[Taipei] Spring time is ideal for relatives to get together. Therefore, fellow practitioners from Keelung, Taipei, Taoyuan and the northern regions of Formosa held a major family day of activities on Youth Day at the Dan Shui Seaside Recreation Area.

Everyone felt relaxed and cheerful as they strolled barefoot on the sandy beach, looking at the bluish ocean extending into infinity. Far from the concrete jungles, businesses and household chores, it was the ideal time and place to relax and have fun with friends and relatives. Reverberating across the seaside was Master's beautiful taped voice singing Her ethereal poems, which purified the whole place and transformed it into a paradise on Earth. Everyone was intoxicated, and forgot about all their worldly worries. Tourists visiting the beach also had the good fortune to hear Master sing.

The organizing group planned many entertaining programs that enhanced the peaceful beach event. There was a barbecue at the garden area which attracted many tourists who were very curious about the great variety of delicious vegetarian food products. Many of them made inquiries about the food and even purchased items at the information counter.

On the beach, young fellow practitioners had great fun building sand castles and floating in the water, while others perspired profusely playing beach games. Both the competitors and cheering spectators enjoyed themselves to the utmost. Actually, the main aim of the games was not winning or losing, but to encourage individual effort for the good of the group. Therefore, the games helped everyone to realise "the tremendous power of a group when united". If members of a group can maintain the same goal, same spirit and same rhythm, they are unified and invincible.

The day's brilliant program concluded with an exchange of gifts. Coincidentally, all the gifts brought by guests were received by fellow practitioners, while those brought by fellow practitioners were received by guests. The beautifully packaged gifts that were prepared by fellow practitioners included Master's audio and video tapes, books and other precious items. Incredibly arranged by God, these presents fulfilled their purpose of introducing a great Master to sentient beings, and everyone seemed to get the most suitable gift.

A family day of activities held at the beach organized by fellow practitioners of northern Formosa. In the evening, after meditating on the beach, beautiful fireworks radiantly decorated the night sky, reflecting our glorious inner nature of spiritual practitioners. Then fellow practitioners from Keelung prepared to launch traditional "sky lamps". Written on these red, yellow and white paper lamps were everyone's sincere wishes. All helped to launch the sky lamps, accompanied by the brilliant fireworks. They soared straight to Heaven. Everyone wished that the people of the world would have blessings to pursue spiritual practice soon, and attain a state of mind as peaceful as the sky lamps themselves.

Vegetarian Cooking Classes Launched!

[Taipei] To help fellow initiates learn how to use vegetarian food products and to prepare nutritious, delicious dishes, the Taipei Center specially invited the Chef of the Tang Tang Vegetarian House, Mr. Sotome Osamu (a Japanese national) and his wife Su Tang Tang (a fellow sister) to start a vegetarian cooking class. The venue of the class was the kitchen of the Joy Vegetarian Plaza. There was an earnest response from fellow sisters who loved cooking, and they wasted no time to enroll.

The theme in March was "Family Dishes From Various Countries". At the first lesson, and within a very short time, the instructors succeeded in teaching us how to cook several practical and easy-to-learn dishes. These included a refreshing apple and spinach salad, tofu steak, and tomato and lettuce soup.

We enjoyed learning and eagerly looked forward to the time when we could taste the wonderfully prepared food. Unanimously the two instructors were praised for their ability in knowing how to cook dishes from various countries. They could cook dishes without using MSG, which were prepared easily, without sacrificing the nutrition, and retained the original tastes of the ingredients. Therefore, the finished products were delicious, refreshing and nutritionally well-balanced.

Many of us later made the dishes at home, which received high praise even from the non-vegetarian members of our families. We hope this kind of activity promoting vegetarianism can help more people to be vegetarians, thus reducing the "killing" karma. Master has said that if all people become vegetarians, this world could be sustained longer and there wouldn't be any hunger in the world. So let's start by learning how to prepare vegetarian meals.

Spiritual Feast In Spring

[Jiayi] This March, the Jiayi Center participated in two activities held by local social groups, hoping to let more Truth aspirants have the chance to join the path of spiritual practice. Coincidentally, there was a downpour of blissful rain before each event began. After the thunder and rain, all the cells in everyone's body seemed be refreshed by the soothing atmosphere.

The first activity was convened by the Chinese Youth Corps who invited the Jiayi Center, a Branch of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, to be their associate convener. The theme of the event was "Extend a helping hand from your heart, to care for and accept disabled compatriots". The purpose of the activity was to raise funds for the disabled, and the Jiayi Center responded by giving a monetary contribution.

The program included a "Garden Party of Love," tickets for which were given free to disabled persons. There were free health check ups, a blood donation clinic, disaster and fire alarm exercises, information and demonstrations about garbage recycling and material recycle operations, et cetera. A lot of people were attracted by these activities.

Fellow practitioners prepared delicious vegetarian dishes to serve guests, and they also decorated the venue beautifully with Master's photos, paintings and lamps. Taking the opportunity of having a large crowd, the publications group played Master's lecture videos, and introduced Her teachings to those who were interested and who stopped to watch. Master's sample booklets and News magazines were also distributed free of charge to the guests.

Fellow initiates from Jiayi spread Master's teachings during an event convened by the Shi Xin Cable TV Network. The second activity, held on Youth Day, was convened by the Jiayi Shi Xin Cable TV Network. The event was broadcasted live and the network conducted an exclusive interview with the Jiayi Center. In detail, fellow initiates explained the objectives of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, Master's teachings and the charitable activities launched by Her. We hope these activities will motivate society and therefore attract more people to join community work, as well as pursue spiritual practice to benefit the whole world.

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