light. That's what all the Bibles tell us—that we're the Light; we're the essence of Light. The Word is also Light! That's a vibration. The more condensed version of the Light becomes the Sound. The Sound is like melody in this world. That's why we love music so much; because it's very similar to the music of Heaven, to the Word spoken by God, the universal language which, when we hear it, allows us to understand all things: We understand all languages, we understand each other and we love each other. We're so nourished, so energized by this inner vibration, the Word of God, the music of Heaven, that we become a new person. That's why many people glow after initiation. They change so completely and immediately that sometimes I don't recognize them before and after initiation. Sometimes the change is that drastic, and the more they meditate each day, the younger they become. Because all the cells become new. That's why we become like children—we become more innocent, more intelligent, purer and simpler at heart. We become closer to Heaven. The Bible says, "Except that you become like a child again, you cannot enter the Kingdom of God." To become a child, we have to go through the process called baptism—baptism with the fire of the Spirit. Saint John mentioned this: "No doubt I baptize by water, but the One who comes after me will baptize you with the fire of the Holy Spirit." What is the fire of the Holy Spirit? It's God Hirmself purifying us, reconnecting us with Hirmself, taking us, the part, back to the whole again, making the drop of the Ocean merge into the vast waters of Love. This is the time of baptism. The true baptism takes place in less than a second, and we'll be there right away in Heaven, where we should be. Because there's nothing that separates us from our Self and God, never ever, except our attention and our thinking that we're separate from God. That's how we're separated from God. So I'm just showing you how to change your attention to a different place, a different dimension. For example, now I'm looking at you and I see you so I can't see what's behind me. If I turn myself backwards, I see what's behind me. We can see God while living. We can even choose the time to die. We select our own level of Heaven before we go there. Just like you go to an agency to look at different houses and see which one is better for you. Similarly, "in the house of our Father there are many mansions" and we can pick one according to our level of understanding and consciousness. We've never been separated from God; that's what I want to tell you. That's what I've discovered: In just the blink of an eye, we're in God consciousness. A blink of an eye, and we're back here again. A blink again, and we go back to Heaven. Blink again, and we come back here. Sometimes the boundary between Heaven and the physical dimension is so blurred that you go in and out, in and out. Or you're in both at the same time, as most of the Masters" consciousness are. They're in both worlds at the same time; They've mastered the transcendental art of erasing the boundary between the physical world and the Heavenly world. They've erased space and time in Their consciousness because They've become one with God again. It's so simple that every one of us can do it because each of us is already God. We just need to look in a different direction, that's all. I'll show you where to look inside yourself, where the connection with God is, where God resides. If Hes resides within us, where is it? Within! Then we must go within, not go without. When we go without, we see the physical manifestation of God. We see the walking, physical God Who sits behind us, beside us, Who loves us physically, Who eats with us, Who jokes with us, Who laughs with us. Within, we see the reality of all creation, the God Who is! The God Who isn't physical yet Who has thousands of millions of images. The God Who has no name, yet Who has been called by thousands of loving names. Just like we call our loved one, "Honey, " or "my dear, my apple pie, my sugar, my candy," or "My other half, my better half, my dearest, my loved one." Anything! You sometimes invent a name to call your loved one. For example, someone might call his wife "my noodle." And that's alright! So some people even call God "The Bride," "The Eternal Beloved" or "The Faithful Spouse." Anything will do because we love God so much and Hes loves us so much. We're one so we can call Hirm anything, but it would be better for all of us to truly reunite with this loved One again. Too much talk about the future fiancé or coming husband but no reunification, no union, is of no use. We'll never experience the happiness of marriage if we never see the husband we've heard so much about! Similarly, everything we say about God—for example, introducing or praising God—is like a wonderful song to our ears and to our soul. But the soul wants more solid experience, being truly face-to-face with God, and that I can help you with. (Applause) God loves you so much! ================================================================== Story World A Lesson from a Pure and Trusting Soul By a fellow initiate from Mainland China (Originally in Chinese) In the summer of 2004 I went by bus to visit a friend in a small Chinese city that I had never been to before. When my bus got off the highway, the weather was gloomy, I had no idea of how to get to the downtown area, and there were no people on the streets to ask for directions except for a few passing motorists. After getting off the bus I noticed several taxi drivers hailing me but I did not take their cabs. Then while I was walking alone on the pavement, a middle-aged man riding a pedicab came by and asked if he could take me to town. I hesitated, remembering my many past experiences of being cheated in cities. However, the man kept insisting that I get on his pedicab, saying, "I'll charge you only one yuan." I could not believe my ears when I heard this—one yuan—the price of an ice popsicle? However, I declined the man's offer. Then he continued with a, smile, "I'm cycling to town with an empty cab. Let me give you a ride and earn one yuan." He sounded quite honest and I was somewhat persuaded while still feeling a bit hesitant. So I said, "That sounds nice, but once we get downtown, things may be different since I'm not local." The man looked disappointed but let me decide. Then finally, I got on the pedicab. It was a long way into the city but the man said firmly, "No matter what part of the city you go to, I'll charge you only one yuan. I mean what I say." While we rode to the downtown area we conversed and I learned that he was unemployed, single and living with his elderly parents. And as I looked at his busy feet and suntanned arms and back, I became convinced that he was an honest man and felt sympathetic and even sorry for him. When we arrived downtown, I saw a bus stop and wanted to get off and take a bus to my friend's home. Also, because it was really hot that day, I hoped that he could get a new customer and earn another yuan. But the man would not let me get off his pedicab, saying, "This means you don't trust me." He then asked me repeatedly to remain seated since he had promised to take me to my destination. At last we arrived and I handed him five yuan. But he refused the money, saying that he had no change. "This is the fare I want to pay. You don't need to give me any change," I replied, and his eyes opened wide in bewilderment. I then said, "You deserve this amount because of your honesty, and I hope that you always keep your pure, kind heart." The driver then shook my hand in gratitude, and we reluctantly said good-bye. I am not rich and knew that a little money could not change the driver's fate. But I hoped to give him some encouragement and express my love and deep appreciation for what he had done. Later my friend told me that the city was economically underdeveloped, and even if I had taken a taxi that day, the fare would have been only four yuan. But I realize that I rode the pedicab instead of a taxi because God was giving me a chance to learn about a pure and trusting heart. It is only after we practice spirituality that we truly and more deeply understand the value of honesty and trust, which cannot be bought with money. An Open Heart Leads a Seeker to the Truth By a fellow initiate from Mainland China (Originally in Chinese) The arrival of the Golden Age has brought the world fresh vitality and a sense of renewal. This fact was confirmed by a recent encounter I had with a sincere Chinese Truth-seeker and aspiring fellow initiate. The would-be initiate, who is in her fifties, practiced many spiritual methods in her lifelong pursuit of the Truth and the meaning of life. Being pure and trusting by nature, she fully complied with each instruction she was given by her teachers during her spiritual quest. Some years ago, the sister was sent to a labor camp for practicing a method that has a large and influential following in China. Whenever our conversation touched on this sensitive issue, the incredible joy she felt left me somewhat bewildered. Her happiness stemmed from the fact that she viewed every experience as a steppingstone on her spiritual path. She even felt grateful to the government for giving her the opportunity to reflect during her incarceration. While at the camp, she watched films about good people and good deeds that were shown daily to the inmates, and realized that a spiritual practitioner should not go to extremes in any area of life. Being alone much of the time, she had the chance to quietly ponder the method she had been practicing and began to doubt its value since it emphasized exclusivity and forbade followers to pursue any other spiritual technique, especially the Quan Yin Method. Then she suddenly became enlightened and thought, "The Quan Yin Method must possess some divine power and wisdom." Next, when she was released from the labor camp, she began to seek information about the Method. A severe blow such as being sent to a labor camp might have shaken many people's faith and diminished their longing for the Truth. However, in this sister's case it created a renewal of her spiritual quest and a more open heart. Many practitioners from her previous path pressured her and some even slandered her, but she managed to hold her own and move on. Then one day she obtained a copy of Master's sample booklet, and felt as though a most valuable treasure had come into her hands. Every word Master said generated an echo in her heart, and her longing and determination guided her higher. She earnestly studied all of Master's teachings that she could find and admired Her broad, all-embracing viewpoint on various religions and sects. This was the initial reason that the sister accepted Master, and after reading Her books, she began to pine for Her so much that she often wept. Once a group of initiates and I invited the sister to go hiking with us and she happily invited another would-be initiate along. While we all meditated together in the mountains, it suddenly began to rain and everyone got wet. But the two would-be initiates still remained in samadhi. Reluctant to disturb them, the rest of us waited quietly until they arose from their peaceful state, and then both said that incredibly, they had had the same blissful experience of seeing the inner sun and beautiful lights! The methods they had practiced in the past yielded only physical benefits without such wonderful spiritual fruits, and so these inner visions increased their desire to quickly receive initiation. The sister now has very good experiences and her inner light has become increasingly bright. She feels a lightning-like flash at her wisdom eye even when she is not meditating. Once she prayed to Master to quickly give her initiation, and she heard Master's voice reply very clearly, "You're in such a hurry!" She is overjoyed about her sense of rebirth and about meeting the most powerful Master and most compassionate Mother in the world, and continues to look forward eagerly to initiation. Anyone such as this sister who has an open, longing heart will not easily let go of the chance to gain enlightenment. When we are ready, the Master will appear and hold our hands to lead us Home! ================================================================== Selected Questions and Answers Timeless Understanding of Prophet Muhammad's Teachings Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Los Angeles, California, USA, June 7, 1998 (Originally in English) Videotape #626 Q: I'm a Muslim. M: Yes. Be welcome. Me, too! Q: You've said that God lives within us. M: Well, it's not only I who's said it. All the prophets have said that. Your Prophet, Muhammad, said the same thing. He even said that all religions are from God. Q: Yes, I believe that. You also said that when God is in us, we are God. And I have another strange feeling. I feel that You are me and I am You. M: That's wonderful. I'm very honored. (Q: Is that all right?) That's very all right. Welcome to the same feeling! Join the group; they all feel the same way (Master refers to the audience). Q: Yes, it feels good to be among my own people. Really, it's an ecstatic feeling. M: That's the way it should feel. So, do you have another question? Q: I do have another question, but should I go public? M: Oh, go all out! Q: OK. Well, what happened to me is that my whole life changed. One day I was working on a project for my painting class. It was a drawing that they asked me to do, a self-portrait. So I drew what was inside me. And I wrote Arabic words on it, from the Quran. That was the real me. So I didn't know what had happened, but when I went outside, everything was different. Things were happening that had never happened to me before. People were responding to me in a different way. And when the teacher saw the painting, she said, "This is it! You got it!" M: Wow! So you probably got it! Q: It's just that it was so overwhelming. I couldn't believe it. M: So now, what's the question? You don't like that? Q: I do! But it's hard to believe. I wonder whether it's my mind playing tricks on me or if it's real. M: Well, even if your mind is playing tricks on you, it's a good trick, a very pleasant illusion. Q: Yes, and there's another thing. All my dreams and wishes are coming true. And it's not just me; it's other people, like my friends. They say something to me, and then they come and tell me, "Hey, it happened!" M: Well, whatever it is, enjoy it! We only have to recognize ourselves, and other people will as well. The Prophet is very pleased with you. (Applause) If you're pleased with yourself, He's pleased. (Q: Thank You.) Don't worry about it. Just live on. Everything we experience in life will pass, and then we'll have another, better experience. It's always better. Q: So, should I go ahead and tell my family and friends that I'm a follower of the Quan Yin Method? M: Just tell them that you've found some friends who believe in the Quran, and that these friends not only believe in the Quran, they also live the way of the Quran. Not only do they believe in the prophet Muhammad and His teachings, but they try to live His teachings. And in your opinion or your experience of integrating with these friends, you feel they're sincerely trying to live up to the teachings of the Prophet. So go slowly like that. Q: I like that. Yes, I think that will make more sense. M: In the Quran, the Prophet also mentions not to eat meat. Q: He does? I didn't know that. M: Go ahead and look. Study more of the Quran. Study more before you talk to your parents or relatives again. Really, you'll understand differently now. Everything will be clear to you, very, very clear. The Prophet also teaches non-discrimination among religious believers. So all those followers who make extreme judgments aren't acting according to the Quran's teachings at all. You should study more of the Quran. Make sure you know what you're talking about. I've studied the Quran, and the teachings are exactly the same as those of other Prophets. I'm very happy that you came. At last! We have a lot of other Muslim friends, too. Q: I'm glad You know so much about Prophet Muhammad. M: I don't know that much, but we're friends. He said to be a good guest on Earth, to live a "rich" life and be a good guest. He didn't tell people to be ascetic, either. We should be rich both spiritually and materially. So, be a good guest on Earth and live a rich life here. Muhammad said that He was a guest and that we're all guests here. He knew that. We're all from Heaven. Thus, what else did He mean by saying that we're only guests here? He always talked about Heaven and God. Nothing else came from his mouth. Everything else about war and so on was just unavoidable. But they persecuted Him; they traced His footsteps everywhere and made hell for his disciples. So He and His disciples unavoidably had to defend themselves sometimes. And during these defensive battles, some were bound to die while some were bound to live. Then He had to comfort those people and tell them that it was by accident. Because if you have to defend yourself and kill other beings, God will still take you to Heaven because you did it for a righteous cause. Hence, some people made use of that concept to make war later on, which isn't right. But the teachings of the Prophet are always right. It's just that we sometimes understand wrongly, and that's very sad. Q: I'm so pleased to hear all of that. M: It happens in every religion. And the same is true with the many wives and so on. In the time of Muhammad, when the Prophet was alive, His teachings provoked a lot of resentment and anger because he didn't teach like anyone else at that time. He taught that Heaven was at hand, saying, "Come to me; then I'll show you." They thought he was being blasphemous, of course, like Jesus so they persecuted Him. They thought that He wanted political fame and that He was trying to be famous, maybe in a position against the government because he was too beloved by the people. And of course, any government at that time would feel threatened. Even nowadays, some governments would feel threatened if the Prophet were to come back to life again and lead the people. So of course, there were wars. They were persecuted, and sometimes in the course of defending themselves, they had to fight with the government. Maybe they didn't even fight. But the government and its soldiers, probably sometimes by mistake, killed themselves or were killed. For example, maybe they wanted to thrust a sword into a Muslim believer but suddenly they somehow fell down, thrusting the sword into themselves instead. But they would blame the Muslims for killing them. Thus the Prophet's life at that time was a continual war, with constant running and hiding. It was a very terrible time for Him and His followers. Still, their faith was very strong so they stuck together. The men would form a shield around the women and families. They were reluctant soldiers, on the alert and watching out. And yet they were the ones who died first because of being in the front. So if they died, their families were left behind. The compassionate Prophet then had to tell the remaining disciples, "Each man who's left must take care of his brother's wife and children as his own. But only the ones who are able can do so." That's why He made the rule, "If you take on two or three wives from your brothers, you have to give to them exactly as you would to your own wife." That's only fair, to treat your brother's family as your own. We do the same here; that's the brotherhood. And then of course, only the ones who are able should do that. If you can't feed your own family, how can you take on more family? That's only being fair, just and wise. So that's how the brothers took on other wives and children. That was the spirit of brotherhood. If your brother sacrifices his life for you and for your family, you must take care of his wife and children, or his wife or his children. Whatever you can do, you do it. Then you share your property equally among your wife and the other wives and treat them as your own. Those were the Prophet's compassionate instructions and wise strategy at that time. It was due to the necessity of the time that they took in more wives than necessary for themselves. But they didn't take the person in as a wife, just as someone to care for. So a lot of Masters do things that we don't understand because the situation isn't really the way we think. It may look like something we understand, but it's not. The Living Master is the Prophet of the Time Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, interview with reporters from the Iranian TV Network, Cape Town, South Africa, December 2, 1999 (Originally in English) Videotape #676 Q: Do You think that's what Islam is, messages that were sent down by God through the Prophet Muhammad? M: Yes, they absolutely were from God! It was not Muhammad, the physical person. It was the God within Him and the God of the whole that united and spoke through His physical frame. That's what we call Muhammad. He was the Prophet at that time; He was the one and only at that time. But God has to send many Muhammads throughout different generations to remind Hiers children again and again. Because we weren't so fortunate as to be born at the time of the Prophet Muhammad; we're alive now. So there has to be some reminder at all times, like the descendents of Muhammad. But the descendents of Muhammad or Christ aren't always necessarily born in Israel or Turkey. They're born everywhere, as God wills it, to benefit Hiers different races of children. That's the will of Heaven. All Religions Belong to God Q: If all the different religions are from God, then are there a lot of different messages from God? And are all of them OK? M: All of them point to one thing, which is God. And all of them tell us to find God while living. The Quran says that all religions belong to God. Q: But their origin is not what we see at the moment. Because the Holy Quran also says that the only religion for God is Islam, and no other religion. M: It's absolutely one hundred percent correct to say "no other religion" because at that time, Muhammad was transmitting the direct teaching from God. So, for those who believed in Muhammad when He was alive and who received the direct teaching from Him, Islam was the only real teaching because the Master was still alive and was transmitting the real teaching directly. Any other religion from before that time was just theory. So when Christ was alive, that religion was real. Because of the direct teaching, people could see the Light and communicate with God. But when any Master is gone, another Prophet, be it the last or the first, has to come and connect people with God again. And for the people at that time, that's the only real religion. See God and All Arguments about Religion Cease Q: But that's in contradiction to the message of the Quran. M: Only because you haven't seen God yet; that's why we argue about words and concepts and theory. If you just close your eyes, I can help you see God in an instant. And then you can talk to Hirm and ask your Allah, "What is the real thing? What is the Truth?" You're very, very religious and devoted, and I'm very touched by your faith. But there's one thing missing—God! We talk about God all the time; we talk about the last Prophet and we talk about the Truth but we don't see it. If only you could see what I see, we wouldn't ever have to discuss it again. Would you like to see God now? Do you want to see the Light? I can make you see; I can help you. Because it's in you; Allah is within you! If we don't understand this, if we don't see God ourselves, then our knowledge is very limited. The Quran is the true teaching, but people can't understand it because you have to rise up to the same level or at least almost the same level of Muhammad in order to understand Muhammad's words. Otherwise, there will be a lot of misunderstanding. That's why there's fighting and killing between different religions and even within the same religion, over the same God! This occurs because we rely on our limited understanding instead of on God's knowledge. So we could talk forever because I understand differently than you do, and we might even end up fighting with each other. But I love you because I've been there. I've argued with people before about Buddhism being the best or Christianity being the highest. But now I'm humble; I'm humble in the name of God because I know there's such a great knowledge that no one can say he or she understands everything. I only understand whatever God makes me understand, and I'm so grateful for whatever Hes bestows on me. And we keep learning forever. Even the Prophet learns forever. Because God is limitless! We can know the whole, or we can know each point. If we want to understand each point, it will take an infinite amount of time. I'm just so happy to know God. If you say I'm wrong or I'm right, I don't mind. I know the Father. So whatever you say is fine. If you understand the Quran, it's good. If you understand the way you understand, that's good, too. But I just understand differently because I see the Prophet. He teaches me directly. The Wisdom of the Masters Comes from God Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Oslo, Norway, June 2, 1999 (Originally in English) Videotape # 661 Q: What do you think of Islam as a complete and good religion? M: I've read the Quran and it's complete. But there's not much difference between the Quran and the Christian Bible or the Buddhist sutras. Any religious scripture is just one part of the teaching: the theoretical part. The other, practical part, you have to learn with God alone. The prophet Muhammad learned it directly from God. He had to shut out the world and go inside so He could get the message from God. That's how He became wise and could teach other people. So if we want to be like Him, we have to do the same. We have to contact God ourselves. ================================================================== A Child's Letter Master Saves Me Twice Narrated by Lu Ruru, a child from Mainland China, Recorded by grandmother Lu (Originally in Chinese), November 12, 2004 Revered Master, Greetings to you! I am a child from China and my name is Ruru. I am seven years and nine months old and am in the second grade. I am told I had congenital heart disease and a heart transplant when I was two. During that time, I lay dead for several days and my mother cried every day. My father is Your disciple, and he and his friends prayed that You would Bless me. Then You, the Master Who responds to every plea, brought me back from the angel of death and gave me a new life. Many children have the same disease as I do, yet several lose their lives, no matter how much money is spent on their care. Thank You, Master, for having saved me at this young age. Also, I had a heavy cold not long ago, and despite many injections did not recover. The doctor gave me a thorough check-up, and diagnosed severe hepatitis B. My parents and teachers were worried, and I myself did not feel well. That night, I had a nightmare. The following day, I found my long-lost necklace with Your photo and my eyes brightened up. With great cheer, I quickly put on the necklace and told myself, "I have Master to protect me. I'm not afraid. I'm not sick at all. I'm a healthy person.' On the third day, I went to the hospital for a re-examination and the results showed that I had no disease at all. Moreover, my body had produced hepatitis B antibodies. I cannot describe the gratitude and excitement we felt—me, my family members and all those who had been worried about me. I could not help exclaiming, "It's a miracle! It's a miracle! My omnipotent Master, You've saved my life again.' I usually keep a vegetarian diet, as does my father, and we are both in good health. But my mother does not understand the benefits of vegetarianism and occasionally cooks meat for me. I fall seriously ill whenever I eat meat, but if I disobey my mother she will beat me. I can only pray that Master blesses my mother so that she may soon become enlightened. I also hope to be initiated soon and become Your disciple. Master, Your child kowtows to You with deep respect. Best wishes to Master for good health, happiness, ease and success in all Your endeavors. Respectfully, Your child ================================================================== Master's Wonders Surviving the Tsunami through Master's Blessing Narrated by brother Husin, Banda Aceh, Indonesia, Recorded by brother-initiate Wahyudi, Medan, Indonesia (Originally in Indonesian) Brother Husin, who learned the Convenient Method on December 4, 2004 and lives in Banda Aceh, called me recently to say that he is now in Medan, together with his wife and five-year-old son after they survived the 2004 South Asian and African Tsunami. Husin and his family were extremely fortunate to have lived through the disaster as the area where they lived was totally destroyed by the raging flood waters. The brother said that on Sunday mornings he normally left home at 9:00 AM to work in an area away from the Tsunami-stricken zone. However on December 26, 2004, the day when the Tsunami struck, he decided to have breakfast with his wife and son before going to work in that area so they went out an hour earlier. Thus they survived the catastrophe, and brother Husin believes that it was due to Supreme Master Ching Hai's blessing and help so he is very grateful. Though he only learned the Convenient Method a few weeks before the Tsunami hit, Master nonetheless saved him and his family and so he feels very fortunate to have met Master and learned the Convenient form of practice. No Outage in God's Power Supply! By a would-be initiate from Mainland China (Originally in Chinese) Around 7:30 AM on July 11, 2004, three would-be initiates and I were watching a DVD of Master's 1999 lecture at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Cape Town, South Africa. I was boiling some water on the stove at the time, and had turned on the kitchen ventilation fan. A short while later, a neighbor visited my home looking baffled and said, "This is strange! There's a power outage in the area and I can't use my machine to compress dough to make noodles. So why is your ventilation fan still running?" 'The power supply to your house is for industrial use and mine is only for home lighting," I replied in a matter-of-fact way. Soon after, my wife went out on an errand and heard people in the neighborhood talking about a power failure that had begun at midnight throughout the village. Even then, we paid little attention to the matter and continued watching Master's DVD until we felt completely satisfied. By then it was 1:00 PM, and the electricity to my house was finally cut off around that time. When it was later confirmed that there had been a power outage in my village beginning on the evening of the 10th and lasting until 6:00 PM on the 11th, I suddenly realized that we had been blessed by the grace of God and Master in being able to watch Her DVD non-stop. We then immediately prayed to God with tears of gratitude in our eyes and asked that Master soon give us initiation and lead us—Her dear, dear children—Home to be with God forever. ================================================================== Elevation of the Soul Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest DVDs 549 The Mark of a Great Saint Phnom Penh International Seven-day Retreat, Cambodia, May 15, 1996 Summary: Master cites the story of a great saint in teaching us that true saints, while pure and holy, are totally unaware of their own holiness and greatness. Long ago, when Master made Her first religious vow in Germany, She burned a bunch of incense sticks, all of which curled up after they were burnt. What did this imply? What was the grand vow that Master made at that time? What extraordinary people and incidents did Master encounter while practicing in the Himalayas? In this DVD Master answers these questions and also helps viewers appreciate the spiritual meaning behind the story of Shakyamuni Buddha's previous incarnation as the Golden Monkey King, who touched the heart of a worldly king through His self-sacrifice. 605 The Purpose of Enlightenment International Four-day Retreat, Washington D.C., U.S.A., December 23, 1997 Summary: Since God is omnipresent and encompasses all good and evil, why do we need to adopt a vegetarian diet, observe moral precepts, practice spiritually and follow the teachings of an enlightened Master? If our family members are pious adherents of other faiths, how do we communicate and get along with them? Master addresses these questions and discusses the historical background of Jesus Christ as well as His true teachings. How do spiritual practitioners decide between marriage and the single life? Whatever profession or career we pursue, we must have a clean conscience and noble ideals. Master's elaborate discourse leads us into deep introspection on these topics. 401 The Mystery of Cause and Effect Group meditation in Bangkok, Thailand, January 2, 1994 Summary: Master says that it is by God's grace that we do not remember our past lives. Why is this so? Why do people transmigrate? How can we transcend the negative cycle of transmigration? Why are Master's reprimands more powerful than Her love? Master addresses these questions and describes in detail how She first began to paint, design clothing and compose songs. She also uses this lecture to point out that we all have many innate talents, and discusses how we become aware of our wisdom and abilities only when the proper circumstances arise. 743 Buddha's Sadness 744 Since I've Loved You The two music DVDs Buddha's Sadness and Since I've Loved You feature original songs based on the beautiful poetry of Supreme Master Ching Hai. Expressing the wonders of love, the anguish of separation and yearning for God, Her poetic verses touch the inner depths of the heart and uplift the soul. The poems were set to music by talented Aulacese composers and sung by renowned Aulacese singers, being presented in MTV style featuring scenic footage exquisitely shot in the United States and Au Lac. Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest MP3s MP3-CR16 Contents: Dragon Boat Festival International Three-day Retreat, Hsihu, Formosa, June 2-4, 1995 01. The Way to a Peaceful World 02. Renounce Your Desire for the World but Not the World Itself European International Three-day Retreat, April 28, 1995, August 25-26, 1995 03. Right Concepts Are as Essential as Spiritual Experiences Mid-Autumn Festival Three-day Retreat, Hsihu, Formosa, September 8, 1995 04. Use the Power of Meditation to Purify the World Ching Hai Day International Seven-day Retreat, Hsihu, Formosa, October 26-27, 1995 05. The Way to Become a Successful Performer 06. The True Way to Achieve Immortality Ching Hai Day International Four-day Retreat, Hsihu, Formosa, February 18-21, 1996 07. Introspecting on the Mind 08. Help Others without Expecting Rewards Phnom Penh Three-day Retreat, Cambodia, March 24 and 27-28, 1996 09. Zen Humor 10. A Master's Motherly Love Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest Books Coloring Our Lives: Keys to Living a Beautiful Life Coloring Our Lives is a selection of Supreme Master Ching Hai's answers to questions and concerns that often preoccupy spiritual practitioners. The volume holds readers enthralled as it explores topics such as human existence, science, spiritual practice, marriage and education. In our journey through life's disputes and turbulence, Master's new book provides excellent guidance in creating a Pure Land on Earth. On the subject of fashioning varied and interesting lives for ourselves and our loved ones, the Supreme Master says, "While making good use of every minute of our time to lead a fulfilled, positive, happy life in the process of learning, we can also use the very lively, animated and joyous spirit derived from spiritual practice to color our lives!" Through this book, readers learn ways to beautify their lives and become intelligent, talented "artists of life" capable of taking care of both family and spiritual practice, and thus living a sumptuous, colorful, and fulfilled existence on Earth. Your Halo Is Too Tight! -- The Supreme Master Ching Hai's Enlightening Humor Will Inspire Joy Supreme Master Ching Hai does not lecture sternly, but instead often edifies Her disciples with interesting stories and metaphors. Now and then She may also crack a joke to lighten the atmosphere so that people will naturally open their hearts. This book is a compilation of 104 jokes told by the Supreme Master in Chinese, English and Aulacese and is published in both English and Chinese. Exquisitely printed in color and enhanced by lively illustrations, the text comes with a CD containing original recordings of 45 of its jokes. Readers listening to the CD while studying the vivid illustrations will be completely absorbed in Master's world of humor. The joy that Her humorous narrative and heartening laughter bring to readers will no doubt be felt year after year. ================================================================== Love in Action—Special Reports on South Asian Tsunami Relief Foreword: On the morning of December 26, 2004, a powerful earthquake measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale shook the seabed off the coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, triggering destructive tsunamis that caused severe damage and heavy casualties in countries around the Indian Ocean. More than 290,000 lives were lost and the number of casualties is still rising. As Supreme Master Ching Hai teaches Her disciples, "We don't just meditate. We also help people when they're in need... If we just send money and food, it's not as good as delivering it ourselves with love and care. In so doing, we also lend some of our blessings from Heaven to these people. So it has a longer effect, as well as the personal contact being perhaps more comfortable for the victims." Thus, when members of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association learned of the South Asian tsunami catastrophe, their immediate response was to directly express their love and care to the victims. With compassion and courage, they flew thousands of miles across oceans to the affected areas to personally share Master's care and concern. Below is a composite report on the relief work conducted by Quan Yin practitioners in the disaster-stricken areas. Sri Lanka Healing Wounds in Body and Spirit By the Formosa relief team (Originally in Chinese) In Sri Lanka, the South Asian tsunamis killed at least 40,000 people and displaced millions as the island country's entire coastline except for the northwestern part was severely ravaged. On December 28, three members of the Formosa relief team arrived in Colombo, Sri Lanka to identify the types of aid and assistance needed by local victims, and then began their relief effort. The next day, the initiates visited the Colombo branch of the International Red Cross accompanied by the local contact person. According to the Red Cross" analysis, many districts stretching over large areas were devastated as water, electricity, roads and communications were cut off. Also, people traveling to the affected areas had to carry their own fuel because gas stations in the region had been destroyed by flood waters, and material provisions were urgently needed, as was mental rehabilitation for the victims. Just as the initiates were considering how to efficiently conduct emergency relief work over such a vast area, Master opportunely sent a large team of assistants in the form of staff members from The Finance Company, Limited, where the local contact person worked. The Company has more than thirty branch offices all over Sri Lanka, and General Manager G.D. Ratnapala offered his staff's full support in the relief operation. The initiates and The Finance Company staff then held meetings to discuss ways of efficiently providing aid to the victims, and workers were mobilized to determine the extent of damage in various communities. The Finance Company staff members also helped in purchasing medical supplies, potable water and other relief provisions at wholesale prices, leaving the initiates truly amazed at Master's incredible power! On the morning of December 30, the initiates were joined by another group of fellow practitioners from Formosa, and under the guidance of Mr. Ratnapala and his colleagues, the group traveled to the heavily damaged resort town of Hambantota to distribute a truckload of potable water and medical supplies and to study the extent of damage in the area. However, just as the team's bus approached the town, the driver made a sharp U-turn and stepped hard on the accelerator, speeding away from the shore along with all the other vehicles on the road and the many people fleeing on foot. The Formosan initiates later learned from the contact person that there had been another earthquake off the coast of Indonesia measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale, and fear of another tsunami had set off the residents" rush to safety. While regaining their composure, the disciples sensed the local people's helplessness and became even more determined to conduct their relief operation in order to convey Master's love to the victims. To help in the effort, Mr. Harsha, a local youth proficient in graphic art, worked through the night in his photography studio, preparing fabric banners bearing Master's image, which were then hung on both sides of the relief team's bus. The young man firmly declined payment for his work, but accepted a Swiss Army knife gratefully offered as a gift by the initiates. Mr. Harsha also volunteered to join the relief effort the following day and requested initiation into the Quan Yin Method when the operation was completed. On the morning of December 31, the team visited the General Hospital in Matara to determine the facility's needs. The Hospital had scores of subsidiary hospitals, and its administrator and director expressed gratitude to The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association for its care and assistance. Many local people helped unload the drinking water and medical supplies the initiates had brought for the Hospital, and each tried to obtain one of Master's photos and a copy of Her sample booklet, which they immediately began reading. Master's infinite love and compassion had indeed brought much comfort to these thirsty souls! The Hospital made a list of needed items, including candy, toys, illustrated children's books, bed pads, refrigerators for storing medicine and blood and small water tanks suitable for local use. The relief team then divided into two groups; one purchased the items and the other, guided by the contact person's colleague Mr. Tenison, assessed the situation along the coast. The second group visited two temporary shelters, where they quickly responded to the victims" urgent need for food and daily necessities by purchasing coconut oil, rice, salt, instant noodles, spices and potatoes. Upon learning that the food was for the disaster victims, the local wholesalers had their workers load the goods quickly and deliver them along with the initiates in a large truck. By evening, the team had supplied seven hundred shelter residents. The other group of initiates managed to acquire some of the items needed by the Hospital, which included five hundred toys, five refrigerators and 38 water tanks. Since local store inventories were practically depleted of stock, the two groups of initiates met and decided to return to Colombo so that they could continue purchasing the substantial quantities of materials still required. For several days, the fellow practitioners sought out every means available to buy supplies, following up on suggestions by local initiates and requests from temporary accommodations centers for practical items as well. The owner of the electrical appliance store who supplied refrigerators to the relief team generously offered his home as a logistical center and place to rest. The practitioners then knew that everything was in Master's hands. On January 5, the first supply of bed pads, slippers and other materials was delivered to the hospital. While trying to comfort the injured and wishing them a speedy recovery, the initiates also visited crowded children's wards to distribute candy and cookies. As the contact person and fellow practitioners were purchasing medical equipment from the Colombo supplier M/S Technomedics Limited, the company's managing director and staff deeply felt the rescue team's sincerity, and offered Rs. 48,000 worth of surgical disposables free of charge to be given to hospitals along with the other items. Moreover, while making their purchases, the team was allowed free use of the company's telephones and fax machines to communicate with initiates in Formosa. In another instance, several sisters went to the main city of Colombo to purchase a load of women's sanitary items, undergarments, toys and other goods. After a period of searching it began to get dark and no vehicle had been found. At this time the supplier of the goods generously offered his van and transported the items free of charge, again revealing Master's divine power. Later, the sisters and brothers once again formed two groups. The first visited seven local shelters to distribute mosquito incense, mosquito nets, plastic pads, bed sheets, women's sanitary items, undergarments, slippers, infant care supplies, toys, toiletry items, curry powder and other provisions needed by the victims. The second group delivered medical equipment and medicine to the Base Hospital in the heavily affected area of Hambantota and daily necessities to a government agency. Some shelters could be reached only after climbing hundreds of steps. So considerable time and effort were required to deliver the large quantities of relief materials. However, instead of charging extra for an entire day of work, the owner of the truck that was transporting the supplies gave the relief team a discount. This kind act demonstrated that despite suffering one of the greatest catastrophes of the century, those living and working in the affected areas could express selfless love as they helped and supported each other. Mario Melcher, chairman of the Children's Dreams Foundation, who was stationed at one of the shelters visited by the initiates, was so deeply moved by Master's compassion and love that he wasted no time in writing a letter of appreciation for the aid rendered by Supreme Master Ching Hai. Mr. Melcher was profoundly touched that fellow practitioners of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association were able to provide relief supplies to remote shelters in such a short time. After conducting the relief effort described above for tsunami victims along Sri Lanka's southern coast, the practitioners also distributed medical equipment such as ECG machines, nebulizers, diagnostic sets, crutches, bed sheets, pillow cases and raw cloths (mattress covers) to the Ampara and Panama Hospitals located on the eastern coast. Also, during an interview, Mr. Ratnapala, who aided the initiates greatly in their work, expressed what was in his people's hearts through the following statement: Luckily, you all came to aid and assist us. With your Master's love, you came and helped us. So that's great. We are forever grateful to you for that. It's not the material help that you gave us; it's the universal love that's all pervading and that comes through your Master. The help comes with God's love and it's wherever you are. It happens inside like a small spark of lightning. That spark is very, very good. And the spark is love; this is the greatest energy. So we're ever grateful to you and to your Master for the love that came through these donations, which must be the universal love because it has to come from a massive source. So the source is your Master. It's coming from God! That's where the universal cosmic energy has to come from. All material things will come and go. Even our bodies come and go. But one thing that remains is this energy. So it has to come from a source like your Master. We need all your wishes of luck; we need all those blessings and your well wishes because this country has to rise up, meaning that its people have to come up. And to achieve this coming up, they should also, like you, see a Master. They should see the enlightened way that's shown by your Master. They should see this love. So the people must not only survive this calamity, they must also rise above their inner suffering. Suffering is from the inside. It's not what happens on the outside. So I hope we can also come out of that suffering. Throughout the relief operation in Sri Lanka, the Formosan aid workers could feel the sincerity, benevolence, loving spirit and mutual support of the local people such as Mr. Ratnapala. And through Master's constant guidance and incredible arrangements, the project proceeded smoothly and efficiently. In addition, the work gave local fellow practitioners a deeper appreciation of the ephemeral nature of material life, and thus their faith in the Quan Yin Path grew stronger. Their families and colleagues were amazed to see the Formosan sisters and brothers arrive in Sri Lanka in such a short period of time to provide relief in accord with Master's teachings about expressing love and compassion to the less fortunate. Many of the Sri Lankan initiates" relatives and friends, as well as local rescue workers, expressed a desire to be initiated into the Quan Yin Method, or at least showed great interest in learning more about Master's teachings. Thus, through the South Asian Tsunami relief effort countless spiritual seeds were sown in Sri Lanka. Captions: 1. Fellow practitioners deliver drinking water and medical supplies to the General Hospital in Matara. 2. Nurses from the General Hospital find a treasure in Master's sample booklet. 3. Fellow practitioners purchase emergency provisions. On the truck are small water tanks required by tsunami victims in Matara. 4. The relief team members and their truck drivers 5. Mr. Mario Melcher (right), chairman of the Children's Dreams Foundation, presents a thank-you letter (picture on right) on the spot for the aid rendered by Supreme Master Ching Hai. India Master's Waves of Compassion Rush to the South Indian Coast By the Singapore relief team (Originally in English) On December 26, 2004, the devastating tsunami resulting from a magnitude 9.0 earthquake in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Indonesia wreaked havoc over much of coastal Asia, with one of the hardest hit areas being the south Indian province of Tamil Nadu. In response to the disaster, a relief team from the Singapore Center arrived in Chennai, India on December 29. After gathering preliminary information on the situation, the team traveled 330 km south to the fishing community of Nagappatinam, which experienced a severe impact from the tidal wave. Most of the houses near the beach were totally destroyed, and the victims took refuge in schools and other public places such as temples, churches and mosques. Cooked food was supplied at these relief shelters by both governmental and private organizations. caption: Disciples survey the ravaged coastal village of Nagappatinam. Disciples survey several villages" water-supply point. A completely destroyed home in Nagappatinam While interviewing residents along the road, with the help of the only Tamil-speaking brother on the team, the initiates learned that 150 families living at a remote relief camp 25km away lacked food. And after visiting the camp, the sisters and brothers immediately traveled to a nearby town to purchase bread and cookies, and then distributed the food to the victims late into the night. The next day, the relief team also purchased utensils and more food to distribute to the camp residents, who were very grateful to receive the supplies. caption: A Tamil-speaking fellow initiate introduces Master to villagers. After having experienced the tsunami, the sufferers need both material aid and spiritual comfort. As the areas affected by the tsunami spanned a great distance, the initiates decided to split into two teams, with one going farther south and the other moving toward the north. On January 1, 2005, the northern relief team visited an affected site 20km north of Karaikkal city. While surveying the site, representatives of a village containing 42 families approached the initiates for help, and so they quickly purchased the needed food items and utensils at night and distributed them the following day. Then over the next few days, they surveyed a number of villages around Karaikkal and then purchased and distributed food, cooking utensils, personal hygiene items, sleeping mats and blankets to the residents of several villages. The recipients accepted the supplies with much joy, appreciation and gratitude to Master and Her assistants. During the distribution at one of the remote villages around Karaikkal, the relief team met the local district counselor and several government officials, police and army officers who were there to provide law and order and gather statistics on the situation in the area. These individuals welcomed the team's relief efforts and also expressed gratitude for Master's love shown in such a helpful way. The initiates also distributed writing materials to residents of two villages, where the children were extremely happy and thankful to Master for Her gifts. The relief team also provided aid to Muslim families affected by the disaster in the historic port town of Tranquebar. Meanwhile the southern relief team traveled approximately 300 km to the Kanniyakumari district in the southern-most part of Tamil Nadu State. There fifteen villages had been affected by the tsunami. In the village of Kadiapattanam, 1800 families lacked adequate food, having only five kilograms of rice per family. After assessing the residents" needs, the relief team supplied each family with 10kg of rice, 5kg of dal (beans), and 1kg of tomatoes and eggplants each. In another village, Periavilia, the school children needed items such as stationery and material for school uniforms, which the initiates promptly purchased and distributed. While the victims" basic food needs and water supply were being taken care of by the government and private organizations in most of the villages, the nutritional requirements of the infants and children were being neglected. So the relief team bought milk powder, milk bottles and nutritional beverages to distribute to families that required these items in the villages of Periavilai, Channavilai, Manukari and Colachel. The parish priest of one of the local churches remarked that The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association was the first group to have delivered these food items to the children. The villagers were happy to receive the relief supplies together with leaflets explaining Master's teachings and were very thankful for Master's love and care. captions: A local pastor discusses Master and Her contributions with tsunami victims. A pastor and volunteers from a village help to arrange items for distribution. Report from Thailand Elevation of the World's Consciousness Revealed through Tsunami Relief Work By the Bangkok News Group On the morning of December 26, 2004, the Andaman coastal provinces of southern Thailand—Phuket, Phangnga, Krabi, Trang, Satun and Ranong—were struck by five to ten meter-high tsunamis that left tens of thousands of people dead, injured or missing. Bangkok initiates immediately formed a relief team to assess the scale of the disaster and conduct relief work in the devastated coastal villages of Phangnga Province, where many had lost their homes and families. On December 28, the initiates traveled over seven hundred kilometers to Khao Lak, Takuapa district. Having brought cooking utensils and food, they were the first team to provide hot meals to the disaster victims and relief workers from other organizations. Each day, the sisters and brothers prepared four or five huge pots of food at the Wat Yan Yao School near the Takuapa District Hall, and delivered the meals in three teams to the local hospital, temple and District Hall. Many volunteers searching for dead bodies were delighted to have hot vegetarian food and felt happy to be spared the meat diet. The next day, more initiates joined the team to distribute relief supplies including bread, cereal, jam, milk, oatmeal, glutinous rice in bamboo slips, sesame powder, undergarments, cushions, mats, napkins, pillows and tissue paper to the victims, along with words of consolation. Also, surgical gloves and masks to protect against infection were provided to relief organizations searching for bodies in the affected areas while working out of the Yan Yao and Bang Maung Temples. Through Master's infinite love and grace, the initiates found courage and inspiration, often working tirelessly until three or four in the morning and then beginning the next day's work after only a couple of hours" rest. Then on December 30, a sister-initiate arrived in Wat Yan Yao with five laptop computers, three color laser printers and other computer equipment. And by the following morning, an efficient information center had been set up to help the relatives of the deceased identify their bodies. Digital images of the dead were taken after doctors had recorded the forensic details, and color photos were printed and posted on bulletin boards for identification by those searching for their loved ones. Some of the initiates joined the forensics team, taking pictures of the deceased during examinations, making identification labels, wrapping and burying bodies, and converting the forensic records into the same format to expedite database searching. In addition, on December 31, local initiates held a one-day retreat at the Bangkok Center to pray and meditate for the disaster victims. Such a large area in Krabi was affected by the tsunamis that many non-initiate volunteers could not take care of their own basic needs because they had to travel far and wide to various communities. And when the initiates served them food, some of these workers who had practiced the spiritual path said they could perceive the Master power. Moreover, Mr. Somsak Kittidhrakul, an assistant to the Mayor of the Krabi Provincial Administrative Organization, expressed special thanks to The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association for its unconditional service to the victims. Many people had lost practically everything—family and property—in the catastrophe, but they transformed their grief into strength, joining in the volunteer work and rushing to offer assistance wherever it was needed. With compassion and concern, several volunteers drove around the affected areas to offer all possible assistance to the survivors. Relief organizations and volunteers working together showed genuine care and commitment in helping the victims. Thus the disciples witnessed an example of how the world's consciousness has been elevated at the start of the Golden Age and felt growing confidence in Master's immense power. On January 3, members of the Thai relief team returned to Bangkok and experienced no fatigue or drowsiness because they had felt the love and blessings of Supreme Master Ching Hai all during their efforts. Through the tsunami relief project the Thai brothers and sisters shared Master's boundless love, experienced significant spiritual growth and learned lessons of inestimable value about caring and compassion for their fellow human beings. Indonesia A Pioneering Relief Team Delivers Master's Love and Mercy By the Indonesia and Formosa relief teams (Originally in Indonesian and Chinese) The great 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, caused by the fourth strongest earthquake in history, displaced millions of people in South Asia and East Africa, and the number of casualties is still rising. Among the regions affected by the disaster, Aceh Province in Indonesia's northernmost island Sumatra was the area most heavily devastated, being struck by both the earthquake and the tsunami. The number of casualties and loss of life and property were astounding. In response to the victims" needs, members of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association from various countries provided a wide array of relief materials and medical supplies, and also traveled deep into the affected areas extending love and care to the victims by personally offering medical aid and conducting other relief activities. Actions Taken by the First Team On the afternoon of December 26, 2004, fellow practitioners of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association in Medan and Jakarta learned from the media that a great tsunami had seriously devastated Aceh Province, situated closest to the earthquake's epicenter. The practitioners promptly launched a relief operation by purchasing relief materials including bottled water, milk, rice, cooked meal packets, medical supplies, new clothing and other items. On the evening of December 27, the Association delivered the supplies to Lokseumawe City. Then on the 28th two fellow practitioners and one of their relatives, together with three local drivers drove a car and truck full of the materials and a large supply of fuel from Lhokseumawe straight to Banda Aceh. Along the road, the workers also distributed relief supplies to victims in need. By ten o'clock in the evening they reached Banda Aceh, where the electricity had been cut off and there was no moonlight, just pitch darkness. The vehicles" headlights provided the only illumination. The whole place was completely silent, while the unbearably foul smell of dead bodies filled the air. Despite the conditions, the team cruised around the city for several hours and then ran into a man named Dr. Hadi and his family. Dr. Hadi said that the relief team was the first rescue group they had seen since the catastrophe occurred. After helping Dr. Hadi's family escape from the disaster zone, the relief team distributed relief materials to survivors around the area with the help of Dr. Hadi and his friends. On December 30, five Jakarta initiates with a supply of medicine arrived and joined the first two local practitioners and the group then visited all the shelters in Banda Aceh where victims had gathered, distributing rice, rice noodles, sweets, chocolates, drinking water and other foods. The victims were overjoyed to see the practitioners bringing them relief materials because since the disaster, the initiates provided their first contact with the outside world, along with much needed care and concern. The local soldiers and victims were so touched that they joined in to help with the distribution work. After nightfall, the initiates continued to visit other places where victims had gathered, giving them quilts and warm clothing. Guided and assisted by the Aceh Red Cross, the relief workers smoothly distributed all the aid materials to the victims. According to team members, they were able to deliver all the items personally into the hands of victims because they had their own vehicles and fuel. Additionally, after observing the local rescue workers operating in putrid, hazardous conditions such as wading in water contaminated by dead bodies, walking on debris that was full of nails, and removing dead bodies with their bare hands, the fellow practitioners immediately notified the Medan Center and purchased a large quantity of urgently needed materials including protective gloves, rain boots, surgical masks and corpse wrapping plastic for the rescue workers. The second lot of relief items, which weighed over ten tons, was delivered from Medan to Banda Aceh in several batches after the 30th. In addition, another five initiates from the Jakarta Center flew from Medan to Lhokseumawe on January 1, and divided into two groups, one of which went straight to Banda Aceh to help the previous group of Jakarta initiates with the aid effort. Another group targeted the northern coastal area starting from Lhokseumawe. Together they distributed clothing, cookies and medicine to the needy, along with masks and gloves to the soldiers and other workers removing lifeless bodies. As most of the roads were covered with mud and debris, transporting the relief items was challenging. However this did not halt the progress of the relief mission, and when a rescue team of ten practitioners from Formosa arrived to help the Medan and Jakarta initiates, the additional support filled the relief workers with new energy. Consecutive Relief Activities Embracing the spirit of "treating others" mishap as our own mishap," the Formosan initiates prepared themselves and went to the affected areas in Indonesia in several groups to provide various forms of aid. The first team of ten initiates arrived in Medan on January 1. Knowing that residents of Banda Aceh had suffered heavy casualties and were in critical need of medical personnel, medical supplies and daily necessities, the sisters and brothers immediately asked Formosa to provide these types of material support. Although there was an alleged report about a plague breaking out in the disaster affected area, the initiates were not daunted and continued to Banda Aceh to convey Master's love and blessings to the victims. Upon reaching their work station in Banda Aceh, the fellow practitioners posted Master's photograph and played Her Buddha's chanting tape. And amazingly, after putting up the photo, they felt that the place became much cooler, and the pervading foul smell of dead bodies also vanished. It was as if a protective shield were separating the initiates from the outside environment. The relief team then split up into two groups. One treated and dressed the injured victims and the other, guided by the local Red Cross, distributed the relief material and conducted medical surveys to find out what the victims needed most. The distribution team together with the Indonesian initiates went to victims" camps and shelters around Banda Aceh and provided them with materials such as clothing, slippers, cookies, drinking water, rice, instant noodles, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, green beans, mosquito nets, underwear and feminine hygiene products. Next a second team of fifteen Formosan practitioners arrived in Medan on January 2. After being briefed on the situation by other relief workers, these volunteers also split into two groups. One went to victims" camps in Medan to help in treating casualties, and the other joined the local team in Lhokseumawe to deliver medical supplies and aid materials to many coastal areas where urgent help was needed, covering a distance of over 140 km from Lhokseumawe to Sigli. The second group also went to the western coastal area of Medan to distribute relief items. Although the situation in that region was unstable and riddled with hidden dangers, through Master's grace and the help of the local Red Cross, the initiates efficiently delivered a large quantity of materials to many camps and shelters. Later, responding to reports from the affected area, Formosan initiates prepared another batch of urgently needed medical supplies. And fellow initiates with backgrounds in pharmacy even prepared special antibiotics, anti-bacterial bandages to stop bleeding and other materials for treating serious infections. On January 4, with the help of the NGO International Affairs Committee of the Formosa Foreign Ministry, ten practitioners, including doctors and pharmacists, flew to Medan. China Airlines even provided free transport of the medical supplies. On Jan 5 the physicians and pharmacists, accompanied by a local initiate who had just returned from Banda Aceh, carried the newly arrived medical supplies and some locally purchased tetanus vaccine and 220 kgs of medicine from the Hong Kong Center. With help from the Singapore Air Force, these items were efficiently flown to Meulaboh and delivered to the NGO Rescue Coordination Center and various Red Cross hospitals. Meulaboh was also one of the areas hardest hit by the tsunami so the transportation and communications infrastructure had been severed. Thus, in order to reach the region the team of Indonesian and Formosan initiates traveled in helicopters or small boats. The devastated town of Meulaboh had lost its charm and beauty, being cast into darkness at night due to lack of electricity. The team stayed overnight in a Red Cross camp where the staff helped and guided the initiates in their work. The team was uncertain about how and when they could return to Medan after the relief work was finished but thankfully, through Master's arrangement, the Singapore Air Force helped the sisters and brothers by flying them back to the city. Upon their departure at the airport, the Formosan initiates incidentally met Mr. Tony Leonardo, an official of the Investment Department of North Sumatra, who extended his gratitude to the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association and asked the fellow practitioners to convey the Indonesian Government's gratitude to the Formosan Government and the charity groups that had rendered aid to his compatriots. In conclusion, the relief work in Indonesia was successfully accomplished through the concerted efforts of fellow practitioners from many countries, the local Red Cross and other governmental and non-governmental bodies. And at present, Indonesian initiates are working with the Red Cross to rebuild the affected areas, of which details will be reported in the next issue of the News magazine. Captions: 1. Two days after the tsunami, fellow practitioners from Medan deliver relief materials to Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh Province, Indonesia. 2. Dr. Hadi, a tsunami victim who helped the fellow practitioners conduct their relief work 3. Distributing relief materials at a victims" shelter 4. Tsunami victims in Aceh wave happily to fellow practitioners as they receive new clothes. 5. Assisted by the Aceh Red Cross, fellow practitioners from Formosa and Indonesia smoothly deliver relief materials to victims. 6. Touched by the initiates" compassionate acts, soldiers and victims in Aceh help with the distribution of relief materials. Somalia A Relief Effort Succeeds in the Face of Adversity By the Kenya News Group (Originally in Chinese) The December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunamis that ravaged South Asia also struck East Africa several thousand kilometers away. Huge tidal waves hit towns and villages along the eastern and northeastern coasts of Somalia, killing at least two hundred people, swallowing hundreds of fishing boats and leaving tens of thousands of victims in need of urgent relief. However, turmoil caused by an ongoing civil war discouraged international charity groups from launching relief operations in Somalia. However, initiates from the Kenya Center of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association were not intimidated by the potential hardships and perils they might encounter in the war-torn nation, and so on January 5, 2005 they traveled to Magadishu, Somalia's capital, to offer Master's love and relief to the victims. With the earnest assistance of the mayors of Mogadishu and Marka, the practitioners visited devastated fishing villages, ghettos, hospitals, schools and orphanages, where they distributed monetary aid and daily necessities and consoled victims. Upon receiving Master's loving relief, the people smiled happily and expressed their sincere gratitude. Although the aid operation was jeopardized by dangerous road conditions and other obstacles, thanks to Master's blessings the sisters and brothers smoothly accomplished their mission. In addition, on January 8 and 9, BBC World and the Mogadishu Radio Station aired news reports on Master's concern for the tsunami victims in Somalia. The BBC correspondent was greatly impressed by the initiates" courage in traveling to Somalia to render relief, saying, "God must be protecting you" during the interview. The Kenya initiates are deeply grateful to Master for giving them the opportunity to bring material relief and convey Her love and concern to the suffering brothers and sisters of Somalia in their time of need. Captions: 1. Fellow practitioners and the Mayor of Marka, Somalia discuss ways to render relief aid to disaster victims. (love16-4.jpg) 2. Sacks of flour are loaded onto trucks for distribution in the affected areas. (love16-1, -2.jpg) 3. Upon receiving Her monetary contribution, the Director of the Marka Hospital shakes hands with initiates and thanks Master for sending Her love and assistance from thousands of miles away. (love16-3.jpg) 4. Offering monetary aid to a school representative in Marka (love16-6.jpg) 5. The Director of the Hospital for Women and Children in Marka receives Master's loving support with a happy smile and expresses his heartfelt gratitude. (love16-5.jpg) 6. Presenting monetary relief to an orphanage (love16-7.jpg) 7. Visiting tsunami victims living in a ghetto (love 16-8, -9, -10.jpg) Immediately after the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami struck, fellow practitioners from The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association arrived in the affected regions in South Asia and East Africa to render relief and convey Master's love to the victims. For reports on this work, please tune in to our Internet TV program A Journey Through Aesthetic Realms Nos. 124, 125 and 126 on the CTiTV Entertainment Channel. URL: http://www.Godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng/hichannel/index.htm (English narration with Chinese subtitles) Expenditures for 2004 Tsunami Relief Work by Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her Association Country Description Amount Appendix India *Food (rice, vegetables, bread, gravy powder, cooking oil, lentils, milk, milk powder, nutritional items) *Household Items (bed spreads, plastic pails, sleeping mats) *Personal hygiene materials (bath soap, toothpaste powder, washing soap) *Stationery and fabric for school uniforms * Utensils, tableware and transportation fees India Rupees1,462,311.21 US$33,849.80) A1~7 Sri Lanka Medical equipment, water tanks, refrigerators, food, water, bed sheets, bed pads, toys, stationery for students, toiletry items, clothing, slippers, mosquito incense, mosquito nets and transportation fees Sri Lanka Rupees 6,065,613.41 (US$60,000) B1~14 Thailand *Utensils, food (rice, popcorn, bread, jam, fruit, vegetables, soft drinks, protein, milk, cereal, spices) *Clothing (underwear, white cloth and clothing) *Sanitary napkins, sandals, medicine and transportation fees Thai Baht 237,483.25 (US$6,061.34) C1~5 Indonesia *Food (milk, dal, rice, sugar, cereal, bread, water) *Clothing (T-shirts, pants, underwear) *Tents (mosquito nets, blankets, mats, Muslim prayer mats) * Rescue work materials (masks, boots, gloves) * Medicine, transportation fees and packing charges Indonesia Rp 552,632,312.00 NT$181,820.00 (US$65,047.45) D1~9 Somalia *Flour, transportation fees, security fees *Monetary gifts (for the post-disaster reconstruction committee, general hospitals, women's and children's hospitals, orphanages, refugee shelters, fishing villages, funds for students" food) US$2 0,000 E1~14 Grand Total US$184,958.59 ================================================================== Media Reports Apple Daily, Hong Kong, January 6, 2005 Only Lifeless Bodies Could be Seen for Hours (Originally in Chinese) Report by Apple Daily reporters in Indonesia [Staff report] Heart-rending scenes of tearful disaster victims fleeing the heavily devastated province of Aceh into the warm embraces of relatives have become daily sights at Indonesia's Medan Airport. Since the December 26, 2004 tsunami, many places in Aceh have been cut off from the outside world and relief supplies have yet to reach victims. For volunteers delivering the first batch of relief materials into the area, horrifying scenes resembling those of doomsday remain vivid in their minds. Mr. Hardi Li, a 43-year-old Chinese native raised in Medan and an insurance worker, is also a member of the Indonesia branch of the spiritual group known as The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association. Mr. Li said that on December 27, a day after the tsunami, the Association delivered around five tons of relief materials, including food, clothing and medical supplies to Lhokseumawe, located between Medan and Aceh. Mr. Li and several volunteer workers immediately rushed to the scene to transport the supplies to the affected areas by truck. 'The severity of the disaster was beyond everyone's imagination," said Mr. Li. Thirty minutes after the relief team had set out on their journey to Aceh, they saw bodies and a few survivors here and there. They immediately alighted, preparing to distribute relief materials, but the victims declined their offer and instead urged them on to Aceh, where the situation was believed to be very severe. Shocked to See Someone Alive The group arrived in Aceh at ten o'clock that night and it was pitch dark everywhere. Wherever the headlights of their truck shone, they saw bodies—lying on the roads, dangling on rooftops and trees. A search failed to find any signs of survivors. They could only move on. At about three in the morning, the moon shone brightly, its light falling on piles and piles of dead bodies. After driving on for another half hour, they met five or six survivors. The relief workers" unexpected appearance as they approached the victims to offer their assistance took the local people by surprise. The survivors then took the workers to a small, tattered house, where they found dozens more victims, many of them injured. The relief team quickly sought military assistance, requesting gas and rushing the injured to the airport in military trucks. For Mr. Li Jian, the terrible scenes that he witnessed during his relief trip to Aceh will be forever imprinted in his mind. Medan Daily News, Indonesia, January 6, 2005 (Originally in Chinese) Yesterday members of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief team from Formosa distributed food and other provisions to earthquake and tsunami victims at the Sirajul Huda Mosque in Pante Raja Village, Bireuen City, Aceh Province. (Edi Sukarno) Medan Daily News Indonesia, January 15, 2005 (Originally in Chinese) The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association of Formosa donates five hundred million rupiahs worth of relief supplies to disaster-stricken Aceh [Staff report] An unprecedented catastrophe triggered by an earthquake and tsunami in North Sumatra and Aceh took a hundred thousand lives and displaced millions of people who are now desperately fleeing to survive. The international community immediately expressed concern about the disaster, and relief supplies and food are pouring into the country. Humanitarian workers from nations around the world have quickly joined volunteer teams to conduct rescue and relief efforts in the affected areas, searching for survivors, collecting bodies, burying the dead and clearing rubble so that reconstruction work can soon begin. Thirty-five volunteers from The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association arrived from Formosa to deliver relief materials, medical supplies, food and clothing to the victims, and set up medical posts to provide treatment in various affected areas of Aceh. The group's four truckloads of relief supplies valued at five hundred million Rupiahs and transported by Mitsubishi vehicles included medicines, prayer robes, slippers, clothing, cookies, mineral water, rice, instant noodles, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, green beans, mosquito nets, underwear and women's necessities. The Association, working in cooperation with the Ganda Pura Branch of the Indonesian Red Cross, delivered the materials directly to victims in six townships Ganda Pura and Kecamatan Counties—Samalanga, Jeunib, Plimbang, Peudada, Jeumpa Kuala and Jangka, as well as seven townships of Pidie County, especially Sigli city. Provisions were also directly delivered to the Simpang Tiga Disaster Relief Center and the Sigli Disaster Relief Center at Jl. Sultan Iskandar Muda No 10. (Karno/H) Animals" Sixth Sense Saves Them from the South Asian Tsunami By the Los Angeles News Group (Originally in English) The January 4, 2005 edition of the China Daily reported that wild animals seem to have completely escaped the great tsunami of December 2004, which killed tens of thousands of people in Asia and Africa, adding weight to the notion that our fellow creatures possess a "sixth sense" for detecting impending disasters, or at the least, a sense of hearing that far excels that of humans, allowing them to detect the subtle vibrations of earthquakes and other natural events before they strike. Sri Lankan officials report that the giant waves in which over 40,000 people from their nation lost their lives seemingly missed wild beasts. "No elephants are dead, and not even a dead hare or rabbit has been found. I think animals can sense disaster. They have a sixth sense. They know when things are happening," says H.D. Ratnayake, deputy director of Sri Lanka's Wildlife Department. The waves washed floodwaters into Yala National Park, Sri Lanka's largest wildlife reserve, but there were no signs of dead elephants, leopards, deer, jackals or crocodiles. This phenomenon adds to historical accounts of seismic waves, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, in which birds take flight, dogs howl and herd animals stampede to safety before catastrophe strikes. 'A lot of anecdotal evidence [exists] about dogs barking or birds migrating before volcanic eruptions or earthquakes. But there have been no specific studies because you can't really test it in a lab or field setting," says Matthew van Lierop of South Africa's Johannesburg Zoo. Clive Walker, author of several books on African fauna concurs: "Wildlife, especially birds, seems able to pick up certain phenomena. There are many reports of birds detecting impending disasters." Animals definitely rely on the known senses such as smell and hearing to avoid predators and other dangers. And the notion of an animal sixth sense is reinforced by the evidence on Sri Lanka's battered coast. In conclusion, ancient cultures viewed elephants, owls and other creatures as sacred, endowing them with special attributes. So perhaps our ancestors were right and it has taken a disaster like the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami to awaken modern civilization to the marvelous abilities of our animal brethren after centuries of being viewed as "lower forms of life." As Master says, "Animals are so clever. They understand everything. They are not lower than us. They are equal [to us] because they're so intelligent." (Excerpt from DVD #712 The Divine Intelligence of Animals) Animals Show Human-like Compassion in Rescuing Tsunami Victims By the Los Angeles News Group (Originally in English) In various countries stricken by the 2004 Asian and East African Tsunami, animals demonstrated their innate intelligence and love for humans by rescuing many people who would otherwise have perished in the disaster. For example, at a beach resort in Phuket, Thailand, an area especially hard hit by the Tsumani, an elephant saved several children on a beach when the tidal wave struck. The animal had been brought to entertain children, but when nature unleashed its wrath, the elephant's keeper hoisted many youngsters up onto its back, and then walked them off to safety. (Please refer to: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1310876/posts ) In another case, an Indonesian woman in tsunami-ravaged Aceh Province saved her own life and those of her neighbor's children as a giant snake guided her through the flood waters. Riza, a clothes seller from the provincial capital of Banda Aceh, said she initially watched helplessly as the tsunami destroyed her home. Then as she was carried out of her house she was dragged toward her badly injured neighbor, who was struggling to hold on to her nine-year-old twins. "Please save my twins. Just let me go, as long as they're safe," Riza recalled the mother saying. Riza then placed the children on her back, and as she fought through the torrent saw a snake the size of a telephone pole gliding with the water current toward a bank. "Strangely I felt no fear," Riza said, adding that she followed the snake to safety. "Thank God, with the power I had left, I managed to go to higher ground." (Please refer to: http://www.command-post.org/nk/2_archives/018357.html ) In an even more dramatic instance from Pondicherry in southeastern India, a family dog saved the life of a seven-year-old boy as the tsunami swept over their village. As the rest of his family scrambled to escape the incoming wave, the boy did not follow but instead ran to the safest place he knew—a concrete hut just 40 yards from shore. With sea water lapping at the family's heels as they rushed up a hill to safety, their scruffy yellow dog Selvakumar ducked into the hut after the boy. Nipping and nudging, the dog urged the child up the hill. "That dog grabbed me by the collar of my shirt and dragged me out," the child said. The boy's mother wept with joy when she saw her son walking toward her with Selvakumar at his side. "That dog is my God," she exclaimed. (Please visit: http://www.cbsnews.com/ stories/2005/01/02/world/main664271.shtml ) Such episodes of animal bravery, love and awareness reinforce the fact that our fellow creatures are full of God's divine energy and capable of great compassion just as we humans are. Post-Disaster Despair is Transformed into Hope By the Ohio News Group (Originally in English) The loss and destruction caused by the December 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami has had profound physical and emotional effects on countless human beings. But remarkable stories of selfless behavior and love have also emerged from the disaster. For example, many people reacted to the tsunami with divinely inspired intelligence, saving not only their own lives but those of many others as well. In one case, on the morning of December 26 a Sri Lankan pastor with an orphanage in his home heard his wife's distressed calls. And after seeing the large wave approaching, he managed to escort 28 children onto his small motor boat in less than 30 seconds. Knowing that the boat's engine seldom started on the first try, the pastor prayed fervently to God, and miraculously, the motor roared to life after just one pull of its rope. The pastor and his assistant then steered the boat through the dangerously large waves, eventually bringing all the children to safety. (Please refer to: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/12/30/MNG 63AJ2411.DTL ) Another Sri Lankan man was able to warn people of the tsunami even before the waves hit. The man had a lifelong love of reading and loved to learn. In fact, his mother often scolded him because she felt that his reading was a form of laziness. But this so-called bad habit turned out to be lifesaving on the morning of December 26 when he saw an approaching ferry boat bobbing erratically on the water. Although there were no large waves in sight, something about the boat didn't look right, and suddenly he recalled reading that this phenomenon is a sign of an impending tsunami. The man then turned to run, shouting as loudly as possible for people to follow. Afterwards, many expressed their gratitude for his quick action that saved their lives. Perhaps some of the most miraculous stories about the disaster involve the longstanding civil conflicts in Sri Lanka and Indonesia, where opposing factions that had long been at war suddenly put down their arms and united in the common goal of healing and rebuilding their nations. In Sri Lanka, the revolutionary group the Tamil Tigers began working side by side with government officials for the first time in several years. (Please refer to Sri Lanka "Moment of Peace" http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/04/international/worldspecial4/04la nka.html?oref=login&th ) And in the Aceh region of Indonesia, rebel groups similarly ordered a cease-fire against the military so that they could work together. (Please refer to Indonesia cease fire: asiapcf/12/31/tsunami.peace/index.html ) Also, organizations already known for their charity work opened their arms further to embrace displaced individuals and families. For instance, Sarvodaya, a Sri Lankan group that sponsored orphaned children before the tsunami decided to extend its mission further: "Sarvodaya has pledged to take in and provide for all children aged 11 and below who have been orphaned by the tsunami. In addition Sarvodaya will care for all women and girls below the age of 19. We have already begun drafting plans to build permanent housing and school facilities." (Please refer to: http://www.sarvodaya.org/) Moreover, a Malaysian man was rescued unharmed after being separated from his friends by the tsunami and spending two weeks alone at sea, praying constantly. As he said, "I prayed and prayed. I told God, ‘I don't want to die.'" (Please refer to: http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/01/11/tsunami.survivor.ap/in dex.html ) In a refugee camp on an island off the Indian coast, the story of a priest and a blind man helped other survivors find hope. After they were swept away in the tsunami, the blind man followed the priest's voice and both climbed trees to avoid drowning. As the waters began to recede, the priest used wood debris to build small bridges so that survivors could walk to higher ground. He took the hand of the blind man first and led him to safety. The blind man later said that the experience gave him new strength and that he was no longer despairing or feeling helpless about being blind. And the priest, in response to questions about why God would send such devastation to humanity, said that he thought God could never be angry with us no matter what religion we belong to. "This is a test," he added. (Please refer to: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/1/10/latest/20627S omeIndia&sec=latest) Finally, a journalist in Canada expressed a different but ultimately positive view by saying that the tsunami was part of a positive trend in global attitudes and events. For instance, one outcome has been an outpouring of money from around the world, with people being more inspired to contribute financially because they view their donations as having a real purpose rather than simply being used to prop up ailing economies. Also, recent first-time free elections in countries such as Indonesia, Afghanistan, the Ukraine and Palestine signify a worldwide rise in democracy. As a trend that balances differences, this movement is the political equivalent of a positive tsunami wave: Out of horror hope has arisen. (Please refer to: 968256290204&col=968350116795 ) It is clear that without Supreme Master Ching Hai's ongoing work and intercession on behalf of all beings, the Indian Ocean Tsunami disaster could have been far worse, and that the souls who have departed now rest in Her infinite care. Seeing the faith inspired in so many people despite the event's tragic nature further affirms the positive direction of humankind Master speaks of: "We can improve it here until everyone else wants to improve themselves. We can keep it going until everyone else awakens enough to get enlightened." (Excerpt from DVD #730 To Communicate by Love) May the purity of our thoughts and actions support the continued illumination of the world so that all may cross the threshold into the Golden Age. ================================================================== Love in Action—Charitable Activities around the World Report from Togo Conveying Holiday Love and Joy to Children in Need By Amegan Mawuli, Lome (Originally in English) On December 17 and 18, 2004, initiates and Convenient Method practitioners from the Lome Center held clean-up and cultural activities at the Children's SOS Village, whose residents include orphans and abandoned and underprivileged children from zero to seventeen years of age. During the clean-up activity on the morning of December 17, the initiates cleared the environment around the Village of trash and debris with the help of the children and their teachers. The next day, an enjoyable atmosphere enveloped the facility as the youngsters played various games, conducted a music recital and afterwards received personal gifts, generating great happiness among them. Through Master's blessings, both of the activities were successful as the residents of the Village got the opportunity to learn more about The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, and also enjoyed vegetarian sandwiches prepared by the Lome initiates. In addition, the Lome Center donated four computers, a can of cooking oil, two cartons of soap, three bags of rice, garments for the children and various children's games to the Village. The staff was touched by the activities and the much needed items provided by the initiates, especially the computers, and warmly thanked the brothers and sisters for their efforts. The time spent by the Lome practitioners at the Children's SOS Village allowed a group of youngsters in great need of affection to reap the benefits of Master's unconditional love and warmth. Thus, honor and thanks are due to Her for helping to comfort the children's hearts. Through Her compassion, the little ones were given great joy. Thank You Master. Caption: A thank-you letter from the village head of the Children's SOS Village to Association members for the loving concern and material aid they offered to the community's youth. Report from Costa Rica Bringing Unconditional Love to the Poor at Christmastime By the Costa Rica News Group (Originally in Spanish) On December 21, 2004, fellow practitioners from the Costa Rica Center began working industriously to share Master's love with the poor in the community known as Tibás Zurquí. The activity was planned so that all the families in the district would receive gift bags containing basic food items such as rice, beans, vegetable oil, pasta and cookies—enough to last an average sized family for two weeks. On the previous day, however, a brother-initiate visited the community and found that a charitable group was having difficulty distributing toys to the local children due to disorganization within the community. So, the initiates prepared to distribute gift coupons to avoid this problem. Then on December 23, the delivery team divided into four groups to work in different areas of the community. Through a neighborhood representative the group obtained a list of the households in Tibás Zurquí and then visited all the houses and delivered one gift coupon per family entitling each to pick up a gift package. At the same time, on the road to Guapiles near the community, another group of initiates was ready to receive the locals to give them their food packages as a sister dressed as Santa Claus kept the mood cheerful for both children and adults. The community residents appreciated the gesture of love by The Supreme Master Ching Hai, with some saying, "The Lady in the picture is the one who sent us the presents," and "It's a miracle of God to have such an orderly distribution here today; it's never happened here before." All the people both young and old radiated happiness during the gift distribution, and because of our beloved Master they had a happier Christmas. Also, on December 30, a retreat was held at the San Jose Center so that the brothers and sisters could project their love and pray for the overall improvement of life in Tibás Zurquí and in our country. Thus, thanks to God's glorious blessings, all the practitioners experienced feelings of peace, solidarity and harmony during the 2004 Christmas holidays. Report from Ohio, USA Warming the Cold Winter Days with Divine Love By the Ohio News Group (Originally in English) On December 26, 2004, initiates from the Ohio chapter of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association brought Master's Christmas love to hundreds of homeless people at the Drop Inn Center in Cincinnati. This year the needs of the local underprivileged population were greater than ever as the area experienced record cold temperatures during the holidays. The shelter manager only asked the initiates to prepare 200 gift packs for the facility's homeless residents. However, in the past many more of the less fortunate came to the facility on the days when the Ohio initiates served lunch. So this time the sisters and brothers brought a total of 350 Christmas gift packages containing warm sweatshirts, cookies and sweets. Besides these gifts, the work team prepared 400 spring rolls and 20 large trays of fried rice, as well as fresh fruit, salad and drinks. The Ohio Center initiates have become a familiar presence at the Drop Inn shelter, and are always greeted warmly by the residents and staff. Moreover, on each visit people standing outside the shelter rush to offer their assistance in carrying food and gifts inside as soon as the initiates arrive. So it was no surprise that soon after the sisters and brothers came to the facility on the 26th, the building began filling up quickly with the homeless and other poor residents of the surrounding neighborhood. The next two hours went by in a blur as the work team continuously served food and distributed gifts. As the day progressed, everyone felt Master's blessings in the calm atmosphere, which was remarkable considering the crowded hall and long lines of people waiting to be served meals. During the visit everyone remained patient, with many people expressing interest in the picture of Master that was standing at the end of the gift table. And afterwards one of the shelter's staff members said, "This is the first time so many people have come to the shelter to receive food and gifts!' Everyone at the Drop Inn Center expressed their deep appreciation for the Supreme Master's divine love. Seeing their less fortunate brothers and sisters so happy to receive the food and Christmas gifts, the Ohio Center initiates thank Master for Her great arrangement in helping them again learn about serving, sharing and love. Captions 1. Brand new sweatshirts ready for packing into gift bags for the less fortunate at Christmastime. 2. Fellow initiates serve food and distribute gifts to the homeless. Report from California, USA Helping Others Brings Boundless Joy in Return By the San Jose News Group (Originally in English) On the crisp Sunday afternoon of December 19, 2004, a group of initiates from the San Jose Center set out for St. James Park, in the center of the city, to visit and share Christmas presents with God's homeless children. Although the San Jose Center has been conducting its annual winter gift-sharing activity at the Park for many years, a city ordinance now forbids public distribution of goods to the homeless without prior government approval. A police officer at the Park informed the initiates of the new rule, and advised them to go to a nearby church instead. One of the homeless men at the Park overheard this discussion and hurried to the church before the rest of the group, where he explained the situation to the pastor, whom he knew personally. When the initiates arrived, the pastor asked them about The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association and their intentions, and then enthusiastically granted his permission to distribute the gifts in the church parking lot. The pastor was supportive and pleasant, and personally came out to help organize the event so that it would proceed in an orderly fashion. The sisters and brothers distributed almost 100 large sleeping bags, as well as bright, colorful gift bags containing thick socks, sandwiches and cookies. Upon receiving his gifts, one gentleman said, "I didn't believe in God before, but now I do!" Seeing the joyful expressions on the faces of this man and the other homeless brothers and sisters, the initiates too felt happiness in their hearts, realizing firsthand what Master has long taught—that we are all intimately related, that helping others is truly helping ourselves, that others" happiness is indeed our own, and that we are all one. The San Jose Quan Yin family is grateful for the opportunity to have shared Master's love and light with others during the 2004 Christmas season, and feels deeply blessed to have the greatest and most glorious gift of all, the divine presence of a living Master in our world. Thank You, Master. Report from San Francisco, CA., USA Bringing Holiday Cheer to the Hearts of the Homeless By the San Francisco News Group (Originally in English) On December 18, 2004, San Francisco initiates distributed much needed supplies, including sleeping bags, warm jackets, hats, socks, soft drinks and boxes of hot chow mein, to the homeless throughout the city. Each gift bag also contained fortune cookies containing Master's pearls of wisdom and a sample booklet so that the homeless could benefit both spiritually and materially. The recipients" surprised looks and heartfelt gratitude inspired the practitioners in their efforts as they realized that the relief was penetrating deep into the hearts of their homeless brothers and sisters. As the initiates distributed the supplies, the homeless made comments such as "Now I believe in God!" or "I now believe in Santa Claus!" On several occasions, the practitioners witnessed heartbreaking scenes of destitute people lying on the ground with only their clothes and a thin sheet to protect them from the harsh elements. In the hope that these people could someday be given a home, the brothers and sisters at least provided them with a modicum of comfort through the relief items. Although it was unfortunate to see so many of the less fortunate living on the city streets, the number of homeless seemed to have decreased over previous years. After working late into the night, the fellow practitioners managed to distribute virtually all the supplies they had on hand. Though the work was difficult and tiring, Master's blessing was ever present, and so the initiates worked with joy and happiness as laughter often filled the truck they used to transport the goods. Thank You, Master, for another wonderful experience of Your love in action! Report from Texas, USA Walking the Way of Love with the Disadvantaged By Diana Nguyen, Houston (Originally in English) Every Christmas season Houston Center initiates team up with the Bread of Life Church Foundation to bring holiday cheer to the less fortunate. On December 23, 2004 the initiates continued this tradition by distributing donuts, coffee, blankets, socks and towels and also presenting Master's video Walk the Way of Love at the Foundation's homeless shelter. Many of the needy people who watched the video and listened to Master's loving words were visibly touched, as were the initiates. After their visit to the shelter the sisters and brothers took to the streets and handed out additional items to people living under highway underpasses. Then, on December 30 the practitioners returned to the shelter and distributed more aid consisting of blankets, socks, crackers and towels. Along with supporting the needy in their hometown, the brothers and sisters raised US$12,000 for the Indian Ocean Tsunami victims and on January 7 sent the funds to Indonesia. The Houston initiates thank Master for Her love and guidance, which they felt all during the 2004 aid distribution project for the homeless, and also wish to say that every kind thing we do for the less fortunate, which we could not accomplish without You, comes from our inner love. In addition, we promise to continue praying for world harmony, for Your good health and for purity in our thoughts, speech and actions! Report from Florida, USA Enthusiastically Sharing the Christmas Spirit with the Needy By the Florida News Group (Originally in English) Florida initiates celebrated Christmas, Golden Year 1 by spreading Master's love to those in need. On the night of December 18 before group meditation at the Florida Center, a local brother spoke on the phone with a Costa Rican initiate, who enthusiastically described the Costa Rica Center's Christmas relief project. The initiate¡s enthusiasm was like a contagious burst of energy for the Florida sisters and brothers, who became charged with a desire to conduct their own relief work by supplying essential items to homeless people in their area. Thus, local vendors were contacted and within a few hours all the relief supplies were purchased. In addition, the initiates had glorious Christmas cards printed featuring a picture of Master, and these were included in each gift-care package. All these arrangements were made in one night, just in time to take everything to the Florida Center before group meditation. The following day, after group meditation, the initiates prepared the care packages, which contained toiletries, socks, Christmas cards and Master's sample booklets and everything was ready to deliver on Christmas day. However, the weather changed suddenly that day and it became extremely cold so blankets were also quickly purchased for the recipients. And through Master's blessing, the initiates found a wholesaler who sold blankets at only 25% of their normal market price. The brothers and sisters thus managed to obtain the blankets just in time for Christmas. In addition to its homeless gift distribution project, the Florida Center held a traditional gift exchange and then a one-day retreat to pray for the victims of the Indian Ocean Tsunami. Throughout all these activities the Florida initiates experienced the joy of giving¡creating a true Christmas in every sense of the word. Everyone was saturated with Master's omnipresent love. Thank You, Master! Captions: Florida fellow initiates pack Christmas gift bags for their needy friends. Report from Quebec, Canada May God's Infinite Light Shine Forever By the Montreal News Group, Quebec (Originally in English) In commemoration of the first Christmas season of Earth's Golden Age, initiates from the Montreal Center organized a visit to their city's Old Brewery Mission for the homeless. For over 108 years the Mission has served as a safe shelter and kitchen for destitute men and women of Montreal's downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. Thus, over the years, the facility's main objective has been to provide care for Montreal's needy, and on December 19, 2004 local initiates brought several boxes of canned soup, instant noodles and clothing to help in this effort. On a previous occasion, the initiates also donated money to benefit flood victims in Gonaives, Haiti through OXFAM Quebec, Canada. In addition, knowing that during the current transitional period at the start of the Golden Age, parts of our planet are being afflicted with severe natural disasters, the Montreal Center organized a daily group meditation session from Christmas 2004 through the 2005 New Year's holiday, followed by a retreat to pray that peace and God's love be bestowed on all of Earth's sentient beings. Report from Bangkok, Thailand Unconditional Love Warms the Hearts of Prison Inmates By the Bangkok News Group As wintry weather approached in November 2004, Bangkok initiates received news of the appalling conditions at the Klongphai General Jail and its special treatment facility in the Siku district, Nakorn Ratchasima Province. The sisters and brothers thus wrote to the heads of both facilities requesting permission to visit, provide vegetarian meals, arrange a video lecture, introduce meditation and distribute warm clothing and other daily necessities to the aging inmates. After receiving approval from the officials, on November 28 the fellow initiates visited the Klongphai special treatment facility to provide aid and comfort to about a hundred elderly female prisoners, most of whom had no relatives. The activity began with a greeting and a recital of Master's aphorisms. Then packages of practical items were distributed, including warm clothing, socks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, instant cereal, greeting cards containing Master's aphorisms and flyers introducing Master and the Quan Yin Method. Next the inmates were shown a video introducing Supreme Master Ching Hai followed by the video lecture The Real Meaning of Freedom. Afterwards one of the inmates observed that she felt as if Master had been talking to her and pointing directly to her heart during the video presentation. The initiates also distributed Master's books and lecture DVDs and presented sample booklets in various languages to the prison library. Prison regulations, however, required prior approval to teach the Convenient Method to interested inmates. So the initiates accepted the officials" suggestion to seek permission and schedule a CM instruction session on another day. The activity ended with a hearty vegetarian lunch that was lovingly prepared by the sisters and brothers and highly praised by the inmates. Subsequently, on December 2, Bangkok initiates delivered 171 packages of warm clothing and other essential items to the Klongphai General Jail, although they were unable to give them to the male inmates directly due to a week-long prison activity encouraging relatives to spend time with inmates. Master's books and DVDs also were presented to the prison library. The fellow practitioners of Bangkok thank Master for Her blessings and for giving them the opportunity to develop unconditional love by providing material aid, moral support and encouragement to inmates at the Klongphai General Jail and its special treatment facility. Report from Hong Kong The Infinite Light Comforts Street People's Hearts By the Hong Kong News Group (Originally in Chinese) As northerly winds blew over Hong Kong one evening in late December 2004, local fellow initiates promptly prepared dozens of packages containing clothing, sandwiches and sample booklets and set off for the areas around the Yen-chow Street overpass and Yung-shu-tau Park, hoping to bring warmth to their homeless friends in these old districts. Joined by several initiates from China, the work team first arrived at the Yen-chow Street overpass, where a group of Aulacese friends were huddling together to keep warm in the cold night air. The homeless gratefully received the lovingly prepared packages and informed the disciples of the whereabouts of other street people in the area. One of them recognized Master from the cover photo on the sample booklet, and when he learned that this Master he had seen in Formosa was also from Au Lac, he happily shared the news with his friends, saying, "This Master has many disciples." The initiates then went to Yung-shu-tau Park and also visited several tunnels under overpasses, where they distributed warm clothing and offered Master's love to more homeless friends. The next two days saw a sharp drop in temperature in Hong Kong, and the fellow initiates again set out for the Yen-chow Street overpass to distribute thick cotton-padded coats and scarves to more street people. After listening to a brief introduction to Master's teachings, one of them said, "She speaks about the Truth—the method to attain the Tao!' As the infinite light of Master's compassion shone on the street people, it also brought a glow to the faces of the fellow initiates. The hardships of the homeless taught the practitioners to better appreciate their own happiness, feel more grateful than ever for Master's blessings, cherish what they have and practice more diligently. Report from Indonesia Sadness is Dispelled by Gifts of True Love By the Indonesian News Group (Originally in Indonesian) On November 26, 2004, a powerful earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale struck Nabire, Papua Province, Indonesia, while a series of aftershocks continued for several days gripping the area's inhabitants with fear. The earthquake destroyed many residents" homes, along with public facilities such as the seaport, airport, electrical utilities, roads, hospitals and several government offices. In addition, many water wells in remote areas were rendered useless after being filled with mud. Most Nabirens were traumatized by the disaster, especially non-indigenous people. The indigenous inhabitants, however, seemed to be mentally stronger and perceived the disaster as God's will. Fortunately, a relief team of initiates from Indonesia was able to go to the affected areas and distribute relief provisions thanks to a contribution by Garuda Indonesia Airways. The supplies consisted of tents, blankets, mosquito nets, food, medicine and clothing, which were distributed to city dwellers such as orphans, school children, hospital patients, prisoners, police officers and families, and also to people living in the neighboring transient communities of Kimi and Lagare. The initiates worked in cooperation with the Red Cross, government officials and local volunteers, and the victims were grateful to God for the much needed supplies, with many showing a deep interest in Master's message. Adults and children in the remote areas enthusiastically embraced the teachings, smiling with tears of joy, clapping their hands as their thirst for true love was quenched, and hoping to learn more about Master and the Quan Yin Method and be blessed as Her wisdom blossoms in Nabire. By the end of the relief mission in Nabire, the initiates had supplied the victims with 500 canvas sheets and 1000 blankets, along with numerous items of used clothing, medicine and biscuits. Moreover, on December 2 Blitar, East Java was devastated by a flood. And a local initiate contacted emergency camps and discovered the facilities had enough food but lacked spices and fuel to operate stoves. Thus, initiates from the Surabaya Center and Malang (an hour's drive from Surabaya) traveled to Blitar, about four hours from Surabaya. All the goods had been sent to Malang a day earlier to reduce travel time as the roads to Blitar were muddy and hazardous. The initiates then worked with the local Red Cross coordinator and sub-district officials to distribute to the emergency camps in Tirtorejo, the worst hit village, the much needed gifts of 400 liters of stove fuel, ten cartons of cooking oil, ten large bags of salt, 48 bottles of sweet soy sauce, 72 packages of instant fried rice spices, two large bags of coffee and two large containers of crackers. May Master's love and prayers be with the Nabirens and the people of Blitar. Thank You, Master, for Your true love from the people in Nabire and Blitar. Report from the Philippines Reaching Out with Love to Typhoon Victims By the Taipei News Group, Formosa (Originally in Chinese) On December 2, 2004, Typhoon Nanmadol swept over the eastern part of Luzon Island in the Philippines, following the destructive trail of four previous typhoons that had occurred within a two-week span. The storm produced heavy casualties and tens of thousands of people were displaced. The international community responded with messages of condolence and various forms of aid, but the relief effort ran into difficulties in remote areas where access was cut off. Upon receiving news of the disaster, Aulacese fellow practitioners living in the Philippines immediately launched a relief operation. On December 7, they made a nine-hour drive with supplies to Dingalan Village in Aurora Province to the northeast of Manila. Upon their arrival, the brothers and sisters discovered that there was much to be done despite relief efforts from other agencies. The following day, several disciples from Hong Kong and Taipei, Formosa arrived in Manila to join in the relief work. That night the team purchased and packed the supplies before proceeding on a rough and rigorous journey to the affected area on roads that had been repaired in a makeshift manner. Then early on the morning of December 9, the initiates arrived at the Dingalan Secondary School with relief materials that had not yet been provided by other groups, including mosquito nets, slippers, clothing, light blankets, powdered milk for infants and instant noodles. The distribution went smoothly, with the mosquito nets proving to be the most urgently needed items and the clothes bringing joy to local children. The relief team later visited the devastated Paltic Village, where the landscape had changed completely as a result of several typhoons and most residents had been displaced. With help from the village chief, more than a thousand allotments of relief provisions were distributed at Paltic. Quezon Province received greater international concern than did the previously mentioned regions. In this area, collapsed bridges had cut off access to Infenda and Real Townships and floods reached as high as two meters in low lying parts of Infenda. The local people thus relied on food supplies airlifted during the day by U.S. army helicopters. As soon as the roads were repaired, the practitioners found themselves in the second vehicle to enter the affected area. They worked through the night packing rice and food in an effort to speed up delivery of the materials to the victims. Tourism in Infenda and Real had brought prosperity to the local people, who suffered only minor inconveniences in their daily lives and were already receiving help from the U.S. Army. So, the relief team decided to deliver the remaining provisions to Paltic Village, penetrating deep into the affected area, personally delivering the materials to each household, and thus producing feelings of gratitude among the villagers. In just two weeks, the initiates managed to distribute seven thousand shares of relief materials. They worked round the clock without rest or sleep, sometimes skipping meals the whole day, yet they were not overcome by hunger or exhaustion. The sisters and brothers who worked on the Typhoon Nanmadol relief project are deeply grateful to Master for Her blessings and for allowing them to bask constantly in Her infinite love. Composite Report from Formosa Taipei A Springtime of Hope for the Underprivileged By the Taipei News Group (Originally in Chinese) In the weeks before Lunar New Year 2005, Taipei initiates were inspired by Supreme Master Ching Hai's universal, loving spirit to convey warmth and care to the less fortunate in the cold of winter by conducting a series of relief activities. Approximately three hundred members of the Taipei Center were mobilized for the project. The volunteers began by visiting the Taipei City Social Affairs Bureau to obtain information on popular gathering sites of the homeless and the items they needed most. To spread the news to the street people, the brothers and sisters then held up notice boards at these sites announcing the schedule and venues of the activities. In late December 2004, a cold front hit Taipei, and the initiates were informed by the Wanhua District Welfare Center that the local homeless population was in great need of warm clothing. So on December 28, the practitioners promptly delivered fifteen cartons of thick, warm jackets to ease their immediate distress. Then, after a second supply of winter jackets along with kung-fu shoes, shower gel, shampoo and shavers was arranged in groups and categorized based on street surveys done by the Social Affairs Bureau, the initiates, aided by Bureau staff members, distributed the items to halfway houses and homeless shelters. The kung-fu shoes symbolized the first step in finding a job, and were aimed at encouraging the homeless to begin their lives anew. The initiates also prepared five hundred New Year's gift bags for distribution, each containing a warm wool hat, gloves, socks, toothpaste, a toothbrush, a towel, candy, cookies, bread, a sandwich, a hot drink and last but not least spiritual food—copies of Master's News magazine. Then on the morning of January 6, 2005, the volunteers delivered sixty cartons of winter clothing donated by fellow initiates to the Jhonghe Shelter for the Homeless. And in the afternoon, they presented the New Year's gift bags to the Wanhua District Welfare Center, where Mr.Yang Liou-chi, chief of the social work section of the city's Social Affairs Bureau and Mr. Lin, a senior homeless representative, received the items on behalf of the homeless. In his speech, Section Chief Yang thanked The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association for the care and concern its members have shown to Taipei's street population over the years, and for its continued efforts in providing material and spiritual aid. That evening, guided by several loving, patient social workers from the Taipei Social Affairs Bureau, the fellow practitioners visited several districts frequented by homeless people and presented them with gift bags. Upon receiving Master's gifts of love, the beneficiaries expressed their deep gratitude as their faces glowed with happiness. The sisters and brothers were accompanied on these visits by a group of academics who study the homeless population—Professor Yang of National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Professor Pan of National Taiwan Normal University and several of their graduate students. The professors and students were speechless while watching the Taipei practitioners diligently distribute gift bags oblivious to the chilly wind and potential danger in the neighbourhoods they visited, and later said repeatedly, "This has been hard work for you." Next, on the morning of January 14, the initiates again delivered approximately a hundred gift bags to the Jhonghe Shelter for the Homeless, where Director Chen Xue-cheng and a resident representative, Mr. Zhang, received the items. Director Chen was deeply grateful to The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association for rendering aid just as the cold front was moving in. Representative Zhang, being even more earnest in expressing his thanks, said, "The practical items and soul-elevating sample booklets and News magazines you've provided are just what the homeless need most." That evening, another group of fellow practitioners went to The Peace Abode, a halfway house for the underprivileged in Taipei, where they were warmly welcomed by the residents. Not long after, the Taipei Center learned from the Social Affairs Bureau that while local needy households received much help from social welfare groups, some senior citizens living alone were paid little attention. So on the morning of January 21, the initiates prepared a supply of heating packs, thermos bottles, rice, nutritional supplements and copies of Master's News magazine. Then, accompanied by several social workers and an earnest senior citizen, they visited over a dozen seniors in the Wanhua District to offer them material and spiritual support. The last facility the initiates visited during the winter 2004-05 Taipei aid project was the Taipei County Ai-Wei Center on Huafu Hill, Bali Township. The brothers and sisters had previously visited the Center in September 2004, when they learned that the staff had set up a computer-learning room in which residents gained new knowledge and exercised their often deformed and withered fingers. So, in compliance with the Center's needs, during this visit the initiates contributed six sets of computer and ten cartons of adult diapers.Through these activities, the warm flow of God's love shone through to Taipei's underprivileged on the city's coldest winter days. And hopefully, the winter 2004-05 Taipei aid project brought a measure of happiness into the lives of the street people, disabled and senior citizens living alone, and will encourage these less fortunate brothers and sisters, who are often forgotten by society, to seek new lives as they derive hope and power from Master's words of wisdom. Hsinchu Putting Love into Action By the Hsinchu News Group (Originally in Chinese) On January 6, 2005, fellow practitioners from Hsinchu, Formosa visited the Yu-An Children Care Center in Miaoli County, the Catholic Hua-kuang Social Welfare Foundation in Hsinchu County, the St. Joseph's Center for Special Education in Hsinchu City, and Miracle Home which offers counseling and a stable environment for school dropouts, children from broken families and juvenile delinquents. The initiates gave gifts of love and conveyed Master's care to the young residents of these facilities, and at the Yu-An Children's Care Center the director personally accepted the daily necessities brought by the practitioners and presented them with a flag to show the Center's appreciation for Master's charitable acts. These centers and halfway houses are concrete expressions of God's love by social philanthropists. The children and young people in all of the facilities are well provided for and given vocational training so that they can contribute to society in the future. Hopefully, as the Golden Age unfolds, humankind will continue to demonstrate such universal love and fill every corner of the earth with warm compassion. Tainan Helping Hands for the Elderly By the Tainan News Group (Originally in Chinese) In the depths of winter 2004-05, the Tainan Center of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association conducted a series of activities to provide relief to needy households and other underprivleged people in their community. On December 26 and 29, 2004, and January 14, 25 and 29, 2005 local initiates visited the BaiHe Veterans Home, the Jhupu Elderly Care Center in Yanshuei, the Taizih Temple Elderly Center, the Hsin Te Chu Hua Cripple School and the Elderly Home of Sinying Hospital in Tainan County. During these activities, a videotaped introduction to Master was presented followed by brilliant entertainment programs, among which the recital of Master's Wu Tzu Poems received a resounding response. Several senior citizens asked that the sister-initiates who recited the verses continue the recitation and teach them how to recite poetry. The elderly praised Supreme Master Ching Hai as a great enlightened teacher who fully understands the suffering of sentient beings, adding that Her short poems accurately portray the ephemeral nature of earthly life. Moreover, Director Tang Yue-mei of the Taizih Temple Elderly Center was touched by Master's compassion and expressed her gratitude with tear-filled eyes. And the staff of the Jhupu Elderly Care Center showed an interest in learning more about Master's teachings so that they could be more efficient in serving the senior citizens at their facility. Pingtung Building a Caring Community for the Aged By the Pingtung News Group (Originally in Chinese) On January 23, 2005, initiates from The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association again extended aid to destitute elderly residents of Sinjhih Village, Wanluan Township, Pingtung County and wished them a happy New Year. That day, the village chief joined the initiates in distributing blankets to the villagers and expressed gratitude to the Association for its ongoing concern for the needy elderly of his community. The seniors received the blankets with great joy and contentment reflected in their faces. The arrival of Golden Year Two marks the opening of a new chapter in human history. Hopefully, in coming years human beings will continue to receive God's blessings and live lives of satisfaction in body, mind and spirit. 2004 Global Disaster Relief Activities by Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her Association 2004 Global Disaster Relief Activities by Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her International Association from January to December Beneficiary Countries Date (Month) Activities Amount in local currency Amount in US$ News magazine # Costa Rica Feb., April, May, Dec. Distributing daily necessaries, building roads and repairing bridges to improve living conditions at the Tibas-Zurqui's Dump community Colon 1,731,136.55 US$ 3,877.60 150, 152, 156 Thailand April Relief for fire victims of the Suan Plu Pattana community Baht 27,198.25 US$ 695.79 151 Jamaica Sept. Relief for hurricane and flood victims US$ 10,027.00 US$ 10,027.00 154 Dominican Republic Sept. Relief for hurricane and flood victims US $ 28,679.00 US$ 28,679.00 154 Grenada Sept. Relief for hurricane and flood victims US$ 10,000.00 US$ 10,000.00 154 Haiti Sept. Relief for hurricane and flood victims US$ 40,000.00 U S$ 40,000.00 154 Sudan Sept. Financial contribution for civil war victims US$ 40,000.00 US$ 40,000.00 154 China Sept. Relief for flood victims in northwestern Sichuan Province RMB 167,819.30 US$ 20,374.33 154 Japan Oct. Relief for hurricane and earthquake victims Yen 1,920.194.00 US$ 18,483.98 155 USA Sept.-Oct. Relief for Florida hurricane and flood victims US$ 14,646.37 US$ 14,646.37 154 Panama Sept.-Oct. Relief for flood victims US$ 7,900.00 US$ 7,900.00 154 Russia Sept.-Oct. Relief for victims of school hostage crisis in North Ossetia Rubles 996,000.00 US$ 34,110.00 154 India Sept.-Oct. Relief for flood victims in northern India Rupees 1,350,001.00 US$ 30,000.00 154 Indonesia Nov. Relief for earthquake and flood victims in Nabire and Blitar Rupiah 111,849,506.00 US$ 12,157.56 156 Philippines Dec. Relief for victims of Typhoon Nanmadol Peso 1,713,020.00 US$ 30,589.64 156 Formosa Jan.-Dec. Regular monthly contribution to needy households around Formosa NT$ 769,000.00 US$ 23,303.03 151, 153, 155, 156 Jan.-Dec. Charitable and public welfare activities NT$ 1,152,258.00 US$ 34,916.91 151, 153, 154, 155, 156 July-Dec. Relief for victims of Typhoons Mindulle, Aere and Nanmadol NT$ 544,820.00 US$ 16,509.70 153, 154, 155, 156 Grand Total US$376,270.91 ================================================================== Letter of Appreciation Niigata Prefecture, Japan December 2004 To: The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association In the cold of winter we are delighted to learn that your esteemed Association is developing prosperously. During the severe earthquake that hit Mid Niigata on October 23, 2004, twelve people were killed in Ojiya and all the residents suffered great losses. We are deeply grateful to your esteemed Association for its warm assistance in the form of spiritual support and material aid at the time of the disaster. For citizens who were compelled to live like refugees, the relief provided by your Association was like an oasis in the desert that gave unparalleled encouragement to the mentally and physically exhausted victims. Two months have elapsed since the earthquake, and local residents who have respectively moved into temporary abodes are working hard to resume their normal lives so that our city can rise again and embark on the path to recovery. Here we wish to convey our deepest gratitude to your esteemed Association for its kindness. We also wish you peace, health and prosperity! Yours faithfully, Seki Hirokazu Mayor of Ojiya, Niigata Prefecture 2-7-5 Jonai, Ojiya-City, Niigata Prefecture ================================================================== Master Tells Stories Becoming Liberated by Getting a Glimpse of the Master Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Malaysia, February 24, 1992 (Originally in English) Videotape # 216 If the Master wants to do it, it'll be done, not the way we think of in this world but in the spirit. It's in the invisible way that the Master takes care of people. That's why the Indian people respect the guru, the Master very much. They just love to see, to get just one glimpse of the Master. I know of one Indian Master Who passed away in the 1940s and Who traveled by train when He was alive. And one day a man was just on the right side of his train in the fields doing farming. And the Master just looked out the window of his train car at that moment. And the man happened to look up at the same time just like that, for one second and then the train passed by. And three days later the man died, and he saw the Master appear to him and take him up before he died. And he told everyone around, "I saw Master such and such appear. He has come now and He said he's going to take me up." And it happened that one of the Master's disciples was beside the man and when he heard the description he said, "Is He the one in this photo?" And the man said, "Yes." Just one look and he got liberated. In the Buddhist tradition, we also have many such stories. For example, when he was alive the Earth Store Bodhisattva promised that anyone who even heard his name he would take care of. So, the ways of Bodhisattvas or Saints are limitless. It's impossible for us to judge or understand or even realize them. ================================================================== End~ P