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 Bless)
Her + Him = Hirm (as in Firm)
Hers + His = Hiers (as in Dear)
Example: When God wants, Hes makes things happen according to Hiers will to suit Hirmself.

News No. 142
Published: March 20, 2003
Founded: April 1, 1990
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.

Elevation of the Soul

Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest Videotapes

<In English>

749 Los Angeles Music Week
Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles, USA,
December 8-15, 2002

Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest MP3 CDs

<In Chinese>

MP3-10 Seven-day Retreat at the Hsihu Center, Formosa (VI), Part one of two, May 5-12, 1991

1. Trials after Attaining Buddhahood

2. The Highly Perceptive Mirror

3. Applying the Precepts in Timely Fashion

4. Studying Master's Teachings

5. The Sentiments of Men

 

New Publication

A Journey Back to The Old Time:
The Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest Poetry Collection

As a celebrated poet, Supreme Master Ching Hai has received great acclaim from artistic communities across cultures and around the world. Poems from Her previous collections, which include The Dream of a Butterfly and The Lost Memories, have been set to exquisite music by award-winning American composers and prominent Aulacese musicians.

In The Old Time, Her latest volume of verse, Supreme Master Ching Hai once again generously shares Her creations with lovers of poetry and of life itself. Her poems resonate deep in the heart, leaving readers with a profound empathy for the pain and anguish that humankind often experiences in the mundane world.
This collection explores the various predicaments of human existence and portrays the most genuine responses that arise from the spirit when people are faced with suffering. Through an elegant blend of text and illustration, Supreme Master Ching Hai once again ignites the Light within us and inspires us to live a fulfilling and enthusiastic life while on the path of Truth.

MASTER AND I

When the chapters of our lives end,
The Master is the one who greets us,
And helps in transition from this life to the next,
Brings us Home to where we truly belong.
Do not slander him now, for you'll face him soon,
When all things are revealed to the utmost.
If you think Jesus died on the cross,
You err.
He forever lives.
The Son of God only suffers like all the flesh does,
But his kingdom is the whole universe.
The Master is the King of Kings.

Excerpted from The Old Time

Supreme Art -- The Happy Yogi Mosquito Net

Designer: Supreme Master Ching Hai

Master's latest design - the Happy Yogi mosquito net - offers a permanent shield against irritation from insects and features several remarkable functions.

Place the net over your head when you meditate, and its weightlessness will make you feel as though you are meditating in a pyramid. You can hang it up anywhere just like the "one-person tent," or drape it over your hammock or baby bed. It is just long enough to cover your body, and can be folded into a thin, compact, conveniently portable packet. In three brief seconds, the net is ready to be carried away.

The Happy Yogi mosquito net is constructed of a fine mesh netting material that is impenetrable even by the smallest insects. It is also highly crease-resistant and virtually weightless. In protecting you from insects, it does not deprive you of the luxury of sitting in the soothing breeze. So once inside, you may not want to get out for a long time!

To order Master's publications, please contact:

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

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

Supreme Art

Designer: Supreme Master Ching Hai

Celestial Clothes for Spring/Summer 2003 -- New Linen Knit Collection -- For the Comfort of Body and Soul

Brand new linen knit collection

This collection of designs uses high-grade linen uniquely knitted to enhance crease-resistance, thus distinguishing it from traditional flat-woven material. Blended of smooth viscose rayon, the fabric possesses a soft, delicate, romantic touch, allowing the skin to breathe freely, and its cozy, carefree feel brings comfort to both body and soul.

The superior characteristics of linen

Produced from the natural fiber flax and emitting a delicate scent, linen is a durable fabric noted for being highly absorptive, heat dispersing, anticorrosive and resistant to insects, bacteria, alkalis and acids. These qualities have earned linen a reputation as the "queen of woven fabrics."

Master's Words

Concentration and Selfless Devotion

Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai, the Laiyi Center, Pingtung, Formosa
January 3, 1993 (Originally in Chinese) Videotape No. 305

We have to concentrate on everything we do; otherwise, we might have an uneasy conscience, which will bring forth a negative aura. And then, even if Master doesn't blame us, other people will. We'll then be baffled and wonder, "Why am I always scolded?" It's because our own atmosphere is not good, and this makes other people uncomfortable. Our aura is invisible, but spiritual practitioners can see it with their wisdom eyes, and their wisdom can perceive it. So we cannot cheat anyone! After being scolded, our first reaction is usually to be angry with the person who has scolded us and to feel resentful toward him, or we may feel unhappy with Master instead of examining our own behavior, motivation, and heart.

When we are reproached by anyone, we should examine ourselves at once. If we know that our motive is very simple and pure, we should know it is all right. At that time, we will feel at ease; if we find that we have done something wrong, we should retrospect on ourselves. Don't blame others all the time. When anyone rebukes us, if what he says is correct, then he can be our teacher; if what he says is incorrect, we can just consider it our karma (laughter). That's the simplest way to deal with it. What else can we do? When we live with other people, we can hardly avoid friction sometimes, due to our different characters, levels of spiritual practice, or karma from past lives. Therefore, we cannot expect everything to go smoothly every day.

This world is very fair. You don't have to worry that your merits or sincerity are overlooked because we know it ourselves! We are God; we have God inside. Why should we worry that others don't know it? Didn't you say you have a hundred percent faith in Master? Do have faith in yourself as well! God is within us. It's also said that Master is omnipresent. Then, why should you feel anxious that others do not know, and compete for credit or show off? We have to be honest with ourselves all the time, and be simple and pure in doing everything without being contaminated by any purpose at all. As a result, we'll find that we're more and more liked by people, and Master will also notice us.

It is best if we do things with truly unconditional devotion, in order to offer our services, and then we'll have everything. In the past, when I stayed at others' ashrams, I wasn't attached to seeing the masters all the time; nor did I demand that they glimpse me or anything else. I just offered my services: cleaning the staircase, mopping the floor, watering the plants, etc. I just did the work that no one wanted to do, especially washing dishes, which was the least desirable job. After people cooked meals and ate a lot, the bowls and chopsticks were left there like a mountain. I washed them every day, and was very happy. It ends up now that there're people who wash dishes, clean the staircase and mop the floor for me.

So, don't expect anything; just serve. God will arrange our fate. We shouldn't expect too much. We practice spiritually in order to be liberated from our desires for fame and fortune, and our competitive mentality. If we can't be liberated now, when will we be able to? If we cannot see Heaven while living, how can we see it after we leave this world? We won't be able to get used to it! (Master and audience laugh.) Because when we get used to something, it's hard to change, and our habits come back to us, and then we struggle.

Whatever we do, if we have a clear, calm conscience, that's correct. You don't have to ask Master, nor should you do it for anyone. After we do it for a long time and get used to it, it will naturally become second nature to us, and we will sense and know what we should do. We will do whatever work is left undone. By that time, we won't dislike any work. What you're doing now is public service work, all of which I have done before. It's no big deal. No work is menial. Before I had so many disciples, I also mixed cement, built centers for disciples to live in, built toilets for disciples to use, etc. There was nothing I couldn't do. Just because there're so many of you now, and you have enough talents, I just let you do the work! Even if I did it myself, you would feel sad, right? (Audience: Yes.) There're many "heroes" among you, who must be eager to protect and help me maintain my figure! (Laughter)

Of course, there's no interest or pay for the work we do, but we have glory, we have honor. It's an honor to serve people, to serve sentient beings, and to serve our fellow practitioners. That's our highest award. Otherwise, it's easy to obtain worldly fame and wealth; as long as we work hard, we can get it. It is just that this work is a kind of glory. We do not work for reward or to win Master's favor. It would be a kind of bribery if we had that kind of motive. We should work because we are willing to do it ourselves and we enjoy doing it; that's the highest prize. There's no need to expect anything else. It's the same case with Master. Not many people in the universe can do my job, but I can. That makes me feel good! Even though I'm not very willing to do it, it's all right. I just do it; why should I expect any blessing from it? (Applause)

Spiritual Interludes

Insights from Master's 2003 Lunar New Year Greeting

By Xiao-yen

During the recent 2003 Lunar New Year holiday, Master sent us a warm greeting endowed with a profound message. For me, Master's words even anticipate developments for the year 2003 and thus deserve thorough contemplation.

First, I feel that Master holds great expectations for this year, which will be most exciting and encouraging for each of us as we attain a great new spiritual awakening at its beginning.

Master wishes that our days will be filled with wonders, happiness, love and wisdom. Most people might not grasp the magnitude of this blessing or might dismiss it as a fairy tale. However, for fellow practitioners, Master's exalted words are very real and appropriate. Ever since we were initiated, we have lived in wonders each day of our lives. If we observe carefully, we will notice that not a single day passes without countless miraculous events occurring. Not only do we see our wishes realized, but we also experience God's constant care and guidance, and this is the most blessed and happy feeling in the world! Our wisdom eye has been opened and we have become connected with God's ocean of love. Thus, our true inner nature comes forth and develops naturally and continuously. We want the whole world to celebrate with us over our beautiful life, which overflows with wonders, happiness, love and wisdom. How marvelous it is! However, spiritual awakening is essential before we realize the beautiful things that are waiting for us to enjoy!

Master also encouraged us in Her greeting as follows: "May the blessing of God be your most treasured prosperity in the new chapter of life." All of us would love to see prosperity in our career, family and country, as well as in the world. However, as spiritual practitioners, when we have attained great spiritual awakening and our lives have entered a new chapter, God's blessing becomes our most treasured form of prosperity. When we have God's love and are connected to Hiers omnipresent and omnipotent power, can anything be beyond our achievement? Therefore, this is the truest and greatest prosperity that we can have and we should treasure it. After practicing the Quan Yin Method, we fellow initiates have much practical experience in this respect, and thus we can deeply realize the sentiments expressed in Master's words.

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Panorama of Events

Report from Spain

A Promising Spiritual Seminar in Valencia

[Valencia] On January 20 2003, the Valencia Center, held a video seminar in a restaurant owned by local fellow initiates to introduce Master's teachings to the city's residents.

On the morning before the event, brothers and sisters from Valencia and Madrid enthusiastically helped to distribute flyers, decorate the restaurant and put up Master's posters to beautify the surroundings and welcome visitors for the upcoming evening.

Through Masters blessings, all the preparations went extremely well in a short space of time, as did the seminar. And afterwards, approximately three quarters of the attendees stayed to learn the Convenient Method.

After receiving the Convenient Method, some new practitioners desperately longed for more knowledge about Master's supreme teachings, eagerly asking sincere, high-level questions, which were all answered to their satisfaction by an initiate who served as host for the event. All the new brothers and sisters were also anxious to return to the Valencia Center on the following Sunday to participate in group meditation.

Attendees attentively absorb the host's answers to their long-standing spiritual questions.(sp3-1-142.jpg)

After the video seminar, guests joyfully partake in a delicious, free vegetarian buffet.(sp3-2-142.jpg)

Report from Hungary

Spreading Master's Teachings into New Regions

[Budapest] The residents of two of Hungary's larger cities - Debrecen and Szeged - had never been introduced to Supreme Master Ching Hai or the Quan Yin Method. So on January 18 and 19, 2003 fellow initiates from the Budapest and Gyor Centers decided to hold two Truth-sharing video seminars there. It was the first time the initiates had ever visited these cities, where previously no fellow initiates or Convenient Method practitioners resided.

At each seminar, we introduced Master's teachings by showing one of Master's videotapes, followed by a question and answer session that satisfied the attendees' longing hearts. Afterwards, we provided a vegetarian food sampling to show our guests how delicious veggie food can be. Some found it even better than their regular food, thus easing their worries about the difficulty of being vegetarian, and immediately became vegetarian following the seminar.

Two weeks after the seminars, some initiates revisited the same cities and gave instruction in the Convenient Method to those who were interested. After receiving the Method, each new practitioner realized that he or she had found something very unique and precious! 

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Report from Quebec, Canada

A Joyous Lunar New Year Festival

[Montreal] On February 2, 2003, initiates from the Montreal Center rented an exposition booth at Hippodrome de Montreal, a centrally located venue accessible to people from many parts of the region. From 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Master's videotapes were played continuously for the benefit of all present. The initiates also broadcast videos presenting Master's lectures, Her many years of global humanitarian work, and Her musical and artistic creations. In addition, vegetarian food and current news about the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association's activities were provided for the guests.

Our booth was visited by many people from various ethnic backgrounds, including both young and old Aulacese, Chinese, Spanish, French and English speakers. Much interest in Master and our organization was expressed and we were able to provide videotapes, recent reports and information on Master and our group. The guests expressed enthusiasm and great fascination with Master's work and teachings as we silently thanked Master and prayed for world peace on the joyous occasion of the Lunar New Year.

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Report from British Columbia, Canada

Lunar New Year Brings Joy in Learning the Truth

[Vancouver] On January 25, 2003, fellow disciples from Vancouver, Canada used the local Lunar New Year festival as an opportunity to distribute sample booklets to the city's residents. Many of those in attendance informed us that they listened to Master's locally broadcast radio program each week with much joy and enthusiasm. To our surprise, many sincerely sought sample booklets and showed interest in Master's teachings. In addition, a large number wished to become vegetarian and learn to cook vegetarian meals. Also, several people expressed an interest in being initiated into the Quan Yin Method.

Report from California, USA

Noble Work -- Fun at the Fair While Spreading Master's Teachings

[San Francisco] Held on January 26, 2003, the Lunar New Year Fair was the most successful celebration of its kind to date for the city of San Francisco. The many diverse booths, the lion dancing, the firecracker celebration, the free, live music by professional Aulacese singers and the timing all helped to attract a large audience to the event.

As for the spiritual side of the Fair, there were many positives to report as well, the most prominent being that the large majority of guests who stopped by our booth genuinely held Master in high esteem. It was a pleasant surprise to see such sincere interest in Master and the search for Truth, wisdom and eternal love.

This honest concern was conveyed in many ways. For example, some of the visitors showed their sincerity by lingering at our booth, either talking to fellow initiates or watching Master's videos. Other guests would come to the booth, leave and then return again numerous times. Many people also came by to express their enjoyment at listening to Master on the locally broadcast Aulacese radio show.

In addition, visitors were impressed by Master's creative works, including Her lamp creations, which caught the attention of many. These vehicles of enlightenment made it easier for visitors to approach our booth, start a conversation and learn more about Master. Another artistic medium that guests especially liked was Master's poetry. One man in particular admired Master's verses so much that he acquired three CDs of Master singing Her poems right on the spot.

All in all, the 2003 San Francisco New Year Fair was a resounding success. Besides being one of the most enjoyable local truth-sharing efforts ever, the Fair was also highly encouraging to local initiates, inspiring them to practice more diligently and to continue in the noble work of spreading Master's teachings! 

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Report from New York, U.S.A.

New York Initiates Celebrate the Lunar New Year

[New York] In addition to holding group meditation sessions at the homes of two fellow initiates each Wednesday, fellow practitioners in New York also participate in weekly Sunday group meditation at a local high school stadium. After the September 11 incident, all high schools in New York have tightened their security measures and other regulations. Consequently, many groups can no longer use their previously rented venues. However, the local Quan Yin initiates have special permission not only to continue renting their current meditation venue, but also to park their cars in an adjoining basketball court. Undoubtedly it is Master's grace that has provided these opportunities for practitioners in New York City, where land is considered more precious than gold!

On February 9, 2003, the New York Center celebrated the Lunar New Year with an open house for fellow practitioners and their relatives and friends, as well as for guests interested in the Quan Yin Method who wished to learn more about Master. After group meditation that day, everyone received blessed food and the traditional Chinese New Year's gift of a red envelope containing money. Sister initiates from the kitchen team prepared copious amounts of delicious vegetarian snacks for everyone to enjoy, and many guests were amazed that such delicacies could be prepared with purely vegetarian ingredients. Finally, all the attendees wished Master a happy New Year and good health in the future. Everyone also prayed for world peace and spiritual progress for all fellow practitioners before reluctantly ending the day's celebrations.

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Report from Thailand

Helping Others Find the Path to Liberation

[Bangkok] On February 1, 2003, Thai initiates gathered for a spiritual video seminar held at the Mahavachiravuj School, an old and prestigious institution in the southern Thai city of Songkhla.

Since the seminar was held on the first day of the Chinese New Year festival, and most residents of Songkhla and the vicinity are Chinese, many could not join in the event, but those who attended were seriously interested in pursuing the great Truth. Much enthusiasm was shown by local students and teachers, including the School's headmaster, who asked for a number of sample booklets.

To the initiates' surprise, the number learning the Convenient Method and registering for initiation was approximately the same as that at the recent seminar in Bangkok in 2002 (please refer to News # 141 for details); although the total number of attendees was smaller than expected. This group included a Buddhist monk who learned the Convenient Method and later registered for initiation. This turn of events was very unusual because in Thailand, Buddhist monks usually participate only in strictly Buddhist practices.

Thai initiates were very grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in the noble work of helping other human beings find their way to liberation. The project also gave the practitioners a chance to enhance their own spiritual growth.

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Report from Argentina

Feeling Master's Love in Every Detail

[Parana] On February 5, 2003, disciples from Argentina shared Master's teachings at a video seminar in the beautiful little town of Parana on the Parana River.

The seminar was held in the hall of a local foundation, and the venue was filled to capacity as guests continued to crowd in even after the activity had begun. The event proceeded in absolute harmony and many guests, including the foundation's president, Nelida de Uranga, stayed to learn the Convenient Method. A local radio speaker, Adriana Ieder, could not stay because of a previous engagement, but visited a sister's house the next day to learn the Convenient Method. Ms. Ieder also made an interview note about the seminar and the Quan Yin Method for broadcast on her radio program the following Sunday.

The new Convenient Method practitioners glowed with satisfaction upon leaving the hall, knowing that they could meet again for regular group meditation sessions at a local sister's house. 

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Front Line

Elevating Body, Mind and Spirit through Truth, Virtue and Beauty

Special Report on the Supreme Master Ching Hai Body, Mind and Soul Art Creation Exhibition

By the Taipei News Group, Formosa

This January, wave after wave of cold fronts passed through Formosa, to be replaced by warm and radiant sunlight during the Supreme Master Ching Hai Body, Mind and Soul Art Creation Exhibition at the Taipei Municipal Social Education Hall. The birds in the trees greeted the rare sunshine, flapping their wings and soaring high as harbingers of this uplifting spiritual event.

Immediately after the New Year arrived, the Taipei Center was blessed with the opportunity to rent a venue in the Hall for the Exhibition. From January 11 to January 16, 2003, the event attracted large crowds of visitors as it was held in the city's bustling business district, which is easily accessible by public buses and other means of transport. The Exhibition was open eleven hours a day, and this was good news for art connoisseurs. The event was promoted through special news coverage by the popular magazine Artist. The Social Education Hall also published 30,000 copies of a bulletin on the Exhibition for free distribution. In addition, weekly magazines popular among college and university students announced the good news.

The Exhibition commenced on the afternoon of Saturday, January 11, with a tea party and a concert entitled "The Sound Palette." Celebrities from many fields graced the occasion, including calligrapher Li Feng, who demonstrated his talent by writing the title of Master's poem "The Peace Seeker" at the venue. (Photo 1) Then, Mr. Liu Xiao Lan, secretary of Taipei's World East-West Cultural Center, wrote the following couplet inspired by Master's paintings to express his admiration for Her. 

(Photo2)

"The spirit of righteousness permeates the cosmos,

The Divine Light shines over the galaxies;

The only inner concern in life

Is for saving the world."

The Exhibition attracted an endless stream of visitors and many left impressed by the ethereal quality of Master's artistic creations. For example, an art teacher and her friends made a special trip to the event from Taichung in central Formosa to appreciate Master's work. "Your Master's paintings are truly exceptional. Each painting on display sends forth an intense radiance that virtually permeates the entire venue. I can feel the tranquility and love that fills this place; it's very peaceful and soothing," said the amazed art teacher to sister initiate Chen, who was serving as a guide at the venue. The teacher then requested detailed explanations of the meaning behind each painting so that she could share them with her students after she returned to her school. Sister Chen complied with a smile, and later the art teacher told her, "When you smiled, your Master behind you smiled, too." Realizing what had happened, sister Chen responded, "You really have great blessing; what you saw was the light form transformation body of our Master." The teacher was delighted and expressed keen interest in acquiring Master's paintings.

Mr. Han, who was working at the Social Education Hall, often found time to come and appreciate Master's paintings. When looking at Master's photo, he was overcome by a sense of familiarity. Immediately he wanted to know more about Master and become Her disciple. After being briefed on matters relevant to initiation into the Quan Yin Method, he promptly resolved to become vegetarian and asked to learn the Convenient Method. He came to watch Master's videos each day of the Exhibition, and asked several questions about spiritual practice and meditation. All the fellow initiates present were deeply touched by Mr. Han's intense yearning for liberation!

On the third day of the exhibition, Miss Zheng, a volunteer worker at the Social Exhibition Hall, informed the security guard, "At nine o'clock this morning, when I had just arrived at the hall, I saw Supreme Master Ching Hai viewing the paintings on the first floor. She was wearing a long coat and trousers, and even made one round through the venue!" The security guard then asked, "Could you have been mistaken?" Miss Zheng quickly walked over to the display counter, where she pointed at Master's photo on the cover of News No.139, and said, "Supreme Master Ching Hai was wearing this hair style." Then she pointed at the sample booklet on one side and said, "The Supreme Master was wearing this kind of long casual coat and trousers. I saw Her coat very clearly; it was different from coats worn by ordinary people. She was definitely the Supreme Master Ching Hai. I know Her; I could not have been mistaken!" Fellow initiates who overheard the conversation were deeply moved. Our almighty Master might be in a distant land overseas, yet She still came to bless everyone at the Exhibition in Taipei with Her physical form transformation body, which was beheld even by non-initiates. The people of Formosa are truly blessed!

Resonance Interview with Renowned Poet Yang Ping and His Wife

By the Taipei News Group, Formosa

Master's Exhibition attracted many well-known figures from the arts and various cultural fields. For example, poet Yang Ping, author of the book Ethereal Rain on the Empty Mountain, graced the event with his wife and young son, and recited poetry at a concert that was held on the opening day.

In the eyes of his wife, Mr. Yang is a spiritual practitioner who is devoted to the cultivation of the mind and the quest for the original source of being. Though he has studied the doctrines of various religions, he does not adhere to any particular creed. His aspiration to seek the original source has motivated him to follow the path of Zen cultivation.

At the concert, he recited several of his popular poems including "Through the Long Corridor of Past Lives," Believe" and "In the Passing Tranquility" to a Chinese zither accompaniment by a sister initiate. The lyrics, such as those below from "Believe," were charged with spiritual beauty and fully displayed the poet's hopes for peace.

"I have faith in the almighty power of Heaven.

We only have to call softly, and

It will come, from a flower, a cross, a noisy market,

Or the other end of a vague history,

Right into our midst,

Shyly asking for directions,

Riding buses, flying by plane,

Tediously transforming into billions of bodies,

Just like a missing green bird

Eventually reappearing at a window.

I have faith

Even at this moment after a century of lamentation,

When every city is shrouded by vicious, filthy smog,

I have faith that our dust-covered Self-Nature will send out light.

I have faith that the last salvation will come from deep within our souls.

Supreme Art -- Appreciating the Divine Paintings

By Mr. Hai-O, Formosa

On January 11, 2003, my wife and I visited the Supreme Master Ching Hai Body, Mind and Soul Art Creation Exhibition at the Taipei Social Education Hall. My wife was especially interested in Master's paintings and lingered before the artworks including "My Dear," "Desert Flower," "Song of the Sea" and "Stone Cave." I was totally stunned by the purity, Truth, Virtue and beauty portrayed by these masterpieces. Each one, regardless of its content, depicts the solemnity, bliss and hope of life, and the merciful love of its creator. I tried hard to visualize the artist at work and follow Her thinking, means of expression and vision. Then it suddenly dawned on me: "Is this not the radiant countenance of God?" Therefore, I wrote this poem to reveal my heartfelt emotions at that moment.

There is Truth,

There is Goodness,

There is beauty.

Oh, and there is Light!

From each and every painting,

Shining out gloriously,

Is the radiant countenance of God.

 

Master's Wonders -- Guidance in a Dream

Interviewed and written by sister initiate Zhang Yun-yun of the Taipei News Group, Formosa

During the Supreme Master Ching Hai Body, Mind and Soul Art Creation Exhibition, an elderly woman came to the venue with curiosity written all over her face. A sister initiate smilingly introduced Master's magazines and sample booklet to her and the woman responded with delight, "All the scenes here are exactly like those in my dreams; this is really incredible! A long time ago, I clearly saw in a dream a beautiful young lady standing near a certain market, telling me, 'You have to become a vegetarian!' After that, I slowly switched to a vegetarian diet. I missed my mother, who passed away four years ago. She was vegetarian and worshipped the Buddha all her life. I too wanted to learn about Buddhism, but after many years of searching, I still had not found a master who could truly guide me. All I could do was pray to the Quan Yin Bodhisattva every day. Then in early January of this year, I went to a hospital for a checkup; there I met a young lady whose name I do not know. She kindly informed me that I could go to the Hsihu Center to learn the Convenient Method, which she was practicing. So I did. Later, I heard about this exhibition of Master's art work at the Social Education Hall, and that's why I'm here. Surprisingly, what I'm now seeing here at the venue I also saw years ago in my dreams. And the Exhibition's venue is also near a market, as in my dream of the beautiful young lady. This is really fantastic!"

The woman further revealed that she has often been graced by inner experiences since she was young, and has sometimes seen the Quan Yin Bodhisattva. While practicing meditation, a graceful and elegant lady has often appeared before her eyes. The woman believes that she must have very deep affinity with this lady. When she saw Master's photos at the venue that day, she had a very intimate feeling. Upon learning that the age limit for initiation is 65, this 64-year-old immediately expressed her firm decision to seek initiation into the Quan Yin Method.

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(Photo1) (photo2)

God's Direct Contact - the Way to Reach Peace

The 2003 Taipei International Book Exhibition

Reported by the Taipei News Group, Formosa

The Tree of Life, a Feast of Peace

Reading books is beneficial! The 2003 Taipei International Book Exhibition, inaugurated by Formosa's President Chen Shui-bian, opened a new chapter in international cultural exchange, as over a thousand publishers from forty-seven countries participated in the greatest book fair ever conducted in Asia.

For the first time, the Exhibition's Spiritual Books Section was located at the Taipei International Convention Center, where diverse categories of soul-elevating publications about various religions and spiritual traditions were displayed. The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Company participated in the event at the invitation of Formosa's Government Information Office and the ROC Publishing Development Fund.

Master's exhibition booth was decorated in a highly elegant pastel purple that emanated an atmosphere of warmth and peace. The main features were a multifunctional display platform and a golden "Tree of Life," symbolizing eternity and peace, and attracting many local and foreign visitors who made enquiries and expressed their hopes for world peace. Among the wide variety of publications on display, the most eye-catching was the newly released God's Direct Contact - the Way to Reach Peace. This new volume carries an important message at a time when people around the world are deeply concerned about the Middle East situation.

Upon receiving a copy of God's Direct Contact - the Way to Reach Peace as a gift, Mr. Dale H. Hoiberg, President and Chief Editor of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, expressed his sincere gratitude to Supreme Master Ching Hai for Her contributions to humankind. In addition, Miss. Kaoru Iwata, Business Director of the Tokyo International Book Exhibition, said that only after her visit to the Taipei Exhibition's Spiritual Books Section did she realize that there were so many spiritual practitioners in Formosa. She then said that upon her return to Japan she would consider planning a soul-elevation section at the Tokyo Exhibition to encourage the Japanese people to explore the spiritual world.

Mr. Gonzalo Araico, President of the Mexican Publishers' Society, visited the Association's exhibition booth and was fascinated with Master's publications. He hoped that he could receive authorization in the near future to translate all of Master's books into Spanish for promotion in Latin America. Mr. Araico even decided to begin following a vegetarian diet as much as possible, and asked to learn the Convenient Method.

After watching one of Master's lecture videos, Mr. Franklin Todd, a Liberian writer, immediately asked to learn the Convenient Method and did so afterwards. Later Mr. Todd wrote a letter saying, "I can't tell you how great I felt after I came out of the meditation room, where I was impacted by the Convenient Method. I actually felt alive again and found my real Self. I love everything about the Association and hope to become your contact person in Liberia some day."

Through a friend, Mr. John Cummings, Ambassador to Formosa from Liberia, learned about Master and the Quan Yin Method. During the Exhibition, Mr. Cummings came to the Association's booth to appreciate Master's paintings, books and videotapes while the video wall at the booth was displaying one of Master's South African lecture videos, in which She was dressed as an African princess, an image that was especially heart-warming to this Ambassador from an African nation. Mr. Cummings was deeply concerned about the ongoing conflicts in his country, and sincerely invited Master to visit Liberia to convey the message of peace. Later, the Ambassador learned the Convenient Method and had a very good spiritual experience during the subsequent 30-minute meditation session. His former anxiety had obviously given way to a soft radiance. When he received a gift of Master's publications, he said that they were his best New Year's presents.

New Book Release Seminar for God's Direct Contact - the Way to Reach Peace

On February 11, the first day of the Book Exhibition, a continuous stream of visitors crowded into the venue. To inform the public about the exceptional qualities of the book God's Direct Contact - the Way to Reach Peace, a new book release seminar was held at the Taipei International Convention Center, and the volume was on prominent display at the Exhibition site. The participation of distinguished guests, including well-known figures from all fields, made the seminar an exceptional event.

The seminar was begun by Miss Li Jian-hong, a former news anchor of Formosa's Chinese Broadcasting Corporation, who introduced Master's life story and the background of the publication with the help of a VCD. Many visionary participants who had read the book acclaimed it as "an epic of peace of the 20th century." The seminar was presided over by Professor Lo Shi-hong of the National Defense Medical Institute, and Madam Ya Lei-shi, Leader of the Aboriginal Multicultural Art Troupe. Other speakers included Director Gu Min of the Legislative Yuan Library, Professor Wang Qing-zhong of the Social Studies Department of Fu Jen Catholic University, Doctor Ling Yun-qi, director of the Chinese Cultural University's technology research laboratory of the Zhai Sheng Yuan Biotechnology Company, Professor Shi Chao-ying of the Philosophy Graduate School, CEO Ong Zhi-ye from the ROC Body and Mind Bliss Society, Professor Ruan Zhi-sheng of National Taiwan University and other scholars and experts. The speakers explored and testified to the value of God's Direct Contact - the Way to Reach Peace from the perspectives of politics, sociology, medical science, philosophy, body and mind development, historical studies and Buddhist doctrines. Their explicit analysis, enhanced by a humorous exchange between the hosts, made the seminar an intellectual event that also appealed to the emotions and won large rounds of applause from the audience.

Library Director Gu pointed out that Master's book inspired him simply in its Truth and Wisdom, through which it conveys divine Love. With Her consistently sincere attitude, Master conveys God's care to people of all cultures.

Professor Wang Qing-zhong added that even though Chinese civilization has studied and concentrated on "silence" for many thousands of years, from this book he perceived a profound interpretation and understanding of the importance of silence, and thus came to realize that the link to sharing with others is indeed silence. Silence can develop a person's spiritual order, and is invaluable in Zen cultivation, with Zen meditation being the best way to reach silence!

Dr. Ling Yun-qi said that advanced technology has brought humans a longer lifespan and much more material comfort than was known in previous times; however emptiness still exists in people's hearts. Physicians can only take care of physical fitness, but cannot eliminate the fear of the ephemeral nature of life. For this, Dr. Ling recommended finding the message of reconnection with life's Source in Supreme Master Ching Hai's God's Direct Contact - the Way to Reach Peace.

Professor Shi Chao-ying stated that due to our living in a different era than that of the ancient Saints most people fail to completely comprehend the ancient scriptures, such as the Bible or Buddhist sutras. Living in the same era with us, Supreme Master Ching Hai is able to interpret the profound eternal Truth in a simple way, which not only fits modern readers but also inspires them greatly.

CEO Ong Zhi-ye noted that the way to solve a problem is to find the key to the problem. And he observed that Master's book can give readers the key to answering all their questions, bring boundless hope to the world and offer a message about the way to directly connect with God, thus changing human destiny. Two years ago, Professor Ruan Zhi-sheng conducted a brilliant dialogue with Supreme Master Ching Hai at Formosa's Academia Sinica. At the Book Exhibition, Professor Ruan pointed out that the Supreme Master's book states She teaches a method without words, without records and without any tracks to trace. Since he always emphasizes historical evidence, he has studied many scriptures and found that in texts such as the Heart Sutra, Surangama Sutra, Avatamsa Sutra and Sixth Patriarch Altar Sutra, the ancient Saints discuss transmission without words. However, no details of the transmission method are included. Professor Ruan then ask, "Is it the wordless scripture as presently taught by the Supreme Master Ching Hai? The answer to the question should be left for curious Truth-aspirants to discover for themselves."

Walk the Way of Love

Music is a common language for all humans, as soaring musical notes can help us transcend the barriers of ethnicity, color, language and religion. With this thought in mind, on February 12, 2003, the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association convened a musical event entitled "Walk the Way of Love" at the Taipei International Convention Center. The performers were Miss Gu Mei-yu, first cellist of Formosa, and Mr. Zhang You-zhuan, an amateur classical guitarist. Together they played many Spanish songs that displayed the zealous and optimistic nature of the Latin people, and their aspiration for peace and freedom. The performance was followed by video excerpts from Master's lecture in Hungary's capital Budapest that impressed the audience very much. Finally, approximately a hundred participants stayed behind to learn the Convenient Method, desiring to promote world peace through their personal purification.

It is the sincere hope of all initiates that the aspiration for peace will resonate in the hearts of people around the globe so that humankind will not be devastated by war, and will truly find the way to harmony, both within and without!

Sharing Life at a Workshop on the Natural Elements

Beginning on February 13, 2003, a workshop was held at the Book Exhibition to explore the elements of great nature - earth, water, fire and wind. Crowd after crowd of visitors packed the venue to participate in the event, merging completely into the blissful and joyful atmosphere of the Quan Yin Family. Every day, more than ten guests asked to learn the Convenient Method with the hope of trying to contact God. Visitors also eagerly wrote down their wholehearted wishes and hung them on the Tree of Life to pray for world peace.

This report was broadcast by Sun TV in Serial No. 28, 29 of the A Journey through Aesthetic Realms TV program. For online viewing, please visit:
http://www.godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng/hichannel/index.htm (English)

Master's Spiritual Books Section creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere, attracting many local and foreign visitors. (fl2-backgroud-142-n.jpg)

The brilliant "Tree of Life" expresses a wish for world peace in the venue.(fl2-tree-142.jpg)

Mr. John Cummings, Liberia's Ambassador to Formosa (first from left), and Mr. Franklin Todd (second from right), a Liberian Writer(fl2-4-142.jpg)

At the new Book Release Seminar for God's Direct Contact - the Way to Reach Peace, many well-known figures from all fields explored and testified to the value of Master's teachings from their unique professional perspectives. (fl2-5-142.jpg)

Media Reports

Taiwan Daily News
Sunday, January 12, 2003 (originally in Chinese)

The Heavenly Impressions of Supreme Master Ching Hai -- Art Exhibition Interprets Spiritual Truth

[Reported by Chen Ling-fang, Taipei] The Supreme Master Ching Hai is not only internationally renowned for Her compassion as a spiritual Master, but also seems blessed with artistic talent that requires no guidance from teachers. And She is also highly acclaimed in artistic and literary circles. A great character is always accompanied by childlike innocence.

 Unsophisticated, pure and simple, that is how experiences of Truth, Virtue and beauty are expressed in the diverse artistic and musical creations of Supreme Master Ching Hai.

In order to facilitate intimate appreciation of Her artworks by Taipei residents, the Taipei Center of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association has especially convened the Supreme Master Ching Hai Body, Mind and Soul Art Creation Exhibition at the Taipei Social Education Hall from January 11 to 16.

Items displayed at the six-day event include eighteen oil paintings, ten pastel color paintings and twelve handmade Longevity Lamps that are excellent examples of the integration of art with living handicrafts. In commenting on Her own creativity, which required no training, Supreme Master Ching Hai says, "For all of us, as long as our inner almighty power has been turned up, nothing is impossible." Through Her creations, the Supreme Master presents new interpretations of human art in the form of Truth, Virtue, beauty and divinity.

The settings of Supreme Master Ching Hai's creative works include Formosan locales such as Yangming Mountain in Taipei, Hsihu and Pingtung, as well as Seattle, Washington and California in the United States, Japan and Costa Rica. With Her profound realization and boundless creative inspiration, She is able to produce works based on just about anything in the realm of human experience. And with Her simple strokes and sincere yet unsophisticated style, She flawlessly represents Her "Impressions of Heaven."

mr1.jpg: A disciple guides visitors through the Supreme Master Ching Hai Body, Mind and Soul Art Creation Exhibition.
(Photo by reporter Yu Xin-Xieng)

Taiwan Times, Tuesday, January 21, 2003 (originally in Chinese)

Religious Group Shares Warmth in the Cold of Winter

Needy Wanluan Families Receive Daily Necessities and Quilts

[Wang Rongxin reporting from Wanluan] The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association conducted a charitable activity yesterday, distributing relief funds, quilts and other daily necessities to low-income households and families affected by unemployment in Sinjhih Village, Wanluan Township and Pingtung County. Wanluan Mayor Syu Tongsheng extended his special thanks to delegates of the Association for their efforts.

In Sinjhih Village, the Association expressed concern for the less fortunate by holding a relief activity at Magistrate Sieh Shan-jhong's service center yesterday morning. Nine members of the Association distributed new quilts to local low-income families, hoping that the quilts would bring warmth to their lives and usher in a new year of prosperity. Also, a relief fund of NT$4,500 was presented to those severely affected by unemployment, with the hope that they can find jobs and improve their situation as soon as possible. Township Mayor Syu made a special point to come and personally thank the Association delegates for their warm concern.

Members of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association distribute quilts to the less fortunate in Sinjhih Township.

(Photographed by correspondent Wang Rongxin)(mr2-142.jpg)

Aphorisms

The Way of Peace

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Florida, USA, June 6, 2001 (originally in English) Videotape No. 714

I think all the presidents or leaders of the world should try more to remind people of the spiritual aspects, instead of just material aspects because it lasts longer. It's actually beautiful to remind people about spiritual practice because that's all we have. That's the only lasting thing we have. That's the only thing that helps us to have peace in the world and among nations. If all nations become more enlightened, we'll be more peaceful toward each other.

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Hsihu, Formosa, October 26, 1991 (originally in Chinese)

Sometimes, when we have done good deeds, we feel good about having done the right thing. At that time, we are close to the nature of God and the Saints, our love develops, and we feel happy. Then paradise is there, not at our death when we grow a pair of wings and fly about at random! (Audience laughs.)

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Master's Wonders

Master's Wonderful Way of Encouraging Education

Narrated by Sister Khang from Au Lac Recorded by the Entertainment Team, Los Angeles, USA (originally in Aulacese)

In Au Lac there was a young boy who was in the ninth grade and whose family was experiencing great difficulties. His father was in prison and his mother could do little to support the family because the father had always been the main breadwinner. The boy was very sad because he did not believe that his father could have done anything so bad as to be imprisoned. He became so discouraged that he wanted to quit school and stay home to help his mother raise his younger brother. Soon after this thought emerged, one day in class, by chance he found in his desk drawer a picture of a young woman with sweet, gentle features. As he looked at the girl's countenance, he suddenly felt a fondness for her. With the photograph in his hand, he asked around to find out if a classmate was playing a practical joke on him or if someone had simply forgotten and left the picture behind.

The boy's school held three sessions a day in the same classroom so he spent some time trying to find out which girl sat in the same place that he did, or if anyone had left the picture behind from the other two sessions. Each time he looked at the young woman in the picture, he felt great fondness for her. During this period, there were times when he thought about quitting school, but it seemed as if the young woman in the picture was encouraging him to try to continue his studies because he would need an education to have a better future. From the ninth to the twelfth grades, the boy tried to find the young woman in the picture, with whom he was secretly in love, but he could never find any trace of her.

During this time, the boy remained an extraordinary student. In the twelfth grade, he passed his high school examination with a very high score, and in the same year, his father was released from jail. After graduation, the boy planned to quit school to look for the young woman in the photograph.

Then one day, I went to visit the boy's family. His father and mother went out to buy food to treat me to dinner so only he and I were at home. I noticed that he had just graduated, yet somehow he looked pale and sad. He seemed deeply concerned about something inexpressible. Seeing him in this condition, I felt very uneasy, and tried to advise him by saying, "Now that you've passed the exam, you should try to eat better. Your father is back, and everything is fine now. Since you've completed your studies and passed the exam with a high score, you should be happy and have confidence in yourself. Why do you look so sad? Is something the matter?"

The young man then began to disclose to me that since the ninth grade he had been in love with a young woman in a photograph as mentioned above. He said that if he did not get a chance to meet her, he would feel miserable for the rest of his life. So I asked him, "Is she that beautiful? You still have a long life ahead of you. You're bright and successful, and there are plenty of beautiful girls. Why do you think like that?" At the time, I did not know who the young woman in the picture was so I counseled him in this way. The young man then quietly went to his room and brought the picture out for me to see, and as soon as I saw it, my immediate reaction was to scream, "My God! Don't you know who this is? It's our Master when She was a young student like you!" After hearing this, the young man bowed his head and cried. I was not sure if he was shedding tears of regret for unintentionally not recognizing Master or tears of gratitude for an enlightened Master's help and guidance.

Not long afterwards, the young man went to a major city to study architecture. He was accepted by three universities without having to take entrance examinations because he had achieved a very high score on his high school graduation exam.

To me, it seemed that Master had arranged these events in order to encourage the young man to continue his studies. There were no initiates in his class, and the others he asked about the picture were also non-initiates although he had been an initiate since he was twelve. Perhaps it was Master's plan that those whom the boy asked did not know the identity of the young woman in the picture so that he would have the motivation to overcome his barriers and be successful in his studies.

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A Lost Lamb Finds Her Mother

By Brother initiate Gustavo, Sao Paulo, Brazil (originally in English)

The following is a true story narrated by a sister from Brazil who practices the Convenient Method. Once, before she began practicing, the sister, who lives in the city of Goiania, went to visit one of her friends. While there she saw a beautiful ocean, and standing on the ocean, a beautiful young lady wearing a yellow robe, who said hallo and waved to her. The sister then asked her friend if she saw the lady but the friend said that she did not.

After a year, the sister went with her husband to her local meditation center, the home of a psychologist, to learn the Convenient Method. While watching one of Master's DVDs at the center, she realized that Master was wearing a yellow robe and had exactly the same appearance as the lady in her inner experience one year earlier. The sister was completely shocked and indicated that she might have a mental problem and need to consult a psychologist. The owner of the home then came to her, indicating that she herself was a psychologist. Eventually, after the two talked for a while, the sister was pleasantly surprised and began to cry. Although in her mind she knew that God had arranged everything for her, she was still unwilling to change some of her personal habits and so chose to learn the Convenient Method first before receiving initiation.

Although she has only practiced the Convenient Method for a few months, the sister now feels Master's infinite love and has become happier and more contented than ever before. Master's immense loving power has already changed her life!

The Best Protection

By a fellow initiate from Mainland China

One Sunday morning last spring, my husband was planning to take our little grandson out to have bean jelly (a traditional Chinese dessert). Such occasions usually provide good opportunities for me to meditate quietly at home, but for no particular reason, I insisted on accompanying them that day. When we arrived at the dessert shop, it was windy and the three of us sat at a table out in the open. While we were eating, two pieces of glass suddenly fell from the fourth floor of the building that housed the shop. Instead of hitting us, however, a miracle occurred - the pieces of glass seemed to be swept aside as if by an invisible hand and fell on either side of me. Both large and small pieces of broken glass flew up from the ground, some falling into our bowls. But the three of us were safe and sound! At that moment, I was not frightened at all, knowing in my heart that it was Master who had protected us from a serious accident.

A series of such miracles since my initiation have convinced my family members to have greater faith in and respect for Master, and to increasingly support my spiritual practice. My family has come to realize that only by practicing the Quan Yin Method can we be safe from harm and receive blessings, and that only the Quan Yin Method can lead us back to our Heavenly Home!

Master Takes Me Home

By a fellow initiate from Mainland China

Three months before I was initiated, I borrowed a copy of The Key of Immediate Enlightenment sample booklet from a friend and read it overnight. While reading it, I became more and more excited and admiring of Master's easily digestible teachings and profound wisdom, and became determined to follow Her. However, my mind created trouble, telling me, "You're so good at reciting the names of the Buddhas. Why don't you just go on worshiping and reciting the names of the Buddhas?" I then struggled and hesitated, and that night, Master's inner Light transformation body appeared by my bedside in a blue silk dress, asking me in a stern voice, "What on earth do you want to practice?" I answered repeatedly without hesitation: "The Quan Yin Method! The Quan Yin Method! The Quan Yin Method!" Looking back now, I am very grateful for this firm answer from my inner Master at the moment of my hesitation. I finally vowed before Master's picture: I must seek liberation and go Home in this lifetime.

A few days later, Master again appeared by my bed in the same dress, looking at me with loving care, and I asked, "Are you the Master in the photo or the real Master?" Master didn't reply, but winked at me with a smile. When I saw Master's beautiful eyelashes moving, I could not help crying out, "It's really Master!"

Then on the day of my initiation, when I saw Master's grand picture in the familiar blue silk dress in the hall, I became extremely excited! Looking at Master's eyes, I seemed to be back in my dream again. But all this was no more a dream. Master truly entered and changed my life, making me a free person, and leading me back to eternal samadhi in my Heavenly Home.

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While on the Path

The True Meaning of Life

By sister initiate Sheila, Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada (originally in English)

After returning from the 2002 Christmas retreat in Florida, there was nothing more that I wanted to do than stay home and enjoy my inner bliss. However, my karma called, and after just one day I was back in the 'real' work-a-day world. As I was grocery shopping on the way home from work, I passed two men with a video camera. They invited me to play a game, which involved choosing a piece of paper from a hat and answering the question on it. My question was: "What is the meaning of life?" I answered, "That's easy. The meaning of life is to find God, to become One with God."

I thought no more about it until about a week later, when someone approached me and said they had seen my question-and-answer session aired as a kind of commercial on local television. For the following two weeks, I continued to receive similar comments from many people who had seen the interview (friends, co-workers, students and even a stranger on the street), as it was apparently being aired several times a day at different hours, along with other interviews.

People's reactions to the interview were varied. Some felt that the question about the meaning of life would be very difficult for them to answer, but most (even my 'non-religious' siblings) said that they thought the answer I had given was absolutely right. This made me feel that people, especially as they get older, feel the presence of God, even if they are so-called non-believers.

Moreover, this experience made me realize how much my life has changed through the practice of the Quan Yin Method and the teachings of our beloved Master. Before initiation, I was not at all clear about the meaning of life, which caused me a lot of confusion and suffering. Now, the most difficult question in life is the easiest since the Quan Yin Method not only offers the wisdom of a perfect answer but also the ever-present guidance of a living Master on our journey back to God.

Master Says

It's More Joyful to Give than to Receive

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Florida, USA, December 25, 2002 (originally in Chinese)

We should try our best to help others as much as we can. However, this doesn't mean that we have to go out and help a certain number of people every day. We should do it in a natural way, spreading our love very naturally. For example, sometimes I see street people or destitute people and I immediately give them what they need. (Fellow initiate: But there seem to be too many people who need help and there's no end to it.) Just do it naturally when you see people in need; do it when you can; if you can't do it immediately, then wait until the next time! You don't have to force yourself.

Helping others is a great honor and pleasure rather than a job or responsibility. If you feel obliged, then don't do it; offer your help only if it makes you happy and joyful for it is your honor! It's truly a great joy to give; it's truly very comfortable to help!

For example, the day before yesterday, I was planning to get a sofa for my dogs. The sofas in the shops were too big for my small house, and I thought there would be no room for them. The dogs have their own beds, but they wander around outside during the day. Sometimes when they're tired, they don't have a place to sit, so they usually sit on the sofa at home (Master laughs). That's why I decided to buy one for them.

I went into a shop, but before I could find the sofa section, I saw two sad little children pleading with their mother, "Please, please! We want to have it today." I overheard their conversation, and it seemed that the mother wanted to buy a double-decker bed for the children. But they would soon be moving, and if they made the purchase that day, they would have to pay transportation charges again when they moved. Besides, the bed would have to be dismantled and then reassembled. Thus the mother had reservations about buying the bed for it would incur additional costs.

"Can I pay the transportation charges for their move?" I asked the manager. "I can pay you now, and you can help them move when the time comes." The two children were delighted to hear this! They asked for my address, phone number, name, etc. (Master and audience laugh). But I said, "No, no! Sorry, I'm very busy! This is a gift for you. I just want you to be happy. Don't ask any more." Then I ran away.

I was very happy in my heart to see the children's eyes sparkle with joy, as they said, "Oh! Is it true? Thank you! Thank you! You're Santa Claus, aren't you?" (Master and audience laugh; audience applauds.) Then the smaller one said to his mother, "Mama, Santa Claus does exist!" If they had not made the purchase that day, they would not have been able to sleep in the new bed on Christmas, and would have had to wait until after they moved the following year. The bed had captured my heart as well (Audience laughs). The design and colors were just right for kids; it was very bright, but not the disorderly or gaudy kind. It had a cozy blend of two or three colors. I thought the children had very good taste, but the mother might have been reluctant to spend the extra fifty dollars, thinking it might be a waste of money. For them, that might not have been a small sum.

Then the manager of the shop asked me, "Do you know that it will cost fifty dollars?" I said, "That's all right! It'll be worthwhile if it can make the kids happy." I gave him a hundred dollars and said, "In case fifty dollars is not enough, you can cover the expenses with the other fifty. Please make sure that the children get the bed today. Christmas is coming and it's important to make children happy. I love children; can I entrust this job to you, please?" He said, "Sure, no problem!" Then I quickly slipped away. Originally I had intended to buy a sofa for my dogs, but under the circumstances I dared not stay (Master and audience laugh), and left without looking for it."

The children kept coming around to ask for information such as my phone number, saying that they would like to send a thank-you card, etc. But I said, "No, no! It's really not necessary." If we allow people to send thank-you cards each time, our mailbox will be too small! (Master laughs.) I slipped away as soon as I gave the money, feeling very happy. The children's happiness was infectious.

When we were little, we'd feel terrific if we could have something we liked right away! If we had to wait a couple of months for it, who knows what changes could have occured during that period of time, right? (Audience: Yes.) And it was Christmastime, too! Their mother didn't say she wouldn't buy the bed; she already loved her children very much. It was just that I felt they didn't seem to be very well off. That was why when I offered to pay for the transportation, they were amazed beyond speech. I simply said, "I love children; besides, it's Christmastime." So, they thanked me repeatedly, and I replied, "No, no! It's I who should thank you because you gave me this opportunity to make myself very happy." It was truly so.

Therefore, when we have an opportunity to help others, we should thank those at the receiving end. I was truly grateful to them for giving me the chance to help the two children and make them happy. Some people are skeptical about your intentions and don't accept help readily. Besides, the manager was very cooperative. It was like everyone supported the idea, making me feel very easy and comfortable.

Thus, helping others is not a responsibility, but a great honor that brings you immense joy. I was very happy that entire day. (Master laughs.) (Disciple: But the mere thought of so many people needing help makes me tired.) No, it doesn't have to. Where do you see so many people in need? You help when you see someone in need. We can't help the whole world, and even if we did, there are still beings in hell, and then there are animals! Just do whatever is necessary at present, and it's all right to do one thing at a time. You don't have to think that you'll have to do ten things. If you find someone who needs help today, and if you're capable, just help; if not, then just be supportive in your mind.

Like in the example I gave just now, we could also have told the mother, "Oh! This is really a nice bed so do whatever you can to give it to the kids!" This is fine, too; we don't have to offer money. If we have a supportive heart, making them happy and giving them encouragement, that's also good. If they had failed to buy it that day, it would have also been all right. You could tell the children, "Never mind! One month is very short and passes very quickly, and then you'll have it." You can try to encourage people and you should really want to do it. You don't have to force yourself to interfere in any situation, no, no! Do it naturally. God incidentally gave me the opportunity that day so I felt very smooth doing it, very happy inside. I was really very happy to help! If in case I couldn't help at that time, I would feel very sorry. Because the thought of the two kids going home empty-handed and unable to get the bed until a month later would have made me feel very uncomfortable at heart. So I was delighted to be able to do it then!

That's why I tell you that helping others isn't a responsibility but something that brings happiness and comfort. I often do it, and I often feel happy. (Master laughs.) Happiness doesn't come only that first time or the second or third time. I feel happy every time I help others. Of course, there are different kinds of happiness each time. To be able to help truly needy people, oh! I feel so comfortable, so contented! Perhaps sometimes we may suspect whether those people really need help or not, but if they ask, I give. We shouldn't suspect that they're lying. Even if they're lying, that's their business, and I still help them. At that time I may not feel very happy. However, it's better than withholding help skeptically. Because after I get home I may think, "Ah! I should have helped them at that time."

Sometimes we might pass by street people, but we have already driven past them, so we have to drive a long distance before we can turn back. And I feel happy only after I've helped them. If I just drive past without turning back to help them, I surely feel uncomfortable after I get home, feeling that I failed to take an extra step to help people. So I don't know why it's so hard for some people to help others. You don't understand, really don't understand! When you give more, you'll know how happy you are. The more you give, the more joyful you feel, believe me! (Master laughs.) You don't have to give a lot. Give as much as you can, but you don't have to give away all your property leaving nothing for yourself and your family. No, no! We should also take care of our family. Then, if we're still in a position to help others, we should try to help, and then we'll feel very happy.

When we give help to people in need, we feel very comfortable in our hearts, just as though we're receiving help; we feel an empathy with those people. The reason is very simple. If you were the one in need, and suddenly someone came to help you, wouldn't you feel great? (Audience: Yes!) You'll know it if you think this way. It's not necessary to have magical power to know it. The happiness of that person becomes your happiness because you clearly understand what he feels, like knowing how hungry people feel when they get food.

Likewise, when I help others, it's as if I become that person; that's why I feel so happy. Whomever I give to, that person seems to become me so he and I both feel very happy. However, I'm happier than he is because I not only feel his happiness, but I also know that I've brought him happiness. The two together make me happier than he is. That's why we say, "The giver is happier than the receiver."

Therefore, if you don't give or help others, it's really a great pity! Such a pity! You miss those happy opportunities. I'm not forcing you to give alms. I'm only telling you that it's is an opportunity to have happiness and joy. Karma or no karma, we can talk later! Never mind karma when you give. Only think of those in need, without thinking about yourself, and only then will you be happy. If at that time you're still thinking about karma, feeling afraid while giving, then don't give because you won't be happy at that time. When you give, you should completely disregard the consequences. Only then will you feel happy. 

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Quan Yin Messengers' Travel Log

Delivering People with Affinity

By a Quan Yin Messenger

In Szechuan Province, China, there resided a middle-aged woman who was a devout Buddhist. She often worshipped the Buddha and burned incense at temples. One day two years ago, she suddenly vowed to become a strict vegetarian, and on that night had a strange dream, in which she saw a dignified looking male Master with short hair dressed in a white robe and vest. Though she was separated by a group of people, the lady prostrated to the Master, who compassionately extended his hand to help her to her feet. The Master then told her, "Should you wish to see me in the future, you may look for some of my disciples here."

Upon waking up, the woman decided to seek the Master, but she had no idea where to begin. In the dream, the Master had told her that he had some disciples there and she could go and find them, but the woman did not know any of them. She then became very anxious to communicate with his disciples, and recalled that one of her friends seemed to be practicing a certain spiritual path so she decided to go and learn about it. Actually, her friend had already been initiated by Supreme Master Ching Hai, and after hearing about the lady's peculiar dream, she showed her one of Master's sample booklets. Upon viewing the booklet, the woman immediately saw brilliant light shining forth from Master's photo on the cover. She found this incredible and so borrowed the booklet to read at home.

The woman's bad eyesight normally rendered it difficult for her to recognize the words when she read. However, to her amazement, when she read Master's booklet, every word shone brightly so that she had no problem reading them clearly. After finishing the booklet, she was absolutely filled with bliss, was certain that Supreme Master Ching Hai was the Master she had been seeking, and immediately decided to request initiation. Light also radiated from every other photo of Master that the woman looked at. Recently, she received initiation and finally realized her aspiration to follow Master in spiritual practice.

Timely Help

An elderly sister in Qinghai Province, China once lived in poverty. Four years ago, during the Lunar New Year holiday, her family even had difficulty feeding themselves and had to borrow money from a friend. Some time later, the sister ran into the friend, and feeling very embarrassed, apologized, saying, "I'm very sorry, but I still can't repay the money that you lent me."

To her surprise, the friend replied, "What? You've already paid back the money to me. A lady repaid it for you." When her friend described the appearance and countenance of the lady, the sister immediately realized that it must have been Master transformed in a physical body that had helped her pay the debt, and was extremely grateful to Master within. Not long afterwards, the sister initiate started a small business that grew over time. As a result, her family's financial condition improved enormously.

Miracle in a Funeral Parlor

About a year ago in Ningxia Province, China, the mother of a sister initiate passed away. And although the mother was neither an initiate nor a vegetarian, something amazing occurred when the family took her body to the funeral parlor to prepare it for burial.

Upon seeing the body of the sister's mother, a working staff member at the funeral parlor said, "Yesterday, our whole family saw an old lady sitting on a five-colored lotus and circling our parlor seven or eight times before flying away. She looked exactly like this old lady!" He next asked, "Was this old lady a vegetarian or a spiritual practitioner? And the family replied, "No!" The staff member then said, "Then someone in your family must be a vegetarian and spiritual practitioner, or else this old lady could not have gone to such a wonderful realm!"

The sister initiate was tremendously delighted to hear of this amazing miracle, and believed that Master had taken her mother to a superior realm. Since then, she has had even stronger faith in Master, and become more serious in her spiritual practice.

Selected Questions and Answers

Keep Striving for Positive Spiritual Power

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Florida, USA, May 11, 2002 (originally in English)

Q: My question is: I know I struggle to do the right thing and to do my practice. And I know I'm struggling against something that is struggling against me. So, how do I get beyond this struggle? How do I win?
M: That's where the fun is. (Master and everyone laugh) If something is too easy, you lose the challenge and you don't want to even win it. Therefore, we have two powers inside of us: we call them yin and yang in Chinese, and we call them negative and positive in western terminology. The negative power pushes us to do something that is against our will, and the positive power helps us to conquer that tendency. Sometimes we lose; sometimes we win. It depends on our spiritual discipline and power.

So try to struggle and continue, just like the United Nations struggles with the refugees' issues and the wars in the world. Sometimes you win in the end; it just takes some struggling.

Make Use of Your Time to Meditate

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Videoconference with initiates from the Boston Center, September 28, 2002 (originally in English)

Q: Dear Master, I try my best to meditate two and a half hours as I promised. But sometimes, due to daily basic life activities, I find it hard to fulfill this requirement. Please give me some advice about this dilemma.
M: How can I give you advice? You say your life doesn't allow you so what am I going to do, kill you and kill all the people around you so that you have time to meditate? Of course, life is like that. Don't let it take over. You should take over life. Don't let life take over you. You have only one life. You never know what future you will have so have it in this life now. Try to make time for meditation. Cut down on whatever is unnecessary,, less talk on the phone, less newspaper reading, less television, less contact with friends, less coffee; just meditate whenever you can, even if it's for five minutes here and ten minutes there. Any time you have free time, meditate. Try your best at any time! You don't have to just count the time when you can sit properly on your meditation cushion. You can count the time, any time when you're free, you close your eyes, think of God and meditate. Make any break your meditation time. Muslim people pray five times a day and at least I ask you only one or two times a day. Do it! There's no excuse.

Pursuing Spirituality is the Best Form of Patriotism

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, videoconference with initiates in Jakarta, Indonesia October 6, 2002 (originally in English)

Q: What should we do besides meditation and social interaction in order to help our country regain social harmony and togetherness and learn to correct itself into the most developed nation, which we believe should not be measured by publicly stated revenue and the commonwealth, but built through God's grace, peace and loving power.
M: Do what you can that's within your power. When you meditate, of course you generate good will and blessing for your country, and then after you get out of meditation you still have the blessing from the samadhi; so whenever orÿwherever you go people will feel peace and harmony affecting them such that in turn they will react with the next person in harmony and peace. That's how the planet will become better and better and the country will become better and better, but of course, everything takes time. It's good that you love your country, very good! We're doing our best everywhere.

A Positive Sense of Ego Is Essential

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Group meditation in London, UK, March 10, 1998 (originally in English) Videotape No. 631

Q: Sometimes I think when you're working, you feel apprehensive about becoming successful because your ego will grow with it. So I find that a bit confusing in the sense that if you're doing a certain job and you become materially successful, I think then you become more and more materialistic towards the work as well. And then because of your success, your ego grows as well.
M: I'm not sure about that. Sometimes you derive joy from being successful and having done something completely. It has nothing to do with the ego. For example, an artist sometimes will carve something in a dark cave alone, for himself. It has nothing to do with the ego. No one will go there and applaud him and say he's successful. He's just happy that the work is done the way he wants it.

We're also creators. If we create and complete something, we feel good! Even if it's ego, that's fine; it's not a bad form of ego. The ego is only bad when it harms someone, when it obstructs you from spiritual practice and progress or when it hinders someone else's progress because you prosper at their expense. Then it's bad.

So ego is just a word. Depending on how you use it, it's fine. That's the last thing to go before we die, which is good. But before that, we have to keep a little in order to work. Without the so-called ego, we don't even want to eat or to sit here. What are you doing here? You want to become a Buddha; that's also ego. You have to have something. It's just a motivation, a behind-the-scenes push to get us to do this and do that.

But if we give in completely to the ego, we become obsessed with it. And we become arrogant, we become ignorant, and we become consumed in all this kind of fame and glory or illusionary honor, then it's bad. But the so-called ego is like fuel for a car, or mud for a lotus or fertilizer for a rose. You can't go without it all the time.

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Reflections on Spiritual Practice

Severing Attachment to the "I"

By brother initiate Frank Dong, San Francisco, U.S.A.

Spiritual practitioners usually regard the ego as the greatest hindrance to spiritual progress. So completely eliminating the ego is the greatest aspiration of many. However, Master has said,

"Even if we practice the Quan Yin Method, a little ego will still exist. Only when we have transcended the Three Realms will our ego be diminished. It will only be diminished, reduced to almost nothing, leaving behind one percent, very close to nothing. However, this little bit of ego has to be retained; otherwise we cannot exist in this world." (Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai [originally in Chinese], Tainan, Formosa, March 2, 1989) Thus, we can see that while we are in the world of Maya, we can minimize our ego as much as possible through spiritual cultivation, but 100 percent elimination is impossible.

After having practiced the Quan Yin Method, I have come to realize that the spiritual path is actually a process of moving from one "realization" to another. As long as we persist in practicing diligently, our actions, speech and thoughts will gradually become purified following the elevation of our realization. As a result, we become increasingly sensitive to the things around us, and often have the feeling that what we previously considered to be correct, we now consider wrong. I have also discovered that many lessons are designed so that we can learn how to renounce the ego, and overcome hindrances, and this process is for our spiritual progress. Some people might have more lessons to learn than others, but these are actually made-to-measure arrangements by God, and depend on our individual situations. Thus, we have no reason to complain, and instead should be very grateful!

Many mistakes originate from the ignorant ego, which binds us to all sorts of habits and prejudices, making us think that whatever "I" think, say, and do is correct. Whenever this "I" is present in our thinking, God quietly disappears. At such times, we neglect everything in the world as a whole, including other people's feelings. When we lose touch with God's guidance and act merely with our minds and preconceived ideas, how can we possess any noble ideals or do anything in accordance with God's will?

So if we continually keep God in mind instead of being attached to our actions and speech, and the habits and prejudices of the "I," then even when we occasionally commit a minor mistake, we will be able to realize it and repent immediately, and easily rectify the situation due to God's mercy and blessing because we understand our error in the proper light. Therefore, though it seems that we have been wrong, actually we are no longer wrong as a result of severing our attachment to the "I"!

Pearls of Wisdom

Be True to Others and Honest with Ourselves

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Seven-day International Retreat, Hsihu, Formosa, October 30, 1995 (originally in English) Videotape No. 508

In our daily dealings with friends, relatives and any other people we happen to meet on the street or in our walk of life, we have to put forth our true feelings and our true affections. Everything we do must be true. Otherwise, sooner or later, we'll lose. People will leave us or won't like us the way we expected. Or, we'll lose their business, lose their affection, lose their trust and probably lose them altogether.

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That's the purpose of keeping the precepts, so that we'll remember where our limits are. We'll know where to stop. We'll know how we should behave, or at least how to be honest with ourselves. If we're honest with ourselves, other people will sense it. Inside of them is God. Outside, maybe we can cheat them by telling lies or flattering them with all kinds of untrue compliments in order to get something out of them. But inside, the God within them knows. So we can't cheat them for too long. That's why we must always be honest with ourselves. The precepts are there for that reason, so that we become purer, truer to ourselves and to other people so that we can be successful in every aspect of life.

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It's not that we're truthful like this only to benefit other people: We're the first to benefit because whatever we give will be returned. But we can't cheat the real inner Self of other people; that's a great offense. That's why we must be honest, and we mustn't tell lies.

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The Sentient World of Animals

My Dog, the Angel

By sister H. Vu, Indiana, USA

(originally in English)

My children and I love pets and have always wished to raise a dog, but my husband thought differently, even more so after our initiation. The idea simply annoyed him, but we understood why and accepted his viewpoint. However all this changed recently through an amazing series of events.

Over the past few years, I have experienced depression and emotional stress caused by my work and personal life, and several years ago began developing stress-related illnesses such as high blood pressure and stomach ulcers. My marriage has gone through much turbulence during this time and I have been on the verge of breaking down emotionally. I have even felt the urge to leave my husband and the local center, quit my current responsibilities, go into seclusion somewhere far away and just practice meditation while working silently for Master. Things came to a head last summer, when I felt as if I had lost my mental equilibrium, and underwent sporadic episodes of mental disturbance.

Then in September 2002, during Her live Internet conference with Midwestern initiates at my family's home, which serves as the Indiana Center, Master began with a pleasant discourse about pets, a topic She never mentioned at other conferences. At the time, no one knew why Master had done this, but later we came to realize that Her words gave tremendous blessing to our family. The following month, my husband happened to see a white dog at a colleague's home. It was of a breed known as Maltese, and was so adorable and beautiful that it touched his heart, and in doing so gave him the idea to find such a puppy for me. Thus, through Master's love and blessing power, my husband's thinking was transformed.

Then on December 2, 2002, my family was given a two-month-old Maltese puppy as a Christmas gift by the same colleague, and we named her "Angel." It was a miracle that Angel was born and weaned from her mother just in time for us to take her home that day! We kept the news pretty much to ourselves. However, on that very day, I happened to receive the lyrics to the song "Send Me an Angel" by the rock band The Scorpions (see below) from a fellow initiate in Tennessee. I read the beautiful verses and was deeply touched by Master's loving concern for me. It was amazing how this sister had sent me the song lyrics with no knowledge about the new member of our family that bears the same name. I felt as if Master had actually sent me a real angel from Heaven in the form of a dog to help uplift my spirit!

My life has changed greatly since the arrival of Angel, whose presence in our family has lifted me out of the deep, dark winter of my soul by bringing much peace, joy, happiness and especially love, not only to me but also to my whole family and the fellow initiates who come to the Indiana Center for group meditation. She has broken our preconceptions that "dogs are a nuisance," "dogs are dirty" and "dogs have to eat meat." Angel is a vegetarian and a very intelligent, adorable, loving pet. She gives everyone unconditional love, and greets visitors to our home with all her heart! She loves us even more than we love her. Thank you, dear, beloved Master, for loving us so much through our little Angel!!

Send Me an Angel

~By The Scorpions

The wise man said just walk this way

To the dawn of the light

The wind will blow into your face

As the years pass you by

Hear this voice from deep inside

It's the call of your heart

Close your eyes and you will find

The passage out of the dark

Here I am

Will you send me an angel

Here I am

In the land of the morning star

The wise man said just find your place

In the eye of the storm

Seek the roses along the way

Just beware of the thorns

Here I am

Will you send me an angel

Here I am

In the land of the morning star

The wise man said just raise your hand

And reach out for the spell

Find the door to the promised land

Just believe in yourself

Hear this voice from deep inside

It's the call of your heart

Close your eyes and your will find

The way out of the dark

Here I am

Will you send me an angel

Here I am

In the land of the morning star

Here I am

Will you send me an angel

Here I am

In the land of the morning star

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Master Tells Stories

The Demeanor of a Saintly King

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Japan, October 1, 1991 (originally in Chinese)

The first precept that we have to observe in spiritual practice is "ahimsa," meaning "non-violence." This story discusses the ahimsa ideal.

One day, a poor man was walking through a mango grove, where he saw many mangoes on the trees that looked extremely luscious and tempting. He was very hungry because he had not eaten for three days. So he quickly picked up a stone and threw it at one of the trees. A few huge mangoes fell on the ground and the man was very happy. He then picked up the mangoes and had a hearty meal.

It just so happened that the king was playing chess with his beautiful consorts in the mango grove at the time, and the stone that struck the tree had felled the fruit and then landed on the king's head. Fortunately, the king's hat protected his scalp, but the stone knocked it off, and thus the poorest man met the richest man in the kingdom. The king, feeling very lucky about his close call, showed no interest in investigating the cause. However, the consorts and ministers by his side were very angry, and they hunted for the offender who had thrown the stone. They could not figure out why someone would dare to throw a stone at the king. On the other hand, they were also eager to earn some credit for their work. They soon arrested the poor man, held court hearings on the spot, and condemned him to death for assaulting the king.

Then the king rose from his seat and questioned the ministers about why they had condemned the man to death. He then ordered the stone thrower to be brought before him and asked, "Why did you throw the stone?" "To get mangoes from the tree," replied the man. "Did you get any?" "Yes, your majesty." "Have you eaten the mangoes?" "Yes, your majesty."

The king next turned to his ministers and said, "The poor man was hungry, and he struck the tree with this stone. He got some mangoes and ate them. Now tell me, how long will he be free from hunger after eating thos