Feature Reports -- Celebrating The Mid-Autumn Festival With Master
Responding to everyone's earnest request, the Superstar of the Universe goes on stage to sing.

Many guests joined Master and fellow initiates to celebrate the Mid-autumn Festival. (Back row from left to right: A friend of singer Le Uyen, poet Phung Minh Tien, drummer Pham Duy Minh, musician Pham Duy, song writer Thu Ho, writer Van Hoi Moi, a friend of Van Hoi Moi and actor Joseph Hieu. Front row: Master and singer Le Uyen, with her mother standing behind her.)

By Los Angeles News Group, U.S.A.

The Los Angeles Center organized a two-day retreat, initiation and an evening performance party to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, and specially invited Master to the reunion which everyone attended. Our loving Master delightfully accepted. Moreover, in order to satisfy those longing souls from all over the US, She particularly allowed fellow initiates from other States to come to see Her.

Once receiving the news, even though it was of very short notice, initiates and non-initiates from all over the USA, and some neighboring countries too, including Canada and Mexico excitedly rushed to the Los Angeles Center. With the help of God's blessing, their airplane tickets were even quite inexpensive!

After the first day's meditation sessions, everyone had dinner then began getting ready for the party. Suddenly, Master appeared at the Center, giving everyone a tremendously wonderful surprise, especially those from afar. A sister initiate from Chicago, who has been an initiate for several years without having the opportunity to meet Master even once, had countless fantasies about her first meeting with Her.

In reality, what she saw was a sporty white convertible car suddenly stop in front of her. In the driver's seat sat a chic lady in a white top and a pair of black and white checked overalls, wearing a pair of fancy color-changing sunglasses. Wondering who drove into the Center like this, the sister took a closer look at the lady and realized that She was the long-missed Master. The sister couldn't help but praise with great delight in her heart: "This is truly the Master of the Year 2000!"

Also a would-be initiate from Chicago saw Master for the first time and she commented: "Master is so cool!" Truly, Master's surprisingly stylish appearances offer disciples extra enjoyment whenever they see Her, adding more delight and joy to every meeting.

Stepping out of the car, Master was immediately surrounded closely by the overwhelmed crowd. She requested everyone to be natural and normal, saying that She wished to become one of us, so She could enjoy the time with everyone freely without pressure. Soon afterwards, accompanied by a couple of fellow practitioners, She took a walk through the Center. Upon seeing that a large wooden-framed picture of Her was for sale in the Book Circulation Center, Master asked the initiates beside Her: "How come it's so expensive?"

When someone answered: "Because the frame is very expensive," Master burst into laughter, and said to everyone present: "Did you hear that? Because the frame was expensive, I am not!" Instantly, She taught us a lesson about having an ordinary mind.

Later Master went to a bench where people were sitting having their dinner. She cordially greeted a new American sister initiate from New York who was so happy to see Her for the first time that she started to cry. Master sat beside her to chat. Others gradually crowded in front of them, and automatically sat down. Our Master, who always fulfills sentient beings' wishes, had to pick up the microphone and began chatting with everyone.

When asked why She drove Herself, Master humorously talked about Her experiences of taking driver's license tests. After She failed for the first time She refused to talk to Jesus for several weeks. Then She mentioned a joke about getting married to Jesus as told by Mother Teresa. Naturally, though casually talking about such things, She invisibly blessed the late Mother Teresa and Princess Diana.

Later, Master told everyone that She watched TV commercials late the previous night, and found the "secret" of how to become rich: By giving away free pagers to people on the street one can become a millionaire in no time. This made everyone burst into laughter.

Then Master commented that for those who attained enlightenment, they did not need to strive or struggle for money or anything. When necessary, whatever they needed would come automatically. Master has never tried hard to make money, but She always has money to help those in need. So enlightenment is the best because whatever is needed comes without effort.

It's like Master's paintings. She has never studied how to paint; however, She simply paints whenever She feels like it. Each painting of Hers only takes a few days or even a few hours. And every painting is a success, done in a completely different style. Yet for other famous painters, even striving their entire lives, they could only paint in one or two styles. Others can easily tell that the whole collection is by the same person. Master said that it is the best if we can make use of our inner creativity which is infinite, and that only creating is what we truly like to do, like painting. We enjoy it for the pure pleasure of creating without any purpose.

As Master talked with a natural flow, it gradually became dark. The bright moon ascended into the sky. She said that in Au Lac, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a children's festival and that we adults should all regain a child's innocence so that we can go back to the Kingdom of God or the Buddha's Land. If we can learn from children their acceptance of being content with their existence, living in the present and enjoying every moment, then even if UFOs appear in front of us now we wouldn't care about them. Later Master said, "See you later," and left us for the time being. Everyone finished their meal and prepared for the party

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Master leads the children in singing, while explaining the pictures on stage.

The party began. Master arrived in a beautiful, self-designed pink dress and in Her gracefulness, She looked like the descending Goddess of the Moon. Her charming and elegant demeanor was truly beyond description. Accompanied by thunderous applause and cheers, Master repeatedly greeted everyone in Her unique, graceful and cute manner. The whole venue was filled with a festive atmosphere of excitement and happiness.

The brilliant performances from the children win thunderous applause.

The program began. All the performers including the MC's were all children fellow initiates. The programs included solos, trios, choirs, traditional Au Lac dances, tap dance, Italian dance, as well as instrumental performances including piano solo, zither solo and flute solo. Many of the moves in the dances were inspired by the children's meditations and choreographed themselves.

An American sister from New York sang an American song entitled "The Apple of My Eye" for Master to express her love for Her. Smiling, Master said that it was she who was Her "Apple of My Eye". The performances of the young artists kept Master, honored guests and everyone present in fits of applause and cheers. Many of the honored guests were professional artists; however, they were deeply impressed by the performances given by these young Quan Yin practitioners, and praised highly their talents.

Honored as the "Beethoven of Au Lac," musician and composer Mr. Pham Duy recites his exquisite work. He moved the whole audience with his superb performance.

Hollywood star and director, Mr. Joseph Hieu narrates the story of his struggles in the performing arts industry.

The party was also highlighted by the special performances given by many honored guests. Pham Duy, the famous Au Lac musician and composer, who was acclaimed as the "Beethoven of Au Lac" by Master, offered to perform his unfinished Au Lac Opera "Kieu". The opera "Kieu" was created from the famous long narrative poem called "Kieu" that was written by the famous Au Lac poet Nguyen Du several hundred years ago.

According to Master's introduction, the poem is a masterpiece in Au Lac classical literature, and is the most beautiful ever written in history. It tells about the true story of a beautiful girl from a noble family who experienced a miserable and complex life. Master specially translated the main points of the poem for everyone. Throughout the play, Mr. Pham Duy wholeheartedly interpreted the meaning of the music using body language and facial expression, enabling the audience to vividly experience a poetically depicted, sadly touching, yet beautiful story.

A Hollywood movie star and director, Mr. Joseph Hieu told some stories of how he struggled in Hollywood for success. At the end, he said that to his own great surprise, on this full moon night, he found his true idol -- Suma Ching Hai! He further explained that years ago he went back to his home country, Au Lac, and visited his aunt and her husband, from whom he got to know about Master for the first time. Moreover, he found out that what made his aunt and uncle continue to live despite the great oppression and their poverty, was a cassette recording of one of Master's lectures. Although the cassette had poor sound quality due to frequent copying, they carefully transcribed each and every word from it, and read the transcription to him.

At that time, Joseph Hieu said that no matter who this Master was, She indeed had a deep sense of humor that kept these suffering people living for the next day! When saying this, his voice was choked with emotion and his eyes became red. He thanked Master on behalf of his aunt and uncle. Master lovingly comforted him and gave him a lot of blessed candies. That night, adults all seemed to become like children. And all the children performers went to Master for blessed candies.

Poet Phung Minh Tien recites the Au Lac poem "The Moon Of Reunion".

Another honored guest, the famous Au Lac songwriter Thu Ho, whose most famous song is "Motherland," told two jokes. He praised Master for Her versatility in writing lyrics to music, composing music, singing, writing poetry and painting, et cetera.

Another poet Phung Minh Tien talked about how 2,500 years ago, Buddha said that the moon was round. Just because of our different viewing angles from the east or west, we think it is a crescent or full moon. And today, science has proved that the Buddha was correct. Mr. Phung was touched by the harmonious atmosphere of oneness at the party, and specially recited an Au Lac poem entitled "The Moon of Reunion" dedicated to poetess Suma Ching Hai and everyone present.

Singer Phuong Vu (a fellow initiate) and his daughter Bao Tran sing for everyone.

The famous Au Lac singer Le Uyen and Master were just like old friends when they met.

The singer and fellow initiate, Phuong Vu, accompanied his daughter, Bao Tran (also an initiate), on the electronic piano as she sang Au Lac songs. Master joined in the singing with her. Soon after, Phuong Vu invited Master to sing while he played the piano. When Master got onto the stage after repeated invitations, She humbly said that it was not Her turn yet, since the famous Au Lac singer Le Uyen had not sung yet. So Master invited Le Uyen onto the stage.

Le Uyen has known Master for years, and likes Her a lot. She asked if she could give Master a kiss to make everyone jealous of her. Of course Master granted her request and gave her a kiss too. She also complimented her on her clothes, saying they were pretty and exquisitely tasteful. Then Master simply sat at the edge of the stage watching Le Uyen sing a song written and composed by her and her husband, and an Au Lac folk song requested by fellow initiates.

Throughout the evening, Master taught us a lesson in humility through Her actions. Under the stage lights, Her innocent, fully absorbed countenance, and charming gracefulness enthralled everyone. Even Le Uyen, while singing, couldn't help but look at Her and went to hold Her hands.

Master stands to applaud the performers.

Finally, accompanied by the thunderous applause from fellow initiates and guests, Master stood on the stage! She said that in front of those Au Lac artist giants, She was only "the second oldest sister," which is also the title of one of the Au Lac songs composed by Mr. Pham Duy that She sang. Later, after earnest requests from fellow initiates and guests, She sang Her self-composed English song entitled "I Will Forever Love You!"

After the performances, Master and honored guests present gifts to all the children.

The grand finale of the party came when all the children who had performed held a lit candle in their hands, extending thanks to Master, followed by their singing "I Will Follow Him" that was dedicated to the guests and fellow initiates. Everyone present was full of bliss. Children were the happiest when Master and the honored guests went onto the stage to distribute nicely packed Mid-Autumn gifts to every performer. Even children who did not perform got gifts or blessed candies and cookies from Master personally, so that they could have a sweet and unforgettable Moon Festival.

Even though the performance had ended, the gathering to admire the moon while eating moon cakes had just begun. Everyone gathered in the dining hall to get their share of blessed candies, cookies, fruit and of course the moon cake. All the faces looked like those of children, lit up with happiness. Our lovely Master changed into light-colored casual clothes and came to the dining hall to mix with the crowd. She stood in the line for Her share of the moon cake. Once recognized by initiates, who surprisingly exclaimed, "Master!" She made a funny face and then went to another spot. Finally Master went through the crowd while everyone happily ate. Then She went to the kitchen to have a meal with the honored guests.

The happiest Mid-autumn Festival ever for the children.

Oh! It was truly a full moon reunion! What a perfect Moon Festival!