On Christmas Day 2019 honoring the birth of the Worshipped Lord Jesus Christ, our Association members from around the world, who had gathered for a meditation retreat at the New Land Ashram in Taiwan, also known as Formosa, enjoyed a happy vegan celebration in the benevolent presence of our Most Compassionate Supreme Master Ching Hai. The colorful acts included vibrant dances, beautiful singing and a heartfelt poetry recitation. After the entertainment program, Master lovingly imparted a most touching speech before cutting the cake. “I’m very happy with you and I thank you for going through everything with me over the years: going through karma, going through trial and tested, failing exams or not failing the exam in spiritual practice. And you still hang around, sticking in there. Thank you so much. I thank you all from my heart. God bless you.”

Oxford Dictionaries’ word of the year highlights increased climate awareness, Somali refugees helped with getting a new start in Germany, Tuvalu receives green energy funding, Ocean Cleanup project introduces river cleaning system, Chinese NGO provides medical support in Cambodia, Israeli foot-tech startup cultivates lab-grown meat in space and therapy dog sworn-in at State’s Attorney’s office in Illinois, United States.

Our Beloved Supreme Master Ching Hai graciously contributes funds to United States-based cancer foundation in honor of young boy’s love for his grandfather, Angola obtains funding to enhance childhood nutrition, biogas utilized to generate electricity in United Arab Emirates, plastic-eating bacteria discovered in India, Spanish startup develops health-protecting technology for firefighters, meat eating declines in New Zealand and rescued elephant settles into new home in Brazil.

Sudan receives humanitarian support from European Union, charity educates Syrian children through mobile classroom, Taiwan, also known as Formosa, to expand solar energy, electric vehicles gaining popularity in United Kingdom, temporary shelter offers hope to wildfire victims in Australia, plant-based meat advances in China and New York City adopts animal protecting measure.

Palestinian refugees receive nutrition support from JAPAN, World Bank finances inclusive and sustainable development in Cameroon, wind energy advances in Thailand, Global sporting goods company introduces recycling program, housing for homeless opens in New Zealand, Slovakian doctor helps patients with plant-based diet program and International Monetary Fund report calls for urgent conservation of whales to address climate change.

Turkey to propose safe zone in Syria, Mongolia receives education funding from Japan, international partnership invests in African aforestation, multinational technology company takes steps to reduce carbon emissions, Australian territory's alcohol policy protects citizens, United Kingdom online food delivery company sees exponential growth in vegan orders, and more land made available to bison in United States park.

Our Beloved Supreme Master Ching Hai graciously presents the Shining World Protection Award to Israeli vegan meat startup, Djibouti receives education funding, Australian state to provide free solar systems for underprivileged families, India looking into planting green wall of forest to curb desertification, couple makes generous contribution toward climate research in United States, United Kingdom’s largest meal kit provider introduces vegan burger and Taiwan, also known as Formosa, launches new pet-friendly buses.

Climate report urges immediate worldwide vegan shift, ZAMBIA gifts land to displaced, New Zealand takes bold step to mitigate planetary warming, compassionate Brazilian dentist offers free care in Brazil and East Africa, Israeli startup develops vegan egg replacer, animal testing decreases to record low in Ireland and Seoul, Korea celebrates the shutting of all dog slaughterhouses.

Global study points out vegan diet could help offset carbon emissions, Zimbabwe receives food aid from JAPAN, crowdfunding safeguards pristine land in Canada, New Zealand to accept more refugees in the coming year, distinguished philanthropist envisions future without animal agriculture, fur farming prohibited in Slovakia and Iran takes steps to protect animals from experimentation.

International scientists call for urgent action on climate change, including meat reduction, Qatar to build eye hospital in Sudan, Australian green energy production reaches record high, Kazakhstan launches a forestation initiative, Singapore to ban sugary drink ads for public health, United Kingdom meat producer introduces vegan product and turtle tunnel protects animals in United States.

European climate study advocates meat reduction, Rwanda receives financing to improve water and sanitation, Australian major city becoming carbon neutral, United States scientists generate green energy from cold night air, Mongolia to enhance medical care in underprivileged communities, plant-based product debuts at largest wholesale meat market in United Kingdom and Israel helps save endangered turtles.

Our Beloved Supreme Master Ching Hai graciously presents Shining World Compassion Award to benevolent lady from Canada, Qatar Charity establishes service facility in Somalia, United Kingdom researchers purify water using algae, Los Angeles, United States appoints its first City Forest Officer, devoted teacher educates refugee children in Ethiopia, Finnish university foregoes beef and Australian scientists develop cruelty–free method to test neurotoxins.

Rwanda to construct bridges to benefit rural communities, climate resiliency support for Indian smallholder farmers, United Kingdom reaches new high in renewable energy production, Fiji prohibits toxic chemicals, Syrian women and girls in Turkey receive assistance, global food giant introduces vegan bacon cheeseburger and smart dog from United States communicates using custom soundboard.

Sunday, December 15, 2019, was another auspicious and blessed day for our Association members at the New Land Ashram in Taiwan, also known as Formosa. Our Most Beloved Supreme Master Ching Hai caringly spent time with them and expounded valuable advice for spiritual practitioners. “We have a lot of good-intentioned people, truly it’s like that. But good intention is not good enough! We must have wisdom; we must have concentration. For spiritual practice, you should never bring your ego into play. You should be always eager to learn more.” “Inside, know yourself; outside, help others. Not just humans, but animals, insects.”

Public health project to assist 10 countries, Syrian refugees in Iraq receive humanitarian assistance from GERMANY, developing countries to benefit from global energy storage program, new initiative supports uniquely abled persons in New Zealand, Taiwan, also known as Formosa, welcomes foreign workers, minimart chain in Hawaii replaces beef with plant-based protein and conservation organization in Kenya protects elephants with drones.