Panorama of Events

Report from New Zealand

Wonderful Camp Experience

By Auckland News Group

[Auckland] On March 11 and 12, Golden Year 3 (2006), the Auckland and Hamilton Centers in New Zealand hosted a “Life & Spirituality Happy Camp” at the Marine Education & Recreation Center in Long Bay. The activity attracted over 80 practitioners and guests.

There were many activities for guests to participate in at the camp such as the marine and land based activities, as well as the indoor programs which relate to daily life and help people deal with their lives materially and spiritually. Most importantly, under the relaxed and joyful atmosphere, the hosts shared Master’s teachings and concepts of vegetarianism with guests who happily received the messages with open hearts.

Master’s videotaped lectures were also shown at the camp, supplemented by fellow initiates’ explanations on various aspects of “Spirituality and Science”, and “Life and Spiritual Practice” with impressive pictures.

To support Master’s instruction of promoting the vegetarian diet, Auckland practitioners presented an informative and lighthearted play called "The Secret of Food- the sixth volume of Harry Victor". It educates the audience about the benefits of a vegetarian diet and the reasons why humans should be vegetarian with humorous dialogs. The superb performance was made possible by brothers and sisters serving as director, actors, stage technicians, musicians, sound effects specialists, dance choreographers, and costume designers. The play won a lot of laughter and applause at the camp.

In addition, Auckland Center’s Cooking Team prepared sumptuous vegetarian banquets to promote vegetarianism with delicious vegetarian dishes. Participants all enjoyed the feasts in the camp ground’s dining hall with a magnificent sea view almost surrounding the entire hall. The splendid scenery, amazing delicacies and joyous atmosphere seemed to create a heaven on earth, and everyone felt like an honored guest in God’s palace. Master’s wonderful arrangement touched the heart of every practitioner and guest.

One of the sisters on the cooking team was accidentally injured while preparing for the dinner banquet the first evening. She overturned a pot of boiling soup, scalding both hands seriously. Even as her skin began to peel, she ignored her pain and continued to work without mentioning it to anyone for fear of affecting the schedule. When the activity ended, she wondered how she could return to work the next day when both her hands were so seriously scalded. But a miracle occurred. "When I woke up on Monday morning, I found my right hand completely healed without any scars. Some wounds remained on my left hand, but I felt no pain at all,” the sister said. “It seems as if the wounds are there to prove that I have been scalded. I am a pharmacist. The incident showed me that I have just experienced a medical miracle!"

The initiates also did aerobic exercises with guests in step with Master’s song "Go! Go! Go!” at the camp. The rhythm is so lively and joyful that it seemed the participants were moving in sync with God, an indication that Quan Yin practitioners lead healthy, happy and joyful lives. After the guests became familiar with the song, two fellow brothers played guitars in accompaniment to a joyful chorus by all participants. This inspirational song created a heavenly atmosphere of great elation. Also the interesting games, humorous jokes and beautiful dances choreographed by fellow initiates all gave participants wonderful and unforgettable memories.

The last program of the two-day event was “The Garden of God’s Love”, which presented inspirational stories and dances in combination with Master’s aphorisms and works of art. It moved the heart of every participant. At the end of the activity, each participant received a set of beautiful gifts featuring the inspirational stories with Master’s aphorisms and artworks.

Through all the activities and programs at the camp everyone had immersed into Master’s boundless love and wisdom. Some people wanted to learn more about Master’s teachings and some expressed an interest in practicing the Convenient Method, while fellow practitioners experienced Master’s infinite blessings and omnipresent love. All participating practitioners learned the lesson of compassion and wisdom by serving others with unconditional Love.