Supreme Master Ching Hai News No. 62
Elevation Of The Soul
Selected Questions & Answers
Answered By Supreme Master Ching Hai
(Originally In English)
Q: If God is within us, why does evil prevail in so many men?
M: It's the misunderstanding of God's law. We have the free will to choose.
Sometimes, when we descend into this world, due to circumstances, we collect
many information and experiences; some of them are very good and useful,
and some of the information and experiences are harmful and useless. If
we are not strong, and we pick the bad one, discarding the good, then,
of course, we are unbalanced, we are more inclined to the bad side. Then,
we have more bad, we are trapped, and it becomes worse. The nobility and
strength of the soul is weakened, until we become totally enveloped by
evil, and act against the law of God. So, take heed that we choose the
good information, and regain our strength of the soul.
Cling to God, pray to God for protection and for the opportunity to accumulate
only goodness. We forget God. That is the problem. We do not call for help.
We choose everything, decide everything on our own, like the children who
do not take the advice of the parents. But, we can change. No matter how
much evil, how much misunderstanding, the moment we understand, the moment
we want to rely on God, the moment we want wisdom, the moment we want goodness
again, at that moment, all the evil will fall away.
So, if we want to go back to God again, we just have to know our weakness
and repent, and then there is an opportunity. If you want to prove God's
forgiveness, then come for initiation. It will be proven to you that no
matter how bad we have been, God always loves and forgives us. Immediately
we will have light, and we will have the sound of God. That's the proof
of Hiers unconditional love. - -
Panama, November 29, 1989
Q: Yes, I would like to ask You that because God is so pure, but we still
commit sins, how can God dwell within us. If God dwells within us, definitely
there is no more sin.
M: Yes. That's a paradoxical thing the Bible says. On one hand, it says we
are so sinful, we are so bad. On the other hand, it says God dwells within
us. So, I will advise you to come directly to Hirm and ask Hirm why. Otherwise,
if I answer you, you will think I am a blasphemous. I am not God. How can
I know that God dwells within you.
Q: Do you have the answer to it?
M: I could, if you press me, if you believe me. We were originally not sinful,
and we never are. It's just our experiences in life, our interaction with
other species of life that makes us react in different ways according to
circumstances, and according to our judgement at that time, whether bad
or good. Then, accordingly we feel that we have done that badly and we
have done this wrong. Then we say we have sinned. And accordingly, we think
we have done that very well and we think that we have merits. Maybe according
to God both are merits or both are sinful. We can only know when we know
God. Once we know God, we see differently; because we see with the eyes
of God, with the eyes of indiscrimination, with the eyes of love and understanding.
Q: Do you mean to say that there are no evil spirits; because evil spirit
is sin, which actually to You is an illusion?
M: Yes, there are evil spirits; but they are also illusion. Therefore, no
sins; because sins are all illusions. But, as long as we live in this world,
we cannot say, These are all illusions, so I can do what I want; because
we still have a bad conscience from it, we have guilty feelings. Anyhow,
even if we live in the illusionary world, we should behave also accordingly.
Why shouldn't we kill someone else because we know it is an illusion? He
doesn't know it. He will suffer. Therefore, we have to spare other people's
feelings and other being's feelings; even if we know it's all illusion.
Avoid evil and do good, because it's good for other people. We have to
live together whether you are enlightened or not.
Q: Yes, thank You
M: Just like you are a father. Do you have children?
Q: Yes.
M: Yes. Okay. When your children play with toys, you will not scold them
when they break the toys into pieces, because these are nonsense. They
are toys. They are plastic. They are childish. You even play with them
and say, Wow! This car is beautiful, fast! It is a small plastic car and
you run Voom! Voom! , and say, Wow! Beautiful and fast! You and I race
together. And the children are happy. All the while, you know this is a
children's game; but you don't criticize. You behave accordingly when you
play with your children. Is that not so? Yes.
Malaysia, February 24, 1992
News 62 Index
A Child's Letter
Master Took Me To The Fun Fair
By A Young Friend, Fu Pei Wei, in Chia-Yi, Formosa
Dear Master,
Although I am not yet initiated by You, Master, I always want to be closer
to You. Whenever I think of You before I go to sleep, You will appear in
my dreams. One time, as soon as You appeared in front of me, You took me
to a fun fair by flying there. You kept me company when I played many games.
You did not dare to ride the roller coaster, so I went on it by myself;
and You still laughed cheerfully. Your laughter was so sweet and gentle.
From that moment on, I want even more to fulfill my wish of receiving initiation
from You.
Wishing You good health and a long life, and that mankind on Earth would
be saved.
Love,
News 62 Index
You May Not Know
The Tathagata State
Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai, Hsihu Center, Formosa
(Originally In Chinese)
The inner vibration and inner light of the Quan Yin Method change all the
cells in our bodies. They make the frequency of our vibrations become faster
and faster. The faster our vibration is, the closer we get to the tathagata
level. Otherwise, how can we become Buddhas (fully enlightened beings)?
Do you know why it is called tathagata ? The meaning of tathagata is that
one neither comes nor goes anywhere. Why is this so? The reason is that
the tathagata comes and goes very, very quickly; but, it seems that he
never comes and goes. Therefore, he is able to go many places simultaneously,
and also to come back at the same time. Although there is no way to see
where he goes, he can be seen in every corner of the universe at any time.
So, he is called a tathagata.
When we were young, we played a game where we put a small ball into a bamboo
hat, and kept the ball rolling around in the hat. When it rolled around
slowly, we could see the ball's movement; but if the ball rolled very quickly,
it seemed as if there were no ball. This is a matter of the speed of the
ball. When a person has already become a Buddha, his vibration is different;
he comes and goes very quickly. But, it seems that he neither comes nor
goes. He is faster than light, faster than anything, even faster than our
thoughts.
We all think that the speed of light is the fastest thing in this world.
If there is thunder somewhere, we can see the flash within a second, because
the speed of light is very fast. For example, a bicycle is very slow, and
an airplane is much faster. Everyone knows that the speed of light is very
fast, but Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are faster than light. However, they
never need to move physically.
Sometimes, you may watch Kung-fu movies shown on TV or Kung-fu shows where
they often have intentionally slow actions, so we are able to see the techniques
used in the graceful Kung-fu movements. But, if the actions are too fast,
we are unable to see them clearly. Some people's Kung-fu actions are very
slow, and other's are very fast. For example, Bruce Lee's movements are
very quick. Usually, before we even see him begin his attack, he has finished
it. Some other people can perform a sword dance or do something else as
quick as that.
A Buddha is even faster, so that ordinary people cannot see their actions
when they come and go. Thus, we call them tathagatas. Therefore it is said,
Zen is within walking, living, sitting, and sleeping.
Those people who are just starting to learn meditation, or those who are
just a little higher than beginners, know when they get into and stay in
samadhi and when they come out of it. Even other people can notice this,
too. But, with a very high level person who has already achieved the tathagata
state, we can never tell when he is in or out of samadhi; because he goes
in and comes out at every moment. Even if he is in samadhi at a certain
moment, we cannot tell, because he is really too fast. So we have no way
to determine whether he has gone into samadhi at any given moment and then
has come out of it. In and out, we cannot determine. He goes into and out
of samadhi at the same time because his level is so high and his speed
is incredible.
We say, Zen is within walking, living, sitting, and sleeping. But, if we
have not achieved the level where Zen is within walking, living, sitting,
and sleeping, there is no way for us to have countless transformation bodies,
and no way for us to be omnipresent. With a tathagata, although he is everywhere,
he just stays in one place. He is supposed to be at the level where Zen
is within walking, living, sitting, and sleeping, where he is both in and
out of samadhi at every moment.
Similar to the game of rolling the little ball around in a bamboo hat when
we were young, the ball rolled around too quickly so that we could not
see it. Whether it was here or there, we could not tell. It rolled around
very, very quickly; and just a while later, it seemed that the ball had
disappeared and was not in the bamboo hat because the speed of the rolling
was too quick.
Furthermore, the tathagata state is not the same as astral projection.
Some people know how to get into a kind of samadhi very well. They can
even remain in this state for several months or years. But, this is nothing
to be surprised about; because they are still at the level where one can
distinguish that they are sometimes in and sometimes out of samadhi.
At this level, there is still a door for getting into and out of samadhi.
However, Zen has no door . Thus, its level is really high. That is why
you often see an inscription no two doors when you go to Buddhist temples.
This means the state where there is no inside and outside, no good and
evil, even no world and no Buddha. But, you have to achieve this level
of no two doors .
You should achieve the tathagata state so that you can go anywhere at any
time, but also remain in one place. Everyone writes, No two doors, or Zen
is within walking, living, sitting, and sleeping. But, no one understands
the meaning of these expressions. This is not something that you can use
the brain to understand. Instead, you need to achieve this state. However,
after you achieve this level, you will still be a normal person. You will
not think that you are a Buddha.
News 62 Index
Pearls Of Wisdom
Improve The Earth On A Large Scale
(August 4, 1991)
Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai, Hsihu, Formosa
April 10, 1992 (Originally In English)
Excerpt from Leading The World Into A New Era.
We would do it in a greater scale, a larger scale. As we move along spiritually,
we move along in helping the world, by beautifying the environment and
by helping the poor and the needy. We have to help the whole world, not
only one nation. That is our vision of the future. We must do it in our
capacity.
So, all of you have to be ready. Whenever I call you, you must come and
be prepared spiritually as well as physically. You must endure everything
that everyone else cannot endure, do anything that everyone else does not
want to do, and work in any field which brings benefit to mankind.
News 62 Index
Poem
Coming To The Rendezvous
By Fellow Initiate Cheng Ching, Singapore (Originally In Chinese)
I know, That You have been waiting for me
From the beginning of love,
Under the Chin Dynasty clouds and the Han Dynasty moon,
Surpassing the transmigration of life and death.
You appear, as You vowed to, With Your parasol;
And a thunderous voice reverberates throughout the planet.
That shakes me up From my slumber.
Having heard the music of the pine forest At Nan Mountain at night, I hurried
to go on my way. Dear Master, I have come To the rendezvous arranged two
thousand years ago.
News 62 Index
Elevation Of The Soul
Audio Tapes of Supreme Master Ching Hai
Group Meditation No. 67 (In Chinese)
* The Secret Of The Pyramids
Group Meditation at Hsihu Center, Formosa June 4, 1995 (1)
* Magic Is The World Of Illusion
Group Meditation at Hsihu Center, Formosa
July 9, 1995
* The Way Of Family Harmony
Group Meditation at Hsihu Center, Formosa
October 8, 1995 (1&2)
The Lastest video tapes of The Supreme Master Ching Hai
* The Importance Of Honest Living
Group Meditation in Bangkok, Thailand
September 18, 1994
(In English with Chinese subtitle)
* True Love
Group Meditation in New York, USA
April 13-16, 1995
(In English with Chinese subtitle)
* Journey To Africa
August 9-14, 1995
(In Au Lac, Chinese, English subtitles)
Vo Tu Poems Out of deep affection from "Vo Tu", A
feast of poetic poems for those with affinity
A hardcover edition has been published in both Au Lac and Chinese languages.
Since then, it has been so popular that the publisher has not been able
to keep up with the great demand coming from all over the world. In order
to satisfy all the fellow initiates' sincere wish to have these marvelous
poems, the publisher has decided to have Vo Tu Poems printed in paperback
to let more poem-lovers experience the great love that Supreme Master Ching
Hai has for all living beings in this world.
News 62 Index
Journey Through The Universal Network
Spoken By The Supreme Master Ching Hai
Seattle,Washington U.S.A.
(Unabridged, Originally in English)
This article was published in Central Daily News, Formosa May 1996
A couple of decades ago, or several decades ago or centuries ago, our life
on this Earth was not so beautiful. We did not have so many highways, we
did not have electricity, and we did not have airplanes. If I had been
born a little bit earlier, say a hundred or maybe two hundred years ago,
I probably wouldn't have the opportunity to be here with you tonight in
such a quick and relaxed way, to share with you the atmosphere of the ancient
sages, of the Golden Age. With these few hours, we can forget at least
some of our sorrows, our hatred, our pressure in order to merge ourselves
in the noble philosophy of the ancient saints. You are invited to join
in the golden moment of higher purposes of life.
Opening Our Wisdom To Connect With The Universal Network
Our world is very, very beautiful compared to many other planets; that
we know of or maybe not know of, just pretend that we know some. Scientifically
speaking, there have been a few more planets that were discovered which
are not as beautiful as ours.
So, we can congratulate ourselves for having such a little paradise where
we have enough water, green and air. Even air, because in some of the planets,
the air is not alive. Sometimes it is very contaminated, and the living
beings can not even stay there.
Our world has been beautified day after day until we have reached today's
comfort. We have a better kind of life with electricity, and with all kinds
of civilized inventions. That is just about material comfort. Similarly,
if our spirit, which is more important than the flesh even, were equipped
with more of the very comforting instruments, then our life would be much
better, still.
Our human body or our human life consists not only of the material appearance
of the body or the thinking power of the mind, but we have also something
beyond these two which is the spirit. The spirit, the wisdom or the supreme
power which is within us is that which makes all things come to life and
sustain them. Therefore, while we are so-called living, we can move, we
can talk, we can think, we can love, we can investigate, we can do many
things. But when the so-called spirit leaves us, then even if the same
body exist, we can not do anything. So, if while living we learn to know
this spirit, which is the dominating factor behind all our living activities,
then, we will be wiser, more enlightened and, of course, more satisfied.
Otherwise, even though we have a lot of comforts in life, and our civilization
has reached such a height in the history, many of us are still unhappy
Many things we want to do in life, many ideals we want to fulfill, but
we do not know how to begin. Even if we knew how to begin, we are not certain
whether it is the true direction. Therefore, many times, we are unsuccessful
despite all our sincerity, our prayers and our good will to serve the world
at large. It is difficult to reach our goal. It is because we do not recognize
the spirit, or the supreme power which is dormant in all of us. It's just
like a person who has a great treasure in his house, and doesn't know where
it is. Therefore, he can not make use of it for the betterment of his life.
I am sure all of us here, and most of the people in the world, long for
peace, true happiness and beauty, inside as well as outside. But, why is
it that most of the time, we spend a lot of money, time in some matters,
but it can not be accomplished? It is because we do not approach problems
from the right angle. It is because we do not use our supreme wisdom in
all of our undertakings.
Actually, whatever we learn outside, the same with every of us, whatever
we try to learn with the mind which is our super computer, we can not accomplish
it in a hundred percent way. Besides, there are so many things to do in
life, so many projects we want to accomplish with only the very limited
power of this computer. Even though it is the best quality, sometimes,
it does go out of order. When we put some wrong fuel in it, like too much
whisky in one day, then it zig zags and doesn't work maybe for one or a
couple of days; or we put too many drugs or something that is very detrimental
to the thinking power of our computer. But if we do things with our great
wisdom, with the central intelligent force which is connected with the
whole universal network, then we can do many wonders, and yet we don't
use any effort. This is what Lao-Tze called "Do without doing, action
in non-action."
How do we accomplish this? It is very simple. All the masters in the past
have promised us that whatever they do, we can do also. If they have become
the Buddha (enlightened being), we can also become Buddhas; because whatever
they have, or they had, or they discovered, we have also. All human beings
are born equal. It is up to us to make use of our treasure or not. God,
if there is one, would not push us; because we are the most respected creation
in the whole universe. We are at the crown of creation, and our free will
is absolute. Because God has made man in Hiers own image, therefore, man's
will is God. Nevertheless, we have forgotten to use our free will, sometimes,
to better our lives or to bless this world. Instead, we have abused this
power; and therefore, many times have brought disaster into our beautiful
planet, and then into our lives.
The difference between heaven and Earth, or heaven and hell is only a hair's
breath apart. The only difference is our attention, we withdraw inward
instead of spreading outside. Then, we know the kingdom of God. But most
of the people think this is impossible, while the experienced practitioner
of the path knows that it is very easy, very simple. Even children from
six years old can do it; and old people, up to sixty, sometimes over, can
even do it. Everyone can do it, because everyone has this power within
themselves. Therefore, the Buddha said, "I and all beings are equal.
How come they do not know it? And Jesus said, What I do, you can do better."
Better doesn't mean we will be higher than Him. Better means that in the
future, we will be allowed more freedom to exert our power, to communicate
this good message to a greater number of people; whereas, He was limited
to only three and half years of preaching. We, in the modern time, can
use a lot of the high technical developments in order to communicate to
the masses. Therefore, He said, "What I do, you can do better."
It's a prediction for a more liberated future, a more liberal future.
In the time of Jesus, the religious activity or the Truth was feared, persecuted,
hidden from the mass of the people; because the politicians at that time
feared anyone who had power would move the masses. Didn't matter if that
power was for the good of mankind or not, that was just a power struggle.
That's why in the ancient times, or maybe up to recently, we have not had
much chance to know about spiritual secrets which are actually not secrets
at all.
Many hundreds of years ago in Au Lac we had no electric lights. One of
our ambassadors, or maybe a delegate from Au Lac, went to France to study.
When he came home, he reported that in the west, people have the lamp upside
down. Before we had the old lamp, which you had to stand on the table.
But in the west, the lamps were all upside down and the water came from
the wall -- the tap water. The king cut his head off. Because the king
and the whole hierarchy, the whole royal household could not believe that
truth, they accused him of blasphemy or not respecting the king, making
a fool of the royal lineage. Not only was his head cut off, but that of
many of his relatives and family members as well.
Such was the punishment in the old times for someone who was suspected
of not being loyal to the ruler of the nation. Nowaday, luckily we don't
have such injustice; the majority of the people in the world know that
the upside-down lamp is very normal. Thanks God.
Many More People Will Be Enlightened
Similarly, many centuries ago, spiritual attainment or becoming enlightened
was something very mystical, very impossible, a very far-fetched kind of
visionary dream. But today, it is a very common theme that people sometimes
even talk about in coffee shops, in the park, in the train or on the buses,
etc. This is good. The age of our world has changed. We have begun to live
in another kind of atmosphere where many more people will be enlightened,
and peace will be more accessible to mankind. Let's hope that in the future
generation, all the rulers of the Earth will not rule with armed force,
but with wisdom and love; because all men are brothers.
The different countries are different rooms which the whole family has
the right to share with each other, and to live with each other in harmony.
As long as the majority of us are not enlightened and not using this super
wisdom within us to take care of the world and to do everything, whether
big or small, our world will not become what we dream or what we expect
it to become. Therefore, the future of the world is in our hands. It's
not only in the political figures of any great nation.
Even if there were one great king who ruled the whole planet, who had great
wisdom like that of Solomon or King David of old, but if the whole mass
of people were swimming in ignorance he couldn't do much. Therefore, when
Jesus, Buddha or other masters were still living, because the communication
was very poor, the enlightenment message was not very widely spread among
the people. Even they had the son of God on Earth, even they had the Buddha,
the world at that time was still chaotic. Today, thanks to the many wonderful
inventions, we have a beautiful communication system and we have fast transportation
methods. Therefore, many of the people of the world, thousands, billions
of people have been enlightened through different saints, different messages
from different spiritual schools. We can see the hope of the Golden Age
in the horizon. Our world, many of the great conflicts between powerful
nations have ceased somehow. Everyone can breathe a sigh of relief, because
we do not fear much the third world war or fourth anymore, or at least
for the moment.
It is because, this age, many of people have become enlightened and use
the wisdom to bless the world or to enlighten the neighbors. One leads
the others and then soon many, many more, the majority of the people will
be living in the wisdom of their birth-right, and using it to bless the
world, make it become heaven. Otherwise, doesn't matter how much we try,
with our limited knowledge of books or experience in our field, we can
only do a very small amount of service to mankind.
Jesus was great and is worshipped by the whole world up to now. It is due
to His wisdom, the supreme wisdom within Himself. Buddha is still alive
within the hearts of the people of the world. It is due to His supreme
wisdom or the Buddha nature, which both of them stated that we also possess.
We know all this, we have read all this, we have learned all this from
many teachers, from many books; but we never wonder, How can I get it?
Why don't I have it? The answer is, we do have it, we can have it, and
we always have had it; but we do not know how to make use of it. We are
too busy with the worldly knowledge that we learned from books, we are
too proud of knowing many things; but the greatest wisdom we have neglected.
It's just like the prince, the son of a king, who has forgotten his heritage
and gone out begging for some morsels of food. It is very pitiful.
Then, we blame God for not helping us. We blame the Buddha for not blessing
us. God and Buddha have already blessed us, have told us what to do; but
we do, most of the time, the opposite. Even if, we just talk about the
very simple precepts, like love thy neighbor or thou shall not kill , even
that, many of us can not keep. God has prescribed the way of heaven, "If
you love me, keep my commandments." If we did, our world would have
become long ago a paradise. Now, if we blame God, we should think twice.
Wherever I go, many people ask me, If God is almighty, why doesn't Hes
turn the world into heaven? Why didn't Hes make everyone better, become
angels and so? Yes! Hes has told everyone to be angels, but we do not listen.
We do not want to keep the commandments of God which can make our Earth
become heaven. Why is it so? We know it, but we cannot do it. We cannot
keep the precepts. It is because we lack the supreme power. We don't have
the strength to resist so many of the temptation of this world.
Beautifying Our Life With The Light Of Enlightenment
That doesn't mean after initiation, or after enlightenment, you don't eat,
you don't sleep, you throw away all your property. It is not the case.
All the worldly-created phenomena, we can enjoy. We just enjoy more, because
we know heavenly life -- that which enhances our life more. Just like before,
we didn't have electricity, we didn't have electric lights. Our world still
went on, but in a little bit more darkness. Now, we have electricity, we
have lamps all over the place, and we can work all night long without any
problem. That makes our life more comfortable and more enjoyable.
Similarly, our life here is already good. But, it would be best for us
if we had enlightenment. Enlightenment means more light into our life.
Not artificial light, but the light that is everlasting. Then, every activity
and everything we do, we are very clear. Not clear at the level of the
mind, but clear at the level of super consciousness. Therefore, we will
always be in the correct direction. Even if we make mistakes, it is not
a mistake. We will know it's just apparently so, but it's actually the
plan of the universal brotherhood.
Many people fear that after enlightenment, they cannot do their business,
that they may not be able to get married, or they will have trouble of
any kind. But it is the wrong conception of enlightenment. Enlightenment
should be, that we will be more beneficial to the world, more efficient
in whatever we do, and more happy in our life. Enlightenment doesn't mean
we have to spend our life in misery or in ascetic practice, smearing ashes
all over the body and all that. You can do that if you are in India. It
saves some cloth. But in the West we don't need to do that. Whatever we
do, whether we smear ashes on our body, whether we shave our head, or we
wear rags or beautiful clothes, it should be accompanied with enlightenment.
And that is all we lack.
We shouldn't and we don't have to change our way of life. We just have
to adjust to a correct way of life. We just have to add more light into
our spirit. It's just like now, we add electric lights to our daily use.
Once we have discovered electricity, we can use it in many, many ways.
We can have television, radio, light, refrigerator, etc. Everything we
want, it is available.
Electricity was not the invention of mankind. It was just a discovery.
Similarly, enlightenment is not an invention of Buddha or Christ or it's
not a gift from any master. It is a birth-right, it is an inheritance within
all of us. Each moment we want to have it, provided we have an experienced
friend to show us the first time how to do it, then we have it; and we
can have it all the time.
Just like if you walk into a house, a new house or your house, and you
don't know where the switches or the electric plugs are. It's very difficult
to go around the wall, touching here and there, to try to find them. But,
if someone who has been in that house and who knows where the switches
are just tells us, then we can even close our eyes and do it everyday;
because we know exactly where they are.
Most of us live in this life trying to go through the hard way, with the
complicated method. Therefore, when we hear someone say, Enlightenment
is easy. It is immediate. It's free of every obligation, we feel very reluctant
to believe.
But why not? If the thing is already in your pocket and someone points
it out to you, why is it so difficult? It was there all the time. In the
Bible, it is even says, "The Kingdom of God is within you, and Seek
first the kingdom of God and all the things shall be added unto you."
Truly, it is like that.
We go through life, spending a lot of energy, time and finances, trying
to find happiness and wisdom through different material means and through
different gains in possession, love or business; but we never find it.
As soon as we are satisfied with one point, we want the next one, and we
will never stop. Deep down within our heart, there is always something
that is not satisfactory, something empty. It is because our subconscious,
superconscious, knows that we have missed the greatest part of our life.
That is the supreme wisdom which is there for us to use. We should use
it, if we want to live a true life and we want to experience true happiness.
If we step beyond this material existence into the world of light and reality,
even for just one moment, we will know that this life is not the only and
is not the best life there is. It is only a copy of the real life. Then
we lose the attachment or the sense of competition that we have for this
very ephemeral life. That's why when the sages of old became enlightened,
they forsook the whole kingdom. They could do that because they had a gain,
they had gained a greater kingdom within themselves.
Jesus said, "My kingdom is not on earth. My kingdom is in heaven."
Where is that heaven? How do we get there? It is right here. We can get
it anytime, provided we sincerely want it. If we do not see heaven now,
in this life, who can be sure that we will get it after we die. Do you
ever work for a company and the boss says, You just work on. After you
die, I'll give you all the money you need. (Laughter) Would you agree to
that condition?
You always believe in the hereafter heaven which you don't see. Therefore,
you are invited to see the heaven on Earth. Seeing that, everything we
see in this life is only a copy, a shadow of the real. Then, we enjoy and
cherish even the shadow better, because we know the real is beautiful.
Suppose you know a beautiful girl and you know her personally. Then, even
when she comes near you, even just seeing her shadow -- you haven't seen
the girl, she was inside the door, and the shadow was projected outside
-- you are thrilled; because you are connected with the real person, and
you know that is the shadow of "my beloved". So, you love even
the shadow as well. You welcome the shadow also, because you know the shadow
comes from your beloved.
See Through The Reality And The Illusion
Similarly, we have many things in life and we try to enjoy them; but most
of the time, the enjoyment is very shallow and short-lived. Sometimes it
brings another misery along. But, if we know the real happiness, then even
in this life, the shadow of the real life, we also enjoy; because we know
where from this life has come and we know even how to adjust the shadow
to make it more real. Before, we did not know how to stand, where is the
angle to make the shadow more beautiful. Now, we know. Then, we go through
life contented, happy, waiting for the time to come that we can step into
the eternal reality, leaving behind all this so-called suffering in the
shadow world. If we do not know this real life while we are still here,
it's very difficult to say whether we will know it after we leave this
world. Because we don't know it, we come back again and again searching
for this life, for the enjoyments that are never fulfilling, hoping to
get it in the next birth, etc. Therefore, comes the reincarnation.
An enlightened person never reincarnates except of his own will for some
noble purpose in order to help some other suffering brothers and sisters
who are still mired in illusion. Most of the people reincarnate because
of the pull of their previous tendencies from the past lives. They can't
resist to be reborn because of the many unfulfilled desires, many ideals
that have not been accomplished. But, using the limited knowledge, which
is passed from one to another in the same world, recycled all the time,
the same thing, we can't know the whole universe. We can't tackle the things
from the root of its problem. It's just like we water the plants from the
leaves and never the root. To be enlightened is to know the root of all
things. Therefore, whatever we do is correct; and people will be also affected
by us and turn into the light. Then the whole world will be bright.
Originally, when we first came here, we were living in light, happiness
and glory. Then, after some time, we became entangled in the enjoyment
of this world. To everything in this world, we became curious. We wanted
to know, we wanted to taste, we wanted to touch, and we wanted to experience
everything that was around us. Slowly, we got in contact with these material
phenomena or appearances, we become more affected by the material side
of nature, and we become more and more material. Eventually, we became
mostly material and the light disappeared from sight. Now, the light didn't
truly disappear or vanish. It just became enveloped in a gross material
case. In order to find the light again, we have to break through the material
barrier.
That we can do with a definite method. Just like every scientific thing,
we have a method; then we can do it. Just like women can bear children
and men not. Therefore, there is one way to enlightenment and the others
are not so effective. The sages of old have discovered this method. Actually
not discovered, the method was conveyed from heaven through different sons
of God at different periods of time, to remind mankind of their glorious
original state -- that they should not forget their origin and should not
wallow in their suffering, which is unnecessary. So, we are here today
to share with you this good news and very simple technique to break through
the material cover, to get in touch with your true glory again.
Questions and Answers
Q: Why is the spirit hidden from us?
Why? Because we just look outside, and we don't look where the spirit is.
Suppose I am sitting here and you're always looking at the back door. Would
you see me? No, right? That's it. I'm not hidden from you. It's just that
you don't want to see me, for example. Similarly with our spirit.
Q: If we are to live in a harmony, why have we created the fear that causes
us to fight?
We do not create fear. We have fear because we do not have the power to
resist fear. We have not known our greatest strength which is within ourselves.
As soon as we know this, our fear vanishes. That's the best way to conquer
fear -- to know our greatness, to know our strength, our super wisdom.
Q: Is there any difference between God and Buddha?
Yes, there is dif ference; but, there isn't any difference. God is the
unmanifested aspect of the cosmic power. Buddha is the manifested one.
Within the Buddha, there is cosmic power. The Buddha came from the cosmic
power, and also possess this cosmic power.
Q: Please tell me about the role of evil in life.
Evil is an extra force that we have created together with other beings
while having interrelationships in our life. For example, I am alone here
having nothing to do and have no business with anyone. Suddenly, someone
else comes. Then ask something, want to do something, then we have a misunderstanding.
We create some very aggressive atmosphere and then that person probably
punches me in the face.
Now, if I couldn't punch him back because of my weakness, I would try to
remember that all the time, try to get any chance at all to give him back
what he has given me, as a present. That breeds hatred. Hatred wasn't there
in the beginning but it was created because of the interrelationship between
me and that person.
That is evil. Originally, evil did not exist. Evil existed after we failed
in our effort to keep to the positive side of our nature, after we failed
to remember our goodness and forgiveness, after we failed the test of life.
We Can Create Heaven
Q: Is the creation of evil the play of the spirit?
No, I told you already. It's our own creation. So, similarly, we can create
heaven if we want to. Every time, we extend loving kindness, tolerance
and understanding to others, we create heaven.
Q: Does the ego need to open to this evil or integrate it?
The ego does nothing. The ego is evil itself. The ego is the feeling of
individual pride, of self-arrogance. Therefore, we should not even bother
about that. We should know our greatness instead of being proud of our
little knowledge and accomplishments. Whenever we are proud of our little
accomplishments or knowledge in this life, that is when the ego comes to
take place of our spirit. This is no good for us. We should do without
any sense of pride or asking for reward.
Q: For enlightenment, is service in love to humanity as important as meditation?
Or is service more important or less important than meditation practice?
Both have to go hand in hand. We meditate because we want to do service
better, we want to be clearer in what we do. Therefore, we'll be more efficient
in our work, and more service to others. Without meditation, sometimes
we have the very best intention, and we are willing to serve people, but
we don't know what is the best way. Therefore, meditation is a helping
factor to true selfless service.
Q: Is it possible to lead a life completely free from doubt and fear forever
and if so, what does one need to do or not to do?
Fear and anxiety come only from darkness, from ignorance, from the fear
of the unknown. Once we get to know the stable side of nature, the real
side of our life, our fear and anxiety disappear. We only fear because
we thought after this life, we have nothing. We only fear because we know
only the ephemeral existence of this world. If we know that life is eternal,
if we know that we are the greatest beings in the universe, we have no
fear at all. So, I invite you to get to know yourself through the means
of initiation.
Q: God is a concept, an idea, but it refers to that which is transcended
and beyond words which are always qualifications of limitations. Infinite,
universal and eternal life is only in the present. Eternity is an aspect
of here. Now, thought and time block it from our experience of life. So,
I think that we can only experience in the present. So, this life moment
is the most important. What do you think?
Sure, but you do not experience it. You only repeat what other people say.
Eternity is in the present time, it's true. For example: Now, I close my
eyes or I don't close my eyes, I see reality, and I stay in the dual world
at the same time. Therefore, I can say to myself and to you that eternity
is here, now, present! But, as long as you don't see it, you only see the
duality, you only see the material world. Therefore, here, now, past, present
or future, it's just the same to you. The reality is different from this
world, different from what we know since we were born into the material
existence. So, if we don't see, we cannot claim the reality is right here
and now. What we see around us now is not reality. Reality is something
beyond this life, beyond what you see here, beyond the material bodies
that we know. If we see it at the same time as we see this body, as real
as seeing this body and this surroundings, then we can claim we see reality
here and now, all the time.
Q: What will happen after death?
I know you sincerely want to know what happens after this life. So, I will
try to explain to you even though I'm not completely dead yet. I'm half-dead.
(Master laughs.) With the world tour and busyness, I'm always half-dead.
Anyhow, what happens after death depends on you. For example, if we are
very virtuous, correct, loving and kind while we are living in this world
as a human being, then after so-called death, we are taken to a deserved
mansion, which is called heaven; but this is not eternal. Because our merit
is not eternal, the heaven corresponding with it is not eternal. To have
eternal heaven we have to find the eternal source of merits, which is the
greatest kingdom within us. Which is, itself, eternal merit.
Now, if in this life we are doing the opposite things, which are contradictory
to the commandments of God and below the standard of humanity, then we
probably have to regress to a lower level of consciousness, of existence
in order to re-experience what we lack, what we must supply to our knowledge.
After some time, we will be lifted up again to a human standard.
If we are better still, above human standard, then we will be asked and
we will be lifted to heaven. The initiates are the ones who will enter
the eternal kingdom and will not reincarnate again onto this Earth or to
any other Earthly world.
Q: Dear Master, how can I get rid of bad thoughts?
To get rid of bad thoughts you have to replace it with good thoughts. It's
very simple. You don't want to wear black, then throw it and wear white.
Q: Master please talk more about the Buddha nature within us?
The Buddha nature (our true inner self) is the so-called supreme master's
power which moves the whole universe, which makes all things alive and
beautiful, which makes us wise and loving, and which leaves our body lifeless
after it decides to withdraw from it, or not to use that instrument anymore.
If we know this Buddha nature, there is nothing that we do not know and
there is nothing that we would desire.
That doesn't mean we become a wooden stick, a wooden statue. We have all
things that human beings have. We have emotion, we have feelings, and we
have the taste of enjoyment of beauty, of Truth and of virtue. But, the
emotions that we have now are under control. We use them whenever necessary
and we withdraw them whenever we want. That is the difference between the
ones who know their Buddha nature and the ones who don't.
The ones who know their Buddha nature are always in happiness. Doesn't
matter in what circumstances. He may be very poor, he may be very rich,
he may be in a top political position, or he may be just collecting garbage;
but he will be always absolutely free of anxiety and fear, always contented
in whatever situation he finds himself in. That's the difference.
Q: How long must one meditate to reach enlightenment?
Enlightenment comes immediately. As soon as you sit down with the master
and sincerely want it, it comes immediately. Before immediately event.
Sometimes I have not finished the instructions, and people have already
got enlightenment. Some people are in a hurry, they have no time to wait.
(Laughter) But the meditation takes place daily; because we always want
to be in the enlightened state, we always want to renew our acknowledgement
of enlightenment, and also we want to strengthen it to expand until infinity.
Otherwise, even if you meditate for one hundred years, you won't get any
enlightenment. Meditation doesn't bring enlightenment, the master power
does; because during initiation, or during so-called meditation in our
method, you do not meditate. Meditation means effort, but in our way, it's
effortless. You may sit there, sometimes even sleep, and enlightenment
comes even then; or you will be enlightened during sleep. The master power
will wake your soul while your mind is asleep, your body is at rest --
your soul will be awakened into the world of light and wisdom. Therefore,
meditation is not a means to enlightenment; but for lack of vocabulary
in this world, we have to call it meditation.
Actually, you just sit there, receive the grace of God, and acknowledge
your own supreme power. There's no meditation, actually, that is involved;
because anything that is earned, is a result of some kind of action, is
still the worldly production, within the material framework. Therefore,
our meditation is a non-meditation meditation -- effortless meditation.
(Applause)
Q: Dear Master, I meditate thirty minutes a day but I cannot concentrate
after ten minutes. Is it because of the heavy karmas that I have? Thank
You.
No, it's just a habit. Most of us are so used to looking outside and paying
attention to outer things. So, when we try to withdraw our attention inward,
it's difficult. It's used to running out again. Continue, and then you'll
improve.
Q: How can one who feels little love becomes more loving?
Get more enlightenment, and then we will be more loving. That's the purpose
of enlightenment. Enlightenment makes us more loving, more tolerant, more
understanding. That's the best outcome.
News 62 Index
International Reports
LA, USA Pusan, Korea Palawan, Philippines Bangkok, Thailand
Whole Life Expo In Pasadena
The Whole Life Expo is a holistic gathering of psychic and health oriented
people who come to share their gifts and help people. This special event
occurs all over the United States with thousands of participants attending
the expo. It was a blessing for both us and the visitors to have an opportunity
to share Master's teaching. All the food sold on the premises was exclusively
vegetarian which came from many different groups, including a group of
disciples from the Supreme Master Ching Hai Restaurant in San Jose, California.
The Whole Life Expo also provided a variety of conferences and workshops
given by many distinguished speakers in the field of human growth. Many
enthusiastic spiritual seekers were impressed by Master's teachings and
took some time to look at Her lecture playing on video tape or Her books
and pictures displayed at the booth. Some people who had seen Her in previous
expos, this time came by to ask about initiation.
Even though Master was not physically present, Her enormous blessing power
was felt by many visitors. One child told us that this booth was the brightest
of the whole expo. Many had perplexed expression on their faces wondering
why they were so attracted to this booth and to this beautiful person (Master's
portrait). One man kept coming back to the booth to put his hand over Master's
pictures and books because he could feel the strong positive energy coming
from these holy items. Another commented that every time he has attended
the Whole Life Expo, he has felt the most positive, loving power coming
from our Master's booth. Out of his enthusiasm and agreement with Master's
teachings, this person took many sample booklets home with him to Hawaii
to share with his friends and relatives.
In addition, a large number of people, after receiving the sample booklet
and News magazines, were very interested in learning the Convenient Method
of meditation and subscribed for the bi-monthly Supreme Master Ching Hai
News magazine. Thanks to Master's blessing and fellow initiates' cooperation,
this event was an enlightening one for both the participants as well as
the visitors.
Korean brothers, who had never done any cooking before, could also prepare
delicious vegetarian meals which were colorful, aromatic and great tasting.
Surpassing The Concept -- Brothers' Cooking Competition
Wow! It's so delicious!
Such exclamations could be heard all over the Center. In Pusan Center,
many fellow initiates gathered to celebrate the Korean's Fourth Anniversary.
One of the programs was the brother practitioners' cooking competition.
Traditionally, Koreans are used to thinking that cooking is a woman's duty.
However, under Master's influence and teaching, our Korean brother initiates
have broken their old concept and come to the understanding that men can
also cook. When the idea of the cooking competition was first brought up,
most of the brothers immediately supported it. However, later they lacked
the confidence and worried that they might not be able to do a good job.
However, after the anniversary ended, they knew their worries had been
unnecessary. During the competition, each brother initiate prepared one
fabulous dish, and not one was the same as the others. When they displayed
their work on the table, the dishes were splendid in flavors, looks and
aroma. It made the whole competition look like a grand feast. All the winners
received prizes from the judges. The first prize winner's dish was so good
that it tasted and looked like it had been prepared by a professional chef.
It was said that he had been practicing his culinary skill and cutting
so much that he even got blisters on his hand. Nevertheless, in the end,
the fruit of his practice was a beautiful and delicious dish. He truly
deserved the award. The second prize was given to five brother initiates
who worked as a team to joined the competition. The third prize winner
mentioned that he had learned that women should deserve more appreciation
and respect for their cooking everyday at home. He promised that he would
provide more help to the sister initiates in the kitchen from now on. There
was even a special prize for the oldest brother initiate who participated
in the competition.
As a result of this competition, all the brother initiates who had participated
were full of self-confidence. They even mentioned that in the future they
are going to cook more creative and delicious dishes, so that at the next
vegetarian feast they could show off their newly discovered talent. They
exclaimed, We can do everything!
Later, some initiates got together and talked about their feelings and
experiences. Not until then did they recalled that during the Formosan
international retreats, there were a lot of brother initiates working in
the kitchen. Why had they always thought cooking was not suppose to be
a man's job? After the cooking competition, they learned that: it does
not matter if we are men or women, as long as we want to do something sincerely,
through hard work and practice, we will definitely succeed. Our Korean
fellow practitioners really appreciated the Fourth Anniversary Celebration.
Master had given them a chance to surpass their old concept.
It has been four years since Master's first visit to Korea to teach us
the Quan Yin Method. Since then, we have set this date as our most important
anniversary to celebrate our rebirth. Consequently, each anniversary has
become a special learning experience for all of us. There are no suitable
words that can describe how much love and appreciation we feel toward Master.
The only thing we can say is, Thank You, our dear Master!
It's the awards ceremonyˇI The Korean brothers are thoroughly enjoying
themselves.
God's Love Is Ever Present
Concerned about the refugees, along with Reverend Tien from USA and Sister
Pascal, Reverend Ramon Arguelles came to visit the refugees in the camp.
They also visited the little meditation hall there. When they first saw
it a wonderful first impression was reflected in their eyes from Master's
great photos, the Supreme Master Ching Hai News and the sample booklets
that were exhibited. They also had many questions about Master's teachings.
Inside the Palawan Camp, Father Raymond, Father Tien and Sister Pascal
happily enjoy the delicious vegetarian food filled with Master's blessings.
The practitioners did not forget to cook for them some delicious and tasty
vegetarian dishes. In addition, they also offered them precious spiritual
gifts -- Master's video tapes, books and News magazines, which made the
visitors so surprised and appreciative of those precious gifts.
There were many changes regarding the refugees' situation. The high commissioners
in Manila, Philippines also came to visit the refugee camp in Palawan.
When they visited the meditation hall, they were surprised to see the beautiful
scenery and decor there. Consequently, they asked questions about Master,
wanting to understand more about Her teachings, in particular, why we must
be vegetarian and how to meditate to enhance our inner wisdom. Fellow practitioners
answered their questions accordingly. They constantly praised the accomplishments
of Master's teachings.
Afterward, they also toured the meditation hall, observing the garden and
the way practitioners were working -- silently and systematically, following
Master's example of working quietly, communicating with God all the time,
to be Hiers instrument to beautify the world. They were quite impressed
with the organization and management system. Everything that was done smoothly
and efficiently was all due to Master's blessings.
Those people who work in the headquarters at Wescome and in the camp supervisor's
office come now and then to the Center to receive a new copy of the bi-monthly
Supreme Master Ching Hai News magazine and to enjoy the tasty vegetarian
dishes that are full of Master's love and blessings.
The staff from the Western Armored Division come to visit the refugee camp.
Inside the simple and plain meditation hall, they enjoy a vegetarian meal
prepared by fellow practitioners with love.
With Master's love as the menu, fellow practitioners prepare one delicious
vegetarian dish after another.
An Art And Great Food Festival
The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association in Bangkok, Thailand
held an exhibition of Supreme Master Ching Hai's paintings, as well as
provided free vegetarian food to the public. The event was held on the
grand opening day of the Jewelry Trade Center building in Bangkok. Fellow
practitioners in Bangkok were willing to work hard in organizing this project
-- assembling the equipment to display Master's beautiful and irresistible
paintings and preparing the vegetarian food.
On the day of the event, everyone was ready and so excited to serve Master
in spreading Her love and teachings to the people of Thailand. There were
lots of people present at the exhibition. Some of them lingered around,
admiring Master's paintings, which were exhibited on two sides of the hall
around the building's atrium. At the same time, the vegetarian food stand
was in the Food Center on another floor. Several kinds of foods were provided,
including noodles, cakes, fresh fruits and a special drink. Furthermore,
Master's sample booklets were the best gifts for those who have affinity
with Her.
In the Jewelry Trade Center building, Master's multistyled paintings attract
visitors to linger a little longer to appreciate.
The atmosphere at the exhibition was so exciting and happy. Some of the
guests were surprised that vegetarian food could be so delicious. One guest
came to us afterward and asked the cook how various dishes were made, especially
the northern-styled vermicelli. He commented that he had never had it this
delicious before, even though he was from Chiang Mai, one of the northern
provinces of Thailand.
Some of the guests even asked us to open a vegetarian restaurant in the
same building, so more people could come and enjoy the pure, clean and
delicious vegetarian food.
All fellow practitioners who participated in this activity want to thank
Master for this opportunity and Her help in arranging everything. Otherwise,
it would not have been this successful. They all felt very honored and
privileged to be able to help in spreading Master's teachings and the heavenly
message to those earnest souls.
Report From Thailand
A Trip Of Love To The Refugee Camp
Following Master's instructions, fellow practitioners from Bangkok went
to the Phanatnikhom Refugee Camp to deliver basic necessities and food,
which were filled with Master's love, to the refugees. Upon witnessing
the blissful smiles on the refugees' faces, fellow practitioners could
not help but thank Master for allowing them the chance to learn the lesson
of taking care of others.
The food delivered this time were those things most needed by the refugees.
They included vegetarian protein, soy beans, sugar, peanuts, salt and milk
powder for the children. The excess materials prepared by fellow practitioners
were passed on to the administration of the refugee camp for storage in
the hope that they would take good care of the refugees and distribute
the materials to them when the need arises.
The Bangkok Center will continue to deliver Master's love to the Phanatnikhom
Refugee Camp.
News 62 Index
Front Line
A Spiritual Journey To Bombay
By Fellow Initiate Abhay N. Singh, India (Originally In English)
The first week after the Holi Festival in India, our fellow initiates and
the Quan Yin messenger took a trip to Bombay to share Master's teachings
and blessings with the local people and different spiritual groups there.
They received a lot of sincere warm responses.
Friendly Visit With Different Religious Groups
Bombay, the commercial capital of India, is actually the most westernized
and cosmopolitan city in this country. It is a modern city, yet it is wedded
to the cultural and religious traditions of the ages.
Modern Indian people living in such a hurried and competitive society can
hardly afford to even think of searching for a spiritual path, sighed a
venerable spiritual practitioner of Radha Swami. This spiritual practitioner
was enlightened when she came to know that even living in a fast-paced
modern city, our fellow initiates, who follow Supreme Master Ching Hai
to practice the Quan Yin Method, have been regularly joining group meditation
at least once a week. It is a good example, she expressed, that modern
people can also enjoy a balanced harmonious life between material and spiritual
comfort, as long as they have an experienced living guide to show them
the know-how. You are all lucky children of God to follow a living Master
and a beautiful One!"
While saying this to us, she picked up from her wallet a photo of our Master,
which she got some years ago and has always been carried with her since
then, showed it to us with a triumphant smile, and said, With Master's
blessing, others might have trouble, but I don't.
This venerable practitioner also concisely introduced us to the main religious
and spiritual groups to be visited. Although I have followed my own spiritual
path, she said, I am honored to bring other truth-seekers to your Master.
That is the humility commonly shared among those most pious Indian spiritual
practitioners.
The first place we visited was one of the most renowned Hindu ashrams in
Bombay, Arya Samaj Mandir. Here, Hindu pilgrims often congregated to perform
religious rituals, have lectures or group meditation in its solemn, spotless
prayer hall. Coincidentally, on the same day, its leading elderly members
from different cities held its regular meeting to study the Vedas -- the
oldest revealed scripture. Our fellow initiates were welcomed by their
General Secretary, Mr. Sangeet Sharma, to join their holy gathering. To
remove all darkness of ignorance and illuminate true wisdom is our purpose
of studying the Vedas, said Mr. S. Sharma. He continued to say, The Vedas
show us that all creation should be regarded as one universal body and
all religions come from the same source. To come back to that original
source, we need to follow the guidance of an enlightened Guru, instead
of worshiping outer forms and images or blindly following any man-made
religious dogmas.
Mr. S. Sharma also invited us to share Master's teachings with all their
members. They all thought that Master brought the same essential teachings
as are in the Vedas into the daily lives of modern people. It proves that
your Master has taught you the true path of enlightenment, concluded one
of its elderly leading members. At the end of their gathering, they held
a holy ritual -- to remind themselves that as spiritual practitioners they
should purify themselves and sacrifice for other people.
On the same afternoon, we were invited to visit the Rama Krishna Temple
and were warmly welcomed by the administrator of the reception department,
Swami H.G. Kapicades and other swamis. They were glad to know that in February
of 1991, Master was invited as an honored guest by their headquarters to
attend the international conference and anniversary celebration held in
the City of God (their headquarters in West Virginia, U.S.A.) where She
even gave lectures to many of their swami disciples. After exchanging spiritual
books and teachings, they invited us to visit their gorgeous grand temple,
reminding us of the glorious temple of God within everyone.
Unexpectedly, on the following Sunday, we received a friendly invitation
from the Bombay Church of Christ to join their Sunday Service. Most of
its members are young, open-minded intellectuals who have been enthusiastically
propagating the teachings of Jesus Christ through the study of the Bible,
especially the New Testament. After the Service, we also invited some of
their Bible-talk co-leaders to our hotel to exchange different views on
spiritual practice.
During our pleasant discussion, Master's words of logic and wisdom cleared
the doubts they had in the study of the Bible; therefore, many of them
eagerly applied to learn the Convenient Method. While practicing the Convenient
Method, they all had good inner experiences. Some of them saw the inner
light sparkling and shooting from all directions like a big parade of firework;
one of them saw a brilliant beautiful lady (the manifestation body of Master)
standing on a boat above a transparent ocean, calling his name a few times.
The inner experiences convinced them that the true way of praying should
come from being in the closet (the wisdom eye) and praying secretly, and
that the true baptism should be done with 'fire'(the heavenly light). One
of their co-leaders confessed, I believe the positive energy of enlightenment,
obtained from daily practice of this meditation method, will sustain me
to go further in fulfilling the Christian mission.
The East Indian's Open-Mindedness In Respecting The Truth
Apart from visiting spiritual groups, we also went to some academic and
art institutes. We distributed sample booklets, as well as contributed
Master's books to their central libraries. Most of the librarians were
surprised when they realized that we had come such a long way to offer
books of Master's spiritual teachings as gifts. We hope our readers will
find the Key of Immediate Enlightenment in these holy books of your Master,
said the administrator of David Sasson Library. We were impressed and surprised
by the way Indian people respected all spiritual teachings.
For example, when distributing sample booklets at Bombay University, we
stayed outside the main gate to do the distribution, because on campus
there was an important national academic conference at which many renowned
VIPs of different academic fields were present. However, about half an
hour later, a gentleman wearing a tidy police uniform with high-rank badges
came to us, saying, I am the chief of the police authority of this university.
It is a divine thing that you are doing. Please come in to do your work
properly. He also kindly suggested that we stayed longer until the conference
was over, so that we could give Master's booklets to all the big shots
. Before saying good-bye to us, he requested one more booklet, because
his colleague had taken the one he was given.
A similar story happened at the local airport when its security policemen
demanded a thorough check of our over-loaded luggage. As the luggage was
opened, Master's photo on hundreds of sample booklets appeared before his
eyes. We told him, This is the spiritual book of our Guru, to be distributed
to the Indian people free of charge. So we gave him one. He received it
with joined palms and respectfully pressed Master's photo on his wisdom
eye. Thus, we passed through without any further checking.
Master's Photo Conveys Mystical Power
Master's photo helped us a lot in building good affinities with people,
especially with those spiritual practitioners who have reached certain
levels of self-realization. They immediately recognized who Master really
is when coming in contact with the great magnetic field transmitted from
Her photo.
While distributing booklets at the entrance of the Prince of Wales Museum,
we met a Hindu swami, an expert in researching physiognomy, who had a small
stall nearby. When we offered him a booklet, he gazed at Master's photo
for a long moment and then began to ask many questions about Her. About
an hour later, he came to one of our initiates, praising with his thumbs
up, Very, very high Guru, and asked for some more booklets to be placed
on his stall. Later, we found that when there were no customers around,
he always fixed his gaze on Master's photo.
Once on the bus, a middle-aged lady seated opposite our fellow initiate
kept looking at him and then she suddenly bowed to him with joined palms.
Our fellow initiate felt puzzled by her action, but still came over to
her with a sample booklet. Later, during the conversation, this lady explained
that she has been practicing the art of channeling for many years and is
able to see people's auras and feel their magnetic fields. The moment our
fellow initiate got on the bus, she felt a strong magnetic field emitting
from Master's photo on the necklace hanging on his chest, so naturally
she bowed to Master's photo as a gesture of respect. Aside from asking
some spiritual questions, she also expressed her sincere wish that one
day she could meet Master in person.
Master's Love Permeates Bombay
Another story shows that even the sensitive birds can feel Master's blessing
power. On the day of initiation held at a local hotel, a flock of pigeons
had gathered on the balcony outside since early morning. It was not a common
phenomenon because that hotel was located in the city center and was surrounded
by tall buildings, where pigeons seldom stay or gather as a big flock.
However, they even remained at our hotel the whole day long and dispersed
after sunset when the initiation was over. Those lucky pigeons, which represent
peace, also came to share with us Master's blessing power.
The second day after initiation, before leaving Bombay, we held a farewell
group meditation with the Convenient Method practitioners on the grassy
area in front of the Gateway of India where we enjoyed the cool sea breeze,
rhythmic ocean waves and true inner peace.
We sincerely express our gratitude to Master for gifting us with such a
rich, valuable spiritual journey in Bombay.
News 62 Index
Master's Wonders
Wonderful Encounter While Making A Pilgrimage The Quan Yin Method Is Truly Incredible!
By Fellow Initiate Chang Sin-Fun, Nantou, Formosa
Thanks to Master's compassionate and loving care -- Her endless teachings
and instructions -- I have been feeling much more fulfilled, stable and
happy ever since initiation.
Before initiation, I remembered that I went on a pilgrimage to a famous
temple in Puli. I bowed and prayed to the Quan Yin Bodhisattva to let my
true-self be always present, having nowhere to come and nowhere to go.
Shortly afterwards, the temple organized a pilgrimage, I went, too. Verbally
reciting the holy name of Quan Yin Bodhisattva, I knelt down once on every
third step, making my way up the mountain. Half-way up the mountain, Master's
manifestation body revealed itself, smiling while sitting on the fence.
In a second, She changed into the absolutely brilliant Quan Yin Bodhisattva.
At that time, I only knew Master through Her books and sample booklet,
introduced to me by relatives. Yet, I had such a wonderful experience.
This surprised me so much that it was beyond imagination. It was later,
when I was being initiated, that I realized what Master teaches is the
same Quan Yin Method mentioned in the Surangama Sutra. I suddenly was enlightened
that She must be the Quan Yin Bodhisattva and that She is omnipresent.
Therefore, my prayer was granted.
By Fellow Initiate Ho May Wei, Tainan, Formosa
After reading Master's lecture, Practicing The Quan Yin Method Dissolves
All Karma in Issue No.59 of the Supreme Master Ching Hai News magazine,
I could not stop the tears from streaming down my face. It was because
not too long ago, while I was crossing a road, I was hit twice by a speeding
car that had run the red light. I was thrown up in mid-air and fell down,
with the back of my head hitting the hard ground squarely. In an instant,
all that I could feel was my insides turn upside down from the severe shock;
and instantaneously, I was unconscious. I was then taken to the emergency
ward of a hospital by a traffic policeman, and was thoroughly examined
by the chief physician of the hospital. However, he found that I was fine
in every respect, be it my skull, my limbs or my chest, etc. There was
nothing wrong with me, except for a few bruises, which would hardly cause
any problems. I would recover with a few days of rest. It was like a miracle.
Even the bruises were gone after I put some herbal plasters on them, leaving
no trace at all.
Now, I understand even more deeply that by practicing the Quan Yin Method
one can achieve what is stated in the Quan Yin Bodhisattva's Miraculous
Mantra, One will be away from disasters, physical misfortunes will leave,
and all adversities will turn into dust. That is exactly the same as what
Master said, Practicing the Quan Yin Method dissolves all karma. Through
this serious accident, it was verified to me that the Quan Yin Method is
truly incredible. Even the doctor said that I was most fortunate in my
misfortune. Not only all my bodily functions were normal, but I was unharmed
even after falling so hard on the ground on my head.
Everything Master says is absolutely true, especially about practicing
the Quan Yin Method -- that it allows us to be liberated from our karma
and frees our souls. I am most grateful to Master for Her being so compassionate
as to initiate us into the Quan Yin Method. It prevents us from being bound
by this world, which is filled with material desires, so that we can be
free and at ease. As if wearing a pair of giant boots, we are not afraid
of any thorns or waves and we can advance on the path smoothly.
May our revered and beloved Master and Her love stay on Earth forever,
to purify our world; and may all those who have affinity be saved, so that
they can practice the Quan Yin Method earnestly and turn this mundane world
into the Pure Land.
News 62 Index
Media Reports
<Bangkok Post> April 19,1996 Originally in English
The Five Precepts of Buddhism -- thou shall not kill, steal, commit adultery,
lie, and drink alcohol -- are often seen as too simple to deal with complex
behaviour in a modern society. The following adaptation is an attempt by
the Plum Village, a Buddhist monastery in France, to make the Five Precepts
more relevant to western minds.
The First Precept: Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of
life, I vow to cultivate compassion and learn ways to protect the lives
of people, animals, plants, and minerals. I am determined not to kill,
not to let others kill, and not to condone any act of killing in the world,
in my thinking,or in my way of life.
The Second Precept: Aware of the suffering cause by exploitation, social
injustice, stealing, and oppression, I vow to cultivate loving kindness
and learn ways to work for the well-being of people, animals, plants, and
minerals.
I vow to practise generosity by sharing my time, energy, and material resources
with those who are in real need. I am determined not to steal and not to
possess anything that should belong to others. I will respect the property
of others, but I will prevent others from profiting from human suffering
or the suffering of other species on Earth.
The Third Precept: Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct,
I vow to cultivate responsibility and learn ways to protect the safety
and integrity of individuals, couples, families, and society. I am determined
not to engage in sexual relations without love and a long-term commitment.
To preserve the happiness of myself and others, I am determined to respect
my commitments and the commitments of others. I will do everything in my
power to protect children from sexual abuse and to prevent couples and
families from being broken by sexual misconduct.
The Fourth Precept: Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and
the inability to listen to others, I vow to cultivate loving speech and
deep listening in order to bring joy and happiness to others and relieve
others of their suffering. Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering,
I vow to learn to speak truthfully, with words that inspire self-confidence,
joy, and hope. I am determined not to spread news that I do not know to
be certain and not to criticise or condemn things of which I am not sure.
I will refrain from uttering words that can cause division or discord,
or that can cause the family or the community to break. I will make all
efforts to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.
The Fifth Precept: Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption,
I vow to cultivate good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my
family, and my society by practising mindful eating, drinking, and consuming.
I vow to ingest only items that preserve peace, well-being, and joy in
my body, in my consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness
of my family and society.
I am determined not to use alcohol or any other intoxicant or to ingest
foods or other items that contain toxins, such as certain TV programmes,
magazines, books, films, and conversations. I am aware that to damage my
body or my consciousness with these poisons is to betray my ancestors,
my parents, my society, and future generations.
I will work to transform violence, fear, anger, and confusion in myself
and in society by practising a diet for myself and for society. I understand
that a proper diet is crucial for self-transformation and for the transformation
of society.
News 62 Index
While On The Path
Flying In The Holy Light Master Helped Me Get Back My Confidence Touch Members Of The Family With Love And Sincerity
By fellow initiate Liang Guo-Rui, Hsing-Zhu, Formosa
Jonathan, a bright seagull, the main character in the novel Jonathan Livingston
Seagull, remains in the deep recesses of my memory. I used to have a puzzled
feeling similar to that of Jonathan's: Is the purpose of life simply to
look for food and produce offspring? Jonathan courageously endured other
seagulls' derision and practiced flying very diligently. Finally, he broke
through the limitations of space and time; and thus, found the great-self.
Then, he was able to enjoy the deep mystery and happiness of flying in
the sky. When he went back to the group of seagulls to reveal the unimaginable
flying art, only the bravest and youngest seagulls followed in Jonathan's
footsteps.
I believe that the author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull must be a very
enlightened and spiritually evolved person; because, once we have tasted
the happiness of spiritual practice, and realized our own real-self, we
would know that no fame, wealth, honor or love between man and woman can
be compared with the happiness of spiritual practice. There is nothing
surprising or mysterious about knowing our true nature through the process
of enlightenment. Therefore, if we step beyond our illusions about enlightenment,
we will discover our real-self and achieve immediate enlightenment.
Master has said, I would like to play with you very much, but you always
hide yourselves in the corners of inferiority, self-blame and regret, thinking
that you are not good. You block yourselves, and do not dare to come close
to me. So, we are not one!
How can a caterpillar imagine that it will be able to fly one day? We think
we are ugly and can only crawl on the ground. However, only Master knows
that we deserve much better, that we are the later generations of beautiful
butterflies and one day we'll spread our beautiful and splendid wings,
flashing under the sunlight; just like the ugly ducking that became a beautiful
swan and flew off in the vast blue sky. Thus, it is time for us to liberate
our souls and fly freely.
By Fellow Initiate Chang Yuzu, Taipei, Formosa
I have been tormenting myself for a long time about my own weakness and
lack of power. I wanted very much to overcome it. However, no matter how
hard I meditated, repented, and prayed, there was not much improvement.
I had to endure this quality of my own in this way.
One day, during meditation, Master's soft and beautiful dharma voice, making
me feel so warm and intoxicated, was suddenly transmitted to me, Do not
rely on others anymore! From now on, you have to trust yourself to have
the ability, to have the confidence. With the clear appearance of Master's
manifestation body, all my worries disappeared. My heart was so content
and peaceful. All guilty feelings disappeared totally in no time! I immersed
myself wholly in Master's great love. It was so warm, so light and so touching!
From that time onward, I have had a great power supporting me inside my
heart, and my mood has became more and more stable.
Relying on my parents since childhood, and then on my husband after getting
married, I was disappointed at my uselessness. For a long time, I was afraid
of making mistakes when doing anything. Even in speaking, I didn't feel
at ease. My judgment was also not accurate. Therefore, I looked down upon
myself, withdrew inward, and lacked the confidence and power. Very often,
I did not put my plans into action because of the fear of failure. Lacking
confidence, the bitterness could hardly be expressed. Within the weakness,
no one could help. But, Master's power changed my concepts and I was reborn.
The feeling of liberation was really good!
Many thanks to You, great Master! Your everlasting light brightens up the
dark road, and consoles the aching heart. Your noble and elegant love allows
the souls to highly develop; Your endless and limitless merits leads sentient
beings to enlightenment and liberation.
Narrated By Fellow Initiate Wu Ting Yu, Formosa
Transcribed By Supreme Master Magazine Reporter, Chang Hsueh Yun
After her initiation, sister Wu was coaxed by her ego into confining herself
within certain parameters. It made her becoming more and more distant from
her friends and relatives. She eventually discovered that nothing went
smoothly. Then, she began to study Master's teachings diligently, and discovered
it would be good to have an attitude like Master's, spreading her love
to people. Beginning with her family and friends, by looking after them
wholeheartedly, by being a practical spiritual practitioner, and by accepting
people regardless of their attitude towards her, gradually the antagonism
between her and her family disappeared without a trace. The opinion of
her friends and relatives that spiritual practitioners were odd also gradually
dissolved. Through this experience, sister Wu understood that it was because
she followed a true Master, whom one could hardly meet over aeons of times,
that she was able to overcome the obstacles in her spiritual path so quickly.
Sister Wu said with deep feelings, If we are nice to our friends and relatives,
and treat them with the 'give the best we can' kind of love that Master
has for people, I believe that we can walk on the path smoothly. If we
look carefully, we will find that all the resistance in our spiritual practice
comes from ourselves. I remember that on October 25, 1995, the last day
of the Third Anniversary of Ching Hai Day International 7-Day Retreat,
Master especially reminded fellow initiates to focus on fulfilling their
responsibilities to their families; then they would have no worries and
would be able to concentrate on their practice. She also said, 'I hope
that when you return home, you can bring some benefits to your families
and your countries, and let them know that practicing the Quan Yin Method
is truly good for you. When they see that you are full of love, spirit
and patience, and aspire for Truth, virtue and beauty, they will know that
we are walking on the right path, one that benefits people greatly. Nothing
needs to be said at all. Actions speak louder than words. It is best to
show an example by action.' A reminder of such thoughtfulness benefits
sister Wu endlessly.
News 62 Index
Aphorisms
Aphorisms March 4, 1990
Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai (Originally In Chinese)
Sentient beings are too arrogant.
Arrogance is our most troublesome karma, our greatest obstacle.
One should take care of one's thoughts; don't let them go astray.
Human beings are noble beings because we can practice spiritually, we can
find our Buddha Nature, and we can become Buddha. When we have found God
within and seen the inner heaven, then we can say human beings are the
noblest.
To seek the Truth, the most important rule is not to criticize others and
to have an open heart . It's very important.
Never blame others, one should blame oneself. No matter what happens to
us, it's the result of our own karma.
Place you heart on your wisdom eye. It will be very happy, it will understand
many things, and it can help us go beyond the Three Realms.
When we are sincere, our ego will be reduced, the wall of ignorance will
crack, then we will have many different visions.
News 62 Index
Supreme Master Ching Hai News No.62 Supreme Master Ching Hai News No.62
