OK, so now another one (awarded meditation Center) is Indonesia. In Indonesia, there are two Centers. One in Jakarta, newborn. Also, worth rewarding because they are working hard. There’s not many disciples. And another one is in… I forgot the name of your... (Surabaya.) Surabaya. Yeah. They are worth praising because the circumstances are different. In some of the countries, the religious activities are not very much welcome and encouraged and are very limited. It’s nothing serious, but you just can’t grow. You can’t grow very fast, or you hardly grow. Grow very difficultly. Like that. So, some of the Centers are like that, like Indonesian Centers. And still, they are very courageous and they push forward with their ideal and their plans. And that’s what’s worth praising. Not how much result they have. It’s how much effort they put in. And in which circumstance. Therefore, I consider all this. And it’s difficult for me to decide. It is very difficult.
Korea has some more. Busan already got it. Now, Jeonju. Jeonju, Korea. They are very hard-working, the Korean people, and very, very disciplined. They are newborn also, one year old, but they spread all over the country. And they already translated the news, very up to date, very quick, in a short time. And also translated a lot of lectures and teachings into Korean. And even though they are newborn, nearly a hundred of them attended, the American retreat, Honolulu retreat. And that’s very difficult for them. Difficult for them to get visas. And this included a dozen monks and nuns. Also, very difficult for them to get out. They don’t issue visas for monks and nuns. (Wow.) So under such circumstances, I think the Korean people are doing well. (Yes.)
And every time I am in Korea for a lecture: The first time, was over 3,000. Second time, 5,000, 7,000 or more, we didn’t count enough. Both places, in Seoul as well as in Busan, same numbers, like from 6 or 7,000 or more because we rented a sport (Stadium.) stadium which could house about 9,000 to 11,000, and it’s nearly full. So, we couldn’t really count. It’s probably… because they are all squeezed to the front. There are no individual seats, just a big bench around and so you can sit as many as you want, as long as you can squeeze together. So they sit like this, all in the front. Now, another one for Daegu, Korea. Newborn, very new, half a year old, but growing strong. They have their own group meditation, their own Center, their own printing, their own everything. Korean people are happy.
Now, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. (Yaay!) He didn’t even know that he’d get it. Now, we have another award – for Belgium. Now another award goes to Berlin. (Berlin.) Berlin. And Munich. (Munich.) That’s it. OK. There comes Australia. Namely, four Centers. I mean, four main Centers are very active. The first one, Brisbane, and Melbourne, Perth, Sydney. Four can come forth. You are from where? Perth. Here. Actually, they could have come up here, so you can all have a look at them, but because they’re so “clean.” It’s raining and everybody’s feet become like Cinderella’s, so they should have stayed down there. Not that we “look down upon” them.
Now we have diverse centers like USA. USA, we have picked three. The first prize is for Los Angeles (Center). This one is the first prize for the US. Los Angeles is working very hard in translating a lot of the Teaching; books and news magazines and also sending them around. Before they printed themselves, but because they printed too lousy and too slow so we took over their business. We let the Taiwan (Formosa) printer do it. So now we don’t print it in the United States anymore, but we print in Taiwan (Formosa). But nevertheless, they help a lot with translation and distribution to the Aulacese (Vietnamese) all over the world.
Now the second prize goes to Boston Center. Which one do you want? (All of them. All.) (All of them. All.) OK. You come only now. (Thank You.) But she is not the only one who has credit for the glory, the whole Center and the whole backing up of the whole congregation, including the Americans, Chinese, Aulacese (Vietnamese). So many people. And Boston is very enthusiastic and very helpful. They even help with some financial problems with some of their neighbors. Wow, very rich, huh? It’s the heart that counts. OK.
The third award goes to Houston, Texas. When was this? (That was when you wore the long dress, Master.) Here? (Yes.) This one? (Yes.) They are both very simple, not upper-class citizens of America, but they’re very sincere and they share their house since many years to any of the seekers and disciples to come and meditate. Their house became a public house. But then they started to put up money for buying a new Center, a bigger one. But then, when it came to the flood victims in America recently, all the disciples put up about $5,000 USD something, so they had $10,000 USD in the account for the new Center. They also drew it out and then added it up. So, it became about $20,000 USD to help with the flood victims. So, this is very good.
Actually, they have been saving hard for a new Center, but then when it comes to victims, you know… So that is very patriotic and that is very worth praising. And you know what? God knows. A few days later, somebody just donated. Without [being] wishy-washy. Wonderful. So you know the award of giving. Never be stingy to your neighbor or to the victims of disaster. And then you will see what you get later on. So, like last year we donated for the Philippine Pinatubo disaster. And this year I get back. From my own work. And maybe we are going to donate it in a minute. And maybe last year it might bring it back to my account. So, it was very lucrative for the Philippines.
Photo Caption: Eyes Enjoy the Sky and the Cloud Soul Enjoys the High Level of Bliss
