Video-1117
(20170514)

May is the best time to express our gratitude, love, and devotion to those close to us!

In the early summer of 2017, members of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association from aroundthe globe gathered at the Hsihu Ashram with grateful hearts to celebratethe blessedbirthday of our Master. An array of entertaining programs and performances with aninternational flavor were presented at the gathering, which also featured a vegan birthday cake. During the eventMaster and discipleswished all the mothers of the world a Happy Mother’s Day.

After the performances, as a symbol of world unity and peace,representatives ofvariouscountries read messages for Mother’s Day in their native languages to express their sincere gratitude and kind wishes to Master and all mothers.

Supreme Master Ching Hai offeredher special thanks to mothers everywherefor giving enlightened Mastersa chance to come to ourownand other worlds to enlighten us andbless the planets. Master reminded everyone that motherhood is not only life’smost demandingjob, but also the one that is most unappreciated and likely to be taken for granted. She added that children should be more considerate and respectfultoward their parents.

In order to thank all hardworking, self-sacrificing, family-loving mothers, Master invited several elderlymomsfrom different countries to come on stage to cut the vegan birthday cake and share the joy and glory of Mother's Day!

With the airfull of warmth and gratitude, the Hsihu Ashram was transformed into a place of joy and happiness on that sunny day in May.

1. The celebration kicked off with a dance byÂulạcese(Vietnamese) Association members dressed in traditional costumesandholding colorful fans! A member from New Zealand sang a song entitled "Moonlight" withlyrics that included"Moonlight shines on everyone's heart and brightensthe road back home."Indeed, Master's love and compassion are like rays of moonlight, gently leadingearnest spiritual practitioners to their trueHome.
2. Âulạcesemembers livingand working in Formosa presented the traditional dance, "Ode to MyHometown," which expressedthe feelings oftravelerswho missedtheir happy lives back home andthe joys of self-sufficientÂulạcesecountrylife. A funnylittle surpriseduring the show delighted Master,who happily sangalongwith the performers.
3. A group of our Mongolian members presented the traditionaldance,“Youth of the Countryside,”which combined excellent music by professional composers,outstanding choreography, and skillful dancing,conveying thewarmth and passion of Mongolia’s nomadic people.
4. A pianist and a cellist who had performed atFormosa’s National Concert Hall played “Salut d’Amour” (‘Praise of Love’), which wasfollowed by a happy melody adapted from the Formosan aboriginal Bunun song “Ki Pah Pah I Ma” or “Song of Applause” performed onviola, flute, and hand bells. During this piece the Forest Hall was immediatelyfilled with a cheerful, lively atmosphere!
5. “Those who still have mothers are the luckiest people,”Mastersaid,while sharingtheexperience of reuniting with her parents in Hong Kong aftera decade of separation. Master said the experiencemade her feel likeshe had returned to her teenage years of freedom and ease,when everythingwas taken care of by her parents.
6. Master suggested that we regularly express our love to ourown mothers and fathers and sincerely thank them fortheirkindness.Shealso advised us to show the film about that day's event to children to help them understand andappreciate the hard work of parenthood.
7. Master said that those who haveliving parents are extremely blessed and that they should cherish and stay with them as long as possible. Master then thanked all the mothers and fathers of the world, and repeatedly reminded everyone to honor their parents and cherish their love and sacrifice.