"Wow! All the children are here today, including myself!" One Sunday, Master delightfully appeared at the Rainbow Garden, briskly driving Her "car for kids," which had been painted with colorful cartoon characters and had lovely dollies hanging all around it. That day was not Children's Day, yet it was the greatest day for children. It turned out that Master would personally commend young fellow initiates of excellent character and scholarship. The winners had to: meditate on a daily basis, have good grades in school, possess many talents, be friendly to classmates, filial to parents and help with housework.

The process of selection was both objective and strict. Parents nominated their children before local centers and teachers made their recommendations. Then only after practitioners at Hsihu screened all the outstanding young fellow practitioners, were the selections made.

Master Mommy's Praise Is The Highest Honor

Rainbow Garden, the huge children's play area was tightly packed. A joyous atmosphere was also created by the display of many brightly colored large bags of awards. They not only included material prizes such as chocolates, baseballs, building blocks, toy cars and teddy bears to play with, but also spiritual gifts like Master's audio tapes, book of aphorisms and so on. The children awaiting to receive the awards were seated at the very front of the audience. Receiving awards is a common thing for these well-behaved, scholarly children, but none of the other awards could compare to a word of praise from Master Mommy, which is the highest honor.

The children were all dressed beautifully. Some boys even wore suits with bow ties. The scene was filled with a happy atmosphere similar to that of a Chinese New Year celebration.

When Master appeared with a little round hat, the joyful atmosphere became jubilant. Accompanied by cheerful music, the ceremony began with awards for the young fellow initiates who ranked in the top three at school in their studies, and had excelled in painting, dancing, abacus calculating, mental arithmetic, compositing, reciting or athletics. The first winner did not appear long after his name was announced; because as it transpired, he was too short to be seen. Master said, "You are excellent for your age. Very good. You look like me when I was a kid."

Good Kids Excel Both Academically And In Martial Arts

Upon hearing the honorable deeds of the children announced by the MC, Master commented, "Good both scholastically and in martial arts, they are really our children! I was like them when I was a child - very good at martial arts too, like Shaolin Kongfu, Plum flower boxing and Tiger boxing (fist). They are still useful now." Immediately She roared loudly, which made everyone laugh. "No one was able to bully me; because as soon as they tried to attack, I ran away instantly. I ran very fast." Master talked about Her childhood humorously.

While presenting the awards to the children She said, "I used to receive awards frequently in my childhood, but they were not as abundant as these." She read out the different kinds of prizes like baseballs and building blocks, and joked with the children, "You should take them away quickly before I change my mind and take them back for myself to play with." Master was very happy to see so many good children.

During the presentations, the children were quiet and well-behaved; and many interesting incidents occurred. Some kids were of kindergarten age, yet even taller than Master. They were the best advertisement for vegetarianism. Seeing one of them, Master said, "He was very little when I first saw him. Now he is this big, yet I remain the same." After laughing heartily, we began to realize how much sacrifice Master has actually made over the years just to teach us.

Balancing Progress Both spiritually And In Worldly Talents

Because all the children who took part in the selection had progressed in a balanced manner both spiritually and in developing their talents, Master praised them, "We here have very strict criteria. One needs to be excellent in both character and scholarship - multi-talented, well behaved, meditate, and keep a vegetarian diet. Perhaps even I cannot qualify for the award." (Master and everyone laughed.)

Some children did not rank in the top three at school; however they had special talents, so they received awards as well. One could speak English at the age of six. Master immediately greeted her with, "How are you?"

For the one who could do mental arithmetic, the MC tested him on the spot. "How much will there be if you add five dollars and five dollars?"

"Ten dollars."

"The answer is correct!"

There were children who play the Chinese zither, paint with watercolors, skate, and speak French. Some boys dance and also help with the work at the meditation center. Others gave their teachers, "The Key of Immediate enlightenment" on Teacher's Day. Some even signed up and recommended themselves, stating their own strong points and demonstrating their deep sense of democracy. One child arrived after the selections crying his eyes out because he was delayed. Fortunately, he came at the end and received a prize. No matter how many special talents they possessed, most important was that they practiced diligently and meditated everyday on their own initiative even when they were very busy preparing for tests, or their parents were away from home.

Further Progress With Persistent Efforts

In Her discourse after the awards, Master urged the winners to make further progress, and also encouraged those who did not win awards to make persistent efforts. She said, "I feel happy for you. It is not easy to be a good child. I used to rank number one, number two, number three, yet my father was still not happy. He did that deliberately. He was in fact extremely and silently happy inside. He smiled to himself at night. They were deliberately being picky, so that we would make further progress. My father was very strict and did not praise me even once. I studied harder and harder. That's why I became a teacher." (Everyone applauded.)

"If my parents spoiled me all the time, did not scold me, did not push me really hard, I don't know where I'd be today. So for those little friends who did not receive awards, or those whose parents don't think they are good enough, don't worry and don't feel sad. You still need to try hard. It is important that we know that we are good -- not that others praise us. The winners just now deserve it. You should follow their examples, so maybe your life will become more comfortable, you will make more progress in your studies, and it will be easier for you to communicate with your parents."

Master also highlighted the qualities of a good child, "I think a good and excellent child is not only good-looking or high ranking in school, but he/she must also have a beautiful heart -- a loving heart, be patient with other people, endure humiliation, and have the spirit of humbleness and the attitude of sacrifice and dedication. A child like this is really good. He should remain smiling and obedient no matter how badly his parents get angry at him, how teachers treat him. He would not strike back and start a fight no matter how other students treat him. Instead, he would use his love to move them. This is indeed a good child.

"If you are like this -- that's enough. It doesn't matter if you receive an award or not. You can buy chocolates outside. (Everyone laughed.) When you go home, meditate more. Everything will become okay if you meditate more. The knowledge in the world sometimes is very impermanent. Maybe we don't have such talents but that doesn't mean that we don't have wisdom inside. Wisdom and knowledge are different."

Master's prophetic words also gave the old 'children' much to think about.

Master Satisfied My Wish

Young fellow initiate Li's biggest desire was to ride in Master's "big baby carriage" (Her beautified golf cart for children), but she had not had a chance. Her mother comforted her, "Master will know your wish as long as you are diligent."

She immediately changed her habit of being irritatingly slow to doing things quickly and with concentration. Her scores in school also improved dramatically. She was even accepted into a highly competitive music class. She also helped with housework and took care of her younger bothers and sisters. These things pleased her parents very much.

On the day Master awarded the prizes, She called ten children, who ranked A at school to ride in Her "golf cart for children." Li was one of the children; her wish was finally fulfilled.

Young fellow initiate Zhan felt a lot of love from Master during the awards ceremony. He went back with fruitful results both in spirit and materially. He did not think that his scores in school were outstanding; however, receiving this special honor, he treasure it even more and would study more diligently. Thank You Master for Your love!

Things Are Never The Same After Following Master

Young fellow initiate Su liked to go to group meditation because there were many books and toys in the children's house. After entering elementary school, he faced a lot of pressure to study. His mom, also an initiate, asked a Quan Yin messenger for a secret method to help the child. The messenger said, "When the child comes home from school, give him a bath first, let him relax, meditate, and then do other things."

As expected, he became calm and gentle, and his conduct became even better. Currently, the teacher in charge of his class is a vegetarian and the number of vegetarian classmates has increased to five. Su's mom said, "Ever since we have followed Master, things have never been the same again. Everything is taken care of by Her."

Young fellow initiate Lu has been encouraged greatly by the guards of the children's house. She often helps with the work there and also takes care of her younger bothers and sisters. She helps them with their homework on her own initiative. Her most praiseworthy quality is that she is reliable - whatever she promises, she tries her best to fulfil.

Young fellow initiate Zhang gave the book, "The Key of Immediate enlightenment" to his teacher on Teacher's Day, because he said, "This book is very good!" His faith is firm and he likes to go to group meditation. It is his experience that it is easier to enter samadhi while meditating with many people. We asked him, "If you did not win a prize, would you be upset?"

He answered optimistically, "No, I wouldn't. I'd try again next year."

Shy in nature, young fellow initiate Zheng is not used to other people's praise. He said, "It may be better not winning a prize." He was surprised that all his good deed and the praiseworthy comments by his teachers at school -- his honesty and loving heart, were revealed publically at the ceremony. Cooking is another one of his special hobbies. His stir-fried cabbage is said to be even better than his mom's!

Young fellow practitioner Liao, who received two large bags of awards for being selected the "best child," has often come to Hsihu Center with his mom in recent years. He loves Master very much. Last year, as soon as Master returned to Hsihu Center from abroad, he applied for and became initiated. Every time Master walks around the crowd to bless everyone, he always quickly runs after Her. He has also received a lot of blessed food.

Liao is very popular at school, and this semester he served as a monitor in his class. He is good at billiards, table tennis, swimming, karate and baseball. And he usually finds adult opponents to play Chinese chess and Chinese checkers. His biggest wish is to practice meditation diligently in this lifetime and follow Master to be able to practice smoothly.

I Am My Mother's Little Dharma Guard

Little fellow initiate Chang is only nine years old, so he had difficulty carrying all the gifts awarded him. However, he still used all his might to carry them himself, because it was an honour awarded by Master, not any ordinary prize.

Besides immediately sharing the candies with other little friends, he also told his younger brother, "These toys were given by Master to us. We will enjoy them together."

Before he was initiated, little Chang was always listless and unhappy; full of fears and insecure. After initiation, he became strong and relaxed. His mother, a fellow sister, said with a touching tone, "Master is the greatest psychologist in the universe."

Having been initiated for many years, little initiate Chen has developed a good habit for meditation. Each day at meditation time, he summons the whole family, as if he is a dharma guard. Whenever his mother goes to a retreat, he is more anxious than She is, and always "checks" her luggage, especially for the Initiate's Identification Card. Only then, does he feel assured.

In the eyes of her schoolmates, little initiate Won is a gallant hero. Once, she accompanied her mother to a company meeting, and saw her boss smoking continuously. Therefore, when she returned home, she wrote a letter trying to persuade him to quit smoking. Under her loving advise, the boss has greatly reduced how much he smokes.

Little initiate Chen loves very much to meditate. He often encourages his schoolmates to become vegetarians and to pursue spiritual practice. He even gave sample booklets and magazines to the mother of a classmate, and explained to her the benefits of spiritual practice. Observing his progress in study and in daily life after the initiation, his father and aunt have also started a vegetarian diet and are practicing the Quan Yin Method.

Wishing To Do Something For Master Mommy

Young fellow practitioner Wu has been a vegetarian ever since he was in his mother's womb; he became a half initiate as soon as he reached the age of six. Now his whole family frequently meditates together at home. Although he is naughty sometimes, when meditating he is very serious. Master has said, "Children are Buddhas. They are young physically, but their souls are not."

Because his parents both work in the field of education, they know well about the importance of family education. So Wu and his brothers have been responsible for doing simple tasks around the house since they were in first grade. Although their parents still have to clean up after them sometimes, by doing at least some housework, they are trained to be independent and to do things on their own initiative.

Children who practice the Quan Yin Method are pure, but it is hard for them to avoid learning bad language and behavior at school. Fortunately, they meditate earnestly everyday and their bad habits can be easily erased.

Young fellow initiate Yu and his sister both won prizes. This was not the first time he has won a prize. He has received flowers personally from Master, has had rides in Master's golf cart twice, and has even sat by Master's side. These priceless gifts have encouraged him greatly. He feels that Master Mommy loves little initiates very much, and he also loves Her as much. To express his love to Master Mommy, he meditates even more diligently after returning home. He wants to be a good role model for his sister.

Since both of his parents work at the local Center, he has taken the responsibility of taking care of himself and his sister. He also helps with housework so that his parents can have more time to work at the Center. He would really like to be able to do some work for Master Mommy in the future.

Especially Good Homework After Group meditation

Little sister Yu loves Master very much. She follows Master's instructions and meditates everyday. Master has said, "Your wisdom will develop more if you meditate more." Therefore, her brother always does very well at school and sister Yu herself also always ranks highly at school. She does her homework exceptionally well, especially after group meditation. She loves Master, but she is too shy to say, "Master, I love You!" After winning the award this time, she wants to say, "Master, thank You!"

Generally speaking, parents all feel that their children have improved in their personalities, temperment and physical health after they received initiation. Parents who are spiritual practitioners are more likely to treat their children as independent individuals and as their respectful friends. Children who practice spiritually seems especially pure, innocent and natural. They also have the quality of helpfulness and the desire to be useful, honest, and trustworthy to others. They have their own spirit of independence. They help with housework, take care of younger brothers and sisters, and are self-disciplined.

With Master's love, they all willingly meditate and experience the joy of meditation. They also realize the benefits of meditation in their lives. Their other achievements such as progress in school work, enhanced abilities to learn, and development of their other talents are all due to the wonders of meditation.

Each time when I saw other little children riding in Master's car, I really wanted very much to have a ride too. However, I dared not push with the crowd, fearing that Master might be too exhausted.

Each time on my way home, I felt very sad. No matter how my parents consoled me, I still thought that I was not good enough. Therefore, I meditated even more diligently, hoping to sit in Master's precious car one day.

When participating in the competition for the 'excellent little initiate' this time, my parents told me that an 'excellent little initiate' does not only behave nicely that day, but also everyday; even when my sister annoys me deliberately, I still must love her. They asked me if I could really do it. I thought I could, and was very happy to have the opportunity to participate in the competition. I specially reminded myself not to fall asleep during meditation on Saturday night, and extended the meditation time to one hour.

On Sunday, my mother dressed me up like a little gentleman, and reminded me to talk and walk like one -- to be worthy of being Master's good disciple. I was very nervous because there were many questions I couldn't answer well. I only wished to see Master, so I didn't mind though my legs ached after waiting in a squatting position for a long time.

My mother asked about my feelings when I received the prize from Master personally. I said I was very happy, very delighted, and very excited. She kept on asking. I don't know what else she wanted to know. Adults are really strange! Oh, I forgot. I realized then that Master loved me a lot, so I laughed even in my dream. Originally, I had the opportunity to ride in Master's little car that day. However, I didn't, as I was very contented and felt that I shouldn't be too greedy.

That day was just like New Years Day, and my whole family was very happy. Master I love You.

The day I received my prize was the most unforgettable day for me. Master gave many prizes to the nice children encouraging them to be serious in their meditation, obedient and diligent. I was very fortunate to have received a gift of love, and that made me feel very excited.

After getting my prize that day, I shared the candies with fellow practitioners, enjoying

Master's love with them. They gave me many words of encouragement. I will never forget that day.

In the future, I will meditate more seriously, and be a good child of Master. I wish I could grow up quickly to get full initiation from Master soon.

This time, receiving the prize from Master was the greatest encouragement for child initiate Chang. He resolved to improve using greater effort. In a democratic way, father and son listed all their shortcomings, and agreed to outline some guidelines for awards and penalties. For instance, if the son didn't meditate seriously, there would be no

watching of cartoons. In this way, the father is more relaxed, and the child is happy to abide by the rules he agreed to. A timetable which includes two meditation sessions each day was even drafted, and he goes to every group meditation. Conversely, if the father is lazy, the child does not hesitate to spur him on!