It
was by chance that I joined a trip to share the Truth with prison inmates
in 1995. The location was the well-known Green Island Prison off the coast
of Formosa.
When our big group of initiates
arrived on the outlying Green Island after having to take two planes to get
there, we were met by the prison superintendent. He was a very nice man who
regarded the prison as his home. He took care of all the inmates as though
they were his own children and this reminded me of the compassionate spirit
of the Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha.
The superintendent told us
that only the most serious offenders were sent to Green Island to be disciplined.
They fought and caused disturbances even in this prison. They were so-called
the most stubborn and difficult ones. (Although I had twice accompanied Master
to prisons, what the superintendent said still frightened me.)
The prison authorities require
that inmates meditate in the hope that they will become more peaceful, but
no specific method is used. The Green Island authorities were therefore only
too happy that we could teach the inmates a proper method of meditation.
To begin our presentation,
a fellow brother eloquently related how he had joined the underworld when
he was young. He told how, after he was imprisoned a few times, he had turned
over a new leaf, he became a vegetarian, and began to practice spiritually.
When he finished talking, there was almost no response from the audience.
Perhaps the inmates felt that he had not been bad enough, or perhaps he did
not speak well enough. When another fellow practitioner went on stage to introduce
Master and the Quan Yin Method, the cold atmosphere made him nervous and he
failed to express himself well. When he asked how many persons wanted to learn
the Convenient Method, only one hand was raised. This situation was very embarrassing,
especially when compared to previous occasions in other prisons when more
than half of the audience eagerly wanted to learn our meditation method. We
looked at each other questioningly, not knowing what to do.
Then it was my turn to go
on stage to teach them the Convenient Method. Suddenly I felt that I should
talk a bit more to help them understand that in being a vegetarian we love
all of God's creatures and are their true brothers, which is an act of a real
man and not just something women would do. I also discussed Master's teachings
about the true meaning of freedom, which liberates us from material attachments
so our spirit can be free to roam the universe. Finally, I said: "Since
you have to meditate anyhow, today we will teach you the highest method of
meditation in the universe. It will let you experience the inner light, giving
you a sense of freedom and allowing you to play in Heaven. This is the best,
quickest, simplest, and safest method. There is no reason why you shouldn't
learn it!" Thinking that I had done pretty well, I asked again: "Now,
how many persons want to learn the Convenient Method?" Two hands were
raised. How thankful I was to this brother who had saved my reputation. I
had no other choice but to start teaching the Convenient Method. Since it
was a group activity, those who did not want to learn had to remain where
they were. After going through the explanation, I said: "Good! Now close
your eyes and start meditating." Wow! Everyone closed their eyes!
We wanted to help the Convenient
Method practitioners more, so after the meditation, we said: "If you
want to understand Master's teachings better, or if you have questions on
meditation later, you can write to us. Please write down your names."
Amazingly, more than half the people signed up. The blessed food packages,
lovingly packed by fellow practitioners, were placed one by one in the hands
of the inmates. Immediately the heavy atmosphere lifted and everyone cheered
and was delighted. As some of the inmates had questions, we sought the authorities'
permission to speak to them further. After some consideration, the authorities
complied: "Okay, those who have signed their names can stay. The rest
will have to leave." Reluctantly leaving the room, those who were not
allowed to stay kept looking back at us with faces that expressed the longing
in their hearts. Even today, I cannot forget the yearning look on their faces.
Ego and concern about losing
one's reputation truly are very big obstacles in spiritual practice! After
meditation, through inner communication with the power of love, the brothers
in prison recovered their child-like hearts and regained their innocence.
Some inmates wanted to be vegetarian; some asked about problems related to
meditation. An inmate who was soon to be released expressed the wish to visit
us at the Center. We were all very touched. Everyone felt delighted in the
warm and fragrant power of love. At that moment, worldly suffering and torment
seemed to have disappeared altogether.
After the event, we arranged
for vegetarian food to be sent to the Green Island Prison for those who wanted
to be vegetarian. Later, the prison authorities arranged for a car to take
us on a tour of Green Island. The island was beautiful, calm, and serene.
On the tour, we met some prisoners assigned to beautifying the environment
who were resting by the roadside. A common thought arose in the minds of everyone
on the Truth-sharing team: This beautiful islet will truly be heaven on Earth
if it can be transformed into a place for spiritual practice!
The passage of time has not
erased my memories of this trip and they continue to move me deep in my soul.
Master has said, "In this world, there are no such things as good people
or bad people, only enlightened or ignorant ones. Every saint has a past,
every sinner has a future." If only we can change ourselves today and
turn to the virtuous side wholeheartedly, the future will surely be good,
and the past will be compensated for naturally. Just one bad thought can sometimes
bring endless suffering. We must try to open our hearts, and give ourselves
one more chance! A beautiful and good future is awaiting us.
Lighthouse
in the Darkness
Liberated
Souls behind Bars