Panorama of Events

Report from Japan

Reaching out to Truth Seekers

at the
Tokyo International Book Fair

By the Tokyo News Group (Originally in Japanese)

 

[Tokyo] From July 7 to 10, 2005, the 12th Annual Tokyo International Book Fair was held at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center, attracting representatives of 650 publishers from 25 countries, including The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association and local centers in Japan.

The Association's exhibition booth was located in the Fair's Humanities and Social Sciences Section and featured beautiful displays of Master's art work and publications. In addition, a brief video introducing Master and several of Her lecture DVDs were shown on three sets of computers. The warm, loving ambiance the booth created attracted numerous visitors, including several Aulacese and Inner Mongolian initiates from Osaka, who had made a special trip to Tokyo with friends and relatives interested in the Quan Yin Method and eager to learn the Convenient Form of meditation. The sisters and brothers working at the booth were delighted at the arrival of these unexpected visitors, who contributed to the warm atmosphere by earnestly distributing Master's sample booklets and News magazines. The fellow practitioners also exchanged sample booklets and discussed spiritual practice with exhibitors from other spiritual groups.

Visitors to the booth responded more warmly this year than in previous years even though some had had little contact with spirituality in the past. Their interest was piqued as soon they began reading the sample booklets. Moreover, Master's cover photo drew instant praise from some visitors who accepted copies of the booklet with happy smiles accompanied by the exclamation "She's really beautiful!" One vegetarian lady who had learned of Master and the Quan Yin Method from a friend and visited the Quan Yin websites frequently became very interested in Master's teachings. She had come to the Fair with no idea as to why she had set aside her busy work schedule for the trip. Only when she saw the Association's booth did she realize the reason she had come, happily acquiring Master's publications and saying, "I'm truly grateful for this encounter!"

Another woman from Toyama obtained a large number of Master's books, and placed orders for the Buddha's Chanting CDs and prints of Master's paintings. The practitioners later learned that she had been initiated more than ten years earlier but had stopped practicing. Although she had longed to be reunited with the Quan Yin family at the Fair, she had hesitated about making the trip for financial reasons but eventually decided to come alone to Tokyo by train. Incredibly, as soon as she made up her mind to attend, she received enough money to cover her travel expenses. Then her husband, who had never shown any interest in spiritual cultivation, suddenly offered to drive her to Tokyo, a trip that was to take them eight hours. This episode shows that as long as one maintains faith in God and is not intimidated by difficulties on the spiritual path, Master's almighty power will take care of everything.

Through the Tokyo International Book Fair, many people received the message of Truth and had the opportunity to be spiritually elevated. Some might have merely glanced at the booth or gazed at Master's photo for a moment, but through these acts they formed an affinity with Her and gained the blessing of spiritual practice in the future. Such are the inconceivable benefits that a living Master brings to the world!