Andong and Daegu initiates regularly visit Andong Prison to share Master’s light and love with the inmates. Once a year they also prepare a special program, along with gifts and a delicious vegetarian feast.

On May 19, Golden Year 3 (2006), Andong and Daegu initiates held another annual activity at the prison, called “Sharing Warm Love.” This event especially targeted about 40 long-term prisoners in deep need who were very lonely and longed for some loving care, having been ignored even by their families and with no one coming to visit them for years.

Sisters and brothers arranged gift packages of clothing, candy and cookies, as well as Master’s love in the form of sample booklets, News magazines, Alternative Living flyers, etc. Many delicious kinds of vegetarian food were also prepared.

The day of the visit began with the blessing of a blissful rain from Heaven. To enter the hall where the prisoners were located, initiates had to fill in forms, show ID cards and pass through many heavy iron doors. The prisoners were so isolated from the outside world! After briefly introducing the Association, initiates comforted them with some elevating words for their soul and also showed them some brief yoga exercises, which they could do in their tiny cells. At lunchtime, inmates were lovingly offered delicious vegetarian meal boxes sincerely prepared by initiates. Initiates wanted to join the prisoners for lunch, the prison officers strictly kept them separate. Initiates were informed that the prisoners had nothing more to lose so anything could happen, which required strict control.

Initiates learned from last year’s experience that the prisoners consumed a lot of food, so this year they prepared more than enough. This enabled the prisoners to enjoy a variety of vegetarian dishes, which they found to be much more delicious than the food they received other days. They especially loved the fresh fruits, consuming 10 large watermelons in no time! The pleasant smiles on the inmates’ faces told initiates that they were feeling happy, not only because of the good food but more importantly because of the loving care and attention they received that day. The surprise gift packages were very much appreciated, and the prisoners clearly enjoyed reading the sample booklet and the News magazine.

Lunch was followed by a short performance. A vocalist music major sister sang a few songs, and other initiates played the violin and harp. When all initiates sang together Karaoke style, the prisoners clapped with joy and asked for more songs. At that moment, initiates felt the separation between them dissolve, and all became one without any borders.

The two hours’ allotted time passed very quickly. Everyone felt sorry that the time was so short and already looked forward to the next event. Waving hands, the inmates’ faces expressed deep appreciation. Although it was a short meeting with restrictions, the prisoners did have this opportunity to smile and feel happy amidst the cheerful songs and sharing of love. We thank Master for giving us this chance to bring comfort and joy to these lonely people in isolation and hope God’s love will be always with them.

In front of Andong Prison	Introduction to some simple yoga exercises	Initiates give performance and sing songs

The inmate included his painting in his letter

“I am feeling much more emotionally stable after seeing you on the 19th.
I am especially grateful to you for bringing more peace to my mind and good health to my body. It was not easy for you to come here to this desert place, and I expect many of us can better understand Master and Her teachings through your help. May is family month, and it is very lonely here, but I met you through Master’s arrangement, coming here to set a good example for all the inmates.
Sometimes, I feel confused and have difficulty due to a lack of concentration in meditation. But since the 19th when I met the fellow brothers and sisters, I feel I have more confidence and that my soul has become more pure.”
“I am trying my best to be reborn through meditation which is so precious and gives me strength. I know that you are busy, but kindly advise me on how to concentrate better with this method in order to purify myself inside. As a novice I don’t know much about it, but I do feel that my mind has become more calm and peaceful. I am sure that I have received a new life through the vegetarian diet and meditation practice, for the life in prison where people are very affected by even minor trouble.…”

Letters of appreciation from prisoners

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