Supreme Master Ching Hai News No. 67

Cover illustration: Front Cover: After HRH the Princess Marie of Cambodia arrived at the Raising Center, she and Supreme Master Ching Hai conducted the Roof Installation Ceremony for the Healing Love Hospital. *** Back Cover: Under Your love, all of creation grow happily and develop freely. (Master in Raising Center)

Master Tells Stories

The Pirate Saints

Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai, Formosa
August 30, 1989 (Originally in Chinese)

Pong replied, "What should I be attach to? What should I dread? I know they are nothing but poison and was ready to throw them into the sea. If you feel they can be of some benefit to you, I give them to you."

After listening to him, these five hundred so-called pirates were shocked awakened. They knelt down before him in repentance, and begged to be his disciples. Pong accepted them with open arms. He donated all his wealth to a temple as an offering for these five hundred "Arhans" (saints). Later on, they became monks, practiced spiritually, and attained the sainthood of Arhan.

Only Half Enlightened

We can learn from this story that it is not a bad thing to own a fortune. In the story, seeing Pong was about to throw all his wealth into the sea, we may think, "Wow! This is a true enlightened being! Marvelous!" However, at the end of the story, seeing him offer his wealth to the monks, and transform the pirates into monks, I think he acted in better way. It could be said that he was not wrong in throwing his wealth into the sea, but only half enlightened. It is because he was still judging what is good and what is bad with an attached frame of mind and a discriminating spirit. At that time, his thinking was rather extreme. He thought it was good to renounce everything and it was bad to keep a fortune. This kind of discriminating mind exposed the incomplete enlightenment of his spiritual level.

If we have many belongings without knowing how to make use of them, we wouldn't be better than the pirates. For instance, if a rich man of high position takes advantage of his power to harm or oppress others, that is outrageous. There are some who damage others' property because of poverty, no money or being in an oppressed situation. Maybe they are forced by an overwhelming pressure that triggers an outburst of their anger. They are not worse than the former. Thus, we have to discern with insight the different backgrounds and situations. The rich or the powerful are not always the good or the blessed. The poor, the oppressed or the needy are not the bad ones. This is why Shakyamuni Buddha could transform two so-called felons into spiritual practitioners, and why Pong could transform the five hundred pirates into monks.

Everything Is Useful

If you read "The Adventures To The West" you will know that the eminent monk Tang was a virtuous and majestic master with three scary-faced disciples. One was long-nosed and large-eared. Another one was hairy, while the other had skulls strung together as his rosary. Ordinary people would be frightened to death at the first glance. However, Tang was not afraid of them. He even took them as disciples. This is why they supported Tang and succeeded in bringing back the holy scriptures. Without these three so-called bad disciples, Tang might not have reached the western land. Everything is useful! Since their appearances were so scary, the devils feared them. Even devils fear other devils. (Master and audience laugh.) Hence, if we realize the law of the universe, the secret of creation, we can make everything become useful.

News 67 Index

Spiritual Interlude

A Pedicab Runs Fast Taste Of Freedom

A Pedicab Runs Fast!

By Sister Initiate Linlin Chang, Cambodia

This was a children's rhyme I used to sing when I was young. Before coming to Cambodia I had never seen a pedicab in real life. The first time I sat on one here, instead of leisurely enjoying the gentle breeze, I felt extremely uneasy. I watched the man who was struggling to pedal the pedicab under the scorching sun; the sweat was running all over his body and his clothes were completely soaked. I was so embarrassed and did not know what I should do. I even wanted to say to the man, "Please let me pedal the cab." But looking at the goods laid in the pedicab, I thought I would hardly be able to ride the bicycle by myself with a person, so how could I help him?

Taste Of Freedom

By Brother Initiate Wu Jr., Phnom Penh, Cambodia

After initiation, I did not want to mix with people. Often I came and went alone and avoided working in a busy environment. Those solitary days were sort of carefree. Whenever people asked me why I didn't want to find a job in a big company, I could not find a proper excuse to give. I did not know of what I was afraid. Later on I had a chance to work for Master -- the nature of the work that I had to do was very similar to what I had tried to avoid in the past. I appreciate Master's loving arrangement -- I am finally no longer afraid of working together with many people. Since overcoming this obstacle, I have become confident and positive.

After respectfully reading Master's article 'The True Master Only Cares About Your Liberation!' I, your humble disciple, now deeply appreciate that if there is doubt, fear in one's mind, it will be very difficult to attain real happiness. Thank You, Master, for giving me opportunities to learn and accompanying me through one obstacle after another.

News 67 Index

Special Reports

Rejoicing In The Completion Of Work On The Spot Interview Because We Have A Good Master Healing Love's Free Medical Service A Golden Page In History The Reclamation Saga, Parts I & II A Friendly Marketplace

Rejoicing In The Completion Of The Work
-- The Opening Ceremony Of The Raising Center, Cambodia

Summarized By Supreme Master News Reporter Shan Yun, Taipei, Formosa
Reporting In Cambodia

Entering the Center, we could see coconut trees swaying in the wind, with flowers and grass carpeting the earth. There was greeneries everywhere -- so cool and refreshing. The former wasteland had been transformed into a paradise. The first building we saw was a newly built Guest House; on the ground floor was a workshop and on the second floor were some simple but elegant living quarters. They were built in only a few months, yet they have all the facilities of a modern suite. In such a remote location, that was indeed a breathtaking miracle in construction.

Master's latest art creations were displayed in the Celestial Clothes and Jewelry Area. The mannequins, wearing the latest Celestial Clothes, looked as beautiful as heavenly beings; and for the first time, before our eyes were the colorful S.M. bags recently created by Master. The S.M. bags were styled and made in materials very different from trendy ones. The use of colors was so bright and dazzling; each bag has a unique feature, a perfect match to the Celestial Clothes. The magnificence of the Celestial Jewelry attracted the attentive appreciation of fellow practitioners, who were reluctant to leave.

Our dear Master arrived at noon that day. We had not seen Her for a long time. She was wearing a refreshing lavender outfit and merrily greeted fellow practitioners who had come early. To satisfy everyone, despite Her exhaustion after the toilsome journey, Master chatted with them for quite a while under the noon sun. After that, She went to take a rest.

In the evening, after enjoying a sumptuous meal, everyone gathered at the Buddha Bath Hall*, waiting for Master to come to cut the ribbon. Under the watchful anticipation of disciples, Master pronounced, "May God bless you with infinite blessings!" This would surely bring auspiciousness to the innumerable children of the Buddha in this new land in the future. Next, She was invited to inaugurate the different areas of the Guest House. These were the lucky words that She said, "God blesses you! Continuous prosperity! Good profit!" Fellow practitioners answered with a thunderous applause and cheering; their joy was most obvious on their faces.

To satisfy the longing of disciples, Master ascended the red carpeted staircase. By this time, there was a cool breeze, and the sun was setting. Amid such a poetic scene, Master gave a brilliant discourse to the disciples.

To Comply With The Situation Is To Comply With God

Master said that the good and bad situations of spiritual practitioners are arranged by God. Whatever the situation may be, just accept it, and it will be all right. As most people die in bed, Master humorously remarked that, the bed is the most dangerous place. When we are enlightened, we will realize that every person is God to us. When we comply with the situation, we are complying with God. The truth is, while still in heaven, we agreed to come down together and act out a drama. We feel agonized now, only because we have forgotten our previous promise and have become too attached to our roles. Therefore, all situations are what we originally wanted. Life and death are controlled by destiny. Be grateful to God for any situation that comes by. Whether they are good or bad is only a point of view.

Master reminded everyone that, we come here to realize our inner Self. After knowing our Buddha Nature, we will find that we have no need to intentionally learn anything. The greatest importance is to realize our Buddha Nature and get closer to God's quality. It is pointless to keep on playing this game of ignorance.

Reflecting Master's loving advice, and savoring Her blessed food, everyone was satisfied and went into the Buddha Bath Hall to meditate. Master once again gracefully arrived. She was wearing a yellow and green outfit, and gave us another brilliant discourse -- an extra meal for our souls.

We Chose Our Own Life!

Up to now, we have been imbued with a fixed concept about God. We think that God is unreachable, or that Hes will bless us in another form. That is why we worship stones, mountains and rivers, the moon, plants, animals and everything. We starve ourselves by taking one meal each or several days, and even forsake our family and children to please God, hoping Hes will grace us with Hiers light. Master told us that we chose how we will live this life, and that different choices will result in different life experiences. We can choose different lifestyles, because we are God -- we are one with God. Spiritual practitioners have chosen to walk the path of elevating their souls. If we chose not to practice spiritually, God also would not punish us, though different choices will bring different results. She also advised us that spiritual practitioners should always think positively. Think of positive things, then things will become better.

That night in Cambodia the air was soothing with a cool breeze. Fellow initiates pitched their tents under the trees, and quietly enjoyed the singing of insects and the fragrance of flowers, with a bright starry sky as the background. Occasionally a small toad visited them in their tents. Everyone was so carefree, and just embraced Master's love into their dreams.

Becoming More Ordinary As We Become More Enlightened

Generally, Master hopes that we will treat Her with an ordinary mind and a natural attitude. However, we always want to give Her something "special". Conversely, these excessive ego and unnatural thoughts make Her feel very uncomfortable. Consequently, She cannot always work with inspiration to satisfy the expectations of the disciples. If we had behaved more naturally, Master and disciples could get even closer, and then She could have more opportunities to mix with us, to understand our problems, and to satisfy our needs. Master cited the instance when She stayed in the hospital. The doctors and nurses treated Her very naturally, just like an ordinary patient. She was very tempted to stay in the hospital for a few more days, to enjoy the peaceful and free atmosphere.

After dinner, Master especially received the fellow practitioners from all of the countries. Under the arrangement of security guards, fellow practitioners found their seats in an orderly manner. With a delightful light music playing in the background, even the beautiful flowers nodded and sang in chorus. Wearing an orange-colored dress imprinted with a big purple pattern, Master appeared. In Her discourse, She stressed that diligent meditation will make our lives become better. We should meditate on the sound for at least one hour each day, then our inner wisdom and the intangible sound will guide us in our daily life.

That afternoon, several fellow practitioners were inspired to share with us some insights derived from their spiritual cultivation, and some of their external experiences. Their sincere narration of miraculous responses relating to the omnipresent power of an enlightened Master really touched the audience. Shortly afterwards, Master came and amusingly asked whether there were any newly wedded couples among the fellow practitioners. Master advised these 'new couples': Though it is important to keep their partners, but trying to bind them is not a good idea. She even elaborated on how to be a good wife, and told us some husband and wife jokes. The sound of the falling rain accompanied the joyous laughter of the fellow practitioners, who really had an unforgettable afternoon.

After the evening meditation, Master came again. She had a dazzling yellow flower tucked in Her hair and looked extremely charming in a floral western outfit. Apart from taking care of our spiritual and daily lives, She also appears to us in a perfect image to remind us of our magnificent and noble quality within. While being grateful to Master, fellow practitioners also incited themselves to practice more assiduously. As they become more spiritually elevated, their outer beauty will emerge naturally. They also hope to become a perfect being one day.

The Whole World Rejoices At The Grand Opening

July 21st was a very meaningful day. An enormous crowd respectfully waited for the arrival of Supreme Master Ching Hai and the VIPs who came to conduct the Opening Ceremony of Raising Center. The construction of the Compassionate Heart Temple had been completed, the roof installation of the Healing Love Hospital had been installed, and a series of activities had been arranged to celebrate the event. Early that morning, thousands of local villagers amd guests from many countries who came for this occasion gathered at the main entrance of Raising Center.

Members of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, dressed in their national costumes, and the local villagers silently stood in two rows along the red carpet to welcome Her Royal Highness Princess Marie, Lady of the First Prime Minister, who came to conduct the inauguration. At about nine o'clock, guided by the ceremonial car, Her Royal Highness arrived. Two rows of Cambodian ladies, wearing red trousers and white blouses and holding silver basins, paid respect to the Princess. A representative, wearing a traditional Korean costume, saluted the Princess with the greatest respect. Complying with ancient Cambodian etiquette, delicate white flowers were spread gracefully on the ground before the Princess and her retinue -- ladies of political dignitaries, as they walked forward. The crowd awaiting on two sides greeted the Princess with great respect. Amid a peaceful and solemn atmosphere, the Opening Ceremony was completed following ancient traditional etiquette.

With a ceremonial flower car leading the way, the noble Princess cordially and smilingly greeted the Cambodian people on both sides. Supreme Master Ching Hai accompanied the Princess to the ceremonial stage. When the villagers finally saw Master, smiles appeared on their faces. She continuously introduced the Princess to the fellow practitioners, who respectfully joined their palms to greet Her. The villagers, including the elderly and children, with their faces brightly lit with joy, welcomed the VIPs to the stage. The atmosphere was as cheerful as a New Year's Festival. Innocent children jumped and ran around, yelling and laughing loudly. Everyone was overwhelmed by the joy of the celebration.

Several thousand guests (members and non-members of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association) and thousands of local villagers, enjoyed this meaningful day in harmony. The celebration began with the playing of the Cambodian national anthem, and everyone respectfully stood. After that, they paid homage to the high monks, and expressed their gratitude for the Buddha's blessing. After the honored Province Governor finished his speech, and amid the warm applause of all the people present, Supreme Master Ching Hai went to the podium to give a speech to the Cambodian people and overseas guests.

First, She thanked the Prime Minister and his Lady, the Governor of the Province and the local people for their support, which helped the construction of the Raising Center to proceed smoothly. Master said, "People are the same everywhere, with basic needs and love to share. Let's not think of benefitting Cambodia, but just mankind toward each other. Let's remember the Buddha's teaching of the six perfections: charity, precepts, patience, perseverance, meditation and wisdom. Let's try to achieve these golden goals through everyday tasks so that we are the real Buddhists or any other religion that we freely choose to follow..." She also praised Her Highness the Princess, much loved by her people, especially her humility which should be marked by everyone. The Princess thanked Supreme Master Ching Hai for Her contributions to Cambodia. She sincerely welcomed all the friends from various countries, and wished they would have a wonderful time whenever they come to Cambodia, and enjoy a happy stay here.

When setting the roof beam for the Healing Love Hospital, Supreme Master Ching Hai said that the best doctors in every branch of medicine would be employed to provide the best service for the public. When inaugurating the Compassionate Heart Temple, She humorously said, "The temple is small but the Buddha is very big."

Supreme Master Ching Hai had compassionately prepared several thousands gifts for H.R.H. the Princess to distribute them to the villagers. Master also kindly invited all of them to enjoy the specially prepared program. The dances and singing performed by the members of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association were rich in national color and won warm applause from the entire audience.

The performance of the Chinese Peace Drums was very high-spirited and sensational. Accompanied by gongs and drums, the rhythm was exciting and powerful. The dance successfully depicted the daring vigor of the pioneers, and the determination and perseverance of the Raising Center in developing the land.

The delicate motions of the dancer from Au Lac were as nimble as colorful butterflies dancing and flying freely in the fields. An innocent girl who had never known the taste of worry, wearing a colorful dress, was chasing butterflies. The blissful scene of a farmer going home at sunset carrying his hoe, and being greeted happily by his family, won the heartfelt cheering from the audience.

Accompanied by the music of "The Spring Flowers are Blossoming," three little fellow initiates nimbly performed the Cherry Blossom Fan Dance. Their childish innocence, enhanced by the blooming cherry blossoms of spring, created a tranquil and leisure picture of paradise, depicting the etherial scene of Raising Center.

With a bright and sweet voice, a female disciple from Austria sang an ode for the Holy Mother of the Earth -- Supreme Master Ching Hai. A Korean fellow practitioner vivaciously waved a flag imprinted with the S.M. sign, while grand and pleasant orchestral music sang out the majestic ideals of spiritual practitioners, and wished the Raising Center would shine brilliantly in the golden era.

The simple and innocent villagers kept praising the performance program afterward. Some Cambodian villagers asked the interpreters, "Can the performance be repeated? When will you give another performance?" The Province Governor and his lady also continuously praised the excellence of the program, and the talents and devotion of the performers. The traditional costumes of various countries from Europe, Asia, America and Australia broadened the view of the Cambodia people; to them, a Cambodian folklore is especially dear to their hearts.

After the performance, delicious vegetarian food was served to everyone. At the same time, a compassionate free medical service was being offered at the entrance. More than a thousand local villagers received timely treatment. Sincerely concerned about the health of the people, Supreme Master Ching Hai provided this free medical service as a heartwarming prelude to the impending opening of the Healing Love Hospital.

Though the opening ceremony of the Raising Center was over, fellow practitioners who could afford the time, stayed for a few more days, cherishing the precious time of being with Master. Everyday, Master received disciples from all countries in groups. At times, She even gave several consecutive discourses in different languages until midnight. The love of the Holy Mother sweetened the hearts of every disciple.

The nights in Cambodia have never been so cool. The nectar-like showers are the infinite blessing of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

*Buddha Bath Hall: The roof of the meditation hall at Raising Center is made of dry grass and always leaks. Master humorously joked that fellow practitioners could sprinkle some soap on their bodies before coming to the meditation hall. Then as they are sitting there, the rain would shower their bodies and wash their clothes and bodies naturally at the same time. This is where the name Buddha Bath Hall originated.

On The Spot Interview

Entering Raising Center Feels So Good!!

Among the crowds of villagers, a woman was holding a little baby girl. She looked in anticipation at her countrymen who had received gifts from the distribution area. After receiving a towel, sarong, blessed food, lunch box and some fruit that Master had especially prepared for them, she was interviewed.

This woman was about thirty years old, had a son and a daughter, and was living in a village three kilometers away. She received a leaflet about the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association on the street and knew that the temple would be opened on the 21st of July. After returning to the village, she also heard other countrymen talking about it. Very early in the morning, all four members of her family came here to Raising Center by riding on a local cart. She said that it was very difficult to get a cart because all the neighboring countrymen were coming here. Thus, she was late!

This woman was an overseas Chinese who had followed her husband to Cambodia and had lived here for years. She made a living by running a grocery shop. Compared to the average Cambodian person, her living was rather good. However, she regretted that though being a Chinese, she could not even write her own name as she had never learned to read or write. She hoped that she could have the chance to read and write.

As today happened to be the inauguration of the temple, the whole village had come! They included the elderly, women and children who had heard about this place from their husbands and sons who had worked here but never had the chance to come. She commented that for many years, no one dared to come to this abandoned land. She could not imagined that the feeling upon entering the Raising Center could be so beautiful and calm. In just three to four months' time, Supreme Master Ching Hai had converted this abandoned land into such a nice place. She was very happy and hoped that she could come more often in the future.

She also heard that Supreme Master Ching Hai is building schools and hospital for the villagers, providing free services. She felt that Supreme Master Ching Hai has been very good and loving to them. She plans to send her children here to study. She felt that the members of the Association are very friendly, and that Supreme Master Ching Hai is very beautiful and compassionate. She hoped that she could come to this place again next time. She thanked Supreme Master Ching Hai for everything that was given to her.

Because We Have A Good Master

Narrated By Mr. Manager, Cambodia

Due to the renting of his buses to the Association, and taking the responsibility of picking up the fellow practitioners and transporting them to Raising Center, Mr. Manager became acquainted with the members of Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association. A native Cambodian, he knows a little bit of English from managing his tourist business. After several pick-ups and taking fellow practitioners from the Center to the airport, he felt a sense of unspeakable hospitality and warmth among the fellow practitioners. By coming into contact with them, he felt that they are very kind and polite. He also knows that we are a spiritual practicing group that have a very wonderful Master. He thought, "Even though the members of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association are of different skin colors, speak different languages, their hearts are very generous, sincere and easy to get along with. This must be due to their having the teachings of an excellent Master."

Today, Mr. Manager has come to Raising Center to witness the completion of the Compassionate Heart Temple constructed by the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association for the Cambodian people, providing them with a place to worship and preserving their traditional faith. Apart from that, the Association had also constructed the High Thinking School to solve the serious educational deficiency problems. Furthermore, in the future, the Healing Love Hospital will be established. Then, the lack of doctors and medical care crisis will be resolved. He was very happy for the villagers in this district and felt that they are so lucky to have these kinds of assistance. He was touched and joined the communication working team voluntarily. Although it was a rainy day and his clothes were wet by the rain and sweat, he was extremely happy. On the villagers' behalf, he wanted to say, "O-Cuin!" ('Thank you' in Cambodian.)

'Healing Love's Free Medical Service

They treated over a thousand patients that day. Old or young, male or female, most of them were barefooted, and were quite ill. The doctors (fellow practitioners) were very sympathetic to their situation. The poor villagers lacked medical care because they lived too far away from the cities, and for most of them, malnutrition is the main problem. They looked so helpless as they anxiously waited for medical care. When waves of patients entered the consultation area, they behaved very orderly. Benign and honest in nature, they would neither push nor jostle each other; that was a touching scene. Though removed from the villagers by the language barrier, fellow practitioners could feel their wholehearted gratitude. Very often, they joined their palms to express their feelings. Many overseas Chinese living in the vicinity also earnestly volunteered to act as interpreters. When fellow practitioners offered them some blessed food from Master in appreciation, they politely and humbly expressed that they dared not receive it.

Not able to bear seeing these brothers and sisters having problems even in feeding themselves, and having to use the rain water for drinking and bathing, Master came here to develop the area with Her greatest compassion. She hopes that Buddha will pamper them. When the construction of the Healing Love Hospital is completed, Master will employ the best doctors to work there, to provide further medical service to the villagers.

A Golden Page In History

-- The Saga Of The Reclamation Of Raising Center

Summerized By Supreme Master News Reporter Chan Yun, Taipei, Formosa, Reporting In Cambodia.

We have heard about the 'eternal' legends of accumulating sand to built a tower, and collecting tiny drops of water to make a river. We have also heard of the holy miracle mentioned in the Bible, when God created the whole universe in seven days. However, we may doubt them because we haven't seen them with our own eyes. In the saga of the reclamation of Raising Center, each footprint and each tiny incident tells a story of God's endless and greatest holy creation.

Many members of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association in many countries are talented people and experts in many fields. All the while, they have been eagerly supporting Supreme Master Ching Hai's charitable deeds: Helping the sick, the poor and disaster victims throughout the world. Moved by Supreme Master Ching Hai's sincere love for all people, they came from all parts of the world to Cambodia.

Children Of The Great Earth

In April 1996, a group of fellow sisters, bringing with them their inherited agricultural knowledge, came to Kompong Speu to join the reclamation work. When they set foot on this land, all they could see was a vast and boundless plain, covered with tall grass. As they looked further, the clear blue sky matched perfectly with the beautiful green plain, so pleasant to their hearts and soothing to their eyes. It was truly a paradise on earth. They couldn't help admire Master's fantastic foresight.

The memories from American sagas of developing the west -- coaches, horses and cowboys, were still deep in their minds. Today, relying on a pious heart, they came from far away to this strange land. Just to walk once around this 30,000 hectares of land would take them a whole day, or even longer, so how could they restore this land with their hands and hoes?

The working members were divided into many groups, including building construction, road construction, carpentry, electricity and water works, painting, vegetable growing, horticulture, art design, information service and kitchen. Regardless of whether they had experience or not, they worked in cooperation. Each fulfilled their duties, and strived hard for their ideal.

They found a piece of land in the tent area, and then planted the seeds that they had brought in various experimental areas. From sowing the seeds, irrigating them, to weeding out the wild grass, they watched the seedlings emerge from the soil one by one, which were as delicate and feeble as new born babies. When the sun was too hot, they had to water them quickly to quench their 'thirst'.

The watermelon vines were full of blossoming flowers; the bitter-gourds, pumpkins and cucumbers were yielding fruit; the long green beans were growing longer; the bright yellow melons beautifully covered the entire field. Everyone ran around in excitement telling each other the good news. The fellow brother scored the first 'goal'. Nourished by a torrential rain, the sweet potatoes in the fields had grown lots of green leaves, and the sweet potatoes leaves were ready to be eaten. There was also a harvest of water convolvulus, which were served for din

Sorry we lack this document at present

The Reclamation Saga, Part I:
The Heavenly Soldiers of God

Standing on Route 4 while facing the main entrance of Raising Center, you will see everything in a glance: The Healing Love Hospital, the Compassionate Heart Temple, the High Thinking School, three Guest Houses in the model of the Cambodian high-leg house, and the meditation area all in Cambodian taste. They have appeared on the vast yellow plain one after another and are very eye-catching.

If you passed by this place three months ago, you would have seen only tall grass the height of a man, vines and uncultivated land, desolate and uninhabited. In the short period of three months, this wasteland has become cultivated and build upon, new buildings have appeared from the loess one after another. This is a miracle of God's creation.

Looking at the intricate archway, which seems very natural and was not painstakingly carved, an expert architecture would admire the design and making the one-piece construction. Seeing its graceful lines and sharp corners on both ends bend into the air, displaying a leisurely, carefree and unrestrained mood, no one would believe that under its gentle, fine and graceful external appearance is steel hammered into shape and finally welded together. Even more so, the pillars that support the archway are an application of a high technology of structure and mechanical theory. If the reinforcing bar structure of the pillars supporting both sides were calculated incorrectly, it would not have been able to hold the crossbeam made of steel, or withstand the strong winds coming from all direction of the plain.

If you take a walk on the Cambodian loess plain, especially after a rain or during a rain, you will feel a softness under your feet, and sink into the mud if you are not careful. You can not see any stone in the Cambodian loess, although every walkway in the Raising Center has been paved with crushed stones. (These crushed stones were bought by Master with US currency in order to prevent people from slipping and allow them to walk safely. Therefore, these walkways with the crushed stones should be named "The Golden Walkways.") It truly was not easy to build the reinforced bar structured archway, the Compassionate Heart Temple, the Healing Heart Hospital and the school on this clay loess land.

God has revised the design of the main entrance without leaving a trace. Other construction sites have similar stories to tell and their experiences are lessons learned from God.

The construction of the first Guest House introduces the architecture technology from Formosa, plus the Cambodian native high-leg house modeling design. Starting from working out a blueprint, purchasing construction materials, to constructing on the spot -- building the foundation, constructing the sewer; nailing the wooden attic, the stairway and the floor; installing the bathrooms, equipment and mount railings on the long corridor, the participating fellow practitioners all felt that "everything was hard in the beginning" just like the difficulty of "the loftiest towers are construct from the ground." However, from impossibility, a dormitory with twelve rooms already stands before their eyes. In less than three months, many such new buildings have appeared from their strength in unity.

Fellow practitioners who participated in the construction of many of the buildings told me, "When we do things, we always rely on our previous knowledge and experiences, plus external information. However, during the process of building these structures, we felt that our original designs were only some kind of concept and were not necessarily what God wanted; so Hes would use external or inner power to adjust or revise them. During the construction, a hand of the Creator joined the operation to complete these perfect structures, often in some strange combinations of circumstances. God never painstakingly requested us to do so. The accomplishment of everything was to not to be known beforehand when we first came here in early April. Witnessing that one structure was finished in about twelve days and another building was also completed in about the same period of time, we know that we built a miracle of the world with the determination and willpower of our "Heavenly Soldiers". Let us and the dear Cambodian villagers share this joy! This is an order of God. This is a compassionate and loving offering of the Master of the era!"

The Reclamation Saga II -- The Kitchen Team

At first, they had only three rice cookers, so they had to start cooking continuously from seven-thirty in the morning. When one pot of rice was cooked, they had to quickly scrap out the rice, clean the cooker, and then cook another pot. Over twenty pots of rice were required for each meal. Sometimes, several members would work together to clean a pot, and even before the pot was cooled, it was on the fire again cooking another pot. With God's blessing, the water boiled very quickly, and the next step was to control the heat of the fire. It had to be turned down to medium, and then low heat. If the heat was not properly controlled due to the slightest neglect, there would be more crust. It would be a reckless waste of God's grace -- the Buddha's rice.

In this way, the cooking sequence began from seven-thirty in the morning to half-past six in the evening -- continuous cooking, scrapping, and washing the rice. New construction sites appeared everyday to expedite the work, and the number of workers involved increased from a hundred to over seven hundred. Now, thirty-seven pots of rice were required for each meal -- a spectacular sight.

To increase the endurance power of fellow practitioners, and to help them adjust to the climate of a strange land, one fellow practitioner lovingly suggested everyone to drink more brown sugar water with lime. A fellow sister was assigned particularly to boil the water for the workers and fellow practitioners on the construction sites. While watching the big pot on the stove attentively, she cleaned the tiny limes one by one with her hands. Then she would carefully put the limes into a basket, and cover them with a piece of white gauze to keep away the flies. She worked with extreme care, because each unit had to do their best, so that the whole group could exert its greatest power. Each worker, each fellow practitioner contributed their greatest effort to develop the Raising Center.

The rain pattered on the tarpaulin of the temporary kitchen, creating a light tapping rhythm. Several fellow sisters, 'armed to the teeth' with caps, gloves and masks, and under the blessing of Master's Buddhist chanting tape, chopped taros and cabbages. The chief cooks concentrated on their big wok spades, shovelling the food in the woks. The aroma of the food pervaded the entire kitchen. The assistants quickly and skillfully took the cooked food to the preparation tables. There were many big bags of cooked rice already placed on a long table, while the fellow sisters, two in a group, divided the food according to the number of workers at each site, and then put them in the big bags along with the rice. Around ten o'clock, many huge bags containing the rice and food were ready, waiting for the workers and fellow practitioners from various sites to take them.

Sister Lo had joined various working teams as a temporary supportive member, so she deeply understood the laborious task of these teams, who really needed the supply of good food and drinks. Therefore, having returned to her kitchen post, she thought hard to produce a rich variety of dishes and snacks to replenish their energy, and satisfy their needs. At times, she was physically exhausted, but Master's tremendous blessing of love helped her to carry on. She is very grateful to Master for giving her this opportunity to work here. She is very contented, because she often realizes the meaning of God's intentions through many incidents. In the reclamation saga of the Raising Center, she might be a nobody, but her devotion is touching. "Selling fried soup buns, I can only sustain and benefit myself. Why don't I do something that benefits everyone?" This was the thought that motivated her to come here, and this is also the hearty voice of innumerable pioneers developing the Raising Center.

A Friendly Marketplace

Summarized By Supreme Master News Reporter Shuan Pu, Taipei, Formosa

Initially, the sister was a stranger to local folks and could not communicate with them because of the language barriers. It was really time consuming and exhausting to rush back and forth among the vendors' stands in the market to asked the price and to check out the quality of the commodities. One day, preoccupied with the thought of having to make six to seven hundred lunch boxes before nine o'clock, she tried to communicate with vendors by using hand signals and a little bit of English. Surprisingly enough, they could understand each other tacitly. In addition, they used a calculator to bargain for prices without even needing any language. Thanks to Master who helped run everything! With just punches of the calculator keys, they agreed on sale prices quickly and happily. Thus the sister easily purchased reasonably priced high quality vegetables and fruits.

Tacit Communication

There was a Cambodian-American-Thai currency exchange station at that country fair market. The owner of the station knew a little bit of English. The sister asked him to teach her the pronunciation of the word "tomorrow" in Cambodian. Immediately after learning that word, she went to the vendor's stand from which she had made purchases several times before. She pointed to several kinds of vegetables and said, "Shi-Ah, Shi-Ah", (sound of the word "tomorrow" in Cambodian), then she displayed the required amounts to the owner of the stand by using the calculator. Through heaven's help she was able to communicate with the sister tacitly. Next morning, she had prepared each kind of vegetable in the required amounts for the sister, thus saving her a lot of time. The vendor owner is also diligently learning Chinese, so they are getting more and more acquainted with each other. Because of this the sister mentioned to the vendor about our association and introduced to her the head of our family - Supreme Master Ching Hai. She was also invited to attend the grand opening ceremony of Raising Center. Invited and able to participate in this opening ceremony, she was very happy.

A Handful Of Coriander

Once the sisters had finished shopping, they had other duties to do, so they loaded the vegetables into the truck in a hurry and drove back immediately, without taking with them several handfuls of coriander that they had purchased. The sisters remembered the coriander only after they had arrived at the Center. At that time a note came from the front gate: "There is a merchant who brought back the coriander you had forgotten." Just for several handfuls of coriander, worth only one Taiwanese Yuan per handful, that merchant left his stand, caught a "motorbike-taxi", and chased the sisters all the way to the Center, forty-five kilometers away! The merchant told the gate guard by using hand signals that he would like to give the coriander to the sisters in person, so his mind could rest. His honesty and pureness amply reflected the kindhearted nature of those folks in the Buddhhist's kingdom. Interacting with them we realized what Master has taught: "Being honest to yourself is being honest to everyone."

News 67 Index

Feature Reports

"Thanks God Dinner"

By Supreme Master News Group, Bangkok, Thailand
(Originally In English)

When fellow practitioners were informed about a "Thanks God Dinner," everyone thanked God with sincerity and participated in the preparation of the dinner with enthusiasm. Subsequently, we spent only one and a half day to prepare this significant party.

One by one, each fellow practitioners who volunteered to work arrived at the Sukhothai Hotel on the morning of the party. It was a miracle of God that everything was done on time. The hotel's ballroom was decorated with colorful balloons everywhere; we had especially invented a balloon tree that bore fruit, with red apples and the foot of the tree was filled with all kinds of sweets and fruits: apples, mangosteens, oranges, guavas, coconuts, bananas, etc. The most beautiful masterpiece of all decorated the center of the back wall of the stage -- a golden heart filled with red, pink and white fresh roses and in the center of the heart was written "Thanks God," expressing our sincerity.

When everything was ready, we all excitedly lined up along the hallway, all the way to the entrance to welcome Master and Her guests. One of Master's guests was the surgeon who took care of Her, therefore, She wanted to host a dinner party to say 'thank you' to Her doctor. However, the doctor wanted to bring his family along to introduce to Master, so Master was happy to bring along Her big "family", too. When we heard that Master introduced us as Her family, everyone's heart almost burst.

Although Master was just recovering from Her operation, She looked amazingly fresh and glamorous in Her modern yellow Thai silk dress and light green scarf. Thai classical music was playing softly in the background while Master and Her party walked to their table. She entertained Her guests in a friendly manner and all of us enjoy both the dinner and the Thai dance program. Master also commented that the food was delicious and wished to come back to dine there again.

The party ended in a warm and happy atmosphere. Everyone's stomach was stuffed with delicious food and cake. Each of us also brought back home some blessed fruits and sweets to share with our families. When we left the ballroom, intoxicated by Master's boundless love, all of our faces were decorated with bright smiles.

We learned a valuable lesson from this "Thanks God Dinner." During the dinner, Master took the opportunity to say 'thank you' to Her doctor for his long hours of hard work. She also mentioned that She just realized that the working hours of doctors give both parties, the patients and the doctors, a hard time. Most of the patients always complain that the wound still hurt; Master is the only one who realizes that the doctor also works hard and is tired after the long hours. Master had learnt later that the doctor had a golf appointment and could not play well after the eight hours of surgery. Not only were the guests touched by Master's genuine love but also us, the disciples, were given a precious lesson. Through the "Thanks God Dinner" Master had taught us by Her actions that if we are always thankful in our heart, our world would be filled with love.

News 67 Index

Letter Of Appreciation

Sorry we lack this document at present

News 67 Index

You May Not Know

No More Transmigration The Karma Has Disappeared! True Master And Astral Beings

No More Transmigration

Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai, Laiyi Center, Pintung, Formosa
Oct. 24,1993 (Originally In Chinese)

It is all because our mind is too complicated, thinking we are incurring karma, that we are separated from God, that we are sinful and lowly human beings. Then, we forget we are forever with God. If, after we die, we have no such concept about transmigration, and have no greed, we would float as if we were in the air, and definitely would not transmigrate again. We transmigrate because of our senseless concepts; we cling to the mind and keep trying to grasp anything that it desires. The soul and the mind are connected. In order to experience, the mind says, "We have not yet finished with our game!" (Laughter) Then, both of them have to come back. When the mind has learned all its lessons, and the souls is aware, then they will not come back to learn again. We are tired of this world even before we leave! We have enjoyed everything and have no more attachment. We have realized it thoroughly: we are tired of fooling around here life after life. Then this time, we definitely won't have to come back again.

The Karma Has Disappeared!

Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai, Pingtong, Formosa
Jan. 24, 1993 (Originally In Chinese, Unabridged)

The karma in our storage is very simple to get rid of, a fire can do it. With the San Mei fire (Holy fire), the whole world can be burned, let alone your little karma. Only the present is important. In the present and future, we are not creating any new debt so we will not owe anyone. If we are no longer reluctant to leave the world, then why would we want to come back? At the time of dying, although we try our best to think of something that we like, we just can't find anything. What we think of are all very painful and very terrible so that we only want to run away fast. Therefore, spiritual practice is not blindly believing but is, instead, logical.

Similarly, our past karma, it remains in our memory. When it has a chance to come in contact with the outside, it will develop further. Now, we don't do that anymore and we don't give it any chance to develop. For example, now we no longer make mistakes like we did in the past. In the past, we did many things wrong. If we continue to do a wrong thing now, it will trigger our past mistake and develop into present or future karma. However, we don't do that anymore, so that it has no chance, no material and not enough conditions to develop further. Do you understand? (A: Yes!) Therefore, we should keep the precepts, we should be vegetarian, and we should meditate. Even though we meditate, we still create a little bit of karma each day. In case we have created new karma carelessly, we can do the Quan Yin to wash it out. Therefore, we are very safe and have no leakage to let the karma sprout.

True Masters And Astral Beings

Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai, Hsihu Center, Formosa
Dec. 30, 1991 (Originally In Chinese)

Then, is it true that a true master who has reached the fifth realm has no affection for others? I mean that he has passed the third realm and reached the fifth realm, and then he does not have any astral sentiment! Is he not the same as those who are ignorant? (A: He can controlled it!) Since he can control it, why does he still have it? Why does he need affection? (A: In order to understand others!) In case he wants to teach the people at that level, he can use it.

If a person only has those abilities but does not have countless transformation forms and does not do any good deeds, then we know that he is not a true master! He is merely an astral being. If he also has astral sentiment, or he seems to have affection for or have whatever relationship with people, as well as billions of transformation forms, transcendent powers, great compassion and indiscriminate love, then we know that he is not stuck at the astral level but possesses those qualities and uses them as the situation requires. Do you understand? (A: Yes!) This is the difference between true masters and people who are ignorant or at the astral level.

News 67 Index

Poem

I recalled You once said, "Remember me when the rain falls." Well, it's winter here in Perth, and recently it has been raining quite a lot. One night, after meditation, I couldn't sleep and You delivered the following words to me. I'm now returning them to You.

Heaven's Tears

You know everything about me
Though I know so little about You.
Yet it's Your star that surely guides me,
And Your voice that whispers true.

In my silence You're my Music,
And in my desperation You're my hope.
In my darkness You're my spotlight,
And in my drowning You're my lifeboat.

I would climb a hundred Everests,
I would sail a thousand seas,
I would trek through a million valleys,
Just to sit silent at Your feet.

Yet the distance cannot hold You
Because Your love reaches all my pain.
I take comfort in each lonely thought of You,
Whenever heaven's tears rain.

News 67 Index

Relief Efforts

Native Indians Of The Amazon In Venezuela Face Flooding Supreme Master Ching Hai's Compassionate Love Brings Warmth To The Hearts Of The Amazon Indians In Venezuela

Native Indians Of The Amazon In Venezuela Face Flooding

Reported By Disaster Relief Group In Venezuela

Fellow practitioners in Costa Rica and Panama, in accordance with Master's instructions, quickly formed a Disaster Relief Group. They immediately went to Rio Orinocco, the flooded area on the border of Venezuela and Brazil, to visit the local people to find out more about the extent of the damages. It was known that the most affected areas were the Esmerada and the Platanal. The residents were mainly Yekuana and Yanomami Indians. The latter tribe was the most seriously affected and had the greatest number of victims.

The Disaster Relief Group had expressed Master's concern to Mr. Angel Fridays, the Minister of Security of Venezuela, and donated twenty thousand US dollars as a disaster relief fund. The Minister of Security said: "In the flooded areas along the borders of Venezuela and Brazil, the most seriously affected were the native Indians. They wore special clothing and ate differently from ordinary people. Although the disaster was serious, no one died." There was already a crisis team in Venezuela to take care of the disaster. He was very grateful to Master for Her concern. Mr. Jose Guillermo? Andueza, the Minister of Internal Affairs, was also very grateful for Master's charitable act and Her concern for the flood victims.

Altogether there were more than ten thousand victims scattered around the remote areas of the river and mountains. The supplies donated by Master were the first to arrived. Therefore, they really thanked Master from the bottom of their hearts. This flooding was serious that even in the past two hundred years it had never been so bad. Usually the Indians would not ask help from outside people. This time, because there was really nothing to eat, they asked for help from the local county mayor. The Yuca tree potato and banana trees were all destroyed and it would take two years for them to recover.

At the moment, the local people are infected with infectious diseases such a malaria, dengue fever and dysentery. The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association were interviewed by a Venezuela people for help, one person one dollar loving heart charity activity to help the local Indians pass through this crisis.

Table 1: Breakdown of the Venezuela Disaster Relief.

 Item                                    Expenditures      Currency Equiv.
                                         (In Bolivars)     460 Bol/$1 USD
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Clothing, mosquito nets, hammocks, etc.   2,011,680.00  |
 Food                                      3,849,405.50  |
 Medicine and medical instruments          1,370,625.00  |
 Others (transportation, gasoline)           924,764.00  |
 ------------------------------------------------------+--------------------
 TOTAL                                     8,156,474.50  |   $18,031.00


 

Sorry we lack this document at present

News 67 Index

Between Master And Disciples

To Be Near Master Is Like Being In Paradise

By Brother Initiate S. Prungsuk, Thailand (Originally In Thai)

Several months after I was initiated, I was fortunate enough to attend Master's lectures in Thailand. I wished then that I could help Master in the spreading of Her teachings. The people of the world are suffering and Master is trying various ways to liberate them; I wished to be a good instrument for Her.

I still remembered that two days before Master's spiritual lecture in Khon Kaen in 1994, I was driving a truck filled with sample booklets with several other fellow practitioners very early from Bangkok to Khon Khean. When we arrived at Khon Kaen, we happened to run into the annual silk exhibition festival. One of our fellow initiates wanted to visit the exhibition and I decided to accompany him because I thought he was a stranger to the city. At that time Master's picture had been posted all over the city of Khon Kaen, even the pedicabs also carried Her lecture announcement. The atmosphere was extraordinarily warm.

One day I was notified by a fellow initiate to drive for Master. This notice came very suddenly. Master had requested a local fellow initiate in Khon Kaen to be Her driver and I was the only qualified one, therefore I was chosen. Many fellow initiates were happy for me. Master's flight arrived in the afternoon and the fellow initiates lined up in two lines in the airport to wait for Her. As she left the airport, police motorcycles escorted Her while fellow initiates' cars followed behind. After Master got out, She lightly tapped my shoulder and said, "How are you?" At the time I was totally concentrated on driving and repeating the Holy Names, so when I heard Master's greeting, Her gentle and matchless loving power touched me deeply. It is really an unforgettable experience for me. Master is so graceful, gentle and amiable like an empress from the heaven. I respectfully bowed to Her from behind, when I raised my head I discovered Master was responding to my bow -- I did not think Master would know. When I saw Her turn Her head and looked at me, I realized then that no matter what we do, She knows.

On the night of the lecture, fellow practitioners from all over the world lined up to greet Master. Such a long line! It stretched from the parking lot all the way to the lecture hall. Every fellow practitioner was dressed up and some even wore ancient traditional costumes. As Master entered the hall, everyone felt a very comfortable atmosphere and were very jubilant. Many people came for the spiritual lecture. Master's picture especially stood out under the beautiful light of the colorful lanterns hung in the hall. The lecture hall was filled with the atmosphere of Truth, virtue and beauty from heaven. It was graceful and impressive as never before. Being able to see Master's own designs of Celestial Jewelry made me feel very excited -- the miraculous beauty of the Celestial Jewelry is beyond our imagination! After Master's lecture, She immediately gave initiation to those who registered -- some came specially from foreign countries. She took care of the initiation and forgot about Her own fatigue. She did not have a chance to go back to rest until midnight.

After the lecture, Khon Kaen had a heavy downpour, since it is a city in the dry, drought zone of northeastern Thailand, there is a shortage of water -- no rain and no farming. Therefore, most people have moved to Bangkok. We thank Master for coming to Khon Kaen to spread the Truth and for bringing such great blessings to the people -- a downpour in the non-raining season.

News 67 Index

Master Tells Jokes

Crossing The River

Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai, Formosa
September 3, 1989 (Originally In Chinese)

Two yogis met each other. One of them asked the other, "How is your spiritual practice?"

The other answered, "Well, there's nothing special. Each day I eat and sleep; that's it. My practice is very ordinary."

Then the first yogi said, "Oh, your way isn't correct. You see, now I can fly from this side of the river to the other side instead of riding on a boat. You see!" Then he immediately flew over the river and flew back. "Can you do that?"

The second yogi shook his head and asked, "How long did you practice so that you could fly in this way?"

The first yogi replied, "Twenty-five years."

The second yogi said, "I only need two dimes to cross the river immediately!" (Audience laughs.) Riding a boat only costs two dimes!

News 67 Index

Elevation Of The Soul

Sorry we lack this document at present

News 67 Index

You Are Buddha

Spoken By The Supreme Master Ching Hai At Raising Center, Cambodia

July 19, 1996 (Originally In English, Unabridged)

Respect But Being Natural

I hope that the more you are enlightened, the more you are natural. But the problem with us is, the more you kind of respect me. I don't know why that is. Respect is okay, but being natural is better. Respect in your heart, and just a very ordinary respect, like you would respect another Bodhisattva next to you, because they all are. Just the way I respect the nurses and the doctors, that's it. That's enough. I respect them but I still require them to do the things for me that they should. I still ask them the questions that I am not clear about -- what their special skill is and how it's going to be done. You understand what I mean? Not that I respect them so much that I dare not ask them anything, from the doctor or let him do what he wants, or don't tell him I'm not pleased with this and that, in a polite way. Respect we do have but the self-respect must also be there, and the naturalness. We have to live together. We must live our life, together or alone. We must live, we must be natural so we can breathe, we can move, we can enjoy life as long as it lasts. Otherwise, we restrict each other too much, or build a prison for each other. Then what is the good of becoming Buddha, becoming imprisoned and isolated like that? No more fun.

I don't feel disturbed that I live among you at all. At the moment I do. Please don't try to find out where I live, and that's the best for me and you. Otherwise, I will be in trouble again that you are concentrating on that spot and thinking that's a holy ground and go and collect the dirt from there, things like that.

Everywhere is holy, because everything is God-made. Nothing is man-made except the terrible atmosphere that we try to create with our own habits and the wrong choices or no-choices. The choices in our lives make a difference. We are all God and Buddha but because of the choices in our lives we have become different individually. So now, if you have made the choice to become a Buddha again, or to recognize your own Buddha again, it's very simple! Just turn around. Turn your life, make a different choice now. Think what the Buddha would do now, what a loving being like a Buddha, what a compassionate being like a Buddha would do in this situation, in this kind of circumstance. Every time like that. Just act like a Buddha, think like a Buddha, speak like a Buddha, and that you are a Buddha.

You Must Act Out Buddha's Authority

You already are! It's just that you make yourself different, because you choose not to act like a Buddha. You choose to act like an idiot or devil, or whatever. Oh, that's your choice, it's all right. But don't blame God or Buddha when you suffer from the consequences of your choices. Don't blame me that you have not become a Buddha after you have been imparted the Quan Yin Method and you have not found your nature. You already have it, why do you have to find it!? There's nothing to find anymore. You already are the Buddha! It's you! You just have to recognize it and act it out.

Choose the Buddha's way. Choose your original way of being. Be a quality person. Be something that you want to be, like a Buddha. It's all right if you don't want to be a Buddha, for me; because it's your choice. You do what you want with your life; but if you really choose to be a Buddha, then you must do it. You must act out that Buddha quality. That's all there is. There's no need to become Buddha anymore because you already are a Buddha. You must act out that authority. You must realize your quality, and that's all there really is to do.

Now, the five precepts, for example. It's not a must that I impose them upon you. It's a measurement so that you know what you are, where you are going, where you have reached up to now. This is a kind of Buddha's quality, or at least noble human being quality. You would not like to kill anymore. If you were a Buddha, you wouldn't like to. You wouldn't like to take lives that you have created, or maybe God has created. God has created life not to be taken away, you know that. If it's your own creation, because you are a God or Buddha, then the more so you don't like to destroy what you have created. So, that means no killing, under avoidable circumstances. If you still think, if in your heart you still have this vicious quality, still like to kill people, or even kill, disturb their mentality just for your own good, then you must know that you have not reached the state of Bodhisattvahood or sainthood. That's all there is, it's a measurement for you. If you've found, by chance, by thought or by any habit, that you have kept the precepts during your life, or up to now, or at least after initiation up to now, then you know your qualities have been refined. You have become more noble now. You have reached the state of near the original quality that you have, like Buddha nature or God quality.

There is nothing like, if you don't keep the precepts Buddha will punish you. You will punish yourself; because as a Buddha you know what is right, what is wrong, and if you deliberately have done something against this kind of Buddha quality or God nature, then you'd feel terrible. You'd feel like you are Buddha-less, Godliless, and that's what makes you suffer. That is hell. It could be long, it could be short. It depends on how deep is your deliberation in judgement, against your own absolute purity. That is what hell is. There's no hell ready-made for you. There's no God who sits there and pin-points a finger saying you're good, you're bad, you're all this. You are Hirm. So make sure that you do not commit anything that is less noble than God, and less noble than a Buddha. That's how you are a Buddha. That's how you become Buddha, the master of your own self. Get the choice that you must make.

There's no need for me to sit every time in retreat and remind you to be good, to be holy, to be Buddha, and things like that; because you must do it. There's no choice for you. If you want to become Buddha, if you want to recognize your noble quality again, there's no other choice for you but to discipline yourself to return to the noble road that you have strayed away from.

It's Easy To Become Buddha

There's no need for anyone to tell you what to do. You know exactly what to do. Just ask yourself. Always check inside, and always have to be integrated within yourself to see what kind of quality you have. That's why the spiritual diary is there for you, so you know everyday how far you have gotten and how much further you want to be. It's very easy.

To be a Buddha is very easy. Just act like one, think like one, speak like one, because you already are. All you have to do is be it! If you refuse yourself, you deny your own compassion, your own love, your own mighty power, your own highest position, then of course even if there is a true, a one and mighty Buddha, or one mighty God, the one and only, could not even save you if you deny yourself. That's why we have strayed from Godliness. That's why we have strayed from Buddhahood and we descended into a lower existence. We get into hell, we get into suffering, etc., because we deny ourselves. But it's all right. This is a process of learning. You wanted to learn that way, it's okay.

But if you are ready to return, you're fed up with it, you don't want it, then you must know now it's time to change, to return, to turn your head and walk back. Walk back to where you have come from and that's all there is. Like before, we behaved badly, we killed people, we stole from people, we slandered people, we did all kinds of bad things; now we have to return. Just don't do anymore of these kinds of things and you become Buddha again. That's why you can become instantly Buddha, can become instantly enlightened. That's why the Buddhists say if you just throw down the butcher knife, you become Buddha. Just turn your head, that's it. Walk back, very easy. There's nothing more to do to become Buddha than just return to where you are, because you already are Buddha. How many times do I have to tell you. I will continue until you realize this. It's like a mantra, "I'm a Buddha, Buddha, Buddha..."(Laughter and applause) But it doesn't help much, it might help me only. Keep on saying, "I'm a Buddha, I'm a Buddha!" Then (only) I become a Buddha. (Master laughs.) Well, try to remember. Try to remind yourself that you are a Buddha and nothing less.

Of course, it's difficult. I wouldn't tell you, I wouldn't cheat you that it's easy, because your mind won't let you think that way. Your habit is all-binding because you would think, "Oh, I'm so lowly. I'm so sinful. I have been so bad, how can I be a Buddha or how can I become a Buddha?"

Turn Your Head And Walk Back

You can! Just return. Just walk back, that's it. Doesn't matter how far you've walked north, just turn your head and walk south. One day you'll reach. If you don't turn your head and walk back, you never will. Doesn't matter how long I accompany you and tell you to walk south, you will never reach south if you continue walking north. Very simple. Just return.

Before we had bad habits, now we have to have good habits. Before we thought lowly, now we have to think nobly. In any situation, act just like a Buddha. Be noble. Be yourself. That doesn't mean you have to give your head to everyone to chop if they want to. It's not that way. You have to know what a master should be in any situation; what he would do; what a master like yourself would do in that given situation or those given circumstances; what a master of the universe would do. Think about it and then do it. Maybe it's not exactly as a master would do but at least you proclaim yourself that you are a master, because you are. What else are you? You think you came from the devil like some doctrines has stated? What do we have a God for? Doesn't Hes have enough power to create us that Hes has to leave it to a devil to do it. Does a devil have more power than God that he can create human beings like this and God cannot? What does God do then, all Hiers daytime, nighttime and lifetime? What does Hes do in eternity? Nothing? What kind of useless God is that? So, don't recognize the devil as your father.

We have to recognize God. We do not have a God as a father even. We are God! We are a divided nature of God. We're just one part of God, but still God. You have a birthday cake and you cut it into ten pieces because you invited ten friends to come together. Do you think one piece of the birthday cake is different from the next? No! You cut it maybe a little smaller because you are not skillful, or bigger than the next piece, but it is all birthday cake, the same cake, the same quality. That's why you invited all your friends to share it. Similarly, everything around here, everything about you, everything under you, behind you, above you, underneath you, around you is God. Just divided into different ways, just like a birthday cake. Sometimes it's written "Happy Birthday" and then one person gets an 'H,' the other one gets a 'y,' the other gets a 't' or 'u,' something like that. Or, "Happy Birthday to Michael" one gets 'Mi-' the other one gets '-chael,' but that makes no difference. It's still the same cake, and same quality. Nothing different from that.

So, similarly, the person next to you -- the shorter one, the black one, the white one, the yellow one, the red one -- they're all God, all Godly quality. But because of the way they choose to express their own experience, that makes the difference. So, one person would choose to be a bad boy or things like that, go out and even murder people.

Forgive Yourself Because You Are God

Similarly, if anything we do in our life we think it's wrong then we just change it, and that's all. Okay, we might suffer from the consequences, but the earlier we change the less grave consequence we have to bear. That's the best repentance. There's no need to sit there and pray to Buddha, to God to forgive you. No one will forgive you. Whatever you did, you did. There's no need to ask for forgiveness, just change it. That's the best repentance, the most sincere, because then you forgive yourself because you are God. Who else can forgive God but God Hirmself?

If you are repentant within your heart the God in you knows, "All right. Good that we're returned. We've come back to where we belong. That's all right to go to the south instead of continuing to the north." Then you will face the south and you'll be nearer to the south. That is the forgiveness that you've made for yourself and you created for yourself.

No one can force you to turn south if you don't want, even if you pray on the road for a hundred years, "Please, please, please lead me to the south. Please lead me to the south." What is the use of that? Just turn your head and walk back. Is that not easier? Yes, that's the way to do it with us. If anything we think is not God, everything we do is wrong, just forget it, don't do it again, and do the opposite. Before you were stealing and hating people and now you're giving, you're forgiving people. That's it! That' God. God is love. God is forever forgiving. It's that simple. No need to repent and all that kind of trouble and starve yourself for seven days in order to clean your sins. There's nothing to clean your sins except yourself, your determination to change. Very simple to clean your sins, by acknowledging them -- that they are wrong, they are unGodly, they are not like what a Buddha would do, and you just change them and do the opposite.

That's the only repentance that I recommend to you, and that's the only effective way to do it, there's no other thing. No need to tell me how bad you are and ask my forgiveness. I don't forgive you. I never will, because I have nothing to do with your badness or goodness. I don't own you, your life. I don't owe any judgement to anyone; but it's you, yourself.

Walk In The Right Direction

Whenever you want to change, the situation will change. If you turn and walk southward, you will see more and more of the south. Has nothing to do with my forgiveness, my turning you, helping you, or blessing you. Nothing! You just walked the other way and that's when your life changed. That's why after initiation you have been determined to change your life by measuring yourself according to the precepts. You know why after initiation your life has changed for the better? Because it's you, you're determined to return. You walk back to the south so, of course, you see more and more of the south's scenery everyday and then say, "Oh, wow! Now I'm in the right direction." Of course you are in the right direction. If you turn and walk to the right direction then you are in the right direction, and that's all there is. Of course, with the precepts and then trying to quiet down to remember your quality inside by meditation everyday, you remind yourself. Then you become more and more Buddha everyday.

The Buddha deserves the best, and that's all there is. The nearer you're to the Buddha yourself, the more noble you become, the higher position you'll reach. That means you are nearer and nearer to your original position, the most high, things like that. Of course your life will become better, what else can it be? That's very simple. No need my blessing, anything! I will bless you anytime you need. If I have any blessing, please take it. But remember, the great blessing is you, that you are determined to bless yourself with your noblest quality, with your highest position in the universe that you are.

If you don't do that you will always be a beggar, begging for my blessing, begging for the dead Buddhas' blessings, anyone's blessing you have to beg for like a beggar. But if you return to your own original nature and you keep your noble purpose in your mind -- always trying to remember your noble position, noble quality, then you deserve only better, better, better and best.

Where Does The Blessing Comes From?

That's very logical. No need to think that I'm the Buddha and I bless you so that your life is better. There's no need to be like this. We are all one. I bless you, you bless yourself, is all the same. If you don't bless yourself and allow me to bless you, it's the same -- it's also Buddha. So the Buddha nature blesses you, it's not from me, not from anyone, it's the Buddha nature in the whole universe that we make use of and bless ourselves.

So, no need to worship me and make me become an idol to you or things like that. You can if you want to because I will not take the liberty to interfere in your process, in your growth or in your time, and tell you what to do; but I just tell you that finally you will have to admit that you are the Buddha and that's the best for you. In the infancy state, you probably have to seek Buddha's blessing or any master's blessing, and that's all right, too. But you will remember the total and then you'll know who you are. That's the best for you, instead of always seeking the blessing from me.

I don't know what else I can tell you. What now? But did you understand anything? (Master laughs.) You say it but you will forget. (Applause) If only you really understood it, it would be so good for you. Never mind, take your time. If you want to play the fool, it's okay. Play around, play around it's okay. Also gives me some job to do. (Master and audience laugh.) The problem is even though all the masters say the same thing, "You are sons of God. Whatever I do you can do better. You are the future Buddhas. You and I are equal, etcetera, etcetera." We still cannot realize it. That's the most difficult part. Not that we don't know; but we cannot masticate it, we cannot digest it, we cannot make it become the whole Truth within our being because of the mind, because of the accumulated worldly knowledge about everything about ourselves -- how bad we are, how bad we have been and things like that.

So, you just have to forgive yourself, forget the whole journey that you have done, just return. You have not been anything sinful that can not be forgiven. Just forgive yourself. Because you wanted to experience that way, so now you know it's no good and you want to experience something else. That's all right. You are God, you do what you want. You have the right to experience suffering, badness, worse situations, if you want to; because you are free, you are God. Can you imagine a God that is not free to do what Hes wants whether it's bad or good in the eyes of the mortal? Of course not.

God, Buddha are free. So you do what you want, but then you know it. You know the consequence is different, that's all.

No Karma

Now you don't want that kind of consequence, you just leave it. You don't need to take the karma for it. Probably if you still linger there, you'll take some of the effect; but if you jump out right away, you won't. You set the house on fire, you say, "Oh, now it's a mistake! Terrible!" The house is burning, it's hot. Jump out! At least you save yourself. So, anything you have done bad in the past, just forget it. You have suffered some consequences, but that's done. Let's not suffer anymore. Let's not stay there and suffer more than that. That is good. Then, once you jump out of a situation you're free. No more consequences will affect you. Understand that? So, no karma. (Applause)

Sorry I didn't give you a chance to clap, it's to (Master laughs) exercise; but I wanted you to concentrate, to listen to all this because it's good for you. Good for you, better for you than to praise me with your applause, clapping hands, and loud hurrahs. Better that you concentrate and understand. It is difficult, I know, sometimes. But don't make it more difficult than it is by telling yourself that you cannot do it, that you are sinful, that you are bad, and things like that. We're not! We're the Buddha. Okay, we made some mistakes, now we just begin anew. Whatever consequences we have suffered, that's gone. We don't suffer anymore if you walk out, turn. Many people cannot do it, I know it; and that's why you have come here. That's why the world is suffering as it is, because they cannot tell themselves to return.

That's why Buddhas are rare. Not because everyone is not Buddha. They are. They just don't make the choice, don't make the effort to get out of the water, to get out of the mud, clean themselves, and be renewed, refreshed. They think they cannot do it. The mud is too far, the water is too much, their efforts are too little, and they're too weak, etcetera, etcetera.

Get Out And Wash Clean

The more they remain there, the weaker they become, the more dirty they get, and the harder to convince themselves to get out. That's why the Buddha must come, to rescue another Buddha (Master and audience laughs) out of the mud and tell him to go wash, "Go wash and see yourself in the mirror. You're not like that. You're not dirty like that. Take some vitamins, eat some food, then you'll be strong again. Look at yourself, you're okay."

Sometimes the people remain so long in the mud, so frozen in the water that it takes some time to recover. That's all there is, that's the problem with us. After initiation, it takes time. Sometimes it takes a longer time because we have remained too long in the water, frozen ourselves. All the systems have become rigid, difficult to revive it. Difficult doesn't mean impossible. So, just get on with your job of recovery and the doctor and nurse are there to help you. But you must take the vitamins, you must eat the food, you must take the medicine that the doctor has prescribed for you.

Even like I was hospitalized the last two weeks, I had to take the medicine, too. Whatever the doctor said, I did it. No problem. Then you get better, no problem. But if you don't take the prescribed medicine or the advice from the doctor then it takes a longer time, that's all. Not that the doctor will kill you or do anything to you. He will not do that. He probably feels sorry for you and he probably has to work harder, longer to nurse you back to health again. That's the problem with some of us sometimes because we don't try to help ourselves. Either we are lazy, we think we are too weak to do it, or we like to stay sick. Some people like to stay sick, I don't know why. So that they get sympathy, get attention. (Perhaps.)

News 67 Index

International Reports

Cambodia Formosa Thailand Philippines U.S.A.

Report From Cambodia

The Opening Ceremony Of The Raising Center --

HRH Princess Marie Conducts Inauguration

[Kompong Speu] Under the Buddha's blessing, and the longing of people from all walks of life around the world, the Raising Center - a model development area in Cambodia - was officially opened at 9:00 a.m. local time, Sunday, July 21.

To celebrate the inauguration of the Raising Center, a series of activities was held, including the inauguration of the Compassionate Heart Temple, Roof-Installing Ceremony of the Healing Love Hospital, marvelous and enchanting performances by fellow practitioners from many countries, and a compassionate free medical service. (Over a thousand patients came to this service.)

Many dignitaries and celebrities graced the event that day. Her Royal Highness the Princess Marie - Lady of Cambodia's First Premier - arrived in the company of many ministers and their wives. Many venerable monks also came to wish a prosperous development to the Raising Center. Early that morning, joyous music started to reverberate throughout the Raising Center. All the villages in Kompong Speu, Clokta Seth and five other villages, came after hearing the news of the event. With excitement and innocent smiles on their faces, they stood along the roadsides which were completely decorated with the flags of Cambodia, waiting for the appearance of the honorable guests and The Supreme Master Ching Hai.

There were thousands of guests from all over the world (members and non-members of the The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association) who came to share the joy of this exceptionally meaningful day with thousands of local villagers and VIPs. The celebration began with the playing of the national anthem, to which everyone respectfully stood. After that, they paid respect to the high monks, and expressed their gratitude for the Buddha's blessing. Next, the honorable governor of the province, Governor New Shitong, gave a speech. Amid the warm applause of all the people present, The Supreme Master Ching Hai went to the podium to give a speech to the Cambodian and overseas people. First, She thanked the Premier and his lady, and the governor of the province for their support, which helped the construction of the Raising Center to proceed smoothly. The Princess thanked The Supreme Master Ching Hai for Her contributions to Cambodia, and she sincerely welcomed all the friends from many countries, and wished that they would have a wonderful time each time they come to Cambodia and enjoy a happy stay here.

For the event, The Supreme Master Ching Hai had compassionately prepared several thousand gifts, which were graciously distributed to the villagers by Her Royal Highness the Princess. Afterward, The Supreme Master Ching Hai invited everyone to enjoy the specially prepared program. Throughout the program the province governor and his wife kept praising the brilliance of the program, and the talents and devotion of the performers.

After the performance, delicious vegetarian food was shared with everyone. At the same time, a compassionate free medical service was being offered at the entrance. More than a thousand local villagers received immediate treatment. The Supreme Master Ching Hai provided this free medical service as a heartwarming prelude to the impending opening of the Healing Love Hospital.

Two days after attending the Grand Opening Ceremony of Raising Center, Dr. Liv Ann, a specialist in reconstructive surgery and dermatology and also the president of the Khmer K. K. Association, including the Human Rights Committee, returned to the Raising Center with his wife, Mrs. Lam Vaura Kao, for another visit.

While waiting to see Master, the couple were treated to a delicious vegetarian meal. Both were so surprised to know that there are quite a variety of good tasting vegetarian dishes, and concluded that this was the best tasting vegetarian meal they had ever had. While enjoying lunch, they listened to Master's poem reciting CD. Mrs. Lam Vaura Kao praised that Master is a very talented person, and said that hearing this reminded her very much of her home country, Au Lac.

After they finished lunch, Master came to see them. Upon meeting Her, Dr. Liv Ann, representing the Cambodian-Au Lac people in Cambodia, presented Master a letter asking Her to help 300 families who are in difficulties, needing assistance because they have no jobs, and live meagerly in the city of Phnom Penh and other provinces. Master immediately agreed to offer them job opportunities at Raising Center, depending on their abilities.

Dr. Liv Ann and his wife expressed their gratitude toward Master on behalf of these needy families. In return for Master's kindness and generosity, Mrs. Lam Vaura Kao offered to help find some tropical fruit trees to be planted at Raising Center. Upon arriving at the Center, Mrs. Lam Vaura Kao exclaimed that it was such a beautiful place. She also expressed that she was very happy to meet Master and would love to spend the whole day here with Her. However, they had to leave to take care of their business. Master walked them to their car where they drove off amidst the friendly, smiling faces and the waving arms of fellow practitioners.

Dr. Liv Ann and his wife come to celebrate the opening ceremony of the Raising Center.

Report From Formosa

"Clear Stream Trip" Cleansed The Heart

Upon breathing in the fresh air, concepts were also renewed. (Morning exercises during the outdoor camping trip, Hsinchu Center.)

[Hsinchu] In the hot summer heat, the Hsinchu Center had tried for the first time to organize a "Clear Stream Trip" camping activity for fellow practitioners and their relatives. The site was the Wu Fung Hsien Valley and Creek. It was completely surrounded by hills and filled with beautiful scenery. The creek was so clear that one could see the bottom. As well, there was a small waterfall and a hanging bridge decorating the scene. It was a wonderful arrangement from Master, giving us such a paradise, and allowing fellow practitioners to recall the taste of the San Di Mun 7-Day Retreat.

The activities included a welcoming ceremony, meditation and praying for peace, vegetarian meals, campfire at night, interesting competitions, vegetarian barbecues, playing in water, and cleaning up of the environment. About two hundred people participated in this activity.

From the planning of the activity at the start all of us could feel Master's omnipotent blessing power. In the search for the site, making the activity information booklet, insurance, purchasing, transportation, preparing the site, building of toilets, digging a garbage pit, and laying out safety road marks, etc., everything went very smoothly with a lot of wonderful incidents.

Before the activity, some practitioners were sent to prepare the site. Since there were stones of various sizes below the ground, they had to do it with their hands. Although they were sweating and exhausted, the spiritual atmosphere of the great outdoors had cleansed their physical dirt. Master had also given them invisible blessings. On the way home, everyone felt uplifted with the joy of grace. When they looked up at the sky, there were two rainbows, and together with some white clouds encompassing the hill tops, it looked like a heavenly scene. Inside their hearts, they felt the extra gift from Master.

On the day of the activity, it was unbearably hot during registration time, due to the midday heat. Luckily, there was a shower. It looked as if the guardian angels were giving them a good reception as well as making it a bit cooler. At night, while meditating and praying for peace amidst the mountain breeze, everyone had better experiences than usual.

The next morning, everyone meditated on the large stones next to the creek. They looked like "stone buddha" statues. Some faced the cliff, some faced the waterfall, and some faced the rising sun. They formed a line of proud upright images. It was an extraordinary scene. After the vegetarian barbecue, they played in the creek water. No matter old or young, they happily enjoyed and took care of each other. The large Quan Yin family, under Master's teachings of love, had manifested the ideal realm of being one with each other.

During the entire activity, all fellow practitioners, guests and family members participated enthusiastically. The atmosphere was lively and harmonious. The surprising thing was that the usually meditating and solemn looking children of the Buddha had all become happy and naive when they were playing. In practicing the Quan Yin Method, isn't it true that the practitioners are immersed in a realm of love and purity?

With this activity, fellow practitioners felt that the children growing up in the Quan Yin family, apart from being serious"about vheir work, practice, precepts and meditation, they were much more open and relaxed at vhe time of relaxation than other people. They could reach the realm of "forgetting the self"!

In lighting the campfire, remember that Master has encouraged us to be a 'Great Man' to hold up the torch, bringing light and goodness, for the world! (Hsinchu Center's outdoor camping activity.)

A New Feature In Community Bazaars

[Kaoping]The Taiwan Machine Company, situated in the industrial area facing the sea in Kaohsiung, had recently organized a bazaar for the public. It was the first time that the Kaoping Center of the Suma Ching Hai International Association had participated in a community activity of this kind. At the bazaar, our association had two booths: One was a display of books and artworks, and the other was for vegetarian food. As well, sample booklets and News magazines were placed at the entrance, hoping that people with affinity would be able to hear the teachings of God.

On the day of the event, the sky was clear and the bazaar was swarming with people; it was very popular. The book and art exhibit, decorated with a special elegant design due to the efforts of fellow practitioners, became the most attractive booth of the whole bazaar. Master's graceful and majestic poster was placed in the front of the booth and attracted people to linger around again and again. Many guests came and curiously asked about Master's teachings. Fellow practitioners earnestly answer them accordingly. There was a lovely little boy who had walked by our exhibit area several times, just wanting to see Master's photo a few more times. The attraction of a master is limitless. The passionate love from heaven had already brightened up the darkest, deepest recess of the souls of innumerable sentient beings.

Furthermore, the exquisite vegetarian dishes jointly prepared by skilled fellow practitioners, were not only outstanding among all the booths, but were also quite reputed. The delicious and attractive dishes and drinks included the following: chrysanthemum tea, fried spring cake, flat noodle rolls, toasted hand rolls, milk-jello, fried vegetarian seafood and noodle broth. Among these, the fried vegetarian seafood was the most popular. Very often, people asked for one more serving. The sisters in charge of the kitchen were all wearing proper kitchen clothing with masks and caps on their heads. Apart from eating more delicious food, it was hoped that people would also have it prepared and served more hygienically, allowing them to enjoy with a restful mind. Very quickly, all the vegetarian dishes were sold out. The tastety and wide variety of vegetarian food had widened the range of vision of the visiting guests.

Nearing the end, the directors and managers of the Taiwan Machine Company appeared at the bazaar. Fellow practitioners presented them Master's sample booklets and magazines. They bought some pins with Master's pictures and asked about Her teachings. After midday, the activity was officially closed. Bright smiles could be seen on the face of fellow practitioners. In the sharing of love, they forgot their fatigue and hoped to participate in similar activities in the future.

Fellow practitioners from Kaoping arrange Master's art creations just like an outdoor art gallery.

Report From Thailand

Master Allocates Funds For Wells, The Sweet Nectar Gushes Forth

The city of Corat and Sikiew County in northeast Thailand have long suffered from water shortage. Thanks to Master's mercy, She specially allocated a sum of money to the locals there to dig two wells. All the expenses of the project were undertaken by Her. Furthermore, this well-digging project has greatly benefitted many poor Thai people. Both the Corat and Sikew County officials, as well as Sikew County's refugee camp supervising personnel, all support this project, helping us to gather the locals' opinions and understand their real needs. With Master's blessing, the well-digging proceeded smoothly.

After the wells were dug, the problem of water shortage was resolved immediately. In the past, the locals had tried to dig wells but in vain. Because they did not have sufficient funds, they could not afford to purchase good well-digging equipment. They had to depend on their two hands and simple tools only, and as a result they could not dig deep enough. Consequently, they had to rely solely on the water from the raining season ever since. In times of drought, they had to purchase water from other cities. However, the poor could not afford to buy water, so they had to get water from ponds several kilometers away. Now that they have the well water, they no longer have to worry about water shortage. To them this is a joyful event. While they are wholeheartedly enjoying the water given by Master, the mind of every village had also received special nourishment.

Report From Philippines

Under The Silver Moon Light -- A 7-Day Retreat By The Oceanside

[Palawan] Fellow practitioners in Palawan Center often read Master's magazines, knowing that initiates from many countries, with so many blessings, are happily able to attend retreats with Master in many parts of the world. They envy them so much! For a long time, the Palawan initiates have longed for such a retreat. This time, thanks to Master's boundless love and understanding of the sincere longing of Her children in a far-away refugee camp, She kindly gave them permission to hold a 7-day retreat. The fellow practitioners made arrangements for this special event with such happiness and excitement in their heart.

Even though Master was not physically present at this 7-day retreat, Her love and blessing power was always with them. They left behind all their daily work and problems, meditated, and tried only to be one-pointed toward the Most High.

Looking out to the great sea in the horizon, the soft ocean breeze gently blew from afar. It was a deserted area, without any traffic noises, therefore, their meditation was very peaceful and enjoyable. From time to time, the ocean waves would gently hug the shore, and there were the sounds of the birds lovingly calling each other. They seemed to be rejoicing in the happiness of being within Master's love, melting into the whole universe. They meditated twelve hours each day, feeling very relaxed, refreshed and happy as if they were having a picnic with Master in heaven, forgetting themselves and all their worldly worries and sorrows. Aside from the time for meditation and rest, they also watched Master's videos, read books and beautified the environment, such as cut grass and leveled out the play area onthe beach. They did this by moving sand from high places down to low places. They also discarded piles of seaweeds accumulated for long time by the waves.

The environmental clean-up by fellow practitioners surprised the military officers and the guards in the surrounding areas. The leader came to see the refreshingly new look of the beach and praised that Master is really a perfect living saint. Under Her example of Truth, virtue, and beauty, the world is gradually becoming more elegant and civilized.

During the retreat, the full moon came out, beaming brightly on the sand, and shone gently upon each practitioner in their meditation as they dissolved themselves into the beauty of nature. Sometimes, the rain would fall from heaven, like the blessings from Master coming to wash their souls. The full moon gradually reduced to a half-moon toward the end of the retreat, but the light of wisdom remains with them forever.

Report From U.S.A.

The 1996 Dallas International Health, Mind, Body and Spirit Exposition

[Texas] The practitioners from the Dallas and Houston Centers participated in the 1996 Dallas International Health, Mind, Body and Spirit Exposition. Many different spiritual paths were represented at the expo. This spiritual expo attracted many practitioners to get more information about spirituality and learn more about the different paths. After following Master, practitioners deeply understand that Her teachings and method are the best choice. As the same Truth seekers, practitioners sincerely wanted, through the expo, to share with all brothers and sisters the holy love from God and the teachings of Truth, virtue and beauty from The Supreme Master Ching Hai.

What was very exciting was that in addition to the general public, some of the practitioners of the other paths were very interested in learning about The Supreme Master Ching Hai and the Quan Yin Method. Master's colorful magazines and books were highly prized by these fellow Truth seekers as they were drawn to Master's message of light and love. Some visitors wanted to learn more about The Supreme Master Ching Hai and the Quan Yin Method. These people also applied for the Convenient Method.

After visiting many other spiritual paths, we, Quan Yin practitioners, were very thankful for having the guidance of Suma Ching Hai in practicing the Quan Yin Method, the fastest and most direct way to enlightenment amongst the myriad of other spiritual paths available.

News 67 Index

Media Reports

Princess, Supreme Master Christen New Zone Ministers Voice Support For "Supreme Master"

Sorry we lack this document at present

News 67 Index

Spot Light

A True Master Is Always In Accord With Sentient Beings

Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai, Hsihu Center, Formosa
Feb. 19, 1996 (Originally In Chinese)

Because he saw that I "dance" worse than him, he felt good. His ego was satisfied a little, but it didn't matter, that he still had a little ego. When he came to practice, I took "good" care of him and let him see who's better. (Laughter) He loves dancing, doesn't care how I dance. He's happy even though I dance like a child, and he's even happier when I'm worse than him. It wouldn't be so wonderful if I were better than him. He would be sad. But seeing me worse than he is, he thinks, "An enlightened master is no more than that. Well, I will learn from Her so that She can never be a threat to my business. She won't attract my customers, so I'll follow Her." (Laughter)

Without any explanation, just seeing me doing the same thing as he does, he feels delighted. All of us are like this. In Bodhisattvahood, this is called "Tong Shih," meaning doing the same thing; it's a practice in Bodhisattvahood. When we deliver sentient beings, we have to do the same things and act the same way as they do. Then they will feel an affinity and will trust us. He will feel that we are like friends instead of feeling isolated, afraid or estranged. We like people we are familiar with. Who likes strangers? The friends we like, we usually find them to chat or dine with. If something happened, we'd ask for their help. (A: Yes!) We wouldn't go and find strangers. Right?

In This World, The More Similar The Better

Because we're used to our friends, we trust them and get along with them. We look like each other and our magnetic fields are compatible. If our magnetic fields differ, we clash. We are most afraid of conflicts. Once there's conflict, we usually withdraw into ourselves. Once withdrawn, we never feel like going over there again. So, in this world the more similar we are to sentient beings, the better it is. Gradually, they'll know where you're different. Just like when you have a big jewelry business, but you live with robbers and beggars or walk the same road as they do. Then you should do things their way. If you don't wear the same clothes as they do but, instead, wear beautiful clothes and a crown with a golden diamond here, shiny and sparkling, wouldn't you be asking for trouble? You wouldn't be able to get along with them, and you'd also threatened your own safety. Whatever we do it doesn't matter to us, as long as we know it very clearly in our minds. A rich businessman has jewels all over. Even his belt is lined with jewels. Doesn't he know he has many jewels? Even if he wears rags like a beggar, or wears special clothes like a robber, he will never become a robber. He only dresses like one. Will he ever forget that he's a jeweler? No way. He wears their clothes just to guard his jewels, to move about conveniently, without attracting too much attention since they walk on the same path, and to be integrated with them so that he can feel comfortable and unthreatened. He can talk with them without causing harm to himself, and he can convert them when the opportunity arises. Wouldn't it be better this way? Why would you flaunt all your jewels and let them know you're different, that you're rich? They wouldn't be able to take it.

News 67 Index

Aphorisms

Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai

(Originally In Chinese)

There are no really bad people or really good people, only ignorance makes it seems so..

If we keep the precepts clearly, we have no fear of wherever we are, we are peaceful at heart, and courageous. This is the true state of 'free of obstacles of the heart'.

If we keep the precepts clearly, we have no fear wherever we are, we are peaceful at heart, and courageous. This is the true state of 'free of obstacles of the heart'.

Only when our desire for the world is dead, then our soul can begin to live again.

News 67 Index

While On The Path

A Great Man Should Be Flexible Pure And Honest Thoughts

Sorry we lack this document at present

News 67 Index

Selected Questions & Answers

Always Do Our Best

Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.

April 7,1993 (Originally In English)

Q: Must a person be fated to achieve enlightenment?

M: Fate is in our hands. If we always go around all our life, thinking I am fated to do that, this and all that, we'll never do anything. Always have to do our best, do what we want to do, and then see what fate has for us. Then we know. Otherwise, how do we know?

Q: Can we all be masters? If so, what does the word mean?

M: "Master" means you already know how to master yourself, and you're not torn apart by different obstacles in life.

News 67 Index

Pearls Of Wisdom

Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai Formosa September 3, 1989
(Originally In Chinese)

The fewer fearful feelings we have, the braver and more mature we become. All obstacles are created due to fearful feelings. Because we fear birth, death, disasters, karma and merits, we allow ourselves to become very limited. If we didn't have fearful feelings, we'd be very brave and successful in whatever we did.

Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai, Pingtong, Formosa
Jan. 24 1993 (Originally In Chinese)

What is liberation? It means we become desireless, free from greed. Our life is full of peace and contentment. We are happy inside, and we can handle things well outside. That's liberation, already within this lifetime.

Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai, Laiyi Center, Pintong, Formosa
Dec. 3, 1986 (Originally In Chinese)

As spiritual practitioners, we should be frank and straightforward -- say what we have to say, and then forget about it right away. Don't keep it in our pocket, otherwise, it will be too heavy for us to go up in our spiritual practice. We should be as straight and hollow as a bamboo -- empty inside. That's why in China, a bamboo is analogous to a virtuous person. We shouldn't maintain a negative way of thinking -- being too pessimistic, seeing only the dark side, but should always look on the bright side.

News 67 Index

A Spiritual Method Of Magnanimous Love

Spoken By Supreme MasterChing Hai, Formosa
July 5, 1987 (Originally In Chinese, Unabridged)

We are, more or less, responsible for the situation of the world, because of our past thoughts, be they good or bad ones. Together with other sentient beings, we created this world and the present situation. Therefore, we cannot say, "That person is really bad; he has no connection with me." We are related! It's possible that we had many bad thoughts and ideas in the past, or committed many mistakes. These bad thoughts and mistakes have accumulated life after life, and have been transformed into the present situation. Therefore, we have heard the saying, "All is created by the mind." It is only because of our mind that this world exists, that there is goodness and evil on earth. So, we must practice spiritually to rectify our past errors and the bad things that we have done.

We are responsible for the world because we did many bad things in the past, which account for the bad situations that are now occurring. Therefore, we have to rectify the bad aspects. We practice spiritually not only for ourselves, but also for our relatives, our country, our world and the universe. They are all connected to us. No matter whether they are good or bad, it is all because of us that they have become like this. Therefore, spiritual practice concerns both internal and external aspects. We cannot say, "I want to be a spiritual practitioner, so I am going to forsake my parents and spouse." This is not the way. We should remain the same as before. It is a different situation if we really feel the urge to become a renunciate. It is because we want to offer our body, speech and thoughts to the Buddhas of the ten directions and sentient beings. We want to sever our connections with the world to make it easier for us to practice spiritually, and to progress faster. This is our choice. We become renunciates because we want to offer ourselves to the Buddhas (enlightened masters) of the ten directions and the three times of time, and to sentient beings. This is a different situation.

If we are not prepared to become a renunciate, then be filial to our parents, no matter whether they are good or bad. Even if our parents have done something wrong, try to counsel them with moral doctrines, and explain to them in a filial, gentle and respectful manner. Try to reason with them. In the event that they do not want to listen, or even reproach us, as we have failed to let them understand our way of thinking and our logic even after a very long time, we still cannot become unfilial children. Similarly, we should talk to our partner or siblings with sweet and gentle words, and counsel them or explain to them with logical reasoning, to help them understand; instead of sitting in one corner crying and blaming our spouse. Since we haven't tried to make them understand, how can we blame them? Most probably they dislike what we are doing, so they misunderstand us even more, and make trouble for us.

Influence Your Family With Love

In fact, this is also our responsibility. Our faults make them suspect us and feel uneasy, and then they blame our Master. Therefore, we cannot blame them, we can only blame ourselves for not being wise enough, not being able to discuss and not having sufficient power to convince our kin. We should be more penitent, and simultaneously, love and respect them more, using greater love to care for them. Let them feel that, regardless of whether they are good or bad, we won't reject them. Only then they will be touched and believe us. Then we can pursue our spiritual cultivation peacefully, and gradually convert them back to the correct path. This is our responsibility, and this is the way to deliver sentient beings.

Spiritual practitioners should not become oddballs. If you scold your husband because he refuses to practice spiritually, or when he disagrees with you, you quarrel with him, don't speak to him, don't buy things for him, stop having relationships with him, and estrange him, this is not beneficial to anyone. Shakyamuni Buddha said: All sentient beings are our kin, and we should love and respect them. Jesus Christ also said: Love thy neighbors and also thy enemies. Though He didn't say that you should love your friends, it is a very natural thing to do. It is very natural to love someone who is good to us. Everyone can do this. Of course we'll love people who are good to us, and will treat them nicely in return. But to the people who are not good to us, we also have to respect and love them, forgive them, and be nice to them, so as to edify them.

We are not doing this only because we want to influence them. We should remind ourselves: "Those people are so pitiful. We have such great blessings to have our Master, to have good doctrines, teachings, and the method. We have the blessed rewards and wisdom to pursue spiritual practice. They are so pitiful. Perhaps their time hasn't come yet, so their mind is still blocked, and they do not have the wisdom to practice spiritually like we do. Therefore, they are truly pitiful. We should be more compassionate to them, and endeavor to love, respect and protect them." Just because they do not understand or cannot understand, don't be angry with them, or criticize them. This is wrong! This is not befitting the demeanor of a spiritual practitioner, and this is not being compassionate and having universal love.

Be more patient and magnanimous to people wherever we are. However, there are times when I don't treat disciples this way. I might throw someone out, but it is not because I don't love him. When I scold someone or being very severe to him, I am trying to make him change quickly, eliminate his karma faster, shatter his ego, and erase his errors rapidly. I know what I am doing and he knows also what he is doing. However, when we don't know, the safest way is to be more compassionate to others.

The Amusing Saint

Before I became a renunciate -- when I was a teenager -- people used to call me a living Buddha. I didn't know what a living Buddha was then. However, several of my friends and relatives addressed me this way. Some called me "the amusing saint," or "the comical saint," which actually meant a queer saint, a funny saint. Some people called me "the living Buddha," but they didn't really think I was a Buddha. What they meant was, my personality, behavior and the way I treated people were as good as a living Buddha. They thought I was very nice. The way I did my work and treated people was very relaxed, not so serious. Therefore, some people called me the "comical saint," "amusing saint," or "funny saint". There were also people who said that I was a "living Buddha" (in a more serious way).

People in England also said the same. They said I was a living Buddha. In Germany, they said I was funny and amusing saint or a Bodhisattva. The friends in Au Lac also called me a living Buddha. I was not practicing any spiritual method then. Though I chanted the Buddha's name and read the scriptures, I was not that serious in spiritual practice; I was just like an ordinary person. I was only a teenager, and had not yet become a monastic person -- still very young! From primary school to high school, even until I was over twenty years old, in whichever country I stayed, people always called me by these names. It was because they observed that I was behaving like a Bodhisattva or a saint.

I didn't know why they called me by these names, but they were serious; they really thought so -- they were not joking! Of course, it was also a joke -- but a serious one! They truly had that feeling, and they meant to praise me. If ordinary people could treat another ordinary person so well, being spiritual practitioners, naturally we should treat other people even better. We understand more doctrines than before. I knew little about the doctrines then, and I didn't have an enlightened master. Though I had been reading the scriptures since childhood, including the Tao Te Sutra, the Buddhist scriptures, the Holy Bible and others, I was not graced with the teachings of an enlightened master; so I didn't know much about the doctrines. At that time, I just treated people naturally. Of course, I should treat people even better now.

Severe Reprimands Arise From Profound Love

However, it seems that I sometimes act conversely. I seldom scolded people before, but now I do. Why? It is because I have to teach the close disciples quickly, making them progress faster. Therefore, don't think I dislike a person when you see me scold him. You are wrong! Precisely because I like him, I scold him. Otherwise, I would just ignore him. At home, you only care to scold your own children. Would you go to the neighbor to scold their children? Even if the child next door goes out to steal or kill, you wouldn't care; because he has no relationship with you. Therefore, you wouldn't think of punishing him. Though you might abhor his actions, you are not really concerned. You don't have the earnestness to go to his home to punish, care and worry about him. You wouldn't go to his home to explain the doctrines to him, or to scold him, punish him, tell him to kneel, or beat him, would you? (A: We wouldn't.)

All parents hope that their children could live a life which is more comfortable, more elegant, more wealthy and more useful. So do I. When I scold a person or a disciple, or when I am very strict with him, it is with the hope that he will become better than I. For instance, I am not humble enough, but I hope my disciples would be more humble and less arrogant than I am. Or, I am not wise enough, but I still hope that my disciples would be wiser and smarter than I. Or, my level is not high enough, so I hope your level would be higher and better than mine. Though my power seems insignificant, I hope my disciples would have greater power than I.

Suppose my level is only at the stage of an initially resolved Bodhisattva -- one who has just resolved and cannot be called a saint, yet. It means one who has just resolved to learn to become a saint. Even then I hope my disciples would quickly become tenth-level Bodhisattvas or the highest saint. It is because I hope my disciples would be better than I, more powerful, progress in spiritual practice faster and better than I in every way. This is why I am so strict with disciples. Also, because most of you understand my character, understand my teachings, and understand that my supra-worldly love is different from human passion, I can afford to be stern with you. Since I know what my job is, I have to do it.

Being Humble And Gentle Is The Best Way To Communicate With People

If our relatives have yet to understand our moral conduct, our ways of thinking, our level or spiritual method, we should be more magnanimous toward them. We must not scold them, beat them, or force them to believe us; we ought to be smarter. Even when we are spreading the teachings or the Truth, don't let them feel that we are educating them. Try to be gentle, speak in a normal way, just like you are having a casual chat over a cup of coffee. Don't let them sense or feel that we are trying to convince them to become Master's disciples. Otherwise, you will scare them. You cannot say: "You must listen to me. Do you realize the power of my Master? You have to understand, or you'll go to hell. If you don't believe in my Master, you are the most unworthy person. You are really dumb! Don't you know that my Master is the supreme enlightened Master? Can't you see that a living saint is here? Can't you see that our method is the highest? You are truly pitiful, truly dumb and have no wisdom." You must not talk like this. No one likes to listen to these things. Most people who are not spiritual practitioners have very high self-esteem, very big egos and deep attachment. They think their way of thinking is the best, their perceptions are the highest, their religion is peerless, and their concepts are the most correct. Should we hurt their self-respect, then we'd be in trouble.

Therefore, don't let them sense it, don't let them think that we want to educate and convert them into our fellow practitioners, or make them a Buddhist. Don't talk about religious matters with them; let them believe what they believe. If they believe in Laoism (Taoism), then let them remain good Laoist followers, and tell them things about Laoism. I have given some talks about this. I have expounded a little on the Tao Te Sutra. Tell them: "The Tao Te Sutra is great, but there are some points that we do not understand very well." Don't say 'you' don't understand; you have to say 'we' don't understand. "Perhaps 'we' can help each other by discussing and making cross-references." Then, you may express the level that you have realized, the thoughts that you have understood, and your opinion. Definitely do not criticize their opinion.

You may say: "Your philosophy is very logical, but I also have an idea. Please listen patiently, and see whether it's logical." Don't retort immediately: "Your view is wrong! You are wrong! You are so stupid! This is not true!" You should first accept his idea, because he has the right and freedom of thought. They have the right to think and realize whatever they want to. To communicate with people, we must not look down upon them. We also have to put ourselves in their place and see things from their point of view, then we can understand and communicate with each other. That is how we can save people.

Be As Magnanimous As The Creator

The more we practice spiritually, the better we should be able to understand others and treat them magnanimously. We should be more capable of accepting other people's opinions and their levels of understanding, as well as respecting their freedom of thought. This is a free universe! The Creator has created so many things, including big trees, tiny grass, elephants, cockroaches, frogs and many other things. Since Hes can accommodate them all, why can't we tolerate the thoughts of our relatives, friends and people we know? We should be able to do the same to attain the Anuttara-Shamyak-Sambodhi, the highest dimension, the highest level. Perhaps we cannot understand now, because we have not reached this level; but we have to learn. We have to assume we are the best, the highest person. Through our learning, one day we definitely will become the highest, the most magnanimous, the most compassionate and the most patient persons. That is a real spiritual practitioner.

In the process of spiritual practice, avoid becoming a weird person, and getting estranged from people. The so-called severance of relationship refers to the inner aspects; those on the outside should remain the same. We cannot say: "I have no relationship with them." Since we have "vowed to deliver infinite sentient beings," how can we accomplish this if we can't even deliver one or two persons? Therefore, the purpose of our spiritual practice is to make us become more loving, more patient, and more noble. Spiritual practice doesn't only mean to cross our legs and practice the Quan Yin Method. Of course this is spiritual practice, but there are other things that we have to practice on the outside.

"Love" is a spiritual method, "magnanimity" is also a spiritual method, allowing others to feel free. Otherwise, we will chain ourselves within the three realms, and cannot have freedom. It is because we have interfered with the natural system of existence in the universe. We try to transform a cockroach into an elephant. We want to force an earthworm into becoming a butterfly. This is ridiculous, and definitely cannot be done! Lao Tze said, Nothing is matter with the world. We don't need to do anything in the first place, and there is also nothing to be done. Should anyone wish to join our spiritual practice, and have the same ideal as ours, then we help him. Otherwise, we don't have to be anxious (to convert him).

To Be A Living Saint

If sentient beings can be forced into pursuing spiritual practice, why have they not all become Buddhas now that billions of years have passed? There must be a reason! Therefore, if people do not believe us, don't be anxious and do not hate them. They can hate us, we allow others to hate us, but we forbid ourselves to hate them. Compassion and universal love is our spiritual method. Let our quality exude from within ourselves, let people be aware, and let them feel that we are a living Buddha. Let them feel that we are the "amusing saint," and let them feel that we truly are like a living Bodhisatta.

I hope that you can achieve this. I also believe that you can achieve it soon, and can continue to always do it. However, you also have to cooperate with me. If you lock up your mind and do not let me come in, I cannot teach you or communicate with you. I can only teach you when you sleep, because your mind is more relaxed then. It is too tired to resist! The body is also too tired to resist, so it is easier for me to teach you then. Though many disciples seldom meditate, when they sleep, they often dream of the Master coming to tell them something, to answer their questions, or to help them. It is because the mind is more gentle then. For you, the initiates, your sleep is no longer the same as that of ordinary people. Therefore, your dreams are also inner experiences which should not be revealed to others. If you must talk, then talk to me, or write in the diary. When the real incidents happen, you will know that the dreams are true. Then you'll know that the dreams are your spiritual experiences. It is the Master coming to give you advance notice, or take you to practice or learn something at 'night school'.

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Supreme Art

SM Celestial Jewelry Graced Indonesia's
First Ever International Jewelry Exhibition

By Supreme Master News Reporter Tai Engchew, Jakarta, Indonesia

The exhibition of the Celestial Jewelry brought special meaning to the Jakarta fellow practitioners, many of whom have never had the opportunity to see Master in person nor the real Celestial Jewelry being exhibited in total. With the inner longing and sincerity in becoming Master's helpers to accomplish the task at hand, fellow practitioners participating in setting up the booth and taking turns to assist visitors during the exhibition. They could feel and witnessed that Master had actually pre-arranged everything to make the whole exhibition a learning experience for them.

Miracles prevailed throughout the exhibition, beginning with the booth's location which was strategically situated and most accessible to all, enjoying not only the prime and unobstructed front space, but also became one of the first few booths visited by the guest of honor, the wife of the Foreign Minister of Indonesia on Preview Night. Then, there was a special local TV report on the exhibition, featuring Master's creation, the Heavenly Dragon Cutlery set as the most unusual exhibit of the whole event.

Treating the event as another way of propagating the dharma, the Indonesian fellow practitioners prepared a place in the booth to display Master's sample booklets and the Supreme Master Ching Hai News magazines; a TV set and videocassette player were also set up, showing Master's lectures from different parts of the world. To brighten up the otherwise monotonous enclosure, the top of the partitions of the booth were decorated with a soft bluish-green velvet skirting of varying tones. The display showcases were similarly adorned with a dark bluish-velvet as backdrop for the Celestial Jewelry. Posters of Master wearing Her jewelry creations were also hung in the center and other more strategic locations.

On the first day of the exhibition, many fellow practitioners were so enthusiastic that they ventured outside the booth to distribute sample booklets to visitors. As a result, the space immediately outside the SM booth became very crowded. For the convenience of visitors to pass through, fellow practitioners immediately displayed the sample booklets and flyers in acrylic stands on top of the jewelry showcase. Despite the absence of fellow practitioners handing out sample booklets and flyers, visitors were continuously attracted to the Celestial Jewelry and soon started to crowd in the front of the booth. Practically everyone present voluntarily requested a copy of the flyer and sample booklet.

A blissful atmosphere in and around the booth prevailed throughout the duration of the exhibition. It was really amazing to observe that almost every visitor was holding a copy of the sample booklet. Many of the visitors were also spiritual seekers and they started to make enquiries about Master and Her teachings, wanting to visit the Center to learn the Convenient Method.

Furthermore, during the exhibition, an Australian visitor came to view the Celestial Jewelry and was overwhelmed by what he had seen. He commented that of all the jewelry exhibits that he has seen in Australia and other parts of the world, the Celestial Jewelry represented the most unique and refreshing creations of all. He left full of praise for Master and Her artistic talent and wisdom, taking along with him a copy of the sample booklet and flyer introducing the Celestial Jewelry.

The Chinese representative of a Belgium diamond exhibitor became extremely friendly after the first day and came to express his views about Master's creations. In his opinion, the Celestial Jewelry appeared to encompass and express the essence of multi-racial and multi-culturalism, with a touch of the lost ancient beauty not conceivable by modern man. To support his views, he cited that the "Little Angel" set appeared to reflect middle Eastern/Egyptian culture; the "Heavenly Dragon Cutlery" projects the image of the Ching Dynasty in its glorious era; the "Future Buddha" reflects hues of the natural environment, while "Positive Victory" bears a European cultural semblance. He even went further to suggest the addition of watches to the Celestial Jewelry so that one could see Master's portrait each time one looks at the watch and be reminded of Her unconditional love. He felt that the purpose for Master's creations was not commercial gain but to elevate mankind to a higher level of consciousness. At the end of the lengthy conversation, he requested a copy of the sample booklet in Chinese to further understand Master's teachings. We thanked him for sharing his observations and thoughts with us.

Although the exhibition lasted only three days, many fellow practitioners from different parts of Indonesia took leave to come to view the Celestial Jewelry and all returned home with blissful feelings of satisfaction. Many fellow practitioners also placed orders for the Celestial Jewelry they loved. Even though the exhibition is now over, the wonderful memories still linger. All, especially the Jakarta fellow practitioners, felt so honored and loved to have been given the opportunity to participate in the exhibition of Master's Celestial Jewelry. Thank You, Master!

Ching Hai Jewelry has the Heavenly value Spoon With Inlaid Diamonds

"SURYA" of Surabaya on July 17, 1996

All the Supreme Master Ching Hai Jewelry were not expression of glamour but rather reflections of a peaceful state of mind and the understanding of surrendering to God. Perhaps that was why it was called the Celestial Jewelry.

Supreme Master Ching Hai offered a totally different approach to jewelry design, encompassing one's longing for the eternal, as well as for beauty.

The gems used have not been induced with magical power as commonly believed by the local folks. They are really pure and beautiful as an integral part of the design which reflects the theme in total.

The exhibition could be taken as the meeting point of the Eastern and Western finest quality jewelry products of this century. However, only Supreme Master Ching Hai represented the Eastern world and Her Celestial Jewelry encompasses "art", as well as intrinsic spiritual value.

Indonesia enjoyed being the first country to display the astonishing masterpiece of the Heavenly Dragon Cutlery -- a masterpiece unique and fit for a king.

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