After the evening gathering, Master received fellow disciples from all countries by turn. With great compassion and patience, She answered all their questions, and blessed the new initiates and disciples who had problems. Finally, She said that those who were leaving that day might go on to the stage with Her; I was absolutely delighted! When Master was blessing me, I gazed at Her and saw that She was praying devotedly with eyes and palms closed. Her concentration and sincerity are several thousand times greater than mine! Master stayed with us until after nine in the morning; She had blessed many people. Feeling a little tired, I talked to a resident disciple by my side whom I knew, saying, "Let's go get some breakfast!" But she looked at Master passionately and said, "No! I will leave only after Master has left." Feeling her intense love for Master, tears nearly fell from my eyes.
*Charng Er (the
Moon Goddess) and the Jade Rabbits descend from the Moon Palace to partake
in the
mid-autumn festivities with celestial beings from different parts of the universe.
At lunch time, Master came and moved around on horseback. She had been accompanying us since the gathering the previous evening, and had not had any rest until after nine the next morning. Besides, She had blessed many people. Riding on horseback, She looked exhausted and fragile. Sitting at a barbecue table and holding my bowl, I cried loudly, oblivious of the attention from the people around me. On the previous night, Master had told us that resident disciple Tong Li Shih had left this world, and that She had lost one of Her best friends.
*The
Supreme Master Ching Hai appears on horseback during the celebrations.
*Master receives fellow practitioners from various countries.
She had expressed human emotions and was very sad. This incident
made Her cherish more the moments She spent with us, because She
did not know when we might be leaving Her.
This evening's gathering was the last one of the Moon Festival.
Master appeared very happy watching the performance. When She looked
back every now and then, I observed that Her expression was really
innocent! And She looked at me tenderly several times.
Together with everyone, She sang many familiar Aulacese songs. The
more She sang, the more delighted and energetic She became, and
the louder She sang. I couldn't help wondering: She was so exhausted
the night before and that noon, yet She suddenly seemed so refreshed
and energetic. In this regard, I would like to quote a statement
that a fellow brother once used to praise Master: "This Master is
really 'not an ordinary person'!"
Time seemed to fly back to the good old days in Hsihu when Master
roasted sugarcane stalks and sang songs with us. Master spoils us
by incessantly giving to us more than we ask for. When She walked
around throwing blessed food, She also sang a few Chinese songs.
It was hard to imagine that after so many years, Master could still
remember those songs, and She even remembered the lyrics clearly!
Then a contest broke out between the Aulacese and Formosan disciples;
one moment it was an Aulacese song and the next, it was a Chinese
song. That was great fun! Finally, when Master was leaving, the
Formosan disciples sang a Formosan song, "Wait a While!" It was
precisely the song to be sung at that moment! I couldn't help smiling.
Postscript
Each time Master came to see us, She always put on Her best makeup, and dressed Herself in Her most elegant and beautiful clothing to show Her sincerity and respect for us. During the Mid-Autumn celebrations, I could see that everyone had brought out their best and noblest aspect to demonstrate the quality of heaven. I have also decided to get rid of my habitual unwillingness to take the trouble to dress differently than my usual casual wear. Heaven is here on Earth!
*Master
joins everyone in a chorus.
*Three little winners
of the "Best Appearance" award
*Children enjoying games and competitions
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We
are One in Heaven and on Earth