| | Concentration and Selfless Devotion | The Way of Peace | Master's Wonderful Way of Encouraging Education | A Lost Lamb Finds Her Mother | The Best Protection | Master Takes Me Home | The True Meaning of Life | It's More Joyful to Give than to Receive | Delivering People with Affinity | | Timely Help | Miracle in a Funeral Parlor | | Keep Striving for Positive Spiritual Power | Make Use of Your Time to Meditate | Pursuing Spirituality is the Best Form of Patriotism | A Positive Sense of Ego Is Essential | Be True to Others and Honest with Ourselves | The Demeanor of a Saintly King | God's Scrabble Game | A Little Misunderstanding | Out of the Hospital, Out of Money | Turning Our Burdens into Joy | Master's Latest Instructions |
We have to concentrate on everything we do; otherwise, we might have an uneasy conscience, which will bring forth a negative aura. And then, even if Master doesn't blame us, other people will. We'll then be baffled and wonder, "Why am I always scolded?" It's because our own atmosphere is not good, and this makes other people uncomfortable. Our aura is invisible, but spiritual practitioners can see it with their wisdom eyes, and their wisdom can perceive it. So we cannot cheat anyone! After being scolded, our first reaction is usually to be angry with the person who has scolded us and to feel resentful toward him, or we may feel unhappy with Master instead of examining our own behavior, motivation, and heart.
When we are reproached by anyone, we should examine ourselves at once. If we know that our motive is very simple and pure, we should know it is all right. At that time, we will feel at ease; if we find that we have done something wrong, we should retrospect on ourselves. Don't blame others all the time. When anyone rebukes us, if what he says is correct, then he can be our teacher; if what he says is incorrect, we can just consider it our karma (laughter). That's the simplest way to deal with it. What else can we do? When we live with other people, we can hardly avoid friction sometimes, due to our different characters, levels of spiritual practice, or karma from past lives. Therefore, we cannot expect everything to go smoothly every day.
This world is very fair. You don't have to worry that your merits or sincerity are overlooked because we know it ourselves! We are God; we have God inside. Why should we worry that others don't know it? Didn't you say you have a hundred percent faith in Master? Do have faith in yourself as well! God is within us. It's also said that Master is omnipresent. Then, why should you feel anxious that others do not know, and compete for credit or show off? We have to be honest with ourselves all the time, and be simple and pure in doing everything without being contaminated by any purpose at all. As a result, we'll find that we're more and more liked by people, and Master will also notice us.
It is best if we do things with truly unconditional devotion, in order to offer our services, and then we'll have everything. In the past, when I stayed at others' ashrams, I wasn't attached to seeing the masters all the time; nor did I demand that they glimpse me or anything else. I just offered my services: cleaning the staircase, mopping the floor, watering the plants, etc. I just did the work that no one wanted to do, especially washing dishes, which was the least desirable job. After people cooked meals and ate a lot, the bowls and chopsticks were left there like a mountain. I washed them every day, and was very happy. It ends up now that there're people who wash dishes, clean the staircase and mop the floor for me.
So, don't expect anything; just serve. God will arrange our fate. We shouldn't expect too much. We practice spiritually in order to be liberated from our desires for fame and fortune, and our competitive mentality. If we can't be liberated now, when will we be able to? If we cannot see Heaven while living, how can we see it after we leave this world? We won't be able to get used to it! (Master and audience laugh.) Because when we get used to something, it's hard to change, and our habits come back to us, and then we struggle.
Whatever we do, if we have a clear, calm conscience, that's correct. You
don't have to ask Master, nor should you do it for anyone. After we do
it for a long time and get used to it, it will naturally become second
nature to us, and we will sense and know what we should do. We will do
whatever work is left undone. By that time, we won't dislike any work.
What you're doing now is public service work, all of which I have done
before. It's no big deal. No work is menial. Before I had so many disciples,
I also mixed cement, built centers for disciples to live in, built toilets
for disciples to use, etc. There was nothing I couldn't do. Just because
there're so many of you now, and you have enough talents, I just let you
do the work! Even if I did it myself, you would feel sad, right? (Audience:
Yes.) There're many "heroes" among you, who must be eager to
protect and help me maintain my figure! (Laughter)
Of course, there's no interest or pay for the work we do, but we have glory, we have honor. It's an honor to serve people, to serve sentient beings, and to serve our fellow practitioners. That's our highest award. Otherwise, it's easy to obtain worldly fame and wealth; as long as we work hard, we can get it. It is just that this work is a kind of glory. We do not work for reward or to win Master's favor. It would be a kind of bribery if we had that kind of motive. We should work because we are willing to do it ourselves and we enjoy doing it; that's the highest prize. There's no need to expect anything else. It's the same case with Master. Not many people in the universe can do my job, but I can. That makes me feel good! Even though I'm not very willing to do it, it's all right. I just do it; why should I expect any blessing from it? (Applause)
I think all the presidents or leaders of the world should try more to remind people of the spiritual aspects, instead of just material aspects because it lasts longer. It's actually beautiful to remind people about spiritual practice because that's all we have. That's the only lasting thing we have. That's the only thing that helps us to have peace in the world and among nations. If all nations become more enlightened, we'll be more peaceful toward each other.
Sometimes, when we have done good deeds, we feel good about having done the right thing. At that time, we are close to the nature of God and the Saints, our love develops, and we feel happy. Then paradise is there, not at our death when we grow a pair of wings and fly about at random! (Audience laughs.)
In Au Lac there was a young boy who was in the ninth grade and whose family was experiencing great difficulties. His father was in prison and his mother could do little to support the family because the father had always been the main breadwinner. The boy was very sad because he did not believe that his father could have done anything so bad as to be imprisoned. He became so discouraged that he wanted to quit school and stay home to help his mother raise his younger brother. Soon after this thought emerged, one day in class, by chance he found in his desk drawer a picture of a young woman with sweet, gentle features. As he looked at the girl's countenance, he suddenly felt a fondness for her. With the photograph in his hand, he asked around to find out if a classmate was playing a practical joke on him or if someone had simply forgotten and left the picture behind.
The boy's school held three sessions a day in the same classroom so he spent some time trying to find out which girl sat in the same place that he did, or if anyone had left the picture behind from the other two sessions. Each time he looked at the young woman in the picture, he felt great fondness for her. During this period, there were times when he thought about quitting school, but it seemed as if the young woman in the picture was encouraging him to try to continue his studies because he would need an education to have a better future. From the ninth to the twelfth grades, the boy tried to find the young woman in the picture, with whom he was secretly in love, but he could never find any trace of her.
During this time, the boy remained an extraordinary student. In the twelfth grade, he passed his high school examination with a very high score, and in the same year, his father was released from jail. After graduation, the boy planned to quit school to look for the young woman in the photograph.
Then one day, I went to visit the boy's family. His father and mother went out to buy food to treat me to dinner so only he and I were at home. I noticed that he had just graduated, yet somehow he looked pale and sad. He seemed deeply concerned about something inexpressible. Seeing him in this condition, I felt very uneasy, and tried to advise him by saying, "Now that you've passed the exam, you should try to eat better. Your father is back, and everything is fine now. Since you've completed your studies and passed the exam with a high score, you should be happy and have confidence in yourself. Why do you look so sad? Is something the matter?"
The young man then began to disclose to me that since the ninth grade he had been in love with a young woman in a photograph as mentioned above. He said that if he did not get a chance to meet her, he would feel miserable for the rest of his life. So I asked him, "Is she that beautiful? You still have a long life ahead of you. You're bright and successful, and there are plenty of beautiful girls. Why do you think like that?" At the time, I did not know who the young woman in the picture was so I counseled him in this way. The young man then quietly went to his room and brought the picture out for me to see, and as soon as I saw it, my immediate reaction was to scream, "My God! Don't you know who this is? It's our Master when She was a young student like you!" After hearing this, the young man bowed his head and cried. I was not sure if he was shedding tears of regret for unintentionally not recognizing Master or tears of gratitude for an enlightened Master's help and guidance.
Not long afterwards, the young man went to a major city to study architecture. He was accepted by three universities without having to take entrance examinations because he had achieved a very high score on his high school graduation exam.
To me, it seemed that Master had arranged these events in order to encourage the young man to continue his studies. There were no initiates in his class, and the others he asked about the picture were also non-initiates although he had been an initiate since he was twelve. Perhaps it was Master's plan that those whom the boy asked did not know the identity of the young woman in the picture so that he would have the motivation to overcome his barriers and be successful in his studies.
The following is a true story narrated by a sister from Brazil who practices the Convenient Method. Once, before she began practicing, the sister, who lives in the city of Goiania, went to visit one of her friends. While there she saw a beautiful ocean, and standing on the ocean, a beautiful young lady wearing a yellow robe, who said hallo and waved to her. The sister then asked her friend if she saw the lady but the friend said that she did not.
After a year, the sister went with her husband to her local meditation center, the home of a psychologist, to learn the Convenient Method. While watching one of Master's DVDs at the center, she realized that Master was wearing a yellow robe and had exactly the same appearance as the lady in her inner experience one year earlier. The sister was completely shocked and indicated that she might have a mental problem and need to consult a psychologist. The owner of the home then came to her, indicating that she herself was a psychologist. Eventually, after the two talked for a while, the sister was pleasantly surprised and began to cry. Although in her mind she knew that God had arranged everything for her, she was still unwilling to change some of her personal habits and so chose to learn the Convenient Method first before receiving initiation.
Although she has only practiced the Convenient Method for a few months, the sister now feels Master's infinite love and has become happier and more contented than ever before. Master's immense loving power has already changed her life!
One Sunday morning last spring, my husband was planning to take our little grandson out to have bean jelly (a traditional Chinese dessert). Such occasions usually provide good opportunities for me to meditate quietly at home, but for no particular reason, I insisted on accompanying them that day. When we arrived at the dessert shop, it was windy and the three of us sat at a table out in the open. While we were eating, two pieces of glass suddenly fell from the fourth floor of the building that housed the shop. Instead of hitting us, however, a miracle occurred - the pieces of glass seemed to be swept aside as if by an invisible hand and fell on either side of me. Both large and small pieces of broken glass flew up from the ground, some falling into our bowls. But the three of us were safe and sound! At that moment, I was not frightened at all, knowing in my heart that it was Master who had protected us from a serious accident.
A series of such miracles since my initiation have convinced my family members to have greater faith in and respect for Master, and to increasingly support my spiritual practice. My family has come to realize that only by practicing the Quan Yin Method can we be safe from harm and receive blessings, and that only the Quan Yin Method can lead us back to our Heavenly Home!
Three months before I was initiated, I borrowed a copy of The Key of Immediate Enlightenment sample booklet from a friend and read it overnight. While reading it, I became more and more excited and admiring of Master's easily digestible teachings and profound wisdom, and became determined to follow Her. However, my mind created trouble, telling me, "You're so good at reciting the names of the Buddhas. Why don't you just go on worshiping and reciting the names of the Buddhas?" I then struggled and hesitated, and that night, Master's inner Light transformation body appeared by my bedside in a blue silk dress, asking me in a stern voice, "What on earth do you want to practice?" I answered repeatedly without hesitation: "The Quan Yin Method! The Quan Yin Method! The Quan Yin Method!" Looking back now, I am very grateful for this firm answer from my inner Master at the moment of my hesitation. I finally vowed before Master's picture: I must seek liberation and go Home in this lifetime.
A few days later, Master again appeared by my bed in the same dress, looking at me with loving care, and I asked, "Are you the Master in the photo or the real Master?" Master didn't reply, but winked at me with a smile. When I saw Master's beautiful eyelashes moving, I could not help crying out, "It's really Master!"
Then on the day of my initiation, when I saw Master's grand picture in the familiar blue silk dress in the hall, I became extremely excited! Looking at Master's eyes, I seemed to be back in my dream again. But all this was no more a dream. Master truly entered and changed my life, making me a free person, and leading me back to eternal samadhi in my Heavenly Home.
After returning from the 2002 Christmas retreat in Florida, there was nothing more that I wanted to do than stay home and enjoy my inner bliss. However, my karma called, and after just one day I was back in the 'real' work-a-day world. As I was grocery shopping on the way home from work, I passed two men with a video camera. They invited me to play a game, which involved choosing a piece of paper from a hat and answering the question on it. My question was: "What is the meaning of life?" I answered, "That's easy. The meaning of life is to find God, to become One with God."
I thought no more about it until about a week later, when someone approached me and said they had seen my question-and-answer session aired as a kind of commercial on local television. For the following two weeks, I continued to receive similar comments from many people who had seen the interview (friends, co-workers, students and even a stranger on the street), as it was apparently being aired several times a day at different hours, along with other interviews.
People's reactions to the interview were varied. Some felt that the question about the meaning of life would be very difficult for them to answer, but most (even my 'non-religious' siblings) said that they thought the answer I had given was absolutely right. This made me feel that people, especially as they get older, feel the presence of God, even if they are so-called non-believers.
Moreover, this experience made me realize how much my life has changed through the practice of the Quan Yin Method and the teachings of our beloved Master. Before initiation, I was not at all clear about the meaning of life, which caused me a lot of confusion and suffering. Now, the most difficult question in life is the easiest since the Quan Yin Method not only offers the wisdom of a perfect answer but also the ever-present guidance of a living Master on our journey back to God.
We should try our best to help others as much as we can. However, this doesn't mean that we have to go out and help a certain number of people every day. We should do it in a natural way, spreading our love very naturally. For example, sometimes I see street people or destitute people and I immediately give them what they need. (Fellow initiate: But there seem to be too many people who need help and there's no end to it.) Just do it naturally when you see people in need; do it when you can; if you can't do it immediately, then wait until the next time! You don't have to force yourself.
Helping others is a great honor and pleasure rather than a job or responsibility. If you feel obliged, then don't do it; offer your help only if it makes you happy and joyful for it is your honor! It's truly a great joy to give; it's truly very comfortable to help!
For example, the day before yesterday, I was planning to get a sofa for my dogs. The sofas in the shops were too big for my small house, and I thought there would be no room for them. The dogs have their own beds, but they wander around outside during the day. Sometimes when they're tired, they don't have a place to sit, so they usually sit on the sofa at home (Master laughs). That's why I decided to buy one for them.
I went into a shop, but before I could find the sofa section, I saw two sad little children pleading with their mother, "Please, please! We want to have it today." I overheard their conversation, and it seemed that the mother wanted to buy a double-decker bed for the children. But they would soon be moving, and if they made the purchase that day, they would have to pay transportation charges again when they moved. Besides, the bed would have to be dismantled and then reassembled. Thus the mother had reservations about buying the bed for it would incur additional costs.
"Can I pay the transportation charges for their move?" I asked the manager. "I can pay you now, and you can help them move when the time comes." The two children were delighted to hear this! They asked for my address, phone number, name, etc. (Master and audience laugh). But I said, "No, no! Sorry, I'm very busy! This is a gift for you. I just want you to be happy. Don't ask any more." Then I ran away.
I was very happy in my heart to see the children's eyes sparkle with joy, as they said, "Oh! Is it true? Thank you! Thank you! You're Santa Claus, aren't you?" (Master and audience laugh; audience applauds.) Then the smaller one said to his mother, "Mama, Santa Claus does exist!" If they had not made the purchase that day, they would not have been able to sleep in the new bed on Christmas, and would have had to wait until after they moved the following year. The bed had captured my heart as well (Audience laughs). The design and colors were just right for kids; it was very bright, but not the disorderly or gaudy kind. It had a cozy blend of two or three colors. I thought the children had very good taste, but the mother might have been reluctant to spend the extra fifty dollars, thinking it might be a waste of money. For them, that might not have been a small sum.
Then the manager of the shop asked me, "Do you know that it will cost fifty dollars?" I said, "That's all right! It'll be worthwhile if it can make the kids happy." I gave him a hundred dollars and said, "In case fifty dollars is not enough, you can cover the expenses with the other fifty. Please make sure that the children get the bed today. Christmas is coming and it's important to make children happy. I love children; can I entrust this job to you, please?" He said, "Sure, no problem!" Then I quickly slipped away. Originally I had intended to buy a sofa for my dogs, but under the circumstances I dared not stay (Master and audience laugh), and left without looking for it."
The children kept coming around to ask for information such as my phone number, saying that they would like to send a thank-you card, etc. But I said, "No, no! It's really not necessary." If we allow people to send thank-you cards each time, our mailbox will be too small! (Master laughs.) I slipped away as soon as I gave the money, feeling very happy. The children's happiness was infectious.
When we were little, we'd feel terrific if we could have something we liked right away! If we had to wait a couple of months for it, who knows what changes could have occured during that period of time, right? (Audience: Yes.) And it was Christmastime, too! Their mother didn't say she wouldn't buy the bed; she already loved her children very much. It was just that I felt they didn't seem to be very well off. That was why when I offered to pay for the transportation, they were amazed beyond speech. I simply said, "I love children; besides, it's Christmastime." So, they thanked me repeatedly, and I replied, "No, no! It's I who should thank you because you gave me this opportunity to make myself very happy." It was truly so.
Therefore, when we have an opportunity to help others, we should thank those at the receiving end. I was truly grateful to them for giving me the chance to help the two children and make them happy. Some people are skeptical about your intentions and don't accept help readily. Besides, the manager was very cooperative. It was like everyone supported the idea, making me feel very easy and comfortable.
Thus, helping others is not a responsibility, but a great honor that brings you immense joy. I was very happy that entire day. (Master laughs.) (Disciple: But the mere thought of so many people needing help makes me tired.) No, it doesn't have to. Where do you see so many people in need? You help when you see someone in need. We can't help the whole world, and even if we did, there are still beings in hell, and then there are animals! Just do whatever is necessary at present, and it's all right to do one thing at a time. You don't have to think that you'll have to do ten things. If you find someone who needs help today, and if you're capable, just help; if not, then just be supportive in your mind.
Like in the example I gave just now, we could also have told the mother, "Oh! This is really a nice bed so do whatever you can to give it to the kids!" This is fine, too; we don't have to offer money. If we have a supportive heart, making them happy and giving them encouragement, that's also good. If they had failed to buy it that day, it would have also been all right. You could tell the children, "Never mind! One month is very short and passes very quickly, and then you'll have it." You can try to encourage people and you should really want to do it. You don't have to force yourself to interfere in any situation, no, no! Do it naturally. God incidentally gave me the opportunity that day so I felt very smooth doing it, very happy inside. I was really very happy to help! If in case I couldn't help at that time, I would feel very sorry. Because the thought of the two kids going home empty-handed and unable to get the bed until a month later would have made me feel very uncomfortable at heart. So I was delighted to be able to do it then!
That's why I tell you that helping others isn't a responsibility but something that brings happiness and comfort. I often do it, and I often feel happy. (Master laughs.) Happiness doesn't come only that first time or the second or third time. I feel happy every time I help others. Of course, there are different kinds of happiness each time. To be able to help truly needy people, oh! I feel so comfortable, so contented! Perhaps sometimes we may suspect whether those people really need help or not, but if they ask, I give. We shouldn't suspect that they're lying. Even if they're lying, that's their business, and I still help them. At that time I may not feel very happy. However, it's better than withholding help skeptically. Because after I get home I may think, "Ah! I should have helped them at that time."
Sometimes we might pass by street people, but we have already driven past them, so we have to drive a long distance before we can turn back. And I feel happy only after I've helped them. If I just drive past without turning back to help them, I surely feel uncomfortable after I get home, feeling that I failed to take an extra step to help people. So I don't know why it's so hard for some people to help others. You don't understand, really don't understand! When you give more, you'll know how happy you are. The more you give, the more joyful you feel, believe me! (Master laughs.) You don't have to give a lot. Give as much as you can, but you don't have to give away all your property leaving nothing for yourself and your family. No, no! We should also take care of our family. Then, if we're still in a position to help others, we should try to help, and then we'll feel very happy.
When we give help to people in need, we feel very comfortable in our hearts, just as though we're receiving help; we feel an empathy with those people. The reason is very simple. If you were the one in need, and suddenly someone came to help you, wouldn't you feel great? (Audience: Yes!) You'll know it if you think this way. It's not necessary to have magical power to know it. The happiness of that person becomes your happiness because you clearly understand what he feels, like knowing how hungry people feel when they get food.
Likewise, when I help others, it's as if I become that person; that's why I feel so happy. Whomever I give to, that person seems to become me so he and I both feel very happy. However, I'm happier than he is because I not only feel his happiness, but I also know that I've brought him happiness. The two together make me happier than he is. That's why we say, "The giver is happier than the receiver."
Therefore, if you don't give or help others, it's really a great pity! Such a pity! You miss those happy opportunities. I'm not forcing you to give alms. I'm only telling you that it's is an opportunity to have happiness and joy. Karma or no karma, we can talk later! Never mind karma when you give. Only think of those in need, without thinking about yourself, and only then will you be happy. If at that time you're still thinking about karma, feeling afraid while giving, then don't give because you won't be happy at that time. When you give, you should completely disregard the consequences. Only then will you feel happy.
In Szechuan Province, China, there resided a middle-aged woman who was a devout Buddhist. She often worshipped the Buddha and burned incense at temples. One day two years ago, she suddenly vowed to become a strict vegetarian, and on that night had a strange dream, in which she saw a dignified looking male Master with short hair dressed in a white robe and vest. Though she was separated by a group of people, the lady prostrated to the Master, who compassionately extended his hand to help her to her feet. The Master then told her, "Should you wish to see me in the future, you may look for some of my disciples here."
Upon waking up, the woman decided to seek the Master, but she had no idea where to begin. In the dream, the Master had told her that he had some disciples there and she could go and find them, but the woman did not know any of them. She then became very anxious to communicate with his disciples, and recalled that one of her friends seemed to be practicing a certain spiritual path so she decided to go and learn about it. Actually, her friend had already been initiated by Supreme Master Ching Hai, and after hearing about the lady's peculiar dream, she showed her one of Master's sample booklets. Upon viewing the booklet, the woman immediately saw brilliant light shining forth from Master's photo on the cover. She found this incredible and so borrowed the booklet to read at home.
The woman's bad eyesight normally rendered it difficult for her to recognize the words when she read. However, to her amazement, when she read Master's booklet, every word shone brightly so that she had no problem reading them clearly. After finishing the booklet, she was absolutely filled with bliss, was certain that Supreme Master Ching Hai was the Master she had been seeking, and immediately decided to request initiation. Light also radiated from every other photo of Master that the woman looked at. Recently, she received initiation and finally realized her aspiration to follow Master in spiritual practice.
An elderly sister in Qinghai Province, China once lived in poverty. Four years ago, during the Lunar New Year holiday, her family even had difficulty feeding themselves and had to borrow money from a friend. Some time later, the sister ran into the friend, and feeling very embarrassed, apologized, saying, "I'm very sorry, but I still can't repay the money that you lent me."
To her surprise, the friend replied, "What? You've already paid back the money to me. A lady repaid it for you." When her friend described the appearance and countenance of the lady, the sister immediately realized that it must have been Master transformed in a physical body that had helped her pay the debt, and was extremely grateful to Master within. Not long afterwards, the sister initiate started a small business that grew over time. As a result, her family's financial condition improved enormously.
About a year ago in Ningxia Province, China, the mother of a sister initiate passed away. And although the mother was neither an initiate nor a vegetarian, something amazing occurred when the family took her body to the funeral parlor to prepare it for burial.
Upon seeing the body of the sister's mother, a working staff member at the funeral parlor said, "Yesterday, our whole family saw an old lady sitting on a five-colored lotus and circling our parlor seven or eight times before flying away. She looked exactly like this old lady!" He next asked, "Was this old lady a vegetarian or a spiritual practitioner? And the family replied, "No!" The staff member then said, "Then someone in your family must be a vegetarian and spiritual practitioner, or else this old lady could not have gone to such a wonderful realm!"
The sister initiate was tremendously delighted to hear of this amazing miracle, and believed that Master had taken her mother to a superior realm. Since then, she has had even stronger faith in Master, and become more serious in her spiritual practice.
Q: My question is: I know I struggle to do the right thing and to do my practice.
And I know I'm struggling against something that is struggling against
me. So, how do I get beyond this struggle? How do I win?
M: That's where the fun is. (Master and everyone laugh) If something is too
easy, you lose the challenge and you don't want to even win it. Therefore,
we have two powers inside of us: we call them yin and yang in Chinese,
and we call them negative and positive in western terminology. The negative
power pushes us to do something that is against our will, and the positive
power helps us to conquer that tendency. Sometimes we lose; sometimes we
win. It depends on our spiritual discipline and power.
So try to struggle and continue, just like the United Nations struggles with the refugees' issues and the wars in the world. Sometimes you win in the end; it just takes some struggling.
Q: Dear Master, I try my best to meditate two and a half hours as I promised.
But sometimes, due to daily basic life activities, I find it hard to fulfill
this requirement. Please give me some advice about this dilemma.
M: How can I give you advice? You say your life doesn't allow you so what
am I going to do, kill you and kill all the people around you so that you
have time to meditate? Of course, life is like that. Don't let it take
over. You should take over life. Don't let life take over you. You have
only one life. You never know what future you will have so have it in this
life now. Try to make time for meditation. Cut down on whatever is unnecessary,,
less talk on the phone, less newspaper reading, less television, less contact
with friends, less coffee; just meditate whenever you can, even if it's
for five minutes here and ten minutes there. Any time you have free time,
meditate. Try your best at any time! You don't have to just count the time
when you can sit properly on your meditation cushion. You can count the
time, any time when you're free, you close your eyes, think of God and
meditate. Make any break your meditation time. Muslim people pray five
times a day and at least I ask you only one or two times a day. Do it!
There's no excuse.
Q: What should we do besides meditation and social interaction in order to
help our country regain social harmony and togetherness and learn to correct
itself into the most developed nation, which we believe should not be measured
by publicly stated revenue and the commonwealth, but built through God's
grace, peace and loving power.
M: Do what you can that's within your power. When you meditate, of course
you generate good will and blessing for your country, and then after you
get out of meditation you still have the blessing from the samadhi; so
whenever orÿwherever you go people will feel peace and harmony affecting
them such that in turn they will react with the next person in harmony
and peace. That's how the planet will become better and better and the
country will become better and better, but of course, everything takes
time. It's good that you love your country, very good! We're doing our
best everywhere.
Q: Sometimes I think when you're working, you feel apprehensive about becoming
successful because your ego will grow with it. So I find that a bit confusing
in the sense that if you're doing a certain job and you become materially
successful, I think then you become more and more materialistic towards
the work as well. And then because of your success, your ego grows as well.
M: I'm not sure about that. Sometimes you derive joy from being successful
and having done something completely. It has nothing to do with the ego.
For example, an artist sometimes will carve something in a dark cave alone,
for himself. It has nothing to do with the ego. No one will go there and
applaud him and say he's successful. He's just happy that the work is done
the way he wants it.
We're also creators. If we create and complete something, we feel good! Even if it's ego, that's fine; it's not a bad form of ego. The ego is only bad when it harms someone, when it obstructs you from spiritual practice and progress or when it hinders someone else's progress because you prosper at their expense. Then it's bad.
So ego is just a word. Depending on how you use it, it's fine. That's the last thing to go before we die, which is good. But before that, we have to keep a little in order to work. Without the so-called ego, we don't even want to eat or to sit here. What are you doing here? You want to become a Buddha; that's also ego. You have to have something. It's just a motivation, a behind-the-scenes push to get us to do this and do that.
But if we give in completely to the ego, we become obsessed with it. And we become arrogant, we become ignorant, and we become consumed in all this kind of fame and glory or illusionary honor, then it's bad. But the so-called ego is like fuel for a car, or mud for a lotus or fertilizer for a rose. You can't go without it all the time.
In our daily dealings with friends, relatives and any other people we happen to meet on the street or in our walk of life, we have to put forth our true feelings and our true affections. Everything we do must be true. Otherwise, sooner or later, we'll lose. People will leave us or won't like us the way we expected. Or, we'll lose their business, lose their affection, lose their trust and probably lose them altogether.
That's the purpose of keeping the precepts, so that we'll remember where our limits are. We'll know where to stop. We'll know how we should behave, or at least how to be honest with ourselves. If we're honest with ourselves, other people will sense it. Inside of them is God. Outside, maybe we can cheat them by telling lies or flattering them with all kinds of untrue compliments in order to get something out of them. But inside, the God within them knows. So we can't cheat them for too long. That's why we must always be honest with ourselves. The precepts are there for that reason, so that we become purer, truer to ourselves and to other people so that we can be successful in every aspect of life.
It's not that we're truthful like this only to benefit other people: We're the first to benefit because whatever we give will be returned. But we can't cheat the real inner Self of other people; that's a great offense. That's why we must be honest, and we mustn't tell lies.
The first precept that we have to observe in spiritual practice is "ahimsa," meaning "non-violence." This story discusses the ahimsa ideal.
One day, a poor man was walking through a mango grove, where he saw many mangoes on the trees that looked extremely luscious and tempting. He was very hungry because he had not eaten for three days. So he quickly picked up a stone and threw it at one of the trees. A few huge mangoes fell on the ground and the man was very happy. He then picked up the mangoes and had a hearty meal.
It just so happened that the king was playing chess with his beautiful consorts in the mango grove at the time, and the stone that struck the tree had felled the fruit and then landed on the king's head. Fortunately, the king's hat protected his scalp, but the stone knocked it off, and thus the poorest man met the richest man in the kingdom. The king, feeling very lucky about his close call, showed no interest in investigating the cause. However, the consorts and ministers by his side were very angry, and they hunted for the offender who had thrown the stone. They could not figure out why someone would dare to throw a stone at the king. On the other hand, they were also eager to earn some credit for their work. They soon arrested the poor man, held court hearings on the spot, and condemned him to death for assaulting the king.
Then the king rose from his seat and questioned the ministers about why they had condemned the man to death. He then ordered the stone thrower to be brought before him and asked, "Why did you throw the stone?" "To get mangoes from the tree," replied the man. "Did you get any?" "Yes, your majesty." "Have you eaten the mangoes?" "Yes, your majesty."
The king next turned to his ministers and said, "The poor man was hungry, and he struck the tree with this stone. He got some mangoes and ate them. Now tell me, how long will he be free from hunger after eating those mangoes?" "About twenty-four hours, your majesty. He won't be hungry for a whole day." "That's right. Now I will pronounce my judgment." The entire crowd waited anxiously, thinking, "Could there be anything worse than the death sentence? We have already condemned the man to death. How else does the king want him to be punished?"
Then the king announced, "I command that from this day on until the end of his life on earth, this poor man shall receive from us enough food to feed himself. Convey my order at once to the minister of economics." Everyone was amazed and confused. What kind of punishment was this? They had never heard of such a judgment. The queen thought that it was because she had served the king well, and thus put him in a good mood. She smiled, thinking that it was her merit.
"My dear!" said the king to the queen, "Tell me, is the mango tree a sentient or an insentient object?" "An insentient object, my lord," answered the queen. "And how about me?" asked the king. And the queen replied, "What a question to ask, great one. Humans, the highest of creatures, are sentient beings, and you are a jewel among humans, saintly, great, virtuous and wise."
The king continued, "Then, my beloved, since I am a sentient being, how am I worthy of my human status if I fail to prove that I am better than that tree? What good is there for God to give me this human status?" The queen said, "You are, my lord, worthier than all other men for the human status that God has given you. But why do you say this? What do you mean?"
"Look! That poor man struck the tree with a stone, and the tree gave him luscious fruit to eat, which fulfilled his hunger for a day. That stone also hit me. Since I am the lord of all sentient beings and the gem among humans, should I not prove myself worthier than the tree? (Master and everyone laugh; applause.) That's why I have ordered that his food be provided for the rest of his life."
Immediately, the queen, consorts, ministers, subordinates and servants all fell at the king's feet, prostrating to him. They glorified him, proclaiming, "Oh! Your majesty! You are truly a saintly king so rare. Who but God Hirmself could manifest such compassion and magnanimity? God is inside you. Your merit, blessing and love are comparable to Lord Buddha and Lord Jesus, and the great saints and sages of all times. Only rulers like you can inspire people to cultivate their compassion and inner cosmic love. Inspired by your glorious example, people will love and serve each other. They will purify their bodies, speech and mind, and change their bodies and souls to become cultivated people. Please bless us, so that we may be your worthy servants and followers forever."
This is a very good story. This is how we ought to behave. Sometimes, we may not be any better than a tree. When you punch a tree or shake it, it drops down fruit to feed you. But when you shake or punch a person, he might kill you for it. (Laughter) Some people are really no better than trees!
Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai
Lunar New Year's Gift Distribution to Poor Families and the Homeless
Expenditures for Worldwide Disaster Relief and Aid by
Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association
from January to December 2002
There was a little girl who was praying in her bedroom. When her grandfather passed by, he tried to listen while she was praying. But all he heard was "A, B, C, D, E, F..." through the whole alphabet. The girl recited it over and over again so the grandfather said, "Hey kid, what are you doing?" And the granddaughter said, "I'm praying." So he said, "What kind of prayer is that?" And the girl said, "Well, I tried to pray to God, but I don't know what to say to Hirm. So I gave Hirm the whole alphabet, and Hes can put it together Hirmself."
A mother had just bought a new brand of cosmetic cream that was supposed to make her look younger. So she put it on, one layer after another. Her small son was watching and said, "Mother, what are you doing?" The mother said, "Well, I put this on to make me look younger and more beautiful." Then after an hour, she got a tissue and took all the cream off. And the boy said, "What's the problem? Are you giving up?"
A patient met his doctor on the street, and after exchanging, "Hello, how are you?" and all that, the doctor said, "Are you OK?" And the patient said, "Yes, you were right. You told me that you would put me on my feet and that I would be walking again in no time, and you were right." So the doctor said, "See? I told you. Since when have you been walking?" The patient answered, "Since I paid your bill and had to sell my car!"
Please visit the following websites to enjoy the original video versions of these jokes, and you may share the joy of Master's humor with those around you:
http://www.godsdirectcontact.org/eng/news/142/jk1.htm (USA)
http://www.godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng/news/142/jk1.htm (Formosa)
http://www.godsdirectcontact.net/eng/news/142/jk1.htm (USA)
Foreword:
For those highly enlightened Saints who thoroughly understand the game of creation, a reclusive life in the remote mountains, far from the mundane world, is one of happiness and freedom from care and worry. However, these Saints often choose to remain in the dreary world to help and set real-life examples for sentient beings. Thus, we are sometimes blessed to gain a glimpse of Their lives, of Their elevated words and deeds. By observing their actions, we can learn how an advanced spiritual practitioner applies the great wisdom of the universe in the secular world.
Sometimes we can turn problems into joy, turn nuisances or burdens into beauty. For example, I normally wouldn't have this outfit. (Master indicates the vest and skirt ensemble She is wearing.) And I didn't think of making a new one since I had already designed so many the last time, and I haven't worn or even tried them all on yet. But someone, I don't know who, slipped this jacket inside my room. I think it was one of our ex-nuns, who wanted to show the sincerity of her repentance for leaving me alone in the desert with the flowers. So she probably went out and bought this vest and threw it inside my window one day. But when I saw it, I said, "Oh, my God! How can I wear this?" (Master and everyone laugh.) Because she only bought this, so what did that mean? Can I wear it like this (the vest only) to go to group meditation? I can't. Maybe I might do it one day and shock you all out of your shoes. But I don't have that inspiration yet so be prepared.
So I kept thinking, "What can I do with it?" because I didn't have any clothes to go with it. Most of my clothes are conservative, just a tunic and white trousers; that's it. Then a jacket to cover the "must-cover" places, (Master jokes) so that people think I'm a moral, ethical and very good practitioner, very enlightened and so on.
So now I didn't have any clothes to wear with this kind of vest. And I couldn't wear it alone. But first of all, I couldn't throw it away because it was already there. Second, it was too small; I wouldn't know who to give it to since I'm the smallest size in our group - maybe the "biggest," but also the smallest. So it just became like a burden and was lying around for some time. And then I said, "OK, we can make clothes to go with it, and then make use of it." And the result is that today it's very pleasing to your eyes, but it was a burden before. So we can turn a burden into a joy, and not just for me alone; all of you can enjoy it.
From now on, only those who have been fully initiated for at least one year, practice well and have good experiences can teach the Convenient Method. If you are not sure about the condition of your spiritual elevation, then do not teach it.