Spiritual Interlude

Be At Ease And Detached

Narrated By Initiate Sister Lin Shiyi, Taipei, Formosa
Edited By Supreme Master News Reporter Feng Ling, Taipei, Formosa

News 66 Index

Master Tells Jokes

Luckily Just A Dog Concentration Quick Enough Won't Be Too Lonely Moving Home

Luckily Just A Dog

Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai At 7-Day Retreat, Cambodia

May 13, 1996 (Originally In English, Unabridged)

This person said, "I belong to the Dog, my zodiac sign." Then he asked, "We are in the middle of eating, why are you asking my zodiac sign? What for?"

The person who ate a lot said, "Prepare to protect yourselves from what?"

Then, the man who thought of the way said, "Oh! It's okay now. Luckily you were born under the sign of the Dog. If you were born under the sign of the Tiger, then we'd have to run." (Laughter and applause)

Concentration

So, the man said, "I don't know. When I lifted my head they were all gone!" (Laughter and applause)

Quick Enough

Won't Feel Too Lonely

So, the other man said, "Oh, never mind. You take it that so they will be paired together, so that they won't feel too lonely!" (Laughter)

Moving House

Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai At 7-Day Retreat, Cambodia
May 13, 1996 (Originally In English, Unabridged)

So, one day he came and talked to them, invited them both to his house to have tea, and he said, "Wow! It would be a day if both of you moved house. I would give a really big party and say good-bye. Whatever you want will be in that party."

So, both of them, the carpenter and the blacksmith were very happy and said, "Okay, okay! You remember. You promised. When we move house, you make a party for us. You remember."

And the owner of the quiet house said, "Of course, of course! I'm a gentleman. Once I've said it, I will keep it."

So, he said, "Oh, of course, of course! Right away!" So, he tried to have all his servants, wife and kids kill all the whatever...chicken, vegetarian chicken perhaps. Even if he was a vegetarian, but they liked chicken so he even got the chicken and everything for them -- all the wine, cigarettes, all the beautiful beer and all the delicacies. Really, really, a very swell party, as promised.

After they had eaten everything already, so the host asked them, "Oh, well. I'm also very sorry that you moved house, but where have you both moved to?" (Laughter)

You know already. The blacksmith said, "I've moved to the carpenter's house and the carpenter has moved to my house!" (Master and audience laugh, applause.)

It's impossible to arrange anything in this world. You just have to take it. That's why many times I tell you, whatever situation you're in, if you really can bear it, just keep it, because it could be worse!

News 66 Index

Letters Between Master And Diciples

Give My Heart To You

By Would-Be Initiate Kum-Ye Yeung, Canada (Originally In English)

Dear Supreme Master Ching Hai,

Although I have not met You in person, I want to THANK YOU. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for opening my wisdom eye to GOD. Ever since I believed in You from reading a sample booklet, "The Key of Immediate Enlightenment" and listening to some of Your fabulous tapes, my whole life has progressed to a better change. Things that were puzzling or difficult have become easy. Life is happy. There is no more fear. There is peace in our family and love in our hearts, which only You have given us. First, things happened, which I thought were only coincidences, but afterward, I thought they were meant to happen, because of God's loving care. Each day I wake up I think of You. I just cannot put into words how happy I am. It is just that I know I am following Your five precepts and meditate twice daily. Although I have not been initiated yet, I know that You have already blessed me and my family as I have continuously received many wonderful visions in my meditations. Just as Your book says, "Asks, and you shall receive." How lucky can I be!

One day, I was learning the Convenient Method and that evening, I saw blue and green ocean waves or masses as if representing the land or sea of the world. I also saw a bright, intense white light turn three times around. By this time, You, yes, You sang to me. I remember the words I heard clearly. Near the end, I was floating but I had to return to this physical world.

Later, You also, through a vision, confirmed for me to become a vegetarian. I saw yellow and purple flowers and it was a happy and peaceful feeling. Yes, I am so happy now that I know with each meal I eat, I eat without harming any sentient beings. I have been on this diet for less than half a year, but I plan to be vegetarian for life, to save more sentient beings.

Another experience was, on the day that my father died, I asked You to help me tell him that I apologize for not respecting him. I also told him that I believe in You. Then, it was as if he was in front of me in the same room. I had tears in my eyes. That morning, our family visited him at the cemetery. In the evening, when we came back home, I felt God's presence in our kitchen. It was a feeling of warmth and love. Then, I turned on the radio and heard the announcer say, "What present can we give to Jesus Christ?"

I said, "I give my heart, my belief and my faith, as I have given them to You."

Thank You for guiding me into the light, for encouraging me when I am down; and thank You for answering my prayers, my Supreme Master Ching Hai. I am looking forward to being initiated.

May You live a long life.

Yours faithfully,

Kum-Ye Yeung

News 66 Index

Between Master And Disciples

I Love Master Mommy

By Young Initiate Ya-Ping Shih (11 years old), Taipei, Formosa

My Master Mommy is an innocent "big little child". She always happily plays with us, jokes with us, and takes good care of us.

Master Mommy has a pair of eyes like the ocean, a mouth like a cherry, a full head of black hair, a pair of compassionate hands and a smart figure. She is a natural beauty and the transformation of perfection. Master Mommy is very talented. She can design clothes, paint pictures, cook, apply make-up, play the piano, tell stories and jokes, etc. Each Sunday, we all happily come to Hsihu Center to listen to Her telling stories. Master also teaches everyone to cook and to put on make-up, making the fellow sisters become perfect housewives.

Time passes especially quickly when we are with our dearest Master Mommy in Hsihu Center, so we all treasure it. Whenever She comes down from the mountain, we all gather around the lecture hall or in front of the TV set to listen to Her telling stories. Sometimes, Master tells jokes. We all laugh until our stomach almost burst. My favorite time is when She goes around the hall after finishing a lecture because then I can see our lovely and beautiful Master Mommy very close up and I can also receive blessed food or dolls from Her. It makes me so happy!

I remember once when Master went around the Center, we followed Her car around. Later, we couldn't catch up with Her anymore, so we tried to "find" Her on the (closed circuit) TV. Finally, we saw that She was already at the basketball court. We rushed over there with our fastest speed, hoping to have a few more eyeful of Her. At that time, it was already very crowded. I struggled through mountains of people to the front. Looking at the few dolls left in the hands of our compassionate Master Mommy and being tossed to others one by one, I envied those children who caught them. Master seemed to know my yearning inside; She took a red pen from the car and tossed it to me. A short while later, She totally surprised me by tossing me a doll. Since then, my inner experiences have increased and I can feel more and more of Master Mommy's boundless love.

Such a perfect Master Mommy, you can't find a second one in this world. The happy times we spend with Her are really precious. Thank You, Master Mommy, for giving us so much.

News 66 Index

Master's Wonders

The Incredible Power Of Quan Yin Transforms Evil Into Goodness Weaving With Love

The Incredible Power Of Quan Yin Transforms Evil Into Goodness

By Initiate Sister Ling, Mainland China

Shortly after I had come home from the initiation, I meditated and (being able to see inside) noticed that a cell in my brain turned red, while another cell turned blue. There was a change in the data formerly stored in the cells. The sensory perception of the nerve cells was transformed into recognition of Truth. I cannot express this feeling into words; I only felt that I had become very relaxed.

At another time, while meditating, I felt an energy current rush from the top of my head to cells between my waist and chest. This force spun within my body. I felt that the data stored in these cells changed suddenly and completely, and were transformed into the realization of the Truth.

These two experiences verify the Buddha's words: The Buddha is within you. The Truth is within us, and Master has imparted to Her disciples this Truth seeking method -- the Quan Yin Method. This is a method to connect us with the Almighty power. The force it generates can transform the evil and wrong concepts stored inside us into the goodness and correct concepts. This incredible power can be attained by adhering to Master's teachings, always keeping the precepts clearly, and seeking it inwardly through meditation.

Weaving with Love

By Initiate Sister Gin-Show Chang,Taipei, Formos

Each group meditation that I went to at Hsihu Center, after enjoying a Buddha's meal, I would walk to the Celestial Clothes exhibition area and browse through the beautiful, elegant and graceful Celestial Clothes and Jewelry designed by Master's heavenly inspirations. Each item radiates Master's love and perfection in creativity, which naturally touches the hearts of all sentient beings and gains their adoration. In my relaxed and joyous mood, my spirit would flow with the celestial music and be intoxicated into nirvana.

Master's Celestial Clothes exhibit a positive, natural, and graceful quality, reflecting Her beauty and elegance. It's also one of the ways for Her to teach sentient beings. Every time I admire them, I get a different understanding and spiritual growth. Master's multifaceted love and wisdom is well-respected and Her invisible powers are even more incredible!

Due to Master's blessings, I have come to gradually understand the basic skills of sewing and cutting without a teacher. However, the technique of lining still needs testing. Because of my lack of confidence, I kept avoiding it. Once, while I was going home, I heard Master's voice, "Adding the lining will make it more puffy, more smooth and more beautiful!" From then on, I have had no more fear of failure. When I make new clothes, I add the lining. It really looks different. Thank You, Master, for giving me confidence.

Through Master's guidance and confidence-building, my sewing skills have improved. Not only do I have more creativity, I also have broken through my old habits. Master's love gives more inspirations in creating new clothes all the time. Even the owner of the fabric store was amazed by my vast improvement! Following Master's lead, I can often have new clothes without spending much money. Besides, wearing my own creations gives me complete confidence in myself.

From a total rooky to one who can finish a suit, a casual dress, or a party dress in several hours, all this is the result of Master's continuous support and encouragement. Since initiation, Master has helped me overcome my worries, impatience and insecurity through sewing clothes. My self-confidence increases each time I make a new dress. Bit by bit, my experience accumulates. Observing the results, I feel content and happy. Unconsciously, I also enhance my concept of beauty.

News 66 Index

Spot Light

Fearless Bodhisattva

Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai At Group Meditation, Surabaya, Indonesia

March 2, 1993 (Originally In Chinese, Unabridged)

You must maintain your faith. Always think positively, then any situation will improve. Sometimes, we encounter undesirable situations in some places. But because of the positive thinking of disciples, and by just explaining to them then the situation will be improved.

However, it is different if we send someone who is not courageous. The situation will get worse. Therefore, the most important thing is that you must practice well. Having practiced well and developed our inner power, we become fearless Bodhisattvas. We accept reality, but we are not afraid. Besides, we see more clearly the cause of the situation. Otherwise, we are very upset. When the situation is bad, we would feel distressed and blame ourselves.

The main thing is that our conscience must be stable, showing that we are doing the right thing. Don't mind about other things. Success and failure are not the chief objectives in this world. Look further and you would see that failure is sometimes success, while success turns out to be failure. Who knows? It is more precise if we see with our wisdom eye and from the view of a spiritual practitioner. Otherwise, we are oppressed by the situations in our whole lifetime. We live as if we are dead. We have no personal rights, no daring spirit, no courage, and we are not worthy of this human life. We don't have to fight with others to show our courage. We are courageous inside. We know what we are, and that is good enough. We know our conscience. No need to show our courage by debating or fighting with people. This is not what I mean. Internally, we should be optimistic and full of positive love, so we could overpower the negative force. Otherwise, we are easily conquered by the negative force when we encounter it, because our positive power is inferior. Then our whole life is under oppression. Sometimes, we were born in a suppressed condition, because God wants us to learn the fearless spirit, and the lesson of courage. Should we give in to the situation, we will never learn our lesson. It is only bad for us. There is not much changes to the universe. As we are not entirely enlightened, we think we are doing harm to the universe or the world. Actually, Hes has arranged different things in different corners of the universe. There is not much that we can do. Therefore, it is not entirely our fault. If we can do better, the universe would always give us a chance, so that we can change our interior, and feel great. (Master laughs.) We feel comfortable. We understand our personality, our spirit. Having learned this lesson well, we don't have to come back anymore. There is no good or bad situation really. Just that we are not prepared, haven't l

Practice well and then our wisdom will develop, we will naturally know how to deal with each situation with a clear and understanding conscience. Successful or not, our conscience is peaceful, then we have attained the Truth.

News 66 Index

Supreme Art

The Grand Premiere Of The S.M. Celestial Jewelry A Message From The Heavenly Home Love Of The Heavenly Dragon

The Grand Premiere Of The S.M. Celestial Jewelry

-- Priceless Treasures -- In Hong Kong

By Initiate Sister Yong-Yi He, Hong Kong

When fellow practitioners saw the photos of the S.M. Celestial Jewelry in the News magazines, they always admired them wholeheartedly. Knowing that the S.M. Celestial Jewelry would be exhibited at the International Jewelry Exhibition held in Hong Kong, fellow practitioners were extremely excited because they could see the precious jewelry with their very own eyes, and even have the opportunity to try them on. Therefore, they hurriedly went to the exhibition with their friends and relatives.

The most wonderful thing was, in comparison to looking at the photos, gazing at the Celestial Jewelry in the display cases allowed one the opportunity to better appreciate the perfect designs and the exquisite craftsmanship. When someone wore them, the Celestial Jewelry seemed so full of life, as if they were alive. Frequently, loud exclamations of surprise could be heard at our exhibition booth, "Wow! Beautiful!" Not only was the wearer satisfied, the spectators were also excited.

Different sets of Celestial Jewelry created different effects when wore by different people. Master seemed to have designed each one uniquely for each person, male or female, young or old; a set just perfect for that person. There were necklaces, rings, earrings, brooches and cufflinks -- a great variety of items suitable for all purposes.

Usually, when someone browsed through the whole collection, and then chose a specific set to try on, the first one that they picked was always the most suitable one for them among the whole collection, making the wearer look most beautiful. The Celestial Jewelry seems to have a life of its own. Different Celestial sets not only matched certain types of persons but their personality as well. When matched perfectly, the Celestial Jewelry looked even more magnificent and dazzling! Of course, the wearer also looked more beautiful.

It's a great blessing to be able to place an order for Master's Celestial Jewelry. While possessing a priceless treasure which can be passed down in the family, one can also feel its fantastic blessing power. Upon wearing the jewelry, a fellow practitioner felt a vibration identical to that experienced in meditation. A friend of another fellow practitioner felt a blessing power on his head after wearing the Celestial Jewelry, as if there was a loving current engulfing him. Therefore, he ordered the whole set, so that he could forever savor this wonderful feeling.

A foreign lady visited our booth several times. She said that she originally had no intention of going the jewelry exhibition, but she felt like she had to look for something, and that was why she was there. When fellow practitioners let her try on the set entitled "Spring Your Soul," she felt a strong vibration that made her feel amazingly happy. She was given some of Master's sample booklets and magazines. Later, she even brought a friend to appreciate Master's Celestial Jewelry.

That is how our great Master uses all kinds of methods to save sentient beings, and to elevate our souls. Even the Celestial Jewelry is one of the eighty-four thousand methods!

A jewelry designer said that she didn't feel the impact when she first saw the Celestial Jewelry. However, when she went to appreciate them more intensely a second time, she gradually perceived the unique and daring designs which won her wholehearted admiration. When she came to know that Master had never studied jewelry design or musical composition, and that these talents only emerged after she pursued spiritual practice, she wanted very much to know more about Master.

A Message From The Heavenly Home

S.M. Celestial Jewelry appears in Hong Kong for the first time, conveying the joyful message from the heavenly homeland.

By Initiate Sister Ching-Yiu Wong, Hong Kong

Master's first Celestial Jewelry exhibition in Hong Kong was very successful. Everything was so perfect.

Originally, I did not participate in the work. Later, due to the inconvenience of the working staff in finding food, I had to prepare and deliver some meals there. Thus, I had the chance to have a look at and appreciate such a perfect, exquisite and magnificent collection of great art work.

The moment I entered the hall, I was attracted by the Celestial Jewelry set entitled "Positive Victory". I liked its name and meaning very much. Going through the entire collection of Celestial Jewelry in the exhibition, all are refined artistic creations. The different types and presentations of the various precious stones, jade and varied colored coral made my entire being feel intoxicated by their beauty.

Among all the Celestial Jewelry, "Positive Victory" was the most charming set to me. When I sat down quietly to look at it, each of the precious stones gave me such a feeling, as if they were the windows of my original soul, bringing with them the bright light of home and triggering my memory of the magnificent realm. The intoxicating and crystal clear beautiful bright light streamed down each little window of the precious stones. When I was gazing at its crystalline and beautiful streams of light, it was just like receiving a letter from the long separated home of my soul which I have left for ages. It gave me such an intimate sensation.

Having come to this planet for such a long time, I forgot when the contact was lost. The blessing emanating from this set of Celestial Jewelry was just like touching the remembrance gift from a close relative sent to me through someone. The shock and excitement in my heart made it impossible for me to put the Celestial Jewelry down. It was like being held by a beloved's hand, telling me, "Don't be afraid! The positive confidence that you have lost will be transmitted to you again through this Celestial Jewelry."

After purchasing the Celestial Jewelry, I was profoundly charged with the joy of dharma, just like the coming of spring to a withered tree. For quite a number of days, I was intoxicated with the intimate feeling of having communicated with the original home.

Love Of The Heavenly Dragon

By Xiu-Zi, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

When I saw the photo of the Heavenly Dragon Tea Cup (the Fifth Generation of S.M. Celestial Jewelry designed and supervised by Master), I marveled at Master's incredible designing talent and the peerless craftsmanship of the Heavenly Dragon Series. To evoke people's memories of the ancient past, Master reproduced the glory of the Golden Era of very ancient times, and suddenly displayed them before people's eyes. Everyone has been dazzled by their undescribable radiance. Just by looking at the photos, one will feel extremely moved and drawn to them.

When I beheld the Heavenly Dragon, my heart was suddenly filled with infinite bliss and life; time seemed to have stood still while I bathed in the boundless love of the universe. The Heavenly Dragon Series is the greatest love that Master has bestows upon us. When we appreciate anything...No! We cannot call it a "thing". It is a king of life, full of the creative love of the universe....When we appreciate any creation designed and created by Master, the glorious dimension will appear vividly in our daily life.

I envy those who can admire the real Heavenly Dragon in detail with their own eyes. They can truly appreciate Master's fantastic creation and blessing. For those who can own the Heavenly Dragon, it is the most valuable collection in their life. Able to savour Master's infinite love -- they are, indeed, God's favorites.

News 66 Index

Poem

When We Get Together, We Are So Happy Reading Vo Tu Poems At Night

When We Get Together, We Are So Happy

By Initiate Brother Ruey-Pyng Wuu, Japan
The inspiration to write this poem came during a group meditation.

 When we get together, how happy we are!

 Because we have the same spiritual Mother.

 When we get together, we are so delighted

 Because we have the same ideals.

 When we get together, we are so joyous

 Because we have the same heart working together.

 Finding our lost brothers and guiding them back

 We are happy, so inspired.

 We will not be separated again,

 Forever we are one.

 

Reading Vo Tu Poems At Night

By Initiate Sister Yueh Cheng Huang, Kaoping, Formosa

(Originally In Chinese)

         It was late at night,
         I had not yet gone to sleep,
         My fingers sauntered on the pages,
         My heart rode with the poetry.


         Reading it for the first time,
         I was moved by
         The saint's pilgrimage,
         The sincerity
         And humility.


         Reading it again,
         I marveled at
         The Buddha's selfless
         Compassion
         And great pledges.


         Reading it for the third time,
         I was astounded by
         The martyred heroine's unwavering
         Determination
         And generosity.


         As I continued to read,
         I was saddened by
         The poet's
         Emotions
         And sentiments aroused by the scene.


         It was late at night,
         I should go to sleep,
         Yet I was reluctant to part with
         The beauty
         Found between the lines.


         So I placed Vo Tu Poems
         Under my pillow,
         In hopes of putting the feelings of the poetry
         In my dreams.

 

News 66 Index

Relief Efforts

Rice Of Love Aids North Korea Twister Howling In Bangladesh

Rice Of Love Aids North Korea

When Supreme Master Ching Hai was informed that the food shortage in North Korea is growing worse, and people having no rice to eat. She felt really bad. She immediately urged disciples from all over the world to show their love and lend some help. She instructed the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association's executive staff to inquire about related international organizations to send rice to meet the urgent needs.

Mr. Robert Hauser, the person in charge of the World Food Programmed (WFP) in Pyongyang, was aware of Supreme Master Ching Hai's past assistance to the flood disaster in Korea last year. Once again, Master's quick action in showing Her loving concern, this time about the food shortage has touched Mr. Hauser. Besides helping to arrange for the shipment of rice, he and the Flood Damage Rehabilitation Committee have also invited members of the Association to join in the distribution of the "rice of love" and give the hungry and desperate brethren in North Korea some spiritual comfort.

Supreme Master Ching Hai and fellow practitioners of Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association contributed two thousand tons of rice. Furthermore, She compassionately added five thousand cans of powdered milk to this contribution for those children in need, estimated over US$500,000. All of these contributions are on the way to North Korea. The shipment is expected to arrive in North Korea in early July. The North Korea Embassy in Cambodia has also been very active in the relief effort. Members of the Embassy are highly impressed by Master's loving concern and have expressed that they would like to thank Her personally.

Twister Howling In Bangladesh,

Supreme Master Ching Hai Sends Emergency Funds To Relieve Disaster Victims

Dhaka, Bangladesh was severely hit by a tornado with deaths and injured victims reaching one thousand. It was a particularly serious disaster. After knowing of the mishap, Supreme Master Ching Hai immediately instructed the executive staff of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association to send emergency aid quickly to the suffering victims.

Last year, when Bangladesh was overcome by floods, Supreme Master Ching Hai sent a relief fund of US$20,000 via the United Nation's Department of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA) in Geneva. On contacting the same department again this time, it was then discovered that the relief fund had not yet been delivered due to some administrative reason on the part of Bangladesh. Despite this, Supreme Master Ching Hai still sent another US$10,000 to the United Nation's DHA relief fund, making it US$30,000 all together. It was hoped that this fund, full of God's love, would bring comfort at the earliest possible time to the suffering souls of the disaster.

In the reply letter from the United Nation's DHA, apart from thanking Supreme Master Ching Hai for Her compassionate assistance, they also reported that this relief fund would be used to buy fast-growing vegetable seeds which would be distributed to the severely hit inhabitants of the disaster area. It was also mentioned that because of the extreme damage and loss caused by this disaster, the Bangladesh government had changed its previous policy of 'refusing foreign aid'. It is expected that this international aiding activity will soon proceed smoothly.

News 66 Index

Elevation Of The Soul

Supreme Master Ching Hai Latest Videotapes

[In English]

Be Your Own Master Aug 27,1994
 Group Meditation At Austin Ashram, Texas, USA

 

[In Chinese]

How To Practice In The Complicated Society
 Nov 5,1995 Group Meditation In Hsihu, Formosa

 Liye Tze -- Ride Upon The Wind. Yang Tze's Philosophy Of Life
 Sep 17 & Oct 1,1995 Group Meditation In Hsihu, Formosa

 

[In English & Au Lac Subtitle]

My Signature Is In Your Heart
 Apr 15, 1993 Group Meditation in Washington DC, USA

 

[In Chinese & Au Lac Subtitle]

International 3-Day Retreat in Hsihu, Formosa Dec 31, 1994 - Jan 02,
 1995

 * How To Get Blessing From God
 * Auspicious Signs Of The Birth Of Master

 The Secret Method To Control The Mind
 Jun 05, 1994 Group Meditation At Hsihu, Formosa

 4-Day Ching Hai Day Retreat in Hsihu, Formosa (5 tapes) Feb 18- 21,
 1996

 

[In English & Chinese Subtitle]

*Be Responsible For Your Own Action
 *The More Sincere We Are Devoted To God, The Less Desire We Possess
 *Be Constructive Rather Than Complain


 

[In Chinese & Englsih Subtitle]

*Introspection Of Conception
 *Doing A Favor Without Asking For Reward


 

Supreme Master Ching Hai Latest Audiotapes

[In English] ER9

Buddha's Birthday And International 7-Day Retreat In Phnom Penh,
 Cambodia May 12-17, 1996

 *The Holy Golden Mouse May 12,1996
 *Redeeming The Treasure You Possess Inside & Going Beyond Our Ego
 (I.II) May 11&12, 1996
 *Stories Of Buddha's Previous Lives -- The Golden Goose May 13,1996
 *The Side Effect Of A Non-Vegetarian Diet       May 13,1996
 *The Journey Of Truth & Cultivate Yourself And Become A Real Human
 (I.II) May 14,1996
 *The Mark Of A Great Master & The Devoted Heart Of One Golden
 Elephant (I.II.III) May 15,1996
 *The Golden Snail May 16,1996
 *The Noble Golden Stag & God Likes Persons Who Are Independent May 16 &
 17,1996

 

[In English] E52

Group Meditation
 *The Nature Of A Master March 13 & July 17,1994
 Group Meditation In San Jose ,USA
 *Enlightenment Is Extraordinary July 16,1994
 Group Meditation In San Jose Vegetarian House, USA
 *Be A Good Example For Society Jan 3 & 4,1995
 Group Meditation In Hsihu Center, Formosa
 *The Suffering Of This World Comes From Our Ignorance Jan 10,1995
 Lecture At World Trade Center In Singapore

 

[In Chinese]CG086

Group Meditation In Hsihu Center, Formosa
 *Anecdote In Africa Oct 15,1995
 *How To Practice In The Complicated Society Nov 5,1995
 *The Greatest Art Of Make-Up Nov 12,1995
 *Liye Tze -- The One Who Was Riding On The Wind. Yang Tzu's
 Philosophy Of Life (I.II) Sep 17 & Oct 5,1995 *Happy Fairland Nov 19,1995

 

News 66 Index

Master's Teachings

Relax And The Wisdom Will Emerge

Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai, Laiyi Center, Formosa
Jan 31, 1993 (Originally In Chinese)

On the contrary, as we don't want to do it now, we just do it casually; but the results are even better. The logic is very simple. Since we are mentally relaxed, and we don't have the intense fighting spirit (for fame and profit), our wisdom and intelligence will suddenly and naturally emerge. Therefore, the more relaxed we are, the better we can do our works.

News 66 Index

Pearls Of Wisdom

The Best Way Is To Change Ourselves Be Simple Like A Child

The Best Way Is To Change Ourselves

Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai At Group Meditation, Surabaya, Indonesia
March 2, 1993 (Originally In Chinese)

I am telling you, actually, there is nothing wrong in the world; but you don't believe it. (Master laughs.) Some people long to practice. They think they are bad, ignorant; so we have to teach them. Otherwise, I see no ignorant people. Everyone is all right! However, I also didn't realize this before. Before I was enlightened, I didn't understand that nothing was happening in the world. So, I was in agony. I understood only after enlightenment.

Since you want to know, I try my best to explain to you. However, it is not easy for you to reach the state of 'nothing wrong in the world'. You must be diligent, don't be fooled by the surrounding, and don't be controlled by the circumstances; then you can break through. Otherwise, it is futile for me to teach you anything.

You blame me for not understanding your situation, your pressures and your underlying hardships. (Master laughs.) I do understand. So, should I comfort you, is that good for you? Even if I do comfort you , it won't be good for you. The situation remains the same. Therefore, you had better change yourself. Accept the situation without wavering in determination or fear.

Be Simple Like A Child

Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai At 7-Day Retreat, Cambodia
May 15, 1996 (Originally In English)

The master is made of simplicity, just like every of us. Just because we complicate our lives, therefore, we can not be one with the universe and God can not contact us. We build walls of prejudice, of social behavior patterns, anything to separate ourselves from the natural way of life. That is why we can not become a master; originally everyone could.

As long as we still occupy ourselves with such things as, what other people think, or what the master should be like, we can never be one. Just drop every idea, be as a child, and then you will know what's it like.

Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai, Tainan Center, Formosa
January 1,1989 (Originally In Chinese)

The highest power from Buddha, Bodhisattvas or Master is just our own power. We were originally one with that highest power, with Master and the Creative power. Therefore, if we renounce the world, we'll be nearly the same as that Creative power. That's why we are able to save ourselves. That's why it is said that God is within you.

Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai, Penghu Center, Formosa
26 January 1989 (Originally In Chinese)

Whatever we do, we should do it quietly. The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas know everything, good and bad. God also knows. We shouldn't exaggerate our merit, otherwise, it will diminish and disappear. If we slander anyone, not only do we not gain merit, but we create karma. That's why in this world people have little merit, and a lot of karma.

Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai, 7-Day Retreat Taipei, Formosa
May 23, 1994. (Originally In Chinese)

We should practice responding quickly. When ordinary people are happy with a situation, they become absorbed in it. Then, when a sudden change or disaster arises, they're shocked, and experience suffering and heartache. If we're well-prepared at any moment, then any situation can occur and we can turn it around and adjust to it right away. In this way we don't get attached, and we won't be overcome by circumstances.

It's important for us to have virtuous friends, those who are kind and good, and can talk with us about something good everyday, persuading us to go in the right direction. Then we'll walk on the right path and become better and better. Our good qualities will emerge and grow, and become more apparent. We'll know better which direction is the right one.

By Supreme Master Ching Hai (Originally In Chinese)

When we are simple and positive at heart, we view things to be positive, comfortable and beautiful.

A spiritual practitioner searches not for the outer, but the inner serenity. Only by rising above the external influences and letting go of everything, can one obtain true liberation.

Good and bad are just different points of view. Therefore, we should not be overly concerned with the external beauty or ugliness. The perfection of our God-nature is the most important. Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai (Originally In Chinese)

News 66 Index

International Reports

USA Korea Germany Formosa Hong Kong

Reported From USA

Greeting The Earth's New Era

[Illinois and Indiana] The largest spiritual exhibition "In Spirit" of the Midwest was held recently in Chicago, Illinois in USA. Fellow practitioners actively participated in this unusual activity in order to let various cirlces of spiritual practitioners know of Master's holy name and be introduced to the Quan Yin Method.

Master's booth was brightly and uniquely arranged. Besides showing Her videotapes and displaying various issues of the Supreme Master Ching Hai News magazines, sample booklets, books, including the "Supreme Kitchen -- International Vegetarian Cuisine," and audiotapes, we also displayed several styles of Master's artistic designs: Celestial Clothes and Jewelry. Vegetarian hamburgers of various special flavors for our visitors were also prepared.

A continuous stream of visitors was attracted by Master's manner, wisdom and humor on the videotapes. They all deemed that Her teachings were clear, simple and logical. After understanding the teachings, one lady was very happy and felt that she had found the true Master. She exclaimed, "What Master has said is really correct! I've been fed up with people saying at every turn, 'I am a Catholic, or I am a Christian, etc.,' but they never say that all we need is enlightenment!" She immediately decided to learn the Convenient Method and tried going on a complete vegetarian diet. Besides purchasing vegetarian hamburgers and audiotapes, she requested some sample booklets to share the information about Master with her friends.

Another lady, who came from New Jersey to visit her daughter, liked Master's picture very much. After fellow practitioners introduced Master's teachings to her, she commented, " I think that everyone needs enlightenment." She immediately purchased the book "I Have Come To Take You Home." Since her daughter's booth was directly facing ours, whenever they had time they would attentively watch Master's videotapes. On the second night, the lady saw Master in her dream.

A visitor went home and seriously studied Master's books. As a result, she began to believe in Master. The outcome was that she, herself, had miraculous experiences. On the third day of the exhibition, as her family was quarreling, she took Master's book out and tried to convince them, "You see, Master said no violence!" She, then, settled their dispute.

The two ladies in the neighboring booth were American Indians. According to their tradition, they also meditated everyday. Knowing that our fellow practitioners meditate at least two-and-a-half hours everyday and frequently attend group meditations and retreats, they were gladly surprised and enviously said, "The energy would be very powerful this way. It's excellent!" They agreed that Master's teachings are the Truth and coincide with the teachings of their ancestors. Upon hearing from fellow practitioners that Master is a real living Master, one of them emotionally hugged a fellow practitioner and said, "I believe that She is. I can feel Her power." What excited her the most was that Master is the first female Master with such great power, and so beautiful, too. This lady also told fellow practitioners that she had been able to communicate with aliens using her wisdom eye since childhood and that the cultural level of the aliens was much more advanced than that of human beings.

Indian people usually have followed their tradition. Their ancestors lived on vegetables that they had planted and hunted boars. However, they knew that if a boar was caught after too lengthy a chase, it would not be edible because its body would have secreted a lot of toxins. And before eating any animal's flesh, we should think of all who devote their life to cleansing their karma. She also said, "We also use our wisdom eye to communicate with animals because animals have spiritual wisdom, too." With that, fellow practitioners introduced to her the necessity of a vegetarian diet. She was suddenly enlightened, and made up her mind to start on such a diet.

This exhibition has always been a place for spiritual practitioners to gather. The participating visitors all felt that Master's booth was outstanding. There were two ladies who could see people's auras. They saw that Master's poster radiated blue, green and intensive white lights from Her head, and there was a pink light surrounding Her chest. After silently standing in front of Master's poster and staring at it for a long time, a gentleman could not help exclaiming to fellow practitioners, "You are very lucky! Your Teacher has inconceivable great energy." He said that from the poster he sensed an incredible energy pouring over his whole body; and during the silent period, Master had given him many inspirations.

The entire venue was displayed with information about the upcoming spectacular changes on Earth; with books about aliens and about the real facts on human beings, the Earth and the universe; and with instructions on how to greet a new era. A mother and her son have spent many years collecting information about predictions of the end of the world, and have combined and edited them into one videotape. Fellow practitioners asked them, "If this day really comes, what should we do?" They were stunned and confounded. So, our fellow practitioners invited them to Master's booth and introduced Her related teachings and information about the Golden Age to them. They gladly listened. After a long talk with fellow practitioners, mother and son were very happy that there was such a great living spiritual Master to save people during the last years. "All people should support Master to accomplish this difficult mission," they expressed.

The participants and visitors of this exhibition were all conscious of the fact that the entire Earth is one, and they were very much concerned about its future development.

During the last day of the exhibition, we had nectar rainfall; Master's holy love filled heaven and earth, and subsequently, the Earth showed a new life. Due to the spreading of Master's teachings, the spiritual levels of human beings were uplifted higher. As a result, everyone on Earth is full of hope knowing that the walk into the Golden Age will be very soon and will be filled with God's blessings.

Making Good Affinities At The Arts Festival

[San Francisco] Fellow practitioners in San Francisco took advantage of the once a year Filipino Arts Festival to get in contact with the local Filipinos living in USA to introduce Master's perfect teachings to them. Because our booth was shifted nearer to the entrance of the festival, it was convenient to distribute things and allowed every guest the chance to obtain Master's sample booklet and News magazines. On receiving these free and exquisite books, many guests were happy and said thanks with smiles.

Under Master's invisible care, many small details were handled very smoothly. For instance, the place was a hot spot for tourists and parking was a difficult problem. But our vehicle was given a whole day free parking in a car park close to the festival site. Furthermore, every booth cost several hundred US dollars, however, due to the enthusiastic help of a would-be initiate who has been practicing the Convenient Method, fellow practitioners were given a booth free of charge.

This would-be initiate is an artist and is now waiting for initiation. He said that after he saw Master's sample booklet for the first time, his painting improved remarkably. He understood very well that it was due to Master's blessings. Therefore, he hoped that he could share Master's blessings with other people so that everyone could have the same benefit.

Because of the love that radiates from Master's magnetic field, crowds of people came. Sample booklets and News magazines were all given away very quickly. People reading Master's sample booklet and magazines could be seen everywhere. Seeing that the people were able to make affinities with Master's teachings, all fellow practitioners who participated in the activity were overjoyed!

Report From Korea

Understanding The Method Of Love And Truth

[Taegu] Recently, fellow practitioners in Taegu showed Master's videotaped lectures in the audio-visual room of the Taegu Youth Guardian Institute, and shared Master's love and teachings about the Truth with the public and those who were interested in Her teachings. At the same time, they also introduced the vegetarian cuisine. Due to Master's blessings, the weather was very breezy that day and the participants were eager to attend the session.

The video lecture session had three programs. The first one introduced the necessity of being a vegetarian, then one of Master's videotapes, "The Method of Immediate Enlightenment," was shown. The audience was attentive to the lecture and thoroughly enjoyed Master's humor. Since the audience agreed with the Truth that Master preaches, the venue had a harmonious atmosphere. Then, the fellow initiates and guests discussed many very candid and interesting issues. The last program involved the tasting of the vegetarian dishes.

A little half-initiate said that when the fellow practitioners and guests were sharing and discussing problems, he saw two beings with golden light standing together with the practitioners; the golden light they radiated was especially beautiful. Since this was the first time that the little initiate had seen this beautiful scene, he couldn't help telling his mother and the other fellow practitioners. Everyone all agreed that this was due to Master's blessings.

The venue was permeated with Master's warm love. The spirituality of the participants was greatly uplifted. Morever, the questions that they asked were all deep and focused and the atmosphere was lively. A fellow sister responsible for cooking in the kitchen couldn't help bursting into heartfelt tears due to the sincere and peaceful atmosphere.

At the videotape lecture in Taegu, Korea, Master's love blesses the vegetarian food to let the guests experience the beauty, kindness and love of vegetarianism.

The last program involved vegetarian food tasting. Because there were various kinds of food that looked, smelled, and tasted good, and which they had never eaten before, people kept admiring them and asked in succession about how to cook them and what ingredients were used. Many people said that they now came to understand the purity and the real taste of vegetarian food and would try to eat a more vegetarian diet.

Reported From Germany

The Fresh Flavor of Spiritual Practice

[Munchen] A three-day "Spiritual Practice Convention" was held in Munchen, Germany. Our fellow practitioners did not rent a booth, but we still obtained a place to set up an information desk. When Master's elegant sample booklets were displayed, the spiritual teachings of Supreme Master Ching Hai and the Quan Yin Method joyously played a song of triumph in the venue.

On the first day of the convention, fellow practitioners brought many boxes of sample booklets to the venue. When a host of the convention saw the booklets, he could not help asking, "Will there be that many people asking for the booklets?"

Fellow practitioners answered affirmatively, "Yes, there certainly will be many people who have affinity with Supreme Master Ching Hai and who will like the booklet very much." We also assured him that when the convention was over, our fellow practitioners would help him clean the venue and take back whatever we brought there; this was what Supreme Master Ching Hai has taught us to do.

When fellow practitioners distributed sample booklets at the entrance of the convention, some people came and requested the booklet on their own initiative and kept admiring that the booklet was so elegantly printed. After receiving people's sincere encouragement and appreciation, the fellow practitioners, with sincerity tantamount to making offerings to Buddhas, even more enthusiastically wished that those who received the sample booklets could obtain "immediate enlightenment and eternal liberation".

During the last day of the convention, some fellow practitioners even took their children with them to distribute the sample booklets, hoping that they could bring the fresh air of spiritual practice -- Supreme Master Ching Hai's teachings -- to more people. Since in Germany many people think that spiritual practice is simply practicing palmistry and curing diseases by Chi-Kong or magical power, Master's teachings can break this impression of the general public regarding spiritual practice and quickly guide sentient beings with affinity to recognize this scientific and logical method.

After the convention, fellow practitioners cleaned up the venue. At that time, it started to rain. Remembering that Master said, "Rain is blessings from God," we happily sang "Remember Me When The Rain Falls" on our way back; the blessed cool weather was full of Master's love.

Report From Formosa

Tender Loving Care

[Xinzhu] At the beginning of June, fellow practitioners learned from the newspaper that about more than ten Au Lac boat people were rescued by the Coast Guard, after being found floating in the ocean near Xinzhu. They were temporarily staying in the Coast Guard's offices. The practitioners immediately visited them, bringing with them some snacks, food, water and Master's sample booklets and News magazines.

Upon arriving, they presented these things personally to each of the boat people, telling them it was given with Master's loving care. When the presents were received, the boat people were surprised and grateful for Master's loving kindness, and the Formosan people's friendliness. They were surprised to see that there exists such perfect spiritual food. They related that they survived several hurricanes at sea before they were fortunate enough to arrive in Formosa, with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Learning this, the practitioners promised to bring them daily necessities as soon as possible, and to pay for the surgery expense for one person whose finger was injured.

For the next visit the initiates specially prepared for each of the Au Lac boat people daily necessities: clothing, sleeping bags, personal hygiene supplies, etc. In response to these people's sincere request, they also brought with them Master's books, audiotapes and a cassette player. When they received these things, they could hardly wait to read the books and listen to Master's Au Lac music tapes.

They thanked the practitioners again and again, but the practitioners emphasized that it was all from Master's loving kindness, and that they were just using this opportunity to learn the lesson of taking care of others. When they said good-bye to each other, everyone's heart was filled with Master's tender love.

Report From Hong Kong

Hong Kong Glorified By Celestial Jewelry

The Celestial Jewelry designed by Master w

News 66 Index

You May Not Know

Transcend The Three Realms With The Power Of Enlightenment The Three Kinds Of Disciples Master Makes Offerings To Buddha

Transcend The Three Realms With The Power Of Enlightenment

Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai At Wan-Haw, Taipei, Formosa
September 1, 1986 (Originally In Chinese, Unabridged)

The Zen master answered, "Yes! Exactly!"

Do you think this is correct? (A: Yes!) Because of ignorance, we slay our own Buddha, not allowing Him to live, not giving Him the opportunity to use His almighty power, and depriving ourselves of something to rely on. This is our ignorance.

Therefore, not practicing the Quan Yin Method, and not knowing our Buddha's power, are the greatest sins. There is no way to save us then! (Master laughs.) Even if we have killed an enlightened master, we can still be saved because we can find another master! (Master laughs.) Killing our Buddha nature, killing our rights, our almighty power and greatest position are the greatest sins. Understand? (A: Understand) Therefore, whether a person, due to ignorance, refuses to learn to realize the God within, or due to ego, refuses to learn to realize his own wisdom, both are bad; both are the gravest ignorance.

Even after we have practiced, we still have to mind our ego. If, in doing anything, we think that we are doing it, instead of the almighty power of the universe or the power of the Supreme Master doing it, then we will be in a trouble! It is because we have confined ourselves in our own personal room, and stopped ourselves from being unified with the great harmonious universe. Naturally, we will be very lonely and weak in power. Such a slight fault in concept could make a great difference, so we say everything is created by the mind.

Our concept must be correct. If a person has intense longing in seeking his inner self, understands a lot of the teachings, and is good in spiritual practice, then this person is not bad. If a person comes because of superstition, he doesn't understand the teachings, then perhaps his cultivation would not be very fast. Later, when he listens to someone who is good at debating, he will be pulled away easily. It is because his foundation is not firm.

Our mind is not an insignificant matter. It has created the three realms. It is difficult for you to ask it to keep quiet. The mind needs to understand, so we have to practice! Otherwise, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas might as well use their magical powers, then everyone just unknowingly goes to the Western Paradise, taking along their kittens, puppies and children. Then there is no need for all this suffering. Since the three realms have already been created, we must eliminate them ourselves. But with what? They can only be eliminated with the power of realization, of enlightenment. To destroy them doesn't mean incinerate them with fire. No (laughter), but by our inner realization.

In the original form, the three realms don't exist and have no attraction. It doesn't matter whether they exist or not, as long as they have no attraction to us! For instance, we may be watching television, but we have lots of things on our mind, so we don't know what the television program is talking about though we are watching it. Later, when someone asks you how is the drama, you would wake up and say, "Oh! I was not watching just now!" (Laughter) Sitting in front of the television but not seeing anything -- that happens to us sometimes. Right? (A: Yes!) Similarly, all within the three realms was created by ourselves. The method to destroy them now is by ignoring them. We know they don't mean anything, and there are better things. (Applause)

The Three Kinds Of Disciples

Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai At Group Meditation, Surabaya, Indonesia
March 3,1993 (Originally In Chinese, Unabridged)

The ordinary or moderate disciples may lack a deep foundation from their practice in previous lives. They came back, but their habits have not been rectified. They don't research deeply. They don't really want to understand or be diligent. After I have taught them, they only meditate occasionally. They meditate when they are tired or in distress.

The lowest disciples are those who lack wisdom, and do not have many inner visions. Perhaps before they got the initiation, they would even laugh and leave when they heard someone preaching this Truth; they wouldn't believe. When Sakyamuni Buddha was alive, also five thousand people once left His preaching lecture.

It is not the real Truth if no one laughs at it. Why do they laugh? Because they have never heard of such a theory. So, except those who have great wisdom, ordinary people would leave laughing. This is simple and reasonable.

Master Makes Offerings To Buddha

Narrated By Initiate Brother Chang-Jeh Lee , Taipei, Formosa
Recorded By Supreme Master News Reporter Chio-Ling Hsiao, Taipei, Formosa

When Master saw that, She immediately got out of the car. She took out all of the presents from the trunk and personally gave the gifts and some Thai money to the rickshaw driver

At that time, I told myself I must remember to be humble in my daily dealings with people. Giving gifts to others should also be like making sincere offerings. I deeply thank Master for sowing a seed of humility in my heart.

News 66 Index

Selected Questions & Answers

How To Handle The Problem Of Trembling During Your Meditation

Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai International 7-Day Retreat, Hsihu Center, Formosa

October 28, 1995 (Originally In English)

M: It's okay. Sometimes the negative and the positive are trying to battle with each other. As we are not yet so completely stable and a hundred percent pure, it's like that. Later it will become stable. Don't worry. Don't have to go with the feeling, or just let it go. That's why we have to keep ourselves pure with precepts and all kinds of things, so that we can receive this kind of pure and tremendously strong energy. Try to take care that your food, speech, actions and thoughts are pure. The problem will become even better or disappear altogether.

Sometimes, if you are trembling too much, sit on the floor. Don't sit too high, in case you fall down. (Laughter) I'm not kidding. Or, try to sit on a wooden board, wooden floor; it'll absorb some of the energy for you. Then you won't feel so badly shaken. Sometimes when you do the Quan Yin, it feels like a burning sensation. It feels like you can't bear it anymore. Then you sit in another place. You don't sit on a cushion. Find a wooden, cool floor to sit on. Put your feet on a wooden board or maybe on the earth. It will neutralize some of the strong effect of the vibration while you're not able to withstand it. Only in that case, but continue to meditate on the sound. The sound is particularly strong.

If you are not pure sometimes -- you have had contact with people -- not necessarily our own karma. So, don't blame yourself all the time for whatever happens. Sometimes we contact with people, and their impurity and their karma also affect us. Sometimes we eat food that we don't know is impure; it also happens. So whatever leads you to this, meditate more.

If you sit on cushion and you don't feel comfortable, it could be it is too heated for you; sit on a wooden floor or on the naked earth, soil. Put up your feet and meditate or sit on the floor; with tatami mat is all right. It is more airy, more cool for you; because sometimes the cushion we sit on, it's made with plastic foam, and it doesn't absorb the heat. It gives us trouble -- irritating, especially when you do the Quan Yin.

Try to change the position, maybe change the place, or change the sitting cushion, then it will be better for you.

News 66 Index

While On The Path

Growing Through Sacrificing There Is A Love Waiting For Us At Home Enhancing Faith Through Work

Growing Through Sacrificing

By Initiate Brother Cheung-Tse Lee, Taipei, Formosa
Recorded By Supreme Master News Reporter Chio Ling Shau, Taipei, Formosa

Before, brother Lee had the habit of wanting to escape any work he did not like or he had not done before. Take the work of the kitchen staff as an example! Before taking up the work, he always had the idea that to work in the kitchen would mean a sacrifice in meditation time. Besides, the work of cooking rice and making meals were very unfamiliar to him. Therefore, he hesitated for a long time. Later, under the repeated recruitment by the head of the 'kitchen crew', he gathered his courage and went up to the front line to 'try'. Now, he can feel the harmonious atmosphere when working together with fellow practitioners. With the division of work among the many people, delicious dishes can be made one after another very quickly and delivered to the numerous Bodhisattvas. The many worries of difficulties and tiredness he had in his mind before were unnecessary. In fact, his spirit has become more lively in the harmonious atmosphere.

According to brother Lee, it was very easy to discover his own faults and then rectify them by doing Master's work. For instance, without any fixed form, the sense of pride, jealousy and the desire to show off would be unveiled. Furthermore, he, himself, would become very sensitive to what his fault were and be able to see his own ego so that he would try hard to improve or break through them.

As one of the lecture working staff, he also had many chances to be close to Master. He saw with his own eyes how Master works hard for so many things without even any regard to Her own tiredness and difficulties. Once, there was a continuous thirty some hours of work without resting for even one second. The Master power and the extremely concentrated manner of work had left a deep impression in his mind. He always felt that he could not catch up with Master. Therefore, he became happier when he had the opportunity to follow Her instructions and guidance.

In spiritual practice, he also realized that when the work accompanies the meditation, the outcome is more synergistic. He said, "If one only works without meditation, the quality of work will deteriorate; if one only meditates without working, it would be very difficult to discover one's own goodness and weakness." He wishes that he could have more courage in the future to face the challenges in work, to break through the barriers in his own mind, to be more perfect in completing the jobs done in accordance to God's arrangement and be able to advance spiritually.

Brother Lee also hopes to share with all fellow practitioners, the learning and growing together through working and sacrificing.

There Is Love Waiting For Us At Home

By Initiate Brother Sze-Tse Chen, Taichung, Formosa

Mummy! This child had broken Your heart and made You cry. In the unaided journey, this child had also cried because the target of life could not be found. Nevertheless, You would always light a lamp on the way home to remind us of the direction. Inside the lamplight, there would be love waiting for us for our journey.

Mummy! We love You. Many thanks for Your love and Your persistence through all difficulties. We would like very much to tell the whole universe, "It is really good to be Master Mummy's child, we are the most fortunate darlings in the whole universe."

Enhancing Faith Through Work

By Initiate Sister Bai Hop Chang, Taipei, Formosa

Master has said, "Don't be afraid of work. The more we work the more we become intelligent and quick! Sometimes, you are forced to finish the work in a very short time. That is meant so that your potential power has an opportunity to emerge." Not long ago, the group leader gave me a mission to design a poster for the recruitment of articles for Mother's day. From the just-learned computer word processing at the start, after repeated trials and errors, to the final product, together with my son, a primary school brother, Master's warm love continuously filled my heart. Because of Her blessing, this instrument was able to finish the work in a short period of time. This also made me realize deeply that the great and omnipotent Master had used this opportunity to help this disciple give up many preconceived ideas and habits, and put down a lot of heavy karma.

Many thanks to Master! She uses different methods to save sentient beings. Within these methods are a lot of mystical teachings which can not be understood by the ordinary human mind. I sincerely appreciate Master's love and great wisdom. These have motivated me to practice more diligently so as to repay a little bit of the God's grace.

News 66 Index

Media Reports

The Way To Find The Treasure Within Raising Center

The Way To Find The Treasure Within

Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai At Pang Suan Kaew Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand Dec 4, 1994
This Article was Published in Central Daily News, Formosa Jul 1996
(Originally In English, Unabridged)

Actually, we have been very slow in getting enlightenment, because we have been enjoying the physical creation for many lifetimes. For some people, for hundreds, thousands or millions of lifetimes, feeling tired and kind of had enough with this physical drama. We wish to have some quick way to get enlightenment, to go home, to go back to the Buddha's land, or to go back to the Kingdom of God; this is different terminology in different religions. Perhaps that's the reason why people would come to request for immediate enlightenment, because some of us do not want to stay in this world longer than necessary, longer than this lifetime.

I had the same feeling before I went to the Himalayas. After learning about much suffering and disasters in this world, I felt myself also sharing the suffering and pain of the people in this world, and I wished to have immediate relief by any means even if I had to sacrifice my life. Perhaps that's why God or the Buddhas had pity for me, and have granted me my wish.

The Seed Of Enlightenment Is Within

So, it is the same with many thousands of our fellow practitioners around the world. When their hearts were crying for liberation, when their hearts were sincerely longing for the Truth, for the ultimate wisdom, then the Buddhas in the ten directions, or God almighty, also granted them their wish. They have also become enlightened; and they become more and more enlightened, each day through the practice of the Quan Yin Method. Should any of the other people in the future also wish to have the same blessing, then we can share this with you; because the fruit, the seed of enlightenment is already within ourselves, there's no need to go anywhere looking for it.

Therefore, we have seen in the ancient scriptures, different Buddhas or different masters got enlightenment through different locations and different striving efforts in different time durations. Some of them had practiced austerity, and some of them had practiced the leisurely way of a layman. Some of them took a long, long time, many years or a lifetime to reach complete enlightenment. Some of them took only months, some of them instantly.

Children Can Also Be Enlightened

There was one Bodhisattva in the close circle of Sakyamuni Buddha at that time, and he told us a story of an eight-year-old dragon-girl having attained Buddhahood. So, that means age and sex, you know like male-female, or the genes like DNA, whether dragon or human, or the location makes no difference to sainthood, to enlightenment. As we know, the dragon species live at the bottom of the sea, supposed to be; and she was only a child of eight years old. If any of you have read the Lotus Sutra, you'd know.

Now, if an eight-year-old girl could attain Buddhahood, that meant it must have been instant, or would have been the maximum of two years; because since ancient times up till now, the master would not give initiation to children younger than six years old. So, the maximum the dragon-girl took to get enlightenment would have been two years - to Buddhahood, not enlightenment.

We have often heard that only humans can become Buddha, only humans can get enlightenment, and only boys, men can become Buddhas. Now there is another story on the contrary. Girls, women, even young children can also get enlightenment.

We have also many children in a similar category; they get enlightenment at a very early age. That's why people always praise the practitioners who have been studying the Truth since childhood; because when we are young our minds are purer and it's easier to elevate ourselves to a higher level of understanding, to a higher level of inner consciousness.

But how did these ancient people get enlightenment and finally one day attain Buddhahood? This is the answer we must know. Was it through austerity, through relaxation or through the purity of childhood? Maybe through all of these, but it does not absolutely depend on these factors that we get enlightenment. There has been a secret since ancient times, and only recently has it been more or less made open to the public.

Because in the ancient times, if someone wanted to study this secret method with the master, then they would have to cross rivers, climb mountains, and do many kinds of hard labor in order to win the love and the acceptance of the master at that time. The reasons are many; maybe because in the ancient times practicing such spiritual mysticism would arouse a lot of dangers for the masters and the disciples -- a lot of persecution from people, from the government and from the religious organizations who did not believe such things existed outside their organized religion. So the master and their disciples had to keep the secret confidential and low profiled in order not to attract danger to themselves.

Masters Risk Everything To Remind Us Of Our Greatness

Take the case of Jesus, of Mohammed the prophet, and even Sakyamuni Buddha; all of them were persecuted to greater or lesser degrees during their preaching times. I have studied many scriptures in India from different religions, and many of the great masters of different religions have been persecuted, sometimes flayed or burned alive because they preached the Truth.

Even Sakyamuni Buddha, He was very famous, was born noble, an aristocrat. He was a prince; and His fame, compassion and wisdom spread all over India and the neighboring countries. Even then, many people, different religious sects and orders, also persecuted Him and tried to even assassinate Him; but they failed.

Another reason is perhaps the master would like the disciples to appreciate something that he gives to them, if through hard work and penance they earned it. Because the master knows, that human psychology is somewhat like that. Whatever we work hard for, we earn, or we chase after, we probably would appreciate it to a greater extent than whatever is given to us too easily, too freely. That's why there are many tests and trials for the disciples before the master even accepts them.

In the old times, the master made the disciple leave home, forsake all the pleasures of the flesh, forsake all the luxurious life in order to follow him; and had him do laborious work, just to test the strength and sincerity of the disciple. In the old scriptures, we have read many stories in a similar train.

But in the modern times I don't think that works because not many people have time to be tested by the master. Not that the testing method is no good. It is very good, very valuable, and it has a lot of advantages.

One of the advantages is that the master will have less burden from the disciple's accumulated karma because he works for it; and he uses different tests, different hardships to grind the disciple, to make him purer in speech, actions and thought. Like that, the master does not have to work too hard on him at the time of initiation; does not have to bear the karma of the disciple in such a heavy burden.

So, these are some of the advantages about the tests and trials that the masters in ancient times gave to the disciples. But this way has also offered a lot of disadvantages for mankind. That's the reason why our Earth planet is still in such a backward stage compared to many other planets, more civilized, more advanced in the universe. That's the reason why up till now we still have religious discrimination, religious wars, even within one religion; and also the reason why our world still suffers hunger and a lot of injustice.

Even up to the present time, in many countries, such teachings as ours, the Buddha's or Jesus' are not allowed in the open. And it's already toward the twenty-first century - men have already landed on the moon and explored Mars, etc.; and people are still so backward in their thinking and in their spiritual progress.

But to open the secret for the public is not even that easy as we wish that to be. That's why many masters have lost their lives because of risking to tell the public the wisdom that's inherent within themselves; risking their lives, reputation and comfort in order to elevate our spiritual awareness.

Whatever spiritual messages we have today are left over by the ancient masters, and we owe to them a great deal. Whatever we know, even whatever little is leftover today, we owe it to all the great masters of the past.

That's why, perhaps, people like to build temples, churches and mosques in order to remember the great masters, in order to express their gratitude to these great masters who risked everything for the sake of the well-being of the world. But, to build temples and churches is not enough. It's not enough that we are grateful to the masters, but we must make use of the messages that they left behind for us; because that was the purpose of their coming to this world, that is, to remind us of the Buddha nature (God nature), of the wisdom, of the Kingdom of God within ourselves, and that we must, by all means, use all our strength to find it.

Because the masters did not come here to enjoy the reverence, the respect, the worship of the worldly people, they came to make them also become masters, to remind them of their greatness within themselves. That's the purpose of the masters.

The Buddha had said: I come to make you understand your Buddha nature. He said that the Buddha and the sentient beings are equal, there is no difference. Even if we believe the Buddhas, we still don't know what the Buddha nature is; because no one taught us, or maybe we have not tried enough to understand it ourselves. For the lucky people who have found it themselves, that is all right. For the majority of the people who have failed many times over the past, numerous lifetimes, it becomes more and more and more difficult each time.

Some of the clairvoyant persons who have their third-eye opened and have the gift of heavenly sight, they have seen that the world is full of old souls. That means, the people in this world have come back again, again and again to the same planet, in same the situations, same existence. It is because we have failed the first time to go back home, and we failed the second, the third, the fourth and for thousands of times, to remember where we came from.

Because we have forgotten our Buddha nature doesn't mean we've lost it. We can still find it anytime. Hundreds of thousands, and millions of people in this world have already found their treasures, including myself. So can you.

After Enlightenment Everything Becomes Perfectly Natural

Many people have asked me, "After enlightenment what will you become? How is your personality changed? How do you live your life? How do you think? What do you do after enlightenment or after Buddhahood?" I think you also want to know, right? Yes or no? (A: "Yes!" Applause)

So, I told them, "After enlightenment, when I'm hungry, I eat; when I'm tired, I sleep." But that is only the physical part of myself which is doing that. The other part, which is the spiritual part, which is the Buddha nature, is already awakened and is doing something else alongside the physical function.

So, that means if a person becomes a Buddha, you probably cannot tell from the outside what he has attained inside. Not with the physical eyes, physical perceptions that you can tell if a person is enlightened, or has become Buddha or not. But if we have our spiritual perception open, our wisdom open, and we practice meditation, or we have spiritual gifts since birth, then we can tell. Or, we can if we study with that Buddha, then we will discover how great that person is.

It's just like the more we learn English, the more we know how good our English teacher is when he speaks English. Otherwise, maybe we know only a little bit; but we cannot judge the knowledge of the teacher if we don't follow the same direction and study the same path.

So, the most important thing still is that we discover our greatness, then we can judge other people's greatness. Otherwise, as we know, the Buddha also had to eat when He was hungry, even just once a day; rest when He was tired; and also caught certain sicknesses, depending on the physical conditions and also the environmental hygiene, even though there is one part of the Buddha which is never sick, which is never tired, which is never hungry. That is the real Self, that is the real Buddha, which all of us possess within ourselves. Before we're born and after we die we still have that.

Our Buddha Nature Always Exists

That's the purpose of our coming here today and going any other place; that is to share with you this good news that we can find it again - our Buddha nature, our real Self, which never dies, is never born, never sick and always exists. Of course, this is a free gift for all times. (Applause)

You like free gifts? (Master laughs.) Yes, it's rare. Nowadays, there's nothing free. It is free also, but we must work for it. That means after the opening of the wisdom the first time, we must try to preserve it and develop and progress higher into Buddhahood by our own effort, by meditation everyday. Apart from two or threes hours meditation everyday on your part, everything else is free. All my time, my advice, my energy, my help is free every time, anytime. Also it's free because I can earn money, I can take care of myself. I don't need your donations.

It's nice to have a rich Buddha. (Master laughs.) That is, if I'm a Buddha. That is, if you believe that I'm a Buddha.

Most people think I am a Buddha. I don't think anything. I just do my duty as a sister in this world to pay back your kindness; because due to the people's kindness, in the world, I could grow up, I could have my education, I could have my wisdom eye opened. So, it is natural that I offer my time, my energy for the world.

All Beings Are Brothers And Sisters

Just like the children, after their parents grow old and they're grown up, they take care of their parents as the duty of filial sons and daughters. So, accordingly, it's an honor for me to serve the people. Therefore, I offer whatever I have, including my finances, my sympathy, my love, my time; because, even according to the Buddhas and according to what we see after enlightenment, all beings are brothers and sisters. It's just because there are people who suffer in this world physically and spiritually. Therefore, we must help whatever we can, not that anyone is a teacher or anyone is a disciple.

Of course, when we are so eager and longing for spiritual wisdom and liberation, and we have found a good friend who is willing to help us, free of any obligation, then in our still ignorant stage, we are very thankful; and of course, we worship the so-called teacher, the spiritual friend. And the so-called teacher sometimes must suffer the worship, the love, the adoration of the so-called disciples; but this is not necessary.

If all of us are equal, if all of us all possess Buddha nature and the Godly quality within, then no one should be grateful to the others for anything at all. The only important thing for us to do is to take the instructions of any teacher that we trust, and practice diligently until we reach the same stage as the teacher. That is the best gratitude from a student.

Of course, not all of us are used to the way of life of a saint such as in the ancient times. So, we will feel reluctant to step into spiritual practice. We have many fears, but this should not be an excuse. We should fear only when we do something bad, damaging, detrimental to ourselves, our families or our nations. We should never fear when we do something good, noble, righteous and spiritual.

Vegetarianism Is Beneficial For You And The World

Some people tell me that they fear the vegetarian diet, that people will laugh at them. I said, "Why? Vegetarian diet doesn't harm anyone. Even if you don't become a Buddha, by vegetarianism your health will improve."

By the way I'm happy that in Chiang Mai many people are vegetarian - thirty to forty percent are vegetarian - and there are so many vegetarian restaurants in Chiang Mai. This is good news. (Applause)

I remember long time ago when I was in Thailand for vacation. It was difficult for me to find a vegetarian restaurant in Bangkok, and even in any other places. I visited your country many times before I took over this business. That is, before enlightenment. I was thinking Thailand is a Buddhist country, and would be easy for me to eat vegetarian food here, but no chance.

Sometimes I would go into a temple, I thought I'd get vegetarian food there; but no. The monks didn't even have it, how could I get it? Because when they go out begging, people just put anything inside because they worry for the monks' health: "They must eat a lot of chicken and beef in order to be strong Buddhas." So, the poor monks have no choice. But I think in Chiang Mai, it's better. I might consider becoming a nun in Chiang Mai. Everyday I'd go to the vegetarian restaurants and beg for food.

I think because of the high percentage of people being vegetarian in this land, so when I came here I felt very, very good. Also, here is a very religious place; that's why the atmosphere is different from other places that I have been. We can feel that.

Spirituality Develops Our Sensitivity And Wisdom

After practicing for a long time, we become very sensitive in different aspects of life. We can feel many things that we did not feel before. We can understand many things that we did not understand before. That is the benefit of spiritual practice. Otherwise, from outside we don't look different from before. From outside maybe we become a little younger, and look more beautiful than before; but that is not a criterion for a spiritual practitioner. It is the inside that is important.

Inside we become wiser. We know the past, the present, the future. Then we go beyond that even, to reach the absolute power of wisdom that we have lost for a long time. We have come here to share with you, to offer you the way to immediately realize our treasure and continue to nourish it until we become completely aware of our great Self. The result is proven and is immediate.

Many people - the first day already - can know their past or future. Many people will know more in a matter of days, weeks or months. It depends on our background and our sincerity.

So, that is the summarized message of our offer. Okay, I think I'll leave you time for questions, otherwise it takes too long. I could talk for a long time because Buddha's business is very great, but I think it's better you find out for yourselves, by being awakened and practicing spiritual meditation everyday.

It is like a thriller movie: If people tell you the end and tell you everything in the movie, then maybe it's no longer thrilling, and you lose the pleasure of watching it. All right, so we invite you to discover for yourselves.

After the lecture we will share with you the secret. The people who want to know the whole secret must make a vow to be vegetarian from today. The people who want to know only half or one-third of the secret can take the Convenient Method and try first - see if you like it.

The difference is that the one who practices the whole secret can become Buddha even in this lifetime and liberate their many ancestors, friends and loved ones. The other Convenient Method practitioners can only liberate themselves, individually. So, I leave you the choice. Thank you for your attention. (Applause)

Meditation Can Reveal The Secret Of Death

Q: He would like to ask You whether he will be born again after death. Before he has been listening to a monk preaching. Since the monk has not died, how does he know that we are reborn again? How can we believe him?

M: The monks are not to be doubted because they preach from the wisdom of the Buddha that they have learned from the sutras, and perhaps they have learned from their meditative practice, if they practice meditation.

We don't have to die to know what happens after death. Of course, some people ask me, "What will happen after I die?"

I also tell them, "I haven't died yet, I don't know." But when we meditate, we can go into many different levels of understanding and existence, then we can know whether people are reborn or not reborn after death. This is very easy to check out. No problem.

If you want to prove it, you can come and study with the Quan Yin Method, and you'll find out yourself. It's good to check-up everything we hear and we do not believe by blind faith. It is very wise like that. The way you did, it's very wise. But, instead of just doubting the monks or questioning, we have to find a way to find out, to check it up.

Q: She would like to know what is initiation and how to get initiation?

M: Initiation is the time that the so-called teacher sits with you in silence, whether in front of you or thousands of miles away, and tries to communicate with your own inner wisdom and opens the gate of ignorance for you; so that you see the light, hear the teachings of God directly, and become awakened.

There are some verbal instructions when the teacher is around. But, sometimes even that is not necessary because the transmission is from heart to heart, from mind to mind, from our Buddha nature to our own Buddha nature. There is no need for language or any actions from the master or from the disciples.

If you want initiation, all you have to do is go out and book your name; we will take care of you after the lecture. Many people get also an unofficial initiation through the faith with the master and through sincerity, even though they haven't seen the master, even though they are thousands of miles apart.

Meditation Requires An Experienced Teacher

Q: He used to meditate three hours a day for nine days, and he saw some future scenery - twice. He would like to know why is it like that, because he doesn't feel that this is the real Truth or the real phenomenon.

M: But with what kind of method does he meditate? He doesn't say? (A: No.) If you study with any teacher, you should ask your teacher for further guidance. For the people who study with me, they write to me and ask personally. But as a general guide, if after your meditation, after your vision of light or heavenly music, you feel good, relaxed and more loving, that is the true vision. If you feel agitated, frightened or feel intimidated in some sense, that means your vision was illusion, was from maya, and you should not count on it again.

Q: How is the life after death?

M: If I say I know, he would ask me, "You didn't die yet, how do You know?"

According to different religious sutras, people have different lives after death according to how they lived their lives at present. If we led a virtuous life and practiced spiritual wisdom, then we'll go to very beautiful, peaceful and happy levels of existence. If our life was a bad example of love and sacrifice, then we will go to a lower existence. How low, how high, according to how virtuous, how wise or how damaging we lived our life.

There are many books in the modern time about spiritual practitioners' visions after death. Also, there are many books from the ordinary persons who have been clinically dead for some time and come back to life; and they have told their stories. So maybe you look up in the library.

Q: Is there any difference between Master's meditation and Buddhist meditation?

M: There should not be any difference but there is now, because most of the meditative practices in the Buddhist traditions now are different from the true meditation practice that the Buddha had handed over to His disciples.

Our meditation practice offers immediate enlightenment. Most of the Buddhist traditions nowadays - meditative practices - do not offer this kind of guarantee. We practice Quan Yin Method; it is guaranteed and proven with results from thousand, millions of disciples, that we are liberated in this lifetime. This is the last life that we have to suffer. This is in accordance with the teachings of the Buddha, the original version, the original way; because the disciples of the Buddha, in His lifetime, became Arhats, Bodhisattvas or liberated beings, immediately after the Buddha transmitted the silent awakening to them.

All our relatives and friends will also become liberated, even though they have not reached Buddhahood. Liberation and Buddhahood are still different.

With our practice, we can immediately taste the stage of enlightenment during the first moments of initiation and continue forward. Most of the other Buddhist traditional practices, in present time, do not offer this. That is, you can meditate with the teacher but you get nothing. You do not know whether you're enlightened or not. But in our method you know, because there is a proof for you; so that you know, you feel, you realize that you are enlightened, that you are different, that you are awakened. There is great light and great music accompanying a person's awakening. Without these, it's not an awakening.

Also, there is a great feeling of elation, of shedding away the burden of a long time; that something has fallen off our shoulders. Like we have shed the burdens, that we feel elated, we feel light, we feel ecstasy.

This is the proof of enlightenment. This will continue everyday of our life after initiation and improve more and more each day. That, would make us wiser, more loving, more tolerant and a different person; because we have entered into sainthood. We live the life of the flesh but we have the spirit of a saint. If any other method could offer you all this, that is the true way for enlightenment.

Every other method we can practice, we can use; but it's only for temporary, for elementary steps, and not leading us to the absolute throne of spiritual wisdom. (Applause)

Meditation Is The Deepest Prayer

Q: When I am in trouble, I pray to God. Sometimes I get some answers. My question is: How can I know or judge the answer to be truly the response or guidance from God?

M: When we are in deep prayer, we are very sincere, then we can get in touch with the inner God blessing power. That's when we have a response, otherwise, we don't. Meditation is the deepest, most sincere prayer. That's why we will always get the response.

After initiation, the teacher will open the connection with our innermost God-power or Buddha nature. That's why we are in contact everyday, and that's why whenever we pray, we get the response. Then one day, we have no more prayers, we will be the one who responds to the prayers of other people. This is the goal of spiritual attainment. All of us can reach this. (Applause)

Q: If we would like to get liberation as soon as possible, what should we do? The other question: If we practice in our family, that means we don't have to leave our family, would that be slower than leaving the family?

M: First, you book your name at the initiation desk outside. Secondly, if we practice at home, will it be slower than being a monk or leaving home. Right?

No, it's not slower; because even if you become monks, you're also busy. There's only certain times in the day that the monks can practice. Otherwise, they have to attend to the temple's business, attend to the devotees, attend to every other thing in the mundane level, just like we do, but in a different location.

We stay home, take care of our Buddha's family, and we practice when we have time, like early in the morning and at night before we go to bed. That's all right.

Zen should be in daily life, like sitting, standing, laying down, and walking. It should be all Zen. Otherwise, what did the Buddha do? We cannot always be a sitting Buddha.

Sometimes, we can go on retreat for one week, two weeks or one month. That's all right, but cannot do that all the time. We have obligations to the society, even as monks.

The Buddha sat there only forty-nine days, and afterwards and before that, He had to walk around or do many other things.

We have many monks in Taiwan. But most, many of the monks have to attend funeral services for the dead people. Sometimes they don't even have time to eat, they have to rush from one place to another. So, it's not always as you think; that being a monk, then you have a lot of time to sit there and meditate. It's not true.

Enlightenment Is Beyond Time And Space

Q: How did this world originate? Why do humans have to be born even though we know that after we are born we have to face the cycle of death and birth eternally?

M: It's a long story. I don't have enough time, even if I told you from today to the day I go to nirvana, how this world was created. But if you insist, I think we both have to be reborn again in this suffering world in order to tell you the story of how this world was created. I don't think you'd like that. So, the quickest answer is enlightenment.

After you get complete enlightenment, you know everything. Even many lifetimes in one flash; because with enlightenment we cross the border of time limitation and of space limitation. When there's no time involved, then we know many things without having to spend a lot of time.

So, sometimes we sit in meditation for many hours, but we feel like it's only one minute. We know many things that take many centuries to understand. That's why we must search for this inner wisdom. All the answers lay within.

Q: Why do we have so many religions in this world? Which one is the true one?

M: Any one. Pick one. If you understand one religion thoroughly, you understand any other religion. Otherwise, we always have debates, discussions and wars between religions which only lead to one Truth.

Stay with your religion but get enlightenment today. Then, you know which religion is the best, you know there are not many religions, there is only one.

Without enlightenment, it's very difficult to convince ourselves that all religions are one. It doesn't matter how much I explain to you, it's my own knowledge, not yours. So, you must get your own.

If all the religious people could understand their own religions, then there would be no wars, absolutely, between, within, even one religion, as you know happens in the world today.

Only enlightened persons can be truly, truly, deeply, a hundred percent religious. That person will understand the brotherhood of mankind despite all race, creeds and religions. That person is the true peace-keeper of this world.

Q: Is it necessary to pray before doing the meditation?

M: Yes, we can; but it's not necessary. Meditation is the deepest prayer. Through which you get anything you want. Anything that is good for your spiritual and physical well-being will automatically come your way, whether you pray or not pray for it. That's why the life of a Quan Yin practitioner is full of contentment and satisfaction. He wants nothing. The more he practices, the less he wants. The more he practices, the less he prays. Seek you first the Kingdom of God, and all other things shall be added onto you.

Q: Is there any merit in the prayer or is it just a saying?

M: No, there is merit. If we do not have complete enlightenment, we must always pray for enlightenment and liberation; and, of course, pray for what we need, what our necessities demand in this life. Whether our prayers are answered or not, when we pray we get comfort, psychologically already, and that is also very good.

Sincere prayers are always necessary because heavenly beings will hear through the brightness of our soul which is sent to heaven through the prayers; and they will come to our aid. We can pray for other people's well-being. If we are sincere, all these prayers will be answered immediately.

Vegetarianism Purifies Body and Mind

Q: This person has practiced meditation for ten years and eaten a vegetarian diet for two years. Sometimes he has dreams which come true. The dreams come true about eighty percent. What is the reason?

M: That is the result of your spiritual practice and vegetarianism combined. Because we follow a vegetarian diet, our body is less burdened by animal instincts and substances, and we become purer in body and mind. So, it's easier for us to perceive the spiritual messages. Especially when we meditate, we calm our turbulent mind somewhat, and then the spiritual messages can filter through. Otherwise, God, Buddha and spiritual beings always stand by and help us in many ways and answer our prayers; but we can never receive because we are too busy and too noisy inside our mind, and our body and spirit are crowded by different substances, especially from the animal's lower vibration.

So, now you see the logical explanation of the vegetarian diet and meditation practice. The lower and the higher cannot mix. If you are nearer to the physical existence, nearer to the animal kingdom, then we cannot be nearer to God's Kingdom or the spiritual hierarchy.

Q: Is initiation and meditation the same? If it is the same, can we erase the past and present karma?

M: First, initiation is to open your meditative power, then you can meditate. Of course, through this meditation we can erase the stored karma. The Master-power can do that for you, and just leaves a little karma for you to carry on in this life. Otherwise, you die.

Even though karma is illusionary, it is necessary for anyone who lives in this physical body. Otherwise, we have no reason, no excuse, to exist in this physical world. But only through the meditative practice we then realize the illusionary nature of karma. Therefore, we are free of karma, even though apparently we still carry on the karmic actions to function in this world.

That's the difference between a liberated person and a not-liberated person. Both carry on the same karmic pattern; but one realizes the illusionary nature of karma, the other is still sunk deep in the trap of this karmic function.

Karma is not fearsome. The only fearsome thing is our ignorance that we do not understand the nature of karma.

Only Inner Realization Sets Us Free

Q: Why do we have to continue the circle of rebirth and death until we reach nirvana? What is the cause, what is the reason of the first birth?

M: We came here because we wanted to take part in the creative drama. Without our participation, there is no creation and no fun. So, each one took a job in this world and then tried to accomplish this job. So, originally there were different levels of people, different jobs; and no one minded whether he had a lower position or he had a higher position, whether he was blessed with richness or whether he was appointed to be a beggar on the street. No one minded in the beginning of our "play".

But after some time, we became attached to our role and we became self-pitied or self-arrogant and we lost the purpose of the "play". That's when we began to feel the suffering of wanting this and that, of comparing the positions and the blessings in this world. We took the roles we played for real and the more we attached to our role, the less we remembered the purpose of our "play", the less we remembered our greatness and our origin. Then, because we became so attached to our roles, we identify ourselves with the beggar that we were playing, or with the king that we were in a position of. We tried to do our best to better our lot, or to keep our high position; and we did not fear to do any bad things to accomplish our desires. Then, the fun "play" roles became suffering. As we tried to improve our lot, to keep our positions, desires aroused. If the desires didn't get satisfied this life, we tried to come back again to fight for what we believed was justice. That's how we spoiled the "play", and that's how we transmigrate and suffer.

So, originally we came from the Kingdom of God or the Buddha's land, equally. The king born in this world, or the beggar born in this world, equally great angels or of the spiritual hierarchy in heaven, now began to fight with each other for position, wealth and fame. That's how we began to suffer. That's how we can never get out of this physical transmigration.

Only enlightenment can help us to cut through all this illusionary position and boundary to realize that originally we were all equal in the Kingdom of God. There is nothing we need to fight for. There is nothing we should be ashamed of. There is nothing we should be proud of about the physical existence and the positions in this world.

That's why after enlightenment, it's equal for us whether we stay to become a king to rule a nation, or we renounce everything and become a monk, begging on the street. With enlightenment we can stay as a king and rule the nation and have liberation at the same time. Without enlightenment even becoming a monk is only an empty gesture, and doesn't bring us any spiritual elevation; because it's only the inner realization and recognition that sets us free. It's not the outer force, appearance or actions that can bring us the Truth. (Applause) Thank you.

Q: He would like to know whether after initiation, would his way of life be changed?

M: Yes and no. Change inside, not outside. Of course, the outside appearance will also change somewhat. Many initiated people became more useful, more beautiful, more tolerant, more loving; but the most important is the inner change from ignorance to wisdom. Otherwise, we don't require any change of life-style, job or religion.

The True Master is Omnipresent

Q: After following Master's meditation practice, if we do it ourselves, would there be some danger? If we have some problems or some doubts, from whom can we get information?

M: If you follow the instructions, that means you don't do it yourselves. So, there is no danger. Besides, the Master is everywhere. You can always get answers from inside. The Master will know when you are in danger and help you immediately without even you asking for it. Should you have any intellectual questions, you, of course, can write to me or our Center. Come to see our Center and some elder practitioners or monks of our group can help you. But that's only the beginning. Later, you'll know everything from inside. You'll have no more questions, no doubts, no desires. Just fulfilling your loving duty and enjoying the inner blessings.

The true spiritual master must be omnipresent, must know every disciple's moods and desires in different corners of the world and in the universe. Otherwise,, if you rely on the physical presence of the Master, in times of trouble and emergency, it would be too late.

That's why I advise my disciples not to go out and teach people in a hurry. They must wait until they've reach at least the spiritual level of the Master, in order to help the disciples omnipresently. Otherwise any master who has not reached the omnipresent stage should never venture in the spiritual field and lead other people into danger.

So, have no fear. If I teach you, I'll take care of you. I promise. (Applause)

Cambodia Today

June 28,1996

In order to develop agriculture and attract foreign investment, the Cambodian National Defense Department leased thirty thousand hectares of land in Kompong Speu Province to the Tri Star Company two years ago. One of the company's shareholders is a disciple of Supreme Master Ching Hai. After having leased this piece of land, the company has not developed it for the past two years. Due to lack of manpower and finances, they have asked Supreme Master Ching Hai to come and help in the development.

Supreme Master Ching Hai is always ready to help those in need. In recent years, She has provided relief for the Cambodian people through the distribution of thousand tons of rice, digging of wells, help building schools, temple, hospitals, etc. around Cambodia. With true love for the Cambodian people, She has been taking care of them like a Bodhisattva. Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association (which included monks, nuns, and lay people) has twice held meditation retreats in Cambodia to pray for this country, and has developed good affinity with the Kingdom. There are many members of the International Association who are highly talented, come from many countries, range among various social levels, and have been very supportive of Supreme Master Ching Hai's loving philanthropic acts In this instance, they have also come one after another to participate in the development plan. And this developing area was named Raising Center by Supreme Master Ching Hai. (Wishing that Cambodia will raise up as a strong nation.)

The Raising Center's Development Plan focuses on cultivating economic and agricultural products, such as coconut, mango, mangostine, durian and rambutan trees and various vegetables. The Center has also made an agreement to work with a Japanese company, introducing the very profitable youdo (oil bean). The Japanese company is responsible for purchasing this commodity from the country. The prospects for this project are good.

An industrial region is also part of Raising Center's plan. Not far in the future, agricultural product processing factories, rice-hulling mills, clothing factories, plants to items for daily use, as well as various stores are expected to emerge and flourish like bamboo shoots after the spring rain. They will not only provide products for the community's needs, but also for export, which will be a huge impetus for Cambodia in becoming an awakened economic power! In order to uplift the spiritual lives of the community residents, the Raising Center is building a Compassionate Heart temple for the local people, a middle and elementary school called "High Thinking School". The school will make the spreading of the selfless service and noble ideals of the Bodhisattva its educational purpose, so that children can learn from their elevated manner at an early age.

The Healing Love Hospital which is expected to be completed in two months (by early August) will provide natural health and holistic methods of treatment. Its services will include dentistry, internal medicine, pediatrics, traditional Chinese medicine, and acupuncture. Besides these services, a classic dining hall will be there to serve healthy vegetarian food, not only to the entire community, but also to welcome foreigners to enjoy the delicious taste of natural vegetarian cuisine.

The public facilities also will include a library and a wholesale market for agricultural products, which will assist local investors and farmers. Their agricultural products will be able to be distributed, thus improving their lives economically.

At present, Raising Center Developing Plan has created five hundred job opportunities for local people, who have come to help pave roads and construct buildings. With the Development Plan's smooth progress, many times more manpower will continue to join the project. The establishment of the Raising Center has attracted many investors from many countries, who will come in succession to cultivate the land, build factories, and open stores.

This has created massive job opportunities for local people, and promoted the manufacturing of high-quality modern products, both retail and import-export. The emergence of the Raising Center in Cambodia would help the country's future. (To encourage more investors to this nation.)

The National Defense Department owns ninety thousand hectares of land in Kompong Speu. The land has been leased to more than twenty companies. Once the Raising Center Development Plan is successful, investors from other countries are expected to come swarming, which will promote prosperity in the entire Route 4 area. This highway is an artery connecting the capital city Phnom Penh with Kompong Som. Once it begins to flourish, it will directly affect the prosperity of the entire city of Phnom Penh as well as that of the national economy. This will create a positive cycle of continuing abundance. May the Raising Center Development Plan be successful, with Buddha's blessing.

Caption: Villagers travelled from far to watch the drilling of the 'Ching Hai Wells'.

Caption: Supreme Master Ching Hai International Associaton brought rice (7,000 tonnes)

News 66 Index

Supreme Master Ching Hai News No. 66

Cover illustration: Wearing a new and dazzling outfit subdues even the scorching sun radiates a feeling of being absolutely relaxed.