God's loving power exists forever, and is always surrounding us.

~Supreme Master Ching Hai

======= Contents =======

♪ Master Tells Jokes
Dare Not Disturb/ A Super Cool Used Car/ In Need of an Operation

♪ Master's Words
The Best Thoughts Are of God

♪ Aphorisms

♪ Panorama of Events
Canada/ USA/ Costa Rica/ Peru/ Japan/ Korea/ Formosa/ Australia/ Hungary

♪ Poem
Thy Love -- My Path to Enlightenment

♪ Truly Story
Where There Is a Will, There is a Way

♪ Master Tells A Story
Be Contented and Happy!

♪ Selected Questions and Answers
Free Will and God's Will/ Conscience Is Our Highest Witness

♪ A Brief Message
Easy Search Questions and Answers

♪ Spiritual Interludes
Going Home on a Tightrope

♪ Quan Yin Messenger's Travel Log
A Testimony to God's Power

♪ Master Says
Life's Trials Make Us Stronger

♪ Elevation of the Soul
Videotapes/ Songs and Compositions

♪ While on the Path
The Boundless Benefits of a Retreat

♪ Story World
The Sleeping Beauty

♪ Pearls of Wisdom
Disseminate God's Gospel Everywhere/ The Quan Yin Method Is the Utmost Treasure/ Enlightened Viewpoints

♪ Master's Wonders
A Good Tool for God/ Master's Company during Surgery

♪ Love in Action
New Jersey, USA/ Expenditures for Various Activities in Formosa for Sept - Oct 2001/ Receipts and Certificates of Appreciation

♪ How to Contact Us

♪ Quan Yin WWW Sites

♪ Supreme Art
Happy Yogi World/ My Experience of Master's Painting - Nostalgia

A Little Message:
In speaking of God, or the Supreme Spirit, Master instructs us to use original non-sexist terms to avoid the argument about whether God is a She or a He.
She + He = Hes (as in Mess)
Her + Him = Hirm (as in Firm)
Hers + His = Hiers (as in Beers)
Example: When God wants, Hes makes things happen according to Hiers will to suit Hirmself.

News No. 129
Published: January 10, 2002
Founded: August, 1986
Published By: The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association 
Publisher: Hsieh, Hsin Lin

The Supreme Master Ching Hai News magazine is published on the Internet in the following languages: Aulacese, Chinese (in both traditional and simplified versions), English, French, German, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese and Thai. Please refer to the "Quan Yin WWW sites" of the News magazine for related websites.

Master Tells Jokes

Dare Not Disturb

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Hsihu, Formosa, 
December 17, 1995 (Originally in Chinese)
Videotape No.516

There were two lovers who had known each other not very long, so they shared strong mutual feelings. Just like us, we met "only" ten years ago, and still feel strongly about each other. (Master and audience laugh.) One day they went dancing and stayed out very late, yet they were reluctant to part even after they got out of the car. They hugged each other over and over again, talking endlessly.

At this time, a young man happened to park his car near them. He got out of his car, went up to them, hesitated for a moment, and then returned to his car, where he stayed and looked at them again. After a short while, he came over again, hesitated, and then returned to his car. He repeated his action several times. At last he stood on the other side of the road and stared at the couple, apparently at a loss. He put his hands in his pockets, then behind his back, and then in his pockets again, all the time staring at the two lovers. 

Finally, the male lover couldn't put up with it anymore. He ran up to the man and asked, "You have been staring at us for half an hour. What exactly do you want?" "Well, I was trying to enter my house, but you were standing in the way, and I couldn't get in!"

A Super Cool Used Car

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Hsihu, Formosa, 
December 17, 1995 (Originally in Chinese) 
Videotape No. 516

A man asked his friend, "Mr. Wang, how is the second-hand car you bought last week?" 

"Don't mention it! It's horrible!" Mr. Wang replied.

"Why?" 

"It makes such a din that you have never heard anything more disturbing - every part of the car makes a big noise, except the horn!"

In Need of an Operation 

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Hsihu, Formosa, 
December 17, 1995 (Originally in Chinese)
Videotape No. 516

"Doctor, I need an operation," said an old lady to a doctor.

"What's wrong?" The doctor asked.

"Nothing. I just need an operation." 

"You are not sick but you want an operation? Where should I perform it?"

"It doesn't matter. Just go ahead and do it."

"But why?" 

"I am a member of the Senior Citizens Association. All our members have had surgery. And they talk about it every day. I have never had surgery and cannot join in the conversation!" 

Master's Words

The Best Thoughts Are of God

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Hsihu, Formosa, 
September 25, 1991 (Originally in English)
Videotape No. 152

You know thoughts are very important, very powerful - the existence and quality of God - so that at that moment, or at least, when we meditate, or we remember God, our thoughts are holy and pure and unconditional. So we don't create anything bad - only holy vibrations and powerful blessing.

So when these powerful blessings and this thought power are generated around us and within our environment, they rise up, and then other people who are also holy and practicing, they also generate the same thought, same blessing, same power. And like attracts like, and these attract each other and make it become a very powerful force, which defeats all the evil, negative influence in this world.

And that's how the world will become purified and improved day by day. That's how we help the world without having to do charity work even, without having to go out and preach. Yes, of course, when we go out and preach, we bring, momentarily, some high vibrations within, into the minds of the audience and raise them up for a while, or maybe permanently, or maybe for a long time. And maybe these persons go home, and then they carry these vibrations with them, and they nourish them, and they become stable in this holy atmosphere. And they grow holy, too - pure and stable. But it takes a powerful person to do that. Otherwise we are not influencing people. On the contrary, we will be influenced by them. Because the mass - the majority of the people - are many more minds put together, and we have only one. If we are not strong enough to cover all the minds up, then they will engulf us, and we are in danger.

Nevertheless, we do not need to do that. We can just sit in our corner, in a quiet corner of our bedroom and send out good thoughts, good vibrations, powerful blessing into the world and the universe at large. That's why we must meditate in order to purify our thoughts.

Every time we remember God, every time we remember the Holy Names of God, we are empowered with purity, holiness and blessings. And whoever is in the same consciousness, same level with us, will be united with us at that moment. And we add it to the force, to the positive force to purify the world and to make the world a better and better place, and to help those people who have similar minds with us to be more enforced, and to help those who come in contact with our thoughts, come in contact with our presence, to have more power, to raise themselves up. That's the best way to help the world.

Of course, when we help the world, we help ourselves, because we are living in it. The cleaner the atmosphere, the better for us even, not only for our neighbors. So helping others is helping ourselves. So every time we should generate a very pure thought, unconditional love, and good will - all the time - without wanting anything in return. This is the best way. Even if we have not reached the holy stage or very great Bodhisattva or Buddha stage, at least we should keep ourselves pure and uninfluenced by the negative power around us. Because in the world, many people who do not practice this goodness and who do not have real faith in God, they generate bad thoughts all the time. And they make the environment filthy by their own thoughts and deeds, and even speech.

And if we are not covered by a holy shield, by our own mental protection, and by our own purity and good will, then we will be drowned by this massive negative power around us. That's why we must always repeat the Holy Names of God, which are charged by the Master Power at the time of initiation. That's what we call spiritual lineage, or dharma bloodline. If we don't have the bloodline or the spiritual lineage, we repeat the Names like an empty word; it has no power.

Truly it is so. It is just like material well-being. A person who has no money cannot give other people money. Even though he signs a check, it will be an empty check - no support, no bank account to support it, the check. Similarly, the spiritually empty person cannot charge other people with spiritual power, cannot revive other people's spiritual power. Even though the spiritual power is invisible, it is existing. It must exist in order for a Saint or a Master to reawaken in the people, within people, their own spiritual power. Otherwise, it cannot just suddenly stand there and make fire by itself. Even though fire comes from wood, it needs something, or it needs another piece of firewood to burn it, or to make the fire within itself develop.

Similarly, the Master is the one who has developed Her or His own spiritual power, which can influence thousands, millions, the whole world, and the whole universe. The stronger the Master, the larger the influence. And this we can know by coming in contact with that Master. We feel very calm when we sit with a spiritual Master. And if we go out with other people, some people who are evil-minded or very fierce, we feel very restless and frightened. This is the invisible influence of the inner being, which we cannot tell, but we feel.

So, accordingly, we try to live up to the Master's standard. So we meditate; we try to purify our thoughts. The best thought is non-thought. Therefore, if you repeat the Holy Names of God, that's enough. That's the best thought. They are very neutral, very holy, and very powerful. At that moment, you have not the need to invoke the daily mind, the mundane mind. Because, however good we think, sometimes it is still conditioned by the customs of the country, by the habits of the mass of our people, and by the trend of the society.

Therefore, the best thought is that we just think of God. Because God is almighty, powerful. God can do everything. That means at that moment, we submit our will to God's will. Let God rule the universe, and we feel unburdened.

Please visit the following websites to enjoy the video-version of Master's words: 

http://www.Godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng/news/129/mt.htm  (Formosa)
http://Godsdirectcontact.org/eng/news/129/mt.htm  (USA)

Aphorisms

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Hawaii, USA, 
March 27, 1993 
(Originally in English)
Videotape No.341

The light of Heaven will cleanse all the darkness for eons, billions, trillions of years within our souls.

We can sit still for some part of our lives and think over, reorganize our way of life. We can only do that with enlightenment; otherwise it's very difficult to rescue our world from the surface. 

I do not tell you to change your religious beliefs, occupation, or way of life, but just to know the Truth. Because the Truth is inherent in all underlying religious principles. 

Panorama of Events

Report from Canada

A Precious Library of Spiritual Wisdom

[Vancouver] In order to help spread Master's precious teachings, Vancouver initiates recently opened a library of Her books and tapes in a small rented office in downtown Vancouver, thus allowing interested people to borrow the materials and access Master's wisdom in the comfort of their own homes. 

We informed people about the library at recent seminars held in two different parts of the city. Some guests who came to the seminars and were interested to learn more, later visited the library. Some found the flyers advertising the seminars after the events had passed, but still phoned for more information. We were very happy to be able to tell them about our library.

Report from the U.S.A.

The Truth Blossoms in St. Louis

[St. Louis] On November 4, 2001, Missouri disciples organized a video seminar in St. Louis, where we introduced the Convenient and Quan Yin Methods to the city's residents. Although St. Louis is not home to any of the Missouri disciples, we felt called to share the good news about a living Master in this city, known as the Gateway to the West, and whose skyline is dominated by a giant metal arch. 

Master's love pervaded the event, and was especially evident in the fellow practitioners who came from long distances to support us with their devotion. We truly appreciated the opportunity to learn and grow with each other by sharing Master's teachings at this event, and hope to conduct more such seminars in the future. 

Report from Costa Rica

Vegetarian Cooking Classes

[San Jose] Fellow initiates in Costa Rica held Sunday cooking classes at the local center on November 18 and 25, 2001. The classes emphasized the importance of the vegetarian diet, explained how to cook various nutritious vegetarian dishes, and introduced common knowledge about hygiene.

Initiates and would-be initiates, as well as their friends and relatives, attended the classes in high spirits, sharing the fun of cooking and tasting the delicious dishes prepared during the classes. The demonstrations ranged from Aulacese to Chinese and Costa Rican cooking. The classes were conducted in a harmonious atmosphere and surprised comments were heard from time to time. For would-be initiates looking forward to initiation into the Quan Yin Method, the classes enhanced their faith in the vegetarian diet and inspired them to continuously stride forward in their spiritual practice.

Report from Peru

Peru's First Retreat Surpasses All Expectations

[Trujillo] On October 6 and 7, 2001, fellow practitioners from the Trujillo Center held their first retreat ever. The chosen location was the district of Cachicadan, 2,800 meters above sea level in the Peruvian Andes. Calm and serene, Cachicadan is untouched by materialistic civilization, and its people are poor but happy.

During the two-day retreat, we were totally devoted to spiritual practice. As an arrangement invisibly made by our dear Master, everything proceeded marvelously in this beautiful place, where an atmosphere of great tranquility prevailed, and there were sunny days, starry nights, and therapeutic thermal baths with pristine waters of up to 70 degrees Celsius 250 meters from the retreat venue.

The first day of the retreat left us in bliss and contentment. We all had wonderful experiences and intensely felt Master's presence. All of the participants seemed transformed, looking very beautiful and joyful. The second day was even more wonderful, since we entered samadhi for the first time, and time flew by quickly.

We were so happy about what we learned and experienced during our time in Cachicadan that we decided to hold regular monthly retreats in the future, but at a place closer to Trujillo, so that more fellow practitioners can join us and enjoy the delights and rewards of a retreat under Master's blessing. 

Report from Japan

Sharing Master's Teachings and Delicious Vegetarian Food

[Tokyo] On November 18, 2001, fellow practitioners from Tokyo held a video seminar at their center to share Master's teachings and a variety of delicious vegetarian food with guests. Hoping to attract a large audience, we placed announcements about the activity on the Internet, and sent e-mail messages to selected vegetarian groups.

The seminar began with a touching story of their spiritual quest by a couple who are fellow initiates from the United States. This was followed by a video presentation of one of Master's lectures and a question-and-answer session, in which a Quan Yin messenger answered various questions raised by the guests. In response to the question "Why should we be vegetarians?" A fellow practitioner specializing in Chinese medicine gave a humorous and convincing explanation from the standpoint of his profession. Vegetarianism is rather uncommon in Japan, where most people have the misconception that a diet without fish, meat or eggs is detrimental to health. The elucidation by our fellow practitioners that day helped the guests realize the need for a vegetarian diet from the viewpoint of medical science. It also deepened the guests' faith in spiritual practice, and more than half learned the Convenient Method that day.

Later, we invited the participants to sample the vast assortment of vegetarian dishes lovingly prepared by our fellow practitioners, We also held demonstrations of vegetarian cooking and the art of drinking Chinese tea. Both guests and initiates enjoyed the sumptuous food in harmony under God's love and grace.

Report from Korea

Vegetarianism Booms in Korea 

[Ilsan and Jeonju] On November 11, 2001, Korean fellow practitioners opened two new vegetarian restaurants, one in Ilsan and the other in Jeonju. Although SM Vegetarian Buffet, run by the Seoul Center to promote vegetarianism in Korea, suffered financial difficulties in its first few years of business, it has continued to operate and has gradually become famous due to growing interest in the vegetarian diet. Vegetarianism has become increasingly popular after a series of outbreaks of meat-related diseases. 

The biggest obstacle for Koreans in pursuing a vegetarian diet has been a lack of vegetarian restaurants. But the recent vegetarian boom has encouraged local fellow practitioners to open two restaurants in Korea.

The J&J Vegetarian Buffet in Ilsan was named as an abbreviation for double joy or "Joy and Joy." This largest vegetarian restaurant in Korea was established as a corporation and is operated by fellow initiates from the Seoul Center to promote vegetarianism. 

Its opening ceremony was attended by 500 guests and initiates. Group reservations were made even before its opening and vegetarian dishes prepared for 500 - 600 people were quickly consumed. The guests praised the delicious vegetarian food and expressed great interest in vegetarian cooking.

On the same day, the Healthy Vegetarian House was opened by Convenient Method practitioners in Jeonju City. The restaurant is spacious, with many tables, and some set outside the restaurant as well. The opening ceremony, jointly held with the Jeonbuk Province vegetarian movement, attracted many initiates and vegetarian groups to the restaurant. During the day, vegetarian cooking demonstrations and various vegetarian-related lectures were held. After the opening ceremony, both guests and initiates went to downtown Jeonju to promote vegetarianism.

The J&J Vegetarian Buffet prepares delectable vegetarian dishes for joyful guests on its opening day.

Report from Formosa 

Exhibition and Fair

[Hsihu] On November 18, 2001, the Hsihu Ashram held an extraordinary fair that attracted thousands of fellow practitioners and guests from all around Formosa.

The fair retained its much-welcomed tradition from last year, featuring a sumptuous vegetarian feast of more than forty varieties of traditional delicacies, snacks, and drinks. Other special activities included an exhibition of the achievements of Formosa's various centers, an entertainment program in the children's Rainbow Garden, and a Convenient Method transmission session.

The achievement exhibition featuring the Formosan Centers was a brand new activity. Fellow practitioners devoted their utmost wisdom to decorating the exhibition areas and displaying the distinctive features of their individual centers. The textual exhibits and illustrations gave the participants a clear picture of the development and growth of the Quan Yin family throughout the years. The Taoyuan Center even gave an exclusive web-based presentation, and provided onsite VCD viewing. Their lively and unique method of presentation attracted numerous guests to their exhibition area.

This special event was also attended by a special observation group from the medical school of Sweden's Uppsala University. The twenty-two member group, led by a fellow initiate, participated in the joyous event under arrangements by fellow practitioners. Since they were highly interested in Chinese and alternative therapies, one fellow practitioner familiar with Chinese medicine entertained these guests from afar with a brief talk on the relationship between spiritual practice and medical science, suggesting that meditation is the best form of alternative treatment.

The fair began at 9:00 AM and ended at 2:30 PM. With Master's blessing, it was held on a bright, sunny and gently breezy day, in a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere filled with joyous laughter. Everyone was grateful to Master for the happy and fruitful day.

Guests from the medical school of Sweden's Uppsala University watch Master's videotape and visit the achievement exhibition at the Hsihu Ashram. 

Fellow practitioners with their friends savor traditional vegetarian delicacies.

Sharing the Truth on the NSYSU Campus

[Kaoping] Situated on Hsitzu Bay in Kaohsiung, the National Sun Yat-sen University was built in serene and beautiful surroundings, set against a mountainous backdrop and facing the sea. As a renowned university in southern Formosa, it has cultivated many talented individuals for society. In order to elevate the spiritual consciousness of the students, University authorities often convene soul-elevating seminars. Thus, on November 17, 2001, Professor Lou Chi-chung, chairman of the Graduate School of Evironmental Engineering, initiated a Truth-sharing activity in cooperation with the Kaoping Center of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association.

The day's event covered two main themes: art and spirituality. In addition to displaying Master's artistic creations and publications, delicious vegetarian food was provided for the guests to savor. The video presentation covered Master's participation in a seminar at Formosa's renowned Academia Sinica in 2000. Other brilliant programs provided by fellow practitioners included musical, choral and dance performances.

At the end of the activity, many guests and students asked to learn the Convenient Method, and after the meditation session asked questions for almost an hour. It was obvious that the students were really keen in pursuing the Truth. We sincerely hope that, under Master's blessing, they will find the true meaning of life. Fellow practitioners were deeply grateful for God's grace in helping them make this Truth-sharing activity a success.

Report from Australia

Master's Light Shines over Perth, Australia

[Perth] On November 11, 2001, the Perth Center held a video seminar to help spread Master's teachings throughout the city.

In preparation for the event, flyers were distributed during a recent spiritual expo in which the Center participated. Also, local radio stations in Perth announced the event through a service called the "Community Switchboard," whereby non-profit organizations may freely advertise activities to be held in the community. We were also given free advertising space in all of the community newspapers in the metropolitan area. It seemed that as soon as a decision was made to hold a video seminar, invisible wheels were set in motion, and all of the above preparations were carried out incredibly smoothly and in a short time. This surely illustrates that when we work with one mind and are free from resistance by the ego, Master's power can operate unhindered, and everything turns out perfectly.

The seminar began at 10:30 AM, and a two-minute silence was observed (half an hour early*) in a prayer for world peace. This was followed by Master's video entitled "Be a Torchbearer for God." Everyone seemed to sit entranced for the entire length of the video - including the question-and-answer period. Master must have answered all the questions in the minds of the audience, as no one had any questions after the video presentation, even though we had a panel of brothers and sisters ready to answer them. Many decided to learn the Convenient Method, and others were eager to learn the Quan Yin Method.

The Perth Center is very small, but now with Master's loving, guiding hand, we hope to blossom and grow as we look forward with spirits soaring to our next seminar to spread the Truth.

*Two minutes of silence: In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the order was given to end the fighting in World War I. Ever since, English-speaking countries have marked this moment with two minutes of silence to remember the dead and pray for world peace.

Report from Hungary 

Truth-sharing and Spiritual Growth

[Budapest] Initiates in Hungary recently attained notable progress in their spiritual growth and in the conveying of Master's teachings, as two video seminars were held and the local group meditation schedule was rearranged.

Truth-sharing Seminars

In mid-October, 2001, a Truth-sharing video seminar, held on the suggestion of a local disciple, was smoothly convened in Kaposvar, a major town in Hungary about 200 km from Budapest. The attendees joined fellow practitioners in an enthusiastic discussion, and about half learned the Convenient Method. 

Earlier, during the summer, we had held a video seminar in Bucharest, the capital of neighboring Romania, where there is currently no center. At that time, we met a vegetarian woman in Cluj-Napoca, another major town in Romania. She invited us for a lecture, and it turned out that she was the leader of a meditation group and knew many vegetarians. She was very excited to hear that Supreme Master Ching Hai promises eternal liberation in one lifetime through practice of the Quan Yin Method, and immediately invited us to hold a video seminar in her area. She reserved a lecture hall and arranged to spread the news, so that we simply had to go and give the seminar on November 11, in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Afterwards, more than half the guests decided to learn the Convenient Method and expressed immense interest in Master and Her teachings.

Extended Meditation Session

The Budapest Center held group meditation sessions three days per week before the September 11 disaster. Then, after receiving Master's request to try to attend group meditation more often, we decided to let local initiates come to group meditation every evening, and to "sleep over" at the Center so that we could meditate together early the next morning as well. This new schedule turned out to be quite popular. In addition to these meditation sessions, on the last Saturday of the month, we now have a whole day of meditation, so that disciples can even come on Friday evening, and stay at the Center until Sunday afternoon for a weekend retreat. The news of this unofficial retreat somehow spread abroad, and for the last one we even had a sister from Austria join us. We sincerely hope that there is no further war in the world, but we now plan to maintain the new meditation schedule permanently.

Poem 

Thy Love

- My Path to Enlightenment

(Originally in English)

Oh! Master of Mine,

Thank You so much.

If I lose my way and wander in darkness,

Your words will guide me.

If I feel lonely within myself, 

Your love will be my company.

If at any time I need a friend,

I shall call You from my heart.

Your love, streaming down from Heaven, 

Cares for me like a loving angel.

Your love, filled with endless compassion,

Loves me the way it does.

Your love, resounding from a distance apart,

Soothes all my pain and anxiety.

Your love, the sound of my heart,

Is my life and my salvation.

Your love....., so divine....,

Perfect bliss to my soul.

Oh, my Master! 

May I be a child,

And You be my Mother,

Caressing me with endless love and compassion....

Forever, Amen.......

From Dilip Gautam, Your loving disciple, Nepal

Initiated in May-01-2000 and enjoying Master's love and eternal blessing all the time.

Truly Story

Where There Is a Will, There Is a Way

By brother initiate Kim, 
the Youngdong Center, Korea
(Originally in Korean)

There is an old saying that eagerness is the most important thing for spiritual practitioners. I think this is truly so.

When I decided to become a Buddhist monk many years ago, I was filled with great aspirations, hopes, and delight. I completed my training as a monk and began practicing Zen. After many years of effort, I attained peace of mind and moved along the path of spiritual practice. However, I felt no inner satisfaction and wondered if my master had been liberated from life and death or was able to guide us along the path to liberation. These thoughts made me confused in my practice, and after the master passed away, I became totally lost. A spiritual practitioner suffers the most when he does not have a firm belief in his practice.

To free myself from these empty feelings, I went to stay in a temple and worshipped sincerely and earnestly three times a day, and continued this practice for twenty years. It became a habit, and I felt no boredom or dislike for it. After expressing my heartfelt wish for the Truth through sincere worship, I found it was easier to practice spiritually. 

However, after leading a normal life in the monastic order, I thought that as a practitioner, I was too weak. I felt that I was a shame to the Buddhist monks who seek the highest Truth. Throughout history, great practitioners have attained the Truth through sincere practice, while ignoring physical and other desires. I thought that I could not afford to waste a single second, and went to a temple that was suitable for devoted worship. I decided to chant and bow to the Buddhas in the ten directions for seven days, and practiced four times a day. Each bow was full of my deep wishes. My eagerness for the Truth increased day after day. 

On the fourth day, after finishing practice at 10 PM, I felt listless and could hardly stand, but managed to get back to my room. In a half-awakened state, I saw the room shine with a brilliant light, and an old monk appeared and told me, "Recite the holy name of the Quan Yin Bodhisattva. Then you will get the Buddha's blessings." When I became fully awakened, I noticed that I was lying on my back and staring up at the ceiling. My extreme fatigue had vanished, and I felt light, comfortable, and fully recharged. All my drowsiness had gone. Thanks to the inner delight and appreciation I was experiencing, I practiced very sincerely for the remaining three days. I felt very light and happy on the way down from the mountain.

Twenty years passed and there was no change as I continued to lead an ordinary life. I decided to go on another retreat, perhaps the last in my spiritual life. I was determined to spend forty-nine days in retreat. Since I was over sixty, my physical condition was poor and my enthusiasm had also weakened; therefore, I dared not expect much progress. Nevertheless, I resolutely completed the seven-week retreat and decided to continue to practice all my life until I made some attainments. 

Several days later, some monks and followers living nearby came for a visit. We talked about spiritual practice late into the night. When my guests were about to leave, I asked a follower, "What do you practice?" "The Quan Yin Method," he answered. I asked again, "Do you recite the name of the Quan Yin Bodhisattva?" His answer was unexpected: "I contemplate the inner Light and Sound." I then heard a brief introduction to Supreme Master Ching Hai. But not completely satisfied, I asked for details about the Method, and was told that I would know more only after initiation. 

Although it was the first time that I had heard about the Quan Yin Method, my interest was greatly aroused, and I went to the Seoul Center to request initiation the very next day. I was encouraged by reading Master's books, and acquired twelve of them. While only halfway through the first volume of "The Key of Immediate Enlightenment," I heard inner Sound coming from all directions. I had never heard that kind of Sound before, but it was comfortable and pleasing to the heart. The more I read the book, the more I wanted to read. The book discussed the Light and Sound in detail. A person like me who had spent the greater part of his life practicing Zen and being brainwashed by Zen ideas tends to have little faith in teachings such as those of Master. But, after reading Her books for a couple of days, I felt that practicing this method was both right and feasible. 

Finally, I received initiation, which was completed after midnight. When the new initiates were sharing their experiences, I felt impatient because I had had no experiences at all. I even wondered if something had not gone right at the initiation. At that time, everything was strange and I was nervous, so I did not even know if I had had an experience or not. 

During group meditation the next day, Master came to see us. When She walked past me, I unconsciously stood up and bowed to Her. Master stopped and greeted me, looking at me for a while, compassionately and solemnly. 

She joined us for the evening group meditation, and asked the South American initiates to come near Her. She touched their foreheads and heads, and I envied them very much and decided I could not miss the chance. I ran to the stage and waited for Her touch. As Master was leaving the stage, She patted my back three times and asked me to follow Her. It was very moving and touching. Through a translator, I said that I had not had any experiences during initiation. Master then touched my ears and forehead several times. She also taught me how to meditate on the Light. At that time, I felt that the old monk who had appeared to me 20 years ago was Master. I told Her about this experience and She responded with a smile and said "Thank you" in Korean. 

After that, an enormous change occurred in my practice. I threw out my forty-year-long Zen practice and concentrated on the Quan Yin Method. It has been only two years since my initiation; however, great changes have come about for me both inwardly and outwardly. I feel satisfied and happy inside, and am more tolerant. I notice that I have improved greatly in dealing with the obstacles in my daily life, whether big or small. Each time I notice this, I thank Master very much for Her great Love. I am determined to attain the supreme Wisdom and help sentient beings. I think this is how I can reciprocate Her Love.

Master Tells A Story

Be Contented and Happy!

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, 
Hsihu, Formosa, 
December 17, 1995 (Originally in Chinese)
Videotape No. 516

A man went to his master to tell him his problem: "Master! You must help me. I can't stand my life anymore. I am in great trouble! If you don't help me, I will surely die!" 

"What happened?" The master asked.

"My family is very poor, and we have only one house. We cannot afford a big house, yet we need to squeeze in a lot of people, including my grandpa, maternal grandma, aunts, uncles, cousins, my sister-in-law, and my elder sister, plus my own three or four children," the disciple replied. "Besides, my elder sister will be having a baby soon, and my younger sister is getting married and plans to live with us with her husband!" 

The master shook his head, thought and meditated for a while, then tapped his wisdom eye and said, "Ah! I have a solution! You keep animals at home, don't you?" 

The disciple was a farmer, so he replied, "Yes! Yes!" 

The master asked again, "What animals do you have at home?" 

"I have two cows, two sheep, four geese, three pigs, ten chickens, twenty chicks, one cat, and two dogs," the farmer replied.

Wow! Do you see how "poor" he was? Then, the master said, "Now, move all the animals into your house, and everything will be okay!" 

The farmer was bewildered by his master's words. But since he had heard that the master was omniscient, efficacious, and wise, he had no choice but to follow his instructions and give it a try. He went home and moved all the animals - cows, sheep, geese, chickens, cat and dogs, into his house and locked them in with his family. (Master and everyone laugh.) 

A week passed and the man came again to see his master. He must have lost twenty pounds, and his clothes were a mess, covered with animal dung and urine. God! He really stunk! He rushed in and fell on his knees, saying, "Master! I am going to die very soon! Please save me; I can't stand it anymore! Now there are animal excretions everywhere in my house. The animals wander around everywhere, on our beds and tables, into the kitchen and bathroom. The whole house is filled with these things, and we are busy the whole day trying to clean it up, but it's all in vain. Just see what I have become!" The master strolled to and fro, tapped his wisdom eye, and contemplated for a while. Suddenly, he said, "Ah! I got it! Go home and take the two cows out of the house, and everything will be fine." 

"Thank you very much, master," said the disciple, before rushing home to push the two cows out of his house.

Another week passed and the disciple was back again, "Master! I still cannot stand it! The floor is covered with animal dung, and the animals make so much noise all day long. I really cannot stand it anymore! Do you have any other solution?" The master again strolled back and forth, touching his beard, tapping his wisdom eye, and then said, "Oh! Go and take the sheep out, and it will be okay." The farmer followed his Master's instructions and went home and took the sheep out. 

Two weeks later, he came back again with the same complaint: "We can't stand it any longer! How can we live like this? I listened to you, but I truly cannot stand it!" Again, the master tapped at his wisdom eye and said, "All right! Go home and chase the geese out." Again the man did as instructed, thinking that the problem had been solved.

However, he came back two weeks later with the same complaint, so his master said, "Then move the chickens and ducks out, too." And he did accordingly. However, two weeks later, he came back with another complaint. "Good grief! Now the two dogs fight with the cat all the time and chase it around everywhere. As soon as we lie down to sleep, they jump on our faces. It is really unbearable! What should we do?" The master said, "Then you might as well drive out the dogs and cat, too!" The disciple acted accordingly, and then he felt much better. (Master and everyone laugh.) (Applause) A month later, he brought some flowers and bananas to his Master, and said, "Master, you are always the best. Now all our siblings, uncles, grandparents, all of us are living in peace and harmony."

Whatever God gives us is always the best. If you complain about having three children and two husbands…. Oh! No! (Master and everyone laugh) If you complain that it is too much and you are too busy having one husband and three children, later God may give you several more! We ought to be contented with what we have. This world is only a playground for us, so do not be too serious. If you give it a thought, then you will feel the fun. With some organizing effort, your family will become much better. Meditate more and contemplate on it, then you will find the solution to your problem. Therefore, do not be nervous and do not complain. This is how our life is supposed to be, no matter how much we complain. 

Selected Questions and Answers

Free Will and God's Will

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, 
Three-day International Retreat, Los Angeles, CA, USA, 
December 18, 1998 (Originally in English)
Videotape No. 642

Q: Since God gave us free will, and we can do anything - even change our destiny - how can we align our will with God's will, and know that we are doing God's will?

M: There are two things that you can do: Follow your will, or follow God's will. Following your will is this: If you don't like this or you don't like that, you change. You have the right to please yourself. If you don't like this or that, change it. 

Following God's will means, "OK, I don't care. Whatever comes my way, I'll do it." And God takes care of the rest. If you're strong enough, you just do that. Whatever comes your way, you take care of it the best you can. Then the rest is up to Hirm. But if you are not yet strong enough, you follow your will. Whatever you don't like, you change. And hope that God cooperates; Hes always does. 

Q:But can ego get in the way of your will?

M: No. If you don't have an ego anymore, you don't even bother with free will. So if there's no ego, no self-will, then there's only God's will. We go step by step, anyhow. There's no need to jump right into God's will if you're not ready for it. Hes is very patient; whatever you want is what Hes wants. But whatever Hes wants is not always what you want. Therefore, there is free will, and there is God's will. So you make your choice.

Q: How do I align my will and surrender to God's will? Because I know that God's will is the best for me.

M: Then just don't do anything. Can you do that? Can you do nothing?

Q: Just simply be?

M: Yes! I don't mean just sit there all day long, but do whatever comes. If you're in this job, do it. If someone asks you to do that, do it. If someone doesn't ask you for anything, don't do anything. Just do whatever you know is coming your way. That's what God's will is. If you can be satisfied with that, then it's fine. If not, you can change.

Q: Thank You for being so simple. You're very simple.

M: Yes, well, that's what I learned. (Audience applauds) That's why yesterday I said to some of your brothers and sisters, "Just do nothing." There's no need to sit there and imagine sending God's love or compassion in all kinds of directions, imagining this and imagining that. Just sit there, and God will send things to you. But Hes also said, "Knock and it shall be given." That's free will. I don't even bother to knock anymore. If Hes doesn't give it to me, I say, "OK, keep it." I don't even ask. And if Hes doesn't give, I say, "All right! Then I might not need it." It's simpler that way. 

All you have to do is just take care of this body, work enough to live or invest or whatever. Just do the things that you do. It's less struggle and more peaceful. Emerson, the American philosopher, said, "A great burden falls from your shoulders if you let God run the universe." I live by that concept. 

Conscience Is Our Highest Witness

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, 
Malaysia, 
February 24, 1992
(Originally in English)
Videotape No. 216

Q: Master, you have said that we punish ourselves. (M. Yes, we punish ourselves.) But still in this world, we never see that when children do something wrong, they punish themselves. It's the mother or father who punishes the child. And also when we break traffic laws, we do not ourselves go to the police station and say, "Oh! I was speeding." But it's the police who catch us and punish us. So it feels like there's a higher witness who witnesses our good and bad karma and who gives us rewards and punishments according to our actions. It's hard to think that we ourselves are providing the reward and punishment.

M: The laws of this world and the inner laws are different. We ourselves are consciousness; whatever we do in this world is physical. We need physical eyes to watch, physical hands to catch us, and physical laws to govern us in the things we do physically. But there are things that are deeper than the physical level: when we hurt people intentionally, or rob people's things and know that we should not. The police may not even catch us, but we ourselves are the witness - all the time, 24 hours a day. We cannot run away from our conscience. 

Therefore, sometimes we commit wrong actions in this world and the police do not catch us. But we always know we have done wrong. And the wrongdoing feeling will continue to follow us. Whatever we do and whatever we think creates a kind of energy form, surrounding us and sticking to our psychic body. And that's what we have to bear after we leave this world of material things and material existence, because some crimes are beyond retribution. For example, if we kill someone, the policemen catch us and bring us to prison. We serve a prison term of maybe ten or twenty years or maybe our whole life. But that doesn't erase our conscience. Because life has not been restored to the person we killed during our prison term, not at all. We know he is dead. And his children, his wife and his beloved wail for him, miss him and suffer. And their hatred and suffering also create a kind of energy that is directed toward us, and we cannot escape it. Thoughts have form and energy; that's why people can perform hypnotism. Therefore, the thoughts and hatred of the dead person and the hatred of his loved ones will continue to harm you and follow you. And your own conscience will continue to create this kind of repenting energy and make you feel troubled. Even a prison term cannot erase that.

That's how we - as God, as energy, as wisdom and spirit, as power - cannot tolerate the wrongdoing of our mistakes. So we have to find a way to level them out, in order to ease our conscience. That's how we fall into a level of consciousness that is very dark, has no light in it and has suffering. And that is called hell. Actually, hell doesn't otherwise exist. Apart from our own conscience, apart from the consciousness of wrongdoing people, there is no hell. It is different on the physical level than on the spiritual level; psychically we know what we are doing wrong, even though other people don't know.

There are many things people don't know. For example, there are many people who are so wicked that they can curse people and make them sick. Physically, there is no proof that the police can use to catch them, but psychically or mentally that wicked person knows all the time. 

We are the best witness of any crime or any virtuous behavior that we act out. That's why I said we punish ourselves, or we award ourselves Heaven. You can say that this is the higher order. That's our higher Self, our higher consciousness or our Justice that writes down this sentence for us. But it is our Self, our true Self.

A Brief Message

Easy Search Questions and Answers

You can now enjoy the infinite wisdom of Supreme Master Ching Hai as She answers questions from spiritual practitioners in an easier way. Visit http://www.godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng/pearl_wisdom/qa/index2.htm  and experience Her clear, concise explanations about the many perplexities that spiritual seekers encounter. This useful website includes on its first page a comprehensive list of categories of popular areas of concern for quick viewing. There is also a "Search Keyword" feature that allows for a thorough and detailed study of many topics that can be accessed either by choosing from a list of keywords or by entering a keyword of your choice. 

Spiritual Interludes

Going Home on a Tightrope

By sister initiate Chen Hsing-yin
from Taipei, Taiwan

"Greenie" is my name for a pot of African violets that I have grown for two years, during which time the plant has taught me a valuable lesson.

In my office, my colleagues and I have many potted African violets. Greenie was among my first batch. It belongs to the family of small African violets. But from the beginning, it outgrew the others and was tall, large, and leafy. Its flourishing, thick, hairy leaves resemble a lovely, fluffy puppy. My colleagues like to touch its leaves when they pass by. Greenie is my treasure and pride.

Because its leaves have always been very thick and healthy, I let it grow freely. Sometimes, I can sense my subtle relations with the plant. When I have practiced very well or come back from a retreat, I find that new buds and leaves keep sprouting from Greenie without much watering and fertilizing. However, when I have felt sick or dispirited, it also looks droopy. Because of this, I have always felt a special preference for Greenie compared to my other plants. But it was not until recently that I realized Greenie had become so big that its stem was starting to bend towards one side. I knew it was time to trim its leaves.

An African violet should have its leaves evenly distributed around the stem for it to grow straight and beautifully. So, I started to cut its leaves one by one. To my surprise, I had to cut off four-fifths of its leaves in order to maintain the balanced growth of the plant. To me, Greenie was just like a child of mine. My heart ached at having to cut it relentlessly in this way. But to let it grow healthily afterwards, I dug it up from its soil, removed the excess parts, and placed its now tiny body in water, waiting for new roots to grow before putting it back into the soil.

Greenie is like a mirror for me. When I revel in others' compliments and superficial richness, I seldom sincerely examine myself. Greenie's apparently flourishing but unbalanced leaves reminded me that I had confined myself to biases and was satisfied with selected achievements but ignored overall balanced development. A leaf may grow green and firm. But if all such leaves concentrate on one side of the stem, they become redundant and adversely affect the growth of the plant. Similarly, a single concept may appear right and harmless. But whether it is truly beneficial to the whole requires earnest consideration before a conclusion can be reached.

My experiences with Greenie have helped me realize that the road Home is like a tightrope in the air. We must make each step carefully on this delicate and dangerous path. Those longing to go Home must vigilantly remind themselves to maintain balance in order to arrive safely at their destination.

Quan Yin Messenger's Travel Log

A Testimony to God's Power

By a Quan Yin messenger

In April 2000, Master paid Her first visit to Sri Lanka, a South Asian nation with an ancient civilization. When Master said "Well done!" to the working staff after Her lecture in Colombo, the country's capital, we instantly understood what the expression meant - we had practiced complete submission to God's guidance rather than working with the ego. The preparations for the lecture were a perfect testimony to Master's omnipresent power working through various people and arrangements to fulfill God's plan. 

The lecture involved three main stages of preparation. First, we had to find a suitable venue. We did not know where to start when we first arrived in Colombo. There were no local volunteer initiates to help us, and so we sought revelations from our meditation. We eventually found a venue of the right size but in an unsuitable location because of inadequate information access. Later, a civil war broke out in Sri Lanka and we had to change the venue for the sake of safety. This time, it turned out that we found the ideal venue with just the right location and the capacity to accommodate about eight hundred people. 

Eight hundred seemed to be an incredible figure. Although the local people are simple and warm by nature and a lecture in the area normally drew three to four thousand attendees, the traumatic outbreak of civil war saw people rushing home and avoiding public places as soon as night fell. Under these circumstances, local residents estimated that an attendance of two hundred people would be quite high. Yet, on the evening of the lecture, about eight hundred guests came, which again verified Master's omniscience. 

The guests were both brave and wise, having to undergo curfew inspections after the lecture. Although it was rare for a nun to lecture in Sri Lanka, a number of attendees were touched at their first sight of Master. An elderly dentist who had been on the spiritual path for decades could not hold back his tears. Over a third of the attendees asked to learn the Convenient Method or be initiated into the Quan Yin Method; among them was the dentist, who voluntarily offered his home for group meditation afterwards. 

In the second stage of our preparations, publications ranging from question forms to spiritual diaries and posters had to be translated and printed. The enthusiastic working staff required the ready coordination of the printers. Yet all these arrangements had been made by Master in advance! Orders placed with the printing plant in the morning were ready for delivery in the afternoon, which was very rare in this country, where people live carefree lives and work at a leisurely pace.

The third stage of the preparations involved spreading word about the lecture. In a deviation from his usual way of operating, the editor-in-chief of one of the two largest local dailies gave us a free whole page ad to run for three days to present an introduction to the talk and the contents of two of Master's previous lectures. And on the day of the lecture, the event received front page coverage! A local TV station was touched by our sincerity and also offered us two free sessions to introduce Master, upon our solemn declaration that we sought not to become famous but to share the glorious message of the Quan Yin Method, after the probing question, "Did you come for fame?" Although this was the first time we had met the newspaper editors and TV reporters, who were non-initiates, they were inspired to extend us their wholehearted support, which again testified to the omnipresence of Master's power and God's blessings. 

Completion of the lecture was only half of our job. Taking further care of the new initiates was more important. We could do nothing but pray for a suitable contact person, and she appeared in a natural way beyond all our expectations, in the form of our interpreter! She had been pursuing spiritual fulfillment for decades and intended to devote her life to a spiritual mission. When she finished watching one of Master's lecture videos, she asked her husband, "What do you think of my becoming a vegetarian?" He replied at once, "Sure! Why don't you start from today?" And she did. On the evening of the Colombo lecture, Master gave the woman a ring that She had been wearing, due to her sincerity and devotion. We were very much relieved that the new initiates would receive good care in her hands, and since that time she has proven to be a qualified worker for Master. 

Reviewing the process of arranging the Sri Lanka lecture, we know that we encountered little difficulty. We only saw living testimony to a series of pre-arrangements. Things happened at the right time and people showed up at the right moment. After the Sri Lankan civil war broke out, we suggested to Master that for safety reasons the lecture be canceled, but She answered, "People have been fighting here for more than a decade without fear, so why should we fear?" When we once again experienced Master's wisdom and courage, we understood Her incomparable resolution and love. 

Master Says

Life's Trials Make Us Stronger

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, 
Taipei, Formosa, 
February 28, 1989 
(Originally in Chinese)
Videotape No. 50

Have you become a little bigger? (Audience: Yes.) Yes, you have become bigger and swollen inside. (Audience laughs.) The better we practice, the "bigger" we become. This is real strength. Physical strength is useless. Real strength comes when the Light within us grows stronger and brighter. Although I cannot nurture you physically, I do nurture the Light in you so that you grow "bigger" and "bigger". (Audience laughs and applauds.)

However, when we attain the high levels, we become smaller instead of bigger. Only an ocean of Light exists. The higher we are, the smaller and more purified we become. We are small then but we don't feel the smallness. We can grow big quickly, or become even smaller or even nothing, just as we wish.

When we are at a high level, we do not immediately see the God of that level just as we want. Instead, we must have good affinities with that God, who can then manifest to us. Otherwise, Hes is invisible though omnipresent. Hes is not a crude physical body that can be seen as soon as we get there. That's not the way it is! If Hes is willing to be seen, Hes will adjust Hiers vibrations - the intensity and density of Hiers Light, in order to become visible to us. Hes will show us one or two manifestations, even if it's just in the form of Light or a transparent body. Otherwise we cannot see Hirm at all. 

Love Brings Us Closer to God

But that realm is not the highest level. At the highest level, there is nothing but a very peaceful and loving power. We have not the slightest idea how to address Hirm. We cannot embrace Hirm but we feel embraced and loved. We don't know who Hes is, but we do know there is someone or something. We can feel an extremely compassionate and loving force. And that is God, Buddha or Creativity. 

In this ephemeral world, we are God as well. When we love our children, neighbors, and fellow men, we represent God's quality. We develop our love within and express it through actions. The more we develop our love, the closer we are to God, the Buddha, the Tao, and the Creativity, because they are love. 

Therefore, when the founders of religions descended to this planet on behalf of God or Buddha, they taught only love and compassion. They were closer to God, the Buddha, and the Supreme love, so they had the greatest love. Therefore, we feel that God loves us and will take care of all who come to Hirm. Whether a thousand or a million people come to Hirm, it seems like Hes is taking care only of us. Did you ever experience that? (Several people: Yes. Audience applauds.) God is like that. 

Resting to Gain Greater Strength

No one seems to be taking care of this universe. It's as though no system or organization exists. But God doesn't neglect anything. Not even an insect, a small blade of grass, a little fruit or flower is ignored; instead, they are carefully tended. Therefore, when the time comes, flowers bloom and the sun rises; the weather turns warm when spring arrives or cold when winter comes. The coldness doesn't mean that God has ignored us. It means a rest is necessary or the universe needs a break, just like we need sleep at night. 

That's why we easily get tired in winter. We need to take in something nutritious, so that we have enough energy. In winter, leaves fall and the trees look withered. It has to be like this so that the trees can grow new leaves later. All the births and deaths have their meanings. The place where I have pitched my tent is turning green. How beautiful it is! Do you remember when you went to pick persimmons? Those trees had not turned green yet. Now they are all green, so beautiful! That's the way it is. There should be winter so that the trees can wither, the old and dying leaves can fall, and the trees can have a break, trembling and rustling and vibrating for three months. (Audience laughs.) And then leaves will sprout again and fruit will be borne. 

There are some flowers that do not bloom with too much watering. Like those plants from the desert, cactus for example. If you take too "good" care of it in the room, it won't live. On the contrary, it should grow in a dry environment, and can grow beautiful flowers when it seems to be dying. 

Touchstone on the Spiritual Path

Similarly, things do not always go smoothly for those of us who are spiritual practitioners. Sometimes we think things are going well but they really are not. It is not necessarily good for our spiritual practice or wisdom. Neither is it always good for us physically. It does not necessarily help with our progress in a certain aspect. At that time, we may spoil ourselves, relax too much, indulge in too much physical fun and merrymaking, squander our precious time, listen to our minds only, and take little care of our spirit. Sometimes you may be brought to the test, either by Master or fellow initiates, or by outside situations. At that time we think things are not going smoothly and there is much to endure for us to live on. But later on, we will make rapid progress.

Therefore, sometimes when we think that things are not working out in our spiritual practice, business, or life, it is actually the most favorable and beneficial situation for us, because our spirituality will then develop, sprout, and bloom. This is just like giving birth, when you undergo the greatest suffering, isn't it? (Female audience members: Yes.) Therefore, we have to make some form of sacrifice in order to get something in return. Sometimes we have to pay with some effort, and be more independent, in order to achieve breakthroughs. Nothing comes easily. 

I have so many disciples, but they didn't come all at once. I searched very hard and long for an Enlightened Master, and went through so many tests. You feel that you suffer when I scold you, but actually it's nothing. The tests I went through were a million times more painful than yours. Your tests are no big deal. You feel upset when tested by me or fellow practitioners. But you dare not do anything when outside people test you. For example, if you are scolded by your boss, you can do nothing. You dare not show your anger, for you are afraid of losing the chance to make money. When you do business outside, you put up with rude and unsatisfied customers. But I cannot scold you because I do not pay you. (Audience laughs.)

We should compare these situations so that we can pass the spiritual tests. When people scold or even slander us, we won't have any problem if we regard it as a test from the saints or God; otherwise we won't make any progress. 

Tough Tests Make Good Practitioners

The clothes, the glasses, and other things you wear are made through a laborious and difficult process. The cotton dress, for example, is not like this originally. It is made from cotton flowers from cotton plants grown under the sun; the flowers are gathered, filtered, stripped, pressed by machine or hand, then stretched, boiled, machine processed again, and dried in the sun. It requires a lot of effort and the process is painful. If cotton could talk, it would tell you in tears how hard it has been "practicing"!

You should know when you look at your clothes. You don't have to listen to my lecturing so much. Your glasses are another example. Just think where they come from. How much does the glass have to be heated to make it into lenses? The raw material has to be heated to very high temperatures, liquidized, and cooled in a mold, before it becomes lenses of different shapes and sizes. This is an arduous process, just like it is being forced. And it has to be polished and you have to get your eyes checked before it can be turned into a pair of glasses just right for you! Oh, the sentient beings toil immeasurably!

A small thing, like a pair of glasses takes so much effort, not to mention becoming a saint! You must be joking if you say so! You can't pass even the smallest test! And you get angry when I scold you a little! We should learn to be tolerant. If we can't put up with the scolding of our fellow practitioners, family members, Master, teachers and friends, how can we tolerate it when we have to deliver thousands or millions of sentient beings! They are all different in character and some are vicious. At that time, we will know we are short of patience, and regret not having learned better from our Master. 

Passing on the Heritage

This is the reason that the Tibetan yogi-saint Milarepa remains famous today. He followed his Master for seven years, and suffered daily torment without complaint. He begged his Master for the Dharma every day, but dared not complain for fear that his Master would refuse to train him. Thus, he didn't complain when his Master kicked, beat, scolded, and treated him "unjustly." This is an excellent example of a good disciple. This is why Milarepa has remained famous throughout the history of Buddhism. This is truly passing on the heritage to future generations. We are still familiar with His name and aspire to be tolerant like Him. We call Him "the transcendental man." 

Besides Milarepa, many worldly people, like past or modern politicians and heroes, had to go through many trials and hardships before they became famous. For example, the British monarch has to be trained at a military academy before he ascends to the throne (it's the Royal British tradition to train their future king in a military academy). In the military academy, people don't care who you are, but beat and scold you like everyone else. They could command you to do dirty or rigorous work. They may order you to undress yourself and go outside when it is snowing. You have to accept the order. You cannot say, "I am the prince of Britain." They will just say, "I know. Your mother has told me to give you more lessons."

Children, including princes and the children of important officials, are intentionally sent to military academies, because it is difficult for parents to teach them at home. It is more convenient to send them for training outside, where there is very serious discipline. Otherwise, they won't have the chance to experience difficult and unfavorable situations, and when they ascend to the throne, they will just spoil themselves and indulge in merrymaking, which will be bad for the country and people. They won't be patient in dealing with other countries; that's for sure. 

Spiritual Practitioners Should Endure Tests Bravely

We practitioners should not wonder why we suffer so much. We should read some books about such examples often, so that we become more open, patient, and humble. We should check if we have achieved what those great people achieved. Therefore, we should train ourselves more and study more. When we are scolded, we should recite the Holy Names and thank the people who scold us. (Audience laughs.) Really! We should do this, and then we will feel a change. Later, we will wonder why the person who scolded us is looking up to us! 

We should train ourselves instead of pampering ourselves, because we don't know when God will select us to benefit sentient beings. It's not like an election to be an Enlightened Master to benefit sentient beings. It's not that we advertise ourselves and deceive people so that they will vote for us. It's not that people will advertise for us and make us famous so that people will elect us. It's not true! Advertising does nothing for God. He just picks you after watching you down here with a telescope and says, "Okay, that guy is nice! He is very good!" And then you are selected. Maybe you are selected to deliver one or two persons, which is blessing enough for you; enough to buy a ticket to fly up there! (Audience laughs.) Maybe you are selected to deliver hundreds, thousands, or even more people, then your mission becomes crucial, because it's difficult enough delivering just one person, which involves delivering five generations of that person's family! Its reward is high. 

Therefore, we should remember to pass the tests at times of adversity. We must be mature people. Not only should our energy be vitalized, but our minds should be more open as well. We should understand that the world is just a big illusion and fantasy, so why bother becoming attached to anything! Why should we contest for this vanity fair! Why should we explain our "unfair" situation? Sooner or later, we will all be gone. The king will be gone, and so will the garbage collector. Nobody stays here forever. Therefore, even if we are confronted with some unfavorable situation, we have to live on and test ourselves. The more we endure, the less we feel we have to "endure," and then we find ourselves at a higher level. We don't have to measure our spiritual level only by seeing visions or hearing the Sound of the Divine. (Audience applauds.) 

Elevation of the Soul 

Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest Videotapes

<In English>

712 The Divine Intelligence of Animals

Group Meditation at the Florida Center, U.S.A., June 5, 2001 

713 Love is the Master

Group Meditation at the Florida Center, U.S.A., June 5, 2001

716 A Natural Way to Love God

Group Meditation at the Florida Center, U.S.A., June 8, 2001

717 The Virtues of a Good Neighbor

Group Meditation at the Florida Center, U.S.A., June 11, 2001

<In English + Turkish Oral Translation + Finnish Subtitles>

665A Pacifying the Mind

Lecture in Istanbul, Turkey, November 20, 1999

Songs & Compositions of Supreme Master Ching Hai (DVD, CD Edition)

This collection of songs, composed entirely by Supreme Master Ching Hai, reflects Her exquisite artistic style and unique ability to express extraordinary meanings. She has transcended the vast differences among the Chinese, Western, and Aulacese cultures and blended them harmoniously, creating a compilation of many different musical styles. With Her heavenly inspiration and devout sincerity, She has written each word and note so that the audience can physically and spiritually sense the rich and wonderful vibrations of each song. In response to many earnest requests, we are very honored to present this rare collection of music inspired by Heaven.

 

To order Master's publications, please contact:

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While on the Path

The Boundless Benefits of a Retreat 

By sister initiate Xiao Di, 
Mainland China

The Six-day International Retreat in May 2000 held in Korea was my first retreat ever. After I made up my mind to attend, new challenges arose every day and my mood fluctuated as I searched for solutions. Looking back now, I understand that Master had arranged it all for me. I did eventually attend the retreat, although I had to undergo many painstaking struggles caused by the rapid transformation of the karma that would cleanse me before I met Master. I felt myself progressing every day. 

On arriving in Korea the members of my traveling group and I relaxed when we were met by brothers and sisters at the airport and thought that there would be no more obstacles ahead. Our tense expressions gave way to radiant smiles. Little did we know then that the tests were just about to begin. 

On our first day at the Youngdong Center, my bad habits began to cause trouble. I complained to a working team member about the shortage of things we needed. But as soon as the brother told me where to get them, I felt ashamed of myself, for I found that I could not measure up to these devoted practitioners. All the members on the working teams had contributed so much, working without taking a break to receive fellow initiates, arrange accommodations, and fulfill the daily needs of fellow practitioners. I didn't offer any help, yet I was the one to complain! I was very upset with myself, because I couldn't change my habits quickly and merge into this united and lively family. I was unhappy and despondent.

Later I saw Master, whom I had longed to see. But She looked past me and I felt deeply depressed. I knew it was my own problem and felt an enormous distance from Master's love. When Master met our group, She said that we should not be deceived by our minds, but should be convinced that we had no problem. I couldn't help crying as I gazed at Master. When I raised my hands to wipe away my tears, I found that almost everyone was doing the same. Our merciful Master joked with us and teased us, and gradually I felt that She was not so far away. 

As the retreat proceeded, during a morning meditation session, we heard loud claps of thunder, which were followed by heavy showers. At that moment, my heart opened up, and I felt Master's intense and all-pervading love. I suddenly understood that Master has always loved me and waited for me to go beyond the wall that I had built around myself. I felt extremely happy and contented! Later, I found that everything was very beautiful when I stepped out of the meditation hall, and couldn't help smiling at everyone I met. 

Later I received blessed food from Master, which contained incredible blessing power and nourished our joyous spirit. On our return trip, the atmosphere was lightened up by our laughter, and the travel guide wondered why these formerly expressionless people had come in such low spirits, but left completely different! Since taking charge of our travel group, the guide had had many experiences himself. A sister initiate told him that Master's power is so incredible that anything that comes in contact with it will be changed. And I think the biggest changes took place within us.

It has been one and a half years since the six-day retreat in Korea. It was a heavenly time that we spent together, and I found out more and more that Master had given me everything I wanted! Since the retreat, I have digested Master's blessings every day and understood at long last what Master has given me; therefore, I have begun to learn from Her example of unselfish devotion and love, and spirit of unconditional service. There is so much to learn! Thank you, Master. I will try my best. 

Story World

The Sleeping Beauty

By brother initiate 
Gary Niklason, Tokyo, Japan 
(Originally in English)

Do you believe in fairytales? I didn't before initiation, but I do now because I'm living a fairytale. The title of my fairytale is "The Sleeping Beauty."

My story begins in Holland where I was teaching at an international school. Each year I would lead a group of students from Holland to Scotland to study the history, culture, and wildlife of the Highlands and the Orkney Islands. While leading such a group along with their chaperones, I happened to stop in Edinburgh on June 5, 1999, the same day that Supreme Master Ching Hai was giving a lecture there. 

I passed by a group of smiling people handing out brochures and they offered me one, but I said "no" and kept walking. I had important business to take care of. I had to change Dutch Guilders into British Pounds and I was looking for the best exchange rate. I was too busy to be bothered.

But my work took me back and forth past these friendly people again and again, and I wondered, "Why are they so happy?" As I crossed the street one of them put a brochure in my hand. For some reason, I did not throw the flyer away when I reached the other side of the street, but instead looked at it. The picture on the front captivated me, and I thought I recognized the lady. I read the entire brochure front to back as I continued my walk. At the bottom of the text it said, "Keep this flyer for your blessing," so I did.

I couldn't attend Supreme Master Ching Hai's lecture that day, but I held onto the brochure and read it over and over again as I continued the study trip. I showed it to my wife when I returned to Holland and to my surprise she was interested too. We then telephoned the Dutch contact person and made the two and a half-hour drive from our house to the Amsterdam Center to get information about the Quan Yin Method. We had doubts about whether we could be vegetarian for the rest of our lives, so we decided to give it a three-month trial. We returned to our home with a sample booklet, a videotape, and the book "I Have Come to Take You Home."

Being vegetarian was not as difficult as we had anticipated, but meditation was a struggle. Previously, we had read some books about meditation but found it difficult to sit for fifteen minutes, much less two and a half hours. In October of 1999 we learned the Convenient Method in Amsterdam. Suddenly our meditation seemed easier, and thirty minutes were no longer difficult. Something inside us had changed. We decided quickly that we wanted full initiation. The contact person told us that Master Ching Hai would be giving a lecture in Istanbul, Turkey on November 20 and we could go there for full initiation.

Istanbul, Turkey seemed very far away and we thought it would cost a fortune to go there. We checked on flights to Istanbul and they were terribly expensive. We were about to give up when I remembered a Turkish travel agency nearby. We tried that and to our surprise we found an amazing deal. It cost less than US$150 per person for our flight and two nights in a three-star hotel. What a bargain! Another person on the same tour couldn't believe our price. His plane ticket alone cost him more than what we paid for our total package.

We recognized these blessings but the greatest blessing was yet to come. Our initiation awakened the sleeping beauty inside of us. We all have the kingdom of God within us, but it takes a Master to awaken this sleeping beauty. Initiation itself cost me nothing, yet it is the greatest gift I have ever received. Now I understand why those lovely people handing out the brochures in Scotland were all smiling! 

A year after our initiation, we were looking for a special Christmas vacation to further our spiritual growth. One morning after meditation I told my wife, "I know where we're going for Christmas." She asked me where and was shocked when I said Formosa. As I thought about it, so was I. We were halfway around the world from Formosa. We didn't know anyone there and it was only a week before Christmas. But I continued to insist that we needed to go to Formosa.

That day my wife checked on flights to Formosa, but found no tickets anywhere. Everything was booked. I couldn't figure it out. I was sure we were supposed to go to Formosa. The next morning I thought I'd give it one last try, so I looked through the yellow pages and found a travel agency called Cathay Travel I then telephoned their office and said I was looking for a flight to Formosa. While the travel agent checked on her computer, my wife and I prayed, "Master, if this trip is good for us and if it is what we're supposed to do, please help us." Moments later, the agent came back on the phone and said, "Yes, I have two tickets." They were the only two tickets available at the time! 

She said it would be almost impossible for me to find a reasonably priced place to stay because it was Christmas and hotels are terribly expensive in Formosa. She couldn't help me with the hotel but I told her to book the flight anyway. Before I hung up the phone, the agent said, "Sir, my colleagues can't believe you got two tickets to Formosa. We've been trying to book flights to Formosa for weeks and they've been sold out. You're very lucky."

Therefore I telephoned the Taipei Center and told them about my plans to visit Formosa, and asked if they could help us find a place to stay. That was all we had to do. From that point on, the trip arranged itself through the brothers and sisters in Formosa. 

We were looking for Master on this trip and we found Her everywhere we visited. She lives in the beauty of the Hsihu Center and in the hearts of the Formosan disciples. We didn't know why we were supposed to go there, but we followed our inner guidance and took the leap of faith to go. We had a wonderful time and every moment was packed with meaningful experiences. It turned out to be a glorious Christmas present from Master. But to receive the gift we had to act on our intuition and trust in the Master Power. 

We stayed there for twelve days and when we left Formosa, we were already thinking that it would be nice to return to Asia to live. Every two years I am allowed to apply for a job transfer, but this was not my year, so I was not supposed to be able to transfer at all. Besides, I apply for a transfer every time it is available and have never gotten one. But this year, something unusual happened. My school announced that they had hired too many teachers and needed two people to volunteer to transfer. I eagerly volunteered but my principal said, "No! You can't go."

We prayed to Master to give us whatever was best for our spiritual growth. If we got the transfer it was OK. If we didn't get the transfer it was OK, too. Weeks went by and so did the deadline for requesting transfers. Then to our surprise, a week before the transfer assignments began, my principal suddenly changed his mind and allowed me to apply for a transfer. I filled out the appropriate papers and listed "everywhere in Asia" as my choice. But it was still a matter of chance - they could have sent me anywhere in the world. I would have to accept whatever assignment they gave me or forfeit my job.

Again we prayed to Master to give us what was best for our spiritual growth. A week later, we got the news. Less than four months after leaving Formosa, I had received a job transfer to Japan! 

We are so happy that Master brought us to our present location in Japan. Our center is very active and we are getting opportunities to learn how to serve and grow spiritually. It's very exciting - it's everything we hoped for and more. It's just what we needed. 

Once Master awakens the sleeping beauty inside of us, miracles begin to happen and anything is possible.

Postscript: This story was read before a video lecture at the Tokyo Center. After the presentation, two sisters in our group told me that they had been in Scotland on that day two years ago handing out brochures when I received the information about Master's lecture. One of them was standing on the spot where I had received the flyer, so it is likely that she was the one who put it in my hand. That flyer changed my life. Those sisters traveled halfway around the world at their own expense to help spread Master's teachings. Perhaps it is part of Master's plan that I traveled halfway around the world to Japan to tell them just how much that flyer meant to me. I still keep it for my blessing. 

Pearls of Wisdom

Disseminate God's Gospel Everywhere

Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai, 
Malaysia, 
October 2, 1989 (Originally in English)
Videotape No. 100

Every one of us must bring the message of God, of love, of tolerance, of compassion to others, reminding each other all the time. Not only in the church, but everywhere, in the street, in the restaurant, in the hotel, in the market. We have to always remember. We remember ourselves and remind others. 

The Quan Yin Method Is the Utmost Treasure

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, 
Los Angeles, CA, USA, 
January 1, 1999 
(Originally in English)
Videotape No. 643

I tell you it is true, that it is the best thing that ever happened to us: The Quan Yin Method. Sometimes you forget a lot of things, or you don't know how to solve a problem or a question, but you meditate for a while, you do the Quan Quang (Chinese: 'meditation on the Light'), and then you do the Quan Yin (meditation on the Sound), and then all things come very quick to you. And you know it. That's why "Seek you first the Kingdom of God." Meditate! Meditate first, and everything else comes along. And if it doesn't come at that time, it means "Okay, you don't need it.

Enlightened Viewpoints 

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, 
Hawaii, USA, 
1993.3.27 (Originally in English)
Videotape No.341

What is it that makes a difference between a so-called enlightened person and an unenlightened person? An enlightened person sees life in a different way. He is more relaxed, he is happy and he knows what is in him. He knows what the great power is that makes all things move, that makes one love others and makes the earth so lively and makes things happier for him. It is the Supreme Master power within each one of us. And when we awaken it and use it only, then all the negative, depressing traces of our habits, of collected memory from the past will fade away.

Master's Wonders

Master's Company during Surgery

By sister initiate Liu, Mainland China

In recent months, I had felt that there was something wrong with my health, so I went to the hospital for a medical check-up. The findings revealed the recurrence of a uterine myoma (fibroid tumor), which required immediate hospitalization and surgery. I instantly went into panic, partly because my family could not afford the expensive medical fees I would incur, and partly because the ambiance in the hospital ward was unbearable. I was in deep frustration, and hoped that Master would just take me away from this life. Fortunately, at this difficult moment, a group of earnest fellow practitioners simultaneously offered to give me both financial and physical assistance. They helped me in every way, accompanied me to the hospital, and took turns looking after me round the clock. Some of them stayed in my house doing the daily household chores and taking care of my family and vegetable field. I was completely free of worries!

Thus, due to the careful concern of fellow practitioners, I was admitted into the hospital, where initiates sat around my bed meditating and praying for me day and night. Practitioners in other places also meditated and prayed for me, saying, "May God be with you always! May Master protect you always!" In such a blessed atmosphere, I was sent into the operating room at 8:30 AM finally. Meanwhile, six fellow brothers and sisters prayed outside, waiting for me to come out of surgery successfully.

On the operating table, my mind was completely blank, and the only thing that I remembered to do was repeat Master's Holy Name. The anesthetist then gave me an injection, and after about two minutes, he asked whether I felt any sensation. I told him I felt nothing, and he then pricked several parts of my body with a needle, but I felt no pain. The medical staff was absolutely amazed. While still pricking me, the anesthetist murmured, "Perhaps this patient has supernatural power!" Unable to explain what was happening, he repeatedly picked up and gazed at the photo of Master that I was wearing around my neck. At that time, the surgeon in charge also said to himself, "It is going to be a very smooth operation for this patient." Normally, it takes about fifteen minutes for a patient to lose the sensation of pain after receiving anaesthesia.

During the operation, the manifestation form of Master came to my side and looked at me affectionately. With gentle hands, She caressed my forehead and face, and then took me flying to the firmament. On the way, we passed by beautiful realms where innumerable fresh and colorful flowers danced rhythmically. That was an extremely beautiful and pleasant vision! Then, Master took me into a grand hall, where I saw some familiar fellow practitioners and also some strangers. Everyone looked very young, radiant, and wise. They were singing, guessing the answers to riddles and playing games. I joined them and played joyously. When I wanted to go out, I had to pass through a door guarded by a young brother initiate. I had to answer several questions before I could exit. I answered the questions and everyone responded with warm applause. After I exited from the door, Master took me to see the Thousand-armed Buddha. When I came close to Him, His arms slowly extended outward one by one, and then started to whirl with increasing speed. He was forever busily engaged in delivering sentient beings. My heart was filled with deep gratitude for the infinite grace that He had bestowed on me. 

At that time, Master's manifestation form appeared before me in innumerable kinds of clothing and colors. I understood that Master was disseminating the Truth to sentient beings in every corner of the universe, and meanwhile shouldering the pain for them. Watching the infinite brilliance radiating from Master, I was filled with unspeakable emotion, and felt boundless respect and love for Her. I kept hearing the sound of church bells, followed by the reverberations of sweet, harmonious music, the likes of which I had never heard before. Amid this symphony of heavenly Sounds, I found myself resting in a white hammock high in the sky, drifting through the vast and bright universe, watching the Sun, the Moon, the stars, and all sorts of beautiful planets. Down below, scene after scene containing soft and beautiful visions flashed beneath my feet.

I had no idea how long my ecstatic voyage had lasted. Then vaguely, I seemed to hear the anxious voice of a fellow sister: "It has been so long, yet she still has not woken up. What should we do?" I struggled with all my might to open my eyes, and then heard the brothers and sisters exclaim happily, "She has finally woken up. We don't have to worry anymore." They had been too worried to leave me before I woke up. I had gone through a four-hour operation, and been sent back to my ward. I then slept sweetly on the bed, while a fellow sister watched over me until dawn.

Early the next morning, I hid under my quilt and meditated on the Light and Sound. At about seven or eight o'clock, I could get out of bed and walk about, perfectly straight and comfortable, and even went to the washroom by myself. Other patients in the same ward were really stunned. They had had their operations at about the same time as I had, some even a day earlier, but on the next day, they could only walk a few steps with help from others. Even while resting in bed, they sweated profusely and moaned in pain. Watching me smile while in a half-sitting position, they thought that I must be practicing some miraculous method. I didn't look like a patient who had just had an operation. In taking medication, I firmly refused to consume any tonics because some contained animal ingredients. Even then, I still recovered much faster than the other patients in my ward.

Thanks to the care and concern of our fellow practitioners, and especially Master's love and blessing, I recovered very quickly, even though I took less medication than the other patients did. During my few days in the hospital, I continuously played Master's cha