Welcoming Spring, Feeling Great Warmth at Master Ou’s Birthday Party

The Chinese lunar calendar date of December 28 (2010.2.11) is the happiest day of the year.  We 1,300 PGSG students  went to Lake Deity to be with our esteemed Master Ou and his wife, Mandy; together we all had a wonderful celebration.

In order to make it welcoming and harmonious, many students had made detailed plans and preparations beforehand for the party.  Thus, when we entered the banquet hall it was like walking into a big, warmhearted family.

On the printed program, we could read the list of events for the feast: in the afternoon the finals of the singing contest, “Entering into Ou Wen Wei’s Music World”; in the evening a joyous birthday party.  At 2 p.m., for the prologue, Master Ou delivered a speech, “The Musical Journey of Pan Gu Culture,” with deep affection.

During the previous six months, students from different areas were active in the singing competition.  From preliminary contests and quarter-finals, which included hundreds of programs, they came for the finals.  In this day’s twenty-nine programs, every performer sang in a heartfelt way with deep affection that inspired the audience’s souls and provoked warm applause.  To name a few in particular, Jessica Lin from the U.S. sang a solo, “Spring Has Come,” with a voice like clear spring water that moistened the audience’s hearts; students from Zhongshan City formed a chorus for “What is Love?”, performing skillfully with beautiful singing and rich feelings as they expressed the meaning of love; students from Yue Xiu District in Guangzhou sang “Motherland” with true love, thoroughly showing their heartfelt feelings for their motherland; another team of students, from Dong Shan District in Guangzhou, sang “Benevolent and Beautiful” in a harmonious and moving way that touched our hearts.  Although they are not professional performers, their very real affection was the same as or even better than that of professionals.  In this day’s pleasant atmosphere, they sang for our respected Master Ou with sincere hearts full of benevolent love, showing the harvest of much practice of their singing.

These past few years, we students have never forgotten that the music of Master Ou is full of miraculous, broadminded, and deeply affectionate lyrics and melodies that touch our souls and lives.  His songs strengthen our wills, our courage, and our faith and enable us to understand and enjoy a special, deep love.  On this day, the performers valued highly the opportunity and the platform to express their sincere gratitude to the Master.  During the entire contest, he sat as a judge, enjoying the students’ performances.  At times he would wiggle his pencil along with the music, at other times singing the melody in a low voice, sometimes even clapping his hands for the performers.  All the students were enchanted by the beautiful melodies, feeling resonance in their souls at every moment.

After more than three hours of competition, the results finally came out: Outstanding Award, First, Second, and Third places.  Mandy announced the names, while Master Ou awarded the prizes to the winners.

The banquet began, and gradually the lights became dim.  With the song “Blessing,” the front curtain opened slowly, and dozens of students carrying candles formed a “love-circle.”  The tiny candle flames reminded us of unforgettable moments.  Yes, in the past we might have felt hopelessness and darkness in our lives during the torture of illness, but it is Master Ou with his broadminded love who brightens our lives with new hope.  Right now, we were expressing our deeply sincere, heartfelt gratitude for the Master with silence rather than words.  Later, all 1,300 students sang the “Happy Birthday” song together, sincerely wishing our respected and dear Master a happy birthday!  During the singing, he received flowers from two little students and also cut the birthday cake.  Then we all drank a toast to celebrate, wishing Master Ou “happy birthday” again as he wished health and happiness for all his students!

            During the feast, Master Ou and Mandy went around to every single table, greeting everyone.  We gave them our warm greetings in return.  The whole atmosphere was filled with the spirit of touching friendships between Master and students.

Also during the party, Master Ou recited his recently created verse, written in ancient classic style, “In Appreciation of Autumn,” to let us feel the true affection from heaven and earth, the beauty and goodness from nature.  As he melodiously chanted, a strong ancient breath transcended time and space, penetrating our souls.  All the students were enchanted with the poem.

Later on, students performed their carefully prepared programs.  There was singing by a young children’s group, also the playing of melodious instruments, beautiful and colorful dancing, and a “healing-music” choral group, touchingly expressing their new lives.  You see, for years these children have suffered illnesses (like cerebral palsy) but are now feeling vigorous and well enough to sing Master Ou’s songs. This is the miracle developed through benevolence and love!

Near the end of the party, when we felt a little regret that we hadn’t enjoyed ourselves to the full and felt reluctant to end it,  Master Ou, carrying the microphone, walked up to the platform.  Suddenly many of us had a special feeling that he had a surprise for us.  Sure enough, he played the electronic piano while singing his latest work, “Green Grass”:

Green grass, very green,

                        Very green, green grass:

                        It has a strong life force,

                        Not afraid of hot weather,

                        Not afraid of cold weather;

                        No matter in the east or the west,

                        No matter in the north or the south,

                        It can still make a home,

                        It can still grow

Green grass, green grass,

                        Covering fields all over with green,

                        Covering hillsides all over with green,

                        Providing the great earth with scenic beauty.

Green grass, green grass,

                        Welcoming the breeze,

                        Welcoming the sunshine,

                        Providing all things with happy hopes—

                        I appreciate your strong will;

                        I also like your green waves

                                    dancing in the wind:

                        Beautiful green waves.

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With this wonderful melody transporting us, we all “traveled” around the green fields.  After singing the song, the Master expressed his deeply felt wish for us: “I hope your life-force is as strong as the grass that can grow in health wherever it finds itself.”  These encouraging and inspiring words left a deep impression in our minds.

Then, with Master Ou leading, came the highlight of the party: we sang “Big Family” together:

Unafraid of winter’s cold or stormy rains,

                        In my heart, only a golden sunset…

Let me open my heart like a flower

                        To embrace tomorrow, tomorrow…

Although the gathering finally had to end, the songs of Master Ou still continue to inspire us and to give us power, courage, and confidence, accompanying each of us toward our brilliant tomorrows as we welcome a more wonderful future.