Revered Master,

Meeting You has been the greatest fortune of my life. Because of long-term drinking and gambling problems, I thought about taking my own life. I refrained from doing so only because of my family obligations.

I was fortunate enough to meet an elder fellow practitioner who lived in the same village as I did. Previously, he had avoided me because I was such an alcoholic and trouble maker. Later, as my drinking problem got worse and I was practically beyond help, my family prepared to send me to the hospital. At this time, this fellow practitioner came to have a talk with me and invited me to his home. He took great pains to explain Your teachings to me, and gave me a free sample booklet and copies of Your discourse that he treasured.

Dear Master, after I came into contact with Your teachings through this fellow practitioner and Your books, I was immediately awakened. I read Your books eagerly to know more about Your teachings and I felt that this was truly a transcendental and supreme method, the ultimate Truth. From then on, I began to practice the Convenient Method, kept the five precepts, and became a strict vegetarian. I stopped smoking, drinking and gambling. Consequently, I became more enlightened and alert, a sharp contrast to the blind, ignorant man I used to be!

I often borrowed Your books and News magazines from fellow initiates. Every day I prayed for Your blessings and earnestly hoped that I could soon be initiated. After what seemed like years, I finally was initiated! Dear Master, I am so filled with joy and happiness that I have a new life and have become Your disciple. I feel really blessed. I strictly adhere to Your teachings, and my wisdom is growing as I practice. I can clearly see myself being liberated. Now my family has become a peaceful and happy one; and my siblings and neighbors are living in harmony.

So transcendent and extraordinary is Your method that it is beyond words. There is one thing that I am most definite about: mountains and rivers may change, but my faith in You will never waver. I will faithfully follow Your teachings to practice the six perfections of charity, discipline, humility, meditate diligently, samadhi and attainment of wisdom. Only then can I repay You for Your profound grace and the fellow initiates for their time and guidance.

Dear Master, I do not know what else to say. I can only pray to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the ten directions to bless You and all fellow practitioners with everlasting happiness and health so that You may forever guide us and all other sentient beings in the universe. We look forward to seeing You in Your Au Lac homeland very soon.