| | We Can Discover the Whole Universe | | The Earth's Atmosphere Will Improve If More People Practice the Quan Yin Method | The World Is Pure When Our Minds Are Pure | The Path to Immortality | The Quan Yin Method Measures Our Spiritual Level Accurately | | Master's Movie Corner | Spirituality & Science | | Science, Spirituality and Their Consistency | The Big Bang Theory | The Doubts of an Atheist | The Breakthroughs of Modern Physics | | Selected Questions and Answers Evolution | | Q: If God created the universe and Earth, was the universe created before or at the same time as the Earth? | Q: How can we know our purpose, be sure what our purpose is? When others ask, can we help them know their purpose in life? What work are we personally meant to do here? | | Health Information The Magic Potion B12 By the Taipei News Group, Formosa | | What is Vitamin B12? | Vitamin B12 and Bodily Health | Absorption and Storage of Vitamin B12 in the Human Body | Vegetarian Food Contains Vitamin B12 | The New Function of Vitamin B12 - Cancer Detection | | Master Tells Jokes | Aphorisms |
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Tainan, Formosa July 7, 1988 (Originally in Chinese)
Many people in our world have invented lots of wonderful tools, such as computers, airplanes, and spacecraft that can take us to the Moon and Mars. Although they owe it all to their inner power, they have used only a very small portion of it. Yet, before they create these things, they have to consider very carefully and reach inside for this almighty power. If we really know this power well, we will discover many, many things, not just a few machines, spacecraft, or computers. We will be able to explore and discover the whole universe. We will know every planet, moon, and star. We will understand the languages of the ants and birds. We will be able to read the state of mind of any sentient being. We can save them only when we know their state of mind. Otherwise, we will not be able to tell what the ants or birds need, much less read a human's mind. However, this wisdom is beyond description. I can only say: Knowing but not knowing is genuine knowing.
Let me explain this briefly. Under most circumstances, most of us "know" something, that is, our minds do. Suppose I put two flowers together with another two flowers. That makes four flowers. I know this very clearly because my mind does the addition based on my knowledge. However, there are things that are beyond the realm of knowledge and the imagination of the mind. But we still know everything; we can do and invent anything. We can go anywhere without having to travel by plane or spacecraft.
The best spacecraft invented by our scientists today can fly only as far as the Moon or Mars. And when it lands at its destination, there is little it can do. The scientists cannot become acquainted or communicate with the living beings there because these beings are invisible. They realize that the temperatures are very high on Mars. On the Moon, there is not much they can do but collect rocks for research or as souvenirs. They devote so much money and effort just to bringing back some rocks for research! These rocks have little to offer besides, since Moon rocks are more or less the same as those that we have here. The dust on the Moon and on Earth is not much different, either.
By practicing the Quan Yin Method, we can travel to Mars without a spacecraft, if we really want to. We can do many things there, and we do not run about on the heated surface of Mars and then rush back to Earth, because we have nothing to do there. Once we open our wisdom eye, the gate to wisdom, we know everything and can do anything. But our mind doesn't have to know about these things; it is not supposed to know about them. Sometimes, it may be aware of them but it has no idea why things happen the way they do. It can only enjoy the experience without knowing why. It cannot do calculations like adding two and two to make four. It just cannot explain them. Neither can I, but I do know that these things exist. Our fellow practitioners know it, too. It's not just one or two of them, but hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands, and billions who know it.
Today, there are many people practicing the Quan Yin Method. This is the best news there is. Why is this so? Because the more people practice the Quan Yin Method, the better the Earth's atmosphere will become. Otherwise, we may not survive. The atmosphere now is very terrible. Many strong nations are taking part in a nuclear power race. The push of a button by one person could mean the complete disintegration of the Earth. We won't have to wait until there is a war. Let's say that someone decides one day that he doesn't want to live anymore and he wants to take us all to his paradise. If he has control over that button, then we are in grave trouble. The people controlling those buttons are ordinary human beings; they are not Saints or God. As such, sometimes they feel good physically and at other times not so good. They might have taken alcohol or drugs or quarreled with their spouse. Such unhappy situations can affect their decisions, which are made by the mind. This is extremely dangerous for us, and we have no other means but this almighty power within to protect our lives.
If we know where this almighty power is, of course we will be able to get it. Just like when we know where a gold mine is, we can dig out the gold and use it. If we know where our bank is, how much money we have in our bank account, and how to withdraw the money, then we can get money from the bank every day. It's very simple. The Quan Yin Method is not exactly a method. It shows us how to discover our almighty power. We have always had it, but we cannot use it because we don't recognize it. At the time of initiation, I will tell you how to use your almighty power; it is very simple. Just now I was holding this tissue paper, but because I was busy looking at people, I was not aware of it. However, if someone tells me: "Hey! There it is!" I just look at it and discover it! It is very simple.
This almighty power has always been with us. We don't have to buy it or get it from someone. No one controls our almighty power, and no one can hide it. It has been in the open all the while, ready to serve us and to let us use it anytime. It is a great pity if we don't use it. It is just that our attention is constantly distracted by the outside. We look outwardly, worship the saints outside, and seek external powers. We worship deities and ghosts, mountains and rivers, and saints' relics, which are bones in another form. Do we want to become bony saints? That was why Sakyamuni Buddha said: You can never reach the state of God Realization (neither going nor coming; omnipresence) by seeking It through worldly languages or physical appearances which are but perceptions of outer sound and vision, unlike the internal sound, which is intangible, formless, and omnipresent. Only such is the real God Realization, which means that we don't have to lift a finger and it is already there! We don't have to look for it and yet it is there. Such is the state of God Realization.
It is very easy for us to find this state, but we must know where it is. Just take a look and you will know. Just like when someone reminds me that I have this tissue paper in my hand, I only have to take a look at it and then I know, because it has always been there! Therefore, Jesus Christ said, "The Heavenly Kingdom is within you. You are the great temple, the grand church of God, and God dwells within you." Such is the meaning of His words. That was how He managed to find God so easily and be Hiers son. His disciples also had no problem finding the power of the Holy Spirit. Sakyamuni said, "God is within your heart." Precisely because It was in His heart could He find it so easily. Otherwise, if It were not there, He could not have found it in six years, sixty years, six hundred years, sixty thousand years, six billion, or six trillion years.
When we say that God is within our heart, we do not mean the physical heart. We mean that it is within us. Since this concept cannot be expressed in words, for the time being, I will say that it is within us. I use the term "within" to differentiate it from "without", or the outside. The outside refers to such situations as worshipping wooden Buddha statues. I am sorry, but those are really just wooden statues! What else could they be? Stone Buddha statues are more or less the same. We may make pilgrimages to the mountains or rivers. If God is in the mountains, then Hes has discrimination, I If Hes lives only in a temple, then Hes has discrimination. Or if God dwells only in a church, then Hes too has discrimination. But really, Hes is omnipresent. Instead of dwelling only in our heart, Hes is in the heart of everyone, every flower, tree, rock, and grain of sand, and in every strand of our hair. Within everything, there is God, the God Nature, and the Truth. We shouldn't have to look for the Truth anywhere else; we should seek It here. We are transforming this world into Heaven. That was why Sakyamuni Buddha promised us clearly: "The world is pure when our minds are pure." [Applause]
Just moments ago, we heard that our fellow practitioners have wonderful experiences regardless of where they are. However, some of them have more experiences and some have fewer. It is because some are more diligent, and some are not; some have stronger powers of concentration, and some don't, but they still have a little bit of it. It is because this God Nature has always been here waiting for us; we already have it within ourselves. It's just like the tissue paper that has been there all the time, waiting for me to see it, and then I become aware of it. It's very simple. Enlightenment is as simple as that.
What is enlightenment? The moment we realize our almighty power, we get a glimpse of the glorious dimension of this power, but that is just a part of it. We can never finish discovering the universe, and we will continue to learn even after we have become enlightened Masters. It would be too boring if we stopped learning after we became enlightened Masters! In the outside world, for example, after we get our Ph.D. degree or complete our teachers' training, we still have to go on learning. We cannot even learn all the things in this world, let alone all that is in the universe! I cannot tell you that there is a highest level waiting for you; there isn't.
By practicing the Quan Yin Method, we can go beyond the three realms, and once we do, that's when the learning process begins. We do not practice the Quan Yin Method to transcend the three realms and then stop there immediately. This is not the case. It is beyond the three realms where we begin to learn the Truth. Otherwise, why did Sakyamuni Buddha meditate every day? He went into samadhi during meditation and when He came out of samadhi, He would say a few words.
In some realms, there is no birth, death, deterioration, or destruction, but on our Earth, we have all of these phenomena. There are many realms where there is no birth, no destruction, no contamination, and no purity. They exist forever. Only after we have reached these dimensions can we attain immortality, which is impossible in this world. Many people ask why we do not practice for physical enhancement. They think that instead of practicing for the upliftment of the heart, one should first practice for the physical body to achieve longevity. They have misunderstood the method of Laotzu, of Taoism. They have heard that Taoist practitioners can attain immortality. However, we know that all the ancient Taoist practitioners left us; none of them ever stayed. If they became immortals, then where are they? Stop dreaming anymore. [Applause]
There is a path to immortality. I can tell you in which world you can stay immortal. Such worlds will never be destroyed, and so we can live there forever. Even if I told you all the details and we could find a way to become immortal here, this world is not immortal. So please do not ask such questions! [Laughter] You should wake up and use your own wisdom to decide which is the ultimate way, and where our eternal abode is. Don't build houses on water or sand.
Once, when I went to Taitung to give a lecture, we pitched our tents by the riverside. One day, there was a heavy downpour, so we moved quickly. Half an hour later, the river overflowed. If our tents had still been there, they, as well as all the people and vehicles, would have been washed away. We shouldn't build houses in such places! Because no matter how sturdy our house is, one day it will be washed away by the water.
Therefore, do not seek immortality here. Instead, we should find a way to move from this world to another world, where the conditions and environment are conducive to immortal life. We can live forever only in those places. This world, not to mention our fragile life, can perish within seconds. Therefore, I am really amazed that people believe in practicing to gain immortality. You should see the truth clearly and practice a logical method to get logical results. There are still people who run around telling everyone that they are practicing to gain immortality, trying to make others think that they are great. I don't know them, and I don't want to know them, either. When I heard about them, I laughed. That is really building castles in the sand!
Many people ask why we practice the Quan Yin Method rather than other methods. It is simply because this is the method we should practice in the first place. We practice other methods only because we do not know this true method. We guess blindly and try everything we can until we find this true method and realize: "Oh! We have wasted so much time in futility!" Suppose there were a few entrances to our venue here. If you didn't come in through these entrances but instead said, "All entrances are the same. So let's go through any entrance!" They could all be entrances, but they would lead to other places! We want to leave this ephemeral world, transcend the three realms, and attain immortal life. Thus, we should practice the method of immortality. Only when we have found and arrived in an immortal world can our dreams come true.
We know that such worlds exist because many people have been there before and have told us about them. Jesus Christ, Sakyamuni Buddha, Mohammed and others have told us about the existence of worlds that are eternal, happier and more glorious than this one. You may not believe in the words of the ancient people because you are uncertain about whether they are only myths. We have no way to verify with Jesus Christ whether the words in the Bible were indeed His own words, or were added by other people later. We cannot ask Sakyamuni Buddha whether He had really been to the Western Paradise and if it really exists. Therefore, we may be skeptical. However, we should have no doubt that there are people today who can go there. [Applause]
We can go today; this I can guarantee you. Our fellow practitioners can go. Everyone can go. So can the teacher who was here yesterday. One of our fellow practitioners who is a cab driver can go, and so can you. Just now that person with a Ph.D. had a very good experience, and you too can have good experiences. The title of Ph.D. is not important. We should discover our greatest inner wisdom, which is above all worldly intelligence and beyond any imagination. The more I talk, the lazier I become, and the more difficult it is for me to talk. Every day, I feel very frustrated because I don't know how to translate this most important and beautiful thing into the ephemeral language of this world, in order to introduce it to people who have never experienced it. Suppose we have tasted some cookies and know how sweet, delicious, and fragrant they are. But some of us have never eaten the cookies. So how can we share with others our experience to convince and persuade them to buy the cookies?
Our spiritual practice doesn't begin only from the moment of initiation. Yesterday, I told you a story about Master Kong Hai. He learned the secret ways in three months instead of the twenty years normally required by people. His master told him: "You have completed your learning. You don't need to learn any more." I also told you yesterday about the story of another monk from the Tendai sect (of Buddhism). He begged Master Kong Hai to accept him as his disciple and teach him all the secret ways. But he wanted to accomplish it in three months, because he thought he could do it, too. Master Kong Hai told him, "No, you cannot complete your learning in three months," because Master Kong Hai had begun his spiritual cultivation when he was a little child. Before he arrived in China, he already had an intense aspiration for the Truth; he already knew the secret ways. Knowing them doesn't mean that he learned them. It was his inner realization. Owing to his intense and firm aspiration for the Truth, he had already attained some of the secret ways. Therefore, when he was in China, he learned only the final step in three months.
This is why many people have experiences of the higher dimensions when they first receive initiation. It is because they have practiced spiritually in the past. Some people have fewer experiences because they are less focused and weaker in faith. I don't mean that they do it deliberately; it is often related to their spiritual background in the last life. However, we should try to see and know our spiritual level. The Quan Yin Method can measure our spiritual level accurately; we cannot deceive anyone. Suppose some people come and tell me that they have practiced for decades, but at the time of initiation, we can know where their true level is. Yet there are people who have never practiced before and may not have any religious beliefs, but after listening to my lecture, they believe. Their aspiration for the Truth emerges and they decide to practice spiritually. When they come to receive initiation, they have superb experiences because they have practiced in the past, or because of their inner yearning.
Before I found the Quan Yin Method, I traveled to many places, visiting ashrams, churches, and temples, chanting sutras and scriptures and worshipping. I yearned very much to realize the Truth. I often went to churches and joined their choirs, but there were times when I didn't feel like singing. I loved to pray to God alone in the church. I prayed only for one thing: "God, if You really exist, please let me know You." That was my prayer, the same one every time. I think this is the highest prayer, because everything else is ephemeral. Trivial things like gaining powers, healing illnesses, preserving good health, and winning a fortune do not deserve our attention.
Suppose a king offers all his treasures and jewels to his people, and men and women come to choose from among the jewels, gold coins, antiques, and other precious things. However, this is only a part of the king's wealth. A woman walks by all these things without choosing any of them, and goes to the end of the hall and asks for the king. She only wants to see the king because she likes him and has never seen him before. The king is overjoyed and marries her. Now all his possessions are hers! [Laughter and applause] Therefore, it is said in the Bible: "Seek you first the Kingdom of God within, and everything else shall be added unto you." I hope that all of you will quickly find this Heavenly Kingdom and Heavenly Heart within you, and then all will be yours! [Applause]
In Her infinite compassion, Master has once again taken the time to put together a list of recommended movies for our spiritual growth and viewing pleasure (see "Good Family Movies" in News Magazine 108 for a list of previously recommended films). With themes ranging from comedy to drama, these movies can elicit the spectrum of emotions that Master has spoken of as being beneficial to us all: joyful laughter and compassionate tears.
Although the recommended movies in this issue are categorized as children's, their messages will warm the hearts of old and young alike. Comedies range from the timeless humor of Charlie Chaplin to the more zany amusement conveyed by Jim Carrey (Liar Liar and Ace Ventura). And of course Master has included several emotionally-touching films that contain a deeper message. One such classic, Black Beauty, tells the story of a horse that endured mistreatment at the hands of human owners, only to "forgive all" once he knew that he was truly loved again.
Films with Live Actors
* Little Men
* Liar Liar
* On Golden Pond
* Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?
* Coming to America
* Escape to Witch Mountain
* Ace Ventura 1 & 2
* Charlie Chaplin's movies
* The Little Mermaid (Czech version)
* Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century
* Legend
* The Princess Bride
* The Kid
* Thomas and The Magic Railroad
Animal Films
* The Bear
* Air Bud
* Lassie
* Homeward Bound
* Black Beauty
* The Black Stallion 1 & 2
* The Dog of Flanders
* You Lucky Dog
* Shiloh 1 & 2
* My Dog Skip
* Boomerang
* Nikki, Wild Dog of the North
* Benji
* Napoleon
Animated Films
* My Neighbor Totoro (Japanese)
* The Little Mermaid
* Dumbo
* The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle
* Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
* Chicken Run (claymation)
* Pokemon 2000
By the USA News Team
(Originally in English)
You will be amazed when you listen to the scientist named "Ching Hai" discuss the mysteries of the world and the Universe on Her various lecture video and audiotapes. Her words affirm what Jesus said: "Seek you first the kingdom of God and everything else will be added unto you." Master Ching Hai majored in languages at the university, but after achieving total enlightenment, She can explain the origin of the Universe better than any physicist on the planet. Master has also said that there is no conflict between science and religion, that science is attempting to prove what enlightened people already know, and that the science of other planets is a billion or a trillion times more advanced than ours.
An article printed in the Indianapolis Star newspaper (January 15th, 1998) states that most astronomers at the annual winter meeting of the American Astronomical Society agreed the universe began in a "Big Bang", when all time and space were contained in a single dense point - a "singularity" - which suddenly blossomed outward in an expanding fireball of particles, which now form the galaxies, stars and planets. But scientists fail to know what that "singularity" is and what will happen after the Big Bang. Will the universe expand forever or will it collapse or snap back in a "Big Crunch"? One theory suggests that the universe will one day contract back to its origin.
During Her lecture in Geneva, Switzerland, on April 21, 1993, Master Ching Hai was asked whether She agreed with the scientific theory regarding the origin of the Earth, namely, "the Big Bang Theory," and She replied, "Yes, I agree with it. But scientists explain things only in the material and physical aspects. They have not discovered the real essence, the invisible force behind the Big Bang. But it also helps to understand the spiritual aspect and creation."
On March 22, 1993, during a question and answer session in Brisbane, Australia, Master gave a clear explanation of how the universe came into being. (see "Selected Questions and Answers" in this issue of the News ) The "singularity" in scientific terminology is God, wisdom, or the cosmic energy. When this central force of wisdom is in motion, all forms of creation come into being from it, with various shapes, sizes, energies, wisdom, and the abilities to move and to think. Because the center has a great "magnetic force", all things will come back to the central force, and then evolve again. The "singularity" has already expanded and contracted many times, enabling us to evolve and grow. And Master explained in Her lecture in Singapore on September 26, 1994 that, scientifically speaking, this process is very similar to the theory of the "Big Bang," but it is very difficult to explain in human language.
To attempt to prove that life arose on earth through random collisions of molecules in a "prebiotic" soup of methane, ammonia, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and water vapor, scientists Miller and Urey recreated these conditions in a famous 1950's laboratory experiment. A spark of electricity (meant to simulate lightning) resulted in the creation of amino acids, the building blocks of DNA.
However, Sir Fred Hoyle, despite being an atheist, disagrees with the conclusions drawn from the above experiment and believes that life could not have arisen on Earth by accident. DNA is simply too complex and too irregular to have been generated by the laws of physics. Even if the entire universe had consisted of primordial soup, Hoyle concludes, an accident could not have led to the creation of life. The possibility of random events having created the order of life, he states, are about as great as "a typhoon blowing through a junkyard and constructing a Boeing 747." Along with Francis Crick (one of the discoverers of DNA) and a number of other scientists, Hoyle now believes that life arose on another planet somewhere and was transported here. However, Hoyle and others can not explain how life arose on that other planet!
The conceptual breakthroughs of modern physics provide another good example of the consistency between science and spirituality. When molecular science was developed, human beings began to change their views about the material objects of this world. They realized that various solid objects are actually not "solid" and that all the things in this world are made of various molecules with large spaces between them. As physics advanced further, people realized that the almost innumerable types of molecules in the universe are made of countable types of atoms, which are further found to be made of limited types of basic particles such as electrons, protons, neutrons, etc.
Human beings' views on the material world again changed dramatically as quantum mechanics was introduced in the early 20th century. Quantum mechanics views the basic particles of the material world not as "particles", but as waves or energy in various vibrational states. That is, objects such as cups and bowls that we see and feel do not exist; they are merely energy in certain vibrational states that make us feel they are cups and bowls. In a word, all the things in this world are illusory and are comprised of vibrating energy.
This finding is consistent with the Great Masters' teaching that our world is illusory. In a lecture in Thailand on January 1,1994, Supreme Master Ching Hai said, "When we look inside (meditate), we find nothing; we find no physical form, no substance; instead, we find a real existence, a real energy. That is where we come from. If we do not regard ourselves as a corporeal body, then we will realize that that is where we come from. That is the real energy from which everything comes...."
Quantum mechanics is also consistent with the spiritual teaching that all things are created from the great Sound (Tao, Word, or Vibration). In Master Ching Hai's lecture given in Taipei, Formosa on March 6, 1986, She gave the following clear description: "This sound existed when creation began. When this sound came into being, everything came into being. This sound is God; this sound is Creation. All things in the universe are linked together by this sound. All the realms, from high to low, are linked to each other through this sound. All things in the universe, whether stones, plants or humans, vibrate at their own specific frequency."
From the above examples, we can see that material science is included in spirituality. Most scientists focus their attention only on the material level, and, although they have made many great discoveries, what they are able to discover is limited. Just like Supreme Master Ching Hai once said, "Scientists have discovered only matter. They have discovered all the energy as matter, but not the flexible intelligence behind the energies. Therefore, it is a little different here. People use energy as a means to sustain their lives and to make more comfort in their lives. But they do not know that behind the energies is flexible intelligence, wisdom." (Lecture at Harvard University, October 27, 1989)
"The Quan Yin Method has a key, a tool, by which you can go to other
places to learn." (Lecture in Chiayi, Formosa, January 16, 1989) "At
the present time, our Earth does not have great schools of science that
teach advanced sciences. So you should practice the Quan Yin Method, and
you will gradually develop your wisdom. Or you can go to other planets
to learn, so that you can serve the world when you come back." "Even
if great scientists come here from other planets to invent machines and
to educate us in many aspects, we still have to prepare ourselves in advance.
We have to be prepared with a high level of wisdom, so that we can assimilate
the advanced knowledge and sciences they will teach us. No matter what,
we should practice the method of wisdom to develop and nourish our wisdom.
Then we can do anything." (Lecture in Hong Kong, February 19, 1992)
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai
Brisbane, Australia March 22, 1993 (Originally in English)
Q: Dear Master, one question that has worried me for a long time is about evolution. With my limited knowledge about evolution, I don't know how to answer the students I have been teaching for many years. My question is whether life on Earth has taken many forms and has evolved from our common ancestors, or did God create all at the same time?
I am very confused between religious and scientific knowledge. If I stand on religious belief, I say that God created everything. Then we go home and sleep; no further questions. But if I explain it scientifically, I say we all share a common ancestor, branching, like Charles Darwin proposed. So, with my limited knowledge, I can't answer. I have said to my students that I have to wait for my great Master with the knowledge of Heaven. Maybe then I can explain it to you later.
M: You see, religion and science don't conflict. They just use different terminology. And sometimes science doesn't point out, or they have not found out the underlying principles of all things. For example, science would say the same elements exist in you and me and are present in all things -- in plants and wood and all that. The religion, for example Christianity, would say that all are created from one substance, from God. And Buddhism would say all beings have the Buddha Nature. And Taoism would say we are all one. But this is the same as science saying that the elements in me and you are present in the plants and trees and woods and all that.
But then what makes our elements move, talk and think? The elements don't make the plants and trees talk. And if we have the same elements in all things, then, of course, we need the same force for this movement. Is that right? Yes! Therefore, actually we're all created from God. You can call it God or the cosmic energy, it's all right. In the beginning there was only the cosmic energy. Don't call it God or Buddha Nature; it confuses too many people. We will talk in scientific terms. Cosmic energy just rested dormant with all the seeds of wisdom, and all the seeds of matter capable of expanding and growing. But when the cosmic energy stirred somewhat within itself, then all the seeds sprouted forth accordingly and became all that exists today. So, we can call that God, or we can call that Buddha Nature.
If we do not know the source of our being, then we do not live according to the cosmic law, and that makes trouble for us. Therefore, we have to meditate now and ponder, trying to find the source of all this intelligence. And when we return to it, or at least we tune in with it, our life is in more harmony with the cosmic whole, and therefore, we are happy! We have no obstructions. We don't drive all over the place, but drive in the proper lane, at the proper speed. This doesn't conflict with science at all. But maybe science doesn't point out the force that moves all things.
Science just talks about matter, the elements present in you and in me and in all things. In that, they have discovered a great deal already. But how can they use the scientific method to discover the things that are without substance? That is our cosmic force that moves everything, and we so-called souls are part of it; part of this cosmic force.
The things that come into being differ according to how far they were from the central force of this cosmic whirlpool at that time of the great stirring movement. Therefore, we differ in shape, size, energy, wisdom, and the ability to move and to think. [Applause] Therefore, all things will come back to that central force, and then they evolve. If they want to come closer, they must be wiser, because at the center is wisdom. Therefore, they evolve. That is the reason for evolution, you see. They have to evolve, becoming wiser, greater, wiser, greater, wiser, greater, and then they can get closer to the center, because the center has a great magnetic force, to suck all things back in and then later push them out again, evolving all the time.
But, sometimes this cosmic power will also rest, and all things will stop. And then, when it wakes up again, all things start to work. That takes place over many eons. It's a little difficult for me to explain these things, but just try to understand what I say.
M: In the universe, there are many earths. We are not the only one. You can take time to visit! Therefore, we see many UFOs and things like that. These are definite things. There are many earths that look like ours, with people and life. Some have been glimpsed by scientists, but they have not disclosed it, because they lack enough evidence, the planets are too far away, and they are not sure what is what. Some of these planets are more like Earth; they have people like us, with a lot of farming and all that. Other planets are not like Earth. These are more spiritual planets, where there are people, but they are angel-like and invisible to our naked eyes, to the eyes of the scientists, and to the eyes of all the telescopes. Therefore, we have to visit them in our spiritual body and use our spiritual eyes to contact or to see them. This, the scientists cannot do. So, for example, yesterday and the day before, many people said they saw beautiful places and castles and people, but not on Earth. We can travel in a flash to any planet, if we train enough. But that's not our true aim anyhow. Come what may; we have no desire for particular things.
M: I have mentioned somewhere already that we are here to bless the world and to know our greatness. When we know our greatness, we are one with the whole universal cosmic power. And whoever comes in contact with us also has the blessing from this universal cosmic power. The earth will get more developed as more people like us practice and bless the world quietly with our spiritual merit and wisdom. That's our purpose. Otherwise, what else do you think? Are we here just to eat two or three meals a day, have a few children, and then kaput? That's not the true purpose anyhow! It would not be logical for God to take so much trouble to create us, then put us here for a few decades and let us die in misery, sometimes with cancer, agony, disasters, earthquakes, and so on. This is not logical.
So, the purpose of human life is to know God. Knowing God means knowing
our own greatness, knowing the whole cosmic power of which we ourselves
are a part. Even when we say a part, it's a whole, you see. For example,
if my finger is cut off, then it's only one finger. But when it is attached
to my body, it becomes one of the parts of my body, it belongs to my body.
Even though I say it's a part of my body, actually it is also the whole
of my body. Therefore, we are part of the cosmic power, but we're also
the whole, if we are connected again. The little gap in between is reconnected
at the time of initiation. We turn inward, we tune inward, we plug in,
and then we are whole with the universe. Therefore, we bless anyone who
comes around, without having to lay a hand on them or do anything to them.
Anyone we sympathize with or share blood lines with, they are saved or
are blessed in some form or another. It depends on their karma, and it
depends on our love for them.
What is Vitamin B12 and how vital is it to human health? Vitamin B12 bears the important task of blood formation. It can be absorbed for normal functioning only in the presence of the intrinsic factor, a mucoprotein found in the stomach and intestines. Vitamin B12 was originally isolated from animal liver early in 1947, and was used to treat pernicious anemia. Later, researchers used fermentation to isolate large quantities of Vitamin B12 in solution with bacteria (streptomyces griseus), which technique is still widely used in the pharmaceutical field. The full chemical name of Vitamin B12 is Cyanocobalamin. Vitamin B12, also known as Cobalamin, can be used to cure pernicious anemia and is often called the "anti-pernicious anemia factor." The structural presence of phosphorous and cobalt in its molecules gives it a reddish hue, making it the only crystalline red vitamin and earning it the nickname, "the Red Vitamin." The only vitamin to contain all the common minerals, Vitamin B12 comes in many forms, such as B12a, B12b, and B12c. It usually consists of a cobalt molecule bound to a CN group and an OH or NO2 group.
Vitamin B12 is one of the most indispensable nutritional factors in the
human body. For example, it plays an important role in the differentiation
and growth of various cells, including red blood cells. Also, it is necessary
for the renewal of epithelial cells and for the maintenance of myelin,
the protective coating around the nerves. With respect to bodily function,
Vitamin B12 plays seven major roles in the human body, as follows:
* It helps in the metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. This
means that the more of these foods you consume, the more Vitamin B12 your
body will need to metabolize them. Among these nutrients, proteins consume
the most Vitamin B12.
* It provides a substance required by the hemochrome in hemoglobin (through
interaction with folic acid), thereby preventing anemia.
* It ensures the normal functioning of the central nervous system.
* It helps children to grow, and increases the appetite.
* It increases physical strength.
* It helps prevent anxiety and restlessness.
* It improves attention, memory, and sense of balance.
According to medical research, when Vitamin B12 enters the body, it forms a compound with an intrinsic factor secreted by the parietal cells (large cells of the peptic glands) on the gastric mucosa (mucous membrane) of the stomach, before being absorbed by receptors in the ileum (lower part) of the small intestine in the presence of calcium ions. Theoretically, if our stomach is functioning normally and we have taken a small quantity of calcium ions, then our bodies will absorb all the Vitamin B12 contained in any food, thus ensuring that a B12 deficiency will not occur. Therefore, it might be incorrect to say that the rich content of Vitamin B12 in seaweed and several kinds of nuts cannot be absorbed directly by the body.
One encouraging finding that has been reported is that pregnancy leads to an incredible, spontaneous increase in the density of receptors in the ileum, thus ensuring better absorption of Vitamin B12. On the other hand, an absence of the intrinsic factor can lead to a deficiency of Vitamin B12. Gastrectomy (surgical removal of all or part of the stomach) as well as stomach malfunctioning due to low secretion of the intrinsic factor may also hamper the absorption of Vitamin B12 by the body, thus resulting in pernicious anemia (chronic reduction of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood). Such cases are mostly due to the failure of the stomach to produce the intrinsic factor required for B12 absorption.
Once Vitamin B12 is absorbed, it is stored in the liver, and is transported by intrinsic factors like transcobalamin I and II through the blood stream when the body needs it. In addition to blood formation, Vitamin B12 is also involved in the biosynthesis of methyl groups, and thus, has an indirect but strong impact on the synthesis of purine and pyrimidine nucleotides, which are parts of nucleic acids, the building blocks of DNA. Vitamin B12 functions best when absorbed together with folic acid, and can revitalize the body within a very short time. It supplements other members of the Vitamin B group, as well as Vitamins A, C, and E. Vitamin B12 is readily absorbed when the thyroid gland is functioning normally. Symptoms of its deficiency appear only about five years after the body is depleted of Vitamin B12.
Vitamin B12 can withstand high temperatures and heat, but is vulnerable to acids, alkalis, humidity, coffee, tobacco, alcohol, estrogen, and sleeping pills. If taken together with Vitamin B12, these substances can neutralize its effects or hamper its absorption by the body. Alcohol consumption also prevents the absorption of Vitamins B1, B2, B6, and B12, folic acid, Vitamins C and K, zinc, magnesium, and calcium. Since this inhibition is detrimental to health, it is advisable to quit alcohol.
Western medical researchers and nutritionists have long believed that Vitamin B12 can be found only in meats, such as beef, pork, chicken, and liver, as well as in eggs, and rarely in plant-based foods. Research findings have led them to the conclusion that Vitamin B12 deficiency is the usual cause of anemia among vegetarians. This misconception might be due to inadequate research or an oversight regarding such vegetable-based foods as Chlorella and Sprirulina, which are far richer in vitamin B12, protein, and other nutrients than are beef and liver. Eastern medical communities have also found that many Chinese herbs, such as Chinese Angelica, Angelica keiskei, and comfrey (Symphytum officinale) contain Vitamin B12. Cheese (especial the fermented type), milk and its by products (for example: yogurt), whole wheat, brown rice, seaweed, wheat grass, rice bran, chrysanthemums, mushrooms, beans, pickled vegetables, fermented bean by-products (for example: miso; pickled bean curd and fermented black beans) and yeast (for example: non-alcoholic beer) all contain this vitamin as well. Therefore, there is no need for vegetarians to worry about Vitamin B12 deficiency. God has given us a sufficient supply. We only need to be wise enough to open this inexhaustible treasure.
Adults, whether vegetarian or non-vegetarian, need only a very small quantity of Vitamin B12 to remain healthy. However, there are people in certain parts of the world who can produce Vitamin B12 within their bodies. Laboratory tests of bacteria taken from the intestines of some vegetarians in India, for example, have found microorganisms that have this ability. Vitamin B12 deficiency can be determined through a blood test. If the vitamin is found to be near or below normal levels, then supplements are necessary.
It is a medical fact that all living beings need Vitamin B12 as a coenzyme in the normal metabolism and reproduction process (DNA and RNA formation) of their body cells. A prolonged deficiency of this vitamin can cause a number of illnesses. The red blood cells of a normal person, for instance, age and die in 120 days. New blood cells are formed in bone marrow cells to ensure normal functioning of the human body. However, a Vitamin B12 deficiency can make the red blood cells dysfunctional or prevent their successful formation, which in turn causes megaloblastic anemia (anemia in which abnormally sized red blood cells are found in the blood). In some cases, prolonged Vitamin B12 deficiency can deter the formation and functioning of myelin, subsequently leading to neuritis (inflammation of the nerves) or incomplete brain development. In other words, a sufficient intake of Vitamin B12 is very important to human health. Based on the theory that all body cells, especially those that metabolize rapidly, need Vitamin B12, researchers at the Mayo Clinic in the United States have created a new role for the vitamin, that of detecting cancer cells. All cancer cells undergo rapid metabolism, which means that they need large quantities of Vitamin B12 to flourish. The Mayo Clinic researchers have found that if Vitamin B12 is combined with radioactive atoms and then injected into the body, a CAT scan reveals the different radioactive levels of the cells. This helps researchers track the precise location of cancer cells, which absorb and consume far more radioactive Vitamin B12 than do normal cells. Preliminary experiments at the Mayo Clinic have found that this "smart detection" technology successfully locates the position of cancerous growths in 90 percent of patients. It is especially helpful in diagnosing breast cancer, where traditional X-ray examinations are less reliable. A woman patient diagnosed with this new technology at the Mayo Clinic was required to undergo only a partial instead of a complete removal of her breast. Research findings have also shown that this new technique can be used to diagnose cancer of the lungs, thyroid, prostate gland, colon, brain, and bones. This discovery is a major breakthrough in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Whose Smell?
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai
Hsihu, Formosa February 19, 1996
(Originally in English)
There was a couple that had a long marriage and no children, and perhaps they were a little bit lonely. So the wife said she wanted a dog to keep her company, and the husband said, "A dog? Am I not enough for you?" He compared himself with a dog! So the wife said, "Oh, yes, but it's different. I'm thinking of something lively. You know, he can walk me to the shop, and things like that, while you are not here. I love you. It's just that a dog is different. You aren't comparing yourself to a dog, are you?" So the husband said, "All right. All right. But what will he eat?" "Oh," the wife said, "whatever we eat, he can eat. Dogs eat anything." That's why they are dogs. So anyhow, the husband asked, "And then, so where shall he stay?" and the wife replied, "He can stay in here with us, in the house. Our house is big enough." And the husband was still very skeptical and reluctant and asked, "But where will he sleep?" The wife answered, "He can sleep in bed with us, no?" And so the husband asked, "Well, how about the smell? " So the wife said, "Well, if I can get used to it, so can he."
IQ Test
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai
Los Angeles, U. S. A. March 14, 1996
(Originally in English)
There is a machine that was invented by someone specifically to measure
people's IQs. So if you want to know how intelligent you are, how high
your IQ is, you just have to put your head in the hole of the machine,
push the button and wait for the answer. So for example, if Steve puts
his head in the machine, the machine might say, "Steve, meditate more!
Your IQ needs more vitamins." Then another person comes, and shoves
his head into the machine, its empty chamber, and pushes the button, and
then probably the machine will give another answer. And it's very exact.
It can tell you how high an IQ you have, maybe one point nine or one hundred
and forty. It might tell you that you have the IQ of a genius, and then
you will be happy. Once, one person was watching people use this machine
all the time and he said, "Wow! That's fantastic!" The last thing
he heard from it was, "Oh, your IQ is that of a genius." So he
was very excited, and he put his head inside and pushed the button. And
then a long silence came from the machine, and then came a sigh like this,
"OOOOHHHHH...." And then there came a voice saying, "Please
don't make such a joke. Please don't put a stone in the machine!"
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Tainan, Formosa
May 13, 1988
(Originally in Chinese)
After we have purified our actions, speech, and thoughts, everything we do is right, and befits the way of the Truth. This is why we should pursue spiritual practice.
We ought to practice the Quan Yin Method in order to cleanse our minds of the invisible garbage of preconceived ideas. After that, everything that enters this pure dimension will become nectar. Otherwise, even if we do many things with great effort, it will be for our ego, for fame and for profits.
Sometimes, we spiritual practitioners should not make so much noise, because the power of the great Truth will naturally take care of everything, down to the smallest detail. It will take care of things whenever it is necessary, and take no action when it is not required.
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Kaohsiung, Formosa
October 19, 1988
(Originally in Chinese)
When we help other people, we should say, "I am doing it in the name of God". Then we will not incur any blessed reward or karmic retribution.
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Hsihu, Formosa
July 29, 1989
(Originally in Chinese)
When our minds are at peace, we are free of guilty feelings, and at that
moment we are free of karmic hindrances. This also applies to our worldly
obligations. When we have completely fulfilled our obligations, we do not
feel agitated in mind and are free from situations that make us feel agitated,
and make us know deep inside that we have not acted in the right way. If
we have fulfilled our obligations clearly, then we have no karmic hindrances.