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Panorama
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Report from California, USA
Report from San Jose, USADisplaying Truth, Virtue and Beauty
at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
[Los Angeles] On Saturday and Sunday, April 27 and 28, 2002, the seventh annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books was held at the prestigious University of California, Los Angeles. The Festival is America's largest literary event, and this year, over 150,000 people attended.
Once again, members of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association from the Los Angeles Center participated in the Festival by sponsoring an exhibition booth to share Master's teachings, humanitarian work and artistic talents with attendees. Many people were drawn to the elegant exhibits prepared by initiates. In the front of the booth, Supreme Master Ching Hai's publications were creatively displayed. On the left side of the booth stood three large panels featuring enlarged photographs of Supreme Master Ching Hai's worldwide charitable activities. Upon viewing the panels, many guests expressed their admiration for Master's compassion and love for all people. In the center of the booth was a podium displaying books filled with Master's paintings and fashion designs. Many people who examined the books were impressed by Supreme Master Ching Hai's versatility and creativity as an artist. On the right side of the booth, Master's paintings and Longevity Lamps were on display, and many who saw the lamp designs exclaimed, "Those are the most beautiful lamps I have ever seen!"
Numerous visitors interested in the spiritual path gladly took the sample booklets and News magazines on display. And sincere Truth-seekers were also overjoyed to obtain the video "Walk the Way of Love: An Introduction to Supreme Master Ching Hai" and video tapes of the TV program A Journey through Aesthetic Realms.
As festival participants walked by, they were attracted to the television in the booth playing the videos of the concert One World...of peace through music and the program A Journey through Aesthetic Realms. Several young people said that they recognized Supreme Master Ching Hai's image because their parents watch the program on local TV channel KSCI 18. The new vegetarian cooking video, "The Art of Vegetarian Cooking: Flavorful & Nutritious Cuisine," was requested by many who wished to adopt a healthier and more compassionate lifestyle.
Through the L. A. Center's participation in the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, many spiritual seekers had an opportunity to learn about Supreme Master Ching Hai's teachings and the Quan Yin Method, and through Master's blessings, more light and love will continue to pour forth into the world.
Report from Illinois, USAMulticultural Earth Day
[San Jose] In April 2002, the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Vegetarian House was invited to attend the inauguration of Multicultural Earth Day in the Hispanic district of San Jose, to promote greater participation in and awareness of environmental protection in the community.
The restaurant responded by setting up two booths, one to serve food and another to display Master's videos, books, and magazines. The Vegetarian House was the only vegetarian food booth in the whole venue, but it attracted more people than any other food vendor. We also noted a number of repeat customers!
A roving reporter from a San Francisco TV station spotted our booths, was quite intrigued with our activities and promptly videotaped Master's magazines, sample booklets and large photos on display. Later, he thoroughly enjoyed a sumptuous feast at our booth and left contented. Our Spanish-speaking neighbors were delighted to discover that Master's magazines and booklets were available in their language, and also took copies of the English edition for their friends. We conducted several video interviews with those dining on our vegetarian fare, and although the majority were non-vegetarians, they all shared a common belief that vegetarian food is healthy, and some were quite surprised that it can taste so good!!
A Dream Come True- Successfully Promoting Vegetarianism
[Chicago] Due to the efforts of local initiates, many students at universities in Chicago, Illinois now eat healthier food and recognize that animals have a right to live on Earth. Last year, a small group of Korean college student practitioners decided to create "vegetarian lunch boxes" and ask Chicago area university cafeterias to sell them to students at inexpensive prices. The universities agreed, and the very first vegetarian lunch box was introduced; a nutritious Korean sushi roll containing cucumbers, avocados, and carrots.
This summer, with students off from school, these young practitioners decided to open a small café to introduce vegetarian food to a more diverse group of people within the local community, and to display Master's books and Aphorisms.
After a suitable location was found, through Master's blessings and arrangement, Alice and Friends' Vegetarian Café opened its doors in May 2002. Since the initiates had limited capital with which to buy accessories, the café is very simple, with just a few small tables and chairs for customers. The practitioners also decorated the café with framed versions of Master's aphorisms on the walls, so that customers can benefit from reading them while ordering food.
Without money to advertise, the initiates have been relying on their customers to spread the word that the café is open. On the first day, only one person came to eat. On the second day, two people came, and on the third day, three people came. After the third day, nearly 20 people came. Now there are more and more customers, and the café is crowded nearly every day.
The practitioners are very pleased that God answered their sincere prayers. They also hold a group meditation session at the café each day after work. And even though Sunday is a day when they could have more customers, they close the café on that day to attend group meditation at the local center or travel to other states to attend the two-day retreat every month.
Many customers who come to Alice and Friends' Vegetarian Café pick up sample booklets and read them while ordering food, and all of downtown Chicago has been blessed by Master through this "dream come true."
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| Alice and Friends' Vegetarian Café in Chicago, run by Korean college student practitioners. | |
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The
Café is decorated with framed versions of Master's aphorisms
to convey Her teachings.
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