In everyday life, people usually consider a situation “natural” if they know the underlying reason for its occurrence. If they do not know the reason, they regard it as an “accident.” When things go well, they feel happy; and when things go wrong, they feel miserable. Unfortunately, however, many incidents in our daily lives go against our will. Perhaps this is a normal phenomenon of worldly existence.

But to Quan Yin practitioners, who understand the Truth underlying mundane affairs, all events have explanations. We believe that all life experiences are arranged by our merciful Master to serve as lessons to enhance our spiritual growth. When we think in this way, we can accept all situations with gratitude, readily carry out Master’s teachings in daily life, and thus naturally become Happy Yogis!

Recently I experienced three incredible events that confirmed my sincere belief that “nothing is an accident.”

Event I

When my younger daughter Lily was about to have a baby after many years of marriage, I found that while envisioning a future for her child, she became very interested in my spiritual discussions. I took the opportunity to share with her some of Master’s teachings such as “the world is ephemeral; the human body is hard to come by; the purpose of life is the pursuit of Truth” and so on. I also emphasized that one who practices spiritually or helps others to practice will gain incredible blessings from God, and advised her against forcing her child to eat meat if he or she is a vegetarian by nature. After failing to meet his expected delivery date several times, my grandson finally chose to be born on my birthday. I sincerely believe that this was not a coincidence. Instead, it was a testimony to the action of God’s will, which I had discussed with my daughter.

Event II

An initiate-to-be from the San Francisco Center, who had practiced the Convenient Method for more than a year, was hesitant about being initiated into the Quan Yin Method until she attended Master’s 2003 birthday celebration. Unlike in previous years, I also participated in this year’s celebration and “coincidentally” sat next to the would-be initiate. After exchanging greetings, we began to chat very naturally about topics ranging from “nothing is an accident” to the reason she was hesitant about getting initiated. When I understood her situation, I could not help but share my own experiences, while stressing that life is ephemeral, the human body is hard to obtain and everyone’s life has a purpose.

As a result of our conversation, wonders happened. I could not believe that our little talk had had such a powerful impact on the sister — she immediately made up her mind to receive initiation as soon as possible because she sincerely believed that what I had told her was God’s will. She later sent me an e-mail saying, “Your message was so powerful that I had a hard time ignoring it.” How can I not believe that it was all Master’s exquisite arrangement!

When I learned that the sister’s name is identical to my daughter’s — Lily — I was certain that my participation in the birthday celebration and my conversation with her were not accidents, and was very grateful to Master for giving me this incredible testimony to Her blessing power!

Event III

The 19th annual Chinese-American Athletic Tournament was recently held in Northern California. The Chinese community in America invited our group to the opening ceremony, along with various Buddhist groups, in recognition of Master’s merciful and charitable contribution of surgical masks to Formosa’s hospitals during its 2003 SARS epidemic. During the ceremony, as our brothers and sisters marched past the podium, the sponsor introduced the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association as a spiritual organization advocating vegetarianism, practicing meditation, encouraging good deeds and contributing to the elevation of the world’s consciousness. We are sure that the seeds of spirituality were sown in the hearts and souls of countless people who heard this message.

That day, as fellow practitioners were busy distributing sample booklets and flyers, I saw a middle-aged American woman holding a plate of vegetarian food in one hand and a sample booklet and flyer in the other. I then approached her and asked, “Do you happen to know what the Quan Yin Method is?” My question aroused her interest and soon we were happily chatting about Master’s teachings. She spoke to me frankly about her frustrations and difficulties, and many unanswered questions in her life, which revealed her desire to seek enlightenment.

To explain the meaning of “Immediate Enlightenment,” I used the example of how our ancestors obtained fire by drilling wood: If a hundred twirls are needed to produce an ember, then the Quan Yin Method represents the last of the hundred twirls, that is, the burning point of “Immediate Enlightenment.”

The woman not only understood but also sincerely believed my words, and was very happy to realize the true cause of her longing for enlightenment. At the end of our conversation, as I inadvertently asked her name, another incredible thing happened. I was surprised to learn that her name, Sunny, which connotes a bright, warm disposition, is the same as the penname I recently adopted. She was named after her ancestors, while I took the name from one of Master’s parrots. What a coincidence! Actually, all the answers are already there before any questions arise. It’s just that we’re typically unaware of them. By the same token, our life experiences and choices are all clearly written in God’s “grand plan.”