Report from Formosa

Laughter and Joy
Pervade the Tainan Prison

Soul-elevation seminar held at the Tainan Prison.

In May, the Tainan Prison again invited the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association to conduct counseling sessions for its inmates on Tuesdays and Fridays. In response, over fifty fellow practitioners worked together to successfully hold twenty-four soul-elevation seminars and recreational activities at the Prison.

At each of these events, the fellow practitioners were earnestly welcomed by the prison authorities. "Every time you come, we feel that this is not a prison anymore. When you are here, there is always joy, laughter, and happy singing!" said a correctional officer to fellow initiates. The message that we conveyed to the inmates was: "You only have to find your Buddha Nature within, then you can help yourself to stand up again, and surmount all the obstacles ahead of you." We hope that God will bless these brothers in prison, and let them resume lives of freedom in both body and mind as soon as possible.

Sharing Love and Kindness
at the Dragon Boat Festival

Sharing Master's gifts of love--rice dumplings wrapped by Tainan fellow initiates--with juveniles at the Kaoshiung Juvenile Center. Standing on the right is Director Hwang Chin-Derng.

On June 18 and 20, a few days before the local Dragon Boat Festival, fellow practitioners from the Tainan Center visited the Juvenile Center of Tainan and Kaohsiung, respectively. In addition to bringing the inhabitants drinks and rice dumplings wrapped by fellow practitioners, they also held two Truth-sharing seminars.

After the spiritual seminar at his facility, Director Hwang of the Kaohsiung Juvenile Center complimented the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association as an excellent group which, under the guidance of Supreme Master Ching Hai, has established a purifying trend in society and silently sown the seeds of love in the world.

A Soul-elevating Seminar in Chiayi

On June 8, 2001, the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association held a lively, soul-elevating seminar conducted by a Quan Yin messenger at Formosa's Chiayi Prison to convey Master's love and concern to the inmates, who showed great interest in the messenger's words. The inmates were later taught the Convenient Method, and some saw the Light during a ten-minute meditation session. The meaningful seminar ended amidst joyous interactive singing.