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| Graced by Master's boundless
love and blessings, Japanese fellow initiates spend a joyful and inspiring
day together after a two-day retreat. |
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The
two-day retreat celebrating Ching Hai Day had just ended, and in this pleasant
atmosphere, fellow initiates prepared and enjoyed a Japanese-style gourmet
meal. Reluctant to leave, they gathered in small groups, chatting cheerfully
like members of a big family coming together for a reunion after a long time.
The bustle and excitement reminded one of New Year's Day.
Casting
aside age differences, initiates started to play children's games. One of
the games is called "Kaluda" and the rules are as follows: A person
draws a card from a stack of cards and composes a sentence that implies its
name. All other players try to guess the name and to be the first to find
the matching card from another stack. The winner is the one who makes the
most matches before the cards run out.
This
is an ancient Japanese game and was, therefore, difficult at first for non-native
Japanese initiates. Although the card reader emphasized that anyone could
play the game well, in order to encourage non-native players, native Japanese
players were asked to wait for three seconds before they could start searching
for the matching card. Slowly all the players got very much involved and enjoyed
the game. Many onlookers could not resist the temptation of fun and joined
in the game one after another.
After
a while, the players needed less and less time to find the matching card.
They noticed that the so-called language barrier had vanished all of a sudden,
and the restriction initially applied to the native Japanese players was removed.
Through this game, participants realized that in spiritual practice, every
second counts, and they must strive to grow to maturity, and group meditation
is a good way to progress faster. As in the game, competition is another form
of mutual help that can stimulate initiates' latent ability and correct their
bad habits. Preconceived notions are obstacles in spiritual practice and not
too easy to perceive. However, when practitioners attain a certain spiritual
level, these obstacles surface and the problems can be seen clearly.
As
the game continued, suddenly the initiate who was playing the card reader
began to compose some excellent sentences:
"On
Ching Hai Day, we gather together and enjoy a gourmet meal."
"The
ocean is deep, but Master's love is deeper."
"Practice
diligently and meditate at least two and a half hours each day."
Those
three cards were specially made by fellow initiates to express their gratitude
to beloved Master. After the game, they thanked Her from the depths of their
hearts for arranging such a great and inspiring day.
Remarkably
this activity brought fellow initiates in Japan closer, regardless of their
nationalities. The activity also made them realize that language is not a
barrier to communication and spiritual practice; as long as they have a common
goal and work in concerted effort, there is nothing they cannot achieve. This
new starting point strengthened their faith and determination in spiritual
practice.
Group
Meditation Events
