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.
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