Report from Australia

  <Sydney> Despite a cloudy, gloomy sky in Sydney that threatened to produce many downpours in the area, hundreds of fellow initiates enthusiastically participated in the "Clean Up Australia Day", which set an attendance record over previous years.

  In this year's "Clean Up Australia day," the Sydney Center of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association was assigned to take care of the Western area of Abramatta city, where a predominantly Asian population, largely Aulacese, resides. Dressed in uniforms consisting of golden vests edged in green, our group of hundreds of young and old practitioners stood out in a crowd of volunteers wearing other colorful outfits, catching the astonished eyes of local people.

  Over the years, The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association in Australia has been a pioneer among ethnic community groups that participate in this yearly general clean up event, thanks to Master's good teachings, which emphasize that we should contribute our labor to express our gratitude to our country and its people.

Dragon Lunar New Year 2000 Fair

  As in previous years, a Tet (New Year's) Fair was held this year at Sydney's Warrick Farm racetrack. Nearly a hundred booths were set up, both for entertainment and for the exhibition of art and literary works created by Aulacese artists. There were also religious booths, including that of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, which attracted numerous visitors.

  Many of our Aulacese compatriots visited our food booth to enjoy its tasty and nutritious vegetarian delicacies. Many others also came to review books and magazines and to openly praise Master's artwork. We played Master's videos on three consecutive days, and after the Fair ended, a number of visitors to our booth called or visited the Sydney Center personally to learn more about the Quan Yin Method and the activities of our Association, thus preparing themselves mentally for initiation day.

Guests and fellow initiates come to review books and magazines displayed by The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association at the Dragon Lunar New Year 2000 Fair.