Because they are too valuable, should not trade our fortune and merits in spiritual practice for worldly comforts in life!

~Supreme Master Ching Hai

Master Tells Jokes

We're Not Responsible!

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Florida, USA,

October 1, 1999 (Originally in English)

There was a primary school teacher who took her students to see an art gallery. There everyone looked, looked and looked, and one student kept pulling the teacher's dress, saying, "Teacher, Teacher, I think we'd better get out of here quickly." And the teacher said, "Why is that?" So the student replied, "If we stay here longer, everyone will think that we were the students who did all these paintings."

What's All the Screaming About?

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Florida, USA,

October 4, 1999 (Originally in English)

Once a music teacher took her class to their first grand opera. The lights began to dim, the conductor began waving his baton, and the soprano started singing. After a while, one of the students asked the teacher, "Why does the conductor keep waving his stick at the woman? What has she done? So the teacher said, "Oh, don't worry. It's just the way it is. He won't hit her! Don't worry. And so the student asked, "Then why is she screaming like that?"

A Good Alibi

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Florida, USA,

October 4, 1999 (Originally in English)

An opera singer who was married asked her husband, "Why do you always go out onto the balcony whenever I sing? Don't you like my singing?"

So the husband said, "No, no. I just go out so that all the neighbors can see that I'm not beating you."

Please visit the following web sites to enjoy the original video versions of these jokes,

and you may share the joy of Master's humor with those around you as well:

http://www.godsdirectcontact.org/eng/news/135/jk1.htm (USA)
http://www.godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng/news/135/jk1.htm (Formosa)
http://www.godsdirectcontact.net/eng/news/135/jk1.htm (USA)

The Correct Attitude in Working for Master

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai,

Seven-day retreat at Hsihu, Formosa

February 13-18, 1989 (Originally in Chinese) MP3-4

When you come here to practice, do not rely on your work achievements. Because we all help each other in spiritual practice, everyone makes some contribution. Even those fellow practitioners who have never put up a lecture poster, never helped me do anything, or never contributed any money have helped me a lot, too. Their coming here is already a help. Their practice is already a help. Their faith in me is already a help. They have been helping a lot by trying their best to be good, observing the precepts and a vegetarian diet, and keeping their own thoughts, words and deeds pure.

If you can offer some extra help in addition to that, then it is for your own good. It is your own merit. What is there to talk about? For instance, you help post a few posters. There is no way to know if anyone will see them. However, you have already gained merit. When you help in my work, you will have merit, regardless of success or failure; so there is no need to talk about it.

The more you help in my work, the more merit you will have. But you should not rely on this type of achievement, or it will be ridiculous! And besides, some people are sentenced by the Heavenly King to come down here. If they do not do well and gain merits here, later they will not be able to go back up there. For example, the Monkey King, Pigsy, the Water Spirit and the White Horse (characters in the Chinese literary work Journey to the West) have to help their master bring back the Buddhist scriptures and will attain liberation only after their mission has been accomplished.

Therefore, in helping to do my work, you have no idea whether it is your own merit or your karmic debt. But whatever it is, just do your best, and don't talk about it. Maybe some people will think that it is because of your karma that you have to help me, just like the Water Spirit and Pigsy. That only makes it worse! They do not acknowledge your contribution; instead, they say you have karmic debt and make you feel more miserable! So when you do anything for me, just do it quietly. If you talk about it, after a while, there will be obstruction from Maya. Some of you have experienced this already.

Sometimes during retreats or group meditation, you are allowed to talk about your inner experiences. It is all right when I allow you to share them in my presence. However, if you happily reveal yourselves afterwards without my permission, saying, "That day Master said that I had attained a level of .." If you continue to speak without discretion and then feel proud of yourself, you will encounter Maya's obstruction after a while.

It is not that I want to scold you. I just want to remind everyone that this "self-pride" will bring us trouble. If this Maya of pride emerges, it will be bad news. Some people may degrade or be kicked out without being aware of it. Only later will they feel the pain, but then, they will not know how to turn back. Maybe only after the karma has been eliminated can they return to start anew from scratch, that is very not good!

That is why I often say that you can only share your experiences with my permission. Without my permission, don't talk about it. Even if we talk with no pride but with much humility, we will still encounter hindrances because others may come to bother us. Hearing that our experience is so good, sometimes they may come and ask, "Hey, what has your level of spiritual practice been recently? What's the big deal in telling about it! I admire you so much!" Then they open their eyes so big. (Audience laughs.) Ah! At that time we cannot bear not to tell, and the more we tell, the more trouble there will be!

And then they will agree with us, making us feel great about ourselves, as though we can slash demons and kill monsters. And after a while, we will lose this power. And when people keep complimenting us, we have to keep matching up with their imagination. Suppose we originally do not have this power, or have not yet reached this level, but people keep praising us, and then we feel ashamed to pull down our face. As a result, our level keeps floating up in the air, without a seat. Then we are unable either to come down or go up. Therefore, there will be obstructions!

It is the same with our merits. It is best not to let others know. It does not matter if others come to know about it naturally. We do not have to take the initiative to talk about it. Otherwise, we will really get into trouble! I know too many such examples, but I do not want to reveal names. It will do so for these people to know it themselves. >From now on, they should repent and mend their ways.

A Longing Heart Is the Key to the Kingdom of God

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Group meditation in London, UK,

March 10, 1998 (Originally in English) Videotape No. 631

For the initiates, I told you it is the soul, not the body, not the outside. Someone might repeat the Holy Names all the time but not do the good things that the Master teaches. They don't really respect and want the Lord. But the person who is very pure and innocent, like a farmer, and doesn't deliberately forget the Lord and the Holy Names longs in his heart for the Master all the time. Even though he might forget, he still remembers and wants the Master.

So it's not just the Holy Names that bring you to the Kingdom. It's the soul. If the person really wants it, then the Master can do anything. Even without initiation, the Master can take them. They don't need initiation. People with the Convenient Method can go up to Heaven. For people who just see the Master one time and then are praying in their heart at the time of death, the Master comes.

But some initiated people are stubborn. They think that being initiated means they can do what they want. They have to learn their lesson. If they want to go back to transmigration, it's their own choice. The Master doesn't interfere; the Master just helps. This is the problem with many initiates of different traditions, maybe including ours. They rely on the Master power. They think initiation gives them everything. And then they go out and do wrong things. Many of the so-called sects in India and elsewhere do a lot of wrong things to people; people are scared of them. Because they think that if the master initiated them, they can do anything they want and they will never transmigrate. That's wrong!

But there are those who at least try in their hearts. They try their best under the circumstances, within their power. It's not that they have to try their best according to the Lord, or to the Master, but try their best according to their ability and their strength. For the people who don't want to try even when given the opportunity, it means they want the world, not the Lord. And they have to go back to where they want.

It's very difficult alone. That's why we need group meditation. If a person doesn't meditate, if he doesn't repeat the Holy Names and doesn't eat vegetarian, then he goes on his own. Whenever he is ready, the Master will come back again. But at the time of death, if he still is not ready, if he still doesn't call upon the Master, and he still doesn't care and wants to go back to the world, then he can do that. It depends.

Sometimes outwardly people don't meditate very well, but inside their hearts, they do. So whether a person wants it in his heart is also important. But this is a subtle thing that you cannot always explain in words. You must know it from your heart. For example, if you love a woman, you just love her - you know it in your heart. And she is the only woman you love. You can't explain that, and you can't prove it to anyone. But you know in your heart that she is the only woman. It doesn't matter how many beautiful women are around you, you still love only that one.

That is the same thing with spiritual commitment. It doesn't matter what I say, and it doesn't matter what you say - you know in your heart that you want God or don't want God. And that is the important thing. It's not that you sit so many hours, or you go to so many group meditations. Group meditation only helps you. Suppose you really want God, then group meditation helps you more. It strengthens your faith and makes you sit better.

But just because you go to a lot of group meditation doesn't mean you want God. Not necessarily! You might want to see the lady next door, instead of going to see inside. It's like love. You have it or you don't have it. No one can force you to love another woman, no matter how much more beautiful, intelligent or rich she is. You love that one, and that's it. You know it. It's final. (Applause)

It's very simple. I don't want to give you the wrong notion that initiation physically alone will bring you to God, because that would be blasphemy. That would be forcing you to do it. Suppose you want to change your mind afterwards. I can't force you to go to the Kingdom of God. It's all by your free will that you come, and it's all by your free will that you stay. And it's by your free will at the last moment of your life to come back to where you belong. In the last moment, if you change your mind and say, "No, Master, forget it! Bye-bye! I want to go back to see that lady next door." Then you will go. We are all God, remember!

No one can give you anything that you don't already have or that you don't want. Initiation just awakens your own God power, if you want it. If you don't want it, you can put it aside, just like before, and then continue with your ignorant life, no problem. Initiation is a help, group meditation is a help, vegetarianism is a help, and discipline is a help. They're not the ultimate. They're not the end. They are a means to an end only. Your heart must want it above everything else. Then all these things will help you.

If you don't want God, you can eat vegetarian for a thousand years, you can sit for two thousand years and you can get initiated three thousand times, but you are still nowhere. These are just outer rituals, like people who go and bow to so-and-so. They don't understand; they don't commit. But there are other people who don't look like they meditate well, and they can't even repeat the Holy Names properly. But God knows. And they know that they want God. It's simple! (Applause)

Surviving Death after Meeting Master

By a fellow initiate, Hubei Province, Mainland China

The following is a true story from the life of brother initiate Chen. Several years ago, brother Chen went out one day to buy food. On the road, he met a fortuneteller who glanced at him and asked, "How old are you?" Chen replied, "Fifty-nine." The fortuneteller told him, "Then you cannot live beyond sixty!" Chen retorted, "What if I do not die within the year?" The fortuneteller took another look at him, and said, "Unless a living Saint saves you, you cannot survive this fate." The fortuneteller was well-known in the area. But brother Chen was straight and upright by nature, so he just left it to destiny!

True enough, in early June 1998, brother Chen fell ill. At first, he felt discomfort in his right leg, which later extended to the lumbar region. As his condition deteriorated, he went to see a doctor. A medical examination revealed that he had bone tuberculosis. Brother Chen broke the bad news to his wife, who was also a fellow initiate. Mrs. Chen was a diligent Quan Yin practitioner, and she began praying to Master to help brother Chen survive this calamity.

That night, our merciful Master showed the fellow sister a strange vision in her dream: First, there was a withered loofah plant, symbolizing the end of life. Then, the inner Light form of Master holding a willow twig appeared, and showered nectar on the plant. A miracle occurred; the withered plant immediately turned green, sprouting green leaves and gold buds. From this vision, Mrs. Chen understood that Master had already extended brother Chen's sojourn in life.

Unaware of this occurrence, brother Chen insisted on being hospitalized for treatment. Therefore, he entered the hospital in mid-June. Each time Mrs. Chen went to visit him, she always brought him a container of nectar water, on which she had prayed to Master to bestow a special blessing. Other patients in the same ward joked about this, saying, "Your wife brings you a bottle of water every day. Is it going to cure you? Tell her to fetch you all kinds of meat for nourishment, so that you can get well sooner!" What they didn't know was that this water was no ordinary water, and was more effective than any tonic food or medicine.

After some time, brother Chen felt much better, and the mental pressure on his mind was much relieved as well. Therefore, he was discharged from the hospital in November. Afterwards, he often smelled the odor of medicine during meditation. In his heart, he understood that it was our beloved and venerable Master healing him. He was extremely grateful to Master for taking care of each and every one of Her children so meticulously!

Brother Chen's misfortune turned out to be a blessing. Not only was he physically healed, but his whole person also changed completely. Before initiation, all of his toes were in a deformed arch shape, and thus always punctured his new shoes. Besides, his back was also humped, making him look much older than he was. After practicing the Quan Yin Method, however, he was born anew. This time, Master not only delivered him from his fate, but also made his toes normal. His face became rosy like that of a newborn baby and he also became plumper. It was truly a miracle! No one would believe it without seeing it with his own eyes! A year later, brother Chen met the same fortuneteller again, who commented, "Surely you have met a living Saint. Otherwise, you could not have escaped death."

Inconceivable is the Light and Sound Method,
Encompassing all possibilities and changes.
Both body and mind take on a new look,
The filth of many lives cleansed by the divine nectar.
Any person practicing this Supreme Method
Will have no problem finding his way "Home."

Disasters Are Cruel, but Master Is Merciful!

By a fellow initiate, Hubei province, Mainland China

I first came in contact with Master's teachings in October 1995, and got initiated in January 1997. Since I have read Her books, all of my undesirable habits have changed dramatically. At my initiation, I even felt that I had changed into a completely new self in a new world. Since then, though my family and I have encountered many dangerous situations, each time Master has helped us come through them safely.

On April 5 of this year, for example, my second daughter went on a business trip. She was traveling by bus to deliver goods, and there were six other passengers besides her on the bus. She felt uneasy during the journey and changed her seat seven times. Later, the bus overturned, leaving one person dead and four severely injured. Only my daughter and the passenger sitting next to her escaped unscathed! There was a large crowd of onlookers, who were amazed and said, "Someone in your family must be a vegetarian and practicing spiritually to have brought you such great blessing."

This incident helped me truly realize that disasters are cruel, but Master is merciful. Thank You very much, Master!

The Power of Love

By sister initiate Luckie, Minnesota, USA (Originally in English)

I would like to share with all my brothers and sisters around the world my experience on Mother's Day 2002. Although I could not participate in the Mother's Day celebrations in Florida this year, I attended the group meditation session at the Minnesota Center that day. We watched Master's videotaped lecture and I was in charge of playing the video. >From the hundreds of videos on the shelf, I pulled one out without noticing its title. Coincidentally, it turned out to be a lecture given by Master in Holland on Mother's Day. I was both astonished and elated when the video showed Master walking into the lecture hall and saying "Happy Mother's Day!" At that moment, I felt that Master was present at the Center. Thank You so much, Master. You are the ocean of love!

In another experience that took place a couple of months after I received initiation from Master in 1990, I was taking an afternoon nap with my two babies. While half asleep, I felt a strong uplifting power surge through the crown of my head like a tornado and my real Self, cute and little, began flying around out there. From these experiences, I know that our Master is the true Master. Thank You, Master, for all Your blessings!

Report from Sweden

Attending Stockholm's Birthday Party

[Stockholm] Sweden's capital Stockholm was founded 750 years ago, and to celebrate this historic occasion, from June 1 to 8, 2002 the city overflowed with joyful outdoor activities. The celebrations spread throughout the city, where happy families rejoiced in the unusually warm, sunny weather during the period.

Our Quan Yin booth was set up in a district called Rinkeby - also referred to as the "Village of the World," as we eagerly anticipated happy passersby from all parts of the globe. Sample booklets in 25 languages (from Arabic to Ukrainian) were prepared for sincere seekers, and a large, enthusiastic group of guests from many backgrounds visited our booth, where we played Master's DVD lectures on a laptop computer that was programmed to change subtitles according to the viewers' mother tongues. And one of our brother initiates, a musician, was invited on stage for a virtuoso guitar performance as part of a two-day show.

Many expressed deep interest in the Quan Yin Method and asked for the address of the local center. They also showed great respect for Master because of the ceaseless humanitarian work She conducts around the world in helping to alleviate people's physical and emotional suffering. Through Master's blessing, Stockholm's feast of friendship and harmony slowly came to an end, and many longing souls left us with Her loving message resounding in their hearts. And as an elderly Kurdish man concluded from the wisdom showered upon him at Master's booth, "Truly, meditation is the only way to bring about world peace!"

Report from Australia

The Body, Mind and Spirit Festival

[Brisbane] On May 4-6, 2002, the Brisbane Center again participated in the annual three-day Body, Mind and Spirit Festival held at the Brisbane Convention Center. This year, over a hundred exhibitors at the Festival offered a wide range of interesting information on relaxation and meditation techniques, sound therapy, yoga, feng shui (geomancy) and vegetarian cooking with demonstrations.

The organizer estimated that over ten thousand visitors attended the three-day event, including many from distant places. Brisbane initiates took shifts working at the booth, answering inquiries and distributing most of our sample booklets and flyers. Many visitors were interested in the Quan Yin Method and expressed their intention to visit the Brisbane Center to learn more about the Method. Some visitors were delightfully surprised to learn that the initiates were participating in the festival for the sole purpose of sharing the joy and benefits of practicing the Quan Yin Method, which is offered free of charge to all.

Numerous visitors expressed their respect and admiration for Master and the Quan Yin Method, with some enthusiastically encouraging their friends to come and ask for sample booklets. The local initiates were touched and inspired by the guests' sincerity, and realized that spreading the message of the Quan Yin Method is itself a reward that helps us grow in our spiritual cultivation.

photo--sp1-1,2-135

Report from Brazil

Sharing the Truth on Buddha's Birthday

[Sao Paulo] On May 26, 2002, over 6,000 people went to the Ibirapuera Gymnasium to celebrate the 2,546th anniversary of the Buddha's Birthday.

For Buddhist practitioners in Sao Paulo, it was Peace Day, on which many people from various places around Brazil came together to celebrate. Our fellow practitioners from the Sao Paulo Center immediately organized a working team, and distributed over 3,000 fliers to participants near the Quan Yin truth-sharing car, which carried giant posters of Master and continuously played Her song "I Will Forever Love You."

Photo:sp8-1-135

Report from Canada

Truth-sharing in Montreal

[Montreal] On May 19, 2002, fellow practitioners from Montreal hosted a public video seminar at the Montreal Center. After a brief introduction and a videotaped lecture presentation, the audience was invited to a light snack of vegetarian delicacies, and offered free sample booklets. The feedback was very positive, as the guests felt strong affinities with Master's teachings and philosophy, and returned several days later to learn the Convenient Method. Some participants were reluctant to leave the seminar, and discussed spiritual issues with fellow disciples until late in the afternoon.

photo: Sp11-1-135

Report from California, USA

Displaying Truth, Virtue and Beauty at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books

[Los Angeles] On Saturday and Sunday, April 27 and 28, 2002, the seventh annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books was held at the prestigious University of California, Los Angeles. The Festival is America's largest literary event, and this year, over 150,000 people attended.

Once again, members of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association from the Los Angeles Center participated in the Festival by sponsoring an exhibition booth to share Master's teachings, humanitarian work and artistic talents with attendees. Many people were drawn to the elegant exhibits prepared by initiates. In the front of the booth, Supreme Master Ching Hai's publications were creatively displayed. On the left side of the booth stood three large panels featuring enlarged photographs of Supreme Master Ching Hai's worldwide charitable activities. Upon viewing the panels, many guests expressed their admiration for Master's compassion and love for all people. In the center of the booth was a podium displaying books filled with Master's paintings and fashion designs. Many people who examined the books were impressed by Supreme Master Ching Hai's versatility and creativity as an artist. On the right side of the booth, Master's paintings and Longevity Lamps were on display, and many who saw the lamp designs exclaimed, "Those are the most beautiful lamps I have ever seen!"

Numerous visitors interested in the spiritual path gladly took the sample booklets and News magazines on display. And sincere Truth-seekers were also overjoyed to obtain the video "Walk the Way of Love: An Introduction to Supreme Master Ching Hai" and video tapes of the TV program A Journey through Aesthetic Realms.

As festival participants walked by, they were attracted to the television in the booth playing the videos of the concert One World...of peace through music and the program A Journey through Aesthetic Realms. Several young people said that they recognized Supreme Master Ching Hai's image because their parents watch the program on local TV channel KSCI 18. The new vegetarian cooking video, "The Art of Vegetarian Cooking: Flavorful & Nutritious Cuisine," was requested by many who wished to adopt a healthier and more compassionate lifestyle.

Through the L. A. Center's participation in the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, many spiritual seekers had an opportunity to learn about Supreme Master Ching Hai's teachings and the Quan Yin Method, and through Master's blessings, more light and love will continue to pour forth into the world.

photo: sp5-1,2-135

Multicultural Earth Day

[San Jose] In April 2002, the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Vegetarian House was invited to attend the inauguration of Multicultural Earth Day in the Hispanic district of San Jose, to promote greater participation in and awareness of environmental protection in the community.

The restaurant responded by setting up two booths, one to serve food and another to display Master's videos, books, and magazines. The Vegetarian House was the only vegetarian food booth in the whole venue, but it attracted more people than any other food vendor. We also noted a number of repeat customers!

A roving reporter from a San Francisco TV station spotted our booths, was quite intrigued with our activities and promptly videotaped Master's magazines, sample booklets and large photos on display. Later, he thoroughly enjoyed a sumptuous feast at our booth and left contented. Our Spanish-speaking neighbors were delighted to discover that Master's magazines and booklets were available in their language, and also took copies of the English edition for their friends. We conducted several video interviews with those dining on our vegetarian fare, and although the majority were non-vegetarians, they all shared a common belief that vegetarian food is healthy, and some were quite surprised that it can taste so good!!

photo:sp3-1,2-135

Report from Illinois, USA

A Dream Come True - Successfully Promoting Vegetarianism

[Chicago] Due to the efforts of local initiates, many students at universities in Chicago, Illinois now eat healthier food and recognize that animals have a right to live on Earth. Last year, a small group of Korean college student practitioners decided to create "vegetarian lunch boxes" and ask Chicago area university cafeterias to sell them to students at inexpensive prices. The universities agreed, and the very first vegetarian lunch box was introduced; a nutritious Korean sushi roll containing cucumbers, avocados, and carrots.

This summer, with students off from school, these young practitioners decided to open a small caf‚ to introduce vegetarian food to a more diverse group of people within the local community, and to display Master's books and Aphorisms.

After a suitable location was found, through Master's blessings and arrangement, Alice and Friends' Vegetarian Caf‚ opened its doors in May 2002. Since the initiates had limited capital with which to buy accessories, the caf‚ is very simple, with just a few small tables and chairs for customers. The practitioners also decorated the caf‚ with framed versions of Master's aphorisms on the walls, so that customers can benefit from reading them while ordering food.

Without money to advertise, the initiates have been relying on their customers to spread the word that the caf‚ is open. On the first day, only one person came to eat. On the second day, two people came, and on the third day, three people came. After the third day, nearly 20 people came. Now there are more and more customers, and the caf‚ is crowded nearly every day.

The practitioners are very pleased that God answered their sincere prayers. They also hold a group meditation session at the caf‚ each day after work. And even though Sunday is a day when they could have more customers, they close the caf‚ on that day to attend group meditation at the local center or travel to other states to attend the two-day retreat every month.

Many customers who come to Alice and Friends' Vegetarian Caf‚ pick up sample booklets and read them while ordering food, and all of downtown Chicago has been blessed by Master through this "dream come true."

photo: sp10-1-135:Alice and Friends' Vegetarian Caf‚ in Chicago, run by Korean college student practitioners.

Sp10-2-135: The caf‚ is decorated with framed versions of Master's aphorisms to convey Her teachings.

Report from Japan

Master's Loving Blessings Fill the Qunma Retreat

[Qunma] After the four-day Christmas Retreat in Florida in December 2001, Master met with the Japanese initiates staying on at the Florida Center and promised to let Japanese initiates use Her log cabin in Qunma County, Japan. This great gift was a surprise for the initiates, who immediately informed their Japanese brothers and sisters of this exciting news after returning home.

However, winter temperatures are very low in the area where the cabin is located, and it sometimes snows, ruling out camping and retreats. So everyone waited for spring.

When May came, nearby initiates reported that the flowers and trees in the area took on a flourishing look under the warm sunshine; although it was still relatively cold early and late in the day. The Japanese initiates decided to hold a one-day retreat at Master's cabin while they were there and to prepare it for future group meditation sessions.

Retreat Insights

By brother initiate Totani Shinya, Yamanashi, Japan

During the last weekend of May, Japanese fellow practitioners held a one-day retreat at Master's cabin in Qunma County. But I was busy with work, preparing for a bakery renovation project. Besides, a TV station was coming that weekend to interview me for one of their programs. Just when I was wondering whether I should bypass the opportunity to attend the one-day retreat, the station called to reschedule my interview. I am sure that it was a loving arrangement by Master to let me attend the retreat.

Thanks to Master's blessings, we had a sunny weekend for the retreat. A strong wind was blowing when we arrived, but the blustery weather ceased while we were putting up our tents. Late May to mid-June is the most comfortable and beautiful season of the year in Qunma, and the cabin is located in a scenic villa area, so initiates were psychologically prepared to face weekend crowds of visitors. However, contrary to our expectations, there were very few people around during the retreat, and it was so quiet that we only heard the soothing sound of the flowing stream nearby.

Initiates from distant Tokyo had to change buses on their six-hour journey to the retreat. Some initiates even had to leave home as early as Friday. Although it was a long trip, none of us looked tired when we arrived, and everyone enjoyed the happy atmosphere of the gathering.

Although not many people attended, this one-day retreat was comparable to an international retreat in terms of its tasty food, neat setting and tranquil atmosphere. All of the positive aspects of the retreat were attributable to the initiates' careful arrangements and plans, and to Master's love and compassion, which gave us an enjoyable retreat in a beautiful location. After the retreat, all of the initiates' faces shone with contentment and happiness.

Report from Formosa

Beach Cleaning in Keelung

[Keelung] On May 18, the Keelung Environmental Protection Bureau held a spring 2002 voluntary beach cleaning activity at the Auti fishing harbor in Waimushan District. Several hundred volunteers from the Keelung Center of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, along with members of other groups, earnestly took part in the event.

It was a bright, sunny day, as the activity commenced with an introduction to the government's environmental policy by a specialist from Formosa's Environmental Protection Bureau, who recommended replacing ordinary disposable eating utensils with environmentally friendly ones. In response to the Marine Conservation Biology Institute's call on the public to assume beach cleaning responsibilities, the Keelung Center pledged to clean up the Auti beach, where the day's activity was held. The beach is a popular spot for swimming and water sports, even on weekdays, especially during the summer. Therefore, its cleaning and maintenance is important.

The mayor of Keelung thanked the volunteer workers in advance for their enthusiastic participation, and the work began. One sister initiate said that she had refrained from coming to this beach for recreation because it was dirty and filthy. So it was marvelous that she could have a chance to help tidy up the area that day! Hoping to contribute greater effort to environmental protection, fellow initiates not only arrived before the activity began, but also remained until the very end. The temperatures were high and fellow initiates sweated profusely, but when they saw the beach restored to its original beautiful appearance, they could not help but smile blissfully.

sp4-1,2-135

Working on "the Road to Heaven"

[Hsihu] On May 19, 2002, a 2-day retreat was held at the Hsihu Center, Formosa. After the morning meditation session and lunch, about 300 fellow practitioners from all over Formosa gathered at the Center's main gate under intense sunshine, ready and eager to take part in a cleaning activity on the nearby Miao 28 Road.

Initiates prepared brooms, dustpans, sickles, hammers and other tools needed to clean up the environment and changed into their work outfits before setting off for their destination. We cleaned the Road, removed wild grass, shoveled soil, dredged ditches, filled holes and removed trash. All of the participating initiates tried their best to contribute to the cleaning effort, and after three hours of work the eight-mile Road took on a new look.

One initiate said that before being initiated he had had a special feeling of tranquility the first time he walked on Miao 28 Road, which appeared to him as neat and clean, a sight that brought happiness and comfort to local people. But he had not understood why he felt that way, until after being initiated.

The cleaning of Miao 28 is regularly performed by initiates, and the Road has been under Master's care for years. Many initiates prefer to take this route when they attend group meditation or two-day retreats at the Hsihu Center. Another initiate said that mundane worries disappear as one walks on the road, being replaced by the many beautiful views along the way. Whether in the morning or after a shower, the Road exudes a special spiritual beauty, touching people with its grace and making them forget their worries. Therefore, initiates have named Miao 28 "the Road to Heaven."

photo:6-1-135:Regular care gives the Miao 28 Road a beautiful appearance, the result of initiates' loving acts of environmental protection.

6-2-135:Little initiates do not lag behind, but work diligently along with the adults during the Miao 28 cleaning project.

A Chinese Medicine Fair

[Nantou] On May 10, 2002, Formosa's Nantou Chunghsin Provincial Hospital held a fair to celebrate the first anniversary of the founding of its Chinese medicine department. Participants at the Chinese Medicine Health Fair included manufacturers of body-building equipment and health foods that promote citizens' health, along with the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, which exhibited publications on physical, mental and spiritual health and offered free samples of vegetarian food.

Hospital Director Tsai Yueh-fu explained that the main purpose of the Fair was to promote a balanced diet and the health concept of "three lows and two highs" (low salt, low oil, low sugar, high fiber and high calcium). The modern vegetarian diet, which includes oil and protein derived from vegetable instead of animal sources, adheres to this concept and provides an excellent option for those who follow an excessively unhealthy dietary culture. Dr. Chu Po-chin, head of the Hospital's dentistry department, observed that, given the structure of the human teeth and small intestines, vegetarianism is more suitable than is a meat-based diet for maintaining oral hygiene and dental health.

As soon as they were served, our vegetarian dishes attracted crowds of attendees. Numerous guests were surprised that vegetarian food could be so delicious and diverse. Having sampled our delicious dishes, some said that they would like to change their dietary habits and become vegetarians.

Several health seminars were held at the Fair, and Brother Lin Ming-chao, a member of the Hospital's Chinese medicine department, was the main speaker at one of them. Speaking on the theme "Health of Body, Mind and Spirit," Dr. Lin pointed out that there are two main causes of human disease - external and internal. "Internal" causes include the spiritual component. All forms of life have a basic self-healing power, the use of which is the only way to ensure that an organism is functioning at its best. Once this self-healing power weakens, the organism's physiological mechanisms gradually lose balance and harmony, causing illness and exhausting vital energy. However, through unconditional, loving devotion, the body's "universal energy" can be increased and the self-healing power intangibly enhanced. Dr. Lin closed his discussion with the wish that human consciousness may be elevated so that all will experience good health and prevent disease.

photo:sp2-1,2-135

Journalism Workshop at the Hsinhua Center

[Tainan] On May 25 and 26, 2002, fellow initiates from the news groups of various centers around Formosa gathered at Tainan's Hsinhua Center for a news reporting workshop. The enchanting landscape and the warm, sincere reception they received from the Tainan fellow practitioners made the participating brothers and sisters feel as though they were staying in a five-star hotel!

The two-day workshop was held in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. The main topics addressed included composition in video filming, news gathering, photography and video editing, along with practical sessions in news photography and editing. The main lecturer, brother Chen, enthusiastically shared with the attendees his many years of professional experience in photography. In addition to texts and illustrations, he also used edited films as instructional materials to help participants develop a better understanding of photojournalism.

After brother Chen's informative talks, attendees split into groups to do on-location shooting on assigned topics, making use of the surroundings of the Hsinhua Center. After filming was completed, they worked on computers to edit their video footage into a beautiful documentary. Concentration and an eye for detail are a must in the editing process, while the effective use of techniques and an aesthetic presentation are essential elements of a good film. During the workshop's last session, the finished footage exquisitely produced by the groups was shown. This was their most exciting and happy moment, as Brother Chen commented on and appraised the each group's film.

Although the workshop is over, the joyful and inspiring feeling it generated linger on. The experience might have lasted only two short days, but for everyone, it led to much progress in their news reporting skills! We are all very grateful for Master's arrangement in giving us a chance to learn and grow together.

photo:sp7-1-135: Fellow initiates happily appreciate each group's exquisite film.

sp7-2-135: The splendid Book Circulation area is the best spot for photography.

Activity Insights -- On to Greater Heights

By sister initiate Huang

I am very honored to have been able to participate in the news photography workshop recently held at the Hsinhua Center in Tainan. After enrolling in the workshop, I had a dream in which I saw myself paired with another sister initiate, who taught me how to use the computer. Also, I operated a camera by myself. This dream later turned out to be a reality that was truly incredible!

I believe that this experience was lovingly arranged by Master, who knew that I had never used a computer or operated a camera before, and I lacked confidence. So, She showed it to me beforehand in a dream. In this workshop, I accomplished what I thought was the impossible. It is no wonder Master says that each day is filled with miracles after we embark on spiritual practice. This experience has shown me that nothing is impossible through God's almighty power.

I thank Master for constantly taking care of me and giving me the chance to attain greater heights through a series of trials.

Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest Videotapes

<In English + French Subtitles>

671 To Be Enlightened
Lecture in Tel Aviv, Israel, November 21, 1999

648 The Way to End the War
Lecture in Edinburgh, Scotland, June 5, 1999

656 Spirituality Shines in Adversity
Lecture in Dublin, Ireland, June 7, 1999

Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest DVD

<In English + Subtitles in 20 Languages>

608 The Methods of Spiritual Improvement
International Four-day Retreat
in Washington D.C., U.S.A.,
December 24-27, 1997

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://www.smchbooks.com/ (in English and Chinese)

Fire Tempers Gold - A Little Sister's Spiritual Journey

Narrated by sister Songsong, Tago, West Africa

Recorded by a Quan Yin messenger

When I was little, my parents sent me to live with my relatives and grandparents because of work, so I had a lonely and unsettled childhood. By the time my parents sent for me to live with them abroad, I had already developed an unstable temperament. I was self-centered and seldom thought about other people's feelings. I did not know how to take care of others and often locked myself in my room. It was very hard for me to get along with other people, to appreciate or understand the environment around me.

However, after my mother was initiated, I felt myself change through the great blessing power of Master and loving concern of fellow initiates. I opened my heart to the outside world, found hope in my life, and eagerly asked fellow initiates many questions about Master and spiritual practice. The concept of spiritual cultivation began to grow deep inside me. But my father did not understand, and objected to my contact with fellow initiates. Once, in anger, he ruined a photo of Master. I felt so badly about my father's actions that I knelt down alone in my room to repent to Master for his ignorance. My tears fell before I became aware of them, but I felt calmness and peace that I had never experienced before. I had never meditated before, nor had I ever wanted to. But that time I naturally crossed my legs to meditate. Master seemed to be reminding me to practice spiritually, and I was both surprised and exalted!

From that day on, I would experience diarrhea or lose my temper when I ate non-vegetarian food. In May of 2000, when mother returned from the retreat in Korea, the whole family was charged with intangible blessings and I made up my mind to adopt a full vegetarian diet. But before father agreed to my initiation, I had to practice the Convenient Method first. Maybe it was God's test for me! The difficulties brought about by my father were just stimulants for my growth.

Father's work often took him away from home. But he came back frequently to see us, which created strong tensions and even disputes, especially over my vegetarian diet and spiritual practice.

As time went by, my longing for spiritual practice grew stronger. I knew I would not be able to receive initiation if I could not maintain a vegetarian diet, and refused the meat that father tried to force me to eat. Immediately, a family dispute broke out. I was afraid to go to the dinner table but I persisted with my vegetarian diet no matter how much father tried to force me away from it. I explained to him that we should put ourselves in the shoes of those animals that were about to be slaughtered. How could we do such a cruel thing to them? Although father wanted to change my mind because of his love for me, I was determined, and prayed to Master whenever I could for a smooth journey to initiation. Thus, I managed to pull through one hardship after another.

Finally, father lost his patience and slapped me twice in the face. But I felt neither hatred nor fear. On the contrary, I became even more determined to fight for my noble cause. I understood that external violence or pressure might cause physical pain, but it could not shake my calm determination. These slaps from my father caused me much pain, but they could not compare to the suffering of animals before they are slaughtered. Father didn't understand me, nor did I understand him. I sincerely hoped that the situation would soon improve through my diligent spiritual practice. After all these struggles, I finally overcame my cowardly and cloistered self, and became brave enough to express and realize my inner longings. The blissful experience was beyond words! Whenever I pass this kind of test, I look at Master's photos in my room and feel that She is smiling more and more happily and beautifully. Master, I will continue to progress!

At last, I received the initiation that I had been longing for. Due to Master's immeasurable love, I became very excited and felt like the happiest person in the world. Before initiation, I had prepared a photo for my I.D. card, but was not satisfied with it. After the initiation session, I asked the Quan Yin messenger to hold on for a while so that I could take another picture. But the result still did not quite meet my standards. Nevertheless, the initiates in attendance said that it was beautiful. They compared it with the photo taken before my initiation and I found that I really looked quite different! Then, they laughed and said, "Master has performed surgery on you, both inside and outside, and has made you a totally different person!"

As You Wish

By sister initiate Xiaoyu, Germany

"May everything turn out as you wish" is a common Chinese greeting. However, as I grew up and experienced life's trials and tribulations, I began to feel that it was impossible for everything to be as one wished in this world. On the contrary, eighty to ninety percent of things go against our wishes. So for a period of time, I no longer used expressions such as "May everything turn out as you wish" or "May everything go smoothly" because I thought it would be hypocritical to make these wishes for people when they could not be realized.

However, since following Master in spiritual practice, my thinking on this subject has changed, for I have truly experienced that everything can turn out as I wish, and I easily become contented and satisfied. When faced with situations that would have previously frustrated me, I now find that my endurance has increased, and I do not feel as much pain as I used to. As Master once said, the Quan Yin Method is a "big boots" method. After initiation, although adversities continue to cross our path in life, the protective power of Quan Yin shields us like a pair of strong boots, so that we no longer feel hurt or pain. Our infinite wisdom is opened up through meditation; and even if we encounter seemingly unpleasant situations, we can penetrate the surface to truly understand the matter inside out, and thus turn "dissatisfaction" into "satisfaction."

For example, I once had several unfriendly colleagues at work who frequently found fault with me and put me down in public. Sometimes they even reported my flaws to our superiors. Initially, I felt annoyed and wanted to argue with them. But then, I thought that it is a very important part of my spiritual practice to continuously introspect and correct my own shortcomings. Although my co-workers might not have been fair or objective in their criticisms, and were impolite in their demeanor, it still gave me a good opportunity for self-reflection. From then on, I would always remember those criticisms and be strict with myself. Many fellow initiates want to be rectified by Master, hoping to be trimmed and polished. Actually, anyone who criticizes us is helping us to become perfect. Therefore, we should view it as a reminder from Master through other people.

On the other hand, since initiation, my life has changed as I have wished. While my endurance and cleverness in dealing with emergencies have improved, the external environment has also become just the way I have wanted it. For instance, when I was in Mainland China, I made many futile efforts to study or work overseas. After initiation, I stopped making these efforts because I no longer felt that the external situation was very important. So I became contented with my life in China and continued practicing spiritually. Then, not long ago, an opportunity to go abroad came up miraculously for me and I traveled to Germany without experiencing any obstacles. Since I have been here, God has carefully taken care of every detail in my life involving work and study. Sometimes, I can hardly believe that this is true, for it seems like a beautiful dream.

Looking back at my spiritual practice since initiation, I can see so many amazing experiences that I can hardly find words to describe them. Many times, when I read about other fellow initiates' experiences, I feel that they are like my own. When we communicate with our great inner power by practicing the Quan Yin Method, all our wishes and dreams come true. Just like Master has said, "Forsake everything and then you will have everything!" (Aphorisms, News No. 57)

The Highest Honor

I was once a tiny, thirsty fish by the shore;
Blessed am I today
To swim freely in Your Ocean of Love.
I was once a feather drifting in the air;
Blessed am I today
To become one with Your perfect wings..

Like crude jade undiscovered on a barren hill,
Thanks to Your deft craftsmanship,
It radiates the charm of a gem.
Like drizzle dropping into mud,
By Your loving radiance,
It soars up to the universe!

The Tao Comes First and the Mundane World Second

Spoken by the Supreme Master Ching Hai,

Seven-day retreat, Hsihu, Formosa, September 24-27, 1988

(Originally in Chinese) MP3-3

It is not easy for us to leave this world because there are so many beautiful things in it. Many people want very much to leave this world, but cannot because of its many beautiful things that they fall in love with at first sight. If we have not seen more beautiful realms, of course, we will think that this world is the most beautiful; so it is not easy for us to go away.

But never mind, we have practiced the Quan Yin Method, one day we will know which realm is really beautiful. Perhaps we still do not know it, but there are fellow initiates who do. After listening to their descriptions, we already can feel the inspirational power urging us to practice spiritually and we want to be like them.

Someone wrote to me saying, "Master, can you please take back this blessing power? After the seven-day retreat, I feel so blessed that I don't seem to be able to cope with this world." (Laughter) Isn't that being stupid beyond words? (Audience: Yes.) Some people pray to Master, hoping to receive a few more blessings; but then, someone feels that the blessings are too powerful and want me to take them back. Why should I take back the blessings?

This blessing power is not controllable. It is not that I press a button here and you have the blessing. It is not like that. You want me to take it back, but I won't! (Master and audience laugh.) When it is given, it is given. What is there to take back? It is not like cows regurgitating the grass they have swallowed to chew it again!

The blessing power is very precious. Very few people can transmit it. You cannot have it even if you exchange the whole world for it; and here you ask me to take it back! If I really do, you will be meditating for nothing and suffering even more than you do now. It is because previously you had not had that uplifting experience of not clinging and non-attachment to the world. Now you have experienced it and realize what is good. If I really take that away, you will feel more miserable than before you began spiritual practice. Previously you did not know what happiness was, and you could live on. Now that you have known happiness, you will not be able to live on once it is taken away.

I once told you a story about an Indian woman who received immense blessings. Perhaps she had just returned from a seven-day retreat. She remained elated every day. Whenever she was making chapatis (round Indian flat bread), she fell unconscious; her soul would fly out and leave her body behind. The flour would fall all over the place and her whole body would be stained with flour and become white. Things were strewn around, the pan in front and the chopsticks behind. You know that kind of situation. Or maybe no one does.

Then the hungry husband came home and saw his wife lying there. There were no chapatis. The butter was left here and the milk spilled over there. It happened like that every day. He thought that his wife was lazy and slept too much. So he beat her, and the wife went to her master and cried, "Master, please take back your blessings." Just like our stupid fellow initiate! She begged her master a few times saying, "My husband beats me every day. I cannot bear it anymore. Look at the bruises all over my body."

Then the Master said, "You should bear this. The blessings are very precious. You can go into samadhi any time. Not many people can have this." Because her inner Sound was very powerful, her soul was pulled out whenever the Sound came, leaving just the body behind. Our body is just like our clothes. When the soul goes out, it is like a person taking off his clothes and leaving. However, she said, "But I can't bear it. There is no peace in my family. Every day my husband beats me when he comes home. Please! You must take back the blessings." Master said, "All right, I will."

After her master took back the blessing power, it became even more unbearable. The woman came and cried again, "Master, it is worse now! It was better before. Even when my husband beat me, I could sometimes enjoy the experience of samadhi. Now, although he does not beat me, I can no longer hear the inner Sound. There is nothing! That won't do!" You know disciples are all like that, fond of creating trouble for the master. Then her master said, "Go away, and don't bring me trouble. You want it today and do not want it tomorrow. It cannot be this way. This is not something to be joked about." The woman left and continued to suffer a lot. Of course, her master would still take care of her when she passed away. But after that day her whole life became meaningless, and there was no more experience, nothing! That is because she considered the mundane world more important than her spiritual practice!

Therefore, we cannot chop and change again and again in our spiritual practice. We should realize that this world is ephemeral; so are all the pleasures, anger, grief, happiness and suffering. We should not lose our eternal treasure for these ephemeral things. We receive blessings, enter samadhi in meditation, and have wisdom. These things are the most precious. We cannot trade them for anything in the world.

Many spiritual practitioners were threatened in ancient times; history tells us that spiritual practitioners were not very safe sometimes. When Jesus Christ was alive, His disciples were intimidated and punished. For example, people cast stones at them, beat them and killed them, using barbarous ways to punish those who followed Christ and practiced the esoteric method. But they persisted in their practice resolutely. They were willing to die for the Truth. It is the same in India today. Many spiritual practitioners are misunderstood by others and subject to oppression, threats, harassment and punishment, but they still continue their spiritual practice.

Not very long ago, the Sikhs were also suppressed by some government or king, and many people were killed. But they did not waver and continued to practice spirituality. A master of the Lotus Sect in Japan was also threatened, suppressed and chased away when He preached in public. Some of his disciples were also killed by people in power, but the rest remained firm.

The government of Formosa here is very kind, allowing its people to have religious freedom, and it is even better that they are protected by its laws. But you are aware that I also encounter calamity sometimes. What you know is only a very small part that is exposed. There are many things you do not know and I have not told you. What I mean is that even if we have mundane problems and troubles, still we should not trade our fortune and merits in spiritual practice for worldly comforts in life because these are too valuable!

We should bear any difficulty or trouble we have in our spiritual practice. We should regard any adversity as a test to measure our confidence and courage. We should not withdraw, with shaken confidence, crying and complaining when a situation arises. What kind of spiritual practitioner is that, with no courage and acting like a child?

When we practice spirituality, we should check on ourselves, instead of keeping our eyes on others. We should look after how much courage we have, and whether our faith is strong. We don't have to look at how well or poorly others are practicing. It is enough already to look at ourselves. Each day we take care of our courage, our conduct as a great human, and our faith in the spiritual path (Tao), not allowing them to diminish, waver, or be destroyed. This is our responsibility.

If any fellow practitioner puts the Truth first and this mundane world second, he will be liberated for sure, no matter how quickly or slowly he progresses in his spiritual practice, or how much or less his experiences are. This is the best way to measure it. The world exists only for the purpose of tying us down. All the pleasures, anger, grief and happiness in this world are there to test our confidence and courage, our attitude as great humans, and our faith in the Tao.

It will be too cheap if everyone who practices casually also can become a Saint! What then would a Saint be if he is just the same as the ordinary person? If anyone can become a Saint even though he cannot tolerate anything, do anything, or pass any test, then what good is a Saint? How can he be worthy of praise by humans and heavenly beings? How can he be worthy of being a "Teacher of heavenly beings" or a "Compassionate Father of the Four Forms of Birth"?

So if you want to be a Saint, you should clearly understand that any unfavorable condition is there to test us. We should live on bravely. Even if it is very painful, things will get better in a couple of days. The darkest and longest night will only last till the next morning. The night cannot last forever; neither can our suffering. We must have learned this lesson as a child, that no painful situation will last forever. Even the most painful situation will not last too long. The happy situation will last even less time. So this world offers nothing for us to hold on to, nothing for us to become attached to!

Only one thing is eternal, and that is our inner Sound. It is always present and takes care of us every day. After a while we can rise and reside in that eternal place, where there is no night or day, no spring, summer, autumn or winter, and no pain like we have here. But when I say this, maybe someone will think, "Every day would then be the same and it'd be so monotonous!" It would not be monotonous! It is because our mind is still at the level of the mundane realm and we cannot imagine that kind of realm. That is why after reading the Amitabha Sutra, some people have asked me, "Who wants to live in that kind of realm?" And I've answered, "That realm is not as boring as you imagine."

Only after we have personally experienced it will we know the Pure Land and want to live there. Otherwise we cannot understand just by listening to others talk about it. When Shakyamuni Buddha was in the world, He had a disciple who was a queen. As a queen, she already enjoyed the most beautiful things and the happiest situations in the world. However, when she visited the Pure Land, she was eager to stay there. She asked Shakyamuni Buddha, "Can I live there after I pass away?" The place she had seen was that beautiful!

Appreciate the Value of Initiation

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai,

Three-day International Retreat, Hamburg, Germany,

August 25 - 27, 1995 (Originally in English) Videotape No. 493

I'll say something to the new initiates. I don't know what initiation really means to you, but it means a lot to me. It's not that you sit there, listen to the instructions, and still struggle inside about whether I'm worthy for you to accept as your teacher, or if this initiation is worthy enough for you to accept. It's not like that. It's a once-in-a-million-years' chance. I don't know how much it means to you. But you should know how much I have to do, before and after your initiation.

It's not that you sit there on your backside and still wonder whether you should stay with me or if you should go. If you stay or you go, it's your problem. It's your right and your choice. I have no intention to bind you, to keep you or to do anything at all to you physically, mentally or psychically. I just stand by as a very unconditional friend. Whenever you need me, you can come. Should you decide to go, you can go. If that's all the initiation means to you, it's like you're going shopping. Only your mind is so imperfect that you cannot recognize the difference between a true diamond and glass; therefore, you struggle. But you don't know what it means; you really don't.

At least at the time you die, you will know. You will know what initiation means to you. At that time, no one is around you and no one can accompany you. No money can buy you power. No position can protect you from hell fire. At that time, the Master is the only one who comes to you. Then you will know.

Whatever you do, you should do it wholeheartedly. Then you'll get the sum total result. Otherwise, you get nothing. Even during initiation, if you just sit there and think of your past master, your past Buddha or your past whatever, you will get nothing. And then you ask me why you didn't get it. You wonder why you came here, wonder if this is right or wrong for you.

You will continue to wonder all your life, if you keep doing things the way you do. And no one can ever give you enough answers. Your time is very valuable, as mine is. If your time is not valuable, my time is. I don't have time to run around on a bus and airplane for fun, just to come so that you can see me whenever you want. And then you hang around, go for a stroll and do anything you want. But then you come and complain that you get nothing, that you don't know why you came here, that you don't know why you are sitting here, or why you do this and that and the other. You expect me to do everything for you, but you don't do anything, not even just come here and sit.

We organize everything for you, so it's not even that you have to organize! You do nothing; there's nothing to do. The cooking people also cook for you. And then you don't even take that little bit of responsibility. So what do you think? You think that's going to be OK? You think you will get God's blessing at all this way? And then you think you have everything, but I have to do everything. And some of you still criticize!

In the old times, if you wanted to find a master or even any kind of teacher, do you know what you had to do? Even now if you go to college, you still have to pay. If you don't pay, then your parents pay. If they don't pay directly, they pay taxes to the government and then the government pays for the teacher. And you have to go there and enroll your name and pass exams and all that. It takes a lot of time and trouble.

You keep asking me why I don't go out and lecture and save people in the world. Is it easy to save people? Today at the initiation, the highest God power was already here, present, and it still couldn't touch some of them. Only hell fire can burn. It's so difficult; so hard are some people's hearts that even when they sit in God's presence, in God's power, they don't feel moved.

I'm frightened to think about it. I'm so frightened to think of how hard people can be, that even the power of the Most High cannot touch them. That's why the world is as it is. So don't ask me why there is war, disaster or killing. What can the poor Mr. God do? This power can shatter mountains; it can dry up the ocean or make the whole universe crumble into dust. And yet it doesn't touch some humans' hearts. It's very frightening, what we have become.

Then you always ask me to go here, go there, talk to you, go to stay with you, save your friends, save your family members and do this and that and the other. And if I refuse you, you feel like, "Why doesn't Master do Her job? Why doesn't She have compassion and love for humankind? They're suffering enough," and things like that. If I could do it, I would. If Jesus could have done it, he would have finished it. We wouldn't have had to wait until our time. If Jesus could have saved the whole world, he would have done so. If Buddha could have saved the whole world, my turn wouldn't have come and your turn wouldn't have come.

You see how difficult it is? It is because we are too proud and too arrogant. We think we know too many things. We know this sutra, we know that Bible, we know all this and that. We learn everything by heart, and then we're so proud of our own stupid knowledge that we think we know everything already. So whenever someone wants to teach us something new, we refuse. Or we try to find fault, we try to criticize or show other people that we are fantastic, that we know everything or we know better than that person. But we are only harming ourselves and blocking our road to freedom, blocking the road of real knowledge. We're just taking all the advertisements as the real thing and feeling proud about it.

Initiation Is the Most Precious Treasure in the Universe

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Florida, USA, June 11, 2001

(Originally in English) Videotape No. 717

Q: Recently, I've been reading a book called The Ocean of Love by Kabir; he was an incarnation of the true God. (M: Yes, yes) He talks about the mouth of Kal. After uninitiated souls die, the messengers of death come and kind of trick them. The souls go towards Kal, and then Kal chews them up. I don't understand what that means.

M: If you are not initiated, Kal, meaning the negative power, will come to you. Kal means negative power in Sanskrit. If you're initiated, the Master will come, and Kal cannot trick you. After initiation, Kal stays away because the soul doesn't belong to him any more; he cannot control you. But he still tries to trick you, of course. He tries to make trouble, but that's his job. And your job is to walk your way, no matter what he says.

Q: It just sounded scary.
M:Ah, no, life is scary; its end is always deadly! (Master and everyone laugh.)

Q: It's scary for uninitiated people.
M: But you are initiated, so you are always protected by the Master. If you really, sincerely want to go Home, even 10,000 Kals can do nothing to you at all.

Q: Is it the same for the people we love and our close friends?
M: Yes! Definitely, yes. The Master will take care of them all. That is the great, great merit of being initiated. If you knew about it, you would die of gratitude and the shock of knowing how great it is, this initiation. Really, it's great.

I cannot describe how great it is. I can only be happy for you. You're really lucky -- yes, very lucky. Absolutely, you have no idea. There's nothing that can buy you this, nothing you can exchange for this and nothing that can earn you this, except God's grace. Of course, it's your time also. But otherwise, even if you pray for a thousand years, you won't get this gift.

It's the greatest thing you can ever have anywhere in the whole universe. Anyone who doesn't have it, even some higher spiritual beings, will envy you. They will envy you very much because you are on the road to mastership, and they're still just spiritual beings, or angels or devas (beings living in the various realms of Heaven). They will die one day, but you won't. They will go lower, but you won't. You'll keep going up all the time, past them, higher than they are, being more glorified and more beautiful. You'll have anything, anything at all. You'll be next to God while they're still swimming somewhere in the three worlds, looking for guidance.

It's very difficult to get this initiation. Oh! My God, when I think about it, oh, wow! Do you know how to win the lotto for six million dollars? This can compare to that in the spiritual world. If you know too much, you might have a heart attack. But how lucky can you be? In the whole universe, you are the best, the picked ones, the selected, the very, very fortunate.

Really, you do not know until the time comes. Sometimes you have to work in this world, so God lets you know very little. Also, we are still in prison, no matter how many things your parents give you to comfort you. You might have a TV or a radio there. But you can't have a lot of things, like your fast car, your helicopter, your palace, your 'air-con' living room, your swimming pool, etc. You're only comforted in prison; you just have livable conditions.

But once you're in there, even when your time is up and you're free from your sentence already, you still have to wait for the bureaucracy. Also, there may be some things you have to take care of. Or maybe your time is not up yet, even though you will be free soon; the lawyer is helping you to get free more quickly, and for sure you will be free since you're not sentenced to death. But still you have to wait. While in prison, you are as comfortable as a prisoner can be; you have the best in the prison. But you're still a prisoner. You have use of all the facilities, but you're still in prison. Therefore, when you really know what your parents have for you to welcome you Home... my God, you cannot imagine it!

The Real Initiation

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Group Meditation in London, England,

March 10, 1998 (Originally in English) Videotape No. 631

Q: Master, if anybody was initiated in the past by Master, but did not repeat the Holy Names, and did not sit in meditation - at the time of death, do you go to meet him?
M: No.

Q: Why not? Because he was initiated in the past...
M: But he doesn't want to go back!

Q: Because at the time of initiation, initiation goes to the soul, not to the body.
M: I know that. But if that soul doesn't want...

Q: Because my son is initiated, but he does not meditate.
M: I know. That's what I am trying to tell you now. The soul is initiated, if he comes for initiation. Maybe he comes, but the soul does not want it; maybe just his body comes. So that's why after initiation he drops everything. He's just curious. He comes there, but he is not committed in his soul.

So the soul is important. If he comes there, and his soul is still not ready, he doesn't want to go home yet. So he doesn't meditate; he doesn't repeat the Holy Names; he doesn't keep the precepts. Then it's up to him. It's his freedom. I cannot force him to go Home.

Q: Because he got initiated by the Master ...
M: I know that, but he himself has to want it.

Q: He wants Master to take him, so I have him initiated so he can go in this life, go back to the Lord.
M: If he wants it.

Q: Will he go to the Lord in that condition?
M: If he wants it. But I also said that if you want, you can come back. If your soul wants it, you can come back. I also said that. The soul has to want it, not the body.

Q: Not the body.
M: Yes. So at the time of initiation, if his soul doesn't really want it yet, he might come with you, because you are the father, because here is the Master, but he isn't truly committed. If the soul still wants experience in this life or the next life, then he is free to experience again. Then he will find another Master another time. Because I am talking about the real initiation.

Q: Master must go to meet him, because he belongs to the Lord; he appreciates the Lord.
M: Then he has to do his own work. I don't initiate lazy people! I did not say that initiation brings you to the Kingdom of God. I said initiation gives you enlightenment. And meditation, discipline, vegetarianism, and the longing of the soul will give you the Kingdom of God. You have to earn your keep. Otherwise, I would say, "Okay, come, come, come, everybody's initiated; you don't even need a vegetarian diet, then go home." It's not fair! Brother, you want cheap food. (Audience laughs)

Area: Vancouver, Canada
Station: Radio Station AM 1470
Subject: The Supreme Master Ching Hai's lectures
Time: 9:00 - 9:30 PM each Saturday (in English)
9: 30 - 10:00 PM each Saturday (in Aulacese)

For the latest schedule of Supreme Master Ching Hai's other television and radio programs, please visit: http://www.godsdirectcontact.net/events/tv.htm

The Positive Meaning of Negative Situations

By brother initiate Ming-bai, San Francisco, USA

I have found a guideline from Master's teachings that can help me check my actions, speech, and thoughts!

In daily life, no matter what happens or what we decide, if we believe and remember firmly that "God is almighty and merciful; all that Hes arranges is for the best," then we will harbor no grudges, hatred, wrath or vengeance. When undesirable things happen, the best solution is to quickly find out the true cause behind them, instead of indulging in the thought that good things mean good luck and bad things mean bad luck! We ought to thoroughly check our actions, speech and thoughts and introspect on whether we have recently thought, spoken or done anything against God's will. Experience tells me that when I find their true cause, these seemingly negative situations will vanish automatically!

I deeply realize that every "negative" situation conveys a "positive" message. That is why, whatever happens, I always practice introspection to find out its true cause. All suffering and unhappy incidents are a temporary process, through which God guides us toward goodness in accordance with the law of cause and effect. God never means to let us suffer! Having realized this point, we will naturally be grateful to God, whatever happens.

Transforming Obstacles into Benefits

By brother initiate Richard Stewart,

Los Angeles, U.S.A. (Originally in English)

This fable, which is adapted from the Internet (http://www.cactusumpires.com/pages/sub/parables.html), expresses an idea that Master has spoken of frequently in Her lectures: "All is created by the mind."

A group of frogs was traveling through the woods and two of them fell into a deep pit. Immediately, all the other frogs in the group gathered around the pit and watched as the imprisoned frogs tried to jump out. The frogs on top could see that the pit was very deep and it looked as if there was no way out, so they started yelling at the two frogs in the pit to give up. "The pit is too deep. You're as good as dead," the chorus of frogs said. When the trapped frogs kept trying, the crowd yelled louder, "Give up. You're as good as dead." After a while, one of the exhausted frogs took heed to what the others were saying, and fell down and died.

But amazingly, the second frog kept jumping as hard as she could despite the negative remarks of those that kept yelling at her to accept the inevitable and just die. Finally, with one valiant leap, she made it out of the pit!

This amazing result occurred because the second frog was deaf and unable to hear what the others had been saying. She thought they had been cheering her on the entire time they were yelling! What she had mistakenly perceived as encouragement inspired her to try harder and succeed against all odds. And that made all the difference!

The experience of the first frog in this story relates to Master's words about non-attachment to the world, including being detached from other people's comments and opinions: "We live in this world, but we should not be attached to it. We need to know that everything in this world is trouble and to keep our mind in the supreme teaching, just like the lotus flowers in a muddy lake without being contaminated." (Aphorisms, News No. 17)

With a positive mindset, and being deaf to others' opinions, the second frog made use of such negativity to overcome obstacles and reach her goals by using it as encouragement, instead of being influenced by others like the first frog, who failed to develop her potential to strive for survival. Thus, when we surmount others' criticism, ridicule or cynical comments, we can do anything we set our minds to, just as the second frog did. But, if we are not deaf like this frog, who could not be influenced by others due to a physical condition, we need the Supreme Wisdom to guide us to the proper way, so as not to be blindly guided by worldly opinion.

The Virtuous Make No Enemies

By brother initiate Li Wen-feng, Tainan, Formosa

Once I did some work at the Hsihu Center, and was paid some wages, which I reluctantly accepted at the insistence of the working staff. So I spent the money on a Longevity Lamp. After I got home, I was suddenly overwhelmed by feelings of love for the neighbors living opposite us. I felt I loved them so much that I wanted to kiss and hug the whole family. In the past, we had not had a good relationship with them, but Master's Longevity Lamp changed all that, and I sincerely wanted to be nice to them.

This experience reminded me of the Biblical quote: "Love thy enemies." We should not just quote the Bible, but should let our love grow and manifest this loving spirit through action. As long as we have true love within, all our enemies will become our good friends. I look forward to having more and more people join this love-nurturing path-the Quan Yin Method, for it will turn enemies into friends and lead to world peace.

Be a Courageous and Honest Example

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Hsihu, Formosa,

November 3, 1995 (Originally in English) Videotape No. 511

There was a story about a man in Chi country. His name was Tien. One day he held a very big festival to make offerings to the god of the road and the land. Many thousands of people came to participate in this festival, and also they had a lot of cooking, eating, merry making and things like that.

Then one of the guests came and offered Mr. Tien a very rare species of fish and bird, and a rare swallow's nest. It was very expensive in China and was supposed to be very nutritious. To make the nest, the swallow had to spit out its own saliva. But then when people came and robbed the nest, it had to continue by making another nest. But by that time, the bird would have no more saliva left and no more nutrition in its body to spit out any more. So it would spit until it bled. And the saliva on the nest at that time became bloody red. But the red ones were even more expensive than the white ones. And that's how people ate them.

So be careful: Not all that's vegetarian is vegetable. Even if you don't kill the birds, they die from suffering, starvation and undernourishment all the same. Because the season comes when they have to make ready the nest for their offspring. That is a spontaneous, natural reaction of the birds. If we take away their nest, they will just make a new one. And so they keep spitting and spitting until they make their nest. Maybe it's not completed, and maybe it is completed, but at the expense of their own lives or their precious health. They probably become exhausted, and by the time the offspring come, no one can take care of them. Of course, the humans are there; they "take care" of the children by putting them in their own warm stomach and keeping them forever. So things like that always happen.

Now, at this festival of Mr. Tien's, when someone offered him such a rare species of the bloody swallow's nest, for example, or a very rare fish, Mr. Tien was very touched and elated. He probably was a very highly important person in the society; otherwise, he wouldn't have had such a festival and not so many people would have come like that. So he was very touched and elated, and then he let out a sigh, saying, "Oh! God is so loving to us. Look at what he gives us every day to eat. He creates all kinds of animals to satisfy our hunger and taste."

So everyone heard his sentence, praising God like that, and they all clapped their hands in praise and agreement. But among the guests was one boy, just twelve years old. Perhaps he was a vegetarian; perhaps he was a just newly and fully initiated 12-year-old from The Supreme Master Ching Hai. (Laughter) He stood up and said, "Dear Sir, it's not so, the way you said." And the "sir" was very surprised and taken aback. He asked the boy, "What do you mean, it's not so the way I say? Do you have another opinion, you who are so young? Do you know anything?"

The boy said, "My teacher taught me differently." My teacher said, "All beings are equal in this world. God created all beings with the same love, the same artistic, creative talent and creative intention." So there is no one in this world who is better than any other being in this world. God created different beings with different purposes and motives. If you say that all the beings like fish, birds, buffalo and so on are for us to eat because God created them for us to eat, then I think you are wrong. Because look at the mosquitoes: They sting our skin and draw our blood. And look at the lions and the tigers: They eat human beings. Do you think then that God created human beings for the mosquitoes, and for the tigers and lions as well?" So the sir, the VIP, did not know how to respond.

The boy continued, saying, "My teacher said, 'In this world, every being is equal. But most of the time, human beings use their intelligence, strength and craftiness to harm and take advantage of other weaker, softer, sweeter and more harmless sentient beings. That's all.' We cannot say that God creates any beings for us to eat or for us to use." So of course the VIP and all the other, smaller VIPs in the party shut up.

I think some of our boys one day will make the same statement somewhere, maybe in the White House. (Master and everyone laugh.) I'm just kidding. It may not be in the White House. It could be in the "Blue House," the "Pink House" or the "Yellow House." And now most of our children are so clever as well. Sometimes they say directly what they think or what they have learned from here without being fearful of offending anyone.

On the contrary; it's we adults, the more intelligent, stronger, grown-up wise persons who are sometimes afraid to speak. Even within the family, we are afraid to say to people that we follow Master Ching Hai, follow the five ethical precepts and follow a vegetarian, compassionate diet. Because we fear that people will ridicule us. We fear that people will fall away and won't be friends with us anymore. We fear that our position will be shaken. We fear that our boss will withdraw favors from us. We fear that our wife will not love us anymore. We fear that our children will think that we have gone nuts. And we fear that our friends will go away from us. We fear that everyone will look upon us or look down upon us as if we are crazy or from another planet.

We fear everything. We even fear that the butcher shop will look at us with different eyes every time we pass by now. We fear anything, because we have learned negatively that everything different makes people stay away. But it's not necessarily the case. If we make a shining, good difference, then maybe people will follow. Otherwise, why should we live our lives differently if we so fear? We might just as well bow our heads, kowtow to everyone and live the way they do. This way we'll have peace, forever, perhaps. Because we will be forever here. And then we'll always have peace with all these beings, but not with the animals, perhaps. And then everywhere we go, the dog will bark at us and the bull might even gorge us.

I have seen many pictures of the bulls in the bull ring. Sometimes when he can get at the matador, he really gorges him - into Heaven. Well, that's the way we say may be karma. So now if every one of us can be as courageous as this boy who was twelve years old (it's a true story), then I think the world will be a better place. And we will have more brothers and sisters, less blood, less violence, less war and less talk about peace. Because peace will be there naturally.

And we don't have to spend a lot on five-star hotels in Geneva, and all these private airplanes and body guards and "guard-bodies" and first-class champagne and caviar. We don't have to spend all that mouth water to talk about peace, when peace actually visits upon our planet. If everyone so follows the way of the Saints, follows the way of non-violence inside-out from childhood on, then all our children will be like the child in this story. Because there must be one day when the people in this world become fed up with war and fighting and violence. There must be one day when they will sit together and put a stop to all this nonsense.

That we human beings can't even speak with each other in our own language is a shame. We have degraded ourselves to an animal state. And then we always use it to curse someone else, like, "You're a dog, you animal," and things like that. But animals are not that bad; they are not even as bad as some of us human beings. Animals sometimes fight because they are hungry. They eat and kill because they are hungry. But after they're satisfied, they are tame; they don't go and do any harm.

Sometimes animals fight others, but they defend their own kind. But sometimes we humans, we fight with anyone: our neighbor, our children, our anything, because we can't settle our own differences through words or arrangements or a gentleman's way of peace. It's very difficult for us. So if we truly think about it, some of the animals have many, many good qualities, sometimes even better than we do. The dog is very faithful, the horse is very loyal, and the cow is very peaceful. The cow gives and takes nothing in return except some dry grass. And I don't know if we have the right, or the mighty dignity to look down on the animals, which we always think of as inferior to us in the human race.

So if we continue to behave the way the world's people behave today do, by making war and everything being settled with guns, blood, human life and things like that, I don't think we have enough dignity or the right to look into the animals' eyes, much less to look down on them. So let's hope that and let's teach our children by good example. Let them be courageous and outspoken and honest, like the boy in this story. That is your duty; you have to make a good example for them.

The Lesson of Love

By sister initiate Hannah Vu, Indiana, U. S. A. (Originally in English)

It was early evening, and I had just arrived at the Florida Center to attend the special celebration of Mother's Day and Master's birthday on May 12. The sun was out, and the sky was clear and beautiful. Pulling a small suitcase, I walked into the camping area for female initiates to pitch my tent.

Then, from a shed, a white dog approached to greet me and another sister. The dog sent forth something special that suddenly touched my heart. Perhaps it was his unusually graceful demeanor and the loving look in his eyes. We were all strangers to him, and yet he was ever so gentle and kind, following us and stretching out his nose as if to give us a kiss to say "welcome." An extra long leash around his neck allowed him to walk along with us. I could feel the peacefulness in his heart that elevated me spiritually when I looked at him.

After pitching my tent, I returned to the doghouse to return his kindness, wondering if he was lonely and needed some company. But he looked very quiet and contented. I talked sweetly to him and lovingly rubbed his head and chin. I noticed that his doghouse was similar in size to a small, one-person room (8 x 10 feet). It was clean and well ventilated and had a full size front door and two square windows on each side. I looked inside, and there on the floor to the left lay a bunk bed mattress, fully covered by a fitted sheet. On top lay a soft pillow, several colorful stuffed toys, and a large plastic bone. A dim light at one corner had been left on for the night.

I was very amazed, delighted and touched to discover how much loving treatment the dog received. On the floor, at other side of the room, was a big bowl of water and another filled with vegetarian food. As I looked around, I also noticed a small picture of Master in a simple frame on a tiny table by the back wall, at eye level with the dog! My heart was filled with joy upon seeing it, and. I then understood why the dog always seemed to be at peace. More importantly, he radiated a loving aura that I had hardly ever witnessed before. He was probably a very high-level, spiritual dog!

Early the next morning, in the Meditation Hall, Master told us stories about Her ex-neighbors and a veterinarian, all of whom She had treated with love. She always "went the extra mile" to take care of the neighbors and sometimes their pet whenever they needed or asked for help. She bought them gifts and clothes, baby-sat their dog and even paid bills for their dog's emergency treatment. Besides, She asked Her attendants to tend the veterinarian in the hospital when he was sick. But these individuals all misinterpreted Her actions and turned unfriendly at Her "unusual" tender, loving care. They became doubtful, questioning Her intentions. Instead of paying respect to Her because of Her unconditional kindness toward them, many took advantage of Her good heart and generosity. Worse yet, some got envious and upset at Her for taking care of their family members. From then on, Master only greeted them, no more, no less.

One night She picked up a wounded opossum that had been hit by a car on the road. Master wanted to have it treated, but had problems finding a veterinarian who was willing to treat wild animals. She also had difficulty finding a veterinary hospital that was open at that hour of the night. After much effort, one vet reluctantly answered Her plea. However, not too long after that, the poor animal came to Master in Her meditation to say, "Goodbye, mom." Master then went to check with the doctor and found that the animal had just died.

From these stories, one can see that animals are sometimes spiritually higher than we are. They learn to give and receive love much more quickly than many humans do as did the dog who greeted us at the Forida Center. Each is one of us, only in a different form, and can teach us the lesson of love in a great many ways.

Note: One night, the Florida Center's resident disciples found a stray dog at the Center. Because he looked thin and gaunt, and was covered with fleas and very sick, they arranged for him to rest temporarily at a cabin on the Center grounds and took him to see a vet the next day. Since that time, through the residents' attentive nursing, the dog has regained his health and been named "Smiley."

Actually, dogs and cats come to and leave the Center all the time.ÿThere is just something about the place that attracts them. Most of the time, they come when they are injured or malnourished. The resident disciples first nurse them back to health, then do their best to find the animals' original owners by posting flyers, asking local vets, neighbors, etc. If the animals' owners cannot be found, then the residents try to find them a good home, again, by posting flyers in the area, placing ads in newspapers, etc.

Inspiration from Raising Fish

By sisters initiate Elsie Chung, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Originally in English)

Of all hobbies, raising fish was a hobby that always seemed most unlikely to occur to me, so I do not know how the idea popped into my head. But when it did, I thought it was a good one, and I bought some tropical fish to begin my new pastime. I did not know at the time, however, that it could bring about an enlightening experience.

I could tell that starting out as an amateur fish keeper was challenging, but through much trial and error, I finally ma