| Report from Formosa 
        A Joyous Gathering in the Golden Age
 By the Pingtung News Group 
        [Pingtung] On August 22, 2004, local 
          members of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association held 
          a Truth-sharing seminar and an exhibition of the Supreme Master's art 
          in southern Formosa's Pingtung City. At the venue, which was elegantly 
          decorated to create a sense of Heaven on earth, many cheerful visitors 
          appreciated Master's art work, feeling very much at home in an atmosphere 
          made pleasant by the fellow initiates' sincerity and warmth. Pingtung Mayor Wang Jin-shi arrived at the venue early 
          and was deeply impressed by Master's creations. "This exhibition 
          of art and spirituality held by The Supreme Master Ching Hai International 
          Association in Pingtung is a meaningful event," he proclaimed. 
          "Supreme Master Ching Hai is a symbol of wisdom and spirituality, 
          Who fosters a spiritual lifestyle that creates a sublime society. This 
          activity lets us reflect on the spiritual aspects of life. As Supreme 
          Master Ching Hai says, 'The way Home has been imprinted in everyone's 
          heart.' I think this is the path of Truth." These sincere and insightful 
          comments by Mayor Wang reflected the sentiments of everyone present. 
          
            |  |  |  The seminar began with talks by Mr. Zhong Jia-zhih, director 
          of the Pingtung Civil Affairs Bureau, and Mayor Wang. Afterwards, a 
          brief video introducing Master entitled Walk the Way of Love was presented 
          as a tranquil and blissful ambiance suffused the hall. Then an exquisitely 
          produced musical performance won the audience's applause. At the seminar, 
          other prominent professionals discussed the topic "Letting the 
          body, mind and spirit remain healthy and happy in the Golden Age," 
          as part of an introduction to spiritual practice and vegetarianism. This was followed by a Convenient Method teaching session, 
          and after the subsequent CM meditation period, the newcomers to the 
          Quan Yin family joyfully expressed their feelings. "While practicing 
          meditation, I felt a great sense of inner tranquility. Next time, I'll 
          go even deeper," said one gentleman with delight. Then, another 
          man spoke from the heart, saying, "At the venue, I felt extremely 
          comfortable. Especially when listening to the song 'Master Takes me 
          Home' I experienced a warm current pervade my body and felt very touched. 
          I've been practicing meditation for several years and it's really great 
          that I've now learned the Convenient Method. Besides, The Association 
          doesn't charge any fees and teaches people to act benevolently. This 
          is a fine group and a good Master." Even after the spiritual feast in Pingtung had ended, 
          the venue was still enveloped in a peaceful, Heavenly atmosphere, affirming 
          the fact that Master's love has infused the world with a stream of energy 
          that purifies and elevates people's spiritual nature. Through such events, 
          Her message continues to introduce society to a harmonious and beautiful 
          lifestyle, and broadens the world's consciousness.   
        Conveying Love and Liberation on Chinese Valentine's Day By the Taichung News Group 
        [Nantou] A major parental 
          concern among fellow practitioners is how to help their children achieve 
          spiritual elevation and solve problems encountered in the process of 
          growing up. To address this issue, on August 21-22, 2004 when the late 
          summer weather was fine, the Taichung and Nantou Centers held a social 
          event at Nantou to help their young initiates experience the freedom 
          that comes from spiritual practice. Approximately three hundred participants 
          -- including local brothers and sisters and their family members -- 
          attended the activity, where the young people found joy in
        the elevated 
        spiritual atmosphere
        and shared their excitement 
          in games they had designed all by themselves. This year's school vacation, being in 
          Golden Year One, bore special meaning for the youth, who felt Master's 
          greatness in Her spiritual elevation of the Earth's population, and 
          also deeply realized that their own consciousness had been raised. It 
          was the first time that the youngsters had independently planned and 
          conducted such an event, and their feeling of self-reliance and mutual 
          support was great, giving them a wonderful sense of accomplishment. 
          Despite occasional setbacks, they remained steadfast in their belief 
          that Master would take care of everything. And through the process of 
          encountering problems, seeking solutions within and witnessing how the 
          difficulties were resolved, the young saints developed a more profound 
          understanding of the need for spiritual development and the importance 
          of serving others. It was pleasing for the older initiates to see how 
          these caterpillars had metamorphosed into butterflies! The young initiates are now in the maturing 
          stage, and since childhood have lived in an environment where most of 
          their school teachers, relatives and friends are non-practitioners and 
          meat eaters. So how do they adjust to both the secular and spiritual 
          worlds? A young sister attending a local university addressed this question 
          by saying, "I'm proud to be a vegetarian." The diet has given 
          her a healthy body, a cheerful disposition and an amiable personality. 
          She has also influenced many of her friends to pursue vegetarian diets. This year's Chinese Valentine's Day (traditionally 
          observed on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month) happened to 
          fall on August 22, so each participant received a rose, the traditional 
          symbol of love. Upon receiving their flowers, everyone cheered and laughed, 
          and wished that love would blossom among all human beings. In this romantic 
          and refined atmosphere, the initiates became light-hearted, happy saints, 
          whose souls soared high in the knowledge that Master's grace was with 
          them.   
        A New Center Opens on a High Note
 By the Penghu News Group 
        [Penghu] On the auspicious 
          day of September 25, 2004, the new Penghu Center was inaugurated with 
          a jubilant celebration by resident disciples from the Hsihu Center, 
          contact persons from various local centers and fellow initiates from 
          all around Formosa, who brought radiance to the small but warm sweet 
          home of the Penghu practitioners.  
        
 To keep pace with the planet's ongoing spiritual elevation, 
          the local centers of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association 
          are holding more and more video seminars and other Truth-sharing events. You are welcome to join in these activities with your 
          friends and relatives. For the latest schedule of our activities, please 
          visit the following URLs:   
          http://www.Godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng/latest_news/events-datebook.htm  
          (English) 
          http://www.Godsdirectcontact.org.tw/ch/latest_news/events-datebook.htm  
          (Chinese)  
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