53/International Reports/Report From Penghu, Formosa

Despite the north-easterly wind blowing briskly over the island, the winter sun was surprisingly warm on this particular day, reflecting the blissful hearts of fellow initiates! For several days, everyone had been working busily preparing for the trip; and the harder they worked, the more fulfilled they felt.

Prison inmates asking for the neclaces with Master's photos on them..

The environment at Penghu Prison was neat, fresh and bright. Immaculately taken care of by the inmates, the plants and trees were blossoming, displaying a greenish scene that gives a good impression to visitors. Fellow practitioners who arrived early sat on the ground and meditated. In an oval shaped frame, Master's photo was hung on a yellow curtain. Her merciful eyes and graceful smile shone upon the entire venue. Master's video was being played when the inmates entered. After sitting, they watched the screen attentively. Induced by Master's light-hearted and spontaneous discourse, everyone laughed cheerfully.

Then, the main speaker - a fellow brother - told his own story of how he went through all the ups and downs in the crime circle, how he eventually met Master and started to pursue spiritual practice, and the miraculous stories that happened in between. All these struck a sympathetic note within the inmates. Finally, the fellow practitioners sang "Tears of the Holy Mother" together. Amid everyone's sincere good wishes, the inmates left the venue to enjoy some delicious refreshments. An ambience of love and peace pervaded the whole place.

After the event ended, fellow practitioners worked rapidly and in cooperation with the authorities to restore the venue to its original state. A prison officer asked delightfully, "Why have so many fellow practitioners come? Don't you have to go to work?" Fellow practitioners told the officer that they didn't want to miss this rare chance to learn a lesson of love, so they decided to come even if they had to take leave. The smooth and successful result of this Truth-spreading trip to the prison is an auspicious overture for the many other activities that will be organized by the Penghu initiates.

Good Results From Environmental Protection Work

Following Master's instruction, and in cooperation with the Green Environment and Protection Project, Penghu Center adopted the Chung Zhen Park for maintenance. After several years of persistent work planting and nursing new plants, the results are outstanding. Pedestrians are always fascinated. Besides praising, some earnest people even advise their fellow countrymen to learn from the Penghu Center, so as to achieve the goal of an all green environment.

Jian Guo Daily News Nov. 24, 1995

A Delightful Green Scene Along The Sidewalk

Have you ever noticed that between the War Heroes Memorial Temple and the Confucius Temple the pavement is very clean and beautified with a greenery? This section of the pavement has been adopted for maintenance by the Penghu Center of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association. After three years of sincere ettort managing and cultivating, great results have finally been achieved.

To practically carry out the "cleaning of the main routes and the maintenance trial project" approved by the County Government, the County Environmental Protection Bureau particularly uses the results of the adoption by the Supreme Master Ching Hai Penghu Center as an example to stress that road maintenance is absolutely not difficult. To make the environment green we only need perseverance and patience. If the people would demonstrate their social moral spirit and volunteer to adopt roads and sidewalks for maintenance, then the job of cleaning and maintaining all the dirty and busy roadways in the county would be "a piece of cake." (Photographed and written by Wang Hsin-Hsiung)