Panorama Of Events
Report From Formosa
A Colorful Summer Outing (1): A Group Fun-Day In Lo Tung Sports Park

 

Fellow practitioners of northern Formosa and their families having a tug-of-war on the sports field.

Young initiates painting pictures in Lo Tung Sports Park.

<Northern Formosa> One Sunday in summer, fellow practitioners of the Quan Yin family in northern Formosa, with their families and friends, went to Lo Tung Sports Park in Yilan to attend a fun activity convened by our various Centers.

Since it was during the summer vacation, many youngsters and teenagers participated earnestly. They could be seen everywhere on the sports field. God was very kind that day; the weather was fine and all the sporting activities arranged could be held smoothly.

In the afternoon, many more fun activities continued. During the basketball match, fellow practitioners displayed their brilliant skill which was comparable to professional players. Shaded beneath the trees, adults and children together enjoyed singing songs and playing games; their bursts of laughter were loud enough to reach heaven! Launched from the lovely green lawn, colorful kites soared into the sky. Some people played with frisbees, while others preferred to sit down and paint pictures. Others took a rest in the "Maple Valley", to enjoy a lazy summer afternoon. People swam and played in the water, while others meditated with their eyes closed. The whole scene was a panoramic view of a relaxing summer day.

The final and most welcomed program was the tug-of-war. Competitors, old and young, as well as the cheering crowd, were equally involved in the excitement.

When registering for the events, each person was issued a "hero merit card," on which a stamp would be placed after finishing each activity. Whoever participated in all of the events would be the hero/heroine of the day. At sunset, during the awards ceremony, there were really many heroes and heroines, old and young included, who had succeeded in participating in all the activities despite the scorching sun. The day's event finally concluded with the exchanging of gifts.

During the self-development camping event, fellow practitioners and their families from Taoyuan and Hsinchu had fun together.

A Colorful Summer Outing (2):

Camping Activity At "Jin Xian World"

<Taoyuan, Hsinchu> Towards the end of the summer vacation, after the "Painting Activity," the Taoyuan Center convened a self-development camp at "Jin Xian World" in Guan Xi. The event was co-convened by the Hsinchu Center, and the purpose was to enable relatives, including children, of fellow practitioners to get together, since they normally cannot go to the Centers.

During the day, everyone relaxed at the camp site that was covered by a veil of clouds, listening to the singing of birds and insects, and enjoying being purified by the forest's unpolluted atmosphere. In the evening, a great variety of programs were performed by fellow practitioners, who exerted their talents trying to entertain everyone. The evening party ended amidst a chorus of songs that expressed a longing for Master.

After tidying up the place, the camp site became a group meditation venue for hundreds of people. With the sky as their roof, they sat on the ground seeking the inner worlds. Meditating in the open, surrounded by mountains and the forest, they felt especially free and tranquil, as if they were unified with the universe. Despite the noise of karaoke from other groups who pitched their tents nearby, the atmosphere in the camp site where they were meditating remained serene and peaceful! The next day, activities continued until the afternoon. Before leaving, everyone checked and tidied up the environment, restoring a clean and natural look to the area.

Guests and fellow practitioners alike, after relaxing their bodies and minds, were totally satisfied and happy. This event touched the hearts of fellow practitioners, and it also helped our group to give a positive impression to the guests. This was all due to Master's constant teaching, which helped fellow initiates to put aside their egos, and to serve the multitude with love and devotion.

The water battle and barbecue escapade -- the little initiates were ecstatic.

A Colorful Summer Outing (3):

A Summer Camp For Children Of The Quan Yin Family

<Nantou> With the coming of the summer vacation, fellow practitioners of Nantou held a unique summer camp for children. Their purpose was to let the young children of God of the Quan Yin family relax a little, and to educate them through recreation.

Activities were based on two objectives. The first one was to develop a habit of meditation. Every day in the morning, and before going to bed each night, there was a scheduled group meditation session to help them assimilate spiritual practice into daily life. The second objective was to develop independence. Regardless of age, they had to wash their clothes, tidy up the environment, and handle all kinds of everyday problems themselves.

Young initiates from Nantou being taught how to be independent.

The first day began with an orientation of the environment. The young saints learnt how to tie knots, set up clothes-drying facilities, and were given some knowledge about the surrounding plants. After that, they had a big feast of delicious "vegetarian steak," and at the same time learnt something about western etiquette.

From the second day onwards, under the protection of Master's love, they went on adventure trips. They first went by car to a stream and raged a water battle in it. When they were hungry, they set up fires to enjoy a barbecue. Having water games and a barbecue, these children of God were like fish in water, laughing all day long.

Over the next few days, they learned how to sculpt clay, paint, visited a science museum, strolled the streets, and dined in restaurants. These may seem to be everyday activities, but they served the purpose of rectifying some improper ideas and behaviors of the children.

While enjoying the mountains and water, the children were awed by the firmness and gentleness of nature. At the bonfire parties, they expressed their clever, innocent and energetic natures. Through the clay sculpting activity they had a chance to show their vast imaginations. In competitive games, they learnt how to work with a cooperative spirit. Their laughter, so innocent and pure, deeply touched the hearts of the adults, who truly realized that: "Heaven belongs to the children." Fellow practitioners were very grateful to Master for this delightful inspiration during the summer vacation, which bestowed infinite bliss upon Her old and young children alike.