[Changhua] To satisfy the yearning of young fellow initiates to participate in a Quan Yin Family summer camp, towards the end of July, Golden Year 3 (2006), the Changhua Center held a Summer Camp featuring interactions with children from the community, and at the same time introduced the vegetarian ideal to the local citizens. The program activities included dramas, music performances, dances and games, which were both fun and educational. There were also sessions for preparing vegetarian snacks and clay modeling, which parents and children could enjoy together. All the youngsters who participated in the event enjoyed a fun and meaningful time.

In a joyful spirit, about 40 young fellow initiates arrived on the evening of Friday, July 28, for a three-day camp session. The interactive programs with children from the community were arranged to take place on the mornings of Saturday and Sunday. In the early morning of Saturday, July 29, the young initiates waited for the citizens from the local community to arrive. They all then enjoyed together such interesting activities as making vegetarian pizzas, bead stringing, making jelly candles, etc. To welcome the arrival of dear friends from the community, the highly talented young initiates performed a series of programs including self-accompanied solo singing, a music instrument recital, dances and dramas. Members of the audience were enchanted by the brilliant performances and responded with much applause. The atmosphere was warm and harmonious. The magistrate of Xiu Shui Township and the village chief also graced the event. While expressing gratefulness to the fellow initiates for holding this camp and promoting the vegetarian lifestyle, the Township magistrate also gave great encouragement and praise to the young participants from the community.

A water game held in the afternoon was filled with fun and laughter, but the climax of the day was the Light and Sound party attended by initiates in the evening. Under the starry sky, young initiates spoke out their aspirations and gratitude, and shared with each other their insights in life and spiritual practice. They also expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Master, parents and fellow practitioners. Listening to these young initiates pouring out their hearts with innocent and unpretentious words, other fellow initiates present were warmly amused and touched.

Youngsters engrossed in creating clay works

The main programs were held on the last day. On Sunday morning, after the local citizens from the community had again arrived, the day’s activity began with the teaching of how to make handmade cookies and clay model creation, respectively. Adults and children alike, all participants carefully followed the instructions to knead out clay models that they liked. The favorites were the cute animal shapes. After finishing, the teacher helped the children to attach on each of their works an ornamental sign printed with Master’s words of wisdom related to loving the animals and the compassionate vegetarian lifestyle. Thus, the clay work creations were immediately transformed into the most effective tools for advocating vegetarianism! The next program was an exciting game of overcoming different obstacles, challenging the wisdom and courage of all the participants and strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the group partners.

Clay works that advocate the vegetarian ideal

Towards the end of the event, Principal Xie Dong-min of Xiu Shui Secondary School, a very good friend of our group, came to give a speech and presented awards to the winning children in the obstacle game. In his speech, Mr. Xie thanked our Association for convening this activity and praised the children for their vibrant and superb performances. In particular, he spoke highly of Supreme Master Ching Hai for Her compassionate vegetarian ideal and charitable deeds. Finally, we invited all the guests to enjoy a sumptuous vegetarian lunch. Principal Xie kept saying that he was very much impressed by the delicious vegetarian food. Even after the event had ended, the children could hardly hide their bliss. They commented that they had become acquainted with many good friends, learnt lots of precious experiences, and definitely would come again next year to enjoy the fun!

Mr. Xie Dong-min, Principal of Xiu Shui Secondary School, presents awards and gives a speech to conclude the Summer Camp.

[Taipei] In Her book “The Realization of Health - Returning to the Natural and Righteous Way of Living,” Master says, “As the great human beings that we are, we have to bloom in full, with the spirit, with the mind power, and with the body - with the three parts of the body… Missing any of that, we’re not fully developed human beings, and we’ll never be happy and peaceful.”

On August 7, Golden Year 3 (2006), the Taipei Center arranged a special trip for young initiates to relax and enjoy the coordinated development of the body, mind and spirit in the midst of nature at a forest recreation park in San Xia, Taipei’s suburbs. This one-day trip during the summer vacation centered on the theme: “Being Healthy with the Earth and Natural Ecology.” It encouraged the young brothers and sisters who have grown up in an urban environment to cherish natural resources as they took a break from schoolwork to indulge in, besides meditation, a day of love-sharing with their family members at a forest park.

That day, a group of thirty-seven people aged five to sixty-seven and led by three volunteer initiate parents, arrived at the Full Moon Recreation Park on a tour bus. Our volunteer guide was humorous and knowledgeable, making spontaneous and insightful comments to introduce the world of nature as we toured the park.

We walked at leisure as we explored the mystery of creation in the forest, in the plants and living organisms. We realized the important role that mountains and rivers play in maintaining the ecological balance and in protecting vegetation and the lives of animals. With humility, we learned how to be noble guests in a forest and to respect nature. We heard endless stories about the lush green resources and the natural ecology. For example, we learned why birds’ nest ferns grow on trees, why Formosa is home to so many fir trees, and how to differentiate the edible wild taro from the poisonous giant taro.

A cool stream gushing from a spring had all of us, regardless of age, taking off our shoes and stepping into the water to play and frolic like innocent children. When lunch arrived, we decided to enjoy the meal by the stream. In the afternoon, we visited the beautiful Virgin Waterfall and the Full Moon Waterfall. The water cascading down the cliffs created a mist in the valley, delighting us with generous splashes and sprays for a baptism by nature.

Although it was typhoon season, the day was sunny and the weather was pleasant. The trip to the Full Moon Park was a wonderful gift bestowed by God to bring more color into our lives.

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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 URL: http://www.Godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng/latest_news/events-datebook.htm