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An Unforgettable Event: Golden Year 4 Lunar New Year Celebration and International Retreat
Combined reports by Formosa and U.S.A.
News Groups February 19 - New Year Wish In the evening, Master came to the meditation hall, dressed in a golden vest and light golden shirt, and greeted everyone with Her wishes for a happy New Year and world peace. She told us not to blame outside people or anything if something undesirable happens, because everything is caused by the karma of some individuals and the collective karma of the world. Master advised us to let go of everything such as distracted thoughts, gossiping and worries, and concentrate only on God, on Buddha and meditation, so that we can succeed in spiritual progress. Then She meditated with us for a while.
February 20 - Retreat Begins The first meditation session started at 4 o'clock in the morning. There were four meditation sessions, three hours each, every day. Many initiates also meditated through the night during the retreat. In the very early morning, Master came to the Hall of Sacred Love and led the fellow initiates who had meditated through the night in chanting the Holy Names. She then meditated with us.
In the morning, we lined up on both sides of the road outside the Center to see Master's guests off. Some initiates dressed in colorful Aulacese traditional dresses, holding fresh flowers and Filipino flags. As the cars carrying Master and the guests slowly drove through, we all sang the Happy New Year song, clapped and warmly waved good-bye. We then returned to our meditation.
In the afternoon, Master came to the meditation hall wearing a pink Chinese traditional blouse and white trousers to see initiates from Mainland China and Formosa. She told a Chinese story about a poor young scholar who was content and humble and who was later blessed with wealth and a beautiful wife. The story was to remind us that we should be a good person and don't worry or ask for more things. Whatever belongs to us will come to us naturally. We will get more merit when we help others, if we don't ask for it. And when we encounter some undesirable events, it is all because of karma. As we persist in spiritual practice, slowly we will become more patient, more tolerant, and our state of mind will also change. It will be easier for us to accept whatever happens, and when the time comes, everything will be resolved and then the situation will improve.
In the evening, Master came to the meditation hall again, this time in a red Chinese traditional dress and a white shawl. She told us a bedtime story about a person who became rich by saving a turtle. So we should save more turtles (meaning animals) by not eating them. The person in the story represented one who has repented and so the merciful heart of Heaven not only forgave him but rewarded him greatly and also gave him the opportunity to be a prince in the palace. Our situation is similar. We have committed many mistakes before by eating meat and drinking alcohol. However, as soon as we come to the right path, we become celestial beings, even though we are still on Earth.
February 21: The Butterfly Effect When coming to see us in the afternoon, Master said, "The scientists' research has proven that even the flapping wings of a butterfly affect the whole atmosphere of the planet. Can you imagine what the flapping of your mouth and mind does to the whole atmosphere of humankind? That's why I have told you again and again that you have to be pure in action, speech and thought. If you know already it is wrong and you still do it, it is even worse." In the evening, Master came to the meditation hall to see Aulacese initiates and told us an ancient Aulacese story.
February 22: 13th Anniversary Celebration
In the early morning Master meditated with us and instructed all to do sound meditation together. In the afternoon Master came to the Hall of Sacred Love to see Westerner initiates. In Her initial comments, Master highly praised the beautiful job that the construction team had done in putting together this simple and grand meditation tent, the Hall of Sacred Love. Then Master told us a story about some farm animals that ran away because they feared being killed for Christmas dinner. She hoped that one day animals wouldn't have to run from us in fear and will instead feel the friendship and love from humans. Master also said that animals are very intelligent and understand everything humans say; it's just that humans cannot understand them. Thus, Master said it is terrible that people could kill these beautiful, harmless and innocent animal friends just to eat them. Master wished that one day the human race would wake up to know that animals and we are the same, just different forms. Suppose we were living with other giant creatures and they killed us all the time to eat one by one; we would feel helpless, miserable, sad and terrified. How can it be that a world exists like this where we make ourselves into such fearful, vicious kinds of beings? Everyone should rethink the program of their life and lead a noble life. If there's no more killing, this planet will be a heaven. In the evening, Master appeared to join us for the celebration. A short video about the origins of Supreme Master Ching Hai Day was shown. Following that, various joyful and outstanding artistic performances were presented by talented initiates from different nations including singing, dancing, magic show, and musical instruments. They were so creative, spiritual and professional that we were all deeply inspired and impressed. Master also praised the quality of the programs.
February 23 - Appreciate God's Best Arrangement In the afternoon, Master told us a long ancient story about an Iraqi king who asked God for a son, which God didn't want to give to him because it would have made the king suffer much more. Master explained that whatever comes naturally and easily, that means it is our destiny to have it; otherwise, we may have trouble in the long run. Whatever we have, we should be happy with. In the evening, we enjoyed a delightful vegetarian barbeque with Master. Cheers and laughter were everywhere. Master invited the chocolate-colored brothers and sisters to come sit with Her. They happily chatted, sang, made jokes and ate together. Before leaving for the evening, She reminded us to make sure to meditate before sleeping.
February 24 - Bid Farewell with Master's
Love Shortly after the early morning meditation session began, Master came to the Hall of Sacred Love in a white dress. Pleased with the initiates' diligent meditation, Master happily rewarded us with a beautiful poem by ancient Master Jelauddin Rumi, "All Through The Night God Is Calling Us." In this poem, Master Rumi encouraged and urged His followers to meditate through the night for more spiritual progress:
(Teachings of Rumi, Shambhala
Publications, Inc., Master explained the poem, sentence by sentence, according to Her personal experience. She also told us that meditation through the night was indeed very beneficial. "Rise up, use this time richly, you poor man! If you don't, you'll burn with regret when your soul's separated from your body." Master said that Rumi was telling the complete truth. Many people experience this after passing away. They feel very sorry because they are still at a lower level, watching others speeding by, flying to a higher dimension and regret that they have wasted their time on this planet for nonsensical purposes. Rumi was a Muslim, but he mentioned Moses. In the old times, any Master would know that all religions point in the same direction. So Rumi had no discrimination against any other religion. Master said we can recite this poem every night, reminding ourselves to be more diligent. Then Master told us two wonderful jokes explaining that we really have to love our enemies, who often come back as wife, husband, sons and daughters. That's the way we have to love our enemies. So, we can do it now or do it later, do it willingly or by order of the law of karma. Finally, Master wished everyone well on their return trip home and to bring with us Master's love. Some initiates packed at that time and left for home full of God's blessings. Others stayed longer in the Center to continue enjoying meditation and being together with Master. Soon after the retreat had ended, at about six o'clock in the evening, under a night sky beautifully lit by the moon and stars, Master granted a reception for the working team members at the square in front of the Treasure Pavilion. After treating the fellow initiates with candies, biscuits, drinks and other blessed food, Master told us that She fully understood and appreciated the work we had been doing quietly for the retreat. Her tender words touched the hearts of all initiates present. 
Master then recalled our memory that this was the same place where Master created Her historical painting, "Hsihu Sunset." Master said that the scenery at Hsihu Center then was nothing special - not many trees around nor any high-speed railway nearby. Over the years, through the concerted efforts of Master and disciples, the Hsihu Center today has been transformed into a beautiful "Holy Mountain"! Master congratulated us that our diligent spiritual practice truly makes everything better. She also told us some stories related to spiritual practice, and conveyed Her wish that our world would become increasingly better, just like in the times of the Sage Emperors Yao and Shun, when people would not pick up any lost objects on the road, and had no need to close their doors at night. As soon as the party was over, it rained heavily through the night, seeming to cleanse everything in the world.
February 25 - New Year Gifts to Children and Guests Apart from worldly matters, we also have to take care of big matters after this world such as knowing after death where our soul goes. While living, if we do good, be good, keep precepts, avoid hurting others, and help people, then we don't need to care too much about after-death matters. Even if we don't have much to leave materially, our merits are better than property and money. The life after death cannot be bribed with money or exchanged for position. We should earn more spiritual merit and refrain from hurting animals, the fewer the better, and should have vegetarian diet, the more the better. With loving hearts to help the animals to live longer, we also will live longer. For whatever good we have done, it will return to us in manifold ways. 
After that, Master told us the story about a scholar from a family that had been poor for many generations. The scholar wanted to complain to God. On the way to find God on an island, he met a rich man and a farmer who kindly let him stay for several nights, and a turtle that ferried him across the river. Each of them entrusted him to ask God something. In the end, when the scholar had finished asking God all the questions on behalf of the others, God left, and he had no chance to ask about his own problem. Nevertheless, the fate of this scholar changed completely afterwards. Especially if we take care of people first, God certainly will take care of us. 
After telling the story, Master distributed
the New Year gifts, including colorful piggies, balls and bats, etc.,
to all the children there. The joyful atmosphere highlighted the beautiful
memory of these Heavenly days with Master!
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Fellow
initiates continued to arrive from all over the world for the five-day
international retreat, which started officially on February 20, the
following day. A grand tent, constructed for the retreat and named
the Hall of Sacred Love, was used for meditation. Inside the tent,
the stage was decorated in the theme of an ancient Chinese imperial
palace with a golden roof made of bright cloth with colorful stripes.
The bare ground of the entire hall was covered with a comfortable
carpeting. Thanks to God's blessings and the talents of many fellow
initiates, the entire Hsihu Ashram had been converted to a gracious
paradise emitting a joyful and peaceful vibration everywhere.
In
the afternoon, Master came to the Hall of Sacred Love in a light blue
cloak with white collar and trim, looking graceful and regal in bearing,
to conclude the retreat. She told us some stories including one about
a holy Muslim king who earned his living by hand-copying spiritual
books, and his servant's lucky experience on the way home with the
very little yet very clean money given to him by the king.
In
the evening the remaining initiates enjoyed another barbeque and tea
party with Master. Master and initiates sang one song after another
throughout the whole evening and had a wonderful time.
This
was first Sunday of the Lunar New Year. Many fellow practitioners
brought their relatives and friends to see Master. In the afternoon,
initiates and guests sat together in the Hall of Sacred Love. Master
came and wished everyone a happy New Year of success and prosperity.
Master said that, for world peace and for our own happiness, in addition
to taking care of worldly obligations, we should meditate whenever
we have time so that after leaving this world, we can go to Heaven.
