The Supreme Master Ching Hai
Reported by Taichung News Team, Formosa (Originally in Chinese)
To help new immigrants in Formosa to have a place to come together and meet, and also to help Formosan residents to learn about another culture, on January 3, Golden Year 13 (2016), the Association of New Immigrants in Formosa held a concert entitled “Love Has No Borders; Let Love Spread.” The event took place on the playground of Guangfu Elementary School in Central District, Taichung City with the purpose of promoting continuing education, encouraging more interaction between different ethnic groups, and showcasing the culture and lifestyles of various regions. The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association was invited to participate in this event, because the president of the Central District Association felt a lot of affinity with Master after previously visiting a Supreme Art exhibition at the Taiwan Glass Gallery in Changhua.
On the day of the event, our Aulacese and Formosan Association members set up the Supreme Art exhibition at the venue, displaying Master’s paintings, Longevity Lamps, poetry collections and other artistic creations. We also played a continuous screening of Master’s poetry recitations, The Real Love musical, Master’s short biography and other videos. The curators were dressed in Aulacese traditional clothing, and our exhibition attracted many fellow Aulacese.
It rained lightly early in the morning, but the attendees were not affected by the weather, and started arriving at the venue as the beginning of the concert drew closer. They walked around our exhibition, reading books, looking at Master’s Longevity Lamps, watching videos, or listening to the curator’s explanation of the spiritual messages conveyed in each of Master’s exquisite artistic creations, and learning more about Master.
We could see the delight in the eyes of the Aulacese guests who were far away from their homeland, as they looked at the Supreme Art. It was as if they were finally being reunited with an old friend in a foreign land. These guests said they were surprised and delighted to get to know a spiritual teacher from their home country.
We served vegan red bean pies and vegan cupcakes. Both adults and children enjoyed the vegan sweets, and praised the deliciousness of plant-based fare. Some guests also told us that they realized the importance of a vegan diet, and were willing to try the new lifestyle. We hope these small seeds planted by providing a taste of delectable vegan food will bear fruits, so that we may soon see Master’s noble ideal “Be Vegan, Make Peace” realized.
Many fellow Formosans also visited the exhibition, including a Taichung City Council member and the Chief of the Central District, to take a look at the works of art. The curators also gave them a warm welcome, and detailed explanations of Master’s beautiful, artistic creations.
Throughout the event, all differences among people seemed to disappear, and everyone came together as one.
