I had a fervent interest in seeking religious
beliefs. Very often I read Buddhist scriptures and watched TV lectures
by Buddhist monks, but I was never satisfied. Where and when could
I find an enlightened master? The aspiration of meeting an enlightened
master never left my mind for a moment.
One day I saw a new master giving a lecture
on TV. After listening attentively, I was absolutely convinced by
Her teachings. She was my dream master, it was easy to understand
and get satisfaction through Her words immediately. I was extremely
touched. Every day I turned on the TV punctually to watch Her lecture.
Though I wanted to get to know Supreme Master Ching Hai better,
I had no idea how I could contact Her. The program did not carry
Her address or telephone number.
After some time, one day my husband and I went
hiking and stopped by a temple on a mountain where we found many
Buddhist books in a corner. As we browsed through them, we came
across a copy of Master's sample booklet. Delighted and surprised,
we exclaimed: "Isn't She the Master whom we watch on TV every
day?" We took the sample booklet home and read it carefully,
and in it we found the address and telephone number.
That very day, I contacted the Taipei Center
and said I wanted to follow Master in spiritual practice. A sister
told me how to find Master, and the prerequisites for initiation,
including the vegetarian diet. I did not think that was very difficult,
so I decided to observe a vegetarian diet and wait for initiation.
Later, I felt that I could not wait any longer, so I went to Hsihu
Ashram to receive initiation. Since then, an invisible force seems
to have guided me along.
I set off that morning from Taipei in high
spirit; that was the first time I visited Hsihu. On the chartered
coach I looked out of the window, enjoying the scenery while feeling
very excited. Upon arriving at Hsihu Ashram, I was dazzled by the
scene that met my eyes. I had never seen such a beautiful ashram
before. It seemed to be a paradise on Earth hidden behind ordinary
surroundings. In the spectacular landscape were colorful flowers
and green plants, awesome trees and chirping birds. Despite the
large crowds, people felt so at home in the free and relaxed atmosphere
that they were reluctant to leave. I requested the initiation that
day, and as if answering my longing, Master had returned from abroad
the day before! In my heart I longed to see the Master whom I had
never met, but it was a Quan Yin messenger who conducted the initiation
for us. It was strange why Master had not come to give us the initiation,
and I was not very happy. After a while, Master suddenly appeared
right in front of us. She was so beautiful that I could not believe
my eyes. Like a goddess descending from heaven, She carried Herself
so gracefully and elegantly, and I was stunned.
Master then greeted us: "Here comes the
beauty! Someone would not feel assured if I didn't show up."
She continued to say, "This Quan Yin messenger is capable of
giving instructions." These words seemed to be meant for me,
but it was incredible that Master could read my mind! My husband
was initiated six months later, and the day after his initiation,
Master left Formosa to preach abroad and did not return for a while.
My husband and I felt sad and upset as though our Mother had abandoned
us and stopped caring for us. Since I came to know about Master
from the TV, I was not acquainted with any fellow practitioners.
I felt so lonely and lost that I would sometimes cry in a corner.
I had finally found my beloved Master and decided to follow Her
in spiritual practice, only to have Her go abroad! I felt sad, helpless
and frustrated!
Then came a turning point in my practice! One
day I was inspired to go shopping at Loving Food Corporation, but
it was closed when I got there. Suddenly I saw someone come out
from the back of the store; I approached him and discovered that
he was a brother initiate. He introduced me to a sister initiate
who has since dissolved my loneliness by talking to me frequently
on the phone. Undoubtedly Master has been guiding me. I was then
a novice to spiritual practice, and this sister earnestly and patiently
gave me encouragement, helping me to grow and advance on the spiritual
path. To me, that was the most precious encouragement, and I was
moved to tears.
However, this sister would always say humbly,
"This is all due to Master's grace, arrangements and teachings.
We ought to be thankful to Her." Truly we should be grateful
to Master because She has given us so much. We must have confidence
in Master and in ourselves, that we will definitely make it. Since
the initiation, I have had many wonderful experiences and visions,
and I am filled with bliss. What else can be more precious in life
than this?
The
Guidance Of My Soul