Paradise
on Earth Blossoms for Young Initiates
[Taipei] In Formosa, Children’s
Day was long celebrated on April 4. However, a few years ago, the
government, thinking that children should enjoy this holiday with
their parents, decided it would be observed together with Women’s
Day and so renamed it “Women’s and Children’s
Day.”
This year, the Taipei Center held a special Women’s
and Children’s Day celebration program before group meditation
for its young initiates and their parents, who were normally busy
at work, but now had a chance to accompany their children to enjoy
the special day together. The youngsters’ parents planned
fun and exciting games for the occasion entitled “Getting
Higher,” “Missing the Other Shore,” “King
Solomon’s Treasure,” “Heavenly Bliss,”“Our
Home in Heaven” and “Pocketing Muni Pearls.” Unlike
those designed purely for recreation, these activities were imbued
with spiritual meaning, the idea being to let the children feel
the immense love and blessing of their Mommy Master through their
participation.
The games evoked waves of cheers and laughter from
the children, who, while feeling absolutely joyful, also gained
abundant spiritual rewards. Thus, for the young saints it was just
like being in Paradise!
Celebrating
Mother’s Day Brilliantly in the Golden Age
by
the Taipei New Group
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More
than two hundred pictures are displayed at the entrance to
the Hsihu Center |
[Hsihu] Each May, as carnations bloom and fill
the air with their light fragrance, people around the world once
again commemorate their mothers’ profound and tender love.
Thus, on May 9, 2004, Formosan initiates gathered with friends and
family at the Hsihu Center for an extraordinary celebration of the
first Mother’s Day in the Golden Age.
The event opened with a drawing contest entitled “Colorful
Portrayal of Hsihu.” For this activity, several initiates
— their hearts uplifted by thoughts of thanksgiving —
captured with lively brushstrokes the beautiful homestead that our
Master Mommy created for Her children of the Quan Yin family. Then,
after lunch the main celebration was conducted at the Center’s
Forest Meditation Hall, with a video show recounting Master’s
tireless efforts to bring up the Quan Yin family, a fashion show
of the S.M. Celestial Clothes spring and summer collections, songs
sung in gratitude for our Mothers’ love, and dramas adapted
from Master’s stories. Finally, the Taipei Chorus presented
a musical Mother’s Day card on behalf of all Formosan initiates,
wishing Master Mommy and all the mothers of the world good health
and happiness!
Over sixty youngsters with mental or physical disabilities and
about a dozen teachers from the Miaoli County Children’s Home
of Peace were invited to join in the celebration. Upon their arrival,
these most honored guests of the day got a warm reception from members
of the Supreme Master Ching Hai Soul Interaction Team. Although
it was their first meeting, the initiate volunteers and young people
engaged in many warm interactions, much like members of a biological
family. The teachers, all of whom had six to eleven years’
experience in special education, pointed out that the children’s
greatest distress came from emotional problems due to their inability
to cope with the environment and a longing for love and concern.
The only solution, they said, was to show them more care and compassion.
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Following
their vibrant dance performance, children from the Miaoli
County Children’s Home of Peace thank the audience. |
The Home’s director, Ms. Lin Qin-mei was moved to tears as
the fellow practitioners lovingly and patiently fed and took care
of the children. When she went on stage to present a letter of appreciation,
Ms. Lin said with great emotion, “Loving our own children
is natural and obligatory, but it is not that easy to love others’.
In the countless Mother’s Days that have passed, we have had
a group of children who will never grow up. Today I am truly touched
by the compassion of Supreme Master Ching Hai. Thank you very much
for preparing such wonderful programs to entertain a group of disadvantaged
youngsters. In society, we have too many disabled children who desperately
need such selfless love.”
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Fellow
initiates accompany children and teachers from the Home
of Peace on a joyful tour of the Hsihu Center’s Rainbow
Garden.
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Then the young people from the Home of Peace presented
a vibrant dance that they had rehearsed diligently for many days,
and received a thunderous round of applause from the audience.
The event reached a climax when a Home of Peace representative
expressed sincere gratitude and good wishes to the audience members
on behalf of the young guests.
Also, in the warm May sunshine, more than two
hundred photos depicting beautiful scenes at the Hsihu Center
captivated initiates and guests alike. Everyone then enjoyed vegetarian
cakes before reluctantly leaving for home.
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