Why Are We Here?

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai,

Auckland, New Zealand, April 27, 2000

(Originally in English) Videotape No. 686

The Buddhist scriptures say that you are the Buddha and that the Buddha Nature is inside you. The Bible says that God lives within this temple. So who else is in there, except God? If we are the temple and God is the only one who lives in there, who are we then, except God? If we don't remember, that's fine, but we are still God.

So whatever we choose to do as the God of all gods that we are, we should respect. As the Father/Mother of all of these beings that we are, we should respect our own wishes and our choice to live and express our divine Selves in whichever way we want.

That's why Jesus told us that we should not judge people. Because we don't know the path that another being has chosen to walk. He or she does his/her thing so that she/he might come to know God in a different way. He or she might choose to be a seemingly bad person, a very lowly person or a very so-called immoral person. But that's his/her way of knowing the divine. By choosing to be ungodly, that person will one day know that's not him/her. But they have to go back and learn the whole being again. Because if we always stay in Heaven and are Gods all the time, we won't recognize ourselves as God. So we need to lower ourselves and come down to this physical level so we can once again recognize our own greatness. That's our choice, and that's why we came here.

So the answer to our question about why we are here is: Because we want to know God. When we feel the time is up, that's the time we choose to remember ourselves again. That's the time we come to seek out spiritual friends, a spiritual group or maybe a spiritual teacher so that we can remember quickly; because we have forgotten how to remember and where to look. So some friend who has already remembered Himself/Herself may be able to help us. And then we recognize that we're nothing else but the Supreme Being, but God. We recognize the Supreme Being that's housed within this body.

But actually, Hes is not housed within the body. Hes houses our body. But then again, spiritual terminology is never a very exact science. So no matter how much a teacher tells us about God or how eloquently a spiritual friend might speak about the Divine being within us, we cannot understand just by listening. So the spiritual teacher, guide or friend has to show us practically, not just theoretically.

For example, when Jesus came to our planet, He taught His disciples both ways: the theoretical way and the practical way. And that's why later, His immediate disciples could also do wonders, could also see Heaven, could also hear the Voice of God as the Word of the Creator, could also see the Light of Heaven, could ascend to Heaven and even see the angels or see the Father. The Father spoke to them, like the Father spoke to Moses. And the angels also spoke to them.

Likewise, we can do that. Because as great as Jesus' disciples were, we are also great. We and Jesus' disciples are the same because Jesus said to us that we are all children of God. But because we have forgotten sometimes one or two friends have to come to remind us, but only when we are ready. Because if we aren't ready, no one can do much for us. 

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Report from Australia

Master's Love Prevails in Nimbin

[Byron Bay] Recently, fellow practitioners from the Byron Bay/ Northern Rivers Center, with support from the Brisbane Center, conducted a video seminar to introduce Master's teachings to residents of the small, scenic village of Nimbin. This community is situated in the back hills of the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia, an area well known for its world heritage rainforests and unspoiled mountain country, where artists and alternative lifestyle advocates live in idyllic wilderness retreats.

Local initiates simply intended to share Master's Love in this remote area, but much to their surprise, they experienced a better response than at any previous seminar. Master's love completely permeated the atmosphere at the event, and after Master's video lecture and the subsequent question and answer session, the guests responded with great enthusiasm, as some shed tears of joy and gratitude.

During the seminar, many longing souls realized their dreams of finding eternal liberation through Master's message, and now they are earnestly awaiting initiation into the Quan Yin Method.

After the video seminar in Nimbin, New South Wales, participants joyously anticipate initiation. 

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Supreme Master Ching Hai Day

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[Hawaii, USA]

After group meditation on Ching Hai Day 2002, local fellow and Convenient Method practitioners, along with their families and friends, gathered at the Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, where they formed a circle of love around Master's sculpture. The group observed a moment of quiet prayer and meditation for world peace, world love, Truth and understanding and later took part in a festive vegetarian feast and had a very "Happy Ching Hai Day!"

Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest Videotapes

<In English>

738 Simple Living
Master talks to Residents at the Florida Center, USA, April 26 and May 1-21, 2001

740 Learning to Live in Harmony
Master's Birthday Celebration at the Florida Center, USA, May 10, 2002

"Ching Hai Day" Miracles in Hawaii 1993

Recorded by the San Jose News Group, California, USA

Each year on October 25, fellow initiates and their families from the San Jose Center gather to celebrate Supreme Master Ching Hai Day. While we enjoyed the special day this year, one of our members, brother Edgar, gave us an account of a series of miracles that he experienced before and after attending the Ching Hai Day declaration ceremony and international retreat in Hawaii in 1993.

All the fellow initiates who participated in these events will surely never forget that the location of the retreat was a serene botanical park surrounded by green hills and woods, and the floating clouds and misty haze that we experienced made us feel like we were in Heaven.

During the entire retreat, an unusually heavy rain fell, thoroughly cleansing the earth, as the participants were steeped in Master's abundant blessing energy and felt their souls purified and elevated. At the end of the retreat, everyone was overjoyed when we were instructed to dress up for Master's declaration ceremony. Pressed for time, fellow initiates hastily put on their formal attire before having a chance to wash off their mud-soiled shoes (casualties of the heavy rain). In the twinkling of an eye, everyone turned into a gentleman or lady, just like Cinderella transforming into a princess.

However, brother Edgar and his group were not in the mood to attend the feast, for they were anxious to find the car they had rented before the retreat. On the first day, they had lent the car to the work team for their use. But when the work team returned the car after the retreat, brother Edgar realized that it was not the original one they had rented. Just as they were searching high and low in the park for their rental car, they met a Quan Yin messenger who told them not to worry and invited them to go to the dinner party with her by using her car. So they got into the car and went to a house to change into their tuxedoes, and then moved on to the hotel where the party was being held.

After all this delay, when they arrived at the banquet hall, they found that all the initiates and guests had already been seated, and to maintain order in the venue, the guard refused to let them enter so they had to wait at the door. Happily, however, they were soon told that there were some vacant seats for them, and they felt very lucky to be able to participate in the grand event. By this time, for some reason, only sister Teresa was left without a seat. While she was pacing back and forth outside the door, suddenly, a sister who was going up to perform on stage walked over to sister Teresa and begged to exchange shoes with her. It turned out that this sister's new white shoes were too small, and were hurting her feet very much. Worried that her pain would affect her performance, she had been praying to Master for help. Then by chance she saw sister Teresa wearing a pair of white shoes. After exchanging shoes, they both found that their new ones fit perfectly. Of course, sister Teresa was also able to enter the hall later. Thus transpired that it had been Master's arrangement to keep sister Teresa behind so that she could help the other sister.

When the party was over, brother Edgar could not find the Quan Yin messenger who had bought him to the hotel. So he and his group resumed their car-searching mission. They hoped the work team would know where their car was, but no one had a clue. It was past midnight at that time, most fellow initiates had left the banquet hall, and brother Edgar's group had no idea how to get back. Then they accidentally came upon their car. It was parked right by the gate of the hotel. They waited by the car for a long time, but no one showed up. So they tried to open the door. Luckily, it was not locked. What's more, they found a spare key inside the car! At this moment, they were filled with gratitude, knowing that Master's blessings and protection had been with them the whole time.

Although they finally found their car, they dared not drive it away for fear that whoever was using the car would worry when he found it missing. So one of them stayed in the car while the others went around to look for that driver. They searched all over the hotel and only saw a few sisters packing up. No one knew anything about their car. Finally, they decided to leave the hotel with the car. And then brother Edgar was faced with a new problem: None of the initiates knew the address or phone number of the house where they had changed clothes since they had been delivered there by the Quan Yin messenger. So they could only look for it by memory.

After driving for a while, brother Edgar suddenly realized that a car far ahead of them seemed to be making the same turns that he was. He then had an inkling that the driver might be a fellow initiate. So he decided to follow the other car. But after a while, brother Edgar's car was almost out of gas, so he had to stop at a gas station, and to his surprise, the car he was following also stopped for gas! He walked over and asked, and sure enough, the riders were fellow initiates and the driver was a local person! More incredibly, they were also going to the same house! Our truly omniscient Master had ingeniously arranged a group of fellow initiates to lead the way for them! Consequently, they got back to the little house smoothly. After changing clothes, they followed the fellow initiates' car back to the retreat campsite in the park.

However, when they arrived at the park, they found that the gate was locked. So they drove around to find another entrance. At that moment, they saw a car not far ahead of them, which also stopped at the locked gate and turned around like they did. As it was turning, it got stuck in a ditch. Quickly, Edgar and his group got out of their two cars to help and found that that car also belonged to fellow initiates. Working together, they pushed the car up out of the ditch. It turned out that the driver of the third car knew the way to the only gate to the park that was open at night. So without further delay, the three cars drove together back to the campsite. That night, within a few hours' time, many miracles had occurred one after another, and brother Edgar and the other initiates once again realized that our omnipresent Master had been by their side all the while, protecting and guiding them.

Master, Thank You for Your Benevolence!

By sister Anh Tuyet, Hamburg, Germany

Dearest Master,

As my hand holds the pen to write this letter, I have a strong feeling of love and a desire to thank You and express my love to You in a worldly way.

Dear Master, I was initiated on April 2, 2000, the day when I was reborn in forgiveness and love! You have given me a lot in both the physical and spiritual domains. You teach me to use my wisdom instead of my mind to analyze, You motivate me when I am lazy in meditation and You comfort me when I suffer.

I often notice my mind cheating me. As I try to get rid of my ego, the mind traps me unconsciously in another form of ego. But when I pray to You for forgiveness, you cleanse me at once. You are always by my side to encourage and console me. Sometimes, You tell me, "Just let go! Once you renounce all, you'll become light and free to fly higher and higher." When I try to let go of one hand, though, my other hand cannot help but take it back. When I shed tears of disappointment, you continue to comfort me with love. Dear Master, the truth is that without Your benevolence, my soul would not have the chance to attain inner peace. Thank You, dear Master. On the way to our Father's Home, I will try to repay you by meditating diligently.

I always wish to attend group meditation with You, even just once! However, my physical condition does not permit me to go on long trips so I simply have to accept my situation. And lately, You've been holding many Internet conferences with fellow initiates around the world. Oh, it was such a great opportunity for me to be with you directly. Dear Master, why do You spoil Your children so much?

One day, I was sitting on my bed, dreaming about the day when the Hamburg Center would have an Internet conference with Master. If it occurred, I promised I would go there to meet You just one time at any cost, even though I live far from the Center. At that time, I would sing a small song for You that I have treasured since my younger days to show my love for You.

The following are the lyrics of the song:

"Now I see, understand and believe that the Lord has listened to my prayers and showed me the way to this place, to satisfy my endless longing! Now, I see, understand, and am full of love, with which I vow to dedicate myself to You forever, to be loyal all my life, even through hardship and suffering."

Guess what, Master? The next morning, the contact person called and told me that You would host an Internet conference with the Hamburg Center four days later.

Dear Master, You are number one! One more time, You made my wish come true. I was so happy about the news! Then the day arrived -- October 6, 2002! Despite many obstacles and difficulties, and with skillful arrangement by the Center and local initiates, I was there! I was so happy that I totally forgot this world!

Master, do You know something? I felt Your love, intense and warm, flowing from You to all of my bodily cells. I was intoxicated and greatly thankful for that. I don't know what to do to repay Your boundless love for me.

Finally, I can only pray that You teach me:

-- To love others because I am loved eternally by God;

-- To forgive others because I was forgiven;

-- To comfort others because I was comforted.

-- Please don't let me fall into any temptation so that I may be liberated forever from the sea of suffering.

Master's Love Produces Miracles

By a fellow initiate, mainland China

Practicing spiritually under Master's guidance is the greatest blessing we can have in many lifetimes. As long as we observe and perceive our lives carefully, we will surely find that each day is filled with the miracle of love. The following is a story about recent real-life events that gives testimony to Master's boundless, unconditional love.

It was early autumn in the area to the north of the Great Wall of China. The vast, clear skies and gentle breeze indicated a good time for travel. So a few of us, all fellow initiates, decided to visit a famous scenic spot. As we lived in different cities, we planned to meet in a nearby county town and then travel together to the tourist site. On my bus trip to the town, the driver had to drive along a meandering mountain road on lofty ridges that were part of a charming landscape. I wanted to enjoy the scenery to the fullest, but shortly after boarding the bus, I entered samadhi. Completely embraced by Master's divine love, I felt totally serene, and the outside world seemed non-existent.

When the bus reached the mountaintop, the driver had to make a sharp turn and the vehicle became unsteady. At that moment, I saw a nun in a familiar brown robe, wearing a bamboo hat, walking quickly alongside the bus. I suddenly became nervous, because the bus was moving close to the edge of the cliff and there was no space for anyone to walk on the road. A few seconds later, I realized that I had just seen a vision with my wisdom eye. I suddenly felt a sense of helplessness and loss so I prayed to Master to guide me to this nun if necessary.

When I arrived in the county town, I had lost the desire to meet the other fellow initiates. It began to drizzle but there was no wind so I decided to go into the mountains alone. Even though the sky was gloomy, I felt a brilliant radiance inside and a warm current flowing through my body. I decided to make the ten-kilometer journey from the town to the mountains on foot. Walking on a tranquil country road, with the rain falling, sometimes heavily and sometimes gently, I felt an inner bliss that was beyond words. It was truly a fabulous experience!

After having ventured deep into the mountains, I stayed at a brother's house, quietly enjoying Master's blessings in solitude, and did not contact the other fellow initiates until the following morning. By that time, I had completely forgotten about the nun! Soon the initiates arrived, and we moved on toward the scenic spot as planned.

Without coincidences, there would be no stories; however, Master's arrangements are always perfect and flawless. When we got to the mountain pass leading to the scenic spot, one sister suddenly said, "Let's take a walk in that village at the foot of the mountain! There's a small old temple there, and I heard that one of my cousins became a nun there." So we went to the village.

The local villagers told us that this nun was very odd. She had kept the temple gate shut for three years and had made almost no contact with the outside world. We then waited outside the temple gate for a long time and knocked many times, but it was quiet inside and no one stirred. Then we went around to the door leading into the backyard, but there was no answer even after the sister called numerous times until she used her cousin's secular name. At that point, a tall nun appeared before us. On seeing her, I was startled, for she was the nun whom I had seen with my wisdom eye the day before! And she was even wearing that familiar bamboo hat!

While the fellow initiates talked and discussed some spiritual topics with her, the nun was not only absent-minded, but also rejected their advice without consideration for her cousin's feelings. We shook our heads with disappointment as she mentioned that many people had tried to change her, but she could not be moved. She firmly believed that 'the righteous heart is Dharma" and one need not rely on any meditation method on the spiritual path. However, I believed the experience that Master had given me must have meant something so I refused to give up. While our sisters were talking to the nun, I kept reciting the Holy Names and praying to Master. At the same time, I found that the temple was overgrown with weeds, and pieces of yellow cloth had been hung in the four corners of the backyard wall to ward off evil. My intuition told me that this nun was in great desperation and must have suffered much injustice.

So I asked her if she would like to hear our ideas about becoming a monastic person. Sitting quietly on her cushion with crossed legs, she nodded, and so I gave a general account of my view: If we only forsake the secular life without gaining enlightenment and having correct concepts about spiritual practice, there is only a superficial difference between being a "monk" or "nun" and being a layperson! If we continue to struggle in our hearts and remain in misery without seeking the way to liberation while regarding "stubbornness" as "firmness," we make a big mistake!

The nun then burst into tears and told us her grievances from past years. After going through a marriage full of deception and trickery, she renounced her family and became a nun in the hope of finding peace for the rest of her life. But being the chief nun in the temple, she had to make compromises for the sake of the general interest, and deal with financial conflicts arising from temple ceremonies. Eventually, her temple ended up in a miserable situation without any offerings from followers.

Listening to the nun tearfully describe her experiences, we could not help but cry along with her. Then gradually, her heart opened up and we became like members of a family, sitting there exchanging our thoughts and feelings. We felt that she was not taking good care of herself and was thus in poor health; so we offered her all of the money we had on hand, and hoped that she would take better care of her health and love herself more. Holding our contribution and with tears in her eyes, the nun confided to us that it was the best offering she had received in her life for she sensed no ulterior motives on our part.

Master's love had melted the nun's cold, hopeless heart, and at that moment, her eyes shone with hope. On our departure, the nun, who had always seemed lonely and detached in the eyes of the villagers, walked with us out of the temple, talking and laughing. We walked together for one kilometer and she was still reluctant to say good-bye.

I feel deeply that each of us is like a chess piece in Master's hand, sending God's love to anyone in pain through Her ingenious planning. I am very grateful to Master for teaching us through the suffering of this nun to understand and cherish our blessings and live a meaningful life. Master, everything is Your divine and loving arrangement, and it is You who save those in greatest need!

Helpful Tips on the Spiritual Path

Spoken by the Supreme Master Ching Hai at Hsihu, Formosa,

October 10, 1992 (Originally in Chinese) Videotape No. 278

Spiritual Practice and Physical Matter

Sometimes we think that our lives would be very uncomfortable if we lacked physical things. But then, we could still preserve our lives and keep our hearts incorruptible. Sometimes too much money can be harmful to our lives and cause our morality to waver. If we lose this body, it won't matter. However, if we lose our longing for the Truth because of money, it will be very difficult to get it back again.

That's why Shakyamuni Buddha said that the path of the renunciate is broader, simpler and purer; while the path of the layman is narrower and more difficult to walk on. This is because the layman inevitably develops relationships with other people, and they pollute or fight with each other over fame and riches. Mundane possessions and relationships are not necessarily bad. It depends on how we use them. Having a husband, a wife or possessions may not be bad. Sometimes we don't know how to manage them; then they aren't good. Once we attain a certain level in our spiritual practice, we lose interest in the money, fame, possessions, love, desires and passions of the world. However, this doesn't mean that we've turned into a piece of wood, but that we've transcended all these things.

For example, when a child starts to learn the ABCs, he makes progress and the rate of his progress is very obvious. After he goes beyond the ABC level, he's able to recognize words. He studies every day, but doesn't feel that he's making any progress. By then, there's no need to test his ABCs, for he's already above that. It's not that he doesn't recognize words or isn't making any progress; it's just that he's at a different level.

Why are worldly possessions and passionate relationships not beneficial to spiritual cultivation? In reality, these things aren't bad. But if one becomes lost in the mundane passions and loves worldly people more than God, then of course, his level is not high because he's weighted down inside this world. For example, if one side of the scale is heavier, naturally it sinks lower than the other side. If the weights on both sides are equal, then there is balance. Hence, this doesn't mean that we can't practice spirituality if we still have mundane possessions or passionate relationships. The main point is the attitude of our mind toward these things.

If we're troubled or overly concerned about someone or obsessed with certain feelings day in and day out, then we should realize we're not yet free of the net of passion in the astral realm. Or if we're saddened by the loss of some possessions, then we're still inside the astral realm. If certain losses occur that may create difficulties and hindrances for the family, then of course it doesn't matter if we worry a little. But if the loss is not going to have too big an effect on the family, and we still feel very attached to these possessions and worry too much, then we should realize our level is still not very high.

We measure our level not only by sitting and seeing the Light and listening to the Sound. In spiritual practice, we should be careful every hour of the day. It's not only the two and a half-hour meditation period that counts as practice. We have to be on constant vigilance, knowing when our level is falling or rising. We should watch our own responses when people scold us, and see if we feel that our ego or self-respect is hurt. Or when people take our things or damage our property, see if we react strongly. This way we'll know if our ego has arisen at that moment.

Of course, we have to protect our property, feelings and families. However, protection is different from excessive craving and attachment. Every one of us has the right to protect our own emotions, family and possessions. However, if we feel very miserable and painful about these things and are unable to let go, then we must hurry to do more meditation.

What we call renunciates are those who can completely renounce those things that worldly people regard as very important and greatly needed, and cling tightly to. They have no difficulty leaving these things. Neither do they cry bitterly when they leave them behind. They clearly understand and truly want to let go. Of course, they may feel a little sad about parting with certain souvenirs or friends and relatives. However, it doesn't mean that they don't want to leave or are still attached to them.

The Importance of Quan Yin

For those of us who are practicing the Quan Yin Method, Quan Yin (contemplation on the Sound) for at least one hour each day is essential in order to erase the effects of the world on us, and for our spirit to attain genuine bliss. Of course, even if you only practice a little bit, you can still get a joyful feeling, but you won't feel completely happy.

Of course, it may be difficult to do Quan Yin for one whole hour, but you still have to try your best. Sometimes the situation improves after practicing for twenty minutes. The body becomes more stable and the spirit more inspired. Then the body feels nothing. By this time the initial atmosphere of excitement and instability will be gone. All will be well if only we endure it for a while.

Practicing Within the Truth

There's a book about people who practiced the Quan Yin Method a very long time ago. It says that when we practice, even when we're in touch with the Truth for a very brief period of time, say a couple of hours, or half an hour, or dozens of minutes, we can still manage to cleanse eons of heavy karmic burden.

The book also says that there are many aspects of spiritual practice. We can listen to a lecture by a Master, take a look at Him or join His disciples in group meditation. If one can't see the Master or listen to His lecture personally, one can read His scriptures or listen to His recorded lectures or follow His directions about spiritual practice. All this is considered spiritual cultivation and staying within the Truth. All this can cleanse the heavy karmic load that we've accumulated over eons, and make us relaxed, happy, comfortable and uninterested in quarreling with anyone.

The Benefit of Coming Close to Spiritual Mentors

Sometimes we need someone to remind us of the benefits of spiritual practice in order for us to remember to practice. Otherwise, we come in daily contact with many mundane beings or beings who are not at such a high level, and their non-practicing aura drags our level down a little, so we become like them, busily engaged in worldly and mundane matters and then we forget our most important goal.

That's why it's really useful to be with spiritual mentors and Saints! That means it's useful to be in the company of fellow practitioners and the enlightened Master! It's useful not because we see them or listen to them talk. Sometimes even when we don't hear them speak, the aura of their spirituality serves as reminders and gives us spiritual encouragement. Then we think of spiritual practice naturally. Sometimes just being near them makes us feel very comfortable and gives us the desire to meditate, so that we no longer want to think about mundane matters again.

That's why in India they say to see your Master every day if possible; if not daily, then at least every two to three days. If that's not possible, then see your Master at least once a week; and if that's not possible, then at least once every two weeks; if not, then monthly. If that too isn't possible, then see Him once every few months; if not, then once a year. If that's still not possible, then at least once in a lifetime! If even this isn't possible, then you'll see the Master at the time of your death. At that time He'll surely come to take you. Therefore, in the end you'll still see Him. However, we must have affinity with the Master for Him to come.

That's why the saying goes, "It's not easy to meet Shakyamuni Buddha." We don't necessarily see a Master even if we live with Him in the same world, or hear His words if we live with Him in the same era. If we're the same age as the Master, or live in the same country or same village, it doesn't necessarily mean we can receive His blessings because sometimes we lock ourselves up. Our heart is very important! That's why some people, like many fellow practitioners in China and Au Lac who can't see the Master, have never seen the physical Master, can see the Master's Inner Light manifestation form. It's because their hearts are with the Master. This is also considered spiritual cultivation. The heart is very important!

Heart-to-Heart with the Master

If we're good at heart, then it's simple for us to be one with all and in contact with the Saints. If our hearts are segregated, it's like we've built a wall around ourselves. The Saint didn't build the wall. We built it and set up the obstruction ourselves. We're not necessarily with a Saint even if we come close to Him. Our hearts have to come close. In this way even if we're thousands of miles away from Him, we don't seem to be separated spatially. If we're near a Saint but our hearts aren't with Him, it's the same as being separated by distance.

Once during Shakyamuni Buddha's lifetime, a disciple found a huge ant in the Jetavanna Grove. Buddha told the people that seven Buddhas had come and gone and given discourses in this place, but this ant was still there as an ant. It had no way to transcend the level of an ant. This is like the story we heard today about Sariputra previously being a venomous snake. (For the details of the story, please refer to the same videotape.) This is the first time that we've heard about this. We used to think that he had high ethical standards in his past lives, which was why he could become one of the ten great disciples of the Buddha. Never did it occur to us that he was formerly a venomous snake. As a snake, he had made good affinity with Shakyamuni, who saved him after attaining Buddhahood. Why was he a snake for so long, for thousands and millions of years? According to the scriptures, it was because his heart had not opened up and therefore he remained a snake for hundreds and tens of thousands of years. Once our hearts open up, immediately there is no more karmic hindrance.

We come to follow an enlightened Master and learn from Him. This means that we're prepared at heart to disentangle all the evil ideas, attachments and bondages to the world that we've accumulated over many lifetimes. Once these areas have been straightened out, the karmic burden from the past several lifetimes will be erased. Only then will we be able to come close to Saints, and see the Light and hear the Sound of the Real Self, the inner Sound.

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From One Seed to Many Trees Giving Shade

By a Quan Yin messenger

In late 1996, a Formosan brother named Chine arrived in the West African nation of Togo on a business trip. At first, he planned to stay in Africa for only a short period; however, some unexpected situations have extended his stay in Africa into the present. With Master's blessing, during these five years, brother Chine and local fellow initiates have spread Master's teachings in Togo and the neighboring countries of Benin, Cameroon, Ghana and Burkina Faso, and more Truth-sharing activities are planned for the future. Regarding his experiences in Africa, brother Chine told me the following story.

"At the beginning I didn't plan to do anything intentionally, and thought that after my one-year business contract was up, I would leave Africa. Then in 1997, a Quan Yin messenger came to Togo, and I told him that I would help as much as possible in sharing our method with the public, but would not work as a contact person for I didn't plan to settle down here. However, things somehow developed differently from my original plan. In the very beginning, I traveled around in neighboring countries, distributing fliers and sample booklets and having discussions in the streets with local residents. Later, some people in Togo received initiation into the Quan Yin Method.

Then gradually, I began to think about the most efficient way to convey Master's teachings in the region. Thanks to Master's blessed guidance, I began to encourage young local initiates to take part in this work. After demonstrating a thorough understanding of Master's teachings and a good ability to interact with people, they now visit foreign countries on the mission of sharing Master's message. As meditation centers have been established one after another in West Africa, we also have assisted the young initiates in setting up information centers. After the centers are launched, we broadcast three to four minute daily radio announcements that give a brief introduction to Master and Her teachings and describe how to contact our local center through the radio station. Every three to six months, we change the content of the announcements because human ears tend to respond better to something new and fresh.

Another powerful way of spreading Master's message is through TV broadcasts. I've noticed that after airing weekly lectures on local television stations for a period of time, many people are inspired and misunderstandings dissolve naturally. In addition, there are numerous other ways to introduce Master; for example, by posting Her aphorisms on billboards. I regard promoting Master's teachings as a process of creation, not just an ordinary chore. Master enlightens us with so much wisdom that even a few words from Her can bring great inspiration."

When brother Chine was asked if he ever encounters difficulties in his work, he said, "For some time, I felt like going back home to Formosa very much. Then one day, I watched one of Master's lecture tapes and heard Her say that our disciples didn't share Her love enough. Her words strongly struck me and so I decided to stay in Africa longer. Somehow, the feeling of loneliness is always with me. I was newly married when I came to Africa, and I miss my wife and son in Formosa very much. Nevertheless, as I came to see how our African fellow practitioners appreciate Master's teachings, and how much they long for a living Master, I decided to put aside my personal feelings.

Throughout my years in Africa, I've noticed that I've changed a lot. Perhaps my temper is not as mild as people might expect, but I understand that I've learned many lessons. Master's teachings are very vital for me now. Looking back, I'm most grateful for Master's love and blessings.

Many African fellow practitioners bear the same appreciation of Master in their hearts that I do, feeling very joyful, peaceful and thankful. Media reporters often describe Africa as a dark and underdeveloped continent. But this view reflects only the material level. They have no idea how rich in spirit the African people are. Along with this spiritual richness comes material comfort."

Today, if you walk on the streets of African cities, you can feel this emerging prosperity. Africans' yearning for both spiritual and material progress is very similar to that of Formosans 25 years ago. You can sense their deep yearning for a living Master, and as Master continues to bless Africa with Her abundant love and compassion, I'm sure that more and more Africans will come back Home.

Surmounting Life's Obstacles - Do You Cling to What You Were Before?

Excerpt from a shared essay on the Internet (Originally in Chinese)

The Journey of the Stream

A little stream flowed down from a high mountain far, far away through many villages and forests, until it reached a desert. The stream then thought, "I've been through countless obstacles. I should have no problem crossing this desert!" But when she decided to start her journey, she found herself gradually disappearing into the mud and sand. After numerous tries, she found it was all in vain and was very upset. "Maybe it's my destiny! I'm not destined to reach the vast ocean in the legend," she murmured dejectedly to herself.

At this time, a deep voice came, saying, "If a breeze can cross the desert, so can a river."

It was the voice of the desert. Unconvinced, the little stream replied, "That's because a breeze can fly, but I cannot."

"That's because you stick to what you are. If you're willing to give it up, and let yourself evaporate into the breeze, it can take you across, and you can reach your destination," said the desert in its deep voice.

The little stream had never heard of such a thing. "Give up what I am now and disappear into the breeze? No! No!" She could not accept this idea. After all, she had never experienced anything like it before. Wouldn't it be self-destruction to give up what she was now?

"How do I know if this is true?" asked the little stream.

"The breeze can carry the vapor across the desert and release it as rain at an appropriate site. The rain will form a river again to continue its course," answered the desert very patiently.

"Will I still be what I am now?" asked the little stream.

"Yes, and no. Whether you're a river or invisible vapor, your inner nature never changes. You stick to the fact that you're a river because you don't know your inner nature," answered the desert.

Deep down, the stream vaguely remembered that before she became a river, it was perhaps also the breeze that had carried her halfway up a high mountain, where she turned into rain and fell onto the ground and became what she was now. Finally the little stream gathered her courage and rushed into the open arms of the breeze, which carried her to the next stage of her life.

The course of our lives is like the experience of little stream. If you want to surpass the obstacles in your life in order to head for the destination of Truth, Virtue and beauty, you should also have the wisdom and courage to renounce your ego (attachment to yourself).

Perhaps you can try asking yourself these questions: What is my inner nature? What is it that I cling to? and What is it that I really want?

Cherish the Opportunity to Practice in the Age of Kali

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai,

the Florida Center, USA, June 9, 2001

(Originally in English) Videotape No. 719

Q: In one of your lecture collections you mention "The Ocean of Love," a poem by Kabir. Is that right?
M:Yes, I've talked about Kabir's poems many times, but what is it about the Ocean of Love?

Q: It's about the highest God, they call Sat Purush; He comes through different incarnations in each age (Yuga). And in the Kali Yuga, Sat Purush makes a deal with Kal (Lord of the Three Realms) to take a lot of souls back home.
M:Yes, this is the Kali Yuga, the Dark Age. It needs a strong guy to come down and take everyone up! Big car! Strong! (Master laughs)

Q: Is that why so many souls can be liberated so easily?
M:Yes, that's right; you know it already. Of course, it's like that. It's the last age of this cycle. So whoever is left behind: Hurry! Hes brings everyone up; that's why it's very generous. But it takes a lot of power, just like a hurricane brings a lot of water. It takes a hurricane to bring so much water inland; normal rain doesn't do that.

So, at this time, it's like "wholesaling." Because we have a lot of room and a lot of grace, so everyone can be covered. It's no problem. You're lucky! (Audience applauds.) God is generous, but Hes has never been so generous before. In the old times, at most there would be a handful, maybe a thousand people. There could never be so many, and they could never be so openly gathered together despite everything. You guys are really lucky.

In the old times, if they wanted to have group meditation, they all had to hide and run all over the place, using secret codes, secret handshakes, secret hand signals like mudras (hand gestures), or the salutation that you use -- even this (Master makes a gesture) -- remember the wisdom eye, repeat the Holy Names, do the Quan Yin, and then we're together. That's the secret signal the Christians used to have, for recognition of one brother to another. Because in those times Jesus had to hide; all the disciples also had to hide. They didn't even dare to recognize the Master in public, saying, "I don't know Him." Even the foremost disciple Peter denied Him three times.

Such was the negative power -- so oppressive that even so mighty a person as Jesus, and so devoted a disciple as Peter, could not open their mouths. It was very oppressive then. But in this time, we're very lucky.

We Are the Luckiest Yogis

Q: I wanted to ask You how high I have to be in this life spiritually to not have to come back after I die.
M:Be as high as you can. Otherwise, the Master will push; the Master will be there to take you to whatever level and continue guiding you upward. Otherwise, you would have to pass through the three worlds. With any other master, you would have to pass the third level in order to not come back. But with this Supreme Method, it's OK; you can. Because sometimes it's not your fault that you didn't reach a high level.

For example, suppose you get initiated today and die tomorrow. It's the Master's responsibility to take you up from wherever you are before you leave the physical body, or before the Master leaves the physical body. We're OK. This time, we just have a fully open house to help everyone. Whoever is sincere, the Master power will help this time, very generously. This century, it's very generous.

Q: Why is this century so special as opposed to a thousand years ago?
M:Because every now and again, the Heavens open "wholesale." (Master and everyone laugh.) Like at a garage sale: Everything's one dollar. It depends on which Master came down. You see, we're all Masters. But some Masters are newly remembered again; they just became enlightened again this lifetime. Some Masters have been enlightened all the time. Some Masters have never left Heaven, and have just come down this time. Some Masters come and go, come and go all the time, and have affinity with a lot of beings on this planet. And when She or He comes back again, it's to all old friends: "Anything you want, it's OK. We knew each other." (Applause) Maybe we were old friends; that's why.

If the Master has just newly come, then he doesn't have too much affinity with many beings. So he just takes a few disciples to begin with, and then continues again and again the next time. If the Master has just remembered again that he's a Buddha this time, then of course he also has to develop more experience. It's not that the Master doesn't know, but just like everything else, you have to practice. You practice how to deal with the human mind, how to deal with the bureaucracy of this world, how to protect yourself from all the harassments on this planet and how to keep yourself intact in order to help people quietly without bringing trouble to yourself.

But the new Master doesn't know that. The new Master goes out with all full colors, blasting trumpets and everything. And maybe after three-and-a-half years, he's gone, or two-and-a-half years, or three-and-a-half months. The spiritual power is the same; it's from the universe. But the way to handle the disciples, the way to deal with political power in this world: That has to be learned because these are mind things. These are skills and abilities. They have nothing to do with enlightenment and the soul. Of course they have, because the more enlightened you are, the more quickly you learn. But if He or She has already had experiences, life after life, there's no need to learn so much.

Because how can a person learn so much in one lifetime? Even though you're enlightened, you can't learn auto mechanics, airplane piloting, sailing, business accounting, computer software, hardware and every other thing. You could, but your life is too short. These things are not soul things. These things are abilities that you have to use your mind and brain or hands and physical body to understand and master. So, if the Master has already learned all this stuff, about how to be a Master -- not "how" to be, but meaning that as a Master, you have to encounter and you have to be able to do many different things.

Therefore, being this kind of Master is easier and quicker. It's simpler. It's just the know-how of the world. The method is the same, the teaching is the same, the power is the same and the Truth is the same. But the Master Himself/Herself is capable or not capable: concerning the public, concerning how to teach the disciples the best and the quickest way to progress. The Master can teach the same method to the same people. But two different Masters might teach even the same method to two different disciples. And the one from one Master will progress differently or more quickly than the one from the other Master. It's like that. It also depends on how the teachings are imparted into his or her mind. Because if the mind doesn't understand, the mind doesn't accept it, then you cannot progress quickly. You don't feel so good. You don't feel convinced, or you don't feel confident. (Applause)

Always Focus on the Wisdom Eye

Q: I heard you say on a videotape that when we look at someone's wisdom eye, it helps them also. It makes me feel really good to do that, and I hope to remember to do it. What I'd like to understand better is how it helps the other person.
M:Well, it's when you yourself know what you're doing. If you're already thinking of the wisdom eye, that means you yourself are reminded of the spiritual center of wisdom and enlightenment. And, if you yourself remember that, of course your atmosphere will be spiritual. So that person will of course benefit from you. It's just like standing next to a fountain: Even though you don't jump directly into it, some water will sprinkle on your face and make you feel cool. Similarly, if you stand next to a person who's spraying perfume, even though you don't spray it on yourself, you will still have some scent on you. So you're important. Whatever you are is what the other person will receive. That's why, whenever we remember anything about the spiritual center, about our true Self, the person next to us will benefit. That's how it works.

Love Dissolves Everything

Q: Master, if someone keeps attacking you with negative energy, do you have to take it, or is there any way you can stop it, if it really becomes too much?
M:Recite the Holy Names and pray. That's the only way you can attack people. That's the best weapon. Kill them with friendliness. Kill the enemy by making them become a friend, and then they are an enemy no more. There's no one in this world you can't overcome with kindness and love unless they're cuckoo or something. But they will still feel your kindness and love. So that's the only way we can return their attack: with kindness, love, reciting the Holy Names and prayer. Pray not for yourself but for him or her, so that God will make her/him enlightened and then he/she won't do this kind of thing to you any more.

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Footsteps of Love

By fellow initiate Gnesh Yeh, Formosa

(Originally in Chinese)

Note: I had the honor of joining the work team during Master's 1999 European Lecture Tour, and was inspired to write this poem in Madrid, Spain. At a time when Europeans were distressed by the war in Kosovo, Master's presence, like a timely shower of nectar, put out the flames of the conflict in