Report From Cambodia

Opening Ceremony Of The Raising Center - HRH Princess Marie Conducts Inauguration

[Kompong Speu] Under the Buddha's blessing, and the longing of people from all walks of life around the world, the Raising Center - a model development area in Cambodia - was officially opened at 9:00 a.m. local time, Sunday, July 21.

To celebrate the inauguration of the Raising Center, a series of activities was held, including the inauguration of the Compassionate Heart Temple, Roof-Installing Ceremony of the Healing Love Hospital, marvelous and enchanting performances by fellow practitioners from many countries, and a compassionate free medical service. (Over a thousand patients came to this service.)

Many dignitaries and celebrities graced the event that day. Her Royal Highness the Princess Marie - Lady of Cambodia's First Premier - arrived in the company of many ministers and their wives. Many venerable monks also came to wish a prosperous development to the Raising Center. Early that morning, joyous music started to reverberate throughout the Raising Center. All the villages in Kompong Speu, Clokta Seth and five other villages, came after hearing the news of the event. With excitement and innocent smiles on their faces, they stood along the roadsides which were completely decorated with the flags of Cambodia, waiting for the appearance of the honorable guests and Supreme Master Ching Hai.

There were thousands of guests from all over the world (members and non-members of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association) who came to share the joy of this exceptionally meaningful day with thousands of local villagers and VIPs. The celebration began with the playing of the national anthem, to which everyone respectfully stood. After that, they paid respect to the high monks, and expressed their gratitude for the Buddha's blessing. Next, the honorable governor of the province, Governor New Shitong, gave a speech. Amid the warm applause of all the people present, Supreme Master Ching Hai went to the podium to give a speech to the Cambodian and overseas people. First, She thanked the Premier and his lady, and the governor of the province for their support, which helped the construction of the Raising Center to proceed smoothly. The Princess thanked Supreme Master Ching Hai for Her contributions to Cambodia, and she sincerely welcomed all the friends from many countries, and wished that they would have a wonderful time each time they come to Cambodia and enjoy a happy stay here.

For the event, Supreme Master Ching Hai had compassionately prepared several thousand gifts, which were graciously distributed to the villagers by Her Royal Highness the Princess. Afterward, Supreme Master Ching Hai invited everyone to enjoy the specially prepared program. Throughout the program the province governor and his wife kept praising the brilliance of the program, and the talents and devotion of the performers.

After the performance, delicious vegetarian food was shared with everyone. At the same time, a compassionate free medical service was being offered at the entrance. More than a thousand local villagers received immediate treatment. Supreme Master Ching Hai provided this free medical service as a heartwarming prelude to the impending opening of the Healing Love Hospital.

Two days after attending the Grand Opening Ceremony of Raising Center, Dr. Liv Ann, a specialist in reconstructive surgery and dermatology and also the president of the Khmer K. K. Association, including the Human Rights Committee, returned to the Raising Center with his wife, Mrs. Lam Vaura Kao, for another visit.

Dr. Liv Ann and his wife come to celebrate the opening ceremony of the Raising Center.

Letter from the President of the Khmer K.K. Association, Doctor Liv Ann, requesting Master's help for 300 Cambodian-Au Lac families living in Cambodia.

While waiting to see Master, the couple were treated to a delicious vegetarian meal. Both were so surprised to know that there are quite a variety of good tasting vegetarian dishes, and concluded that this was the best tasting vegetarian meal they had ever had. While enjoying lunch, they listened to Master's poem reciting CD. Mrs. Lam Vaura Kao praised that Master is a very talented person, and said that hearing this reminded her very much of her home country, Au Lac.

After they finished lunch, Master came to see them. Upon meeting Her, Dr. Liv Ann, representing the Cambodian-Au Lac people in Cambodia, presented Master a letter asking Her to help 300 families who are in difficulties, needing assistance because they have no jobs, and live meagerly in the city of Phnom Penh and other provinces. Master immediately agreed to offer them job opportunities at Raising Center, depending on their abilities.

Dr. Liv Ann and his wife expressed their gratitude toward Master on behalf of these needy families. In return for Master's kindness and generosity, Mrs. Lam Vaura Kao offered to help find some tropical fruit trees to be planted at Raising Center. Upon arriving at the Center, Mrs. Lam Vaura Kao exclaimed that it was such a beautiful place. She also expressed that she was very happy to meet Master and would love to spend the whole day here with Her. However, they had to leave to take care of their business. Master walked them to their car where they drove off amidst the friendly, smiling faces and the waving arms of fellow practitioners.