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Little Message: News No. 155
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Elevation of the Soul
Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest BooksThe Key of Immediate Enlightenment, Volume IV <Japanese Edition>
The Key of Immediate Enlightenment book series -- a quintessential collection of Supreme Master Ching Hai's teachings -- has long been regarded as required daily reading by Quan Yin practitioners. The Japanese edition of Volume Four is now available to benefit Japanese readers. As in all of the Supreme Master's other spiritual publications, in this book She explores many profound topics. She also anticipates that two thousand years from now people will be going about their daily lives without desires or demands and happily sharing love with each other. In addition, Master addresses questions such as how environmental conservation can ensure a beautiful appearance for our planet, how Earth's glorious past civilizations such as that of Atlantis emerged and disappeared and how enlightened Masters descend from superior realms to help elevate human culture. In this text Master Ching Hai also provides insights into how Jesus Christ and Lao Tze became enlightened Masters through practice of the Quan Yin Method.
The Key of Immediate Enlightenment Volume 9 <Chinese Edition>
This volume is a collection of Supreme Master Ching Hai's discourses given in Aulacese, Her native tongue, between 1989 and 1997. Its brilliant contents include discussions of many topics related to religion and spiritual practice. Supreme Master Ching Hai, with wisdom as immense as an ocean, encourages Her compatriots to embark on the spiritual path. With each chapter, readers are guided more deeply into an illuminating exploration of the higher realms. In these discourses, Master uses vivid metaphors and vibrant explanations that are not present in most of Her Chinese and English lectures. Her wording, though simple and easily understood, is imbued with profound philosophical truth. Thus readers will feel as though they are sipping Heavenly nectar while perusing this illuminating, soul-nourishing text.
Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest DVDs260 <Spoken in English with subtitles in 28 languages> New languages in this edition: Arabic, Bulgarian, Dutch, Tagalog and Romanian The Mystery of the World Beyond Lecture delivered at the United Nations, New York, NY, U.S.A., June 26, 1992 Summary: In Her talk, Master examines the dimensions beyond the material world and the physical, emotional and mental changes that come about when we rise to these levels through spiritual practice, as well as the transformations that occur in our daily lives. She also discusses why enlightened Masters from the superior levels choose to remain at the Fifth Realm instead of rising to higher dimensions, whether the spiritual level that practitioners attain in this life is decided when they were born, and how we can use our wisdom to solve the problems of overpopulation, environmental destruction and inadequate food supplies.
604 <Spoken in English, with Chinese subtitles> Spiritual Life and Professional Ethics International Four-day Retreat, Washington D.C., U.S.A., December 23~24, 1997 Summary: Master reminds disciples of the concepts to be embraced and guidelines to be followed on the spiritual path, emphasizing that spiritual attainment is the only worthy goal and the top priority of human existence. It is not enough to simply pray daily for material comfort or smooth solutions to our problems; we must also practice until we are one with God and know that we are God. Paying excessive attention to material possessions is not only onerous, but also lowers our spiritual level and greatly hampers our progress in meditation. In addition, over-eating makes our meditation unstable; being eighty percent full is enough; only then will the next meal be more delicious. And we must fulfill our family obligations before we can make spiritual progress.
184 <Spoken in Chinese, with subtitles in 23 languages> Maitreya Buddha and the Six Children The Truth about the World Group meditation in Hsihu, Formosa, August 4/September 1, 1991
Summary: In this DVD, Supreme Master Ching Hai addresses the following questions. From the spiritual perspective, what is the significance of Emperor Qianlong's legendary trips to southern China? What is the connection between the inner levels and the six children playing by Maitreya Buddha as typically depicted in Buddhist iconography? What is the meaning of the Chinese term "rulai"? Why does the Quan Yin Method bring us increasingly closer to the level of rulai? Each time we are beaten down on the spiritual path, the soul becomes weaker, has difficulty recovering and may even have to begin anew. In this discourse, Master wholeheartedly encourages us to hold on to our ideals after initiation so that we will continue to be elevated.
356 <Spoken in English, with subtitles in 26 languages> Let God Serve through Us Lecture delivered at the United Nations, Geneva, Switzerland, April 20, 1993
Summary: Master examines how great kings since ancient times have realized God's will in ruling their countries, why people today are able to attain immediate enlightenment while ancient spiritual seekers had to undergo prolonged trials by enlightened Masters before they could be initiated and enlightened, and the type of lifestyle that befits a great person. She also offers an incisive explanation of why many individuals who wish to do so fail to create peace on Earth, and encourages initiates working for the United Nations to be brave pioneers in walking "the way of God" on Earth.
Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest CDsCD-E720 <In English> Monkhood Begins with Asceticism Group meditation at the Florida Center, U.S.A., June 4, 2001
CD-E724 <In English> Sincerity and Purity of Heart Group meditation at the Florida Center, U.S.A., June 12, 2001
CD-ES105 <In English with Spanish translation> How to Get in Touch with God Every Day Lecture in Costa Rica, November 22, 1989
Master's WordsThe Essence of Mastership -- Master Yourself and Become Perfect
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Group Meditation in Los Angeles, CA., USA, March 13, 1996 (Originally In English) Videotape #536
A Master isn't a perfect person -- never is, never will be. You must know that. But a Master is one who can master His or Her mistakes. We can learn from them and vow to make ourselves better each day. Just like being a genius is continuous hard work to maintain, so is Mastership, which is all about mastering yourself and nothing else. If anyone else follows you, it's just by the way, just because of your aura. Your true sincerity attracts them from inside. That's why you don't need to talk. You don't even need to tell them anything and they believe you. Mastership is like that. Don't believe that I was born perfect, I'm perfect at the moment or I'll ever be perfect. No! I'm learning like you. But I've mastered myself. I don't let my mind dictate to me what to do because I know the mind. I make friends with it; we make a deal, saying, "You do this and I'll do that and we won't bother each other. If you do it well, I'll reward you. I feed you well, don't I?" I tell it, "I give you anything when you want it." It's just that now it doesn't want much because it knows it can't get much with me, so it forgets it. Even when it wants to sleep, I say, "No, get up and work." Then it has to do it. So it's gotten used to it after ten years. It says, "It's no good talking to this girl. She's very stubborn. She just does what she wants, and it's no good arguing." That's all there is to being a Master, continuous striving for perfection, for a better, nobler personality -- a better ideal not really a personality because when you talk about personality you mean you still want fame and all that. You know you still have ego, wanting to be proud of yourself; it's not true. It's just that you think that whatever you want to do, whatever you think is noble, is highly idealistic, benefits others, is good, then you must try to do it. It doesn't matter what the cost is, you just do it and don't talk. That's the only difference. Otherwise, what's the difference? If we were to be operated on right now, none of our brains would be much better than the others. Maybe I'm of a little bit higher IQ or you're higher, but that doesn't mean that we're much different. Our brains are the same. Our will power is the same, except that if you exercise to make it grow stronger or not, it's your free will. Most of us abuse our free will in a harmful way, in a retarding way, slowing our progress to higher consciousness. Don't ask me why we have to strive higher. It's more comfortable to be a noble being, to be a wiser being, than just always being ignorant, sluggish, slow, lazy and a "couch potato" just lying there and waiting for things to happen. It's better not to worship me, better not to follow me; just follow my example. Worship the result that comes out of my efforts and then do it. Do the same, and then you'll become a Master in no time. Teach yourself to do what's better than ordinary people, to do the things that other people can't do when it benefits humankind and yourself, to endure what other people can't endure when it benefits people and betters your judgment and wisdom. Do whatever is in your power to know yourself, to discover that your greatest strength is still further to be discovered, that you're nobler than you are at present, that you can do many other things that are a lot of benefit to yourself and other people. Then when you die you'll know. At that time it might be too late to look back and regret, but you'll feel very painful. That's why when most people die they're in agony. They haven't finished the things that they should have done, and their conscience strikes them. Their mind controls the body and the conscience affects the physical being. So if your conscience doesn't feel well, you feel sick, you feel painful.
Poems
Supreme Master Ching Hai -- Manifestation of Love
By would-be initiate Fon Fon Christopher, Duala, Cameroon
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A Brilliant Meeting of Spirituality, Art and Science at the Hsinchu Science Park
Spirituality Leads Science in Search of Truth
Supreme Master Ching Hai has said that the synchronous development of spirituality and technology through the ages has given humankind an adequate command over knowledge. Inspired by Master's words, on September 23, Golden Year One, initiates from the Hsinchu Center in Formosa held an event entitled "A Seminar on Spirituality and Technology" to celebrate the purification and elevation of human consciousness. Like scientific research, the Seminar emphasized theory and experimental evidence, and included a video presentation of Master's detailed lecture on the links between science and spirituality, an exclusive talk on integrating the two fields and a question-and-answer session. An exhibition of Master's art works was also held. To provide experimental evidence on the effects of spiritual practice, a Convenient Method teaching session followed the discussions. Thus the event, which incorporated a scientific perspective, offered both theory and experimental data highlighting the importance of seeking the True Self within. The seminar was conducted in the National Chiao Tung University (NCTU) Library's International Conference Room, located near National Tsing Hua University (NTHU), several national laboratories and the world-renowned Hsinchu Science Park. When the fellow initiates were on campus to arrange for use of the venue, they met with NCTU President Mr. Chang Chun-yen, who generously granted his permission. Posters and fliers announcing the event featured an image of Master in meditation surrounded by a UFO and a Longevity Lamp against graphic representations of the solar system and circuit boards, signifying the Golden Era when spirituality and science advance hand in hand. To one brother organizing the event the poster came as a big surprise because the UFO looked almost identical to one he had seen in real life thirty years earlier! Besides distributing fliers and bookmarks and sending out invitations, the Hsinchu Center announced the event through radio broadcasts and cable TV ads. News of the seminar also reached the scientific and academic communities through email and the BBS, a global information network. In addition, a lively call-in session was arranged that included a book giveaway on You & I Radio, the most popular station in Hsinchu, to deliver a vivid message to the public. In response to these promotions, the Hsinchu Center's Book Circulation Office received many inquiries, especially about the teaching of meditation, reflecting the increased longing for spiritual knowledge among citizens of the Golden Age.
Heavenly Art Exhibits and Delicious Vegetarian Snacks
For two days before the event a continuous drizzle fell on Hsinchu, but at 10:00 AM on the day of the activity, the rain stopped and the sun shone brightly. Thus, metaphorically, God had cleansed Hsinchu's air with nectar showers before sending fine weather to welcome guests. Many more fellow initiates than expected arrived early to decorate the venue, hanging an eye-catching banner outside and adorning the access road with flags that attracted the attention of students and faculty alike. Preparations that would normally have taken two days were completed within hours by the sisters and brothers, winning high praise from the library's exhibition staff. At 3:00 PM, the event began with the inauguration of the art exhibit in the foyer, which was elegantly and magnificently decorated to showcase Master's paintings, Longevity Lamps and publications. Meanwhile, several disciples dressed in Celestial Jewelry and Clothes mingled with the guests in the foyer, and inside the conference room a DVD of Master explaining the symbolic significance of Her art work was shown continuously on two large projection screens, which became an added attraction besides the art exhibit. The initiates also served vegetarian snacks that were complimented by practitioners from outside Hsinchu as being of "six-star" quality. Many guests were so enchanted by the venue's elegant atmosphere that they lingered for a long time before leaving reluctantly. In addition to NCTU faculty members and students, many off-campus guests attended, including professors of fine arts and school teachers with groups of students. Mr. Chen An-bin, director of NCTU's Institute of Information Management, came to the art exhibit in the afternoon, and while watching a DVD of Master's 2000 lecture at Taoyuan Stadium he said, "I'm amazed that the venue was filled to capacity with tens of thousands of guests!" Mr. Chen then promised to attend the evening seminar. Another visitor to the exhibit was Mr. Zheng, CEO of a local technology company, who had learned about Master from an initiate while studying in the United States and subsequently visited the San Jose Center. Also, Mr. Wang, an R and D supervisor at a local company who had studied painting from his youth, attentively examined Master's paintings and went on to inspect Her art album as well, noting the great attention to detail She demonstrates in Her outstanding works. NCTU President Chang had come to the exhibit with a group of visiting Chinese academicians, all of whom were invited to the seminar later in the day.
Inspirational Talks and Meditation Awaken Wisdom
The evening seminar on spirituality and science was the central feature of the day's activities, and its participants included faculty, students and staff from NCTU and nearby colleges, universities, research institutes and national laboratories, as well as local residents and employees of various government departments and high-tech companies in Hsinchu. The seminar received a warm response from all who attended, with the 400-seat conference room being filled to near capacity. Among the honoured guests were NCTU President Chang and his wife, Director Chen An-bin, and Tseng Kuo-hsiung, president of Kainan University. Arriving before the seminar, Mr. Chang watched Master's entertainment DVD One World ... of peace through music in the conference room, while Mrs. Chang viewed the art exhibit in the foyer.
Caption: Mr. Chen An-bin, director of NCTU's Institute of Information Management (fl1-4.jpg)
The seminar was conducted by two co-hosts in a relaxed atmosphere. First, NCTU president Mr. Chang, a prominent figure in the semiconductor industry, member of Formosa's Academia Sinica and foreign associate of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, was invited to speak. During his talk, Mr. Chang said, "After meditation, the mind becomes more transparent, purified and profound, and thus we gain clearer thinking to solve problems." Afterwards, the seminar continued with a video on Master's life and the DVD lecture Face Life with Courage (1999, London, UK), which discusses the relationship between science and spirituality and explains the disappearance from Earth of an advanced ancient civilization.
Caption: Accompanied by fellow initiates, Mr. Chang Chun-yen (middle), president of NCTU, appreciates Master's art exhibit.（fl1-5.jpg）
Then two talks were presented, the first by Mr. Zhou Er-nan, head of quality control at United Microelectronics, one of the world's largest computer-chip makers. Mr. Zhou's topic was "The Integration of Spirituality and Science and their Mutual Benefits." "From observing the information technology revolution," he said, "one can discover that the fruit of many years' research often proves what spiritual practitioners realized in ancient times." Mr. Zhou also stated that the way in which disciples follow their Master's method to enable themselves to experience the same level as the Master's is similar to the scientific method, citing research by Dr. Andrew Newberg of the University of Pennsylvania, who showed that spiritual experiences can be objectively verified through scientific experiments. Mr. Zhou further noted, "Many inventions and innovative breakthroughs originate from inspirations in dreams and are realized by saintly scientists who have descended from Heaven." Mr. Zhou then used the spiritual perspective to suggest solutions to the current global crisis being caused by international conflicts and misuse of technology. Finally, from the angle of religious studies, he pointed out that the great Masters of all religions attained inner enlightenment through the same path -- the Quan Yin Method. Mr. Zhou concluded his talk by quoting Albert Einstein: "Science without religion is lame; religion without science is blind!" The second speaker was a fellow initiate, Mr. Liu Pei-xin, former technology director of the German firm Essen Technologies and now a Ph.D. student in computer science at NTSU, whose talk was entitled "Relaxation Improves Learning Efficiency and Happiness Enhances Inner Talents." Brother Liu supported his argument with brain wave theories and learning approaches, pointing out that a focused mind and positive mental attitude can increase learning efficiency. By focusing the mind one can transform less stable β(beta) waves into deeper α(alpha) waves, thus substantially increasing one's ability to judge and understand, and subsequently producing a drastic and noticeable improvement in learning efficiency. At the same time, a positive attitude can help one overcome obstacles in learning, offset the negative aspects of the subconscious and enable one to interpret the environment from a constructive standpoint. And like focusing, positive thinking also improves learning efficiency. Brother Liu then discussed how latent talents can be developed based on studies of brain waves. Finally, he cited a personal experience to show that the Quan Yin Method can make substantial use of brain waves to develop innate abilities and improve learning efficiency in a relaxed way. During the seminar's question-and-answer session, two Quan Yin messengers joined fellow disciples on stage to provide detailed answers to participants' questions. The next step was to obtain support for the assertions made during the seminar through experimentation -- the teaching and practice of meditation. The Convenient Method was then taught by one of the messengers, and so dozens of guests of different ages and professions had a chance to get immediate validation of the seminar's theories. The NCTU Library already housed several of Master's books, and after the event the Hsinchu Center donated more of Her publications to the collection, in hopes of providing readers with greater access to the divine teachings.
Wisdom Emerges from the Supreme Teachings and Guests Enthusiastically Respond to Divine Love
Mr. Tseng Kuo-hsiung of Kainan Univeristy, who has conducted extensive research on the development of human brain characteristics, was impressed by Mr. Liu Pei-xin's speech and so he wrote down the lecture's main points in his notebook. In addition, Mr. Chen An-bin, who has studied The Diamond Sutra for over a decade, had a long talk with fellow initiates after the seminar, praising the Quan Yin Method as a remarkable path, and expressing admiration for Master's greatness in edifying people and elevating the world's spiritual consciousness. Another participant who responded well to the seminar was the mother of a sister-initiate, who, despite having encountered Master's teachings over a decade ago, remained unconvinced of their truth until that evening, when she decided to learn the Convenient Method. The following day, she jubilantly invited her daughter to celebrate the beginning of her spiritual practice! Also, before and during the event, the conference hall manager provided great assistance to the initiates, showed a strong interest in Master's teachings and frequently watched Master's lecture videos on the big screen. After the seminar, he sincerely asked to learn the Convenient Method and thus joined the ranks of spiritual practitioners. Also among the guests was a gentleman who lived near the NCTU campus and had resigned from his job in 1989 to focus on religious studies and spiritual practice. After learning the Convenient Method, the man repeatedly compared Master's books to The Diamond Sutra and confirmed that the Quan Yin Method is the only path leading to the Truth. Another guest noted, "The two speeches given today conveyed profound inspiration and spiritual significance," and after learning the Convenient Method, she approached the work team to ask for a video recording of the seminar. Moreover, a Convenient Method practitioner said that he had had a miraculous experience during an illness in 2003. In a dream, he saw Master's inner Light form come to rescue him. At the seminar, he saw the souls of the fellow initiates in pristine form, and in a dream after the event, envisioned initiates appearing in the compassionate and dignified form of Heavenly Guards to save him from his ordeal. Many people who could not find time in their tight schedules to attend the event also earnestly asked if similar activities would be held in the future.
Conclusion: A New Spiritual Awakening
In 1988 Master gave a discourse at NCTU, and on this same campus sixteen years later the Hsinchu Center held the well attended "A Seminar on Spirituality and Technology" and art exhibition to share Her divine love and message in a way that combined spirituality, science and art. The event produced a lively response in the Hsinchu area and has encouraged more people to pursue a spiritual lifestyle. The participation of prominent figures from the academic and high-tech sectors reflects society's growing realization that science and spirituality are complementary. The activity has also sown more spiritual seeds in the fields of science and technology. Hopefully, the new understanding of spirituality generated by such events will lead to further technological development and bring greater benefits to humanity during the Golden Age.
Highlights of the above-mentioned events on the Sun TV Program A Journey through Aesthetic Realms #116 may be viewed at: http://godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng/hichannel/index.htm (In English, with Chinese subtitles)
Pearls of WisdomThe Quan Yin Method is the Most Exact Science
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Stanford University, California, USA,
March 16, 1991 (Originally in Aulacese)
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When you shower kindness on the weak and needy, even though you haven't always been as fortunate as you would have wished, that's a mark of true generosity and kindness. Because if we give and we're kind only when we're in fortunate situations or when we're rich and comfortable, it's not much of a surprise. But when we give from a very humble situation or even amidst our own trials, then the Lord really knows that we truly are Hiers beloved children and that we're bringing the love of God to this planet.
Nothing in this world belongs to us. Even if we do something good, it's not we who did it; Creation prearranges all things. Therefore, we say, when we're one with God, one with Creation, there's no individual "I" because we know that everything is arranged by God.
Perhaps you might ask me, "Since everything is arranged by God, why does Hes often arrange for us to run into difficulties? When we pray for this, why do we get that instead? Why do we get undesirable things although we've prayed for good things?" The answer is very simple. It's because, in the universe, there're good things and bad things; there's black and there's white. It depends on where our hands reach, and we get hold of the things there.
It's the same when we look at the human body. Take the example of a beauty; her body structure is exactly the same as that of an ugly person. If we grab her foot, we'll discover that it looks just like the foot of an ordinary person; it won't be shaped like a hand or a mouth. If we want to look at her mouth or kiss her lips, we have to move upward a little bit. However, should we wish to kiss her feet, we have to bend downward. Of course, the foot of a beauty may look nicer than that of an ugly person, but it's still just a foot, however beautiful it may be.
It's more or less the same with our spiritual development. When we reach a superior level, we have access to finer things. Anything we want will be superior. In fact, anything we get will be top-quality; even if we get it effortlessly, it'll be something excellent. Before we reach a higher level in spiritual practice, however, even if we carefully and painstakingly strive to get something good, we can't get it. Instead, we often get awful things.
For example, there're destitute people and rich people in this world. No matter how hard a poor person tries, he can't save much money. No matter how he craves to wear beautiful, elegant clothes, he can't get any. Or perhaps he wants to eat tasty food and use exquisite cutlery, but he has none. However, a king or wealthy person only needs to open his cupboard and reach inside with his eyes closed, and he'll get some very fine cups or cutlery. Everything in his home is nice; he can't possibly lay his hands on anything that isn't nice. On the other hand, no matter how painstakingly and deliberately a poor man wants to get something nice in his house, he can't because there's nothing nice in his house in the first place.
Thus, people who don't practice spiritually always desire a lot of things. The less they practice, the more difficult life becomes, and the more they crave to get good things. All day long they pray for all kinds of things, wanting this or that, but getting none of them. It's because they live in a "poor family"; how can they possibly find anything good or elegant? Perhaps you may respond, "Although he's very poor, there could be one precious object in his home, or an antique left by his ancestors. Good! But even if this is true, there can only be one or two such objects. It's impossible that his home is full of precious objects. If all the things in his home are treasures, then his is not a poor family.
In the same sense, people who don't practice spiritually may sometimes get a good thing after they pray, but this won't happen often. Conversely, even without praying, spiritual practitioners live a comfortable life that's good in every respect, and they often get nice things. The higher their spiritual level, the more precious and excellent the things they will get will be.
When worldly people who aren't spiritual practitioners, paint, sing or play music, they emit coarse vibrations; though some of their works may also be beautiful in some way. We can feel it. It's because people who don't practice spirituality are often full of troubling and secular thoughts. They can't ascend to the very high realms, and thus can't express the artistic concepts of the superior realms.
On the other hand, we spiritual practitioners who may not have learned certain professional knowledge or skills can still excel in our performance if we want to. Should we wish to understand something, we can also comprehend it clearly. That's why, although the Sixth Patriarch Hui Neng was not a learned person, nor had he read any scriptures, he could instantly understand any scriptures read to him. He could even explain them to people. In contrast, some people are highly educated and have read all the scriptures, and are even able to recite them, yet they can't understand what the scriptures are discussing.
Once when I was playing the piano, a brother initiate said to me, "Master is playing the piano in the modernist style." I said, "I have no style; I never really tried hard to learn it. I only learned a little bit a very long time ago." When I was still living in Germany, I did have a piano as a house decoration. Later, I bought a songbook and flipped through it, and then, "Plink! Plink!..." In this way my piano learning was over in a few days. That's how I acquired all my knowledge -- in the same way that I learned to play the piano.
Then the brother asked me, "Have You ever studied singing? Have You ever studied this or that...?" All these things we can do naturally if we need to. There's virtually no need to learn so much. The more we learn, the more we're confined within "formulas," such as the proper way to paint a picture or coordinate colors, and so on. Time is wasted in working out these formulas. Weeks go by and the painting is still incomplete. After all our effort, when the painting is finally finished, we wonder, "Can this painting be sold? What will people think of it?" Having to worry about so many things, all our inspiration just vanishes!
Without having to think so much, we spiritual practitioners can do things very well. The better our spiritual practice is, the better we can accomplish things. As long as the situation requires it, we can always do our work. However, if we try to show off, we won't be able to do it well. We can do it well only if we do it naturally. If we do it deliberately, trying to demonstrate to people that we're talented, or flaunt ourselves to earn people's praise, we won't be able to do it no matter how much we've practiced spiritually. This indicates that our spiritual practice still isn't good, which is why we have such ideas in mind. If we paint purely because we have the inner urge to paint, because we love to do it, then naturally we can do it quickly and well. When some people paint, superficially it seems as though they're doing so very casually, but actually this isn't true. It's only because they're very adept that they can paint very quickly. When someone is very familiar with a certain job and has gotten used to doing it, he can do it very quickly.
Everything in the world is arranged by Creation; we create nothing so we have nothing to be proud of. If we have any innovative ideas in our field of specialization or in art, or have invented some machine, it's only because we've practiced spiritually so that our mind has greater insight and more inspiration. Our spiritual level has been elevated to a higher realm so that we can access the things there and manifest them in this world. That's all. In fact, while depicting things here that belong to the higher realms, we may sometimes make mistakes. If our spiritual practice isn't good enough and we have insufficient wisdom, we'll write incorrectly or make mistakes. And the end products won't look as nice as those in the higher realms.
Although our Earth is one of the planets in the universe, it's rather underdeveloped. Our planet is somewhat backward; everything here is rather coarse and imperfect. For instance, take our jewelry, such as diamonds or precious stones. They may look radiant and be loved by every woman, but they're really nothing when compared to those in the higher realms. They're simply too coarse and rigid! Though we say that diamonds are forever and are the hardest substance, there's something that's capable of cutting them. And as time goes by, they'll also be broken or destroyed. However the diamonds and precious stones in the superior realms are not that lousy. Not only do they look extremely beautiful and charming, but they also emit light that makes people feel very soothed. Although they're very hard, we can penetrate them; they're hard yet very tender; tender, but indestructible, unlike noodles. I mean their vibrations are extremely subtle, and their existence doesn't obstruct anything.
In our world, any material substance that exists can obstruct other things. Even the very best material may cause obstruction. Suppose we place a huge diamond in the middle of the road, then our car can't pass through. Though diamonds look transparent, and are the most precious gems, they still block our way. It's different in the higher realms. All the things there exist only for one purpose -- to depict Truth, goodness and beauty. They aren't intended to manifest in material forms and then obstruct other things. That's why we say the Heavenly Kingdom is infinite and boundless, without boundaries. Even the boundaries there look very comfortable. Whatever people want to use, they just manifest. In the inferior realms, however, even diamonds cause a lot of trouble. If we want to turn them into jewelry so we can wear it, it requires an awesome process involving lots of tools and effort. But you can turn the diamonds up there into any shape you want and they won't obstruct you in any way. All things in the superior realms are there to help sentient beings rather than obstruct them or require so much strenuous effort to process the material. This is very troublesome!
All the good things in this world, though they're helpful to us, still require much effort to be processed. For instance, all the rice, fruit and other foods are here for us to enjoy, yet we must put in a lot of effort to plant, tend and irrigate them. Sometimes, a typhoon comes and then nothing is left. Or when there's a flood, many people die of hunger. Therefore, you see, there's no reason for us to linger in this world. Staying here one more day is another day of trouble. It's best that we never come back. There are many more advanced realms for spiritual practitioners to go to that will satisfy any yearning within us, and allow us to feel mentally comfortable and very happy.
While on the Path
Learning That All of Creation is One
By Little African Tree (Originally in Chinese)
In early 2001, brother-initiate Jian and I had a phone conversation about my participating in the Truth-sharing work he was then conducting in West Africa. >From my previous stay in Africa, I knew that the continent was materially backward, and at the time I was planning to pursue further studies in the United States. So I was unable to come to a decision about helping him. Then not long after our talk, a company unexpectedly recruited me to work for a year as a business representative to Cameroon. Due to this unusual opportunity, I was once more able to visit the region. Then in August 2001, with brother Jian's earnest assistance, we established the Cameroon Center, and later a Quan Yin messenger arrived to conduct an initiation. However, while working on the project my attitude was not especially positive, and the Center, which was not in an ideal venue, grew very slowly. Finally, in October 2002 brother Jian along with another Quan Yin messenger visited the Cameroon Center and together we found a clean, quiet new location. During this time, I learned from brother Jian that he had been living alone in Africa for six years and was spending only a couple of months each year with his family in Formosa. While in West Africa, he expended a great deal of time, energy and finances on Truth-sharing work and in establishing centers. I asked him about his motivation and he replied, "I too once wanted to quickly return to Formosa. However, while watching Master's videotapes one day, I was shocked to hear Her say that some fellow initiates had yet to share Her love with the world. So I decided to do more Truth-sharing and thus convey Master's message to more people." After hearing this explanation, I too was taken aback by Master's words. Noting in retrospect that I had failed to conduct any such activities while living in Africa for over three years in the past, I was truly ashamed. Since then, I have committed myself to transmitting Master's love as much as possible. In the beginning of my second stay in Africa, I had a large ego, felt tremendous pressure, failed to think positively and constantly calculated my own gains and losses. Yet, I continued to feel imbued with Master's energy, slowly learned to work by relying on the Master Power, forgot about personal rewards and came to understand how to contribute selflessly. Then two more years quickly passed, and despite many ups and downs, my situation got better and better as I reaped a positive material and spiritual harvest. Only then did I truly understand Master's words: "Helping others is helping ourselves. Thus, we should constantly purify our thoughts, and extend unconditional love and goodwill without demanding anything in return. This is the best way." Master has helped me to comprehend much truth through my work, as my ego slowly diminishes under the powerful influence of the Light and Sound meditation. Though I have yet to reach the ultimate realization that all of creation is one, I believe that one day when the "cup of my ego" is totally dissolved, the water within me will become one with the Ocean of Love. I am sincerely grateful to Master for giving me the precious opportunity to learn and grow during my stay in West Africa!
Combining Business with God's Mission in the African Bush
By brother-initiate Andr?MacCarthy, Pretoria, South Africa
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There was once a Zen Master who had some disciples and one of them wrote to the Master every now and then after initiation, just like you write your spiritual diary and send it to me, or sometimes report to me on what kind of "progress" you've made. So that disciple wrote to the Master and said, "Master I'm really deeply involved with enlightenment right now. I spend all my time in search of my inner true Self." The Master only read the first line of the letter and then kicked it into the dust bin.
A long while later the disciple wrote another letter to the Master, saying, "Oh Master now the whole universe responds to my innermost thoughts. How incredible the Truth is! How magnificent human wisdom is! How great the universal Power is!"
But the Master just blew his nose with the letter (laughter), and threw it into the toilet. Then in a third letter the disciple wrote, "Oh Master, I now have compassion for all humankind and all underprivileged beings! Even an ant, I hear his heart throbbing and feel his soul striving! Oh Master, what a wonderful discovery! I'll strive even more, I promise you! I'll be your best disciple, you'll see."
So then the Master wiped something with the letter. (Laughter) You know where; I won't say (Master and everyone laugh), and then threw it into the toilet and felt hopeless.
Later, in a fourth letter, the disciple reported, "Master, now I'm one with the universe! Everything is me and I am everything! There's nothing that's not me. I'm everything. Oh, I congratulate myself!" (Laughter)
But the Master didn't even bother to touch it, just let the wind blow it anywhere it might go and didn't want to say anything anymore. Then, for a long time the Master said, "Don't bother writing to me anymore. You're just wasting paper and pen." So the disciple didn't write anything anymore.
Many years passed by and the Master was kind of feeling a little bit sorry for having been so harsh to the disciple the last time. Remembering his fantastic disciple -- long time no see and no hear from -- he kind of sent a message to him and said, "Hey! What's happening now? How's your spiritual progress?" (Laughter) Perhaps he missed his nonsensical, "big universal" letters.
So the disciple wrote back only two words on one big piece of paper: "Who cares?" (Laughter and applause) Do you know how the Master reacted then? He went and drank coffee, tea or non-alcoholic beer with Seven-Up. (Master and everyone laugh.) That's the way it should be.
Only when you know that you're OK do you not care. Otherwise, it doesn't matter how much you write to me, saying, "I love You, the universal Power, compassionate me," and whatever; all this is nonsense, theory. That's why many teachers of theory open their mouths and talk about compassion, enlightenment, wisdom and all that, but they don't do anything about it. They don't even know; they just talk about it. That's very boring, and it's very difficult to make them realize that we don't need talk.
Why I talk all the time is because you like it. (Audience: Yes.) Besides I don't talk to teach you. If you think I'm teaching you, you're wrong because I'm hopeless with you, too. I know I can't teach you anything. I just amuse you with my different expressions, hoping that you might catch something you like and hold onto it. Then you'll remember me and won't forget to practice. One day you'll know everything yourself; not only through my teachings, maybe thirty percent through my teachings. But it's more or less just so that you'll remember me and then we can connect inside.
To be honest with you, I don't believe that anyone can teach anyone else at all. But whatever I can do, I just try my best because you ask for it. You demand it so I do it, not because I believe I can teach you through words, through talking, through language. But I believe that we can establish a very deep connection with each other, and through that deep connection we can communicate inside. That's the only teaching that might perhaps happen. Otherwise you're already a Buddha. You're an entity just like I am.
What's the need of me telling you what to do? You have everything I have. It's just that through our inner connection with each other you're willing to be reminded of your true Self inside through my inner true Self. Then our inner true Selves become one together, and there's no teaching at all. Originally there was no need and there will never be any need for any soul to learn anything.
Q: Master, You state in Your book I Have Come to Take You Home that there are two kinds of Masters: those who are always in ecstasy and those who are both in and out of ecstasy at the same time. My question is whether the Master's consciousness moves back and forth between ecstasy and normal consciousness or whether there's a duality.
M: It's the same thing at the same time.
Q: That's what I don't understand. Is there a way you can help me with that?
M: Yes. Everything in this world is divided by time and space because of our concept of the duality of things: "There's God; there's me; there's Heaven; there's Earth." It's because we're in the physical body and we're surrounded by the physical illusion that there are things in space -- that you're there and I'm here -- and that there's a past, present and future because of time. But those are the only things that make us believe that we're separate from God. And that's why we can enjoy God again. We create this illusion! So things won't always happen to us at the same time.
For example, you can't eat and blow a harmonica at the same time. And you can't be at a party drinking and sun bathe on the beach at the same time. But nevertheless, in the higher dimensions, things happen simultaneously all the time, but they don't coincide with each other. You can choose to have it all at once, or you can choose to have only one thing. For example, here in this world, I'm here and you're there. Or, you're in Africa and I'm in England. So we're divided by the space between England, the ocean of England, and Africa, with many other countries in between. And if I want to see you or you want to see me, you have to take an airplane or I have to take an airplane or boat to come see you, which takes time. In Heaven, however, even though you're there and I'm here, if I want to see you, you're here instantly! Or I'm there. Because you're there and here at the same time. But we don't crowd each other. We can choose to be with a person, with a thing, with a place or we can choose to feel alone. This is the freedom of the celestial dimensions that we don't have here.
So a true Master is one who masters two worlds. She can be here and there at the same time, doing both jobs at the same time. She can be here and there, and She can be in England and Africa and everywhere at the same time and speak all kinds of different languages in that dimension. In this dimension She might speak English, Aulacese, Chinese and so on. At the same time, anyone in Australia or Germany who prays to or wants to talk to Her -- if that person is highly developed enough -- can converse with the Master in English, German, Swedish or Dutch while the Master is sitting here talking in English -- at the same instant! Because the Master has transcended the difference between time and space. That's how that Master can lead you here and continue to lead you in the life after simultaneously -- or after She's left the physical body, or after you've left the physical body and the Master is still here.
Q: Master, I think You're doing a Heavenly job and not a ‘local' one, but what's involved in You as a Master giving blessings to people? For instance, say that you want to give blessings to the people here tonight. What are the conditions for doing so?
M: I haven't said that I would give a blessing to you or anyone else. It's just that when people are extremely unhappy, they request it, and unless I do something -- anything -- they don't feel satisfied. You can call what I give then a blessing. I myself never feel that I give blessings to anyone, but if God consents to give a blessing to someone through me, then Hiers will be done, no problem; because I'm all there for God.
Q: So, can we request a blessing from You tonight?
M: But what should I do? What can I do for you? Why don't you bless yourself with your own God power? Then you get blessings every day and forever instead of receiving a blessing just once from my hands, or my feet or my eyes. That's short-lived and it's borrowed. It's better to earn your own money and invest it to become a millionaire in no time.
The best blessing is your own blessing when you develop yourself morally and intellectually. Then you also have your own wisdom. You know that God is within you, you contact that God and get blessed every day, unasked, in plenty until you're filled up with blessings, and then you give them to someone else.
I can't bless you if you don't bless yourself. I might be able to give you some kind of comfort and upliftment in the moment, should you be receptive to that. But the best and longest blessing is initiation; it's enlightenment.
Q: We've heard that You go to places of suffering, places that have been hit by disasters and so forth.
M: Yes.
Q: Why do You do that?
M: You'd also go if you were me! If you have the means to help people, if God gives you more than you need, you should go and share the things you have with people. Because that's why they're given to you! Much is expected from those to whom much is given.
God doesn't give it to me so that I can eat more or sleep more; Hes gives it to me so that I can share. Just like when you have a big water tower in a city, it's not the purpose of the tower to hold the water there, but to share it with the whole city. So I'm just one of the pipes that directs the water to where it's needed. And since I'm alone, or even if I'm with my whole family, we don't need all the money that I earn. God has given me a lot more than I need, my family needs or even my disciples need. So we share it. That's a normal thing to do, no question.
Poverty exists because we don't share. You asked me why I go to places where disasters have hit or why I give my things away or why my members are also encouraged to give directly to people. They give all the time! We give some things because it's official. But the unofficial things we give as daily "basics." For example, we give to people on the street; we stop our cars at red lights and give. So some giving is official and some unofficial, but we give all the time.
Regarding the question of poverty, it would never exist if all the people in the world shared what they have. We have enough food; we have more than enough of everything in this world to feed the whole planet! It's just that some keep too much and some don't have the opportunity to get their share because of where they were born or because of their background or because of some political situation that stops them.
Sometimes we want to help in certain countries, but the political systems don't allow us to come in. Many times we still manage; through the Red Cross or the United Nations or through other organizations we manage to get through to those brothers and sisters. Poverty is man-made. God doesn't intend it. God gives us so much! Each one of us has enough, and then some. It's we who keep it from ourselves.
Q: Do you believe God tests us or gives us trials to overcome in order to continue being on Hiers path?
M: God doesn't test anyone. You'd be surprised. God only loves you and stands by you. God gives us all the free will and wisdom to choose what we want to create, what we want to experience on our journey through eternity. We are God so how can a God test a God? We are one with God so how can God test Hirmself?
It's difficult to explain this, but we've chosen to be separated into different "offices" and to make different choices so that the universe will be colorful. But because of this, the physical prison blinds us and makes us forget what we're supposed to do. So we struggle, we're confused, we're frustrated, we suffer and we don't know what our role in this life truly is, or what the will of the Divine really is. That's why we have to return to God again to get the contact, get the message. Then our lives will become free of trouble and always smooth, happy, blissful and wise.
Quan Yin Messenger's Travel Log
Southeast Asians Grow Strong in the Heavenly Light
By a Quan Yin messenger (Originally in Chinese)
Through the sustained influence of their traditional cultures, spiritual cultivation has become an essential part of the daily lives of many Southeast Asians. I recently had a chance to travel to the region to visit local centers in Indonesia, Thailand, Laos and Singapore. And despite a tight itinerary that allowed little time for sleep, I felt the intense blessing power of Master's divine love while participating in initiation and group meditation sessions at the various centers.
The inhabitants of Indonesia are pure and simple, as shown by the fact that in Bali and Surabaya the initiation session was held on a work day, and the local practitioners rushed to their center after work in the evening, while the initiates-to-be took the day off to be initiated. And because I was leaving the following day, the initiates cherished my rare visit so much that they held an extra group meditation session from four to seven A.M. Although the initiation ended late at night, it did not detract from the great sincerity with which the sisters and brothers meditated comfortably in the divine light of Master's Longevity Lamps. In addition, another initiation was held at the Jakarta Center, and despite the uproar created by an outdoor ball game being played nearby, the initiates practiced with deep concentration and enjoyed the inner blessings of love, unperturbed by the noise.
The initiates of Laos are new members the Quan Yin family. The Laotian people grow up in a religious culture, and as the New Age trend of healthy vegetarianism has begun to set in, restaurants serving simple vegetarian meals have sprung up around the country. Through Master's incredible arrangements, fellow initiates in neighboring Thailand often extend their assistance and care to the Laotian practitioners, as the people of these two countries have always been like brothers and sisters. Besides, most Laotians can speak Thai so they enjoy the blessing of being able to read Master's News magazines and other publications in that language. For Lao initiates, these materials represent God's most precious messages.
In Thailand, the Bangkok Center holds one- and two-day retreats at regular intervals and houses a publications office on the first floor, which has been remodeled in an urban style to provide greater opportunities for Truth aspirants to study Master‘s teachings. One corner of the Center features a professional art gallery, where prints of Master's paintings are on display, attracting many tourists. In addition, the Center holds frequent video seminars to share Master's teachings. During my visit, many seminar attendees were initiated and became members of the ever-expanding Quan Yin family.
By participating in the Truth-sharing work before and during the seminar, the Bangkok initiates came to realize that helping others embark on the spiritual path actually helps their own spiritual consciousness expand. As they felt their inner levels rise, the Thai sisters and brothers were naturally filled with Heavenly bliss and simple joy.
Caption: The art gallery at the Bangkok Center (qym1-155)
Upon arriving in Singapore, I immediately joined the local initiates in group meditation. Before the meditation session, one of Master's lecture DVDs and the TV program A Journey through Aesthetic Realms were played. This practice is beneficial because attentive viewing of Master's discourses calms the mind and makes it easier to enter samadhi during meditation. Then after the session, a brief multimedia slide show was presented to introduce the initiates to Master's latest publications, and everyone in attendance was overwhelmed by Her enormous blessing power. If all potential practitioners can develop the good habit of studying Master's teachings as much as possible before initiation, they will be readily able to absorb spiritual nourishment from God and have a correct concept of spiritual practice. Not only will their meditation bear greater fruit, but their spiritual levels will also be elevated more quickly.
Through my Southeast Asian excursion, I came to realize more fully that the gate to the Heavenly Kingdom has been opened wide, and God's love and grace are pervading the earth's atmosphere. We pray and hope that people around the world will grasp the special opportunity of our age, which comes about only once in millions of eons, to follow a living enlightened Master in practicing spiritually so that we may all rise together to the realms of enlightenment and bliss.
The Quan Yin Method Returns to an Ancient Civilization
By a Quan Yin messenger (Originally in Chinese)
Through Master's mercy and the diligent work of a few local initiates, the spiritual seeds sown in Iran have sprouted, come into full bloom and yielded fruit as the Quan Yin family recently opened its arms to a new group of Iranian members, giving the country greater positive power for a peaceful and brilliant future.
This process began with the initiation of an Iranian brother who was initiated abroad and became convinced of the benefits of Quan Yin practice when he discovered that the Method conformed to his Islamic faith, which fact he grew to understand more deeply through contemplation of the inner Light and Sound. Upon returning to his homeland, he overcame all obstacles and persisted in his vegetarian diet and meditation practice, doing everything possible to introduce this superb method to his relatives and friends and touching their hearts with his wisdom, love, faith and sincerity. Thus, in response to their earnest longing to be initiated into the Quan Yin Method, our compassionate Master sent a Quan Yin messenger to Iran to conduct an initiation session for the Iranian sisters and brothers.
The would-be initiates asked many questions of the messenger before the doubts in their hearts were erased and smiles of satisfaction lit up their faces. After receiving confirmation that the Quan Yin Method is in complete accord with Islamic doctrine, the sisters and brothers were happily initiated and all were blessed with wonderful visions and experiences of the inner Sound during the session.
In addition, an elderly woman in the group, who suffered from a chronic backache that limited her Convenient Method practice to no more than ten minutes, twice entered deep samadhi and could not be roused while attending group meditation sessions during the messenger's visit. The sister sat upright the whole time, looking dignified and tranquil, and upon emerging from samadhi, she strengthened the faith of the other new initiates while describing the beautiful lights she had seen within. The brother who had introduced her to the Method said it had taken four years of effort to persuade her of the benefits of meditation and for her to begin practicing the Convenient Method, and it is now impossible to keep her from meditating! These remarks caused everyone listening to smile with understanding.
Unable to contain her emotions, another newly initiated sister noted the close ties between the Quan Yin Method and Islam and how the path has given her deeper insights into her religion. She said she now realizes the real meaning of the Muslim custom of having women wear headscarves, and why their prayer mats are so sacred to Muslims. For another Iranian sister living abroad, her father's objections to her meditation practice dissolved after he observed the unbiased altruistic spirit of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief workers who assisted victims during the recent earthquake in Iran. Being touched by Master's absolute love, the man earnestly and courteously welcomed the Quan Yin messenger as an old friend.
The transformations that occurred among the Iranian brothers and sisters strengthen our faith that the Quan Yin Method is the source of all religions as stated in ancient scriptures. In Her lecture in Turkey in 1999, Master also said that before their prayers five times a day, Muslims have to quiet their minds prior to reaching the inner level of Prophet Mohammed when He communicated with the angel in the mountain cave near Mecca. Similarly, the Quan Yin Method is a deep, silent prayer that brings us into direct contact with God through the inner Light and Sound.
Upon his arrival in the land of the pure, benevolent Iranian people, the Quan Yin messenger found himself warmly welcomed by the local fellow practitioners and their children. And later, several of the teenagers in the group drew pictures as gifts representing their love and friendship for the messenger, who was truly touched by this sweet gesture. (Refer to photographs.) May God bless the kind, pure and sincere Iranian people so that many more can soon come to practice the Quan Yin Method, experience the Heavenly realm while living and return to their Heavenly Home.
Master's WondersA Most Brilliant and Sacred Ritual
By brother-initiate Arka, Jakarta, Indonesia (Originally in English)
On Sunday, September 12, 2004, a sunny day full of God's grace, the Jakarta Center held an initiation for Truth seekers, and I was asked to serve as a Dharma guard for the event. I was already honored to be one of Master's disciples, and felt doubly privileged to be a guard on this auspicious occasion.
As the initiation process began, I witnessed Master's power touch everyone present, a great phenomenon that came about through God's supreme love. Many times, after practicing for years, our fellow practitioners seem to forget such feelings and experiences that they have during initiation and so take the great blessing power of these events for granted. For this reason, I would like to present my experience so that it might rekindle memories in initiates' minds and offer hope to others.
The initiation began as usual, except that a live basketball game accompanied by music was taking place simultaneously at a sports field across from the Center. But the initiation continued and the attendees did not seem to mind the noise, as they were paying serious attention to the Quan Yin messenger's explanations and instructions.
Not long after we began the initiation meditation session, as I stood watching over the new initiates, a strong light like the flash of many cameras suddenly surprised me. This powerful energy moved very quickly from the front to the back of the room, and as it passed the initiates, each of them turned into a pure white, radiant being before my eyes. As I watched this amazing event, another larger and stronger light, more like hundreds of camera flashes, quickly swept over the room, and as it moved, I no longer saw any human forms at all, but instead many bright lamps the size of human bodies.
After a few more moments, an even larger and more powerful light emerged, this one like thousands of camera flashes combined together. As this light swept across the room, a part of me was also carried away, and I suddenly felt weightless. At this point I no longer perceived any beings in front of me, and all the big lamps had dissolved into one brilliant light. I also could no longer hear any noise from the street, and moreover felt as though I had ceased to exist. At that moment, everyone in the room merged into one light, and all were held in the sway of a beautiful melody that seemed to come from nowhere, and from some unknown instrument. This experience continued until the Quan Yin messenger gave the instructions to finish the meditation session.
When the initiation was over, I felt completely blissful. The world seemed exceptionally beautiful, and I loved everyone. Also, many wonderful things that I cannot describe in human language suddenly occurred in my life.
And at this moment, while I am writing all this down, I feel an overwhelming sense of love--I love You, Master. I love you, brothers and sisters. I love you, life.
Thank You, God and Master, for giving me the opportunity to witness Your infinite glory and love.
Walking on the Golden Path
By sister-initiate Raffaella D'Agostino, London, U.K. (Originally in English)
In July 2004 I returned to London after a three month trip to Italy to nurse my older sister, who was receiving chemotherapy treatments for leukemia.
No one in my family in Italy follows a vegetarian diet or meditates so it was difficult to meditate alone for the whole three months and eat food prepared with dishes and utensils used for meat; in addition, my family drinks wine with meals. However, I was fortunate enough that my relatives at least tolerated my behavior, which was very strange to them. During my stay, I constantly prayed to Master to help my family, looked inward, played Master's chanting tape in my room and recited the Holy Names as much as possible. Thus I survived my visit without slipping away, and my sister's condition improved by 70% during the time I was with her.
Back in the UK, I was again able to rejoin our Quan Yin family and attend group meditation sessions at the London Center. Participating once more in group meditation was truly an amazing feeling full of blessings, true devotion to Master and pure love, and I cherished every moment. It was a wonderful gift and I had not felt so at home in a long time! Also, I was overjoyed to return to England in the knowledge that my sister had gone through the worst of her illness and that her condition was continually improving.
In addition, I have since been blessed to be able to move into a house with two brother-initiates. Together, we have begun a routine of evening group meditation practice, as well as individual meditation in the morning before work. During this time I have experienced a tremendous feeling of elevation, and have been getting increasingly stronger, with each day being a genuine blessing.
It is normally difficult to follow the spiritual path in a city such as London, but through regular attendance at group meditation, everything seems easy. I have never felt so much love for such a harsh town -- love for strangers, love for the silliest little things, even love for rush hour! Being able to feel God so strongly with such heavy energy around me is truly amazing. My initiate housemates are very special to me because when we all arrive home from work we prepare a huge feast of blessed vegetarian food and then dive into group meditation; it's a superb feeling! Our evening meditation sessions have also made our morning sessions a true pleasure.
In addition, my sister called me recently to say that the latest results from her DNA tests, which are used to analyze levels of cancerous blood cells, showed no presence of cancer in her body! The harmful cells had practically vanished. It has been six months since she began her chemotherapy treatments, and amazingly, she is now working part-time and looking after her three-year-old daughter!
Master is truly remarkable. I feel extremely blessed to have the Quan Yin Method of meditation in my life and cannot find words to express my gratitude for being part of such a wonderful group as the Quan Yin family, and for being able to meditate even in the harshest of conditions and still come out smiling and grateful. Thank You, Master.
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The view that Jesus Christ was a Quan Yin Method Master and promoter of vegetarianism is supported by many passages in The Essene Gospel of Peace: Book One and The Essene Gospel of Peace: Book Four —The Teaching of the Elect, published by the International Biogenic Society. These texts were translated by Edmond Bordeaux Szekely from ancient Hebrew and Aramaic manuscripts in the Secret Archives of the Vatican and from old Slavonic writings in the Royal Library of the Hapsburgs (now the property of the Austrian government). You can also read summary versions of these books by visiting: http://www.thenazareneway.com/index_essene_gospels_of_peace.htm
The Essene Gospel of Peace: Book One contains numerous references that clearly express Jesus' views on vegetarianism. For example, at one point Jesus is asked, "Moses, the greatest in Israel, suffered our forefathers to eat the flesh of clean beasts, and forbade only the flesh of unclean beasts. Why, therefore, do you forbid us the flesh of all beasts? Which law comes from God -- that of Moses or your law?"
To this question, Jesus replies, "God commanded your forefathers: ‘Thou shalt not kill.' But their heart was hardened and they killed. Then Moses desired that at least they should not kill men, and he suffered them to kill beasts. And then the heart of your forefathers was hardened yet more, and they killed men and beasts likewise. But I do say to you: Kill neither men, nor beasts, nor yet the food which goes into your mouth. For if you eat living food, the same will quicken you, but if you kill your food, the dead food will kill you also. For life comes only from life, and from death comes always death."
Jesus then goes into more detail, mentioning specific foods that his followers should consume: "For your body is that which you eat, and your spirit is that which you think. Wherefore, prepare and eat all fruits of trees, all grasses of the fields, and all milk of beasts good for eating. For all these are fed and ripened by the fire of life; all are the gift of the angels of our Earthly Mother. But eat nothing to which only the fire of death gives savor, for such is of Satan. So eat always from the table of God: the fruits of the trees, the grain and grasses of the field, the milk of beasts, and the honey of bees. For everything beyond these is of Satan, and leads by the way of sins and of diseases unto death. But the foods which you eat from the abundant table of God give strength and youth to your body, and you will never see disease."
These excerpts from the Essene scriptures support Master Ching Hai's assertions about Jesus' Essene origins and vegetarian heritage: "Jesus was vegetarian since He was born, and even when He was in the womb. Jesus was born [into] a vegetarian family, a vegetarian tradition, the Essene tradition. This you can study in [a] book about the life of Jesus. You should study the life of Jesus in another separate book, not the Bible." Here Master even appears to make reference to the Essene Gospels -- "another separate book, not the Bible."
Also, as mentioned above, Jesus reveals that He is a Master of Light and Sound Meditation in the Essene texts. For instance, in The Essene Gospel of Peace: Book Four -- Teaching of the Elect, Jesus makes mention of the inner Sound stream as follows: "For I tell you truly, there is a Holy Stream of Life which gave birth to the Earthly Mother and all her angels. Invisible is this Stream of Life to the eyes of the Sons of Men, but the Sons of Light are given the secrets of communion with the angels. And the eyes of your spirit shall be opened, and you will see and hear and touch the Stream of Life that gave birth to the Earthly Mother. And you will enter the Holy Stream of Life, and It will carry you with infinite tenderness to everlasting life in the kingdom of your Heavenly Father."
In the same text, Jesus discusses the need to become silent or attain a meditative state before experiencing the Sound: "For in the beginning of times so did we all share in the Holy Stream of Life that gave birth to all creation. And when the sun is high in the heavens, then shall you let into your ears the Holy Stream of Sound; for It can only be heard in the silence. Think on the streams that are born in the desert after a sudden storm and the roaring sound of the waters as they rush past. Truly, this is the voice of God. For as is written, in the beginning was the Sound, and the Sound was with God, and the Sound was God. It is ever in our ears, [but] we hear It not. Listen for It, then, in the silence of noontide; bathe in It, and let the rhythm of the music of God beat in your ears until you are one with the Holy Stream of Sound that [It] may carry you to the endless kingdom of the Heavenly Father where the rhythm of the world rises and falls."
Moreover, in Teaching of the Elect Jesus advocates meditation on the Light: "In the moments before you sleep shall you think of the bright and glorious stars, the white, shining, far-seen and far-piercing stars. Let your thoughts before sleep be with the stars; for the stars are Light, and the Heavenly Father is Light, even that Light which is a thousand times brighter than the brightness of a thousand suns. Enter the Holy Stream of Light that the shackles of death may loose their hold forever, and breaking free from the bonds of earth, ascend through the blazing radiance of the stars, into the endless kingdom of the Heavenly Father. For at the beginning of the times, the Holy Law said, let there be Light, and there was Light. And you shall be one with it, and the power of the Holy Light Stream will fill your whole body, and you will tremble before Its might."
Finally, in summarizing the power of the Sound and Light as the ultimate source of liberation and enlightenment, Jesus tells his disciples, "I tell you truly, your ears were made not only to hear the words of men, the song of birds, and the music of falling rain, but they were also made to hear the Holy Stream of Sound. And your eyes were made not only to see the rising and setting of the sun, the ripple of sheaves of grain, and the words of the holy scrolls, but they were also made to see the Holy Stream of Light. Enter the Holy Streams, even that Life, that Sound, and that Light which gave you birth; that you may reach the kingdom of the Heavenly Father and become one with him."
Reading manuscripts such as The Essene Gospel of Peace: Book One and The Essene Gospel of Peace: Book Four -- The Teaching of the Elect, which present Jesus' ancient comments on the inner Light and Sound and the vegetarian diet can help reinforce one's confidence in the contemporary message of Supreme Master Ching Hai, as both Masters reveal that the Light and Sound Meditation (Quan Yin Method) and vegetarianism are truly the divine way to liberation and entry into the Kingdom of Heaven. Both Jesus' and Master Ching Hai's teachings are in turn part of the eternal message of Truth promulgated by all the great Masters through the ages. As Master puts it, "In a sense, Jesus never died. Jesus works through all the Masters throughout the centuries, throughout the ages, to liberate and enlighten us, the ignorant, who are still left behind."
A recent article on the CNN website (http://www.cnn.com/) reports that the State of Virginia in the U. S. has enacted a new law requiring its schools to offer students alternatives to animal dissection in science and biology classes. Virginia thus joins a growing number of American states with laws that allow students to opt out of dissecting cats, earthworms, fetal pigs and other creatures, reflecting a global trend toward more compassionate treatment of animals as humanity enters the Golden Age.
Young people are often especially sensitive to the plight of our fellow beings, as shown by the case of Virginia high school student Grace Kendall, who knew back in the seventh grade that she did not want to cut open a preserved frog in her science class. Her teacher allowed her to use a computer alternative, and she has refused to dissect animals ever since. As Grace puts it, "I thought there was something really wrong with dissecting a dead animal when I knew there were other options. Dissecting something that was killed so we could learn about it was unsettling." These highly mature and compassionate sentiments from a pure-hearted girl reveal the growing enlightenment that many youngsters around the world are experiencing with respect to the loving treatment of all beings. This trend can also be seen in the recent rise of vegetarianism and animal rights activism in high schools, colleges and universities around the globe.
Grace also said she is glad that Virginia has joined the other states in the U. S. that have enacted laws allowing students to avoid dissecting animals. Beginning this academic year, all Virginia students must be told that they can choose not to dissect animals without being penalized, and instructors must provide them with alternative learning tools such as computer programs, Internet tutorials and plastic models.
The law is also being supported by many teachers, such as Rebecca Ross, a senior anatomy, physiology and biology instructor at Cave Spring High School in Roanoke County, Virginia, who is also president-elect of the National Association of Biology Teachers. Ms. Ross agrees that students with "moral, philosophical, religious or ethical" objections to dissection should be able to use alternative learning methods in the classroom.
Virginia is among nine U. S. states that require school districts to provide options to dissection. In 1985, Florida was the first to pass such a law, followed by California in 1988. New Jersey is also considering similar legislation. On the international level, Argentina, India and Israel are among the nations that have completely banned animal dissection in schools.
This trend away from dissection is largely driven by groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and the Humane Society of the United States, which encourage students to oppose the practice, arguing that animals used for dissection suffer during their capture, handling and killing, and that the practice thus devalues animal life. "We believe that dissection in the classroom is an antiquated [teaching] method and promotes the widespread abuse of animals," says Jacqueline Domac of PETA. The Humane Society estimates that currently six million animals -- mostly frogs, fetal pigs and cats -- are dissected each year in American high schools. The Society distributes anti-dissection videos and loans alternative instructional software to schools to help in eliminating the practice from the U. S. educational system.
The movement away from dissection in education is a needed step in enhancing humanity's compassion and awareness of the oneness of all life on the planet. For, as Supreme Master Ching Hai says, we have been blind to our fellow creatures' welfare and right to co-exist with us for far too long: "For thousands of years we have been unkind to each other, including our younger brothers and sisters, like the animals. In the Bible it is said, ‘As you sow, so shall you reap.' And if we believe in the Bible we have sowed too many things that will yield undesirable fruit for us. So the only [way] to avoid the fruit is to avoid the sowing of the seed. We have to start to be more God-worshipping, God loving, God-fearing. We have to love in action; love Hirm and love Hiers children. God doesn't permit us to kill even to make offerings to Hirm, much less to satisfy our very temporary physical [existence]. So this is the cause of most of our disasters and sickness in this world. We just have to be loving and that's the only religion there is" (Excerpt from videotape #395 Love is the Only Religion).
The daily newspaper USA Today reports that for the U. S. harvest-time holiday Thanksgiving, where roast turkey, ham, meat sauces and other animal-based cuisine have been standard fare for centuries, a growing trend toward vegetarian and vegan options is in evidence. Specifically, 2004 sales of foods such as tofu- and wheat-based "roast turkey," dairy-free pumpkin pies and other non-animal-based items are continuing a decades-long advance. These formerly rare products are now becoming mainstream commodities even in major supermarkets, indicating a change in consciousness toward healthier living and compassionate eating among U.S. consumers.
Nutritionist Cynthia Lair, a lecturer at Bastyr University in the State of Washington, believes this trend makes sense in terms of health, stating, "A good feast should have high-quality ingredients." And from the animal rights perspective, Seth Tibbott, founder of Turtle Island Foods, maker of Tofurky (a turkey replacement made of tofu, wheat gluten, vegetable seasonings and spices) says, "It's a mystery to us why anyone would put a dead bird on the table." For Thanksgiving 1995, Turtle Island sold only a few dozen Tofurky Feasts -- Tofurky and trimmings, including gravy with tofu giblets (artificial turkey innards) -- which feed four people and cost $20 apiece. But for the 2004 holiday, it expects to sell 160,000.
As growing numbers of shoppers buy these products for health, ecological and ethical reasons, the foods' manufacturers are revealing equally high standards. For instance, the Turtle Island Foods website states, "We try to be ever attentive to our humble, environmental roots and produce products that support the residents and life systems of Turtle Island (the Native American term for North America), our home. Our goal is to supply meatless food products that are delicious, nutritious, convenient and affordable."
Seeing such noble thinking presented on a commercial web page is highly encouraging, and reflects the enhancement of sensitivity and growth toward natural perfection that countless individuals around the world are experiencing as the Golden Age progresses. Hopefully, more and more individuals and companies will continue to follow the trend toward vegetarian living and high ideals shown in the rising production and use of Tofurky and similar foods in the U. S.
|
Report from Japan
Bringing Loving Solace to Typhoon and Earthquake Victims
By the Tokyo and Gunma Centers (Originally in Japanese)
Storms and Rain are Strong but Love is Even Stronger
On October 20, 2004, Typhoon Tokage twice made landfall on Japan, first striking Kochi Prefecture at around 1:00 PM and then hitting Osaka Prefecture at 6:00 PM. The eye of the Typhoon cut across the whole of Honshu Island, and since the storm's diameter was massive, it caused severe damage. The Typhoon also brought unusually heavy rainfall to a vast area of the country, which in turn caused serious flooding. The most devastated regions were Hyogo and Kyoto Prefectures, where more than 40,000 residents were forced to evacuate their homes. In Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, ninety percent of the local households suffered from flood damage.
Upon receiving instructions from our compassionate Master Ching Hai, fellow practitioners from the Gunma Center went to the affected area early the next morning to assess the situation. And the closer the initiates got to Toyooka, the more obstacles they encountered on the road, so it took nearly twelve hours to reach the city. After discussing a plan of action, the Gunma and Tokyo Centers cooperated in obtaining a four-ton truck, fully loaded it with urgently needed mineral water and isotonic drinks, and rushed to the affected area to provide timely relief to the victims.
Heart-warming Concern Eases an Earthquake's Devastation
Then, on the afternoon of October 23, before the people of Japan could recover from the effects of Typhoon Tokage, a strong earthquake of magnitude 6.8 on the Richter Scale struck the north-eastern region of their country from Tohoku to Kinki. The quake's epicenter was in Chuetsu (central Niigata), Niigata Prefecture, and the main tremor was followed by a series of strong aftershocks, which completely disrupted traffic and caused the first ever derailment of the high speed Shinkansen (bullet train) Railway. Also, in outlying areas, water, electricity and gas services were disrupted and many villages were completely cut off from outside communication, becoming like isolated islands.
Once again, Master instructed local fellow practitioners to render material and spiritual aid to the victims. And in order to more efficiently convey Her love, the Gunma and Tokyo Centers launched independent relief operations. The Tokyo initiates split into three teams, and on October 24 the first team went to the affected area in Niigata to distribute snacks at a middle school that was accommodating victims, and then rushed to Mitsuke City. On the way, the relief team noticed that all the local roads had been seriously damaged, and many houses had been toppled by landslides. After arriving in Mitsuke the sisters and brothers contributed more than ten cases of mineral water to the local relief supply center, and then distributed aid materials at a nearby primary school and child-care center where victims were raking refuge. The initiates also distributed twenty-six cases of mineral water and seven boxes of snacks to people living in the vicinity, who expressed their wholehearted gratitude to the practitioners for their support.
Then on October 27, the second team went to Ojiya City, the area most severely affected by the quake. In the beginning, the initiates were unable to make any progress because all the roads in this mountainous region had been destroyed. However, through Master's blessing, they soon found it possible to travel through local villages, and successfully reached four communities in the Kawai region. Observing that the mountain roads had been destroyed, the villagers had created a temporary road that zigzagged through their fields and lands so that the relief team members could reach their destination.
On the 28th, bringing along flashlights, batteries, sweets and other materials they had purchased, along with twenty new wool blankets contributed by a shop owner, the initiates visited three small communities in the Iwasawa area. Most of the villagers had gone to take refuge at the homes of friends and relatives, leaving behind only the elderly, who had wished to remain in their community, and who were extremely delighted to receive the materials. The relief team then had difficulty leaving the region because they were unfamiliar with local roads, but incredibly, someone would always appear at the right time to show them the way.
On the 29th, the initiates heard that Yoshitani, a small village nearby had been severely devastated by the earthquake so they immediately determined the victims' needs and distributed flashlights, batteries, fruit, rice balls and small stoves. This time, the shop owner who had earlier contributed blankets provided more blankets along with free eating utensils, and the victims were overjoyed to receive the items as well as the other relief materials.
The third team of fellow practitioners went to Ojiya City to distribute flashlights, heating packs, bananas, instant soup and canned food. As many houses in this district had collapsed, the initiates also helped many victims to tidy up their ravaged homesteads.
On the evening of the 30th, the second and third teams joined forces to prepare food for the victims and volunteer workers at a local general welfare center. The items the initiates served included American style tomato soup and udon noodles (traditional Japanese thick noodles) with vegetables. The center housed about two hundred victims, along with more than a hundred volunteer workers from across the country who were staying there temporarily. Observing the people's satisfaction and appreciation of the delicious food, the relief team members were greatly delighted and encouraged. Then early on the morning of the 31st, the sisters and brothers planned to prepare rice balls for the villages that had been visited by the second team. While they were pondering how to cook the rice, another group lent them a huge electric cooker, showing that the sincere wishes of spiritual practitioners are always quickly realized. The relief team members then prepared 250 rice balls and sent them to Yoshitani. The freshly prepared food was still hot when it reached the hands of the victims, thus warming both their bodies and spirits.
Disaster Victims Greatly Appreciate Udon Noodles Prepared with Love
The advance team of fellow practitioners from the Gunma Center entered the affected area ten hours after the October 23rd earthquake hit. A group of initiates who had previously gone to Toyooka to assess the damage caused by Typhoon Tokage also proceeded to Niigata early the next morning to distribute relief materials. At the same time, a backup team was standing by at the Center round the clock gathering information, analyzing the situation, maintaining constant communication with the relief teams in the field and providing them with the latest news on conditions. After discussing strategy, the Tokyo and Gunma disciples decided to work together to distribute milk powder, paper diapers and toilet tissue to the victims. Another concern was that the local residents were living without water, electricity and natural gas and so could eat only dry, uncooked food. Thus the initiates decided to serve the victims steaming hot udon noodles cooked with rich ingredients.
To make sure they would convey their love and concern to those in the greatest need, the sisters and brothers proceeded to the region closest to the quake's epicenter, which was heavily devastated and where government relief was late in arriving. Most of the roads leading to this area were damaged so the relief team had to make numerous detours. At some places, both sides of the road had collapsed and the road surfaces were twisted and deformed. To deal with this situation, the team members kept reciting the Holy Names in their hearts, and fumbled their way through the rough mountain passes. Thus, through Master's blessing, they smoothly traversed many roads that even the local people had failed to navigate.
During their trip, the relief team served the cooked food at very remote primary schools, welfare centers and child care centers. And although the number of people taking shelter in these places was often many times greater than the initiates had estimated, everyone managed to receive attractive, fragrant and delicious udon noodles within a short time. After having eaten only bread and fast food for several days, the victims were delighted to be able to eat the boiling hot noodles lovingly prepared with sumptuous ingredients. Many cried openly while savoring the food, exclaiming that they had never eaten noodles that tasted so delicate and delicious, and that they would never forget the experience for the rest of their lives! One bedridden elderly gentleman said, "Since the earthquake struck, this is the first time that my stomach has felt so contented. Even my physical condition has improved!" Also, the daughter-in-law of another bedridden older man said with great courtesy, "After the earthquake, my father-in-law hasn't been able to eat anything. However, he said that he might be able to eat some udon noodles if there were any available. This is his first meal in a couple of days. I wonder if you could give me some more?" At that moment, we truly understood why Master had guided us to these far-flung places.
For the earthquake relief workers, transporting the foodstuffs, cooking utensils, water, tents and other equipment from one place to another was a strenuous task. However, when they saw how happy the victims were while enjoying their meals, all their diligent effort became deeply meaningful. And after witnessing the miserable lives of the victims left homeless by the disaster, the sisters and brothers began including increasingly sumptuous ingredients in the udon noodles they prepared. In addition, they not only served victims but also post-disaster workers, who worked hard day and night to restore the community's utilities, enduring cold and hunger in the process. Among them were technicians from the local electric company whose energy was replenished by the lovingly prepared food, and who after eating bravely resumed their work in the pouring rain. In gratitude to the relief team, some recipients closed their palms in appreciation, some bowed deeply and others tearfully said thank you before they left.
Besides providing hot meals, the initiates also distributed blessed food, medicine, heating packs, damp tissues and other items to extend their concern to children and the bedridden elderly. Some of the old folks poured out their grief to the practitioners about their suffering due to the earthquake, while others vividly described events during the disaster. To many of the elderly, Master's love conveyed through the initiates provided some measure of solace in this difficult time.
In addition, many miracles occurred while the disaster relief project was conducted. For example, everywhere the fellow practitioners went, electrical power had been cut off so the victims were restless and could not sleep at night. Even if they could get some sleep, they would soon be awakened by aftershocks from the earthquake. However, in several places where the quake victims enjoyed the initiates' udon noodles, the power supply was soon restored and the lights were turned back on! Master had brought light back to the people, and everyone present clapped and cheered! Thus many victims finally had their first peaceful night's sleep after the quake.
Epilogue
During the October 2004 typhoon and earthquake relief operations, the initiates of Tokyo and Gunma had many precious experiences, and realized that when we do Master's work, we might be short-handed at times, but as long as we can follow the guidance of the inner Master, seemingly impossible things become possible. Thus, Master's infinite love is similar to an intangible suit of armor that always protects us so that we can efficiently bring physical and spiritual comfort to disaster victims and others in need. Master! We are truly grateful to You!
Expenditures by The Supreme Master Ching Hai for relief provided to typhoon
and earthquake victims in Japan
Letters of Appreciation(Originally in Japanese)
Dear Sirs,
Thank you very much for your kindness and for serving warm delicious udon noodles early in the morning after the earthquake. The Kamitsubono townspeople are still experiencing intermittent aftershocks due to the earthquake and do not know when their water supply will be restored. So we will be inconvenienced for a while, but will try our best to get through this situation with the cooperation of the town authorities.
We would like to apologize for sending this thank-you card late, and would also like to send our appreciation for your warm-hearted thoughts.
Yours respectfully, |
Report from Panama
On the evening of October 22, 2004, Panamanian initiates were astonished to watch a TV broadcast showing yet more floods caused by heavy rainfall overwhelming their country. For with Master's help the initiates had just finished conducting relief work in response to local flooding that had occurred in late September and early October. As with the earlier deluge, this round of floods caused great devastation, leaving many victims homeless and without possessions.
Most of the relief team members were not in Panama City when news of the October 22 flood broke. However, through Master's arrangement, the following morning one sister from the relief team, who had stayed in the city, was able to deliver clothing, mattresses and bags of relief items to families in the Rio Cabra region, which had been affected by flood damage.
More initiates and several Convenient Method practitioners were later able to join in the aid work, carrying bags of supplies to areas such as Nueva Esperanza Arriba and Arnulfo Arias-Caminos de Omar, where the team had not previously visited. Almost a hundred families thus lovingly received material assistance. The relief team workers were happily surprised to see that the victims in one area still had faith in God and were gathered in a house discussing their situation and praying for help when the aid arrived. Thus the sisters and brothers told the recipients that the support had come in the name of the Almighty and Supreme Master Ching Hai and that they were simply instruments of the divine. One woman hurried to cook the food the initiates had brought because the victims had previously had nothing to eat, and she was very grateful to our beloved Master for providing the much needed items.
During the October 22 project, the relief team members worked continuously for an entire week, and so it was difficult to sustain their energy, but they persisted in carrying our Master's supreme love to their Panamanian countrymen, who now know of Master and are extremely grateful to Her for providing relief supplies to thousands of families. Thank You very much, dearest Master for all the happy moments of human solidarity experienced during the relief effort, and for allowing the Panamanian practitioners to be Your envoys of love in their tropical homeland!
Report from Taipei, Formosa
Some stand still waiting for the light to come, while some search high and low for the light, and others kindle lamps illuminating all corners of the world.
On Mid-Autumn Festival Eve 2004, to realize Master's teachings and experience firsthand the lives of the severely disabled residents of the Taipei County Ai-Wei Center on Huafu Hill, Bali Township, initiates from Taipei's Love Ocean Arts Center conducted an activity entitled "Great Love Fills the World with Warmth."
During the activity, motivated by Master's great love, the sisters and brothers brought the Ai-Wei Center residents many needed items including adult diapers, pads of paper, digestive biscuits and snacks, and moon cakes specially baked by fellow initiates.
"Most of our disabled come from low-income households," said Ai-Wei's Supervisor Chen Li-ruh. Some were abandoned by their families, some are bed-ridden and some are chronically ill senior citizens who had previously been living alone. Since the only financial assistance the residents receive comes from social welfare and neighbors, the Center has to assume heavy monthly expenses of over a million NT dollars to supply their daily necessities, diapers and bed pads.
With deep emotion, Supervisor Chen said, "This is a job that calls for giving without receiving any applause in return. It's the affection felt among fellow countrymen and the religious sentiment based on Christ's unbiased love that supports each staff member at the Center." The facility's limited staff works on rotating shifts to look after their 192 residents, never forsaking anyone. With a few donated computers, they have set up a computer-learning room in which the residents spend most of their time keeping in touch with the outside world, gaining new knowledge and exercising their often deformed and withered fingers. Another ingenious contribution by the staff members is a small audiovisual room with touch-control machines. Bit by bit, the staff's love and effort have taken material form in such self-made rehabilitation equipment. For this, the visiting fellow initiates admired them with all their hearts!
After their half-day visit, the Quan Yin practitioners were deeply impressed by the love that Supervisor Chen and her staff show to the disabled, who have brought a rising sun into the lives of Ai-Wei Center residents. The initiates came to realize that while they rest safely in Master's protective arms, countless numbers of their fellow human beings are still searching for the light of life. Thus, those who are fortunate enough to be members of the Quan Yin family should strive diligently to uphold Master's spirit and great love, and become like the Ai-Wei Center staff -- rising suns, bringing daylight and hope to all people.
Report from Hualien, Formosa
On September 17, 2004, initiates from The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association and staff members from the Hualien District Court Prosecutor's Office held a joint activity to express their concern for local parolees and help them adjust physically and mentally to building new lives through spirituality.
When the participants entered the Hualien Social Welfare Hall, each received a rose from the initiates and their forlorn faces immediately brightened up with smiles. Two hundred candles were then lit in a prayer offering for world peace while Supreme Master Ching Hai's rendition of Her own song "I Will Forever Love You" was presented on a large screen TV. The sacred ambience of the event moved many people to tears, and when one of Master's lecture videos was shown, the audience watched calmly and attentively. Then the participants learned the Convenient Method and meditated with deep concentration. Finally, as the activity drew to a close, the parolees spontaneously queued up to receive food packets from the initiates and many expressed their heartfelt gratitude and inquired about Master and the Association.
"The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association has lovingly held many activities for prison inmates and parolees," said Chief Probation Officer Hsueh of the Parole Office. "These individuals are very receptive to and keenly moved by your spiritual influence. Although several activities have been conducted for them, this one is the most orderly. The parolees are very polite and cooperative."
In summary, through the Hualien parolee project, the participating fellow initiates realized that many who had once stumbled and spent time behind bars are benevolent and sensitive by nature. Thus, Master's selfless love, concern and open-hearted acceptance will surely guide them on the path to life's morning sun.
Report from Formosa
Total amount in Tables 1 and 2 = NT$1,293,260 (Approx. US$38,262.13)
Table 1: Details of expenditures for charitable activities
in Formosa, July-October 2004
(Currency in NT$)
| Place | Date | Activities | Amount | Appendix |
| Nantou | 2004.07.10 | Contributing urgent relief supplies through the Ren-ai Township Office to local residents affected by landslides brought on by Typhoon Mindulle in mountainous areas of Nantou | 147,980 | A |
| Miaoli | 2004.07.11 | Sweeping the Miaoli No. 28 Highway in support of environmental protection efforts by the Hsihu Township Office | 1,530 | B |
| Tainan | 2004.07.21 | Visiting inmates at the Tainan Mingde Labor Prison; holding soul-elevating seminars and teaching the Convenient Method (voluntary support by fellow initiates) | 0 | |
| Tainan | 2004.07.29 | Visiting inmates at the Tainan Prison; holding soul-elevating seminars and teaching the Convenient Method (voluntary support by fellow initiates) | 0 | |
| Pingtung | 2004.08.22 | Holding an exhibit of Master's art, a soul-elevating seminar, Convenient Method teaching sessions and other activities at the Pingtung City Ren-ai Primary School to purify people's minds and beautify society | 58,623 | C |
| Tainan | 2004.08.26 | Visiting inmates at the Tainan Prison; holding soul-elevating seminars and teaching the Convenient Method (voluntary support by fellow initiates) | 0 | |
| Tainan | 2004.08.29 | Exhibiting Master's spiritual publications and art works; conducting soul-elevating seminars and Convenient Method teaching sessions at the Tainan Book Fair in the Beiru Exhibition Center, Rende Township, Tainan County to purify people's minds and beautify society | 240,236 | D |
| Hualien | 2004.09.17 | Visiting parolees under the aegis of the Hualien District Court Prosecutor's Office; giving Mid-Autumn Festival gifts and holding a soul-elevating seminar and Convenient Method teaching session | 24,400 | E |
| Tainan | 2004.09.22 | Visiting inmates at the Tainan Mingde Labor Prison; holding soul-elevating seminars and Convenient Method teaching sessions (voluntary support by fellow initiates) | 0 | |
| Hsinchu | 2004.09.23 | Providing spiritual nourishment to Hsinchu residents through an exhibit of Master's art, a soul-elevating seminar, Convenient Method instruction and a vegetarian food tasting at National Chiao Tung University. | 29,451 | F |
| Hsinchu | 2004.09.25 | Extending concern and contributing relief materials to victims of Typhoon Aere in Wufeng Township, Hsinchu County | 65,230 | G |
| Tainan | 2004.09.30 | Visiting inmates at the Tainan Prison; holding soul-elevating seminars and Convenient Method teaching sessions (voluntary support by fellow initiates) | 0 | |
| Taichung | 2004.10.07 | Extending concern to victims of Typhoons Mindulle and Aere in the Songhe Community, Bo-ai Vilage, Heping Township, Taichung County; donating computers and hardware to the community's post-disaster reconstruction committee | 475,800 | H |
| Miaoli | 2004.10.10 | Sweeping the Miaoli No.28 Highway in support of environmental protection efforts by the Hsihu Township Office | 810 | I |
| Tainan | 2004.10.20 | Visiting inmates at the Tainan Mingde Labor Prison; holding soul-elevating seminars and Convenient Method teaching sessions (voluntary support by fellow initiates) | 0 | |
| Miaoli | 2004.10.24 | Participating in a charity fair held by the Miaoli County Yuan Home for the Physically and Mentally Handicapped (proceeds totaling NT$15,780 donated to the Yuan Home) | 9,000 | J |
| Tainan | 2004.10.28 | Visiting inmates at the Tainan Prison; holding soul-elevating seminars and teaching the Convenient Method (voluntary support by fellow initiates) | 0 | |
| Keelung | 2004.10.30 | Cleaning the Changtanli Beach at Badouzi in support of environmental protection efforts by the Keelung Environmental Protection Bureau | 4,200 | K |
| Total | NT$1,057,260 |
Table 2: Relief funds distributed to needy households in
Formosa, July-October 2004
(Currency in NT$)
| July 2004 | August 2004 | September 2004 | October 2004 | ||||||
| Place | Households | Amount | Households | Amount | Households | Amount | Households | Amount | Appendix |
| Keelung | 1 | 2,000 | 1 | 2,000 | 1 | 2,000 | 1 | 2,000 | 1 |
| Taipei | 4 | 10,000 | 4 | 10,000 | 4 | 10,000 | 4 | 10,000 | 2 |
| Taichung | 1 | 3,000 | 1 | 3,000 | 1 | 3,000 | 1 | 3,000 | 3 |
| Nantou | 7 | 26,000 | 7 | 26,000 | 7 | 26,000 | 7 | 26,000 | 4 |
| Kaohsiung | 1 | 4,000 | 1 | 4,000 | 1 | 4,000 | 1 | 4,000 | 5 |
| Pingtung | 2 | 6,000 | 2 | 6,000 | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ | 6 |
| Taitung | 2 | 8,000 | 2 | 8,000 | 2 | 8,000 | 2 | 8,000 | 7 |
| Penghu | 1 | 3,000 | 1 | 3,000 | 1 | 3,000 | 1 | 3,000 | 8 |
| Subtotal | 19 | $62,000 | 19 | $62,000 | 17 | $56,000 | 17 | $56,000 | |
On October 30, the Keelung Environmental Protection Bureau held the 2004 Autumn Beach Cleaning Activity for Greater Voluntary Participation at Changtanli Beach in Badouzi. As in previous years, The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association participated earnestly in this public-interest event.
Years of experience have made local fellow initiates experts in beach cleaning. More importantly, participation in such events has helped the sisters and brothers develop the good habit of cleanliness so that they immediately move to clean up the environment whenever they encounter a mess.
In fact, once when a doctor from the National Taiwan University Hospital learned that I was a disciple of Supreme Master Ching Hai, he humorously asked me, "Are your fellow practitioners addicted to cleanliness?" He had come home one day, thinking he had entered the wrong house, for it had been cleaned and tidied up by a fellow initiate who was visiting his family. Thus, fellow initiates evidently exhibit their good quality of cleanliness wherever they go.
On this topic, Master once said, "Loving cleanliness is also a kind of charity because we bring feelings of comfort to the people around us." Perhaps there is no one who really dislikes clean and beautiful places. So for initiates, beach cleaning not only serves the public interest, but also helps develop the good quality of cleanliness and helps to beautify every corner of the world.
To commemorate the jubilant and glorious annual event of Supreme Master Ching Hai Day, I would like to share a precious experience I had on October 25, 2002. That year, to observe this unique holiday, Philippine initiates gathered as usual to participate in a group meditation session. After meditation, I hesitated to leave the meditation hall and instead sat in a chair staring at Master's photograph on the wall because it seemed as though Master was smiling at me. I looked at Her with fascination, and suddenly felt a clear, blue river of energy flowing into my eyes. So I turned to look at the painting Longing, which was hanging near the photo, and perceived that the river depicted in the piece was flowing! I was shocked because it was part of Master's art work and not a real river, but somehow the water seemed to be running.
Since early childhood, I have always appreciated art, poetry and nature. So I love all of Master's poems and paintings because to me, each one has a different and profound meaning. I often contemplate Master's art works, and at such times experience a strong, wonderful, gentle and comfortable feeling such that I want to touch them and hold them close to see.
Master's love and blessing are powerfully present in everything that She owns or produces. And when we concentrate, we can see that all these objects are full of life and energy.
Thank You, Master, for blessing me with a worry-free existence and giving me the Quan Yin Method, a supreme technique possessed of infinite power, which I know I can attain if I work diligently.
Master's poems are filled with tender images,
Quiet streams and tranquil skies,
Remote mountains and silent forests.
As wistful as the evening clouds,
The wind tentatively whispers nostalgia.
Tidings from the Beloved can not be found.
In the infinite horizon or deep ocean -- where are You now?
A human life is like a misty dream,
After many upheavals, we are then gone!
Master's poems are filled with vivid illumination,
Mountains and forests imbued with joy from Heaven.
