| | Why Are We Here? | Helpful Tips on the Spiritual Path | | Spiritual Practice and Physical Matter | The Importance of Quan Yin | Practicing Within the Truth | The Benefit of Coming Close to Spiritual Mentors | Heart-to-Heart with the Master | | From One Seed to Many Trees Giving Shade | Surmounting Life's Obstacles - Do You Cling to What You Were Before? | | The Journey of the Stream | | Cherish the Opportunity to Practice in the Age of Kali | | We Are the Luckiest Yogis | Always Focus on the Wisdom Eye | Love Dissolves Everything | | Being a Monk or Nun at Heart | Don't Be Attached to Renunciation | Returning to the Source of Creation | Motivated by Myopia! | The Too Honest Speedster | A Very Patient Pooch |
The Buddhist scriptures say that you are the Buddha and that the Buddha Nature is inside you. The Bible says that God lives within this temple. So who else is in there, except God? If we are the temple and God is the only one who lives in there, who are we then, except God? If we don't remember, that's fine, but we are still God.
So whatever we choose to do as the God of all gods that we are, we should respect. As the Father/Mother of all of these beings that we are, we should respect our own wishes and our choice to live and express our divine Selves in whichever way we want.
That's why Jesus told us that we should not judge people. Because we don't know the path that another being has chosen to walk. He or she does his/her thing so that she/he might come to know God in a different way. He or she might choose to be a seemingly bad person, a very lowly person or a very so-called immoral person. But that's his/her way of knowing the divine. By choosing to be ungodly, that person will one day know that's not him/her. But they have to go back and learn the whole being again. Because if we always stay in Heaven and are Gods all the time, we won't recognize ourselves as God. So we need to lower ourselves and come down to this physical level so we can once again recognize our own greatness. That's our choice, and that's why we came here.
So the answer to our question about why we are here is: Because we want to know God. When we feel the time is up, that's the time we choose to remember ourselves again. That's the time we come to seek out spiritual friends, a spiritual group or maybe a spiritual teacher so that we can remember quickly; because we have forgotten how to remember and where to look. So some friend who has already remembered Himself/Herself may be able to help us. And then we recognize that we're nothing else but the Supreme Being, but God. We recognize the Supreme Being that's housed within this body.
But actually, Hes is not housed within the body. Hes houses our body. But then again, spiritual terminology is never a very exact science. So no matter how much a teacher tells us about God or how eloquently a spiritual friend might speak about the Divine being within us, we cannot understand just by listening. So the spiritual teacher, guide or friend has to show us practically, not just theoretically.
For example, when Jesus came to our planet, He taught His disciples both ways: the theoretical way and the practical way. And that's why later, His immediate disciples could also do wonders, could also see Heaven, could also hear the Voice of God as the Word of the Creator, could also see the Light of Heaven, could ascend to Heaven and even see the angels or see the Father. The Father spoke to them, like the Father spoke to Moses. And the angels also spoke to them.
Likewise, we can do that. Because as great as Jesus' disciples were, we are also great. We and Jesus' disciples are the same because Jesus said to us that we are all children of God. But because we have forgotten sometimes one or two friends have to come to remind us, but only when we are ready. Because if we aren't ready, no one can do much for us.
Sometimes we think that our lives would be very uncomfortable if we lacked physical things. But then, we could still preserve our lives and keep our hearts incorruptible. Sometimes too much money can be harmful to our lives and cause our morality to waver. If we lose this body, it won't matter. However, if we lose our longing for the Truth because of money, it will be very difficult to get it back again.
That's why Shakyamuni Buddha said that the path of the renunciate is broader, simpler and purer; while the path of the layman is narrower and more difficult to walk on. This is because the layman inevitably develops relationships with other people, and they pollute or fight with each other over fame and riches. Mundane possessions and relationships are not necessarily bad. It depends on how we use them. Having a husband, a wife or possessions may not be bad. Sometimes we don't know how to manage them; then they aren't good. Once we attain a certain level in our spiritual practice, we lose interest in the money, fame, possessions, love, desires and passions of the world. However, this doesn't mean that we've turned into a piece of wood, but that we've transcended all these things.
For example, when a child starts to learn the ABCs, he makes progress and the rate of his progress is very obvious. After he goes beyond the ABC level, he's able to recognize words. He studies every day, but doesn't feel that he's making any progress. By then, there's no need to test his ABCs, for he's already above that. It's not that he doesn't recognize words or isn't making any progress; it's just that he's at a different level.
Why are worldly possessions and passionate relationships not beneficial to spiritual cultivation? In reality, these things aren't bad. But if one becomes lost in the mundane passions and loves worldly people more than God, then of course, his level is not high because he's weighted down inside this world. For example, if one side of the scale is heavier, naturally it sinks lower than the other side. If the weights on both sides are equal, then there is balance. Hence, this doesn't mean that we can't practice spirituality if we still have mundane possessions or passionate relationships. The main point is the attitude of our mind toward these things.
If we're troubled or overly concerned about someone or obsessed with certain feelings day in and day out, then we should realize we're not yet free of the net of passion in the astral realm. Or if we're saddened by the loss of some possessions, then we're still inside the astral realm. If certain losses occur that may create difficulties and hindrances for the family, then of course it doesn't matter if we worry a little. But if the loss is not going to have too big an effect on the family, and we still feel very attached to these possessions and worry too much, then we should realize our level is still not very high.
We measure our level not only by sitting and seeing the Light and listening to the Sound. In spiritual practice, we should be careful every hour of the day. It's not only the two and a half-hour meditation period that counts as practice. We have to be on constant vigilance, knowing when our level is falling or rising. We should watch our own responses when people scold us, and see if we feel that our ego or self-respect is hurt. Or when people take our things or damage our property, see if we react strongly. This way we'll know if our ego has arisen at that moment.
Of course, we have to protect our property, feelings and families. However, protection is different from excessive craving and attachment. Every one of us has the right to protect our own emotions, family and possessions. However, if we feel very miserable and painful about these things and are unable to let go, then we must hurry to do more meditation.
What we call renunciates are those who can completely renounce those things that worldly people regard as very important and greatly needed, and cling tightly to. They have no difficulty leaving these things. Neither do they cry bitterly when they leave them behind. They clearly understand and truly want to let go. Of course, they may feel a little sad about parting with certain souvenirs or friends and relatives. However, it doesn't mean that they don't want to leave or are still attached to them.
For those of us who are practicing the Quan Yin Method, Quan Yin (contemplation on the Sound) for at least one hour each day is essential in order to erase the effects of the world on us, and for our spirit to attain genuine bliss. Of course, even if you only practice a little bit, you can still get a joyful feeling, but you won't feel completely happy.
Of course, it may be difficult to do Quan Yin for one whole hour, but you still have to try your best. Sometimes the situation improves after practicing for twenty minutes. The body becomes more stable and the spirit more inspired. Then the body feels nothing. By this time the initial atmosphere of excitement and instability will be gone. All will be well if only we endure it for a while.
There's a book about people who practiced the Quan Yin Method a very long time ago. It says that when we practice, even when we're in touch with the Truth for a very brief period of time, say a couple of hours, or half an hour, or dozens of minutes, we can still manage to cleanse eons of heavy karmic burden.
The book also says that there are many aspects of spiritual practice. We can listen to a lecture by a Master, take a look at Him or join His disciples in group meditation. If one can't see the Master or listen to His lecture personally, one can read His scriptures or listen to His recorded lectures or follow His directions about spiritual practice. All this is considered spiritual cultivation and staying within the Truth. All this can cleanse the heavy karmic load that we've accumulated over eons, and make us relaxed, happy, comfortable and uninterested in quarreling with anyone.
Sometimes we need someone to remind us of the benefits of spiritual practice in order for us to remember to practice. Otherwise, we come in daily contact with many mundane beings or beings who are not at such a high level, and their non-practicing aura drags our level down a little, so we become like them, busily engaged in worldly and mundane matters and then we forget our most important goal.
That's why it's really useful to be with spiritual mentors and Saints! That means it's useful to be in the company of fellow practitioners and the enlightened Master! It's useful not because we see them or listen to them talk. Sometimes even when we don't hear them speak, the aura of their spirituality serves as reminders and gives us spiritual encouragement. Then we think of spiritual practice naturally. Sometimes just being near them makes us feel very comfortable and gives us the desire to meditate, so that we no longer want to think about mundane matters again.
That's why in India they say to see your Master every day if possible; if not daily, then at least every two to three days. If that's not possible, then see your Master at least once a week; and if that's not possible, then at least once every two weeks; if not, then monthly. If that too isn't possible, then see Him once every few months; if not, then once a year. If that's still not possible, then at least once in a lifetime! If even this isn't possible, then you'll see the Master at the time of your death. At that time He'll surely come to take you. Therefore, in the end you'll still see Him. However, we must have affinity with the Master for Him to come.
That's why the saying goes, "It's not easy to meet Shakyamuni Buddha." We don't necessarily see a Master even if we live with Him in the same world, or hear His words if we live with Him in the same era. If we're the same age as the Master, or live in the same country or same village, it doesn't necessarily mean we can receive His blessings because sometimes we lock ourselves up. Our heart is very important! That's why some people, like many fellow practitioners in China and Au Lac who can't see the Master, have never seen the physical Master, can see the Master's Inner Light manifestation form. It's because their hearts are with the Master. This is also considered spiritual cultivation. The heart is very important!
If we're good at heart, then it's simple for us to be one with all and in contact with the Saints. If our hearts are segregated, it's like we've built a wall around ourselves. The Saint didn't build the wall. We built it and set up the obstruction ourselves. We're not necessarily with a Saint even if we come close to Him. Our hearts have to come close. In this way even if we're thousands of miles away from Him, we don't seem to be separated spatially. If we're near a Saint but our hearts aren't with Him, it's the same as being separated by distance.
Once during Shakyamuni Buddha's lifetime, a disciple found a huge ant in the Jetavanna Grove. Buddha told the people that seven Buddhas had come and gone and given discourses in this place, but this ant was still there as an ant. It had no way to transcend the level of an ant. This is like the story we heard today about Sariputra previously being a venomous snake. (For the details of the story, please refer to the same videotape.) This is the first time that we've heard about this. We used to think that he had high ethical standards in his past lives, which was why he could become one of the ten great disciples of the Buddha. Never did it occur to us that he was formerly a venomous snake. As a snake, he had made good affinity with Shakyamuni, who saved him after attaining Buddhahood. Why was he a snake for so long, for thousands and millions of years? According to the scriptures, it was because his heart had not opened up and therefore he remained a snake for hundreds and tens of thousands of years. Once our hearts open up, immediately there is no more karmic hindrance.
We come to follow an enlightened Master and learn from Him. This means that we're prepared at heart to disentangle all the evil ideas, attachments and bondages to the world that we've accumulated over many lifetimes. Once these areas have been straightened out, the karmic burden from the past several lifetimes will be erased. Only then will we be able to come close to Saints, and see the Light and hear the Sound of the Real Self, the inner Sound.
In late 1996, a Formosan brother named Chine arrived in the West African nation of Togo on a business trip. At first, he planned to stay in Africa for only a short period; however, some unexpected situations have extended his stay in Africa into the present. With Master's blessing, during these five years, brother Chine and local fellow initiates have spread Master's teachings in Togo and the neighboring countries of Benin, Cameroon, Ghana and Burkina Faso, and more Truth-sharing activities are planned for the future. Regarding his experiences in Africa, brother Chine told me the following story.
"At the beginning I didn't plan to do anything intentionally, and thought that after my one-year business contract was up, I would leave Africa. Then in 1997, a Quan Yin messenger came to Togo, and I told him that I would help as much as possible in sharing our method with the public, but would not work as a contact person for I didn't plan to settle down here. However, things somehow developed differently from my original plan. In the very beginning, I traveled around in neighboring countries, distributing fliers and sample booklets and having discussions in the streets with local residents. Later, some people in Togo received initiation into the Quan Yin Method.
Then gradually, I began to think about the most efficient way to convey Master's teachings in the region. Thanks to Master's blessed guidance, I began to encourage young local initiates to take part in this work. After demonstrating a thorough understanding of Master's teachings and a good ability to interact with people, they now visit foreign countries on the mission of sharing Master's message. As meditation centers have been established one after another in West Africa, we also have assisted the young initiates in setting up information centers. After the centers are launched, we broadcast three to four minute daily radio announcements that give a brief introduction to Master and Her teachings and describe how to contact our local center through the radio station. Every three to six months, we change the content of the announcements because human ears tend to respond better to something new and fresh.
Another powerful way of spreading Master's message is through TV broadcasts. I've noticed that after airing weekly lectures on local television stations for a period of time, many people are inspired and misunderstandings dissolve naturally. In addition, there are numerous other ways to introduce Master; for example, by posting Her aphorisms on billboards. I regard promoting Master's teachings as a process of creation, not just an ordinary chore. Master enlightens us with so much wisdom that even a few words from Her can bring great inspiration."
When brother Chine was asked if he ever encounters difficulties in his work, he said, "For some time, I felt like going back home to Formosa very much. Then one day, I watched one of Master's lecture tapes and heard Her say that our disciples didn't share Her love enough. Her words strongly struck me and so I decided to stay in Africa longer. Somehow, the feeling of loneliness is always with me. I was newly married when I came to Africa, and I miss my wife and son in Formosa very much. Nevertheless, as I came to see how our African fellow practitioners appreciate Master's teachings, and how much they long for a living Master, I decided to put aside my personal feelings.
Throughout my years in Africa, I've noticed that I've changed a lot. Perhaps my temper is not as mild as people might expect, but I understand that I've learned many lessons. Master's teachings are very vital for me now. Looking back, I'm most grateful for Master's love and blessings.
Many African fellow practitioners bear the same appreciation of Master in their hearts that I do, feeling very joyful, peaceful and thankful. Media reporters often describe Africa as a dark and underdeveloped continent. But this view reflects only the material level. They have no idea how rich in spirit the African people are. Along with this spiritual richness comes material comfort."
Today, if you walk on the streets of African cities, you can feel this emerging prosperity. Africans' yearning for both spiritual and material progress is very similar to that of Formosans 25 years ago. You can sense their deep yearning for a living Master, and as Master continues to bless Africa with Her abundant love and compassion, I'm sure that more and more Africans will come back Home.
A little stream flowed down from a high mountain far, far away through many villages and forests, until it reached a desert. The stream then thought, "I've been through countless obstacles. I should have no problem crossing this desert!" But when she decided to start her journey, she found herself gradually disappearing into the mud and sand. After numerous tries, she found it was all in vain and was very upset. "Maybe it's my destiny! I'm not destined to reach the vast ocean in the legend," she murmured dejectedly to herself.
At this time, a deep voice came, saying, "If a breeze can cross the desert, so can a river."
It was the voice of the desert. Unconvinced, the little stream replied, "That's because a breeze can fly, but I cannot."
"That's because you stick to what you are. If you're willing to give it up, and let yourself evaporate into the breeze, it can take you across, and you can reach your destination," said the desert in its deep voice.
The little stream had never heard of such a thing. "Give up what I am now and disappear into the breeze? No! No!" She could not accept this idea. After all, she had never experienced anything like it before. Wouldn't it be self-destruction to give up what she was now?
"How do I know if this is true?" asked the little stream.
"The breeze can carry the vapor across the desert and release it as rain at an appropriate site. The rain will form a river again to continue its course," answered the desert very patiently.
"Will I still be what I am now?" asked the little stream.
"Yes, and no. Whether you're a river or invisible vapor, your inner nature never changes. You stick to the fact that you're a river because you don't know your inner nature," answered the desert.
Deep down, the stream vaguely remembered that before she became a river, it was perhaps also the breeze that had carried her halfway up a high mountain, where she turned into rain and fell onto the ground and became what she was now. Finally the little stream gathered her courage and rushed into the open arms of the breeze, which carried her to the next stage of her life.
The course of our lives is like the experience of little stream. If you want to surpass the obstacles in your life in order to head for the destination of Truth, Virtue and beauty, you should also have the wisdom and courage to renounce your ego (attachment to yourself).
Perhaps you can try asking yourself these questions: What is my inner nature? What is it that I cling to? and What is it that I really want?
Q: In one of your lecture collections you mention "The Ocean of Love,"
a poem by Kabir. Is that right?
M:Yes, I've talked about Kabir's poems many times, but what is it about
the Ocean of Love?
Q: It's about the highest God, they call Sat Purush; He comes through different
incarnations in each age (Yuga). And in the Kali Yuga, Sat Purush makes
a deal with Kal (Lord of the Three Realms) to take a lot of souls back
home.
M:Yes, this is the Kali Yuga, the Dark Age. It needs a strong guy to come
down and take everyone up! Big car! Strong! (Master laughs)
Q: Is that why so many souls can be liberated so easily?
M:Yes, that's right; you know it already. Of course, it's like that. It's
the last age of this cycle. So whoever is left behind: Hurry! Hes brings
everyone up; that's why it's very generous. But it takes a lot of power,
just like a hurricane brings a lot of water. It takes a hurricane to bring
so much water inland; normal rain doesn't do that.
So, at this time, it's like "wholesaling." Because we have a lot of room and a lot of grace, so everyone can be covered. It's no problem. You're lucky! (Audience applauds.) God is generous, but Hes has never been so generous before. In the old times, at most there would be a handful, maybe a thousand people. There could never be so many, and they could never be so openly gathered together despite everything. You guys are really lucky.
In the old times, if they wanted to have group meditation, they all had to hide and run all over the place, using secret codes, secret handshakes, secret hand signals like mudras (hand gestures), or the salutation that you use -- even this (Master makes a gesture) -- remember the wisdom eye, repeat the Holy Names, do the Quan Yin, and then we're together. That's the secret signal the Christians used to have, for recognition of one brother to another. Because in those times Jesus had to hide; all the disciples also had to hide. They didn't even dare to recognize the Master in public, saying, "I don't know Him." Even the foremost disciple Peter denied Him three times.
Such was the negative power -- so oppressive that even so mighty a person as Jesus, and so devoted a disciple as Peter, could not open their mouths. It was very oppressive then. But in this time, we're very lucky.
Q: I wanted to ask You how high I have to be in this life spiritually to
not have to come back after I die.
M:Be as high as you can. Otherwise, the Master will push; the Master will
be there to take you to whatever level and continue guiding you upward.
Otherwise, you would have to pass through the three worlds. With any other
master, you would have to pass the third level in order to not come back.
But with this Supreme Method, it's OK; you can. Because sometimes it's
not your fault that you didn't reach a high level.
For example, suppose you get initiated today and die tomorrow. It's the Master's responsibility to take you up from wherever you are before you leave the physical body, or before the Master leaves the physical body. We're OK. This time, we just have a fully open house to help everyone. Whoever is sincere, the Master power will help this time, very generously. This century, it's very generous.
Q: Why is this century so special as opposed to a thousand years ago?
M:Because every now and again, the Heavens open "wholesale." (Master
and everyone laugh.) Like at a garage sale: Everything's one dollar. It
depends on which Master came down. You see, we're all Masters. But some
Masters are newly remembered again; they just became enlightened again
this lifetime. Some Masters have been enlightened all the time. Some Masters
have never left Heaven, and have just come down this time. Some Masters
come and go, come and go all the time, and have affinity with a lot of
beings on this planet. And when She or He comes back again, it's to all
old friends: "Anything you want, it's OK. We knew each other."
(Applause) Maybe we were old friends; that's why.
If the Master has just newly come, then he doesn't have too much affinity with many beings. So he just takes a few disciples to begin with, and then continues again and again the next time. If the Master has just remembered again that he's a Buddha this time, then of course he also has to develop more experience. It's not that the Master doesn't know, but just like everything else, you have to practice. You practice how to deal with the human mind, how to deal with the bureaucracy of this world, how to protect yourself from all the harassments on this planet and how to keep yourself intact in order to help people quietly without bringing trouble to yourself.
But the new Master doesn't know that. The new Master goes out with all full colors, blasting trumpets and everything. And maybe after three-and-a-half years, he's gone, or two-and-a-half years, or three-and-a-half months. The spiritual power is the same; it's from the universe. But the way to handle the disciples, the way to deal with political power in this world: That has to be learned because these are mind things. These are skills and abilities. They have nothing to do with enlightenment and the soul. Of course they have, because the more enlightened you are, the more quickly you learn. But if He or She has already had experiences, life after life, there's no need to learn so much.
Because how can a person learn so much in one lifetime? Even though you're enlightened, you can't learn auto mechanics, airplane piloting, sailing, business accounting, computer software, hardware and every other thing. You could, but your life is too short. These things are not soul things. These things are abilities that you have to use your mind and brain or hands and physical body to understand and master. So, if the Master has already learned all this stuff, about how to be a Master -- not "how" to be, but meaning that as a Master, you have to encounter and you have to be able to do many different things.
Therefore, being this kind of Master is easier and quicker. It's simpler. It's just the know-how of the world. The method is the same, the teaching is the same, the power is the same and the Truth is the same. But the Master Himself/Herself is capable or not capable: concerning the public, concerning how to teach the disciples the best and the quickest way to progress. The Master can teach the same method to the same people. But two different Masters might teach even the same method to two different disciples. And the one from one Master will progress differently or more quickly than the one from the other Master. It's like that. It also depends on how the teachings are imparted into his or her mind. Because if the mind doesn't understand, the mind doesn't accept it, then you cannot progress quickly. You don't feel so good. You don't feel convinced, or you don't feel confident. (Applause)
Q: I heard you say on a videotape that when we look at someone's wisdom
eye, it helps them also. It makes me feel really good to do that, and I
hope to remember to do it. What I'd like to understand better is how it
helps the other person.
M:Well, it's when you yourself know what you're doing. If you're already
thinking of the wisdom eye, that means you yourself are reminded of the
spiritual center of wisdom and enlightenment. And, if you yourself remember
that, of course your atmosphere will be spiritual. So that person will
of course benefit from you. It's just like standing next to a fountain:
Even though you don't jump directly into it, some water will sprinkle on
your face and make you feel cool. Similarly, if you stand next to a person
who's spraying perfume, even though you don't spray it on yourself, you
will still have some scent on you. So you're important. Whatever you are
is what the other person will receive. That's why, whenever we remember
anything about the spiritual center, about our true Self, the person next
to us will benefit. That's how it works.
Q: Master, if someone keeps attacking you with negative energy, do you have
to take it, or is there any way you can stop it, if it really becomes too
much?
M:Recite the Holy Names and pray. That's the only way you can attack people.
That's the best weapon. Kill them with friendliness. Kill the enemy by
making them become a friend, and then they are an enemy no more. There's
no one in this world you can't overcome with kindness and love unless they're
cuckoo or something. But they will still feel your kindness and love. So
that's the only way we can return their attack: with kindness, love, reciting
the Holy Names and prayer. Pray not for yourself but for him or her, so
that God will make her/him enlightened and then he/she won't do this kind
of thing to you any more.
Make sure that every precept you keep is physically, astrally and intellectually all clean and pure. Of course, we can't help it if a habit rises up again. But we can help by stopping it, not following it and not making excuses for ourselves.
Our tiny bit of wisdom can be either developed or destroyed. When we're with spiritual people and wise friends, our wisdom will glow more brightly and develop more fully.
It's true that for people who have wisdom, who meditate, who become childlike and entrust everything to God, things go just the way the wind blows, just the way the sun rises and sets. There's really no need for effort.
When we become very wise, we become very pure because when we know everything, there's nothing that we should know, nothing we seek to know, and nothing that we want to know. That's why we become so contented - because we feel at least that we know whatever comes is fine, whatever arrives is okay. God will arrange everything.
We're all monks in different ways; we're walking monks. We walk on the street, and we mingle with people. It's the same. It's just that in the old times, it was very difficult for people to go out and spread the teachings. So you had to be a monk. You didn't work, and you relied on charity so that you could walk far and wide to spread the teachings of the Buddha or Jesus. Nowadays this isn't so necessary. You can do so from your own home and be a monk at home.
And another reason was that in the old times, people saved their sexual energy in order to do other things. Because if you had a family and a lot of kids, it was difficult for you to walk around on the street and preach the Truth. So you had to renounce that pleasure of family and lovemaking in order to walk along the way and spread the message. Because sexual energy is very distracting to the work that monks do so they had to do it that way.
So to be a monk or nun or not to be one, to me, is not the real question. The real question is whether you understand things in your heart, and you find God yourself. And so many of the householders are also very attractive to outsiders because they practice diligently in their hearts. And they are really enlightened. They also can spread the teachings from their homes, and they do a lot of wonders.
It's a different time now. We have this very wonderful method, which covers everything. So we don't have to starve ourselves physically, mentally or emotionally in order to reach God. I tell you, God is wonderful! Hes is so generous, so powerful. Nothing can distract you from Hirm, let alone a little pleasure with the woman or the man that you love. So it doesn't matter; the monk or nun is inside.
True renunciation is renunciation in the heart. For one can also convey the gospel of "liberation in one lifetime" to people around the world, to those who are suffering, so that they can achieve self-realization. Whether we become monastic practitioners or remain lay spiritual practitioners, whatever work we do, or even if we work in a factory, we can still convey the message of the Truth among our colleagues. Look at my clothes; they don't look like monastic robes. As long as your hearts are not attached, you don't look like lay people either.
Therefore, it doesn't matter whether you take a monastic vow or not! The main point is that you're able to progress in your spiritual practice, are happy and free in both body and soul, and also are able to help others enjoy this bliss. That's our goal. Our goal is not to join the monastic order, but to bring happiness to others. That's how we should be, no matter where we are or what the situation is.
I don't mean that it's no good for you to become a renunciate. This ideal is good and noble, and I approve of it. It's just that the situation is not viable for some people. Even if you haven't shaved your heads and you wear layman's clothes, but your hearts are unoccupied and free, then that's true liberation. We should not be attached to outer appearances.
Enlightened Masters' places are not far from you -- they're inside you. Just concentrate on the inner world, and one day you will see better.
There was a story about a person who tried to look for Heaven and someone said, "I know where Heaven is; I can show you. "So he took him to a small well, where he showed him several people sitting and meditating happily, living together in that hole in the ground. And he said, "This is Heaven!" The seeker said, "No! Are you kidding me? This is just a dark hole in the ground." So the person said, "No, no! Heaven is in the Saints who are sitting there, not in the hole."
The Quan Yin Method is the method for returning to where you came from, and where we came from is Heaven. We came from God. We came from the greatest Source of Creation. We're not the human physical body. So if you concentrate and return, step-by-step, back to where you're from, you will know where Enlightened Masters live. "Everything is created by the mind," Buddha said. So just go back and see the real Creator. That's you! You and me -- One! You and everyone -- One! You and nine generations of your family -- One! That's why it's possible for me to help you go back; it's possible for you to liberate nine generations; it's possible for the Buddha to be enlightened and to say all sentient beings are already delivered or already liberated. When you go back to the Source, you see nothing but just the "Oneness" of us -- no Master, no disciples. You're one part of me; we're one part of God.
So, it's possible that when one person is enlightened, everything's already delivered from inside, and everyone knows already. I don't need to deliver you; I don't need to give you initiation. You'll be saved because your soul knows from my soul connection inside. But the mind doesn't understand. So I have to continue teaching you and telling you this and that and the other, so that you'll feel peaceful here. And so that your life, this fixed physical karma, will be smoother, more bearable and more joyful until you leave this physical world.
There was a man who said, "I work myself to death because I'm nearsighted." And so his friend asked him, "Why? What does nearsightedness have to do with you working yourself to death on your job?" Then the man said, "Because I can never tell when the boss is coming. So I always have to work very hard!"
Once a woman was stopped by the police, and the police officer asked her, "You were driving 70 miles an hour in a 50 mile-per-hour zone. Did you know that, ma'am?" So the woman said, "Yes, sir, I know." Then the officer said, "At least you're honest. So, why were you driving so fast?" And the woman replied, "I'm sorry. It's because I didn't see you."
There was a barber in a developing country who had a little shed at the roadside to cut hair, and a certain man used to come in regularly for haircuts. One day he noticed that a dog was always sitting underneath, near the chair where the customers sat for their haircuts. So the man asked the barber, "Is that your dog?" And the barber replied, "No, he always comes every day. It's not my dog. I don't know whose dog it is." Then the customer asked, "So if it's not your dog, you never feed him, right?" And the barber said, "No." And the customer said, "Then why does he always come here every day?" And the barber answered, "He's waiting in case an ear comes off."
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/140/jk1.htm (USA)
http://www.godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng/news/140/jk1.htm (Formosa)
http://www.godsdirectcontact.net/eng/news/140/jk1.htm (USA)