by the Taoyuan News Group, Formosa
From August 22-31, 2003, the Second Annual Taoyuan National Book Exhibition attracted more than a hundred publishers and 200,000 visitors. Among the participants in the event, the biggest of its kind in many years held by the Taoyuan County Cultural Affairs Bureau, was the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co., Ltd.
Fellow initiates created a wonderful display of Master’s publications and presented Her teachings in a vivid, lively manner through such well-planned activities as “A Picture a Day,” “Learning English through Comic Strips,” “Cracking Riddles at the Book Fair,” “Onsite Storytelling” and spiritual seminars. Computers were available at the venue for online viewing of comic strips in multimedia animation, and a coffee corner was set up in which visitors could read books over delicious snacks and fragrant drinks.
Toddler
Saints and Elderly Saints Alike Return Home In conjunction with the release of Master’s latest illustrated book of wisdom tales, God Takes Care of Everything, initiates adapted the spectrum of colors used in the text for the background of their exhibition booth, whose soft, warm, lively style attracted numerous visitors of all ages. Even toddlers dragged their mothers to the display, and one small child of about two, who had been crying loudly, was quieted down by Master’s photo on the illustrated storybook. When a sister initiate placed the book before him, the cute, innocent little saint immediately moved his face, still wet with tears, toward the book and kissed it, totally forgetting his unhappiness. Watching this touching scene, the infant’s mother could not help smiling and bringing him into the booth. The two spent a long time appreciating Master’s paintings and publications, and were reluctant to leave.
On the first day of the Exhibition, a gentleman in his seventies lingered at the Company’s booth for hours. Speaking with emotion, he told the sister initiate who greeted him that he had long been an earnest supporter of the Quan Yin Method, but had been unable to receive initiation because of his age. He especially used to enjoy reading Master’s News magazine sent by his local center as each issue brought him bliss and inner peace. However, when the online version of the News replaced the printed version, the gentleman lost touch with the Quan Yin Family. Thus to him, the Book Exhibition was the setting of a reunion with long separated relatives. Overjoyed, he kept repeating, “I’m back with the team again! Finally, I’m back with the team again!” Deeply moved by his words, the sister warmly extended her arms to welcome him home.
Another sister serving at the venue noted that two of her relatives had been suffering from an unknown inner conflict, but through God’s amazing arrangement, both visited her in Taoyuan while the Book Exhibition was going on; so it was only natural for her to take them there. One of the relatives, who had been practicing the Convenient Method, immediately felt the loving ambience pervading the venue. And the other had no understanding of spiritual practice, but after learning more about Master’s teachings, she also decided to begin practicing the Convenient Method. Thus through the Exhibition, Master once again guided many lost lambs Home.
Learning English through Comic Strips: Using Master’s stories as teaching materials, fellow initiates proficient in English instruction offer English lessons to children in a relaxed and joyous atmosphere. God’s Invisible Arrangements are Always Perfect
The preparations for and progress of the 2003 Taoyuan Book Exhibition perfectly demonstrated that God takes care of everything! Local initiates had initially planned to provide a rest and meditation area for the work team at the event, but the organizers could only offer a room in a remote basement corner. Unexpectedly, on the first day of decorating the venue, this “rest area” came as a gift from Heaven. Because a lack of decorating material in the adjacent booth had forced the exhibitor to leave its rear portion unused, and the size of the space fit the initiates’ requirements exactly. After some negotiating, this place became an ideal location for the work team members to meditate in. Fellow initiates could not help but marvel at yet another example of God’s incredible arrangements!
On the last Friday of the Exhibition, a woman working in the neighboring booth came over and said to a brother initiate with great sincerity, “I must tell you that I love watching your Master’s DVDs very much. She speaks so logically! At the Taipei International Book Exhibition earlier this year, our booth was just opposite yours. Ever since watching your Master’s DVDs there, I have been observing a vegetarian diet!” In such incredible yet indiscernible ways, Master delivers sentient beings with affinity as naturally as a breeze creating ripples on a lake.
Children’s Drama Receives Widespread Acclaim
To introduce the new release God Takes Care of Everything to the public in a dynamic and interesting way, the Taoyuan Center and the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co., Ltd. held a special conference at the Exhibition on August 26. The main program featured two children’s plays based on stories in the book. A seminar was also held, where many experienced education experts and scholars discussed the meaning behind God Takes Care of Everything, agreeing that education should begin at the fundamental level and wisdom should rise to the highest.
At this event, young Taoyuan initiates performed “A Thief Becomes a Spiritual Practitioner” and “God’s Arrangements are Always the Very Best,” winning warm applause from the audience and praise from reporters, who commented that our young initiates’ performances were as good as those of professional children’s drama groups.
Then in response to the earnest requests of many guests, the young initiates presented two more performances, one each on the last two afternoons of the Taoyuan National Book Exhibition. On both occasions, the shows attracted large crowds and became the most exciting events during the concluding stage of the Exhibition.
When reporters asked the young actors how they manage to perform naturally, calm their nerves and overcome stress during rehearsals, the initiates answered, “We just meditate more! Meditation helps us calm down, and then we’re able to perform in a very natural way.” Another said, “We just practiced more and became more confident. So we weren’t nervous during the performances.”
Hoping to make full use of the Book Exhibition to share Master’s teachings with people of affinity, fellow initiates also held four spiritual seminars at the Cultural Theatre of the exhibition hall. After the seminars, the participants could proceed to Master’s display booth. And those who were interested could learn the Convenient Method, thus reaping the benefits of the ultimate Method capable of elevating body, mind and spirit.
Conclusion
Through events such as the Taoyuan National Book Exhibition and through Master’s love and blessings, the spiritual consciousness of the world’s population is continuously rising. So with hearts full of bliss and gratitude, we again thank Master for Her compassion, and thank God for arranging everything!
