| | Master's Wellspring of Love | | The Story of a Crab | The Story of an Insect | | The Love of Oneness | Tips for Breaking Habits | How to Get Rid of Selfishness | What Kind of Logic Is This? | "God's" Will? | Overcome Your Own Laziness | Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest Publication: The Lost Memories--English Version | Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association's Convictions and Efficiency in Doing Voluntary Humanitarian Work | | A. Introduction | B. The Convictions behind the SMCHIA's volunteer social service activities | | 1. Belief and Realization that "All beings are one" | 2. The Conviction about "Effective Service" | 3. Give without Giving and Do without Doing | 4. Respect the Recipients | | C. Characteristics of the Voluntary Service Provided by the SMCHIA | | 1. Highly Mobile | 2. Extensive Range of Services | (I) Emergency Disaster Relief | (II) Helping the Needy | (III) Concern for the Imprisoned | (IV) Free Medical Services | (V) Environmental Protection and Beautification | (VI) Concern and Help for Asylum Seekers | | D. Recognition by Formosa and the International Community | E. Conclusion | | Table 1: Expenditures for Charitable Activities in Formosa, May and June 2001 (In NT$) | Table 2: Relief Expenditures for Needy Households in Formosa for May and June 2001 (In NT$) Total: NT$254,000 | Expenditures for charitable activities in Formosa for May and June 2001, as shown in Tables 1 and 2, totaled NT$315,768 |
There is a story concerning myself in Costa Rica. I tell you these things to let you know a little bit of my inner feelings. When you feel pain and sorrow, I sympathize with you. If you tell me inside, I know. I'm not without feelings. But sometimes being in a Master's position, I have to be strong and let you rely on me. I do what is best for you. So, sometimes I have to be tough. I have to cut off or minimize your sorrow in different ways. I cannot encourage you to be miserable and to always remain sunken in your feelings and melancholy. So I use different ways to cut down this feeling. It's not that I do not sympathize with you. I can sympathize with birds and worms. Will I not sympathize with human beings? But I cannot walk around with moist eyes all the time and cry with you and make you feel worse. We have to live on, whatever happens.
Once, I lived with disciples on a beach in Costa Rica for two weeks. Some of them had stayed behind after an international retreat. There was a group of about 30 persons of different nationalities. But that is not important. I just want to tell you that I wasn't there alone, enjoying by myself. Even though I was on the beach, as long as there was one disciple, I had to work. So you can imagine that the days were filled with scolding, laughing, cooking, and all kinds of other things.
One day, the sea rose very high. The waves surged against the beach, almost hitting our feet. I walked around with my umbrella. I like rain, especially heavy rain. I am not scared of getting wet. I opened the umbrella because I didn't have enough clothes. I didn't want to change all the time; therefore, I needed it to protect my clothes, not myself. If I had had enough clothes, I would have gone without the umbrella.
Then, I saw a very huge crab trying to protect itself from the huge waves. Whenever the big waves came and tried to pull it into the sea, it tried to clutch onto the sand on the beach. I said to a sister initiate, "Come and help it. Take it to a safe place." The sister came, but she was very clumsy. She made the crab very afraid as she dropped it many times. But I could not scold her because she did not understand English. I could not instruct her either, because she wouldn't understand. She kept saying in Spanish, "Master, please tell me what to do."
I stood there, very frustrated, as she struggled with the crab. I only knew how to say "crab" in Spanish. All that I could say to her was, "Yes, yes, cangrejo." Can you imagine how she picked up the crab? She used a spade, which you use to dig the ground. She dug it up and it fell; and she dug it up again and it fell again. I said, "No, you cannot do that." But she couldn't understand, and asked, "What is it, Master?" I replied, "You will hurt it. It keeps falling; it will break its legs." But she didn't understand a word. So I said, "Oh, my God!" Finally she got tired of playing with it, picked it up by one of its legs, and carried it farther up the beach. She caught hold of one of its smallest legs because she was afraid it might bite her. The two of them seemed to be having fun. She was very happy holding it by its smallest leg, but the crab was not happy at all!
I thought, "It's all over!" My heart beat fast. "My God, if she breaks its leg, I will not forgive her. I will throw her into the sea," I thought. But there was no other choice. I could only pray to God that the crab would be okay. Now, because there was no other choice, if she dropped it there and it wasn't prepared, the waves would sweep it away anyhow. Either way, it was not good. So I had to suffer as she caught it by its leg, held it upside down, and ran up the beach, where the waves would not reach. Now when I tell you about it, it sounds funny, but at that time, I was very sad. Do you know why? Because later, something happened to the crab.
The sister initiate finally put it down on the beach, but not far enough from the waves. I didn't like that, but it was okay. It was better and safer up there. I touched it with my umbrella to see if it was okay, if it was still there or if anything had happened to it. It looked at me and raised its pincers, trying to frighten me. Or perhaps it was very frightened and defensive. And then, it started to move toward the water. I said, "No, no. Don't go there. It is dangerous." But it didn't understand English. So I ran after it, and the faster I ran, the faster it ran. It kept looking at me very defensively.
"Why are you so frightened? I am harmless. I only want to save you," I thought. But it didn't understand, because the sister initiate had frightened it by holding it by its leg. So now, it looked at any human being like an enemy. It didn't trust me either. I saw the big waves coming and panicked. I tried to scoop it up with my umbrella. And I did succeed, but then a big wave came. Even my umbrella got washed away. I was nearly dragged into the sea and the crab was gone. I was very sad. I knew that it lived in the water, but under such circumstances, it was not prepared to defend itself from the waves. It might even die. I stood there for an hour. I was sad for its misunderstanding and for fear that it might get hurt.
You probably think that I was crazy and wonder why I cared about a crab. But that was how it affected me. I can even be affected by a worm or an ant or a fly, not only by a crab. Oh, I always remember the way it looked. It looked so defensive. It wasn't very frightened of me, but it was on the defense. It looked as though it knew me, and didn't feel frightened, but even then it didn't want to take a chance, so it kept moving. That was how it got dragged away by the waves, and I blamed myself for it. Later, I walked up and down the beach looking for it. Maybe I would have a chance to see it, but I didn't. That night, I could not sleep.
The more we practice, the less serious we become. We do not see things as either right or wrong. We think that everything is all right. We become more and more relaxed. It is not that people have stopped performing good or bad deeds, but that these deeds, good or bad, have nothing to do with us. This is because we think differently now. We are not contaminated or influenced by them, so we become more and more relaxed. Even if we sometimes do not treat our family members or friends well, or we make mistakes, we can still forgive ourselves, and thereby become relaxed. That's why we speak of one-life liberation.
Otherwise, we are influenced by this physical world. We are bound here and there, and we tie ourselves down. Of course, we feel bored the whole day. If we go on like this every day, we will never get out of this boring atmosphere. Spiritual liberation is like this: We become liberated when we are alive; we feel relaxed and happy; we are no longer worried and burdened as before, when we could hardly tolerate others?actions.
But let me tell you something, I am not so liberated! (Master and audience laugh) I just stepped on an insect and my heart aches over it. I told the guard that it wouldn't have mattered so much if it had died. But it was wounded, I don't know where it was hurt because it can't talk! So my heart aches terribly. I said sorry, but I knew it wouldn't help. So I put it on the wet grass, sprayed some water on it, and baptized it. I hope it will be better. Maybe it will, but when it was wounded, it must have felt terrible, and I don't know where it was hurt. Although it can still move, it must hurt. Its feet may have gotten hurt or its nails may have been broken. Maybe it had been manicuring the whole day and I broke its nails. Maybe it had just had a manicure and was beautifully dressed for a meeting, but was wounded by me. I heard a “crack!?And it hurts my heart! I have been apologizing to it until now.
Therefore, I don't know if I am really liberated. It seems that I am not liberated. I am still attached! (Audience laughs) Right? Gee, I am not liberated from this sort of situation: I feel hurt when others hurt; and especially when animals suffer, I suffer more because they can't talk. If we are injured, in most cases we are sent to the hospital and we can tell the doctor where we are wounded. He can treat us at once and we will feel better, or we can get some injections and take some pills and the pain will be alleviated. But the animals really hurt terribly! (Master sighs) This is the price we have to pay in this world.
Can you imagine how boring our world would have been if God hadn't created the animals, such as deer, bears, rabbits, and cats? God created many things, both for us and for embellishing the world. But the price is high. Animals suffer, because they too have a soul, life, and feelings, which let them stay active and appear alive. Because of this life or vital energy, they feel pain when they get wounded or die. This is the price we have to pay for this body and this life.
We have to pay this price in order to live or feel. Otherwise, we will feel nothing when people kiss or touch us. Cold or hot drinks, or food will not taste good to us. We enjoy this world through sensations. Only through sensations do we know a flower's fragrance, sweet fruit, great tea, and delicious food. Therefore, we pay a very high price to have these good feelings and sensations. The same goes for animals.
We pay the price to have the feelings of life. Actually, there is nothing in this world that doesn't have a price. A robot can do many things, quite like we humans, and sometimes it can even “think? almost the way we do, but it has no emotions or perceptions. It doesn't know the taste of good food, the warmth of the sun, the coolness of the breeze, or painful sensations. Without this life, there can be no feelings. Where there is feeling, there is pain.
We often ask why God created such a world of suffering. Actually, we should know that this is the price we have to pay for free will and feelings. Only in this way can we enjoy this beautiful and wonderful world. It is no fun if the animals are like machines and have no feelings. It is no fun if we are like machines. Nevertheless, since we have fun, we have pain as well. But we don't like pain. Again, if God benumbs our feelings, we cannot enjoy the world. Therefore, the more we practice, the more we identify with our fate. We realize that we made the choice to have fun here. We have all these tools that give us many feelings. When pain comes, we cannot escape, we cannot just feel nothing.
This same theory applies to karma. Some time in the past, we had everything—money, power, and free choice, but we got lost in them. We chose to indulge ourselves in them. We did not treat people well; we had no consideration for others; and we wasted our talents, money, and property. As a result, we lost everything. This is how the world works: There are ups and downs. When we reach the downside, we have nothing; we are poor, sick, and agonized. So, we turn to God and ask why we were born into such a life. Actually, it's not God’s fault, because there are always the bright and the dark side. There are always ups and downs, good things and bad things. We will be rising to the upper side, anyway.
The saints and good spiritual practitioners understand that the good and bad things in this world are no big deal. But the worldly people cannot see beyond the brief present moment. They cannot see the past or the future, so they suffer and dislike it, and thereby create more suffering because they are not peaceful or balanced within. They keep seeking more, but the more they seek, the more they suffer and struggle. They make the situation even worse, and they suffer more. Then, they turn to killing, robbery, or feuds. Or they are bullied or put into prison, and their suffering grows even greater and they can't escape. Therefore, we are responsible for creating the good and the bad in this world. Because of our own preferences, sometimes we unconsciously do things on purpose. This is the way of life we enjoy in this world.
In mid-April, like a cool spring rainfall, Master appeared at the Florida Center. At that time, Florida was suffering from the worst drought in a hundred years. There were even restrictions on water use and a ban on all fires. The fruit trees at the Center had all turned brown and died, and everyone was wondering when it would rain.
Then Master came. As soon as She arrived, She invited all the resident disciples to Her house. Master was wearing a plastic suit that covered Her whole body and holding a large white dog in Her arms. She told us that the dog was sick, since She had found him at an animal shelter. We could hardly believe our eyes. Over the years, we had become accustomed to Master's high standards of cleanliness. Wherever She went, everything would become spotlessly clean. To find even one speck of dust in Her room would be an amazing sight. And there She was, holding a sick and slobbering dog right up to Her face. Over the next few weeks, Master adopted more unwanted pets, including birds. (She meant to free the birds into the wild as soon as they had healed their wings). Her immaculate house became like the movie "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective"-full of all kinds of creatures, making noise night and day, and even sleeping in Her bed!
Master's pets are not just ordinary pets. She treats them like Her own children. She hugs them, plays with them, and talks to them in the most loving manner one can imagine. She always knows if they need to go outside, and when they come back they are cleaned at once with diluted lemon juice. She gives them special dog toothpaste, dog eye drops, "dog everything." And Master feeds them Her own food with Her own hands. Perhaps it is not correct to say "Her" food, because the dogs eat it first! Master eats their leftovers.
Truly, it is like a fairy tale, where animals are just like people. When Master talks to them, they respond just like people do. Master explained that since She took them from the animal shelter, they had gradually changed and become very spiritual beings. She also told us how She talks to them. If they are good, She speaks in a very high voice, and if they do something wrong, She speaks in a lower voice. Usually, though, She does not use Her voice at all-She just sends "pictures" of what they should do, and they understand right away.
Master also took care of the neighbor's pets. When She first came, a neighbor's dog came to the Center. Master immediately sent him home, after having his eye discharges wiped clean. We had been feeding him and so he kept coming back, Master says that it was not right to take someone else's dog, even though the neighbor did not take good care of him. And She sent the dog home with a brand new dog bed, along with dog medicine, dog eye drops, a vegetarian dog-bone, and many other things for dogs that he needed! She later went back to the neighbor's house for a "follow-up visit".
She takes care of animals just like Dr. Dolittle, (the movie character with a gift for communicating with animals.) Any creature that comes to Her house receives full treatment. She even took pity on the big, ugly vultures that came and made a mess of Her yard, giving them food every day.
Master has also made friends with all the neighbors around the Center. One day, a neighbor had a fire in his backyard, and Master immediately called all the resident-disciples and led us right up to the frontline, telling us how to distribute water and dig firebreaks. With Master's guidance, we succeeded in containing a section of the fire. The fire then spread to other areas, though, and the minute it got too big, Master called everyone out. She gathered us together to make sure that we were all okay, and explained that She had only instructed us to go inside because there was no wind.
The resident disciples went home to enjoy some cold drinks, but Master went back to the site of the fire to give water and gifts to the firemen. Then She checked up on all the neighbors in the area. That evening, a neighbor family had no electricity, so Master immediately offered them a place to stay in Her own trailer by Her house. She explained later that we could not do much to stop the fire, but the important thing was that we had fulfilled our duty to "love thy neighbor."
That was just one occasion, but every day something different would happen. One day, Master took us to a roadside diner. When we entered, the waitress was not very polite and would not let Master bring any animals into the restaurant. Later, when she was walking by Master's table, she noticed that there was a bird on Master's napkin. Master smiled sweetly at her, but the waitress gave Her a very disapproving look. Then the waitress discovered that Master had brought a dog in Her shopping bag, so she gave Master more stern glances.
Finally, Master said, "What's wrong? You look so bad, like you are having a bad day or something?" Then the waitress said in a very tired voice that she had been told to work a double shift, even though it was a holiday. Master then announced to the disciples in the restaurant, "Nobody should give this lady any trouble. She's having a bad day and has to work a double shift!" Next, She took the waitress' hand and kissed it. The waitress kept looking at the floor, but then she couldn't help breaking out in a big smile. So Master said, "Wow! You look so beautiful when you smile!" and started to say many loving things to the waitress, who turned bright red and ran behind the counter, covering her face with her hat. Master had won her over with love and kisses!
Above all, however, Master was concerned about us, Her disciples. From the day She came to Florida, She tried to find a place for disciples to come see Her, and so we could have a comfortable place for retreats. Every day for many weeks, She drove all across Florida to look for land, sometimes returning late at night. Many times She was disappointed, because someone had given Her false advertising, or changed the price, and She had to sort through all kinds of conflicting information about permits, regulations, etc. She said that maybe God just wanted her to run around Florida because of the drought problem. Indeed, from the time Master came to the area, it had rained almost every day, so much so that the local newspapers were at a loss to explain it. All of our fruit trees, which had been dead to the root for many months, suddenly sprouted green leaves.
During this time, there was a lot of pressure on Master. Many disciples
were hoping to see Her, especially on Her birthday, and Master was sometimes
brought to tears. On Her birthday, She was still working. We had prepared
a barbecue that evening to celebrate, and Master came to join us. She told
jokes, sang songs, and shared Her food with everyone.
Q: How can we help others who have addictions to overcome them?
M: Like to drugs and alcohol? You should just encourage them if they want to, but they've got to help themselves. And if they're trying to help themselves, you should encourage and support them as much as you can. But only they are the ones who can help themselves. You just stand by, support, and encourage. It's very difficult. But if they really want to break a habit, it takes three weeks. Any habit can be broken in three weeks. So tell them to hang in there for 21 days. Then it's done, whatever it is. You can break anything in three weeks' time if you persist every day up to 21 days. If they can survive until that time, they will be finished with their addiction.
Q: What specifically should they do for those 21 days?
M: Abstain. Abstain from whatever gives the addiction. For example, if they are alcoholic, they should abstain from alcoholic beverages. Clear the refrigerator; stay away from drinking friends. Don't even dream about a bar; even in a dream, don't go near! Don't circle around the liquor store. Anywhere they go shopping, they should just close their eyes and go directly to where they want something. For example, if they want butter, they should put their blindfold on and go directly to the butter only. And don't look right or left, because there will be alcohol everywhere.
Meanwhile, they should substitute alcohol with the things that they like second-best, but are harmless. For example, if they love to watch movies, they should just watch them every time. If they like, they can chew chewing gum, to keep their mouth occupied. They can keep drinking: Any time they want to drink alcohol, they should just grab milk, soy milk or juice, as a substitute. And, if they used to drink alcohol from a certain bottle, they can put milk in that bottle and keep drinking from it. Substitute something that is also stimulating and interesting but not harmful. They should go to a lot of sports activities and meet with friends who are very supportive. They can see the doctor, change their environment, and maybe change jobs. Or, if there's no need, maybe they can change something in their lifestyle. For example, if they have always wanted to play football but have never really taken time to do it--they can just do it now, you know, anything to occupy their time for the 21 days. And then they will forget all about it.
Friends are important, but good friends only. They should steer clear of their drinking friends. Of course, they can go to a yoga class or go swimming. Spiritual practice does help tremendously, such as yoga or meditation. Substituting the lower desire for a higher one makes them feel more elevated and worthwhile.
Most people drink because it's become a habit. Also they feel that life is so boring that they keep drinking, and the more they drink, the less activity they have. Then the less activity, the more they're bored. And so it continues, like a devil's circle. They have to substitute this habit for something better. They have to think for themselves; for example, what made them feel good before, in their whole life, from childhood until now? What kind of activities gave them the most pleasure? Note it down, "Number 1." What kind of people gave them the best support and happiness to be with? Note that down, "Number 2." What kinds of places gave them a very, very good time, like a comfort zone of good memories? Note it down, "Number 3."
And then they should make sure they have all these things at this time; it's very important for them. Then their lives will be happy, fulfilling and interesting. They will have enough strength and aim to go forward, in order to forget their bad habit also. By just sitting there, trying to suppress themselves with no other substitution, they will kill themselves. It can be very, very tough. But if a person is so busy that at night he comes home and "drops dead," even if alcohol is put right in front of him, he won't have a chance to even grab it. He may try to, but he will fall asleep already in front of the bottle.
It's similar for all of us, not just for addicted people. If you are having a tough time or going through a period where you're depressed by anything, like maybe a broken heart, a love affair that just ended, or an unsuccessful business-anything that disappoints you or makes you depressed-just find a substitute for it right away. Sit down and think back as far as you can remember: What made you happy before? Who made you feel good? Which place triggered the best interest or feeling in your life? Go there, if possible. Meet those people who have common interests with you and who are good for you, who make you feel confident, make you feel loved, supported, and "buddy-buddy." And do the things you used to do or you wanted to do, or that you've already tested and know they make you feel really good. So go for those things; busy yourself with all those interesting things and interesting people and interesting places. And then you'll have no time to even think of alcohol.
Most of the time we drink or smoke because we're bored or we're anxious and we worry. The reason we're anxious, bored or worried is because we are without the people we love and like; we are without the activities that interest us and give us pleasure; we are in places where we are depressed and where we don't like the environment. So, the more you are depressed in that environment and without friends and without interesting activities, the more you drink or smoke or whatever. Hang on through the tough time. Twenty-one days are guaranteed to break any habit whatsoever, twenty-one days at the most, every time. You can break any habit in 21 days.
So you know why Shakyamuni Buddha went to sit under the Boddhi tree for 49 days? He was just making sure! (Master and audience laugh) Jesus also went to the desert for 49 days. Why 49 days? Seven sevens or seven threes. Remember how God made the world in seven days? He made a mess of it, but at least it was in seven days. So we can repeat this cycle with many of our activities in life, if we want to achieve something. That's why sometimes we have a seven-day retreat. We could have it longer, but now we are having it. Whoever has time can just stay longer: 21 days or 49 days, and become a Buddha instantly. After a month and a half, the Center will be full of walking Buddhas (Audience laughs). Why not? In Tibet, the Buddhas (Tulkus) are running all over town. It means they have living Buddhas everywhere, so we can make some here. (Applause)
There's a trap, however. When you are in this kind of depression or in need of something, it is very, very difficult to get up and go to the places that give you pleasure, to contact the people who make you feel loved and supported, or to go do the activities that bring you happiness. But do it! You just have to try it once. And once you get there, you'll be happy you did.
Just tell people that. You have to make the effort just to begin; that's it. The beginning is important. Once you begin, you will continue, because you will have all the pleasure and happiness again. You won't remember the bad habits. You might still remember, but your day is now full of activities and interesting people--you do this, go there, talk about this, make jokes, hang together, have a party, and have fun. Then you don't have time to think too much. You do think maybe, but less intensely than when you have nothing to do, with just a boring job and boring home to come to, and you're friendless and lonely--that will kill you. Nobody can step out of an addiction that way, without support, without the happiness to substitute for it. You need people who interest you and make you feel good, places that bring you pleasure, and healthy activities that interest you or make you feel happy.
Q: How can we abandon the selfishness inside our hearts?
M: Slowly and through the practice of the Quan Yin Method. If we practice this Quan Yin Method, it means we are in touch with God's power and only God's power can help us in any way. God's power will give us everything we need, give us tolerance, give us unselfishness, and give us wisdom and love. We're selfish because we don't have enough love. We're craving for love. We feel that no one loves us--not enough, so we have to hurry up and love ourselves more. We think we have to make up for ourselves in this way. That's all. We practice this Method, and we are in the presence of God. We feel we are loved and we are loved by our Master, by our fellow practitioners, by God, then we just feel very secure. And we don't need any more selfishness. It will leave us automatically, naturally. It may not be in one day, but shortly.
Selfishness is a form of love, of loving ourselves. At least you love yourself. You must learn from there. If we know how to love ourselves, later we will know how to love others. If we do not know how to take care of ourselves, if we can't learn how to be comfortable, how to make ourselves comfortable, how will we know how to offer the same kind of love to others? So this is only a kind of lesson that is very useful later, when our love expands from self to others.
Two people were going fishing. They went a long way to buy the equipment, bait and a video camera. Then they drove to the seaside. The roads were bad, and their car was badly damaged, with dents here and there. Most of their equipment was damaged, too.
After they reached the seaside, they caught only one fish. One of them said, "Business was really bad today. Do you know how much we spent on this one fish alone?"
The other answered, "Of course, I do. We spent two thousand dollars on just this one. It is a little too much!"
The first person then said, "Good thing we didn't catch more, or the costs would have been even higher. Two thousand dollars for one fish!"
There was a man who was very religious. He believed in God very much. But he also believed in donuts very much. He ate a lot of donuts. And he got very fat. And he swore to God that one day he would get off of donuts and never touch donuts again. And he decided to go on a diet and eat healthy, and become slim and handsome.
So he tried to change his route to work. He drove on another route instead of his old route, on which he had to pass by the donut shop every day. Therefore, if he didn't see the donuts, he wouldn't get too tempted. So okay, that's good. This went on for some time, two months. And he never touched a donut again; he never went to that shop again.
But one day he accidentally went back on that old route again. He drove along it and saw the donut shop. And he said, "Oh, my God. No, no!" But then he thought, "Oh! It might be God's will." (Master and audience laugh) He was a very devoted Quan Yin disciple. He thought, "Oh, maybe God wants to reward me for all the effort I made all these months. Maybe Hes wants me to eat some donuts today." Okay, then he prayed in his heart. He started to say, "Oh, dear God, if it's really Your will, let me find a parking space right in front of the entrance. Then I will know that it's Your will." So, of course, he found a parking space right in front of the entrance, after a dozen times driving round and round the block. That's just like us. Everything is Master's arrangement!
Please visit the following web sites to enjoy the original video versions of these jokes and you may share the joy of Master's humor with those around you as well.
http://www.Godsdirectcontact.org/eng/news/125/jk1.htm (USA)
http://Spiritual-Discovery.org/eng/news/125/jk1.htm (USA)
We should give a reward to anyone in any way, for example, to the homeless people. I do that all the time. When I see someone, sometimes I turn the car or make a U-turn on the highway, just to give them something. Sometimes my driver complains, "That's difficult! It's inconvenient." I say, "Yes, for us it's very inconvenient, but for that man it's even worse. Can you imagine how much more inconvenience he has to endure every day? Compared to our inconvenience, his is very great. So, just turn." On the highway sometimes it's difficult, of course. But considering his inconvenience, ours is very small. We can always make two more minutes for a person like that. We can always go through a little inconvenience just to help someone out. And it feels good when you do that. It feels good when you defeat your own laziness or excuses; knowing what you want to do, you do it. It feels good.
Should you feel yourself not being compassionate enough, then train yourself, starting at home, for instance. Usually, when you have some good food, you eat it first without considering other people. Starting from today, first ask other people whether they want it. Or, previously, you often gave priority to doing things that you liked. Starting from now, first ask other people what they like, and then do it for them; give consideration to yourself after everyone else. That's it--it's very simple!
"The Lost Memories" is a precious collection of thirty-nine romantic
poems written by Supreme Master Ching Hai during the 1970s. This period
of Her life was one of love and loss, joy and heartbreak, longing and satisfaction,
and search and discovery.
The journey on the path of Love portrayed in this volume encompasses a
wide spectrum of sensations from intense passion to deep reflection. Each
poem is filled with rich imagery and lyricism resonating with thoughts,
feelings and experiences common to all of humanity. Sweet memories rekindled
by falling leaves, a lost bird wending its way homeward, the sound of raindrops--all
are expressed with the utmost simplicity and tenderness. Master's innermost
feelings about romantic love, human relations, spiritual devotion, and
the ephemeral nature of life are revealed with both power and charm.
Woven into the book's wide range of emotions is a consistent theme that
forms a gentle backdrop for each poem: the omnipresence of Divine Love,
the inspiration for Master Ching Hai's lifelong search for Truth. Through
these tender poems, Supreme Master Ching Hai brings us new hope that, although
our existence may be intertwined with joy and sorrow, rapture and suffering,
peaks and valleys, the way back to True Love is always at hand.
We hope that "The Lost Memories" will remain a constant companion
through the years, being by your side during each high and low point, and
helping you find peace, love, and spiritual insight on your life's journey.
For more than a decade, Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association (SMCHIA) has been performing voluntary humanitarian work, rendering aid in many areas of the world, and its efforts have been appreciated by the governments and citizens of many countries. The Association's high efficiency in mobilizing relief workers and materials is especially remarkable. In this article, we will explore the SMCHIA's convictions behind its humanitarian work, its efficiency in mobilization, and other topics. The following might be useful as a reference for others involved in voluntary humanitarian work as well.
The SMCHIA is a spiritual group founded by international disciples of the world famous spiritual master--Supreme Master Ching Hai (Note 1). For many years, the SMCHIA has been doing its best to help disaster victims and needy people around the world. The Association's development of highly efficient voluntary social service methods is closely related to its convictions.
Members of The SMCHIA are all Quan Yin Method (Note 2) practitioners. Through the practice of meditation, they realize that every being is an integral part of the Universe. Based on this conviction and the realization that "All beings are one," the group's spiritual practitioners naturally become concerned about all the beings around them. When parts of the "one" are suffering, spiritual practitioners help them immediately, just as when part of one's body is injured, one tries to heal it immediately. In this way, the voluntary services of the SMCHIA arise naturally.
Supreme Master Ching Hai so teaches Her disciples: "Since we have been in this world we have owed much to this world for the food we eat and the clothes we wear. Of course, everything comes from God and God is the only person we should be grateful to. Nevertheless, God has used many instruments, and should these instruments become somehow damaged or out of order, we also have the obligation to repair them. So there is no need to say, "Everything comes from God and I need not worry about anything. I have no obligation." We do. So when we help other people, like the poor or refugees, we actually repay, we actually just do our duty. There's nothing to talk about or no excuse not to do it." "We provide for the people and God will provide for us. That is the way of working in the universe. If everyone works like that, the system of the world will run very smoothly, and no one will ever lack anything. But because we do not work this way, the world is in such a state of wanting." (Note 3)
Meditation is the most important daily lesson for the practitioners of the SMCHIA, helping them to offer more effective service to society, because their inner wisdom and love develop continuously through meditation. Supreme Master Ching Hai teaches her disciples: "We meditate because we want to do service better, and we want to be clearer in what we do. Therefore, we become more efficient in our work and give greater service to others. Without meditation, sometimes we have the very best intentions and we are willing to serve people, but we don't know what is the best way. Therefore, meditation is a helping factor with respect to true selfless service." (Note 4)
This conviction clears up the general misunderstanding that "Spiritual Practice" means practicing in seclusion at home or in a temple, severed from the mundane world. On the contrary, spiritual practitioners are more inclined to give a helping hand to needy people, because spiritual cultivation lets them truly feel others' misery as their own.
The attitude of The SMCHIA toward voluntary social service is "do it naturally," and "do without doing." Supreme Master Ching Hai reminds Her disciples, "When we render a service, we have no idea that it is "I" who is doing charity, or whether it is beneficial to "me". We do it completely out of a natural attitude that springs forth from our inner being. If we give to people on one hand, but expect blessed reward in return, this kind of charity is of very little meaning." (Note 5)
Supreme Master Ching Hai further explains, "We are born without anything, and yet we have many things, such as food, drink, and clothing, and as we grow up, we breathe in oxygen, and take a lot from society. Therefore, it is not a big deal if we give or offer something; this is only a cycle of natural exchange." "It is just like we are returning things from God to God." (Note 6) "All things in the Universe are for everyone to use; no one is giving things to others." (Note 7)
Supreme Master Ching Hai especially warns Her disciples: Even if almsgiving gains merit, if you help one person and then tell another person intentionally, the merit is neutralized; and if you again deliberately tell one more person, then you owe a merit instead. Therefore, our intentions must be pure when giving alms.
The SMCHIA emphasizes the importance of "respecting the feelings of the recipients of help and their dignity". Association members avoid making recipients feel like they are being helped, or are inferior to others. On the contrary, help-givers naturally have a grateful attitude toward recipients, because their situation has given them a good chance to learn how to love. "Some of them (recipients) are saints. Some have practiced very well, to a very high level. They have sacrificed their attained position and descended as refugees in order to help the world." (Note 8) This kind of profound spiritual reflection is the driving force behind the "respect the recipients" service attitude of spiritual practitioners.
Supreme Master Ching Hai teaches Her disciples to "expect that the world is peaceful, and no disasters will happen," to always keep their thinking on a positive note, and to do the best rescue work possible, should a disaster occur. So, in every corner of the world, whenever it is known that help is urgently required, the disciples quickly reach unanimity in mobilizing considerable manpower and financial and material support, going deep into the affected areas at the most critical times to accomplish missions of urgent rescue.
For example, in 1991, the Mount Pinatubo volcano in the Philippines erupted, resulting in more than a million casualties and homeless victims. The SMCHIA immediately launched a large-scale relief project, which was much appreciated by the government and people of the Philippines. Volunteers from the Association risked their lives, venturing into villages only five kilometers from the volcano, to render help. Due to poor transportation and the heavy risks involved, even local relief groups dared not go to these villages. (Note 9)
Similarly, after the 1999 earthquake in Turkey, upon hearing news of the disaster, the SMCHIA in Formosa bought and packed relief materials in two days, accomplishing their work with the greatest speed. They contributed tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, and warm blankets, weighing over fourteen thousand kilograms, and filled about eight hundred and twenty-eight large boxes. With enthusiastic assistance from their country's Department of International Organizations of the Foreign Ministry, the relief materials were delivered to the affected area by China Airlines and Turkish Airlines. (Note 10) The SMCHIA in Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and the U.S.A. also took action to contribute to the Turkish earthquake victims.
After Formosa's earthquake in September 1999, upon hearing the unfortunate news, Supreme Master Ching Hai quickly telephoned to express Her concern, and instructed Her disciples to begin immediate relief efforts. Knowing that good cooperation with the government was the best way to rescue quake victims, the disciples promptly contributed money, in the name of The SMCHIA, to the special account set up by the Ministry of the Interior Department at the Central Bank Treasury for relief of quake disasters. They also promptly set up temporary relief centers in Nantou and Taichung. Association members from all over Formosa soon joined the relief team. Working speedily and cooperatively, they prepared mobile toilets, tents, sleeping bags, mineral water, food and daily necessities, which were efficiently delivered to victims in the affected areas. On the very night of the earthquake, the Association had already delivered numerous tents to some of the affected areas, solving the accommodation problems of some victims just in time.
The rescue team formed by Association members from Nantou was the first to report to the Nantou Municipal Government, and along with other participants, formed the first rescue group on the scene. Other Association members also formed relief teams in order to reach many affected areas. They especially considered the needs of the people in remote regions where the Government and other civilian groups might not be able to provide immediate help by car, such as places deep in the mountains that were isolated due to rough tracks and damaged roads. From the 23rd to the 25th of September, many of these routes were still gravely threatened by falling rocks. However, disregarding the dangers, the SMCHIA members traveled on foot, carried relief materials on their backs and delivered timely relief to the helpless victims. Medical teams formed by dozens of members in the medical profession also ventured deep into the affected area to help victims. More than forty light trucks moved back and forth to deliver the relief materials gathered by Association members from various cities. A team of excavation vehicles was also formed to support the rescue work, helping the government to open roads, clearing debris on the streets and in collapsed buildings, leveling the ground for the police station to set up a temporary office, and unblocking the roads between villages. (Note 11)
From the above examples, we can see the efficiency and power of the SMCHIA in initiating and mobilizing voluntary services, because the Associa-tion's members have the spirit of helping others, as if they were helping themselves.
The SMCHIA has done a wide range of voluntary social service work, which falls into the following categories:
In past decades, The SMCHIA has rendered help to those suffering from natural disasters in many parts of the world; for example, the volcanic eruption in the Philippines, the drought in northern Thailand, the floods in southern Thailand, Cambodia, Au Lac, the Middle-west and other states of the USA and Mainland China, the ice storm in Canada and the earthquakes in Kobe, Japan, Turkey, and Formosa, to mention just a few. As soon as a natural disaster strikes, members of The SMCHIA deliver relief supplies, money, medicine, and medical personnel to the disaster-stricken area in the shortest time possible, until they have accomplished their mission of disaster relief and care for victims in regard to body, mind and soul. Or they may make monetary contributions through other charitable organizations to support their relief work.
The SMCHIA gives regular aid to destitute households, with relief funds being delivered monthly to the homes of the needy. In addition, its members often visit orphanages, old folks' homes, etc. to provide material and spiritual comfort. Sometimes they seek out vagrants wandering the streets and provide them with basic necessities, such as sleeping bags, blankets, overcoats, underwear and food to help them through the cold winter.
Supreme Master Ching Hai has constantly shown deep concern for inmates in jails and prisons. It is Her belief that many people locked in prisons comprise a group of the earth's cleverest people, however they have no way to make use of their abilities and intelligence, and their power is not utilized in the right way. Therefore, they are driven by circumstances to become "fallen angels." If their power were directed the other way around toward spiritual practice and benefiting society, their achievements and contributions would be immeasurable.
In 1989, Supreme Master Ching Hai paid a personal visit to the prisoners confined in I-lan and Hualien Prisons. Also, The SMCHIA in various countries often visits local prisons and teaches prisoners a simple method of meditation to help them attain peace of mind. The Association in Formosa has conducted hundreds of spiritual seminars in prisons throughout the island and the outlying islands of Penghu, Kinmen, and Green Island. From the following example, only one of many, it is obvious that these seminars have had an enormous effect in edifying the prisoners.
A prisoner with the surname of Liau, who had committed major crimes, was sentenced to serve a long term at the Tainan Prison. In 1991, when members of the SMCHIA visited the Prison, he came to learn about Master's lecture on the value of life, was deeply moved and hence became a vegetarian. Furthermore, he learned how to meditate, became amiable and benevolent, gave up smoking and drinking, and never carried any contraband in prison. He thoroughly obeyed the Prison authorities, and made good use of his skills in plumbing, which won him commendations from the warden. Because of his excellent record, he was released from Prison after thirteen years of imprisonment, and works in society again. After coming back to the normal world, he has strictly observed the precepts of spiritual practice, abided by the law, worked hard as an honest citizen, and earnestly devoted himself to volunteer work.
The SMCHIA has frequently held free medical consultations in many areas of Formosa, including remote aboriginal villages in Taitung, Wanluang Hsiang in Pintung, Miaoli City and Hsihu Hsiang in Miaoli, and Green Island. Many times, as invited by the Sports Committee of the Executive Yuan, they also have provided free medical consultations and emergency medical services at the Thousand Person Hike and other activities.
The SMCHIA free medical service team consists of medical professionals, including traditional Chinese medical doctors, Western medical doctors, clinical laboratory specialists, and nurses. In applying western medicine, blood testing equipment, urine testing strips, an electrocardiograph, an abdominal ultra-sound scanner, professional eye-examination instruments used by ophthalmic experts and portable dental equipment prepared by dentists, the team's services include medical consultations, medical education, and illness examination and sorting.
Years ago, Supreme Master Ching Hai instructed Her disciples to engage in protecting and beautifying the environment and in restoring the beauty of nature. Thus, over the past several years, members of the SMCHIA have spent Sundays and holidays in restoring and cleaning up the environment, planting trees, cleaning up mountains and rivers, freeways, parks, and the coast, and clearing garbage deposited on the sea bottom. The SMCHIA in Formosa was given a certificate of gratitude by the Environmental Protection Administration of the Executive Yuan. As the Magistrate Yang Hsiu-hsia of Hsihu Hsiang said, "The SMCHIA in Formosa has adopted highway 28 in this county and made it so clean that there is not even a single piece of trash on it. What is more, they have come with their own vehicles and sorted and disposed of the garbage in a better way than we could ever have conceived of."(Note12)
Supreme Master Ching Hai has long made the utmost efforts in giving relief to asylum seekers around the world. She has been to refugee camps in Hong Kong and the Philippines to visit Aulacese asylum seekers, contributed large quantities of supplies to refugees in various countries, and stood up for their human rights. She also has contributed Her help through organizations like the Red Cross to war-stricken and famine-stricken refugees in Rwanda, Chechnya, Sudan, and Kosovo.
For years, members of The SMCHIA have been silently conducting voluntary social service work, considering it to be their obligation. Nevertheless, their achievements have been widely acclaimed and acknowledged by many countries. For example, the U.S. Government bestowed on Supreme Master Ching Hai the World Peace Award, the World Spiritual Leadership Award, and Honorary U. S. Citizenship. Hawaii and six Midwestern States in the U.S. initiated Ching Hai Day, and Hawaii erected a bronze statue of Supreme Master Ching Hai in a local park. She was also awarded the Star of Noble Life Award in Thailand, the Award of National Construction in Cambodia, the World Citizen Humanitarian Award in the Philippines, and Honorary Citizenship with a Key to the City in Manila.
In Formosa, because of its long-term concern for prison convicts and parolees, and its efforts in social education, the members of The SMCHIA have been appointed "Honorary Probation Officers" of the Public Prosecutor General's Office. The group also was given the "Minister of Justice Award" in 1998 and 2000. In addition, in 1999, The SMCHIA was commended by the Minister of Justice as a meritorious association for participating in cultivation and protective activities in prisons, and was given the "Prime Minister's Award" and other commendations, as well as letters of gratitude, and reports in newspapers and other media.
The SMCHIA is a group of civilian spiritual practitioners that for many years has conducted international voluntary charitable work to help disaster victims and the needy. This shows that after being uplifted by spiritual cultivation, one gains a deeper sense of mission toward society, has a firmer conviction and enthusiasm about participating in volunteer work, and thus is able to serve the multitude with utmost sincerity. In this way, one is able to provide efficient service to society in the most considerate way. Supreme Master Ching Hai often says, "We must water the tree by the roots." This means that in doing anything, if we first develop our love, the power of wisdom from within, and a correct concept, everything will naturally go well. The charitable work done by the SMCHIA is indeed a good example of this process in action.
(The author of this article is a supervisor of social workers at the Christian 9/21 Community Reconstruction Center.)
Notes and References:
Note 1: Please refer to the biography of The Supreme Master Ching Hai in each of "The Key of Immediate Enlightenment" books
Note 2: The Quan Yin Method, the essence of Supreme Master Ching Hai's teachings, is also the essence of all religions throughout history. Quan Yin means to contemplate the inner Sound. The inner Sound inside us is the True Self, the God Nature. It is called "The Word" in the Bible. Shakyamuni Buddha also spoke about the Sound, describing it as the "sound of a drum, a bell" (Lotus Sutra Chapter 19: Fa Shih Gong Te), and "the sound of Brahma, of ocean waves, and many sounds of the world beyond" (Lotus Sutra Chapter 25: Universal Door). In the Hindu scriptures, Krishna also claimed that He Himself was the Sound in the Ether. When Prophet Mohammed saw the Angel Gabriel in the cave at Gare-Hira, He also heard a voice (the Sound). Lao Tze described the "Tao" as the "Great Sound"--the big sacred sound (Tao-te Sutra Chapter 41), which cannot be heard by the external organs of hearing. This Sound is the inner Sound. It has also been called God's Word, Logos, Shabd, Tao, the Sound Stream, Naam, and the Celestial Music. Besides contemplation on the inner Sound, contemplation on the inner Light is another important aspect of the Quan Yin Method.
Note 3: Supreme Master Ching Hai News No.21, 1992, p.18 & 11.
Note 4: Supreme Master Ching Hai News No. 43, 1995, p.36.
Note 5: Please refer to P.249 of "The Key of Immediate Enlightenment", volume 1, 1998. <Chinese version,>.
Note 6: The story "A Monk of Gold Treasure", spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai at Hsihu, on May 24, 1992.
Note 7: The topic "The Truth of Facts" spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai at Hsihu on August 5, 1991.
Note 8: Supreme Master Ching Hai News No. 38, 1994, p.56.
Note 9: Report on "The Work Journal of the Philippines Disaster Rescue" in Supreme Master Ching Hai News No. 14, 15 and 16, 1991.
Note 10: Report on "Aid for Earthquake Victims in Turkey" in Supreme Master Ching Hai News No. 105 p.43.
Note 11: Report on the "Love and Aid to 9/21 Jiji Earthquake Disaster Victims" in Supreme Master Ching Hai News No. 106 p.39 & News No.107 p.44.
Note 12: Summary of a speech given by the Magistrate of Hsihu Hsiang, during a ceremony for a fire engine contributed by the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association to Hsihu Hsiang on October 25, 2000. Supreme Master Ching Hai News No. 117, p.31