The 2004 Tainan Book Exhibition -- A Spiritual Feast in Golden Year One

By the Tainan News Group, Formosa (Originally in Chinese)

From August 21 to 29 Golden Year 1, the 2004 Tainan Book Exhibition focused on the theme "Spreading Love and Brightening the Sky over Tainan," as more than a hundred publishers participated and the Tainan Center earnestly shared God's love with the world through a vibrant display booth, flier distribution and media coverage. The Center's activity team also prepared a series of brilliant programs and invited many artists and individuals from local cultural groups to share their insights at seminars. Especially impressive were a series of drama presentations, storytelling sessions, poetry recitals and vocal performances based on Master's Wu Tzu Poems in Chinese.

All during the Exhibition, the Tainan initiates entertained visitors with both stationary displays and dynamic programs. The Center's booth at the Exhibition showcased Master's artwork, books, DVDs, videos, CDs and audiocassettes. The programs ranged from vegetarian food tasting, musical performances and a recital of Master's English poems to seminars on health care, spiritual aesthetics and Celestial Clothes, as well as a cultural discussion on Her Wu Tzu Poems and demonstrations by prominent Tainan calligraphers.

Serenity in the Storm

During the Exhibition, the fierce winds and rain of Typhoon Aere struck Formosa, but the storm did not deter countless book lovers from crowding the Tainan Center's booth each day. In front of a huge photo of Master, the visitors received blessings and found a tranquil refuge from the stormy weather. With angelic smiles, sister-initiates cordially greeted the guests and warmed their hearts by serving them fragrant flower tea. The booth was decorated in magnificent gold tones and in the middle was a huge photograph of Master surrounded by orchids. Ingeniously placed around the picture were Longevity Lamps, Celestial Clothes, Master's paintings and other creations, all of which lit up the venue with a strong spiritual radiance and a harmonious mood that combined books, delicate scents, art and spirituality. In addition, Master's lecture videos were presented continuously on two large LCD screens to let guests absorb Her great wisdom.

On the fourth day of the event, a miracle occurred. The initiates' booth was not very large and the stage erected for the Exhibition blocked visitors from getting a clear view of Master's photo. During group meditation that day, the initiates prayed sincerely for success at the event, and a brother received an inner message that the layout of the venue should be changed to facilitate a smoother flow of visitors to the booth. While the brother was speaking with his co-workers about a new layout, the Exhibition's organizer unexpectedly removed two wooden walls around the stage area that had been blocking the view of Master's picture. This change created a much more open view of the Tainan Center's display so that even from a distance people could see Master's large, magnificent photo, and the crowds congregating in front of the stage could conveniently access the booth. Indeed, God had opened the eyes of Hiers children!

Celestial Music Fills the Air

On the Exhibition's opening day, the renowned Tainan band Just Jazz played several of Master's compositions, mainly with a saxophone lead. The music was a delightful surprise for guests, who were uplifted by the beautiful melodies. This marked the first of a series of musical performances held throughout the Exhibition featuring various styles and instruments, including Chinese zither, violin and piano. The initiate-performers thus struck deep chords in people's hearts with music highlighting the bliss of their souls. Also, in a recitation of Master's poems in English, sweet, enchanting voices accompanied by a violin created a splendid atmosphere.

Young Hearts Open to God

A favourite with children at the Exhibition was the illustrated book of wisdom tales God Takes Care of Everything. The youngsters also enjoyed a quiz on the book featuring prizes for many non-initiate children, who joyfully expressed their admiration for the stories and pictures. One participant - a boy so young that his mother had to read to him - was able to understand and answer questions correctly, having previously held Master's book close to his heart each night as he entered the sweet world of dreams. Moreover, the children cherished bookmarks featuring reproductions of Master's paintings. The young people's tender innocence created a heart-warming scene as they repeatedly kissed the bookmarks.

Health in Body and Spirit

On August 22 and 28, two health seminars chaired by fellow initiate medical professionals attracted capacity audiences, who seized the opportunity to ask numerous questions. Through this interaction, the visitors developed a better understanding of the vital links between vegetarianism, humankind and nature. They also came to realize that through positive thinking and diligent spiritual practice one can expand the individual self to encompass the greater Self, and as spiritual consciousness grows the body becomes healthier.

After the seminar the initiates served a wide array of Chinese and western vegetarian delicacies that impressed many of the guests. The food's wonderful appearance, aroma and taste attested to the fact that vegetarian food can be both delicious and highly diverse.

Aesthetic Style of the Celestial Clothes

"Spiritual Aesthetics," a seminar on Master's Celestial Clothes, brought aesthetics experts and fashion designers together to explore the spiritual and artistic values expressed through Master's fashions. The seminar began with background information on the Celestial Clothes, followed by a slide show and documentaries on Celestial Clothes shows held in the fashion centers of Europe and the United States.

Participants spoke about the Clothes from a professional perspective. For example, Dr. Tsai Yi-jin, chairperson of the Fashion Design and Management Department of Tainan Women's College of Arts and Technology, felt a sense of deep humility when examining Master's fashions. Praising Master as a born designer, Dr. Tsai said, "I'm impressed by the color harmony, radiance and beauty of Her designs, and especially Her rare ability to create an extensive variety of clothes. While giving thorough consideration to cuts, composition and curves, Master is able to maintain excellent balance and harmony among all the elements in Her fashions. This is what places Her in a class by Herself."

A fellow lecturer at the College, Ms. He Ling-jin, added, "The Celestial Clothes can really highlight one's beauty! The overall form, cut and weight of the pieces make the wearer feel very comfortable. Only Heavenly objects can be so radiant and lovely. One really becomes beautiful after wearing the Celestial Clothes. They're a perfect demonstration of aesthetics."