On December 27 to 28, 2003, approximately two hundred fellow initiates, including children, from Canada and the states of New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Virginia gathered for a retreat at the New Jersey Center to celebrate a “real” Christmas for the first time. All who attended received gifts especially prepared by the Center. In order to share the wonderfully joyful atmosphere of the event, additional blessed candies and fruits were given to the contact persons from the five states to share with their brothers and sisters who were unable to attend.

Fellow initiates who attended the event are sincerely thankful for Master’s blessing, which enabled them to successfully conduct their most memorable Christmas retreat ever.

Most Christmas activities revolve around the family and home and so the holidays are especially hard on the homeless, who often have neither. Thus, San Diego Center initiates decided to provide the less fortunate in their area with some Christmas cheer by distributing substantial gift items that they could use both at Christmas time and through the year.

At the end of November 2003, the practitioners began preparing the gifts by cutting large rolls of fabric into single-sized blankets and sewing a professional-looking hem on each one. The blankets were then packed in colorful, festive Christmas gift bags that also contained a sample booklet, one of Master’s magazines, a warm polyester sweater, a pair of thick cotton socks, a knit cap and a box of delicious chocolates.

After weeks of research and phone calls, the initiates found a shelter for homeless veterans in San Diego where they could distribute the gift packages. So on December 21, the initiates met at the Center and loaded several vehicles with 150 beautiful packages. One tall, husky Chinese brother dressed up as Santa Claus and everyone else wore red Santa hats. When the brothers and sisters arrived at the shelter the residents immediately cheered up, even before the gifts were unloaded. Many veterans came up to the initiates and wished them a Merry Christmas before they could even close their car doors. One cheerful homeless man named Buzzard went straight over to the brother dressed as Santa and said, “I have one wish for Christmas: Love, Peace and Happiness for the whole world!” And the brother replied, “What a wonderful, compassionate wish that is!”

Christmas gifts packed with Master’s love are ready to go!	Fellow practitioners and Vietnam veterans together at the shelter.	A veteran enjoys reading Master’s magazine without noticing the camera has caught him.

Next the practitioners set up Master’s portrait, loaded nine tables in front of the picture with big bags full of gifts and sang “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” for the residents. Speaking for The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, one of the brothers then conveyed Master’s love to the group, winning loud applause and warm smiles from everyone in the room. Finally, Santa and all his initiate-helpers gave each man a gift bag and conveyed their sincerest holiday wishes.

The practitioners also spoke individually with the residents during the visit and had many warm interactions. For instance, one resident in a wheelchair named Don Miguel wanted to learn more about Master and said, “I don’t know much about Her, but what She has generated is great, beautiful.” A brother initiate smiled and told him he would pass this message on to Master, and that the booklet in his bag would explain more about Her. The project was indeed a gift for everyone: the homeless brothers, the shelter staff and the practitioners. It was extremely energizing and uplifting to organize the activity and prepare the gift packages, and a profound blessing to spend time with men who truly needed compassion and love.

Previous Page