By Fellow Sister Xiao Chao, Hong Kong

I remember Master once said that it is extremely difficult to teach us. Only now do I truly understand what She meant.

Several years back, I went to Italy to attend Master's Celestial Clothes Fashion Show. The models on the stage were as pretty as goddesses from heaven and I envied them. I thought that the Celestial Clothes looked right only on them and that Master was the only one who could bring out the special features of these clothes. Only recently did I realize that I had taken a far too narrow view in my analysis and only now have I come to better understand Master's loneliness.

When meditating one day, I got an inspiration that I must buy a Celestial outfit that I could wear at an upcoming retreat; my vision was so clear that I could pinpoint exactly which outfit I wanted. I asked a fellow sister to accompany me to the Celestial Clothes Boutique in Macao. In my heart, I was both excited and exulted, yet torn in half. Though I was eager to have that specific Celestial outfit, my financial condition was not at its best then. Therefore, I made no promises about making any purchases; conversely, I kept persuading the accompanying fellow sister to try on the clothes, because financially she was much better off than I was.

Eventually, she tried on an outfit, and when she walked out of the fitting room, I was stunned. She had always dressed up well and often bought expensive brands, but never had I been so impressed as I was that day. That particular Celestial outfit produced such a vast change in her demeanor and bearing that she looked like a noble lady of royal blood. Emotionally moved, I exclaimed: "Really beautiful! You must buy this outfit." She herself saw the wonder that the dress did to her, and went on to adorn herself with matching Celestial Jewelry. What a stunning beauty she became! I thought to myself: "She is really blessed." At the same time, I felt terrible about not having understood Master all this while. I had been totally unaware of all the noble and elegant things that She has given us; I had failed to appreciate Her love.

Later, we had lunch at a vegetarian restaurant run by another fellow sister, and decided to visit the boutique again. This sister had noticed how happy we were and thought she would join us. When we returned to the boutique, our earlier eagerness to try on the Celestial Clothes once again had worn off. Instead, we encouraged the sister from the restaurant to try some of the clothes on. She selected a straight-cut skirt. To our amazement, this normally stern-looking woman seemed to have taken off her mask and armor and turned into a lovely little angel. How strange that the dress originally designed as casual wear should appear as gorgeous as an evening gown on her! Overwhelmed by emotion yet again, I repeatedly apologized to Master in my heart: "How stupid I was! What a fool I was! How could I not have recognized the perfect works of art that You created to beautify the world. I've been praying to You to let me understand You and be one with You, yet I failed to see the treasures right before my eyes. How patient You have been in edifying a stupid disciple like me."

In the end, I did buy the Celestial outfit that I had longed for deep down in my heart. I have been overwhelmed by bliss ever since I came home yesterday, and I wish to share this joy with my fellow initiates.