When the nuns first started to live in the Abode of Still Thoughts, they lacked even the most basic necessities.

Under their skilled hands, torn mosquito nets became mattresses. Every time they had accumulated seven pounds of old gauze, another mattress could be made.

What about the bed cover? When the cotton in Master Te Jung's old quilt hardened and turned into little balls, she took the cotton out, loosened up the little balls and dried them in the sun. Then she and her companions turned the material into a new comforter. It took a lot of work before the old quilt was again ready for someone to use.

What about the bedsheet? Little pieces of cloth were stitched together, one by one.