In June 2005, as their city's annual Dragon Boat Festival approached, Taipei initiates launched yet another activity of care and concern for the local homeless population.

On the morning of June 9, the sisters and brothers brought thirty-two cartons of summer clothes donated by fellow initiates to the Wanhua Community Service Center of the Taipei Municipal Bureau of Social Affairs. Then in the afternoon they delivered emergency supplies of canvas shoes, towels, toothpaste, toothbrushes, food and clothing, along with spiritual nourishment in the form of Master's books, sample booklets and News magazines. The contributions were accepted on behalf of the homeless by Director Zhang Hui-ci and social worker Zhang Xian-zhong.

"The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association is firmly committed to charitable service and offers the greatest inspiration to our staff at the Community Service Center. It's remarkable how in just a few days our friends from the Association have been able to meet our homeless citizens' urgent needs for personal hygiene items and clothing in the summer heat when infectious diseases spread easily. The canvas shoes, in particular, allow our underprivileged friends to move about easily."

In addition to her words of appreciation, Director Zhang gave the initiates two sets of mugs hand-painted by homeless artisans, with each set consisting of three mugs entitled "Alive and Hopeful," "Penniless but Happy" and "Enthusiastic and Loving Social Worker." The gifts symbolized hope and joy to the initiate brothers and sisters.

The mugs were imprinted with the following message reflecting the contentment in the hearts of the less fortunate despite their condition: "Find hope in being alive; seek happiness in poverty; see love and enthusiasm in social workers." The items were being created to raise funds for a new residence for the homeless, in hopes that people with affinity would lend them a helping hand as they begin their new lives. The Taipei initiates found genuine delight in the realization that their underprivileged neighbors were again walking the path of love and happiness.

 

On June 4, 2005, fellow initiates from the Changhua Center shared Master's love with needy families, community residents and children at the Ci-sheng Orphanage through an activity entitled "Love Wrapped in Vegetarian Rice Dumplings."

Early that morning, the initiates gathered at the Siushuei Center to make glutinous rice dumplings. In a blissful and joyful atmosphere, a fresh fragrance filled the air as the dumplings were cooked and prepared for delivery. Then in the afternoon, a total of 180 dumplings, along with Master's books, News magazines and sample booklets were brought to the Orphanage. And to the initiates' surprise, the children showed greater interest in Master's publications than in the dumplings, indicating that the little angels had a far greater yearning for spiritual nourishment than for delicious food.

With assistance from Village Magistrate Lin Qin, the practitioners also visited the neediest households in Shansi, where they listened to the residents' stories and offered them material and spiritual support. Finally, the sisters and brothers personally called on each household in the community to express their friendship and concern, and were greeted by happy smiles when the residents received their News magazines and saw Master's photo on the cover. The day's activity ended on a perfect note as the Shansi community basked in a blissful ambiance.

 

Presenting Books to Purify the Mind and Society

Director Huang Jin-deng of the Changhua Tianzhong Juvenile Counseling Center receives books donated by The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association.	On behalf of the Changhua Prison, Warden Fang Zi-jie receives books from members of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association.

In May and June 2005, Changhua fellow initiates brought Master's publications to local prisons, juvenile counseling centers, libraries, universities and the local cultural bureau to help the public learn the teachings of Truth. The books included God's Direct Contact--The Way to Reach Peace, Coloring Our Lives, Your Halo is Too Tight, Silent Tears and Wu Tzu Poems.

Warden Fang Zi-jie of the Changhua Prison had previously attended activities at the Love Ocean Arts Center in Taipei and learned the Convenient Method, being highly impressed by the love and teachings of Supreme Master Ching Hai. Thus he warmly greeted the practitioners on their arrival and expressed gratitude for their gifts of spiritual books, which he felt would have a positive influence on the inmates. Mr. Fang also said, "While learning the Convenient Method, I felt a peaceful atmosphere surrounding me, and so I believe that learning the Method can cultivate the minds and souls of the inmates."

Next, the initiates went to Changhua's Tianzhong Juvenile Counseling Center, where Director Huang Jin-deng and his teaching staff were preparing for a volunteers' seminar. Nonetheless, the Director found time in his tight schedule to meet the initiates and invite them to join the volunteer team to offer counsel and encouragement to the young people, adding, "The counseling center needs the concern and assistance of various organizations in extending warmth and support to the detainees. The center welcomes all types of activities and books that might benefit its youth, and writings that encourage spiritual practice and benevolent deeds will definitely awaken compassion in our young residents."

The practitioners also visited the Changhua County Cultural Bureau, the Changhua Municipal Library and the Puyan Township Library to expose readers to Master's recent publications. As on previous occasions, the facilities welcomed Master's publications in hopes of offering better service to the public.

Through Master's grace, these book contribution efforts will bring Her message to more people to purify their minds and spirits and thus create a more harmonious society.

 

Beginning on June 12, 2005, torrential downpours in central and southern Formosa destroyed crops and became a major threat to the lives and property of the inhabitants. Four persons died in Chiayi, and on June 18, when the rain showed signs of easing, local initiates immediately visited the four stricken families to offer them consolation and financial relief.

The practitioners supplemented the monetary aid with sample booklets, News magazines and vegetarian rice dumplings, and encouraged the flood victims to replace meat with vegetarian foods in their diets, endeavor to practice spiritually and pray to God, Buddha and Master to benefit themselves and their deceased family members. The initiates also distributed sample booklets and News magazines to the families' neighbors, who had dropped by to express their condolences and were happily surprised to receive the gifts.

While visiting the stricken households, the disciples strongly felt Master's omnipresent love and care. And although the water level was still high in many places, through Master's blessings the sisters and brothers quickly accomplished their work of love.