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No matter how dark it is in the universe, God's love ever illuminates the people of Hiers Kingdom.

News No. 83
Contents

By Brother Initiate Ha Cam Tam, An Artist in San Jose, U.S.A. (Originally In Au Lac Language)

The setting sun casts its last few beams of light over the land. Three mountains of similar height stand side by side. A trail traverses the Hsihu vegetation, its white sand dividing the whole scene in half like a meandering creek. One of the peaks soars in the center of the painting, nestling majestically between the other two.

From an academic point of view, "Hsihu Sunset" violates the artistic principles of landscape composition. Supreme Master Ching Hai utilizes two opposite colors, red (hot) and blue (cold), each of which occupies approximately half of the canvas area, which represents the vegetation and sky respectively. Such an unique layout and combination of colors is not uncommon in interior design, yet this is regarded as unacceptable in the world of artistic painting. To our surprise, however, this picture has become a highly valued work of art. This extraordinary success amazes both well-known painters as well as collectors.

In fact, all artistic rules and principles lose their meanings, because Supreme Master Ching Hai's "Hsihu Sunset" boldly stands alone. The power in the colors and the soul of the painter elevate every heart longing for Truth, virtue and beauty, returning it to the Source, while easing inhibitions ingrained through preconceptions. Colors between the two extremes, like purple, canary and light yellow, reconcile the opposites of hot and cold, bringing them into unexpected harmony. Every painter knows this basic rule, but it's not easy to put it onto canvas so beautifully. Painters often conceive a model, an outline or a wish to "make this painting perfect or at least better than other works". This preconception, though sometimes unconscious, often diminishes their pure, ingenuous inspiration.

A twilight haze, in this remarkable painting, envelopes an emerald world where the blazing setting sun and exuberant forests and grass render a magnificent display. An unique characteristic of Supreme Master Ching Hai's paintings is that She uses Western painting oils in conjunction with refined Eastern technique. Behind all this, there is a sensitive yet unmistakably leisurely soul. That's why, I believe, "Hsihu Sunset" is a masterpiece of innocence that enriches the world's artistic treasury beyond measure.

Moreover, Supreme Master Ching Hai's use of several green shades takes a great deal of skill to employ successfully. Used inappropriately, the change in hue can be as dull as mud. In this painting, however, these delightful greens weave together like rolling ocean waves. Such a deft combination of colors symbolizes the power of the universe, which is not only amazing, but also perhaps is a reminiscent indulgence on the part of the artist. If one takes a closer look, one can see a few threads of silky sunlight playing on the hills and lawn, and wafting in the vastness of space. Indeed, I believe it's the wafting sunlight that provides the climatic, finishing touches in appreciating the painting.

Certainly, all of Supreme Master Ching Hai's landscape paintings can be considered aesthetic classics. Paintings speak an international language; with each of them conveying countless words. One can engage in a spiritual conversation with them, very much like two intimate friends. I've observed Supreme Master Ching Hai's works of art many times. I discover something new every time I see Her art work. Hence, I soon began to wonder, "Is this my discovery, or was it originally there yet I didn't notice it before?"

Yet, without doubt, gazing at Supreme Master Ching Hai's paintings is like being transported to a faraway place, far beyond the realms of this planet. I see the painter's inner feelings revealed with every stroke, every colored line and every change of hue; and I believe they are the symbols of Supreme Love. Every time I view the spirit of Her paintings, I always feel like I have visited a special or historic place and the spirit of my Mother-Land seems to fill the air, pervading into the deepest recesses of my soul....

Magical Vibrations In Master's Music The Emerald Of Heaven And Earth

Supreme Art

"Hsihu Sunset" by Supreme Master Ching Hai
(Oil Painting, 70.6 x 50.8 cm. Scenery in Hsihu, Formosa.)

<In English with Chinese Subtitles>
· Silence And Acceptance
Group Meditation Hsihu, Formosa Dec. 23, 1995 & Feb. 18, 1996

· Master's Power Brings Enlightenment
Lecture Seattle, U.S.A. April 7, 1993

· Each Soul Is The Master
Group Meditation Raising Center, Cambodia July 22, 1996

<In English with Korean Subtitles>
· Educate Your Children In A Logical & Truthful Way
Group Meditation Hsihu, Formosa July 3 & 5, 1995

<In Chinese with French Subtitles>
· Same Action Different Incentive
· SThe Ways Angels Control Man
Group Meditation Hsihu, Formosa Dec. 28 & 29, 1991

· Magic Is The World Of Illusion
Group Meditation Hsihu, Formosa July 9, 1995

· The Earnest Benevolent Prince
Ching Hai Day 3-Day Retreat Hsihu, Formosa Oct. 23, 1994

To order Master's publications, please contact: The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co., Ltd. Taipei, Formosa.
Tel: (886) 2-87873935 Fax: (886) 2-87870873
E-mail: smchbooks@Godsdirectcontact.org
ROC Postal Remittance Account No:19259438 (for Formosa orders only)
Postal Account: The Supreme Master Ching Hai Publishing Co., Ltd.

Please visit our bookshop's website to download our catalogue and summaries of the contents of Master's latest publications:
http://smchbooks.com/(in English and Chinese)

Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest Videotapes
Two Compact Disks -- Poetry and Music Compositions.

(Originally In Au Lac Language)                                                                  
Two Compact Disks:
"Eternal Beloved" & "Traces of a Previous Life - Volume 2"
-- Poetry and Music Compositions.

The compact disk entitled "Eternal Beloved" features a collection of poems written by Supreme Master Ching Hai, which have been put to music by famous composers such as: Pham Duy, Thu Ho, Le Dinh, Nhat Ngan, Le Vu, Phuong Vu and Thai Hoa. The compositions have been further enhanced by skillful and creative musical arrangements by Duy Quang and Duy Cuong, and delivered with the enchanting and heartwarming voices of singers like: Duy Quang, Thai Hien, Ai Van, Duy Khanh, Le Uyen, My Huyen, Nhat Ngan and Diem Lien.

Supreme Master Ching Hai's poetry shows Her intimate understanding of the many aspects of love. Her artfully created verses sometimes depict strong passion that's usually associated with stories of worldly love, while other times express the purity and wholeheartedness of divine compassion, which is eternal and boundless:

[Looking for you I came down in this world, My eternal beloved, deep in the dust of life.]

[I want to lead you away over the clouds, Bright with halos, divine music and blooming lotuses.]

The compact disk "Eternal Beloved" was very carefully produced using the most unique, modern and beautiful musical arrangements. This compact disk is highly recommended to all lovers of fine poetry and music.

The poems on "Traces of a Previous Life - Volume 2," describe the emotionally painful farewells to loved ones, that many of us have probably experienced at some time in our lives. Yet, there are also heartwarming poems about love in full bloom. Overall, the collection is highly emotionally charged reflecting the many aspects of the ephemeral world we live in.

[Don't know why, still feel blue, Look at life; like the water flows, like the rain fall.]

Continuing on from the wonderful poems on the compact disk "Traces of a Previous Life - 1, 2 & 3," "Traces of a Previous Life - Volume 2" includes the charming voices of notable performers from Au Lac including: Hong Van, To Kieu Ngan, Huyen Tran and Bao Cuong. Their voices are accompanied by improvised background sitar and zither music, and the exquisite sound of the flute played by To Kieu Ngan. The result is that the listener's heart is taken on a journey into the evocative realm of poetry and filled with unforgettable memories.

On the evening of the poetry and musical performances in Los Angeles, poetess Supreme Master Ching Hai said to distinguished guests that She hopes through Her love poems one would realize that She has experienced joy as well as sorrow just like anyone else. By listening to them, while not getting too emotional and attached, She hopes we can understand that only God's love is truly everlasting.

Therefore, all lovers of poetry are invited to enter the delicate, sensitive garden of poetry that is sublimely landscaped by "Traces of a Previous Life - Volume 2". The compact disk is beautifully produced and is overflowing with memories of Au Lac.  

To order Master's publications, please contact: The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co., Ltd. Taipei, Formosa.
Tel: (886) 2-87873935 Fax: (886) 2-87870873
E-mail: smchbooks@Godsdirectcontact.org
ROC Postal Remittance Account No:19259438 (for Formosa orders only)
Postal Account: The Supreme Master Ching Hai Publishing Co., Ltd.

Please visit our bookshop's website to download our catalogue and summaries of the contents of Master's latest publications:
http://smchbooks.com/(in English and Chinese)

Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest Videotapes
Two Compact Disks -- Poetry and Music Compositions.

(Originally In Au Lac Language)

(North Carolina, USA)

Initiates from North Carolina, USA, serving lunch to homeless and unemployed people in the city of Durham.

[North Carolina, USA] Fellow initiates from two North Carolina cities, Charlotte and Cary, recently prepared a luncheon for homeless and unemployed people in the city of Durham.

During the luncheon, many enjoyed the vegetarian eggless egg rolls so much that they had second helpings. Witnessing the outcome, fellow initiates were delighted to have brought a little joy and contentment into the lives of over 100 people.

After serving the luncheon, fellow initiates and workers from the Community Shelter H.O.P.E., enjoyed an informal vegetarian lunch. Later, fellow initiates went to the meditation Center for a group meditation session before returning home, blissfully.

Bringing Love And Joy To The Less Fortunate
God's Love Descends Upon A Leper Colony

(Originally In Au Lac Language)

Master's power of love touches even the most desperate souls
in every corner of the world like on Culion Island in the Philippines.

(Report From Philippines)

[Palawan] Under Master's loving guidance, a Quan Yin messenger and local fellow initiates brought gifts to the lepers living on a small island called Culion. The island's remote and isolated foothills are home mostly to the close relatives of those suffering patients. The relatives have compassionately chosen to live on the island to take care of their sick loved ones, thus enabling them to lead a relatively normal life, which otherwise would not have been possible.

Obviously, their disease has forced them to endure many miserable and frustrating years. While they try to be accepting of their unfortunate situation, they sometimes silently blame God for what they perhaps believe is a gross injustice. Their pitiful silence can be heard echoing harmoniously with the sound of their hearts beating like the perpetuating ocean waves. Nevertheless, their desperation and helplessness doesn't abate their sincerity in praying to God for Hiers love and grace.

In accordance with Supreme Master Ching Hai's instructions, fellow initiates took with them rice, clothes and sweets for the island's sick inhabitants. With the help of hospital doctors and nurses and even those patients who were still physically able, the distribution work was completed swiftly. Fellow initiates took gift bags to each patient's bedside. Some patients had had arms and legs amputated, while some had their entire bodies affected by the disease that painfully worsens each day. We were greatly touched to see even those without limbs make an attempt to receive their gifts.

Patients were overjoyed with tears when Supreme Master Ching Hai's love descended unexpectedly. Although the gifts were simple, they, nonetheless, were imbued with Master's priceless love.

We noted how devoted and self-sacrificing the hospital staff were in performing their public service. Every day they were always merry and meticulous as they gently cared for the patients.

The patients' hospitality and undying love overwhelmed and touched us deeply. Standing beside them made our love overflow and we wanted to share everything we had with them. They were also very sensitive, in that they felt the Master's love that surrounded all of us. The Quan Yin messenger encouraged them not to be afraid by frequently whispering into their ears that Supreme Master Ching Hai embodies the eternal power of love, so She would never turn away from those in suffering.

The day we left the island, we couldn't take our eyes off all the hospital patients because we greatly admired them for achieving so much through their love for the Creator. When we looked at the island from a distance, we noticed that the church was the largest structure and therefore the first recognizable landmark. The sound of the church bell and the gospel singing praising the Lord echoed across the entire island, as it does every Sunday morning. The solemnity brought a moment of peace to everyone. We gently closed our eyes to share in the precious sacred moment.

Through this visit, we have realized that Master's love is deeply rooted inside all of us. She is the omnipotence upon which we have entrusted everything, so there was nothing to worry about.

  <Letter of Appreciation>               (Originally In English)

CULION LEPROSY CONTROL & REHABILITATION PROGRAM

    Culion Sanitarium
    Culion 5315, Palawan, Philippines
    02 May 1997

Dear Master Supreme Master Ching Hai,

Greetings from Culion!

This office acknowledge with sincere thanks and appreciation the following items, as gift to the leprosy patients of this institution.
  a. rice                              17 sacks (1000 kgs.)
  b. candies / biscuits            6 boxes
  c. sample booklet               2 boxes
  d. t-shirt                           630 pieces

On behalf of the patients of Culion Sanitarium, I am extending to you and to the associations our sincere appreciation for this kindness and generosity. Your donations will surely help our patients and they will not surely forget your love and charitable concern to them. Special thanks to MR. LEE PHI DO, for initiating and facilitating this noble deeds.

May God bless you for this generosity and reward you in all your undertakings. Hoping you could consider visiting Culion in one of your trips to the Philippines in the near future. Once again, thank you.

Mabuhay!

ARTURO C. CUNANAN, JR., M.D., M.P.H.
Program Coordinator
Culion Leprosy Control & Rehabilitation Program
Culion Sanitarium

NOTED BY:
PAUL A. EVANGELISTA, M.D., C.H.A.
Chief of Hospital III
Culion Sanitarium
Culion, Palawan

Bringing Love And Joy To The Less Fortunate
God's Love Descends Upon A Leper Colony

From "Arts" Magazine, Canada May 1997 Issue
(Originally In Au Lac Language)

[Montreal] In January 1997, the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association organized many relief programs for the homeless in Montreal. The Association consoled, visited, and brought gift bags to: La Maison du Pere, the Old Brewery Mission, La Mission Bon Acceuil, L'Abri D'espoire, Dans La Rue, Youth Centers, Women Centers, et cetera. Included in the gift bags were: blankets, rice, spaghetti, canned food, milk, sugar, soap, clothes and other essential items.

The Association also organized a program that provided food, blankets, socks and gloves directly to people living on the streets. The officials who operate these charitable Centers as well as the homeless people themselves were all touched by Supreme Master Ching Hai's extremely noble gesture, especially when they discovered that She was born in Au Lac.

Supreme Master Ching Hai has also extended help to the Au Lac refugees in camps in Hong Kong and the Philippines; victims of earthquakes in the USA; victims of floods in the Philippines, Au Lac, South America, Thailand, Formosa, Cambodia, China, et cetera.

In Tet Dinh Suu (the year of the buffalo), the Association also distributed gifts to over 40 Au Lac families at the Tet Expo organized by the Au Lac Community in Montreal at Complexes Des Jardins.

More importantly, Supreme Master Ching Hai has recently donated to the Au Lac Village in the Philippines a sum of $US 50,000.00 to improve living conditions for the Au Lac people who have settled there.

The monthly magazine, "Arts", has received:
   * Two videotapes entitled, "Traces of the Previous Life, I & II," which include poems written and recited by Supreme Master Ching Hai.
   * Three compact disks entitled, "Path of Legendary Love I, II, III" that include poems written by Dinh Hung and Vu Hoang Chuong, and recited by Supreme Master Ching Hai.
   The magazine greatly appreciates Supreme Master Ching Hai's work and proudly introduces the above two videos and three compact disks to the readers of "Arts" magazine.

Copyright 1996 CSPI.
Reprinted/Adapted from Nutrition Action Healthletter (1875 Connecticut Ave., N. W., Suite 300,
Washington DC 20009-5728. $24.00 for 10 issues.)

Text: Bonnie Liebman (Originally In English)

Evidence is mounting that the healthiest diets are loaded with plant foods (vegetables, fruits and beans) and short on animal foods (meat, fish, poultry and dairy products), especially those with a high fat content.

"A diet rich in fruits and vegetables plays a role in reducing the risk of all the major causes of illness and death," says Walter Willet, Head of the Nutrition Department at the Harvard School of Public Health.

To many people, vegetarian is a loaded word. It typically refers to people who never eat meat, fish or poultry for ethical, religious or health reasons. Vegans also avoid all dairy products and eggs. But scientists are more interested in how often - not whether - people eat animal foods. And much of their research points to the same conclusion: people should eat fewer animal foods and more plant foods, especially fruits and vegetables. Why? Here are 10 reasons - some related to health, some not.

1. Cancer

"The scientific base is very strong suggesting that fruits and vegetables are protective elements for all gastrointestinal cancers and all smoking-related cancers," says Tim Byers, professor of Preventive Medicine at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver. That includes cancers of the lung, colon, stomach, mouth, larynx, esophagus and bladder. And a recent study found that lycopene - a carotenoid in tomatoes and tomato sauce - may protect against prostate cancer.

It's not clear how fruits and vegetables may reduce cancer risk. It could be their phytochemicals - things like carotenoids, vitamins C and E, selenium, indoles, flavonoids, phenols and limonene.

There is also evidence that high-fibre grains like wheat bran can reduce cancer risk. "Fibre has a beneficial effect in preventing colon cancer," says David Jenkins, a fibre expert at the University of Toronto. And pasta, rice and other grains can replace the animal foods - red meat, in particular - that may increase the risks of some cancers.

"Men who eat red meat as a main dish five or more times a week have four times the risk of colon cancer of men who eat red meats less than once a month," says Edward Giovannucci of Harvard Medical School. Heavy red-meat eaters were also twice as likely to get prostate cancer in his study of 50,000 male health professionals.

That's just one study. Looking at others, says Lawrence Kushi of the University of Minnesota, "the evidence is quite consistent that red meat is associated with a higher risk of colon - possibly prostate - cancer".

But even lean red meat seems to increase the risk of colon cancer. "It could be the carcinogens created when meat is cooked or meat's highly available iron, or something else in meat," speculates Willett.

2. Heart disease

A plant-based diet with lots of fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of heart disease. For the last 20 years, heart experts have emphasised cutting saturated fat and cholesterol intake, but plants may protect the heart in other ways. Among them:

* Soluble Fibre: "To reduce your risk of heart disease, you may want to eat more beans, peas, oats, and barley," says Jenkins, because their "sticky" soluble fibre seems to help lower blood cholesterol.

* Folic Acid: "The evidence that folic acid reduces the risk of heart disease is pretty strong," says Willet. Folic acid, a B-vitamin, lowers blood levels of a harmful amino acid called homocysteine. "And fruits and vegetables are a major source of folic acid," he adds.

* Antioxidants: a growing body of evidence suggests that LDL ("bad") cholesterol damages arteries only when it has been oxidised (combined with oxygen). That's why researchers believe that antioxidants like vitamin E may protect the heart. And many of the phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables are antioxidants.

* Squeezing Out Saturates: if you eat lots of plant foods, there's simply less room for the saturated animal fats that clog arteries.

3. Stroke

There's a lot of evidence showing that fruits and vegetables are beneficial for reducing the risk of stroke," says Willet. For example, in a 20-year study of 832 middle-aged men, the risk of stroke was 22 per cent lower for every three servings of fruits and vegetables the men ate each day. Again, no one's sure if it's the potassium, magnesium, fibre or other components of fruits and vegetables that prevent arteries from clogging in the brain.

4. Diverticulosis and Constipation

High-fibre grains - especially wheat bran - can help prevent constipation. That's not trivial in a country like the US that spends millions a year on laxatives.

Diverticulosis is also common. About 30 to 40 per cent of people over 50 have it, though most have no symptoms. Others experience bleeding, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, pain, or diverticulitis (that's when the pouches - or diverticula - that form in the walls of the colon get inflamed).

"In our studies, it's clear that fibre both from bran and from fruits and vegetables is protective," says Willet. Men who ate the least fibre (13 grams or less a day) were almost twice as likely to get diverticulosis as men who ate the most fibre (at least 32 grams of fibre a day).

5. Other diseases

Plant-rich diets may prevent other illnesses:

* Macular Degeneration: a carotenoid called lutein - which is found mostly in leafy greens - may help prevent the deterioration of the retina that causes blindness in older people. "In our study, people who ate spinach or collard greens two to four times a week had half the estimated risk of macular degeneration compared with those who ate them less than once a month," says Johanna Seddon of Harvard Medical School.

* Neural Tube Defects: folic acid supplements can reduce the risk of spina bifida and other neural tube birth defects. Folic acid from foods (mostly fruits and vegetables) may also cut the risk.

* Diabetes: "We found a lower risk of adult-onset diabetes in people who ate more whole grains," says Willet.

6. Safer food

Some of the deadliest food-borne illnesses enter the body via animal foods. "Ground beef is the most likely source of E. Coli 0157:H7. Poultry carry Salmonella and Campylobacter, and the consumption of raw shellfish has caused infection with Vibrio vulnificus," says David Swerdlow of the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. Any raw food - including fruits or vegetables - can carry harmful bacteria. "For example, recent outbreaks of Salmonella have been associated with cantaloupe, tomatoes and alfalfa sprouts," says Swerdlow. But meat, seafood and poultry are the most likely culprits in food-borne illness.

7. The environment

"Our eating habits have a tremendous effect on the planet," says Jenkins. "Eating animals wouldn't harm the environment if it were done on a much smaller scale," explains Alan Durning, Director of North-west Environment Watch in Seattle.

"Modern meat production involves intensive use - and often misuse - of grain, water, energy and grazing areas," says Durning. He cites the following examples:

* Water pollution: the manure and sewage from stockyards, chicken factories, and other feeding facilities can pollute water supplies.

* Air pollution: thirty million tons of methane - a gas that contributes to global warning - comes from manure in sewage ponds or heaps.

* Soil erosion: nearly 40 per cent of the world's - and more than 70 per cent of US - grain production is fed to livestock. For each pound of meat, poultry, eggs and milk we produce, farm fields lose about five pounds of topsoil.

* Water depletion: an estimated half of the grain and hay that's fed to beef cattle is grown on irrigated land. It takes about 390 gallons of water to produce a pound of beef.

* Energy Use: it takes almost ten times more energy to produce and transport livestock than vegetables.

* Overgrazing: about 10 per cent of the arid West of the US has been turned into a desert by livestock. But some of that land couldn't be used for much else. "That's why my argument isn't for vegetarianism, but for people to reduce the consumption of animal products," maintains Durning.

8. Cost

Sure, you can spend $7.99 a pound on mesclun or other gourmet foods. But from squash to sweet potatoes, most plants are a downright bargain. And the lower price of plants shows up when you eat out. On Chinese, Indian, and most other restaurant menus, the vegetarian selections are usually cheaper than the meat, seafood and poultry.

9. Animal welfare

It's unpleasant to think about, but before we slaughter them, the animals we eat are often raised and transported under inhumane conditions.

10. Taste

The number-one reason for eating a plant-rich diet is that it tastes good. The five vegetables that Americans eat most are French fries, tomatoes (mostly as sauce or ketchup), onions, iceberg lettuce, and other potatoes.

But if most Americans shrink the meat, seafood and poultry on their dinner plates, they - or many of their favourite restaurants - wouldn't know what to replace them with. You have to go to ethnic restaurants to get interesting plant-based dishes. It's no coincidence that ethnic restaurants know how to make vegetable dishes taste good. "Fortunately, there's a wealth of experience around the world because almost all traditional diets are plant-based," says Willet.

Yet many Italian, Mexican and other ethnic restaurants have become so Americanised that their vegetables have been largely replaced by meat and cheese. And that's a shame. In Asian and Mediterranean cuisines, cooking fruits and vegetables is an art form. The Italians don't put tremendous amounts of meat and cheese on pizza, for example. I had a thin-crust pizza at a traditional restaurant recently with no cheese - just fresh basil, tomatoes and garlic. It was totally wonderful.  

<Famous Vegetarians>

Taken from: "Vegetarisch Fit" (Vegetarian Fitness),
Germany Issue No. 5, May, 1997 (Originally In German)

Chelsea Clinton, the daughter of United States President Bill Clinton, is not only a vegetarian but also has the courage to speak out publicly on the matter.

She recently began an advertising campaign in which she challenged people to become vegetarians. "Americans spend over 120 billion dollars each year on heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and many other diseases," states the article. "A Healthy and Humane Vegetarian Diet Saves Lives and Money," announces a smiling Chelsea in the advertisement.

From Korea's "Family Life" Magazine - Cooking
Friday, April 25, 1997, No. 2535 Reporter Shanying Piao

Now you can enjoy fragrant vegetables from the mountains, in addition to vegetarian roast meat, and vegetarian-meat soup made with gluten and soybean protein, because a specialty vegetarian restaurant has opened.

On attractive serving tables in the S.M. Ching Hai Vegetarian Restaurant, there is a great variety of cooked and raw vegetables, and delicacies containing vegetarian meat made with either gluten or soybean protein.

On the 15th, the S.M. Ching Hai Vegetarian Restaurant (Telephone: 503-4410) that's located near the Pusan Department Store, Wenquandong, Tonglai Town, Pusan, opened for business. This restaurant is managed by the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association and promotes vegetarian cuisine.

The restaurant is open from 12 noon to 3 o'clock in the afternoon. If you go there you will wonder how vegetarian food can have so much variety. Although it is a vegetarian restaurant, the food is rich in protein. There are more than twenty self-serve dishes with main courses consisting of: rice, mixed grains, rice soup, vegetable soup; and other dishes such as vegetable salad, various raw vegetables, pickled vegetables, fried vegetables, mixed vegetables, vegetarian roast meat and cold dishes.

Even though it is a vegetarian restaurant, its menu is similar to those of other restaurants. In fact, the S. M Vegetarian Restaurant serves more dishes than other restaurants because it uses gluten and soybean protein to make vegetarian meat, which is no different from animal meat in appearance, taste and texture.

Home-made gluten and soups cooked with vegetarian meat are quite unique: They are very nutritious and effective in preventing many illnesses. A cooking class will be held for interested housewives.

The kitchen manager Songzi Yang said, "Gluten protein is made by washing gluten flour dough. With only a little effort, it can be made at home." She explained how to make gluten as follows: Mix 1 kilogram of high quality gluten flour, 800 cc of water and one teaspoon of salt to form a dough. The longer the dough is kneaded, the better. Set the dough aside for 40 minutes and then wash the dough in water until the water is clear. In this way, all the starch will be washed off leaving only the gluten protein. Then put the gluten in a square shaped container, cover it with plastic wrap, and put it in the refrigerator for one day. After the gluten takes shape, boil it on medium heat for 40 minutes, and then it will be ready. Gluten has a better texture when it is cold, so it is better to store it in a cool place.

Besides producing dairy products, the restaurant uses milk powder to replace egg yolk, and adds vinegar, salt, salad oil, etc., to make a special cold milk salad. Then by adding strawberry, lemon and haw juices, it becomes a fruit salad of various colors.

To make pickled vegetables, the restaurant uses pumpkins instead of fish and shrimp sauces. By using soup stock made from seaweed and dried mushrooms rather than a meat broth, the restaurant makes vegetable soup that has a meaty flavor.

Changsha Zheng, the Pusan representative of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association said, "In order to prevent various diseases caused by eating meat, the main task of our vegetarian restaurant is to promote and provide nutritious vegetarian food to the public."

And the manager, Chunji Zhao, added, "If housewives wish, our restaurant can give them cooking lessons or sell them the vegetarian meat made by the restaurant." 

Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai, Group Meditation, Surabaya, Indonesia March 19, 1997 (Originally In English)

What is the use of us in having magical and psychic power so we can change a sick person into a healthy one, an ugly person into a beautiful one, but inside him still rotten, inside him still sick, inside him still ugly -- plagued with all kinds of negative thinking, of ignoble ideals of the harmful kind of wishes unto other people and himself? What is the use if we know tomorrow what will happen to us and we try to avoid it, but just for one thing, and inside we have not changed? Next time the bad karma will also come and we cannot continue all our life avoiding bad things, because what will happen will happen, if we do not change from inside. If we change from inside, then we really will have changed.

Even if sometimes we are able to manage to change our bad luck into good luck all our life, suppose we have psychic power, we can always see the future -- like tomorrow something will happen and we try to avoid it by doing this and that. Maybe tomorrow we will have a car accident, then we stay home, we don't drive the car. Or tomorrow someone will kill us at that corner, so we don't go that way, we go another way. Suppose we can manage to avoid accidents and bad luck all our life, how about next life? Next life we might not be human beings again, and we might not be allowed to even use psychic power, or we might not even be in favorable circumstances in which we can exercise our knowledge of psychic power. We might be in hell already. Who's going to help you to avoid the fire of this punishment?

The masters, since ancient times, have always emphasized that we walk in beauty, we walk in virtues, and we walk in Truth. That is the only safeguard for us, because whatever we do affects us right away. Even if we do not understand, even if we try to deny it, even if we try to avoid it, it will come eventually. Unless we forsake everything, renounce the whole world, go into the Himalayas, sit in a cave all alone, then probably nothing will happen to us. Nothing will happen to us this life, but next life it will come, because whatever has not been washed away will always be there.

Suppose you dirty your shirt -- there's a fleck on it. Then you try to avoid looking at it, pretend that it didn't happen, pretend that the black spot doesn't exist, and you just put the shirt away. Do you think that it will disappear alone? The same with karma. Even if we try to avoid the outcome of our last life's bad or good deeds and we run away somewhere in a cave and sit there alone, next time we have to come back and pay.

The same with magical or psychic power. It can alter the situation, it can postpone the phenomenon of bad luck just for a while; but it's still there and it will come back later, maybe even stronger.

Little Initiates' Column

Panorama Of Events

Visitors to the exhibition found Supreme Master Ching Hai's teachings most appealing.

[Geneva and Paris] Over a hundred thousand visitors attended the annual Salon International du Livre et de la Presse held in the beautiful European city of Geneva this year. The Geneva, Switzerland and the Paris, France Centers jointly participated in this exhibition, displaying a wide selection of Supreme Master Ching Hai's publications, including books, audio tapes and videotapes.

The display booth was positioned at the intersection of two access routes. Hence, passers-by usually slowed down and stopped at the display, their eyes drawn to the large photograph of Master suspended in the center, as they read the name "Supreme Master Ching Hai" printed in bold letters above the picture. Quite a number of visitors had attended Master's lecture at the University of Geneva in April, 1993, so they immediately recognized Her. Pleasantly surprised, they all said laudably, "The lecture was a great success."

A Swiss gentleman browsed through the sample booklet and News magazines carefully before confiding in the initiates serving at the booth, "I have searched for years and I think I have found it in Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her teachings." The man requested numerous issues of the Chinese edition of the News magazine, explaining that they were for a Chinese friend of his. He had heard that the people in Mainland China have changed a lot in recent years, and more and more people are seeking spiritual growth at various levels. He was confident that Supreme Master Ching Hai's teachings would be of benefit to his friend.

The display booth for Supreme Master
Ching Hai's publications at the 11th
Salon International du Livre et de la Presse.

Quite a few visitors had questions about meditation and vegetarianism. A European woman asked, "Is this a kind of religion?"

To this, the initiates expounded, "The Quan Yin Method transmitted by Supreme Master Ching Hai is not a religion. It is the quickest and safest path dating back to the ancient days that enables us to communicate with the Supreme Power within. Believers of any faith can practice this Method." The woman nodded in complete agreement.

The display of Supreme Master Ching Hai's printed and audiovisual materials attracted the attention of spiritual seekers as well as those with different interests. Some loved Master's beautiful and elegant demeanor on the cover of the News magazines. Others thought that the way She dressed was inspirational. A middle-aged man took with him several copies of the Suma News magazine because the artistic designs published in the issues appealed to him. Some put in subscription requests because they wanted to learn Chinese or Thai and saw the magazines as a language-learning tool and a source of spiritual happiness as well.

During the five-day exhibition, over a thousand copies of the sample booklet and different issues of the Suma News magazine were requested by the visitors. Some even volunteered to distribute the booklets, News magazines and pamphlets in their areas.

Initiates who participated in this activity or served at the display booth derived great encouragement in their work and prayed that Supreme Master Ching Hai's message would find its way into the hearts of more people. This exhibition was an opportunity for initiates from the Geneva and Paris Centers to learn from each other and offer mutual support. The experience has provided a foundation on which to plan for more activities requiring a joint effort in the future. 

[Warsaw] Recently, a spiritual organization invited the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association in Poland to join an exhibition called "Spirit and Health" which was held for two days in Poznan, east of Warsaw. The Warsaw Center, did all they could to prepare for the exhibition.

Poznan is a beautiful and famous town with a large number of citizens who are pious Christians. This was the first time we have had the opportunity to make contact with local people and spread Master's teachings and the Quan Yin Method. We feel they are good people with a relaxed, harmonious atmosphere. Having talked with them, we learned that their spiritual knowledge is considerable, indeed a number of persons indicated they have practiced many different meditation methods. Yet this was the first time they encountered the concept of "immediate enlightenment -- liberation in one lifetime" through the Quan Yin Method -- a truly precious method helping them to connect with God and return to Christ. Many of them came to our display booth for further information and offered their views on meditation. Several felt Master's Power from Her pictures, books, videos, et cetera.

Several visitors stood watching Master's videos for hours, knowing that believing in God and Christ is a good thing. Of course, seeing Christ and seeing God on the path of spiritual practice is the best, and this can be done through the correct method and a living Master.

Scores of Polish sample booklets and flyers were distributed during the exhibition. Many people applied to learn the Convenient Method and others registered to receive the monthly Supreme Master Ching Hai News magazine.

Through Master's blessings and arrangements, the exhibition was very successful. We, the initiates, offer our many thanks to You, Master, for giving us a worthy activity to help others and share with them the infinite blessings that we have derived through practicing the Quan Yin Method that You have so graciously imparted to us.

The design on the Boudhanath Stupa in Nepal symbolizes wisdom, harmony and nirvana.

[Kathmandu] When Nepal is mentioned, one usually thinks of the Himalayas, which has nurtured countless saints. But do you know that in the south-west part of this revered as the teacher of the Three Worlds and the father of the four kinds of birth? This being is the world renowned Shakyamuni Buddha. Because of His arrival into the dark and dirty mundane world, an innumerable number of sentient souls yearning for liberation were illuminated. His boundless compassion and love was applauded by both human and heavenly beings. Even now, after more than two thousand years, people are still thankful and remember the infinite merits of the Buddha.

On His birthday, all the temples and pagodas in Nepal hold celebrations. Taking this opportunity, a Quan Yin messenger took with her Suma Ching Hai's sample booklets to the two most famous temples near Kathmandu, hoping to offer the supreme Sound of Truth to sincere followers of the Buddha.

The Boudhanath Stupa, is the largest in all Nepal. It is a big thirteen level pagoda standing on a white dome. One can see the Buddha's eyes painted on all four sides of the pagoda. A third eye is placed between the eyebrows, symbolizing supreme wisdom and the ability to see through all illusion. One can also see the nose in the shape of a question mark, which represents the number 1 (Ek) in Nepalese. This symbolizes unity and harmony. The umbrella-like top depicts nirvana.

The second temple is called Swayambhunath, and it's located on the western outskirts of the city. According to legend, it was here that Buddha Manjushri discovered the "lotus flower". This Buddhist pagoda has a history of over two thousand five hundred years. It is said that Emperor Ashoka visited the location in 2 B.C. On all fours sides of the Swayambhunath Stupa, one sees the all-encompassing, compassionate eyes of the Buddha and the wisdom eye that's often mentioned in Buddhism.

At these two temples, there is an endless number of sincere followers who go to the front to bow and pay their respect. They pray in silence, hoping that the grace of the Buddha will be with them forever, and that the all-knowing Light of Buddha's wisdom will soon lead them back to the Buddhas' land. Without doubt, now the compassionate grace and care of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas has actually arrived silently. Master's blessing, just like nectar, has been sprinkled all over, nourishing the entire ice-capped mountain region.

[Andong] With Master's merciful and loving blessings, the Andong Center in Korea has finally opened. The Quan Yin messenger and initiates from all over the country enthusiastically participated in the grand opening ceremony and then meditated together in order to bring the Center more blessings.

For a long time, fellow initiates in the Andong area had hoped to have a local Center for group meditation, but they did not expect that their dream would come true so soon. Within only a few days, the Center held a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open. Everyone was surprised and felt grateful for Master's prompt and most perfect arrangements. All the local initiates were encouraged to be more diligent in their practice to ensure the Center would be filled with a purer spiritual atmosphere.

A Spiritual Retreat And Art Exhibition On Cheju Island

[Cheju Island] On Cheju Island that's characterized by gorgeous mountains and rivers, a new Center opened recently. Soon afterwards, a national three-day retreat was held there, at which we wished that through the loving blessings of Master and the assistance of the Quan Yin messenger, we would successfully elevate our spiritual levels and solve the problems that we sometimes encounter on our spiritual path.

Attentive guests at the painting exhibition on Cheju Island enjoying Supreme Master Ching Hai's art work.

After the retreat, we held a painting exhibition entitled, "The Master from the Himalayas" in the Dab-dong Exhibition Hall. Many attentive guests enjoyed the event immensely. The more serious ones took notes, while others asked many questions regarding spiritual practice. Several sat down and watched Supreme Master Ching Hai's videotapes.

Although our fellow initiates didn't notify the local media, the Cheju radio station sent a reporter on their own to cover the exhibition and inquire about Supreme Master Ching Hai's activities and the Quan Yin Method. Our fellow initiates felt that the people of Cheju Island displayed a high degree of genuine interest in seeking the Truth.

[Tainan] With Master's love, fellow practitioners went to the Yulin Detention Center to visit the inmates. Our hearts were overwhelmed with emotions, as we asked ourselves why highly developed souls had to be kept in such a place. We prayed silently within, hoping that they could one day return to God's embrace. We hoped that by seeing and listening to the benefits arising as a result of various changes in the life of one of our brother initiates after following Master, the inmates would understand the value of spiritual practice.

It's just like what Master has said, that the love-power can transform devils into angels. Those suffering brothers and sisters could really feel the sincerity of fellow practitioners wanting to help them. Therefore, with full attention, they listened to the testimonials of fellow initiates with a genuine sense of yearning.

A fellow initiate saw that many Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, as well as many guardian angels, were in the hall. When fellow initiates finished speaking, the audience applauded enthusiastically. One could feel that Master's overwhelming love had already filled each and every heart.

[Auckland] The Auckland Center participated in a big exhibition called the Healthy Lifestyle Expo that was held in the Aotea Center, which is the biggest exhibition hall in Auckland. During the Expo, we displayed Supreme Master Ching Hai's sample booklets, books, News magazines and pictures to spread the wonderful news about the Quan Yin Method.

Fellow initiates all participated wholeheartedly in organizing the activity. No matter what our ethnic background or age, everyone worked together in harmony while exchanging views pertaining to our spiritual practice, like brothers and sisters of one family. Even though some of us do not speak the same language, while working together with love, the distance between us diminished.

At the exhibition, many people asked for Master's sample booklets and News magazines. There were even some who got initiated, or start practicing the Convenient Method as a result of hearing about Master at the event. Most of the newcomers are Westerners.

Someone asked during a discussion, whether being vegetarian was sufficiently nutritious, and whether a vegetarian child would have their growth hindered. A practitioner immediately found a little fellow initiate to be an example. When the audience saw that this child was so cute and healthy, all their doubts disappeared. This little initiate even said innocently: "I could find more vegetarian kids for you to see!" which made everyone burst into laughter. (That day almost all the children initiates attended.) Seeing that so many vegetarian children were wholesome and healthy, the audience's confidence in vegetarianism was boosted tremendously.

Quan Yin Method Seminar

Fellow practitioners in Auckland, New
Zealand, advocating a healthy way of life
both internally and externally.

The Auckland Center also organized a seminar in the suburbs to discuss the Quan Yin Method with members of the local Chinese community. In the past two years, the Center has organized many seminars in New Zealand, but this time it focused on Chinese immigrants. After watching Master's video-lecture, many interesting questions were raised with the Quan Yin messenger about spiritual practice, leading to an excellent discussion. As much as a third of the audience registered for initiation or to learn the Convenient Method.

After the seminar, everyone enjoyed the wonderful food that fellow initiates prepared, while enthusiastically discussing Master's teachings. Some people mentioned that they had heard about Master in Formosa, but to once again discover more about Her in New Zealand must truly reflect a strong affinity. Someone also mentioned that they had received the sample booklet in Singapore, so they had come to the seminar to find out more about Master. There was one person who talked about how her mother, in China, who became so happy after she was initiated.

All the initiates felt Master's loving power permeate the atmosphere. Although the physical Master has never been to New Zealand, and most of the local initiates have not seen Master personally, we all feel that Master's love reaches every corner of the world.

[San Jose] For the past two years, we have been visiting several prisons in Costa Rica in an effort to bring Master's message to those without social freedom.

In the beginning it was very difficult to schedule even an appointment to talk with the authorities for permission to visit, but our persistence finally brought us success.

Initially, we found the atmosphere inside the prison to be very tense because of the suffering there. However, slowly but surely, the conditions are becoming better.

We had little hope when we first went into the jails. But we could feel Master's tremendous power cleansing our souls as well as the inmates'. It's so great to know that Master is a very rare being who unconditionally loves everyone. Master is working all the time in every corner of the world, at the same time.

At present, and guided by Master, we are providing art and English classes for inmates. During class, they look like little children -- shy and nervous. They really appreciate this opportunity even more than people who are free. Some inmates already practice the Convenient Method, and are very keen to turn over a "new leaf" and better their lives.

We thank Master with all our hearts for loving and supporting all those angels trapped in prisons. This is a lesson for us that has revealed the profound truth in Master's wise words: "The only purpose for enlightenment is to serve others, and in serving we can be enlightened. Serving others is the best way to serve God and Master."  

By Sister Initiate Dewi, Jakarta, Indonesia

Master,
The embodiment of love.
The look in Your eyes, so shiny and charming,
Enlightens all sentient beings.
Your graceful arrival so soothing,
Satisfying all yearning hearts.