Spiritual Light amid a Sea of Flowers

By the Taipei News Group

[Taipei] On March 19 and 20, 2005, the brothers and sisters of Formosa’s Northern Area College Activity Group conducted their annual Truth-sharing activity at National Taiwan University’s colorful azalea festival.

The initiates’ booth had the theme “Coloring Our Lives” and featured a large assortment of Master’s publications and an exquisite array of vegetarian snacks. In addition, the initiates recited inspirational excerpts from Master’s books, heightening the spiritual atmosphere of the bright, lively festival. Many visitors smiled on seeing the elaborately designed games and blessing cards prepared by the sisters and brothers, and inquired about Master’s teachings, meditation and the vegetarian diet. Meanwhile, the young initiates performed dynamic dances, soulful guitar recitals and a group of spiritual songs that fully expressed their inner bliss and overflowing love.

One visitor to the booth had once rented her home to a Korean initiate named Miss Li who came to Formosa to learn Chinese. The woman remembered how she had envied the happy, fulfilling life Miss Li enjoyed as she rose early every morning to meditate, and remained in high spirits throughout the day while reading and going about her business. When the woman learned that Miss Li had found her vital life force from practicing the Quan Yin Method her interest was aroused. So she decided to learn the Convenient Method during the festival and completely verified her tenant's words.

During National Taiwan University’s 2005 azalea festival the initiates’ booth proved to be the most joyful spot on campus. The exhibit’s happy atmosphere attracted many souls searching for their inner source of joy, giving the fellow practitioners a great opportunity to share Master’s teachings.

2 photos: sp12-1, -2. jpg

A Scenic Island is Illuminated in the Golden Age
—The 2005 Kinmen Lantern Festival

By the Kinmen work team

[Kinmen] From February 23-25, 2005, Kinmen Island played host to a fabulous Lantern Festival celebrated amid rich historical attractions and traditional architecture at the Kinmen Stadium. The Festival, which falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month, was sponsored by the local county government, and a major participant, The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, ran a booth at the event by invitation of the local Cultural Affairs Bureau. Fellow initiates from Kinmen built a novel exhibit featuring colorful, glittering lanterns and five hundred potted flowers provided by the Kinmen Forestry Bureau, making the booth seem like Heaven on earth and attracting many visitors.

The initiates chose "Kinmen Lights up in the Golden Era" as the theme for their display, hoping to add spiritual radiance to the Kinmen area as Golden Year 2 opened. The sisters and brothers brought in a special collection of Supreme Master Ching Hai’s Longevity Lamps from the main island of Formosa. The uniquely shaped Lamps, which were displayed alongside Master's paintings, shone with spiritual light symbolizing God’s eternal brightness. Together the Lamps and art work awakened visitors’ golden impression of Heaven embedded deep in their souls.

On February 23, the opening day of the Festival, several local officials participated in a lantern lighting ceremony that inaugurated the celebrations. Later, Kinmen County Magistrate Lee Juh-feng visited the The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association booth to encourage the fellow practitioners, saying, “I’ve heard a great deal about Supreme Master Ching Hai and am delighted and grateful to the Association for its display of Her exquisite creations, which are a significant attraction at your booth.” Since lamps represent brightness, Mr. Lee also hoped that the Longevity Lamp display would help visitors reach a deeper level of realization in life, sincerely thanked the Association for its excellent support and service and hoped that the people of Kinmen could have the opportunity and honor to play host to Supreme Master Ching Hai in the future.

During the Festival, many local residents young and old visited the initiates’ exhibit. For example, a Kinmen preschool teacher lifted up her young students one by one to view the Longevity Lamps on display, and explained the spiritual meanings of the Lamps printed on their labels. Also, a mother patiently elaborated on the significance of each painting and Lamp for her beloved daughter. And a couple and their children spent a long time at the booth, being especially impressed by the Longevity Lamp entitled God’s Hand. In addition, many locals who had attended the Lantern Festival in previous years said that this year’s event was the most unique, beautiful, and delightful they had ever experienced, and hoped that The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association would participate in the Festival every year.

While the initiates were decorating their booth, Mr. Hsu Huan-sheng, Director of the Kinmen Stadium, frequently showed concern about their progress and wanted to offer his assistance, his simplicity and enthusiasm being typical of Kinmen residents. Mr. Hsu also said, “Thank you for your earnest efforts, which have produced an outstanding exhibit. I hope that the display materials can be left in Kinmen for future use.” And as he was very interested in painting, Mr. Hsu came often to the exhibit to appreciate Master's art work and Longevity Lamps, and even joined the fellow practitioners at mealtime since he frequently ate vegetarian meals. He later learned the Convenient Method, and thus the spiritual seed in his heart began to sprout.

On the first evening of the Festival, the initiates conducted a Truth-sharing seminar in the Stadium’s audio-visual room entitled "A Musical Feast and Spiritual Elevation." During the seminar, Mr. Lee and Mr. Hsu each delivered a speech in which they expressed affirmation of Master's teachings and supported the fellow initiates’ efforts. Afterwards, many guests learned the Convenient Method, including several aged grandmas, who, anxious not to be left behind, took advantage of this "grand sale" of Heaven. The initiates were truly delighted that these elderly ladies have the good fortune to practice spiritually with a living Master before leaving this world. During the Festival, many others came to learn the Convenient Method as well, and the initiates were overjoyed to welcome such a large number of local brothers and sisters into the Quan Yin family.

The support of fellow practitioners from other centers contributed to the success of the Truth-sharing activity at the 2005 Kinmen Lantern Festival. And through Master’s blessings, the participating brothers and sisters were able to fully use their intelligence and talents to ensure the success of the activity, making them truly proud to be members of the Quan Yin family!

Highlights of the above-mentioned events may be viewed on the CTI TV Entertainment Channel A Journey through Aesthetic Realms #137 at: http://www.godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng/hichannel/index.htm  (in English with Chinese subtitles).

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