On the evening of November 23, a large crowd gathered in the arrival hall of Chiang Kai Shek Airport. They were holding banners welcoming the former Mayor of Hawaii and founder of the Best Party in the United States, Mr. Fasi, and his wife. With flowers in hand, they awaited the arrival of the VIPs from the paradise on Earth.
During his term as Mayor, Mr. Fasi, on behalf of the Hawaiian Government, commended Master with the World Peace Award and an honorary citizenship of U.S.A.. He also designated that day as Ching Hai Day. He highly respects Master for Her ideals of peace and undiscriminating love, and also for Her compassion to help disaster victims.
This time he squeezed some time into his very busy schedule and came to Formosa to seek Master's words of wisdom. Stepping out of the airport, Mr. & Mrs. Fasi were immediately surrounded by a thousand enthusiastic fellow practitioners. Mr. Fasi said that the welcome was one befitting a president. The couple were extremely touched by this delightful surprise, which swept away all their exhaustion, immersing them in a sea of love.
Hsihu Center was a sea of radiant lights. Amid a blissful atmosphere, joyous music reverberated in each corner of the Center. Driving Her mini vehicle, Master led the disciples to greet Mr. and Mrs. Fasi at the main entrance. When the guests arrived they were instantly surrounded by a sea of people offering flowers. Master employed great efforts to "rescue" them from the crowd, and took them to the "five star" guest room especially prepared for them.
Master had spent the last few days compassionately and meticulously instructing the resident disciples on how to arrange the guest room. The room was fully prepared with all the necessities, and elegantly furnished (some were from Supreme Master Ching Hai herself) to make the guests feel totally at home and not like strangers in an unfamiliar land.
The next morning, after a sweet night's rest, Mr. and Mrs. Fasi took breakfast and then strolled leisurely through the Center amid fragrant flowers and singing birds. In the Rainbow Garden, they couldn't help praise its dreamlike beauty, and marvelled at this children's paradise. The classical Zigzag Bridge presented a totally different scene to the guests, who were amazed to know that the bridge was built in such a short time. Walking through the Forest Hall, they realized that this is the holy place where fellow practitioners meditate and spend their time with a Buddha. Wandering along the Nectar River in the Au Lac Garden, they seemed to have entered a carefree and leisurely world.
The show windows of Celestial Clothes earned special admiration from Mrs. Fasi. In the glorious Art Gallery, the guests carefully appreciated each of Master's paintings, and marvelled at Master's boundless talents. In that fresh and tranquil morning, Mrs. Fasi sat on a swing reading Master's magazines attentively, while Mr. Fasi was planning to visit some old politician friends in Taipei. Unfortunately, all these friends were out on official trips, so none of them could be reached. At noon, the guests enjoyed a sumptuous and delicious vegetarian meal in Taipei; they were greatly impressed with Formosa's culinary artistry.
On the morning of November 25, the guests toured Hsihu by car and took some photos for posterity. They then proceeded to Song Shan Airport to take a flight to Pingtung, in the warm southern part of Formosa, where they would attend another joyful event - a Vegetarian Garden Feast held at Laiyi Center.
When the airplane arrived at the Shao Gang Airport, Kaohsiung, fellow practitioners from Kaohsiung and Pingtung were already waiting at the airport for the arrival of Master and the guests. After being transferred to the airport terminal in a special bus, Mr. Su, Assistant Manager of Eva Airlines; the wife of Legislator Li Bi-Xian; and the wife of Congress Representative Wang Wen-Zheng, offered flowers to them.
A huge welcoming crowd occupied all the passage ways on the upper and lower floors of the airport. They offered flowers and garlands, and welcomed Mr. and Mrs. Fasi with continuous cheering of "Aloha!" Later, a press conference was held in the VIP Room of the airport.
The Chinese Broadcasting Corporation, the biggest radio station in the country, also conducted an interview on the spot, which was broadcasted on December 2, the day of the Legislator Election. This interview had special and profound meaning because as a politician, Mr. Fasi, talked about the importance of spiritual values in politics on the day of such an important election.
At the press conference, Mr. Fasi was asked about the purpose of his trip. He replied that I have not seen Supreme Master Ching Hai for some time and since it is a holiday weekend - Thanksgiving - I felt it was about time to pay a visit to Her. So, I came here to learn a little bit more about Her philosophy and also to learn a little bit more about what's happening here in your election and in the government of the Republic of China.
The reporters then asked Mr. Fasi, as a politician and a leader of society, to give some advice to the politicians in the world. Mr. Fasi said, "I think that any political party or anybody who says he belongs to a political party but has no spiritual values - if he has no or she has no spiritual values - they are no use to civilization, to the country he might stay in."
Commenting on his belief in vegetarianism, Mr. Fasi humorously said that since he left the office of Mayor, he had been strictly observing an almost pure vegetarian diet. Aided by exercise, he lost 28 pounds in weight. Basically, he highly recommended vegetarianism, as it facilitates good health and longevity. Talking about the vegetarian food in Formosa, he said it tasted so good, and he had eaten too much. He said if he keeps eating the vegetarian food in Formosa, he would put on 30 pounds very quickly.
When the reporters asked about his impressions during the two days, Mr. Fasi replied, "I have never been welcomed with as much enthusiasm, love and appreciation as people welcome me here in these two days, and that was all brought about by the Master here. I will never forget this as long as I live."
He was also greatly impressed by the rapid development and prosperity of Formosa. The press conference concluded in a delightful mood. Escorted by police cars, Master and the guests went directly to Laiyi Center.
A brilliant dragon dance greeted the guests at Laiyi Center. Threads of smoke and bonfires could be seen everywhere because there was going to be a barbecue feast that evening. Amid the greeting and cheering, Mr. and Mrs. Fasi again experienced the enthusiasm of fellow practitioners in Southern Formosa. Before the dinner began, Mr. and Mrs Fasi were invited to give a speech on stage: "JJoyce and myself bring to you the love of the people of Hawaii in the symbolic word 'Aloha!' I have been blessed in many ways throughout my life. But I have never in all my life experienced the love, the friendship from Supreme Master Ching Hai and all Her disciples during my visit to this beautiful island of Formosa. The main reason why I have come here is to try to find out why this representative of God has the attraction to attract so many people from all around the world. "You make me feel very humble and very unimportant. Supreme Master Ching Hai is a person that brings joy and love, understanding and enlightenment to everyone. She is a kind of person that anybody, regardless of what religion you belong to, can understand what She is trying to do. I am a Catholic, and yet I see so much of what She believes in and what She talks about is so close to what I believe in and to the Commandments that I try to live by. I wish that on this troubled globe, this Earth, that we had a dozen people like Supreme Master Ching Hai. If we did, we would have everlasting peace and understanding."
"Supreme Master Ching Hai is the kind of person that you can fall in love with. Seriously, I feel so honoured to be received by someone who obviously has been blessed by God to carry the message of love, goodwill and friendship amongst all people without any discrimination. Joyce and myself, again, do wish this great lady all the success in the world; and I will do anything I possibly can to help Her in Her good work."
"I want you to know that I am one who now understands what He means to you, to all of the people -- the Lord Buddha. I have been Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu for twenty-two years. I want to see the day when all of the people will be the way we are in Hawaii. It makes no difference what's the color of your skin, the shape of your eyes, your political or your religious beliefs, we try to live by the Ten Commandments as God made all human beings to live by. Hawaii is the only place on this Earth where you have people of all nationalities - living, working, playing together as one family. This is the spirit of Aloha, this is the spirit of love. This is what your Supreme Master Ching Hai represents also, not only here, but throughout the world. What I'm getting at is simply this: when all the people in the world live and work and play together, there will be no wars. There will be peace and understanding, and finally, we will live as all the prophets said we should live -- in peace, loving each other as we love ourselves."
"You people are saying to the rest of the world: be enlightened about your life, be fair with other people even if you are of a different religion, and observe God's Ten Commandments. Do that, and we will eventually see eternal peace for all of our people."
"I would like to close my talk with a simple request. No one person can accomplish what I have just spoken about. Each and everyone in this audience must help Supreme Master Ching Hai. Try to enlighten the people whose lives you touch on a daily basis. Do this and you will help Her succeed in Her quest to bring enlightenment to all of the people on this Earth."
Mrs Fasi was extremely touched by everyone's cordiality. She said, "You are truly an example of Aloha!" After their touching speeches, and in the company of Mr. Jian Jin-Jen, Councilor of Pingtung County, and his wife; and Mr. Lin Jin-Ching, Edification Supervisor of Kaohsiung Prison, the guests joined Master for an outdoor candlelight dinner, savoring the exotic taste of a vegetarian barbecue. While they ate, they watched the brilliant and colorful fireworks amid the evening breeze. Even more VIPs gathered at Laiyi Center on Sunday. Despite the prevailing cold weather, Pingtung was full of sunshine, making people feel comfortably warm. Present on this occasion were: Miss Li Siu-Mei, photographer and reporter for Public TV; Mr. Huang Wu-Zhong from the China Religious Times; Mr. Wu Meng-Da, Manager of Chao An Travel Agency, and his family; Mr. Liu from the Israel Cultural Exchange Office in Formosa, and many others.
In the morning, there was a vegetarian buffet feast, with delicious vegetarian dishes served continuously on tables placed throughout the Center. At noon, there were entertainment programs performed by fellow practitioners. The richness of the performances and the attentive preparation by fellow initiates won Master's praise.
Before the program commenced, Mr. and Mrs. Fasi gave Master a delightful surprise. They arranged for a crystal statue -- Guardian of the Universe - to be awarded to Master. It was an angel with wings and a halo above its head. The whole body was crystal, pure and flawless. On the base of the statue was written: To our beloved Supreme Master Ching Hai - Guardian of the Universe.
Later, when Mr. Fasi was about to leave Formosa, he was again interviewed by reporters at Chiang Kai Shek Airport. Talking about why he gave this award to Master, he said, "I love Supreme Master Ching Hai for the work that She does for all kinds of people, no matter who they are; and for trying to help them if they have not found the meaning of life. She is a good person for that."
Madam Chen Chung Ta-Ming, on behalf of international friends in Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia, also presented a Lotus Incense Burner to Master to express their veneration for Her. They hope that Master will not forget Her friends in that region.
Master also prepared some gifts in return, including special Chinese cultural items -- Jiao Ji Pottery and Gao Shan tea leaves (which had been awarded this years Gold Medal), and a set of Master's painting albums.
Master said humorously, "I have a bigger surprise than you do, because my bag is bigger."
That day, Mrs. Fasi attended the event looking most elegant and graceful. She was wearing Celestial Clothes designed by Master. Mrs. Fasi pointed out that the particular Celestial outfit looked very much like the traditional ceremonial costume of Hawaii. She said that it was not only beautiful but also very comfortable. She even wore the Celestial outfit when she went to the airport to return to America.
When the performance finished, Mr. and Mrs. Fasi had lunch with Master. They then went to Shao Gang Airport to catch a flight to Chiang Kai Shek Airport, Taoyuan, before returning to Hawaii.
The three-day visit passed very quickly. Mr. and Mrs. Fasi boarded the plane as fellow practitioners zealously bid farewell to them. They went home filled with Master's love.
At Chiang Kai Shek Airport, reporters asked Mr. Fasi to express his view about Master. Mr. Fasi said, "There is one thing I like about Master. When She was on Honolulu television She said, 'I tell people, if you need help, I am here; but if you are satisfied with what you have, okay, that's all right too.' I heard that and I felt that, She is a very wise person to think that way. The result is, I think, She got a lot of notice, you know, disciples. That's the way it ought to be. She is a wonderful person, and no question about it. People are born, they live, they don't know where they came from, where they are going. There is no direction, and a lot of people don't believe in the Creator. When anyone has the courage, the calling, the feeling, for doing what She is doing, you cannot step aside and criticize Her because you happen to be in a different religion. That is why I wish Her well, and I will do everything I can to help Her."
After seeing the guests off at Laiyi Center, Master talked about the importance of security when a internationally political friend comes to visit. Master said, "The country becomes very nervous even when something wrong happens to an ordinary American visiting here, not to mention to important personages. We should know how to prevent problems. If we have fulfilled our duty, our conscience is at ease. It is also very good for the country if we can prevent some bad situations from occurring."
Master also told everyone, "You should know how to act. Every person should act as a guard; keep your eyes open, greet the guests while observing if any bad people have slipped in."
In order to protect the guests, protect Formosa, and protect the disciples, Master's worked laboriously and exhaustively beyond the imagination of most disciples during these few days visit.
In receiving these guests, who have the same ideals, with such great hospitality, Master has also helped Formosa to accomplish a brilliant diplomatic task. Master explained that there are two reasons for treating guests with such earnest hospitality: first, to repay their friendship; second, to give a good impression of Formosa to the Americans.
"Chinese people have a hospitable tradition. I want the foreigners to know that we really have a culture, not the culture of singing karaoke, wearing mini-skirts, or the ability to invent machines. Culture means the people of this nation are very hospitable, benign and generous to share everything with people outside. Only then, we are a people with culture. I want them to know that the Chinese people are a people of culture."
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