Through Master's mercy and the
diligent work of a few local initiates, the spiritual seeds sown in
Iran have sprouted, come into full bloom and yielded fruit as the Quan
Yin family recently opened its arms to a new group of Iranian members,
giving the country greater positive power for a peaceful and brilliant
future.
This process began with the initiation
of an Iranian brother who was initiated abroad and became convinced
of the benefits of Quan Yin practice when he discovered that the Method
conformed to his Islamic faith, which fact he grew to understand more
deeply through contemplation of the inner Light and Sound. Upon returning
to his homeland, he overcame all obstacles and persisted in his vegetarian
diet and meditation practice, doing everything possible to introduce
this superb method to his relatives and friends and touching their hearts
with his wisdom, love, faith and sincerity. Thus, in response to their
earnest longing to be initiated into the Quan Yin Method, our compassionate
Master sent a Quan Yin messenger to Iran to conduct an initiation session
for the Iranian sisters and brothers.
The would-be initiates asked
many questions of the messenger before the doubts in their hearts were
erased and smiles of satisfaction lit up their faces. After receiving
confirmation that the Quan Yin Method is in complete accord with Islamic
doctrine, the sisters and brothers were happily initiated and all were
blessed with wonderful visions and experiences of the inner Sound during
the session.
In addition, an elderly woman
in the group, who suffered from a chronic backache that limited her
Convenient Method practice to no more than ten minutes, twice entered
deep samadhi and could not be roused while attending group meditation
sessions during the messenger's visit. The sister sat upright the whole
time, looking dignified and tranquil, and upon emerging from samadhi,
she strengthened the faith of the other new initiates while describing
the beautiful lights she had seen within. The brother who had introduced
her to the Method said it had taken four years of effort to persuade
her of the benefits of meditation and for her to begin practicing the
Convenient Method, and it is now impossible to keep her from meditating!
These remarks caused everyone listening to smile with understanding.
Unable to contain her emotions,
another newly initiated sister noted the close ties between the Quan
Yin Method and Islam and how the path has given her deeper insights
into her religion. She said she now realizes the real meaning of the
Muslim custom of having women wear headscarves, and why their prayer
mats are so sacred to Muslims. For another Iranian sister living abroad,
her father's objections to her meditation practice dissolved after he
observed the unbiased altruistic spirit of The Supreme Master Ching
Hai International Association relief workers who assisted victims during
the recent earthquake in Iran. Being touched by Master's absolute love,
the man earnestly and courteously welcomed the Quan Yin messenger as
an old friend.
The transformations that occurred
among the Iranian brothers and sisters strengthen our faith that the
Quan Yin Method is the source of all religions as stated in ancient
scriptures. In Her lecture in Turkey in 1999, Master also said that
before their prayers five times a day, Muslims have to quiet their minds
prior to reaching the inner level of Prophet Mohammed when He communicated
with the angel in the mountain cave near Mecca. Similarly, the Quan
Yin Method is a deep, silent prayer that brings us into direct contact
with God through the inner Light and Sound.
Upon
his arrival in the land of the pure, benevolent Iranian people, the
Quan Yin messenger found himself warmly welcomed by the local fellow
practitioners and their children. And later, several of the teenagers
in the group drew pictures as gifts representing their love and friendship
for the messenger, who was truly touched by this sweet gesture. (Refer
to photographs.) May God bless the kind, pure and sincere Iranian people
so that many more can soon come to practice the Quan Yin Method, experience
the Heavenly realm while living and return to their Heavenly Home.