By sister initiate Cheng Shan-yun, Formosa

The Sun

On May 22, 1994, Master returned to Formosa to preside over the International Seven-day Retreat at Taipei's Asiaworld Hotel. Over ten thousand initiates and non-initiates gathered at the Chiang Kai-shek International Airport to meet Her, on an exceptionally grand occasion. Everyone was excited, and the local initiates were especially exuberant, for Master was on a world lecture tour at the time and had been away from Formosa for more than a year. The airport was so packed inside and outside that many people could not see Her, even though She was sitting in a high sedan chair. Therefore, the organizers arranged a second--almost immediate--gathering at the lawn square of the National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in eastern Taipei.

Master arrived, moving slowly through the crowds, greeting people, joking, chatting, and making enlightening comments along the way. As Master approached her, one sister suddenly saw golden sparkles on the Sun and shared this scene with us. Initiates nearby looked up at the sky. Truly, the Sun had turned into a brilliant golden ball, glittering like a diamond and dancing like an ecstatic child. As we listened joyfully to Master's insightful greetings, we occasionally looked up at the Sun. The meeting between Master and disciples lasted dozens of minutes as people were spread out over the lawn, which covered hundreds of square meters. And the Sun shone brilliantly in the sky for as long as Master stayed at the memorial hall.

I distinctly remember the moment when Master said "Good-bye" to us through a microphone, and I looked up again at the Sun. My God! How could we have looked directly at the Sun, I thought. It was far too bright for the naked eye. I then seemed to awaken to my usual self. It was the month of May and we were in the subtropical zone. The Sun should have burned our eyes. Yet I had gazed at the May Sun several times that day!

The Sun was as bright as usual that day, only it shone more gently and did not hurt the eyes. Perhaps it was our overwhelming air of joy and exuberance at having Master back home that had moved the Sun; perhaps it was its own bliss at joining Master's sacred gathering that had softened its harsh glare. I feel that the Sun was at that time just like you and me -- a fellow practitioner!

The Moon

Although the May, 1998 International Six-day Retreat in Korea's Youngdong Center had already concluded, Master remained at the Center to receive initiates from Mainland China who were unable to arrive on time. This additional chance to be close to Master was a wonderful blessing for those of us staying on at the Center.

On May 14, Master's birthday, She spent the evening around a fire with us. The leaves rustled in the wind on that silvery night. It was a carefree and romantic time. A chorus was begun, and everyone joined in, the initiates' cheerful voices adding to the uplifting atmosphere. When it was the Aulacese initiates' turn to sing, Master delightedly joined in, and we hummed along or sipped from our teacups.

"The Moon also listens to Master's singing!" I said casually to some initiates from Mainland China. Their eyes opened wide in uncertainty. "The Moon can hear Master sing. Look carefully. It will remain stationary in the sky," said I, adding, "But don't keep staring at her, otherwise she will be shy."

For a long time, beautiful melodies floated through the air one after another. We looked up at the Moon every now and then. Really! She did not move! For more than an hour, she remained at that same angle. We stayed up late into the night and when everyone was contented, Master wished us good night and left in Her car. As the car whisked away in a few seconds, I looked up curiously at the sky again. Why, the Moon had moved! Although she had lingered for so long, she made up the distance she had missed by dipping downward by about 30 degrees. I was right about the Moon coming down to listen to Master's dulcet tunes.

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