Together we surmounted all difficulties and after over 20 days of hard work, the once dilapidated farmyard was completely changed from inside out. Now when you come to the farmhouse, your eyes are first met by light yellow tiles paving the yard. Neatly lined against the south wall is a row of cement cabinets, on top of which sit potted plants brought by fellow initiates. A small and tender remontant osmanthus bush and some golden sunflowers greet us at the foot of the east wall. Nearby is a small cement platform for flower pots, where some green potted plants flourish. All four walls look new after a whitewash, and in the west end of the yard, a clear water pool, stoves, a kitchen, and a bathroom are available. Looking beyond the yard, we can see the overlapping peaks of green mountains. Next to the yard is the colorful vegetable garden. Whitewashed walls topped by red roof tiles form a beautiful picture in the green woods.

Local initiates have spent many days together here, lighting fires to cook meals, picking home-grown vegetables and fruit, and singing joyful songs in the sunset. Before we know it, the moon and stars have climbed above the mountains. Starlight embraces every corner of our small yard and we feel that it is heaven. We often sit around in the yard, looking up into the vast, beautiful sky, thinking of Mother Ching Hai, and singing this song:

The night wind kisses the face,
The moon and stars listen to melodies.
Mother speaks so lovingly,
Our joys flow like running waters.
The colorful clouds in the far sky,
Are like the songs You write.
Our blue planet
Melts into Your beautiful dream.

Indeed, it is a heavenly joy to have group meditation here. No wonder everyone says that it is a heavenly place, a Utopia, a saintly abode! It testifies to what Master says: Our will is God's will. Therefore, our thoughts are important. Whatever we want, the whole universe will cooperate with us to get.

Heaven Is in My Heart

Where is Heaven?
It is in my heart,
Where there is no anxiety,
Where there is no sorrow,
Where only joy fills my heart,
'Cause I know very well,
In this whole universe,
Everything is in God's hands,
And I am just a tool.

Where is Heaven?
It is in our small yard,
Where there are red flowers,
Where there is green grass,
And a group of fellow initiates
with the same heart.
When you have difficulties,
When you are troubled,
Everyone gives you a hand.
Even if life comes to an end,
Worry doesn't trouble us,
'Cause Master is our guide
On our happy journey to eternity.

 

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