Panorama of Event


Report From Japan

A Golden 3-Day Retreat -- A Happy Meeting Between Master
And Disciples

[Tokyo] Early this year, the Tokyo Center moved from the Ohmori in the Shinagawa-Ku district to Ohtsufa in the Toshimr-Ku district. However, this Center was not big enough for the steadily increasing number of fellow initiates and would-be initiates. Furthermore, in order to make it more convenient for fellow initiates from the neighboring province, Kanagawa, to attend group meditations, they found a new location in Kanagawa Province.

Aside from regular group meditations, the new Center is also open during holidays for fellow initiates from other areas such as Tokyo, Gunma and Osaka to hold retreats in the serene outskirts of Kanagawa. The early days of May were holidays in Japan, so fellow initiates who live near the new Center, as well as those from Kumamoto, Gunma and Osaka, joined new initiates by seizing the opportunity to get far away from the hustle and bustle of city life and held a three-day retreat at the new Center. Those who could not attend the international retreat scheduled in Australia in May due to work, family or financial reasons, especially treasured the three-day retreat in Japan.

Having been charged spiritually, they organized a vegetarian dinner party after the retreat at the Cultural Center nearby to promote vegetarianism as a means to purify society. Guests from various fields, as well as friends, relatives and would-be initiates were all entertained.

During the retreat, fellow initiates especially missed Master, the "Mother of the land," reminding us of the saying, "the hearts of a mother and her children are linked together". Thus in order to satisfy Her children's longing, Master disregarded the long journey time and graced the new Center with Her physical presence on the day the retreat ended to officiate at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. As nothing was announced beforehand, all the fellow initiates were greatly delighted when they suddenly saw Her appear in front of their eyes.

At the vegetarian dinner party, Master mentioned that although the Center in Japan was small, as spiritual practitioners, we should be broad-minded and not be restricted by the size of the place. Master believes, due to fellow initiates' diligent practice, Japan can look towards a better future. Since Japan is a highly intellectual country, if Japanese fellow initiates practice earnestly so that spiritual practice becomes a common practice, then happiness will be brought to even more people.

After the vegetarian dinner, there were entertaining performances by Japanese, Au Lacese, Chinese and Formosan fellow initiates, to express their joy and to welcome Master. Despite their limited rehearsals, which meant the quality of their performances was no comparison to those at the international retreats, their one-mindedness and honor to perform for Master was no less than that of the fellow initiates who perform at international retreats. Mr. Akita, especially made time to attend the vegetarian dinner party. Mr. Akita is a well-known specialist in China, and his wife is a fellow initiate. Therefore, when he first saw the photograph of Master that his wife brought home, he immediately treated it as a precious treasure. Mr. Akita now practices the Convenient Method and has had some good spiritual experiences. He especially went on stage at the party to express his reverence for Master, and proclaimed that our group is truly "a group of light". He also sang a Japanese song, "The Moon Over a Deserted City," which he sincerely dedicated to Master. It won loud applause from those present.

Being Mother's Day eve, fellow initiates especially prepared a vegetarian birthday cake, and wished our "Mother of the land" a happy birthday and a happy Mother's Day. Even though fellow initiates knew that Master was tired due to the trip, it was very hard for them to part with Her since they love Her so much. Understanding Her children, Master gave a brief talk at the end of the dinner party. She said that there was no time to lose, and that everyone should pick up the pace of his/her practice so that the world would be blessed by even more positive power. She also reminded fellow initiates to show more love towards their families and friends. One is only on the right path when one has more love for others as he or she practices. Otherwise, one easily strays. Love should be practiced, beginning with one's family. Only when one has a loving family relationship can one have a peaceful mind to practice. The fellow initiates in Japan are truly grateful to Master for making such a long journey just to be with them. They were inspired to be even more diligent in their practice, and to train themselves and work together, in the hope that their island country, through their group efforts, will be blessed by Master's supreme love.