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 Many European fellow initiates long very much to go to International Retreats, but they often miss the opportunity due to visa problems and other reasons. Therefore, they beseeched Master to hold a retreat in Europe, and Master consented immediately at the group meditation in Nice. This was undoubtedly the greatest news for the European initiates. Cherishing the rare opportunity to have a retreat with Master, several fellow initiates from mainland China travelled all the way from the United States to Europe. Under Master's blessing, their journey was full of miracles! Over three hundred fellow initiates from nearly twenty countries in Europe and America took part in the first European Three-Day Retreat.
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In the afternoon one day before the European 3-day Retreat, Master, wearing a light yellow dress, appeared at the Hamburg International Airport, accompanied by Her escorts. Fellow practitioners and devotional supporters rushed forward with overwhelming emotion to present flowers to the most beloved and venerated Master.
With a cheerful smile, Master greeted everyone cordially, and distributed blessed food to everyone present. The luckiest ones were the small initiates who could throw themselves into Master's arms. Everyone was intoxicated by Master's infinite love. Some fellow initiates had just flown in from other countries to join the retreat, and they were fortunate enough to meet Master at the Airport. After a brief but joyful gathering, Master proceeded to the camp site at Luneburg, and thus raised the curtain for the first International 3-day Retreat ever held in Europe.
That evening, the considerate and loving Master quietly went to visit the initiates at the camp site. She looked extremely graceful and noble, with escorts leading the way in front, the sky full of brilliant stars in the background and accompanied by a gentle breeze, as if She were descending on a ethereal cloud. The scene was truly one of a fairyland in the secular world. Master traversed the camp site without speaking a word because it was unnecessary, yet, the entire universe could feel Master's loving blessing.
Many fellow initiates were sleeping due to their exhausting journey, but we deeply believed that their souls were savouring that warm and beautiful night. For the liaison practitioners from the various European Centers, it was the first time they had ever convened such a grand international retreat; Master's cordial concern made them feel doubly spirited and vigorous in their work.
The three-day retreat formally commenced the next day. After the meditation session in the morning, an initiation was held in the afternoon. As Master did not come to Europe often, many truth aspirants seized this precious chance to receive the initiation, and then joined the retreat. Having finished the initiation, Master ignored Her own exhaustion to answer all questions raised by the new initiates. In the evening, Master gave a discourse, and then blessed the new initiates. She then meditated with everyone and prayed for world peace.
During the discourse, Master told us: Human life is ephemeral. It is the greatest blessing for the fellow initiates who could come to the 3-day retreat and see Master. Master had to utilize Her merits earned from many lives' of spiritual practice to help us, so that we could be here to see Her. Master does everything for our needs; She exhausted Her time, energy and money to meet us there. Therefore, we must treasure this opportunity, which is hard to encounter, once in billions of ages, to really practice diligently.
Master said that She was willing to give Her life if we could get liberation and enlightenment faster. Speaking on this point, Master wept quietly, and so did the fellow initiates, who were all extremely touched. At that moment, even heaven seemed to be stirred by Master's great fearless love, and it started to shower! Master's painstaking intent roused everyone and they meditated more diligently the next day.
In the afternoon, Master received the foreign initiates in turn. The first group called by Master was the initiates from China, who upon hearing the news, could not help shedding blissful tears profusely. (Those who can not come to Formosa due to political condition of the two countries) Cordially and gently, Master answered questions pertaining to spiritual practice asked by the initiates from China. The atmosphere was very happy and relaxed, and the initiates from China were most grateful to Master's immaculate love and concern. Master then received the initiates from Au Lac and the European countries, and filled each of them with total bliss and satisfaction.
That evening, Master appeared before everyone wearing a white evening gown, and a broad graceful smile. All the initiates crowded around the stage to listen to the pretty Mother bestowing them with bedside stories before they went to sleep. Master's narration was so lively and amusing, that She turned a serious Japanese Zen legend into a hilarious joke. Yet, after the tear inducing laughter, we also apprehended the profound meaning implied by the story, which made us truthfully admire Master's great wisdom.
On the last day of the three-day retreat, Master walked around the venue distributing blessed food to each initiate. She also especially blessed the working staff such as, interpreters, dharma guardians, and the kitchen helpers who worked during the 3-day retreat. Special permission was granted to the children and non-initiates, who longed to see Master but who could not join the retreat, to enter the meditation hall to see Master. They also received blessed food personally given by Master.
Amid the vast ocean of love, and the cheerful noises of blessed food distribution, the first International 3-day Retreat held in Europe was concluded.
Moments spent with Master are always short and precious. However, Master's infinite love has already fully charged fellow practitioners both physically and spiritually, which will remain with them until eternity.
Feedback From The European Three-Day Retreat
By Fellow Initiate Bai, Indiana, U.S.A.
During the European 3-day retreat, Master told us, "It is not easy at all for fellow practitioners to manage to attend the retreat, you must have overcome many difficulties; but you are not aware that Master power has already helped you dissolve many invisible obstacles."
My tears rolled down immediately when I heard this, because I knew it was true. It was all due to Master's blessings that enabled a miracle to occur so that I could attended this retreat. I am a foreign student in U.S.A. who comes from mainland China. Last June and July, due to a visa problem, I was not able to attend the retreat and see Master in Formosa, and was extremely upset about that. I had been longing for the opportunity to attend a retreat before my summer vacation ended. Upon obtaining the schedule of retreats, I was indeed excited, and prayed to Master, asking Her to help me to make it. When I began going through the procedures for travelling abroad, I came to know that my U.S. visa had expired, and I would have to go to China or a third country to apply for my visa. By the time I discovered that the retreat was to be held in Germany, there was not much time left for me to apply for a visa. I immediately called the Consulate General of Germany in Detroit, U.S.A. The Ambassador told me that it took at least four days to obtain the visa, but my re-entry visa for U.S.A. was a must. I said that I would go to Canada to apply for my U.S. visa, and told him that the reason I wanted to go to Germany was to attend a 3-day retreat conducted by Supreme Ching Hai to pray for world peace. The Ambassador immediately said, "That's great!", and told me that it was certain that my visa would be approved. I was pleasantly surprised, and couldn't help shedding tears, knowing that Master was helping me. The next morning, I want to see the German Ambassador. He promised to issue me the visa, but told me to obtain my visa at the German Embassy in Canada, because I did not have a returning visa to U.S.A. In my heart I prayed to Master to make him issue me the visa directly. Then the Ambassador immediately said that he would have another try.
Miraculously, after 30 minutes, my visa was approved! I gave him Master's sample booklet and magazine; he was very interested in Her teachings. Two other sisters obtained their visas through the help of this Ambassador as well. When their visas were approved, the Ambassador told them, "Please say hi to Supreme Ching Hai for me." I did not know that Master was to attend the European 3-day retreat until the night before I left for Hamburg. I was really overjoyed. The passengers sitting beside me on the airplane were all nice and friendly. They began inquiring about Master when seeing my necklace pendent with Her picture. I then introduced them to Master and the Quan Yin Method during the journey. Upon arriving at Hamburg Airport, I met some fellow initiates who had just arrived from Paris, London and other places, and learned that Master would arrive at Hamburg Airport, and that we could meet Her there! Hearing this, all our fatigue was swept away by great joy. The flower shop at the airport did exceptionally good business that day (fellow initiates all bought flowers from them).
We lined up in two rows, with flowers artistically arranged in various bouquets in our hands, respectfully awaiting the arrival of Master. The worker in the flower shop could not suppress her curiosity. Frequently, she stretched her neck to look for Master just as our fellow initiates did; she even moved the rack displaying merchandise from the shop door, inside, in order to allow for more space for Master's reception.
Master arrived, dressed in white, with lovely braided hair. She looked refreshing and charming. Many passers-by had the fortune to have a look at a real Buddha's graceful appearance and presence. The flower shop worker was so happy to see Master that her smile never left her face. Master blessed each of the initiates and would-be initiates on the spot.
Oh! Master, how can I describe my joy and happiness? Only because I was determined to attend the retreat, You not only blessed and protected me all the way, with 'green lights' everywhere, but You also allowed me to first meet You at the airport and receive the blessed candies from Your own hands! During the 3-day retreat, Master especially decided to meet the disciples from mainland China. When Quan Yin messengers announced this great news, I felt that Master's loving power was so strong that my tears immediately began to flow. Her endless loving power was so great that everyone wept on the spot. A sister told Master: when Master was scolding Chinese disciples the previous day, she suddenly felt that Master was the manifestation of God, she witnessed God's majesty, and her soul was shaken awake at that very moment. Master laughed and said, "Look, it is not that I want to scold you, but some people like that. Sentient beings' tastes are very diverse. Some like Master to wear nun's clothes, some like me wearing simple clothes, but some just like me in gorgeous clothes."
At that moment, I thought: I like You in white the most. Indeed, I admire with great fondness all the pictures of Master in white; and among over 100 sets of the Celestial Clothes in the Fashion Show, my favorite one is the pure white dress which is as beautiful as a veil of mist and fog. That night when meditating, I was shaken awake by a sister nearby. Upon opening my eyes, I was dumbfounded: Master appeared in my favorite white dress; She came walking down with Her hem fluttering. Her beauty was unequalled by anything I have ever witnessed. I was stunned in my admiration, even forgetting to clap my hands. Master understood our desire to be close to Her, and mercifully granted us an opportunity. No sooner had She taken Her seat on the stage, than She said, "We are too far away like this, you can sit over here." Boom! Instantly many ground and circled Master closely, on and below the stage.
Master then told us many Zen stories. When She asked, "Enough?" Everyone answered, "No!" How could it be enough? Accompanying such a beautiful Buddha, such understanding, consideration, humor and charm a master who always agrees to sentient beings' wishes. The disciples all became infatuated and intoxicated, and returned to our unadorned beauty and true nature.
That night before Master left us, I had the fortune to tell Her that I liked Her in white. Master said, "White color represents purity, that's why you like it." Yeah, in front of Master, everyone's purest nature emerges, their most beautiful heart-flowers all blossom.
By Fellow Initiate Wu, Indiana, U.S.A.
My Younger Sister Has Become A Fellow Sister!
When greeting Master at the Hamburg Airport, I unexpectedly came upon my younger sister who was studying and working in Holland. This was our first encounter since we were initiated. Owing to the difference in age and the long separation, there was no common language between me and my sister, nor were there any intimate feelings justified between us.
Having spent almost every moment with my sister during the retreat, I found that she had become very diligent after the initiation, and also very independent and capable. Very often, she even took care of me like an elder sister would. I also found it much easier to get close to my younger sister. I am very grateful to Master for having demolished the wall between us. Our relationship has become as close as all the brothers and sisters in the big Quan Yin family. Now we have an eternal common language--our venerated Master and the Quan Yin Method.
Fellow Initiates From China Received Special Blessing
On the second day of the retreat, Master received fellow initiates in groups. She specified that fellow initiates from mainland China would be the first group. All the Chinese fellow initiates, including my sister and I, cried with great emotion upon hearing this news. Being passport holders of mainland China, we could not obtain entry visas to Formosa to see Master at Hsihu. Aware of our intense yearning, Master had come thousands of miles to the European Retreat regardless of the toilsome journey, thus, satisfying the longing of the fellow initiates from China.
While seeing us, Master patiently answered all our questions. We were moved to tears right from the beginning, but soon, we burst into laughter amid Master's humorous words. Oh! Being close to Master and listening to Her words are always my happiest moments.
The truth is, our group of fellow initiates from mainland China is the luckiest lot among the Chinese fellow initiates. There are still many fellow initiates in China and Au Lac who have never seen Master. I can only hope that the day will soon come for the realization of the Golden Era, which Master described as having no passports or boundaries, because the whole world is just like one big family!
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Dedication To World Peace