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| Initiates
in Costa Rica visit prisoners and present gifts conveying Master's
love and concern. |
[San
Jose]
On
Christmas, the day of gratitude and happiness, Costa Rican fellow initiates
came to the San Sebastian Prison with Master's love, and spent a joyous
Christmas with its 850 inmates.
We
prepared 1,000 Christmas gifts, filled with Master's love and blessings,
including high quality T-shirts, soap, tooth brushes, socks, candies,
crackers, chocolate, etc., and most important of all - Master's sample
booklets. The prison administration treated us warmly and arranged the
facility's central auditorium for the gift distribution. Santa Claus,
portrayed by a sister initiate, appeared with pleasant bells in hand.
All the initiates wore Santa Claus hats, adding to the merry Christmas
atmosphere. Over 400 prisoners watched "Walk on the Path of Love"--a
brief videotape introducing Master, after which they looked very happy,
high-spirited and innocent.
Many
prisoners were in the restricted area and thus unable to join in the
celebration. So we came in with permission and distributed blessed gifts
to them. The administration told us that these prisoners were not normally
in a stable mood and were often dangerous, yet everything went smoothly
and harmoniously. All the guards and working staff also received Christmas
gifts, and everyone was very happy. The celebration ended with a delightful
Christmas chorus, and the occasion was really an unforgettable experience
for everyone.
After
our visit, the prison administration told us that the prisoners used
to be unstable in mood and often got involved in violent escapes, but
after our visit they became calm and the situation improved a lot. The
warden of the prison appreciated our charitable activity very much and
wrote three letters to express his gratitude. The next day, local newspapers
such as " La Prensa Libre " and " El Diario Extra",
featured reports on this activity, and offered a detailed introduction
to Master and Her devotion to the world, and the Quan Yin Spiritual
group.
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| Prisoners
attentively watch Master's videotape and learn the Convenient Method. |
We
intended to teach our inmate friends the Convenient Method the day we
distributed gifts. But we gave up on this plan because of the limited
time, and we all felt it a pity. Afterwards, one of the initiates came
home, thinking of the inmate friends who had misbehaved because of ignorance,
and lost their freedom in prison, where they had to suffer physical
and mental hardship. He cried before the photo of Master, praying that
the prisoners would have the chance to practice the Convenient Method,
and gain enlightenment and liberation, as well as a free, happy life
as early as possible.
Our
merciful Master fulfilled his wish. The next day, a Quan Yin messenger
made a phone call to the local contact person, asking about the possibility
of teaching the Convenient Method in the prison. After contacting the
prison administration, we got the required permission. The warden was
quite interested in the Convenient Method, saying after our instruction
that he liked this sort of meditation and the vegetarian diet. After
learning the Convenient Method, he said he felt very good and would
continue the practice.
Just
before the New Year, we visited the prison again with candies and crackers,
showed a video and taught the prisoners the Convenient Method. After
the video presentation, the Quan Yin messenger encouraged the prisoners,
saying that wise people make use of the environment while the weak get
stuck to it, and that it was due to the grace of God that they could
practice the Method in prison and therefore gain eternal inner joy and
contentment. After learning the Method, everyone was filled with bliss
and they all shook hands with us, expressing their sincere gratitude.
Along
with this activity, the initiates of Costa Rica contributed money, effort,
and hearts full of joy. Many who had not shown up at the local center
for a long time all participated in the activity with a collaborative
spirit, and seemed completely one with each other! We were also touched
by a garment factory that offered us 1,000 T-shirts of a well-known
brand at a price even lower than the cost. The factory owner and his
wife came to learn the Convenient Method later and they both had very
good experiences.
There
is warmth and love everywhere on this planet. May the joys of love always
stay in everyone!
