From July to August, 1999, a project called "Meditation and Prison"
was conducted with the help of the Director of the Institutional
Penitentiary Unit at the County Heredia Justice Ministry in Costa
Rica. The project was enthusiastically welcomed and supervised by
the Unit's Director, security officers, and staff members.
It is important to highlight that during our meetings with the Director,
the topics discussed were related to the international reports published
in the News Magazine, mainly the report: "How Can Meditation Solve
the Crime Problem in Prisons?" The experiences spoken of by the
inmates involved their achievements in attaining inner peace and
discovering their inner being, effecting positive changes in their
habits, and better interrelationships and communications with others.
The Director remarked that he had learned of Master's teachings
in 1997 when disciples had contributed Master's books to the Penitentiary
library. The support given by Penitentiary staff members was sincere
and kind, enabling the inmates to derive maximum benefits from all
the activities. The staff members and supervisors were very attentive
and responsive to Master's teachings.
Each month we conduct a program entitled "Supreme Master Ching Hai's
Video-Lectures and Convenient Method Training." This task is supported
by Quan Yin messengers. The prison has a population of around 150
inmates. At present, almost one third of the inmates have learned
the Convenient Method, and many more have approached disciples requesting
additional information, magazines, and videos.
Vegetarian
Kitchen
A course in vegetarian cooking was begun for the kitchen's chief
cook and two assistants. Master's disciples teach them basic aspects
of food manipulation and various ways to cook vegetables and grains
mixed with soy products, instead of cooking flesh. On August 28,
the entire population of inmates enjoyed a delicious vegetarian
meal. All were satisfied and expressed their happiness while eating
the soy based food. At the end, they received the sample booklet
"The Key of Immediate Enlightenment," along with the lecture "Why
We Must Be Vegetarians."
This course on vegetarian cuisine is scheduled to be completed in
four months, and the main goal is to show the prisoners that it
is possible to live on an alternative diet that is economical as
well as healthy. This project has been coordinated at the institutional
level by the Director of the Penitentiary Unit (Prison) in Heridia,
The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association and the well-recognized
Vegetarian Restaurant Vishnu, to gain sponsorship for the soy products
and training. The goal is that at least ten days a month, the prison
will offer 100atural and vegetarian food.
My
Personal Experience
Participating in the project "Meditation and Prison" has been a
great experience that has helped me to be more loving toward my
neighbors, and to understand that all people are kind; that we must
always work with enthusiasm and loving sincerity. We shouldn't care
what the situation is, because we all have a mission on this planet.
The inmates at the prison are very sensitive beings and feel Master's
love. They have said that when they see Master's pictures and listen
to Her speak, they feel a great sense of peace mixed with happiness.
During the times when they watch Master's video-lectures, I can
feel their deep respect and love. One day, the inmates were watching
a video-lecture and at that moment, the kitchen assistants brought
in some fruit, but the inmates preferred not to eat until they had
listened to Master's last word. An atmosphere of peace and harmony
could be felt at that time.
I can feel Master's presence working through the entire organization,
and facilitating the resources of the project. Her arrangement has
been perfect. Sometimes, I have been amazed because everything is
going so well, especially because I know that in terms of human
logic, it is impossible. Then I think, "This is a miracle!"
Out
of the Ordinary