Four years have passed I had this occasion to return to Seattle ever since the level 6 class, I like a child long time away from home returned to families. This place gave me a lot of memories. Remembered the astonishment of the first day to the level 4 class, now to level 7 and assistant instructor class. When set foot in the meditation center, a warm feeling overwhelmed in my heart, walked toward I saw the statue of the Grand Master, looked benevolent but not any less majesty of the Grand Master stood there like to welcome all His children returned. I feel a sacred space warmness covers the entire area of the meditation center. Everyone greeting with such earnest, cared for us on every little detail, have you ate yet? Are you hungry? A kitchen full of delicious amazing food. All the brothers and sisters have put full of passionate love into the food, even though people were busy but on the face full of joy, with a smile always on their lips.
The sight of little Vọng (child of Bich Thuy) sitting in the corner of the table watching people pass by. A phrase of her made me remembered always: "Please sit down Miss, why standing legs will be tired", with this same sentence she also invited Master Thuan to sit, a very sincere invitation, a very sincerity cute expression with no formality or color coated. Instructor Lisa and I have the opportunity to help treat her when done she stood up and hugged instructor Lisa said a whole bunch of Vietnamese words (Instructor Lisa with a very gentle face, nodded with a friendly smile on her lips.) then Instructor Lisa asked me what she said? I answered she thank us for helping her.
Another image was imprinted in my heart are Mrs. Dong and Mr. Chanh. In the class I sat close to them, found her with notebook and pen in hand, I thought, "Mrs. Dong is really thoughtful indeed to record what the Founder Masters taught." Yet not as I had thought but she is recorded all the Founder Masters words for Mr. Chanh to read. It was touching to see this scene, my tears almost discharge. The sacrifice and their companionship on the path to cultivation made me feel so tiny.
I have too many memories do not know how to recount? One day was with the Boston meditation group, Ottawa meditation group brothers and sisters confided chatted, talked and listened to each other experiences that we have come across, share, and learn from each other in so many places. 3 Instructors (Johnson, Lisa, Phat) always caring and considerate to everyone. Japanese Princess the new name I gave Irene sounded cute, Hien is also an unforgettable memory when first met in California; Kim Hoang a strong voice of the Boston complement to Hồng Vân gently and tenderly touches people heart when she sing, song of “Thanks to Grace of the Grand Master” is heard several times but always making people touched.
Instructor Lisa Cross saw the nervousness and anxiety on my face, she hugged my shoulders with gentle style and tender with caring face, she explained to me that there is nothing to worry at all, she said, "to think carefully review our hearts whether are worried or are excited and delighted to progress one more step on the ladder of the spiritual path." Words that gave me the confidence to step into the classroom on Sunday. Thankfully Instructor Lisa has brought peace in my heart. Encouragement discreetly and quietly of instructor Lâm Thành like gave me more courage (less scared) in front of a crowd to speak (Instructor Diep made me go up to talk). Besides, I received the sharing of really valuable experience from instructor Tung and Instructor Đây, help me prepare on the way to practice Grand Master Dharma. Another person that I have to mention is Instructor Diep, he reminded the words of Grand Master teaching that reminds me forever: "living real, doing real and speaking real." One additional good message for me and Nick: "Now that you two should understand what you have to do?" Nick and I, the two of us have been derided by sharks on the way fled by sea to live up to now. His sentence was awakened me and made me understood what I need to do for this life....
Another image also highlighted in my mind, it is the kindness of the grandmother, and she sat smiling with everyone coming through as happy as living with the many descendants from everywhere gathered about. The energetic and talented Van Anh and Anh Thu in any organization event I have admired, although tiredness showed on them, but a smile always on their lips. My arms are not wide enough and not big enough to embrace all the sincerity of the brothers and sisters such as: Instructor Nguyên, sister Nho, brother Bảy, Kim Thuy (thanks the pretty cute driver), sister Ba Hoàng vibrant, Julie, Nancy, Quang, Lan, Tuan, Liên, sister Anh, brother Phuoc, sister Trâm, Auntie Hảo, sister Bích Thủy, two Nun, sister Sáu, David, sister of Susan (sorry for not remember the name) and there are many more, but do not remember to tell them all ...... While mention sister of Susan, I wouldn’t forget the enthusiasm and thoughtful of Instructor Susan, plus persistence of the treatment helps Instructor Norman, indeed are the good conduct of the cultivators. Must mention sister Thuy (Dixie MC), sister Mùi (MC London) and sister Liên (MC Dallas) are those volunteers to help the kitchen. Particularly brother and sister Châu Liên, as well as Tân and Phi Phi (MC San Francisco ), sister Ngà (MC Milpitas), sister Nga (MC San Jose), Liêm, Đào, Thuận (MC Surrey), brother Hùng, sister Liên, sister Thu (MC Tra Vinh), brother Đương, Phượng (MC Sydney), sister Sally, sister Chung (MC Edmonton), sister Nga (MC Hawaii, mild Huế accent) even though is the first encounter but deeply intimate.
An unforgettable image on the celebration day of 20th anniversary is when Founder Master Thuan wiped the tears for Founder Master Hai when Khoa Luu sang deep, sweetly: "I have seen tears of Master Thuan, and I saw the tears of Master Hai" in the song of NGƯỜI ĐÃ CHO TÔI by Instructor Nguyễn Lâm.
After two weeks of living in the love surrounding of the Teachers and Disciples, brotherhood, I hope each year we will be reliving the warm moment by the Grand Master, by the Master Thuan and Master Hai at the Headquarters Meditation Center, Anaheim, California.
Let's work together as the meaning of two verses in the poem Truth:
Aim in pursuing happiness for humanity.
Aim in building for everyone to share.
Let persevering heart determined mind clenched hands together and accompany with the Founder Masters on the way to serve:
Serve to become complete.
Completely to serve with compassion.
Writing in London, Canada June 20, 2016
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