The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co., Ltd. was among key publishers that participated in the 24th Annual Salon du Livre de Paris held at Porte de Versailles in the French capital from March 19-24, 2004. This exhibition of World Chinese Literature was the first-ever in the Salon’s history and an important event in a series of activities marking “The Year of China in France.” Initiates from the Paris Center and Supreme Master Publishing displayed a number of Master’s publications with a focus on the new titles I Have Come to Take You Home and God Takes Care of Everything. Exhibition highlights included speeches by Mr. Ruaan Zhi-sheng, a former history professor at National Taiwan University, and Dr. Lin Meng-shih, former director of the Formosa Acupuncture Therapy Association.

China was the chief guest at the event, which this year attracted 1,030 publishers from twenty-six countries. Exquisitely decorated by fellow initiates, Supreme Master Publishing’s exhibition booth was separated from the Chinese exhibition area by a passageway and radiated a graceful, cozy spiritual ambience. The extensive selection of Master’s colorful publications on display provided a sharp contrast to the booth’s immaculate white gauze decorations, which were dotted with a dozen live pink and white orchids. Master’s Longevity Lamps illuminated the booth with a soft, divine glow, while Her lecture DVDs played continuously on a television at the center. Across the passageway, the Chinese Exhibition Hall exuded a rich cultural atmosphere, while the Supreme Master Publishing booth warmly welcomed visitors with its pure, peaceful energy. Thus the book fair beautifully blended the realms of culture and spirituality.

 

Interactions with Chinese Authors 

On the evening of March 18, the Salon’s opening ceremony was graced by the presence of President Jacques Chirac of France, who greeted exhibitors along the passageway and cordially shook hands with a sister-initiate while passing by the Supreme Master Publishing booth.

At the ceremony, the initiates provided free vegetarian snacks and beverages, winning generous compliments from visitors and nearby exhibitors for their warm hospitality and their booth’s relaxing environment. “I was attracted by the spiritual atmosphere of your booth,” a Chinese poet now living in the Netherlands said to the fellow initiates. “From a distance, I could sense something extraordinary about your exhibition area. The vegetarian food that you serve is very special; it’s so full of love.” In the ensuing conversation, the poet stated that he was one of over forty authors from China, Hong Kong, Formosa and other countries with large Chinese populations who had been invited to participate in a series of activities on Chinese culture at the Salon. He added that his companions, who sampled vegetarian food along with him, were also prominent authors from the Chinese delegation.

The initiates, honored to enjoy a happy time with their distinguished guests at the opening ceremony, invited all to sign their guest book and offered them goodwill gifts of the Chinese version of I Have Come to Take You Home and Master’s lecture DVDs. “The Chinese edition was released only recently and quickly sold out to readers in Formosa. So we’ve brought only twenty copies to this exhibition. You are very lucky to be the first group of Chinese readers,” said the initiates to their guests. The authors happily accepted the books and promised to read them carefully. A short while later, another Chinese writer rushed over to ask, “Each of them has a copy of I Have Come to Take You Home. Why don’t I have one?” The childlike anxiety displayed by this famous author was a clear indication of his earnest desire to go Home. He left the booth feeling elated after receiving a copy of the book from the initiates.

A Spiritually Elevated World

During the Salon, an endless stream of visitors crowded the Supreme Master Publishing booth, acquiring books, requesting sample booklets, watching Master’s lecture videos and inquiring about spiritual practice. The guests’ joy was shared by passersby receiving sample booklets, more than six thousand of which were distributed during the six-day exhibition.

Among the wide selection of Master’s publications on display, those that drew the greatest attention were the illustrated book of wisdom God Takes Care of Everything and the international vegetarian cookbook Supreme Kitchen. Other favorites included Master’s poetry, songs and album of artistic creations. The diversity of these works highlighted the fact that Master, with Her infinite love and matchless eye for detail, accommodates connoisseurs of all ages and varied interests. “I have worked in the publishing sector for many years, and rarely have I come across a company capable of publishing works in so many different formats,” one exhibitor observed. These heartfelt words precisely described the greatness of an enlightened Master. Through many means and creative forms, and through Her ever-changing personal image, Master inspires others to reach their inner Self, shares Her infinite wisdom, and elevates their minds and spirits.

Since the recent elevation of humanity’s consciousness, the general public has become increasingly open to advanced spiritual teachings. So many visitors to the exhibition, regardless of age or nationality, expressed great admiration for Master’s wisdom. For example, a group of primary school students around nine years of age eagerly sought sample booklets and fliers on the Quan Yin Method. One of the boys exclaimed in delight, “This is about meditation. We must maintain it well!” Another boy requested a large photo of Master that he wanted to hang in his school library. Also, their teacher helped distribute sample booklets and fliers to the students. Many adolescents were interested in spiritual cultivation as well, including a French boy in his mid-teens, who held Master’s sample booklet in his hands and declared confidently, “I want to learn meditation. This is very important!”

In addition, for several days a Chinese woman appeared at Master’s booth, having read I Have Come to Take You Home on the opening day when she had received a copy from the initiates. “Sometimes, when I’m sleeping, I feel very comfortable, but the feeling disappears as soon as I wake up. This has troubled me for a long time,” she said. “Only now do I understand that the physical world is illusory and I must find the true world.” She later learned the Convenient Method.

After browsing through Master’s publications, Mr. Li from Beijing, who worked for a private cultural organization, said with great emotion, “Such good books ought to be published in China.” Mr. Li added that he would incorporate Master’s publications into his work projects in China.

And after visiting the Supreme Master Publishing booth, a Frenchman in his twenties exclaimed loudly, “This is the best exhibition booth in the whole Salon; it has changed me totally!” as if he wanted everyone to hear his sincere words, which might also have spoken for the other visitors to the booth.

After experiencing many such reactions, the unanimous realization of the fellow initiates who participated in the event was that people’s level of consciousness and the spiritual state of the world have discernibly improved.

 

Successful Truth-sharing Seminars

On the afternoon of March 23, Supreme Master Publishing held two brilliant seminars at the Salle Serenite (Hall of Serenity) in the exhibition venue. At the first seminar, chief speaker Dr. Lin Meng-shih shared his views on physical vitality, the inner energy current and the astral form from the perspective of ancient Chinese medicine. The second seminar, chaired by Professor Ruaan Zhi-sheng, dealt with inward contemplation and divine hearing — the ancient Chinese Taoist way of contemplating through seeing and hearing. Both seminars drew capacity audiences, and both speakers shared enlightening insights on these subjects, stressing the importance of soul elevation and personal experience. Afterwards, more than fifty participants learned the Convenient Method. A French woman, after meditating with the Convenient form of practice, was ecstatic at her visions of Jesus Christ and Shakyamuni Buddha. And a woman from China said that she only had to close her eyes and think of Master, and Her Light form would appear in her inner vision.

After listening to Dr. Ruaan’s talk, an elderly audience member approaches Dr. Ruaan to discuss his personal experience of inner hearing.

Benefits and Bliss

The six-day Salon du Livre de Paris ended quickly, but for a long time after the initiates who took part in the event were blessed with indescribable bliss. For they had personally witnessed the elevation of many souls, and enjoyed great success in their efforts to spread Master’s message in the Golden Age.

The initiates of the Paris Center are very grateful to the staff of Supreme Master Publishing and the Love Mission formed by Professor Ruaan and Dr. Lin, who supported and assisted with the event. The Paris sisters and brothers are even more grateful to Master for the success of their work at the exhibition, which will forever remain in their hearts, inspiring them on in their spiritual path.