Feature Report [2]

"To Love The Refugees
Is To Love Ourselves"

• Experience From The Seven-Day Retreat In Formosa

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  By Fellow Initiate Dam Nguyen, Kentucky Center, USA (Originally in English)

I learned a great deal from the Seven-day Retreat in Taipei, Formosa. I experienced something spectacular in which words will fail to describe, but I will try my best.

The one thing that touched me most was that after the International Human Rights and World Peace Conference, I realized the "big picture" and the suffering of this world which hit me as the "real world" in which reality spoke for itself, and the rosy flower garden that I had imagined seemed silly. One day while I was meditating, I thought of the Conference and of the Vietnamese Refugees. All of a sudden, I felt so much love for them that I just started crying and crying uncontrollably; but this feeling was not normal. I felt that I had developed a stronger love, and it was getting more and more intense every minute. By this time, I was sobbing and I thought, "I will do anything You wish for me to do for the refugees or anyone else, Master. I will do anything for them. Please help me to understand my task and what I must accomplish. I will do anything." I kept saying this to Master, and I felt my heart open to all begins - in unity with the whole creation. It was a feeling of ecstasy and bliss, and I was soaked with my overflowing tears. I thanked Master a hundred billion, trillion times, for now I truly understood - not with my mind, but with my heart - that it was so true when Master said, "the refugees are not just plain, ordinary refugees, but they are Great Beings who have descended to this Earth to teach us a lesson of compassion, wisdom, and love."

More Savage Than Tigers

In Chinese History, there is the story, "A tyrannic government is more savage than tigers." It describes a family fleeing a tyrannic ruler. They were attacked several times by savage tigers, but they continued on into the mountains.

In this recent 7-day retreat, Master, sympathizing with the homeless Au Lac refugees, appealed to the world for help. The pitiful Au Lac refugees had been very reluctant to abandon their homes, to battle the violent waves, and now have to face homelessness in a foreign land. We are fortunate to have our home-sweet-homes, yet we can't take in the refugees. I will be the first to adopt them if permitted.

I pray to God to give all suffering people the best arrangement, a place to live and the freedom to pursue a happy life.

Miraculous Coincidences

Just before the International seven-day retreat, initiates from abroad continued to arrive in Formosa. One of the cars for the reception party was out for repairs. When the repair was completed, it was already night time. I was the only person on duty at the Center. There was no way for me to go and pick up the car. I thought, "It would be nice to have a motorcycle now." As I walked to the gate, I saw a sister initiate riding a motorcycle passing by. I stopped her and asked her to take me to the workshop. When I returned with the car, a phone call from the reception party at the airport asked for extra help. Master had arranged the events as if they were just "coincidences".

During the seven-day retreat, our workers went to the Chung Cheng Memorial Hall to set up banners like "The Supreme Master Ching Hai" and "Pray For the International Human Rights And World Peace" on the walls. Just as we finished setting them up, a policeman came and told us to put the banners on the trees outside. We had to oblige. Later we found out that the signs were much more visible on the trees because they were closer to the street. All passersby could see them better. It was the best place to put them. That policeman was truly "the best guardian angel".

When we do work for Master, as long as we are sincere, let Master take care of everything. Master naturally always has the perfect arrangement.

Unexpected Surprise

Throughout the retreat, Master was very happy, and She joked with us and told us many stories. The moments she shared with us were very moving, especially when she talked of compassion, and that we should pray more for others than for ourselves. Some Singaporean initiates were so touched that they cried freely. At the end of the retreat Master informed us that She will go back to Miaoli. Owing to the sincere longing of many disciples to have more time with Her, Master allowed all to visit Her in Miaoli. Overjoyed, most of the Singapore disciples went straight to Miaoli to be with Master. However, some of us could not make it, as we had arranged to leave the very next day. Thus we were feeling so sad, some crying, hoping that we could see Master once more before we leave.

Then, most unexpectedly, after dinner, on the day prior to departure, we decided to have some tea in a restaurant owned by some fellow initiates. While we were having tea, we were very surprised and delighted when Master suddenly appeared together with some other guests. Master casually spoke to us and we were so drunk with the ecstasy of meeting Her that we behaved like children in our joy. Master joked with us and told us that She was surprised of why She had to see us for the last time, at least for this retreat. This unexpected meeting fulfilled our sincere longings to see Master before we left, and we went home feeling very happy.

Before going for the retreat, one Singaporean disciple had sold his house, and the buyer insisted on taking over his house before this disciple can move into another house that he had bought. However, he prayed to Master, and left the matter alone when he went for the retreat, since the retreat is much more important to him. Upon coming home, he discovered that the buyer has agreed to give him more time, so that he can move into his new house first. He was most grateful, when he suddenly recalled the words of Master "Seek you first the Kingdom of God, and all other things shall be added unto you".

Wonders From Seven-Day Retreat

I can assure you that you will never feel tired doing Master's work. Every time before I start, Master always recharges me with full energy. During the work, Master obviously blesses me. All the time I feel so happy and grateful to Master. And as Master told us: the overwhelming blessing power received from Master should be used to serve people.

After I heard that vehicles were needed to transport foreign disciples during the international seven-day retreat, I thoroughly cleaned my car right away and was full of happiness just like waiting for Master to ride in my car. I expected everyone would enjoy his or her ride in my car and feel like being at home. Whenever I thought of this chance Master gave me to serve others, I was really delightful.

During the seven-day retreat, I was working with the mobil team and some miracles happened...

Once on my way to the Youth Park, I suddenly felt Master's blessing power. When I arrived the park, I drove around and didn't have the idea to park. I even moved out of a parking space after I had already parked there. When I circle around the park the second time, I met several fellow sisters at the front door who were interpreters. They were in a rush to find a ride. I then drove to them without hesitation. After they got in my car, I started to exclaim the unbelievable coincidence. I was amazed by Master's ingenious arrangement. It wasn't until then that I began to understand Master's brilliant foresight and why I did not park my car a moment ago.

On another occasion, I dressed in a formal suit and was about to pick up foreign guests. But at the last moment I was assigned to pick up resident disciples in Hsihu Center. When I got there, I found that a truck of Hsihu Center was stuck in the parking lot. Then I realized why Master sent me here though it's not obvious in the beginning. Being skillful with several kinds of vehicles and knowing the roads in the city , I was just the right person who could offer help in such a situation.

One day during these seven-day retreat, when I was arriving at the World Trade Center a disciple's truck loaded with Master's sedan chair and many blessed food stopped in front of my car and moved some of the blessed food into my car. When I arrived at the conference hall, I found I was late and had to stay behind. Since I felt the strong blessing power of Master, I moved to a place close to an exit-door and sat there meditating for a while to enjoy Master's "gift". Listening to Master's touching speech, My tears started from my eyes. A few minutes later, I remembered my duty and I walked downstairs without hesitation. Shortly after I was on the main floor, a brother guarding just needed someone to help buy some glassware, mineral water, candies and biscuits for the conference. And the blessed food in my car seemed to be prepared just for this. All these timely coincidence were the perfect arrangements of the inner Master.

I can assure you that you'll never get tired when you are doing Master's work. Every time before I start, Master always recharges me with full energy. During the work, Master obviously blesses me. All the time I feel so happy and grateful to Master. And as Master told us: the overwhelming blessing power received from Master should be used to serve people, and to work together with Master or just to be a timely tool of Master. I have never been choosy in the type of work, because I believe that particular work I am assigned may be exactly the lesson that I should learn. It may also be possible that Master thinks that I, being a tool of Master, can be of used to help in that situation and makes such arrangements, so I am always happy to be there.

Seven-day retreat passed in a flash. After I drove foreign disciples to the airport, they hugged me, held my hand tightly, and had me wear a present from them - a Master's pin. Even though we had difficulty in communication because of language, we felt close in our heart. That's because Master's power of Love links one heart to another.

Growth Of Love

First I would like to thank Master for Her mercy which made it possible for me to attend this International seven-day retreat held in Formosa. Being a house wife, I have to look after the kids, do all the housework and help with the bookstore business. But when I heard the news that there would be a seven-day retreat, I immediately signed up for it. My parents just died in the recent plane crash in Nagoya. I thought it was a good opportunity to share the merit of spiritual practice with my parents by attending the retreat. I experienced deeply that the world is ephemeral from the death of my parents and I told myself to have more faith in our Master with more strength and enthusiasm.

While I was on the plane to Formosa, I tried to meditate, but images of my parents appeared when I closed my eyes. Although I couldn't really tell how and why this had happened, I was not sorrowful. All the things must have arranged according to Buddha's will. It had been months since all of our family got initiated. This time we invited my parents for a short stay with us in Japan was to let them know more about Master's teaching as well as to show our filial piety.

The evening the accident happened, I didn't cry and I was extraordinarily calm inside. I prayed to Master: if this was my parents destiny, I believe Master will make the best arrangement for them. I meditated the whole night with Master's tape of "Buddha's chanting" running. But the next morning my last ray of hope for my parents being the survivors vanished. My stable mind was being shaked, I cried loudly and helplessly. How could one withstand such kind of strike? I cried out to myself: Master, what kind of lesson you want me to learn from this? It's too much a price for me to learn this way. However, I had to face the reality.

I went to the site of the accident with my husband. One can imagine what kind of situation it was; even the remains of my parents might not be found. Strange enough I felt differently and it seemed as if I was there just to bring Master's gospel to the other hundreds victims of the accident. We promptly put on Master's Buddha's Chanting tape and mediated because we knew that only Master can save the souls of the dead. When my parents' serene remains were in front of my eyes, I thanked Master from bottom of my heart for Her compassionate caring for my parents. The vision is incredible, during the big flame my mother's body wasn't being injured.

I remembered our visit to my parents on New Year's Day. Seeing all my family had become vegetarian, especially the sincerity of the children, my mother was very touched and made up her mind to become a pure vegetarian. With only this single thought one can see the effect that blessing power makes. My sister was also surprised and began to believe in Master and got interested in Master's teachings by purchasing Master's books and tapes. Now I understand clearly that this is the best arrangement by God, which lets me know myself better and learn a lot of obvious and subtle lessons. I attended the seven-day retreat with this kind of attitude.

Even though Formosa is my homeland, I felt a kind of refreshing and peaceful atmosphere, as if being in Heaven on earth, when I was among our practitioners. Although our fellow practitioners came from different countries, different languages and races, there was nothing to prevent our sincere zeal to pursue the same goal. It's rare for us to see Master in person, our longing to see Her turned into a supportive atmosphere and Master generously shared with us Her perfect wisdom and love. I realized through this seven-day retreat that it's more important to be concerned about the Au Lac refugees than to share the spiritual practice with my parents, because the former relates to the human rights of the whole world. How can one just be an onlooker and not lend a helping hand? One sentence from Master's lecture impressed me very much: The refugees are not miserable, it is those who lost their righteousness and morality that are miserable. From this I understood that Master's power of love is the really great one, and I'll try to put into practice what I've learned. I will follow Master's teachings and be a good disciple to show my gratitude for the grace She has bestowed upon me.