Report from Malaysia

The 'Alternative Living' Ideal
Finds a Receptive Audience

By the Penang News Group

[Penang] Responding to Master's loving request to share knowledge about the healthy, noble vegetarian lifestyle with the world, in February 2006 fellow initiates from the Penang Center, Malaysia, began distributing Her "Alternative Living" flyers both individually and in groups.

Penang is a multicultural metropolis with large groups of Chinese and Indian residents, and the populace has developed a genuinely tolerant Islamic attitude toward cultural diversity. In this relaxed atmosphere, the initiates traveled to well-populated areas of the city bearing flyers printed in Malay, Chinese and English, Malaysia's major languages.

Besides distributing the leaflets at malls and small shops, the brothers and sisters also visited the Penang General Hospital, where the people seemed totally open to switching to a healthy vegetarian lifestyle. While handing out the flyers, the initiates experienced extraordinary interest from patients, doctors and nurses alike as hundreds of flyers bearing the "Alternative Living" message found their way into their minds and hearts within twenty minutes. Surprisingly, many people gave the "thumbs up" sign on the spot, showing their agreement with the contents. Also, one doctor who was already a vegetarian, happily concurred with the flyer's message and said, "This should be promoted more and more. You should storm the hospital with this enlightening information!"

Then, on February 10 and 11, 2006, about a week after the local Chinese New Year celebrations drew to a close, the annual Hindu vegetarian festival of Thaipusam was held. During this time some 600,000 devotees and tourists converged on the area of Penang known as Waterfall, Georgetown to celebrate or watch the Thaipusam festivities. The lengthy stretch of road leading to the area, which was completely shut off to vehicular traffic, teemed with throngs of people who fringed both sides with rows of 'pandals' or temporary stalls that provided free refreshments and pure vegetarian food.

During the event the initiates distributed countless flyers in the main area, hoping to reach out to their many broad-minded compatriots who may consider switching to the vegetarian diet for good and thus enhance the condition of humankind and our fellow beings in the animal kingdom.

 


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