The Supreme Master Ching Hai eNews

Wow, there's nothing better that I can think of than your life, your lot in life. Don't have too many illusions about the Himalayas or enlightenment or a Master anywhere else; you have one right here, and I promise you it's the best. The one right here is good; it's the best; you've found the right one; stick to Her, and you'll get anything you want. Then you'll find out that you don't want much, and that's the best thing - that's the best thing to want.

You know because I know this is a secret between us, but I'm too shy. Before I was born, I knew that a lot of people would have difficulties finding a Master anywhere because their luck was not that good; their luck was not that easy. So, I guess I volunteered to bring it to you. I'm very shy about these things, really. It's very difficult for me to say things about myself because it's the Master Self; it's not the physical person that I'm referring to. I'm always worried that you'll think I'm trying to glorify this one, this body of mine. It's a good vehicle, but it's not the one that I refer to - it's difficult to understand that, and it's easy to get mixed up and misunderstand me. Although inside this physical body right now is the Master, the physical alone is nothing; see what I mean? The personal citizen, the physical body is nobody. So, it's not that person that we're glorifying, but still I'm very shy. On one hand there's understanding, and on the other hand there isn't; the worldly way of putting it is very difficult and I'm always shy.

Because people tend to worship the person that houses the Master power, too. So if you're not careful they'll become attached to it. So, you understand, it's very easy; just remember, the Master power can be born anywhere, at anytime, in any age. There's no need to have a fixed conception about where the Master should be born, and under which lineage, or how long or where or why she got it.

The Master doesn't need to get anything; it's just the way of the world - let the law be done. That's all. Jesus wasn't a disciple of John the Baptist, but He just let him baptize him and still called him Master, and that's OK. But, if people get attached to John the Baptist, they're making a big, huge, giant mistake.

A Special Quan Yin Family Christmas Chronicle

Lifestyles of the Golden Age -- Meditating, Sharing God's Gospel and Helping Other

Master's Precious Gift to the Planet

by Pierre Euchariste and Little Flower, Montreal

Since the 2002 silent Christmas retreat in Florida with our beloved Supreme Master Ching Hai, centers around the world have received numerous batches of good news from Her about the elevation of human consciousness in 2003. Accordingly, Montreal initiates would like to address their most heartfelt thanks to Master as they are proud to be guided by Her Heavenly Teachings, and to walk hand-in-hand with countless other beings into the Golden Age.

Seizing the opportunity to purify themselves and progress spiritually, Montreal practitioners commemorated this significant transformation with a retreat from December 24 to 26, 2003. The initiates also celebrated the wonderful period of Christmas with family members, beloved friends and Convenient Method practitioners, inviting them to join them for an activity at the Center on an extraordinarily beautiful and sunny Sunday afternoon.

Then, on December 27, the fellow initiates traveled by car through Metropolitan Montreal and on foot along the metro lines in and around the city, distributing specially prepared vegetarian sandwiches to people living in the streets. At the end of the day, the practitioners concluded their food distribution at the House Eugenie-Bernier, an institution devoted to caring for the homeless. A beneficiary at the facility named Edward Gascon told the initiates, "I feel that you're God's representatives," and then tears suddenly fell from his eyes.

In light of the changes brought about in humankind's spiritual level in 2003, initiates in Montreal as well as in other parts of the world have all held unusually successful public video seminars, where many attendees have learned the Convenient Method. Furthermore, any time initiates speak about spiritual matters and meditation on the street, at the office, on the bus or in the metro, people seem more open and attentive, and can feel Master's vibration instantly either through Her music or Her videotapes. Thus a great change is undoubtedly taking place on a planetary scale. As Master said a few years ago, "We are stepping into the Golden Age," and from all appearances, Her words have become a reality. What a blessing it is to have a real living Master on Earth. Thank You, Master, for making our dreams come true.

A Real Christmas Celebration!

by Joys, Toronto

"I don't know why I feel so excited this Christmas!" a local sister initiate joyously said. But the answer was easy to find as it was indeed a very special time, and on December 21, 2003 a celebration to merit its unique nature was held at the Toronto Center. Through the "magic touch" of fellow initiates prior to the event, the Center took on a brand new look! The place was lit up by beautiful, vibrant Christmas decorations, and more wonderfully, by the initiates' joyful spirits.

Toronto initiates began the celebration after their regular Sunday group meditation session. Families and friends of the practitioners were invited to join in a potluck lunch, and accompanied by cheerful Christmas songs broadcast by a local radio station, they enjoyed delicious vegetarian food and desserts together with the initiates. Each child also brought a gift to be exchanged with others. A non-initiate mother who attended commented that she felt very happy that her daughter had gathered with other children at the Center, highlighting the fact that it was truly an unforgettable Christmas.

Through Master's grace, Heaven on Earth has finally arrived, and countless living saints now walk among us.

Serving Others Helps Us Grow Spiritually

by Erick Dorado, Santiago

On December 20, 2003, the Santiago Center held a Christmas celebration, inviting many initiates, their family members and friends.

Also, in order to share the blessings of this most meaningful holiday season ever, local practitioners carried out a humanitarian project on Christmas Eve to help the needy in the local community. On the day of the event, the initiates organized dozens of packages containing useful provisions such as clothing and cash, and traveled through a great portion of Santiago.

Observing the extent of people's suffering, they were reminded that it is not enough to focus only on others' inner afflictions and limitations. We must also extend our love and assistance to our less fortunate brothers and sisters so as to minimize their suffering and make it more bearable. As a result of this experience, the initiates now better understand the significance of being spiritual practitioners and of putting into practice the valuable teachings of our dear Supreme Master Ching Hai.

Thank You, Master, for this valuable learning opportunity allowing Your disciples in Santiago to understand each other more deeply and grow stronger spiritually.　

The Miracle of the Blankets Warms Up Mexicali's Street People

by Sylvia Lagrange, Mexicali

A few days before Christmas 2003, the Mexicali Center unexpectedly received a large number of high quality blankets. This heartfelt act inspired the local brothers and sisters to share the gifts with their homeless friends in the community. So on December 21, 2003, a group of initiates cooperated in making veggie desserts, while another practitioner brought boxes of fruit. Everything came together so smoothly that it was as if Master had blessed the activity.

The contagious feeling of holiday sharing even spread to a little girl and her mother who enjoys a very good social position and doesn't normally have the chance to contact and help the poor. They both joined the initiates, and were very surprised at seeing how many people had nothing and were sleeping on the streets in their city; so they decided to help distribute the food and blankets.

This event made Christmas 2003 more special than others because previous holiday celebrations only involved parties, gifts and food. In addition, during Christmas dinner at the Center the young girl and her mother invited each guest to read aloud a Bible passage so as to thank God for all the initiates' blessings. And now we know that everything we experienced is due to Master's love because She elevated the level of the world's consciousness.
Thank You, beloved Master!!

Modern-day Santa Clauses Bring Holiday Cheer to the Homeless

by Francisco Tarraga, Valencia

On Christmas day 2003, Valencia initiates distributed blankets and vegetarian food to the homeless of their city, driving through the streets in search of people in need. As soon as they saw a homeless person they presented him or her with a blanket and a bag containing food and a copy of Master's sample booklet. In addition, the initiates expressed their best wishes for Christmas, praying that God would bless their brothers and sisters in need. The recipients were very grateful for their gifts, accepting them with much happiness. At the end of the activity, the practitioners gave the remaining supplies to the Valencia Charity Association, an organization that helps the poor, and the person in charge gladly accepted the items.

Holiday Happiness Spreads through a Peaceful Land

by Laura Chen, San Jose

A Heavenly Christmas Party in the Jail of San Sebastian

On December 22, 2003, Christmas joy arrived at San Jose's Jail of San Sebastian in the form of a Christmas party organized by Costa Rican fellow initiates.

The event began with a guitar "serenata," by one of our initiated brothers. Following this beautiful song, everyone watched one of Master's videotapes. As a result, a group of fifteen inmates eagerly learned the Convenient Method and were given permission to meditate together once a week in a private room at the Jail.

The party continued with an entertainment program, including cheery Christmas music. Then everyone shared fruit drinks and vegetarian cakes and crackers. Finally, a group of initiates wearing Christmas hats and a sister wearing a Santa Claus costume presented the inmates with gifts of new clothing. All of the recipients were very happy to receive their presents and expressed their gratitude to Supreme Master Ching Hai for Her message of Truth and love with an enthusiastic round of applause.

Master Blesses Remote Communities

To impart Master's message to Truth-seekers in San Jose, a group of brothers and sisters gave fliers containing Her teachings and Christmas gift bags filled with candies and cookies to the children of a marginal community in December 2003.

And later, new clothes and toys were distributed in the city of Puntarenas, where one family consisted of a father and mother and their eight children! One of the youngsters, a little three year old girl, received a blonde doll as a Christmas present and excitedly told her parents, "Look what God gave me; I asked for a blonde doll and Hes gave one to me!" Also, her brother was thrilled to receive a pair of new pants, which was exactly the gift he had been longing for. The little boy was so pleased that he immediately put the trousers on and exclaimed, "These are really nice pants. I can wear them to school. Thanks to Master!

A Retreat, a Christmas Party and a Happy New Year

The Costa Rica Center received Master's 2003 Christmas message with joy and love, and everyone felt extremely elated at the news of humankind's spiritual elevation. So a holiday retreat was held on December 27 followed by a gala event on the 28th attended by fellow practitioners, their families and friends. To begin the activity, the brothers and sisters said prayers thanking Master and expressing beautiful thoughts such as "Let the Love of the Teacher envelop the whole planet." Thus, the round of holiday events conducted by Costa Rican initiates came to a close with a sincere message of love to Master for the new year in everyone's heart.

A Most Significant and Fruitful 2003

by You-ping Zhong, Oregon

Silent Retreats Enhance Spirituality

After experiencing the benefits of the Christmas 2002 silent retreat with Master in Florida, Oregon Center disciples began holding monthly one-day silent retreats in January 2003. Owing to the positive energy generated by these events, the Center's atmosphere has become extremely tranquil, with many disciples commenting that concentration is much easier since the practice of silence began.

Master's Cable TV Programs Bear Abundant Fruit

The Oregon Center currently broadcasts Master's video lectures on four local TV stations, and especially since August 2003, the Center has been receiving an increasing number of phone calls from viewers. What is even more surprising is that approximately eighty percent of the callers request initiation! Local initiates believe that this transformation is due to Master's boundless grace and elevation of the Earth's consciousness, which have inspired more and more souls to seek the ultimate path to enlightenment.

Oregon's Most Successful Video Seminar Ever

In the past, Oregon initiates usually held seminars featuring Master's videos in Portland, the largest city in the state and home to the most disciples. On December 14, 2003, however, a seminar was conducted at the City Library of Corvallis, a small, peaceful town nestled in the Willamette River Valley south of Portland. Interestingly, the Corvallis event turned out to be the one that attracted the largest audience and the highest percentage (70%) to learn the Convenient Method of any seminar ever held in Oregon. Thus the Portland practitioners could not help feeling fortunate to be involved in such joyful and meaningful work.

Bringing the Message of Liberation to a Local Jail

Since September 2002, Oregon initiates have been visiting Portland's Clackamas County Jail on a monthly basis. The brothers take a laptop computer and a projector to the Jail and play Master's DVDs for the inmates for about an hour in a designated room, and then those who are interested are invited to stay afterwards for a Convenient Method transmission session. Later, many of the inmates who learn the Convenient form of practice report having wonderful spiritual experiences.

Happily Serving Others during the Holiday Season

For many years Oregon fellow initiates have been providing assistance to the homeless during the holidays. And due to the economic recession and high unemployment levels, in 2003, a greater need for help in local shelters and other homeless services became evident; so our support also increased. On three occasions during the months of November and December, the Oregon Center delivered approximately 750 meals to homeless shelters, and on the Saturday before Christmas, 450 meals were served. Besides, the initiates distributed gifts and also served dessert with cake and fortune cookies containing specially made messages printed with Master's name, aphorisms and websites. All the recipients were happy to receive the gifts and felt that Master had given them an exclusive message enveloped with Her love inside each cookie.

Initiated brothers and sisters worked side by side with many Convenient Method practitioners on this project. Even children and teenage disciples were very eager to help, with some passing out spoons, and others distributing gifts. In addition, a number of disciples drove all the way from Washington State to help! The joy and satisfaction everyone felt from serving others were the best possible Christmas gifts from God.

The Oregon Center practitioners now look forward to another year of enlightenment, loving atmosphere and selfless service in 2004.

Heaven on Earth Manifests at a Blessed Christmas Retreat

by the Indiana News Group

Every holiday season, the Indiana Center holds a Midwest retreat to celebrate Christmas. This year, to commemorate the first "real Christmas," from December 20 to 21 a two-day group meditation retreat was held along with two entertainment programs. The eager participation of Midwestern brothers and sisters filled with "the real Christmas spirit" made the activity extremely joyful and loving.

While the second day's entertainment program was under way at the Center, a group of six disciples, including young college students, traveled to the Horizon House shelter in downtown Indianapolis. It was the first time that members of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association conducted an official charitable activity at a homeless shelter in Indianapolis. Case Manager Andy Ford, a very open-minded person, warmly greeted the brothers and sisters and welcomed them to return again in the near future to serve vegetarian meals to the homeless. Then the initiates personally distributed over 100 Christmas gift packs to their Horizon House friends at lunch time.

For all the fellow practitioners who took part in the Indiana Center's various activities during 2003, it has been a fruitful year with regard to spiritual growth. And those who continue to practice under our beloved Supreme Master Ching Hai's protection and guidance truly feel that Heaven on Earth is now here!

A Uniquely Memorable Christmas Retreat

by the New Jersey News Group

On December 27 to 28, 2003, approximately two hundred fellow initiates, including children, from Canada and the states of New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Virginia gathered for a retreat at the New Jersey Center to celebrate a "real" Christmas for the first time. All who attended received gifts especially prepared by the Center. In order to share the wonderfully joyful atmosphere of the event, additional blessed candies and fruits were given to the contact persons from the five states to share with their brothers and sisters who were unable to attend.

Fellow initiates who attended the event are sincerely thankful for Master's blessing, which enabled them to successfully conduct their most memorable Christmas retreat ever.

Master's Holiday Love Warms Homeless Veterans' Hearts

by Thomas Samulski, San Diego

Most Christmas activities revolve around the family and home and so the holidays are especially hard on the homeless, who often have neither. Thus, San Diego Center initiates decided to provide the less fortunate in their area with some Christmas cheer by distributing substantial gift items that they could use both at Christmas time and through the year.

At the end of November 2003, the practitioners began preparing the gifts by cutting large rolls of fabric into single-sized blankets and sewing a professional-looking hem on each one. The blankets were then packed in colorful, festive Christmas gift bags that also contained a sample booklet, one of Master's magazines, a warm polyester sweater, a pair of thick cotton socks, a knit cap and a box of delicious chocolates.

After weeks of research and phone calls, the initiates found a shelter for homeless veterans in San Diego where they could distribute the gift packages. So on December 21, the practitioners met at the Center and loaded several vehicles with 150 beautiful packages. One tall, husky Chinese brother dressed up as Santa Claus and everyone else wore red Santa hats. When the brothers and sisters arrived at the shelter the residents immediately cheered up, even before the gifts were unloaded. Many veterans came up to the initiates and wished them a Merry Christmas before they could even close their car doors. One cheerful homeless man named Buzzard went straight over to the brother dressed as Santa and said, "I have one wish for Christmas: Love, Peace and Happiness for the whole world!" And the brother replied, "What a wonderful, compassionate wish that is!"

Next the practitioners set up Master's portrait, loaded nine tables in front of the picture with big bags full of gifts and sang "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" for the residents. Speaking for The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, one of the brothers then conveyed Master's love to the group, winning loud applause and warm smiles from everyone in the room. Finally, Santa and all his initiate-helpers gave each man a gift bag and conveyed their sincerest holiday wishes.

The practitioners also spoke individually with the residents during the visit and had many warm interactions. For instance, one resident in a wheelchair named Don Miguel wanted to learn more about Master and said, "I don't know much about Her, but what She has generated is great, beautiful." A brother initiate smiled and told him he would pass this message on to Master, and that the booklet in his bag would explain more about Her. The project was indeed a gift for everyone: the homeless brothers, the shelter staff and the practitioners. It was extremely energizing and uplifting to organize the activity and prepare the gift packages, and a profound blessing to spend time with men who truly needed compassion and love.

Christmas gifts packed with Master's love are ready to go!

Fellow practitioners and Vietnam veterans together at the shelter

A veteran enjoys reading Master's magazine without noticing the camera has caught him.

Celebrating the Most Joyful Christmas Ever

by the Seoul News Group

On December 20, 2003, the Seoul Center held a special Christmas celebration, for which the stage was romantically and beautifully decorated with a Christmas tree, dancing Santas, a snowman, flowers and a charming, peaceful village sprinkled with white snow flakes, creating a delightful holiday mood.

Thus on Christmas Eve, fellow practitioners and guests from all the centers around Korea happily gathered at the Youngdong Center to celebrate the extraordinary Christmas of 2003.

Merrily Celebrating a Real Christmas

by Xue-yun Zhang, Taipei

Blessed by Master's infinite grace, our planet Earth experienced a major purification in the year 2003, ringing in a real Christmas worthy of a grand celebration. So on December 21, over four thousand fellow initiates and their friends and relatives gathered for a delightful Christmas fair at the Hsihu Center.

Highly fascinating entertainment programs brightened the day for everyone. For instance, a Santa Claus band filled the air with the merry and inspirational tones of Christmas carols as the musicians danced around the Center, enlivening Hsihu's atmosphere and receiving rounds of laughter and applause. The day's activities featured more than just brilliant entertainment, however; there was also an unending supply of delicious vegetarian delicacies and an enormous variety of innovative games, sponsored by centers around Fromosa. As one guest observed, "I really admire Supreme Master Ching Hai for her courage. For more than a decade, She has led you in transforming this place into a beautiful center. This is no easy task." A fellow initiate from China also shared his heartfelt impressions, saying, "I'm so grateful for Master's incredible arrangement in letting me participate in this grand Christmas celebration of the new era. Throughout my stay in Formosa, I've been in the company of saints, and can feel Master's elevating power more strongly each day. Seeing over four thousand people participate in this Christmas fair, and sharing in the joyful birth of saints, I deeply appreciate Master's great contribution to elevating the planet!"

Poems

Reflections at Christmas Time

by brother initiate Ruslan Staikov, Plovdiv, Sofia, Bulgaria (originally in English)

Spirituality and Science

Fractals in Life - Reflections at Christmas Time

by brother initiate Matthew Sirpis, Sydney, Australia (originally in English)

Within the physical and spiritual realms exist countless cycles, forms and symbols that may be considered in relation to an ever-expanding pattern of which they are a part. For example, in the physical world, upon observing a pine needle, we can see that it is long and slender. And if we stand back and observe the entire tree of which the needle is a part (see picture 1), we notice that the tree is also long and slender. This mirroring of shape and pattern represents what has come to be known in the physical sciences as a fractal. Another example of a fractal may be seen in a spiral, whose shape is repeated in the formation of wider and wider curves (see picture 2).

The same principle applies to other natural phenomena such as ocean waves, various kinds of trees and even planetary systems. Our solar system, for example, is made up of many planets, all similarly shaped and all orbiting the Sun, which itself is many times larger and heavier than its surrounding planets (see picture 3). This same relationship may be observed in the nucleus and surrounding electrons within an atom. And these subatomic particles are in turn made up of spinning sub-particles. It is thus easy to perceive this "fractal echoing" of our solar system at all levels of the universe.

On a spiritual level, the fractal metaphor can be extended to the patterns of similarity between the greatness of God and what we discover when we reconnect with the God within. These patterns become more apparent the more we practice the Quan Yin Method, which helps us to realize that we are all "fractal representations" of the great Sound Stream, the "Word" that is God. And although no two individual shapes or expressions of the Sound are exactly alike, we each resonate with the unmistakable echo of our Source.

It is also clear that the birth of a living Master on Earth signals the beginning of a larger cycle of cleansing and rebirth. Not only are we given a chance through initiation to expand our own fractal universe by re-uniting ourselves with the Source, but the entire planet can also benefit from the Master's presence. This tremendous opportunity is available to all sentient beings while the Master exists in the physical form.

During the Christmas season, the world remembers the birth of Jesus Christ, a past Master whose Earthly life was brief but whose work marked a new beginning in His era and for many generations to come. Similarly, we can use this season to declare our own new beginnings. In renewing ourselves, we have a chance to let go of the old and to realign ourselves with the "fractal pattern" of the God within. In choosing to cleanse ourselves for the good of humanity, we focus on raising our own level of consciousness and in turn that of humanity as a whole.

This Christmas, we give infinite thanks to our beloved Master for giving us the opportunity to practice the Quan Yin Method, and for the boundless blessings She has bestowed on humanity. As our living Master and perhaps the greatest living Master of all time, She is a true embodiment of God. Her gift to this world, of bestowing God's love in countless ways, makes each day a true Christmas.

Master's Wonders

The Almighty Power Watches Over My Family

by a fellow initiate from Mainland China (originally in Chinese)

Since I was initiated nine years ago, I have been blessed with the opportunity to participate in Master's work. Moreover, although my wife is not yet initiated, she loves Master dearly, has observed a strict vegetarian diet for nine years, and has clearly seen the inner Master come to save her several times in visions. One day, when I brought home a new photo of Master dressed in white, my wife exclaimed loudly, "This was how Master was dressed when She came to save me!" She then purchased an exquisite frame specially for the photo, which in the years since has stood on her office desk. Each day, she wears a medallion containing Master's photo on her chest or around her neck, and realizes that we should be eternally grateful to God.

Since my initiation Master has not only been taking care of my family, but has helped my wife become promoted from a cashier's job in a small firm to a position as the financial director of a business group. During her interview with the group, the personnel director immediately recognized Master in the photo that my wife was wearing, saying that he knew Master and had seen Her before. Once, when the personnel director's father was in the hospital, the patient on the adjacent bed happened to be a fellow initiate, who later gave him a copy of Master's sample booklet. On another occasion, the personnel director was in transit at an airport in Thailand when Master, traveling alone, came up to him and asked him to watch Her luggage while She completed some procedures. When She returned, he told Her that he recognized Her and had read Her sample booklet. Master then delightedly gave him a miniature lotus souvenir, which he has since treasured.

My wife's interview with the personnel director lasted several hours, and their conversation centered on Master and God. My wife was recruited by this company and received a salary two times higher than her previous pay. It was the first time that she had climbed to the post of financial director from that of a financial manager. (She was then too old to be a financial manager, while the position of financial director is usually more suitable for a senior person.) This was a big step upward in her career.

Vegetarians are the Healthiest

One day, some calcium supplement promoters came to our neighborhood and offered to test the calcium index of each resident free of charge. Without exception, everyone who went before us to take the test showed signs of calcium deficiency. My family then decided to give it a try. Miraculously, the test instrument showed a curve indicating that we were not lacking in calcium, and the three of us consecutively showed better indexes. The people present were amazed and asked about our daily diet, and my family members were proud to proclaim, "We're all vegetarians!"

On another occasion, about a thousand people gathered for a health check-up at my wife's company. Having been a vegetarian for nine years, my wife had the best results in most of the tests. The doctor was especially amazed at her blood count results, which he said were the best he had seen in a very long time!

Back to Life at the Thought of Master

Xiao Yuan is a twenty-year-old youth living in Northeast China who had previously received a kidney transplant. Once, when he was seriously ill, he met one of our fellow initiates who told him that he could recite the name of Supreme Master Ching Hai should he run into grave trouble or danger. That night, Xiao Yuan was on the verge of death, and could clearly see two ghastly ghosts dragging him by the feet to a horrifying hell. They tried to thrust him into a giant guillotine, while he struggled and resisted with all his might. At this critical moment, Master's holy name flashed across his mind. Even before he managed to finish reciting Her name, a golden light appeared and carried him through many dark obstacles before finally returning to an extremely beautiful realm.

Very soon, Xiao Yuan woke up and found himself surrounded by many wide-eyed doctors, who were dumbfounded by the miracle that had brought the dead back to life! Afterwards, he remained in good health, switched to a vegetarian diet, and before long was initiated into the Quan Yin Method and began following Master to practice spirituality.

An Old Farmer's Auspicious Retreat

by a fellow initiate from Mainland China (originally in Chinese)

In early 2000, an elderly brother who lives in the countryside of Hebei Province met a natural psychic and vegetarian practitioner who told him, "You will visit your Master several months from now." And the brother replied, "But I'm just an old farmer who has never been abroad, and I don't have the money to make such a trip." The psychic then said, "When it's time, you will receive financial support to see your Master."

Before long, news spread in Mainland China about a retreat in Korea, and enthusiastic fellow initiates in Beijing supported the brother financially without being asked to do so. In addition, the initiates helped the brother and his wife, who was also an initiate, complete the formal travel arrangements. The couple became the only practitioners in their locality who were able to make the trip to see Master.

At the end of the retreat, the brother received an extra package of blessed food. When he arrived home, he found over a hundred local initiates waiting sincerely and eagerly to hear news about Master and the retreat. He understood then that the blessed food had been prepared for these longing souls!

Panorama of Events

Poland's First-Ever Public Video Seminar is a Rousing Success

by Beata Lukaszewska, Lodz

[Lodz] On November 21, 2003, by invitation of the Wloclawek Radiesthetic Association, Lodz initiates traveled to the city of Wloclawek on the banks of the Vistula, Poland's largest river, to conduct a video seminar introducing Supreme Master Ching Hai and the Quan Yin Method to local residents. En route to the city and all during the seminar, the brothers and sisters felt Master's strong support and blessing power.

When the work team members arrived at the venue, they were warmly welcomed by the meeting's organizers, some of whom revealed that they were already familiar with the Supreme Master's teachings. The practitioners were very excited to be in Wloclawek as it was to be the first public video presentation held in Poland. The seminar venue was decorated with a large photograph of Master, and one guest who viewed the photo described feeling energy emanating from it and also seeing a moving, white-violet Light form of Master.

The activities began with a brief introduction to Master's life and teachings by the Lodz contact person, who also offered general information about spiritual cultivation. Then all the guests watched in rapt attention as one of Master's video lectures was shown. After the presentation, the guests enjoyed a sumptuous meal, which included appetizing vegetarian pancakes, pies and other dishes. Some people were so impressed by the taste and quality of the food that they asked for the recipes. In addition, many participants inquired about ways to combine daily life in the material realm with the requirements of spiritual cultivation. And the initiates simply replied that the Quan Yin Method of meditation helps practitioners to live peacefully and effortlessly in the world. So over time, balancing practice with the demands of mundane existence becomes easy.

Many participants were already vegetarians so they were able to readily accept Master's teachings, and as such expressed interest in both the Convenient form of practice and full Quan Yin Initiation.

The video seminar sponsored by the Wloclawek Radiesthetic Association was very meaningful for Lodz initiates because after many years of practice, they finally came to realize the power of such activities in spreading Master's teachings. The sisters and brothers were also extremely happy that they had the chance to introduce Her message to members of the Association and other local residents, and look forward to conducting more Truth-sharing projects in the future.

The Supreme Art Glorifies a Thanksgiving Retreat

by Ha Hoang, Oklahoma City

[Oklahoma City] During Thanksgiving weekend 2003, Oklahoma initiates held a two-day retreat, attended by practitioners from their state as well as from Austin, Missouri and Boston, to celebrate the first anniversary of the Oklahoma Center.

On the last evening of the retreat, professional artist Ha Cam Tam, who has written many beautiful commentaries on Master's paintings for the News magazine, also attended and discussed Her works created from 1992 to 1994 in many countries around the world. Aided by his extensive knowledge and experience in the area of fine art, Mr. Ha explained the beauty and unique technical characteristics of each of Master's works with respect to their amazing composition, beautiful brush strokes and lively colors. Since ancient times, from East to West, few have reached the spiritual heights attained by Master in the field of visual art. And most inspiring is the fact that all of Her creations offer colorful and insightful moral lessons; so they are extremely beneficial tools in practitioners' spiritual evolution. As Master has said many times, She never learned to paint from a teacher or attended art school, yet She was able to create these wonderful works through divine inspiration.

All who attended the Thanksgiving 2003 retreat in Oklahoma were very pleased to have had the chance to learn more about the supreme art revealed in Master's paintings. And by the retreat's end everyone's heart was filled with fond aesthetic memories and the bliss of a fruitful meditation experience.

The Luckiest Yogis in the World Attend a Yoga Show

by Joys, Toronto

[Toronto] Regardless of today's highly sophisticated technology and great advances in material comfort, many people are motivated to seek knowledge of what lies beyond the physical realm, as was evident during Canada's first annual Yoga Show & Conference held at the Metro Toronto Convention Center from November 21 to 23, 2003 and attended by local initiates.

The Show is regarded as the largest and most important yearly gathering of yoga practitioners in the country, and so it gave Toronto initiates a chance to meet many sincere Truth seekers who expressed interest in finding a real Master.

During the Show many people who visited Master's booth raised highly spiritual questions and were deeply interested in Her message. For example, one visitor, a yoga teacher, said, "I'm overjoyed to finally find a true Master!" During the Show, the initiates also met many people who had learned of Master in other countries or cities, or who had attended our Association's previous seminars or exhibitions in Toronto. These and other guests acquired more information about Master's teachings, and one elderly woman signed up to learn the Convenient Method, saying, "I prefer this meditation compared to yoga practices, and I would like to share the blessings with my friends in the nursing home where I live."

As the event neared its end, a woman rushed up to our booth and later told us an interesting story. Once when she was with a client, the client suddenly said, "Quan Yin Bodhisattva is with us." The client next explained to her that Quan Yin Bodhisattva - the Goddess of Mercy - would one day be the woman's spiritual guide. Upon seeing the "Quan Yin Method" banner hung over the Toronto Center's booth the woman was reminded of this incident and felt encouraged to come by for a visit. After learning the significance of the Method, she then added, "I'm very happy to know about Supreme Master Ching Hai."

The initiates who worked at the 2003 Yoga Show & Conference were happy to see the immense appreciation shown by the public for our Master and for those who contributed their unconditional love in sharing Master's teachings at the event. Having a living Master on Earth, the Toronto brothers and sisters sincerely feel that they are indeed the luckiest yogis in the world!

Conveying the Supreme Teachings in Scenic Northern Thailand

by Eve and Aea, Bangkok

[Chiang Mai] On November 23, 2003 a seminar featuring Master's videos was held at Yuparach College in Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand, a beautiful area known for its breathtaking ancient temples, towering mountains and picturesque geysers, as well as for the hospitality of its indigenous people.

Thai fellow practitioners promoted the seminar by placing announcements in the local media, distributing flyers and putting up posters, thus attracting many Truth-aspirants to the event. One of the attendees, a professor of religion at Chiang Mai University who brought along his students, expressed a sincere hope that all young people will soon have the opportunity to understand and practice the Quan Yin Method. Many of the other participants also had positive responses to Master's lectures and were touched by Her infinite love. For instance, one middle-aged guest who had been jogging past the conference room happened to see Master's poster affixed to two nearby trees, and felt eager to join in the event. He was initially worried about being improperly dressed, but due to his sincere interest and Master's blessing, he participated and learned the Convenient Method. The man told the initiates that it was easy for him to become a vegetarian. Because in the past he had been very aggressive, but during the traditional Buddhist vegetarian food festival season in October he ate vegetarian cuisine and noticed that his disposition changed significantly for the better.

After watching Master's video lecture, about a third of the audience members learned the Convenient Method, and some asked to register for initiation. Many who learned the Convenient form of practice had excellent experiences, and afterwards all the guests enjoyed a meal of delicious blessed food. Due to Master's unconditional love and infinite Light, the seminar thus ended in an atmosphere of great exhilaration and contentment.

A Video Seminar for Heroic Firefighters

by the Seoul News Group

[Busan] In November, 2003, a very special and beautiful video seminar was held for firefighters at the Busan South Fire Station. In September 2003, Supreme Master Ching Hai donated USD 50,000 for the relief of Korean victims of Typhoon Maemi. Part of this amount was offered to the firefighters injured during the rescue work. Touched by the Supreme Master's mercy and love Chief Seong Yong-Pan invited members of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association to conduct a video seminar about Her teachings and the Quan Yin Method of meditation for the Station's firefighters and volunteers on November 8, the forty-first anniversary of Korean Firefighting Day.

At the beginning of the seminar, Chief Seong introduced the initiates to the audience of 120 and described Master Ching Hai and the benefits of practicing the Quan Yin Method in detail. The initiates could not believe that Mr. Seong, a non-initiate, could speak so accurately and profoundly about Master, and were extremely pleased to hear his warm introduction. He also strongly encouraged everyone to open their minds, pay attention to the seminar and pursue the Method. Following the video presentation, some of the firefighters, including the Chief himself and several high-level officers, learned the Convenient Method of meditation.

Kim Seong-Gi, one of the firefighters who received Master's monetary gift, expressed his thanks to Her as follows: "Dear Supreme Master Ching Hai, I received medical treatment and became much healthier thanks to You. I will try and better my life from now on. Thank You." Then Hwang Jeong-Shik, a fleet manager who learned the Convenient form of practice, said, "I'm happy today to have this opportunity to learn about the meaning of life. Today's meditation was good and I'll try my best while on this Path." In addition, fire investigation head Kim Ju-In, another new Convenient Method practitioner, said, "I think the meditation will be helpful in my life, and by practicing spirituality I can realize my true Self. Master's comment that God is within us impressed me."

Chief Seong added, "I'll put unceasing effort into my practice and I believe it will have a great effect and bring about progress. I'll continuously strive for that and also provide advice and information to other fire stations so that the staff there can learn the Method as well." And then regarding Master he said, "She is very beautiful and humorous, and I'm very touched to know that She doesn't accept funds from initiates but earns money by creating Heavenly art, thus helping needy people around the world with Her earnings."

This was the first video seminar held in a government-owned facility in Korea. Although there were no flyers or posters involved in its promotion, as with other large-scale seminars in the country, the event was a remarkable success, suggesting a new way to convey Master's teachings to the public.

Master's Heavenly Message Pervades Daegu City

by the Seoul News Group

[Daegu] On November 9, 2003, with the help of brothers and sisters from other Korean centers, Daegu initiates conducted a seminar featuring Master's videos in their city (Korea's third largest) for the first time in four years.

The venue, a hall at the Suseong Tourist Hotel, was beautifully decorated with vibrant floral arrangements, and its luxurious lobby made more attractive with a display of Master's luminous paintings and Longevity Lamps. Sisters in colorful Korean traditional clothes welcomed guests, while other initiates served tea, coffee and candies from a table near the entrance.

Daegu residents showed great interest in this special spiritual event, as shown by the fact that some guests arrived two hours early. The hall's three hundred seats were quickly filled so an additional seventy seats were set up, and these were also filled in no time.

Many guests were completely engrossed in Master's video, showing that they sincerely yearned for the Truth. After the video presentation, exactly a hundred people learned the Convenient Method. Among the new practitioners was one who said he had long been seeking a better life, felt overjoyed at seeing a poster announcing the seminar, came to partake in the event and learned the Convenient Method. All the participants obtained sample booklets and copies of Master's News magazine, and some even requested additional booklets for their friends.

After the seminar, Daegu Center initiates remained busy responding to inquiries from local residents, and even more people came to the Center to learn about Master. One week later, the Center held a welcoming party for the new practitioners, who enjoyed delicious vegetarian food, and exchanged ideas about Master and the Quan Yin Method. On the same day, many applied for initiation. Thus, thanks to Master's infinite grace, many more longing souls were given the opportunity to join the Quan Yin family and attain liberation in one lifetime.

Captions

1. On the day of the Daegu seminar, all the seats in the venue were quickly filled. （sp4-1.jpg）

2. Participants enthusiastically register to learn the Convenient Method.（sp4-2.jpg）

3. In front of the information Desk, guests show their great interest in Master's teachings by eagerly studying Her publications（sp4-3.jpg）

From Palm Boulevard to the Heavenly Kingdom

by Xue-yun Zhang Taipei

[Taipei] On November 15, 2003, fellow initiates from the National Taiwan University (NTU) Light and Sound Association launched their third Truth-sharing activity at the University. The theme of the event was "New Life in the Golden Era - the Ideal Healthy Lifestyle of the Vegetarian Generation." In high spirits, initiates from universities and colleges across northern Formosa gathered on NTU's Palm Boulevard early in the morning to decorate the venue and distribute fliers, earnestly hoping that the good news about the Quan Yin Method would reach every corner of the campus.

Displayed on the sides of the Association's exhibition booth were replica prints of Master's paintings Flowers in the Heart Never Whither and Mangosteen, perfectly complementing Her photo, which was placed at the back of the booth facing visitors. Master's lecture videos were shown continuously on a TV screen while the fellow practitioners worked eagerly to accommodate visitors. All through the day the initiates got a warm reception from guests as wave after wave flowed in and out of the booth. Displayed side by side with many other books on healthy eating was Master's Supreme Kitchen cookbook, and early in the morning, two alert mothers with good affinity came to the venue and asked specifically to purchase the book. Also, a number of visitors came forward to make inquiries, and many enrolled to learn the Convenient Method.

Before noon, several young students were already waiting to learn the Convenient form of practice on the lawn behind the exhibition booth. Their sincerity and longing were clearly discernible, and at 2:00 p.m. sharp these eager Truth-aspirants formally became members of the Quan Yin family through a Convenient Method instruction session. During the transmission, some of the fellow initiates witnessed their relatives board the "Convenient Method train" and thus begin to enjoy Heavenly bliss while on earth as their faces glowed with joy and contentment.

Observing the booth's counter become empty as Master's cookbooks, sample booklets and other publications were acquired by visitors, and seeing the peace and tranquility on the faces of the new Convenient Method practitioners, the initiates realized that their Truth-sharing activity at the National Taiwan University had come to a successful conclusion. The brothers and sisters participated in the fair plan to continue passing the torch of Truth through such events until as many souls as possible attain immediate enlightenment and liberation in one lifetime!

Master's Blessing Power Pervades the 2003 National Religion Expo

by Hui-wen Chen, Chiayi

[Chiayi] From November 5 to 9, 2003, The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association again participated in Formosa's annual National Religion Expo held at the Dounan Sports Field. The Association's exhibit, expressing the theme "God Takes Care of Everything," included a brief introduction to Supreme Master Ching Hai and the Quan Yin Method and an attractive display of Her publications. The focus of the exhibit was the newly published illustrated book of wisdom tales God Takes Care of Everything. On the evening of November 7, initiates working at the Expo held a well-attended Truth-sharing seminar featuring Master's lecture videos shown on a huge projection screen, along with a Convenient Method teaching session.

From its preparatory stages to its conclusion, the event gave testimony to Master's incredible potency, which takes perfect care of everything and leads people with affinity to establish contact with Her when the time is right. For example, on the eve of the event, members of a local religious group approached the work team to ask if they could arrange the seats in the venue in advance so as to expedite their activity, which was unexpectedly re-scheduled to occur immediately after the Quan Yin seminar. The fellow initiates gladly complied with the group's request and the next day were surprised to find that because of this arrangement, all the seats in the venue had been properly placed. Also, the group's members turned out to be a loyal audience for the showing of Master's lecture videos.

Through the Expo, many of the religious people and other guests attained a deeper understanding of Master's teachings, and went a step further by learning the Convenient form of practice or requesting initiation into the Quan Yin Method. One new Convenient Method practitioner shared with the initiates how she was guided to the Expo by seeing its well-lit lamps when she had lost her way that day, and also how she was attracted by Master's enchanting image on the large projection screen upon entering the venue. The sister also expressed a sincere desire to receive Quan Yin initiation in the near future. Another gentleman said that while meditating with the Convenient Method, he had had his first experience of an inner vision.

The initiates who participated in the 2003 National Religion Expo are deeply thankful to their merciful Master for giving local residents another opportunity to learn about the Quan Yin Method of meditation. They also thank Master for bestowing Her boundless grace on the event, which elevated them both tangibly and intangibly.

Captions:

1. A constant stream of guests visits The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association exhibit. (sp3-1.jpg)

2. The Truth-sharing seminar featuring Master's video lectures shown on a huge projection screen is a major focus of attention at the Expo. (sp3-2.jpg)

1 illustration: (sp3-3.jpg)

Events Date Book

To keep pace with the planet's ongoing spiritual elevation, the local centers of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association are holding more and more video seminars and other Truth-sharing events worldwide.

You are welcome to join in these activities with your friends and relatives. For the latest schedule of our Truth-sharing activities, please visit the following URLs:

Master Tells Jokes

A Very Polite Policeman

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Florida, U.S.A., December 27, 2001 (originally in English) Videotape No. 734

There was a man who repaired typewriters, and one day he was called into a building to do a repair. So he went there, but when he looked for a parking space, he couldn't find one. In the big city sometimes it's difficult to find a parking space. So he parked in a no parking zone and put a note on the windshield of his car that said, "I'm Joseph Goldsmith, working inside the building" to let the police know that he had to do some work. So when he finished repairing the typewriter, he came out and saw another note next to his note that said, "I'm Jeremy Flagler, police officer, working outside the building." With the note was a ticket.

Today's Special: One for the Price of Two

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Florida, USA,December 28, 2002 (originally in English) Videotape No. 735

There was a shop that sold chickens and a woman came in and wanted to buy a chicken. So the shopkeeper brought out a chicken and gave it to her, saying, "This one's twenty dollars." And the woman said, "Oh, that's too small. Don't you have something bigger?" But the man didn't so he took that chicken and weighed it again somewhere and then said, "Here's a bigger one. This one's thirty dollars." So the woman said, "OK, I'll take them both."

God Helps Those Who Help Themselves

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Florida, U.S.A.December 27, 2001 (originally in English) Videotape No. 734

A man kept praying to God to win the lotto. Every week he prayed to win the lotto, but many years passed and he never won the lotto. So then one day he began crying to God, saying, "I've been praying to You for years just to win the lotto so that I could build my house. How come You've never answered my prayers?" So God asked him, "Did you ever buy a lotto ticket?" And the man said, "No."

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:

Master Says

Let the Light of Spirituality Illuminate the Universe

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Hsihu, Formosa, May 9, 1992 (originally in Chinese) Videotape No. 244

Our true birthday is the day of our initiation. As the Bible says, "Unless we are born again, we cannot enter the Kingdom of God." And in the Tao Te Ching (The Book of the Way by Lao Tzu, the major philosophical work of Taoism) it is stated, "If we cannot become a child again, we will not be able to understand the Tao." In this sense, the time of initiation is our true birthday. However, since we possess the physical form, from the standpoint of secular customs, our birthday is the day when our material body enters the world. If we're born on an auspicious day, we'll grow up to serve the world and become a great person like Jesus Christ or Shakyamuni Buddha.

We have two great annual festivals: The first is the birthday of Shakyamuni Buddha and the second is that of Jesus Christ. Each year we celebrate the birthdays of these two greatest and most renowned enlightened Masters in the world. When celebrating the anniversaries of Their births, we should remember Their grace. They took great pains just to edify this obdurate world, sacrificing Their private lives, moments of comfort and youthful bodies in the process. And we must strive to practice diligently so that we can become like Them, or at least become able to follow in Their footsteps. Each of us can become as great as They are. The choice is ours to make. If we consider ourselves to be very weak and small, we will be weak and small, but if we think that we're very great, we will become great.

Master Your Thoughts

Thoughts are of paramount importance while faith is the mother of all paths and merits. If we have no faith in ourselves, all the Saints from all the dimensions and all times can't save us. Even if Jesus Christ came again, He wouldn't be able to do anything for us. Thus, we need to understand that if we want to progress and attain the great wisdom, we have to work hard; no one can help us. If we spend all our time worshipping a certain great Buddha or great Master, but forget that we too have the same great wisdom within ourselves, we're wasting Their efforts. We're acting contrary to Their teachings.

Shakyamuni Buddha said, "I have attained Buddhahood, and you will also become Buddhas in the future!" Jesus Christ also told us, "The works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do." (John 14:12) We should take Their words to heart for they're very important. If we don't remember them, there's nothing else in the world that's worth remembering. Life after life, we've been brainwashed and have followed many systems that haven't been beneficial for us and have belittled us. We even prostrate ourselves before a piece of wood, a tree or even a rock. I wonder how much lower you can degrade yourselves! Even going to hell isn't as terrible as having an incorrect concept. Most people in the world immerse themselves in decadent lives and concepts because they don't want to change this kind of thinking. They don't want to accept the Truth, to stand tall, fight for themselves and regain their own rights. That's why they suffer life after life.

However, our Earth isn't the worst; there are even worse planets in the universe. In this world, we still have the freedom and right to change our thinking. We aren't poisoned to the extent that no cure is possible because all the ignorance here is of our own choice, but we're too lazy to change. In contrast, the inhabitants of some planets have virtually no chance to change because they're controlled by beings from other planets who employ many different kinds of horrible weapons, which are more a kind of technology, to manipulate the inhabitants of these planets and make them live like zombies.

It would be very terrible and miserable if our thinking were monitored like this. It might be all right if only our bodies were controlled, but if our thoughts and wisdom were restricted, we would be in grave trouble. Many people are being influenced constantly, but they're oblivious to it. For example, when we recite the scriptures or read books, if we don't understand what they mean and yet make no effort to understand them, we might trust someone to explain them to us. However this may not be what they really express. That person may not understand them either, yet we place our trust in him and let him guide us in our thinking and religious beliefs. Eventually, the two parties may sink together to the same ignorant level, and this will be really troublesome.

Many people in the world believe blindly like this, accepting many things that haven't been verified or have never benefited them. Not even our ancestors, parents or elders benefited from them, but just because everyone believes them we just join the group. It never crosses our minds to question whether these systems or philosophies are true or not. Will we be able to get any verification of them? This is how many people pass one day, and then a lifetime.

Spiritual Practitioners Brighten the Whole Universe

I believe that in recent years, as the number of fellow practitioners has increased, our world has become more comfortable and purified. Many wonders are occurring in places around the world. In fact, so many unimaginable things have occurred that even our fellow practitioners are amazed. However, we really shouldn't be surprised because as I've said before, for we who practice the Quan Yin Method, the Light within us is infinite, and our inner peace and love are inconceivable. There's no wall that they can't penetrate and no boundary that can block them out.

When we cultivate ourselves spiritually in Formosa, it not only benefits the Formosan people, but our Light permeates the whole world. Let's not mention the intangible benefits; just talking about the tangible benefits is enough. Do you know how many fellow initiates we have in the whole world? In how many countries can we find our fellow initiates? Let's not mention their invisible energy and infinite love power, but first look at their lifestyle: They're vegetarians, they don't kill or steal and they love their neighbors. Also, they're truthful, reliable and peaceful; they're very good citizens of the world. This is enough already. Just observing the tangible results of meditation and personal cultivation is enough. There's no need to mention the invisible potential or intangible benefits that we bring to the world.

Our fellow practitioners do business honestly. They're very frank, proper and upright in everything they do. Also, they don't kill animals because they want to preserve lives. We observe a vegetarian diet in order to extend our love to all beings, not just humans. If everyone could be like our fellow practitioners, there would be no more war. So, our spiritual cultivation really yields benefits. Of course, the invisible forces, the intangible miraculous powers, are known only to our fellow initiates. If we revealed them to outsiders, they would sound like fairytales; people would be skeptical. That's why I say, "Don't talk about them with outsiders; only with our fellow initiates."

In the past few years, I've really been touched by your love and support. Of course, I seldom praise you or express my appreciation, but I believe you all know what I think. It's enough for us to understand each other even though we seldom express it. We're different than worldly people in that we refrain from praising each other a lot. Instead, we point out and help to rectify each other's shortcomings and imperfections. Only this is important.

Spiritual Progress Knows No Bounds

It takes more than a year or two to truly understand Truth, goodness and beauty. There's no end to achieving the infinite wisdom of God. No one can claim that he's comprehended the whole because that would mean it's limited. An ocean, however vast, has an opposite shore. But we can never completely grasp God's wisdom and the energy of the Universe. We can't say that we've learned enough or that it's enough to practice spiritually, observe a vegetarian diet and meditate each day. It's never enough! Even now, I'm still refining myself, every single day!

If we claim that we've realized it all, we're looking down on God. The universe is so immense that no individual can ever come to understand everything! However, when someone has attained the ultimate Truth, we say that he's reached Anuttara Samyak Sambodya for he has entered that level. But there's no boundary or specific position related to this level. Hence, don't imagine that it ends with the attainment of Buddhahood. It's just that, after becoming a Buddha, it becomes easier and more convenient for us to comprehend; it's less difficult than before. For instance, after we graduate from the university, learning becomes more convenient because we have personal experience and we aren't subject to teachers' restraints. But that doesn't mean that we've gained knowledge of everything in the whole world.

Our disciples reach the level of non-regressing Bodhisattvas when they're initiated, and they're entitled to continue learning, become great individuals and be as great as Shakyamuni Buddha or Jesus Christ. In fact, many of our fellow initiates are almost as great as They are. However, this world doesn't need very many Jesus Christs and Shakyamuni Buddhas so please just practice in peace and silence. Don't let others know, or other planets will come to borrow you and take you away. Other planets may not have any Buddhas so they might borrow my disciples! Should they really want to do that, they'd have to send dozens of UFOs for you! They'd also need to offer me a few UFOs to facilitate my preaching work. Only then would I lend you to them. (Master and everyone laugh.)

Share the Good News about the Truth

So I'll do what's good for the world, whether it means preaching overseas or staying in one country. The essential point is that our infinite power will fill the whole world. The Master isn't simply this flesh, nor are you. We're truly very great, but very few people know it. Every day, there are people in the world who worship mountains, rivers, deities, ghosts, wood or rocks, and gain nothing but degradation. However, we have to be patient; we're all in the process of educating ourselves. All we should do is tell them the good news. It's good if they choose to walk with us; if not, it's all right too.

However, we really have to progress for the good of the whole world. Look at the few countries that have chosen the path of regression and see how they suffer! If we make a wrong choice our whole life is wasted and sometimes it's too late to change. Also, the economy or vital strength of the country is debilitated. A wrong move pushes us back tens or even hundreds of years. So, of course we should choose the path of progress!

Even after we've been initiated into a very good method, we still need to retrospect every day to see if we're making progress. If we're not, we need to improve quickly. Otherwise, it will be of little benefit. After practicing spiritually, we should use our wisdom and might every day. Otherwise, it'll rust, and we'll possess it as if we didn't possess it and it'll be wasted. If we don't share with others what we've realized through enlightenment, we won't know that we have such great spiritual wealth.

Sometimes fellow practitioners tell me stories, saying that when people ask them questions or when they talk with non-initiates, they can suddenly speak very fluently, the way I do. This is all because you're utilizing your wisdom at that time. If you haven't encountered such an opportunity, you can't make use of it and you'll think that you have no wisdom. So the more we employ our wisdom, the more we recognize it. The more we share the good news with other people, the more fulfilled our merits will become. Should you think that you've made no progress or received no benefits in your spiritual cultivation, quickly join in the preaching work (Master laughs), and strive diligently to share our teachings. Then you'll know immediately whether you've gained any wisdom or made any progress.

Aphorisms

There's no such thing as a fixed future. If we're connected with God's Grace, we can change everything.

Try to have some consideration; not because of other people, but for yourself, to elevate yourself into a much higher sensitivity of consciousness.

Heaven is the state of tranquility, of desirelessness, of everything being fulfilled of its own accord, and we also call that Nirvana.

It's not meditation that protects you. It's the awakening of your own power within that protects you. It's knowing that you're God that protects you.

Beautiful People and Beautiful Events

An Expert Archer's Key to Success --

An exclusive interview with brother initiate Jacky Chantraine

(originally in English)

Brother initiate Jacky Chantraine is a professor of applied psychology at the Ecole d'Ergologie de Belgique located on the Brussels Free University campus, and also teaches marketing at another high school. While using his rich educational experience to bring out the innate talents of his country's youth, he also finds time to pursue his lifelong interest in archery, being a renowned sharpshooter and three-time Gold Medal Winner in the Belgian Archery Federation's Nature Shooting Competition. As a child, brother Jacky owned few toys so he taught himself how to make bows and arrows as a hobby, and gradually acquired a love of archery, which continues to this day. During his practice sessions in the great, towering forests of Belgium, the tranquil outer environment helps him achieve inner tranquility. In the interview that follows, Jacky shares the insights and experiences he has gained from spiritual practice, and describes his archery technique of "hitting the bull's eye."

Encounter with the Quan Yin Method

In recent years, Asian philosophies and cultures have been a great source of interest to Westerners, including brother Jacky, who has long been captivated by the esoteric teachings of Zen and other schools of Buddhism. On one auspicious occasion, he received a message about the Quan Yin Method, and thus embarked on the path toward enlightenment. As he states, "Once I went to the campus of a university in Brussels on "Buddhist Day," when people were talking about Buddhism. There happened to be a seminar about the Quan Yin Method, which I thought was about Buddhist teachings. Since I like all the oriental philosophies, I attended the seminar. As I was leaving, someone handed me a free sample booklet and I took it and started reading it."

"When I went home, my wife pointed at the cover of the sample booklet and said, 'That's Master Ching Hai. I also know about Her because my Aulacese friends gave me several of Her videotapes.' We then compared the contents of the sample booklet and videotapes, and after a period of intensive study, were attracted to Master's teachings and decided to practice the Quan Yin Method. So we sought out the address of our local center and were eventually initiated."

Reflect on Your Inner Self and Contact God Directly

When asked what he had cultivated and realized since beginning his pursuit of the Quan Yin Method, brother Jacky said, "The Quan Yin Method allows me to recharge my spiritual battery, to look inside myself, and to speak directly with God." He then cited the following Zen story to illustrate the importance of "meditating with a still mind."

An English tourist in Japan persistently asked a Japanese monk this question: "Could you please tell me what Zen means?" The monk replied, "Come with me; I'll show you." Standing on the edge of a lake, the monk said, "Look! Isn't the water so pure that you can see the bottom?" "Yes!" answered the Englishman. "Now, I'm stirring the water with my stick. What do you see?" The Englishman answered, "Nothing. The water is troubled. I can't see the bottom at all."

The monk then said, "It's the same with Zen. When you meditate, you're as quiet as the water, and you can see the real Self inside you, but if you're stressed and agitated, you can't see your real Self anymore. That's why you need to become still and meditate."

Brother Jacky concluded, "That's what meditation means to me: seeing my inner Self, and being able to contact God directly."

Concentration is the Key to Success

It is undeniable that archery is not merely a sport, but also a special form of art. However, one might ask if archery and spiritual practice have anything in common. To this question, brother Jacky replies, "For me, shooting is also a kind of meditation. I've already explained it to a lot of people. Meditation doesn't just mean sitting and closing your eyes. There are different kinds of meditation; for instance, standing meditation, sitting meditation, and so on. I really take archery as a kind of meditation. I'm highly concentrated when shooting or before shooting. I recite the Holy Names from time to time, and put my attention on the wisdom eye. I simply close my eyes a little and can see the image of the inner Master, which means seeing Master through the inner Light."

"When looking at the target, it's as though I'm looking at Master's image. It's because, in superior archery, the shooter and target are no longer opponents, but have melted into one. Meditation also helps me a lot in daily life as I've gotten used to focusing on my inner Self. I can now go more directly and quickly to the point of any problem before me, and the solution comes like a spotlight. This is similar to archery, when you focus on one point in the middle of the target and hit the bull's eye."

A Vegetarian Diet Provides Ample Strength and Vitality

Many people have the notion that a vegetarian diet is not nutritious enough, and can thus adversely affect one's strength and mental capacity. But actually, the truth is just the opposite. Brother Jacky cited his own experience in observing a vegetarian diet: "Pulling the bow requires a lot of strength. When I first switched to a vegetarian diet, I was a bit worried that my body would become too weak to control the bow properly. People also told me that not eating meat would make me tire easily, get poor results, and thus suffer. However, since following a vegetarian diet for a period of time, not only has my strength been unaffected, but my mental condition has improved, accompanied by improvements in stamina and concentration. So it was absolutely a wrong concept. I'm the best example and evidence of vegetarianism's positive effects. People who know me now also realize the benefits of a vegetarian diet, and are no longer amazed or skeptical."

Honoured with the Medal of The Order of Leopold

In addition to being a superb archer, brother Jacky is also an earnest educator who has devoted himself to his career for many years, and brought out his students' inherent talents to the benefit of his country. For his work he was recently awarded Belgium's Chevalier Medal of The Order of Leopold. Brother Jacky explained the award as follows: "Leopold was the first King of Belgium. When a person has accrued enough experience, made an extraordinary contribution to the Belgian nation, in my case teaching for many years in the university sector, and thus earnestly served the country and its people, the King awards him or her with the Chevalier Medal of The Order of Leopold."

"Issue #126 of The Supreme Master Ching Hai News features a special report on education containing interviews with teachers, professors and educational workers in various fields. The individuals interviewed all stress the importance of teaching young people by being role models. Only when teachers demonstrate concepts through their own positive example can they infuse students with good qualities and rectify their bad habits. I like the teaching profession, and although it doesn't earn me a lot on money, as a teacher, the most important thing is helping young people to grow."

Words of Gratitude for Master

To conclude his interview with the News, brother Jacky poured out his feelings of gratitude to Master with these comments:

The truth is that You have changed my life. Since I have come to know You, nothing in my life has been the same. I now know where the Truth is, and things don't look the same as before. I know that by following Your teachings I can become my own master. And whatever may happen in the future, I will always want to go Home. This world is but an illusory stage, and we are the actors. Each day we're busy and feel that we're important until one day someone comes to tell us, "Children! The play is finished. I want to take you home" And this Someone is You, Master Ching Hai.

Letters between Master and Disciples

A New Life of Light, Love, Hope and Miracles

by would-be initiate Yang Zhijing, Malaysia (originally in Chinese)

Master Ching Hai, how are You? It has been almost a year since I came to know You, when You reminded me in a dream to embark on the spiritual path. During this time, my life has become happier and freer than ever before. No words can possibly describe the bliss in my heart. I am practicing the Convenient Method, observing a vegetarian diet and meditating every day. For me, half an hour a day of meditation passes by very quickly. So I yearn to receive initiation into the Quan Yin Method; for then I will be able to meditate longer each day and help myself to become more focused.

Master, I used to be a very intolerant, fastidious girl who constantly complained. However, after beginning to practice the Convenient Method, I have changed a great deal. Now, I no longer like to argue with others or listen to gossip as I did before. And even when people criticize me, I don't mind; so my life is very free and happy. Of course, I still occasionally encounter minor troubles, but I keep them under control most of the time. Should I really lose control, I quickly read Your books or News magazines, look at Your photos or listen to Your cassettes. Then very soon my problems vanish. Thus, I am very thankful to God for bestowing on me the immense blessing of knowing about You, Master.

I practice the Convenient Method of meditation daily at home with my grandmother, and before we began the Method, my grandmother was a very solemn, petty person, especially concerning money. But after she began pursuing spirituality, not only has she become much kinder, but also very healthy. Everyone who meets her admires her youthful look and good health. Actually, she is almost eighty, but her body is still very strong. Everyone says that she doesn't look her age.

Last year, a fortune-teller predicted that my grandmother might not be able to live beyond June 2003, and advised my family and I to give her more attention and care. At that time she was physically weak and often sick. She even fell once and had to be hospitalized. Unable to walk, she was bedridden for over a month and we were all very worried about her. Then last December, I came to learn about You, and briefly introduced my grandmother to You, telling her that I was going to become a vegetarian and follow Master Ching Hai to practice spiritually. She immediately promised to observe a vegetarian diet and practice with me. Today, she remains safe and sound, living a free, easy life, and is in good health both physically and mentally. Each day I usually go out to work, leaving my grandmother home alone. However, I never worry because I know that You are constantly by her side, accompanying her and taking care of her.

I am very grateful to You, Master, though no worldly language can depict my inner feelings and gratitude to You. I can only say that since coming to know You, our lives have been full of light, love, hope and even miracles. When we are lonely and helpless, You are there to support us. When we are sad and dejected, You show us Your concern and boundless love, just like a loving mother does.

Master, ever since I have come to know You, not a single day has passed when I have not missed You. I always gaze at Your photo and think silently in my heart, "I really long to see You, and when I eventually see You, I hope to embrace You tightly like a child would her mother. (Each time I think about this, tears spontaneously roll down my cheeks.) Also, I want to tell You in person, "Master, thank You so much for the immaculate care You show us at all times." Master, I am truly thankful to You! Please take good care of Your health!

Vegetarian Era

Vegetarianism and the Path to Compassion

by Little Lambs, Tokyo, Japan

While traveling recently in the United States, I obtained a copy of Diet for Transcendence: Vegetarianism and the World Religions by Steven Rosen. As I read the book, I began thinking about my usual response to the frequently asked question "Why are you a vegetarian?" I find it easy to list the health benefits, such as lowering one's cholesterol level, preventing cancer, reversing heart disease, etc., all of which are great reasons for not eating meat. But I suddenly realized that I was neglecting to mention the most important reason: compassion for all sentient beings.

In his book, Rosen points out that both the Sixth Commandment of the Judaeo-Christian Bible and the First Precept of Buddhism are "Thou shalt not kill" or "Do not kill." The language is clear and not specific only to humans. The author also states that the "Golden Rule"- "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you" - is found in almost all the world's sacred books, begging the question "Aren't animals also 'others'?" Because they live, breathe and think as humans do, and show love, fear and anger as well.

Both Christians and Jews adhere to the first forty-six books of the Bible, collectively termed the Old Testament in Christianity and the Torah in Judaism. The first book, Genesis, introduces God's original plan for the earth, stating that "in the beginning" humankind was supposed to follow a vegetarian diet. The seed-bearing fruits and vegetables were intended to be our food, and humans were given rulership or dominion over fish, birds and other animals. Thus humanity's earthly "job description" is defined - we get free vegetarian food for being the rulers or caretakers of God's Garden - a good position with excellent benefits and the best possible Boss. And it follows that a good ruler of the animal kingdom would naturally look after his subjects with compassionate concern for their well-being, and not confine, abuse, kill and eat them. However, over the centuries the concept of rulership or dominion over the animals has been misinterpreted to mean that humanity can use these creatures in any way it pleases, including slaughtering and consuming them.

An example of how compassionate relations with animals receives God's grace comes from the Old Testament book of Daniel, where the main character, the Jewish prophet Daniel, is captured, carried from Israel to Babylon and held captive by King Nebuchadnezzar. After being recognized for his genius, however, Daniel is given the best Babylonian education. At one point in the book, when Nebuchadnezzar's court presents Daniel and three Hebrew companions with Babylon's best meat and wine, they refuse the fare and instead ask to be fed only vegetables and water for ten days, saying that their captors can judge the results at the end of that period. After their trial, Daniel and the others seem healthier than another group of students who had dined on the King's food; so the captives are permitted to continue with their vegetarian diet.

Daniel later becomes the king's seer and dream interpreter. He also serves two subsequent kings and is sentenced by the third, Darius, to be sealed in a lion's den for worshipping his own God. When Darius comes to the den the following morning, Daniel tells him that an angel of God came and shut the lion's mouth. Regarding this incident, Rosen states that "perhaps because the animal sensed the vegetarian Saint's extreme compassion and lack of ill will," Daniel was left unharmed.

In a related section of the Old Testament Book of Isaiah (11:7) the Prophet predicts that a time will come when a lion will eat straw as an ox and lie down with a calf. In support of this prediction, a true story about a vegetarian lion can be found on the Internet at http://www.vegetarismus.ch/vegepet/tyke.htm. It discusses the lioness Little Tyke, who resided at Hidden Valley Ranch in California, where she was cared for by Georges and Margaret Westbeau.

The lioness insisted on eating vegetarian food, but the Westbeaus kept trying to feed Little Tyke meat for four years because scientific evidence indicated that lions die if they avoid eating meat. Yet the lioness thrived on her vegetarian diet. In fact she was as fit a lion as anyone had ever seen.

The Westbeaus finally accepted Little Tyke's vegetarianism when a visitor reminded Georges of Genesis 1:30, where God says that every animal is to eat every green herb for food. The lioness became so gentle that all types of creatures could lie down with her, including the "most dangerous species of all: Homo sapiens." (pic. 1)

A similar story can also be found on the Internet* about a lioness, named Kamuniak ('Blessed one') by Kenyan park rangers, who spent her days protecting an oryx calf, chasing off hyenas, jackals and other predators and treating the calf as she would a lion cub by lying in the grass at her side. It was a surprise in the Kenyan wild to see the lioness adopt an oryx and the two walking next to each other in peace, fulfilling the Biblical prophecy "The lamb and the lion shall lie together." (pic. 2)

These two stories dispel the myth that carnivores must eat meat to survive, and also show that, amazingly, the diet recommended for humans in Genesis is appropriate even for lions!

Rosen also implies that the Prophet Mohammed was a vegetarian and made concessions for his meat eating followers "who were not ready for that level of spiritual understanding." Also, in Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam, many stories highlight the benefits of being compassionate to all God's creatures. In one such account a female Sufi saint who is surrounded by animals is surprised by another Sufi. When the animals run away at his approach he asks the saint why they scattered. So she asks him in return what he has eaten recently; when he tells her onions cooked in fat, the saint replies, "You eat their fat! Why should they not flee from you?"1

In addition, many Hindu scriptures advocate a vegetarian diet but this quotation from the Mahabharata (one of India's great mythological epics) seems to best describe the meat-eating process: "The purchaser of flesh performs himsa (violence) by his wealth; he who eats flesh does so by enjoying the taste; the killer does himsa by actually tying and killing the animal. Thus there are three forms of killing."

Another story from the Internet involves slaughterhouse workers taking a lunch break. One of the lambs destined to be killed at the place escapes from its pen and walks over to join the men. The lamb then begins nibbling the lettuce from their sandwiches, and the hardened workmen start to pet the animal, soon finding it impossible to slaughter it. So they turn the lamb loose, demonstrating that when one has personal contact with an animal it is extremely difficult to kill it. Even if a person has slaughtered hundreds of times, personal interaction with a loving creature can stimulate compassion.

The stories above show that until we become vegetarians it is difficult to proceed on the path of compassion. When one eats an animal's flesh, the emotions of fear and anger that the creature experienced at the time of death are ingested and become part of the meat eater's body. However, when one stops consuming meat the body begins the process of purification and allows compassion to grow within. Thus, even lions can become compassionate, loving creatures on a vegetarian diet. But of course practicing the Quan Yin Method is essential to this process as well. As Supreme Master Ching Hai says, "If everyone practiced meditation and ate a wholesome diet without killing involved, the world would long since have been in a peaceful state. There's no need to give up your property; just give up the meat-based diet. That would be enough to save the world."

1 Diet For Transcendence, p. 63

Vegetarianism Makes People Blissful and Clear-Headed

An exclusive interview with Ms. Nathanon Thavisin,Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration(Originally in Thai)

Caption: Ms. Nathanon Thavisin, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, (first on right) conducts an exclusive interview on the A Journey through Aesthetic Realms TV program

Each year the Festival of the Nine Imperial Gods is celebrated in Thailand at various times in September or October according to the lunar calendar. During this ten-day activity, most Buddhists maintain a vegetarian diet, suspend all entertainment and hold a wide range of celebrations in Buddhist temples. This year, Bangkok's Chinatown hosted the main festivities, which featured a series of exhibitions on vegetarian food and ingredients. Ms. Nathanon Thavisin, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, visited each exhibition booth to express concern for the people. Through God's grace, Ms. Thavisin met with the Video Team of the A Journey through Aesthetic Realms TV program and gave an exclusive interview the following day to propagate the vegetarian ideal.

A: This is the common wish of many Bangkok residents. They want to see their city become a major tourist destination as well as an important venue for international conferences and cultural events, such as the Vegetarian Festival or Festival of the Nine Imperial Gods.

Q: The Vegetarian Festival lasts ten days and attracts many people to Yaowarat (Chinatown). Can you tell us about the purpose of and your expectations for this festival?

A: The event celebrates the ancient story of Princess Quan Yin, who came to this world to remind us to show compassion to all living beings. Under her influence, many Chinese and Thai people have chosen to pursue a vegetarian diet. During these ten days, people refrain from meat consumption and eat only vegetables and vegetarian products. The past few years have seen a significant increase in the production of soy and soy-flour products. The resultant diversity in vegetarian foods has made it easy for people to switch from meat-eating to a more compassionate diet.

A: Yes, in Sumphanthawong, which is located in downtown Bangkok and has a large Chinese population. We have several communities in Bangkok where large numbers of people are vegetarian. Because of the excellent vegetarian food available in the area, nearly eighty percent of the inhabitants adhere to a vegetarian diet for spiritual reasons. This conforms to the Buddhist tradition, makes people happy and keeps them conscious and alert. The festival is sponsored by many groups including the Quan Yin Buddhists.

Q: In the twenty-first century, many Asian countries as well as the USA, Canada and Germany are encouraging people to observe a vegetarian diet, so that they can lead a more harmonious life. Can you comment on this?

A: We do want to promote vegetarianism. People will feel the benefits if they make an effort to reduce their intake of meat or stop eating it altogether. The vegetarian diet helps prevent many illnesses such as cancer and heart problems. Medical research has shown that consuming vegetarian food contributes to better health. A healthy body brings personal joy and happiness for the family.

Q: Why are vegetarianism and meditation becoming more popular in many countries?

A: Meditation takes us into a state of peace and enhances our inner wisdom. This in turn brings about greater contentment and allows for better control over the emotions. If we meditate every day and follow a more spiritual lifestyle, the benefits can be felt very quickly. Then we will be able to serve others better and be a good example for society.

Sakyamuni Buddha taught us to contemplate our inner selves in order to gain wisdom. Meditation is very important. I meditate when I travel in the car and before I go to bed. Once our minds are calm, we understand that everything is ephemeral. My children also meditate. Sometimes they try to persuade me to go to the temple, but I tell them that it's not necessary to go there because we can meditate at home or in a quiet place. Being in samadhi for fifteen to forty-five minutes or even an hour calms the mind for the rest of the day. But we must practice regularly, even during sleep or while walking around the house.

I do my best to practice meditation. However, I think that it's not only meditation that counts but also how we conduct ourselves in daily life. For instance, we should ask ourselves, "What do you want to do today? What have you done today? Have you been a positive influence on those around you? Have you told them about the benefits of meditation and the vegetarian diet?"

Thank you very much for setting up this interview and for sharing your Method and the advantages of a vegetarian diet. Vegetarian food is becoming increasingly popular in Thailand as people realize that it is good not only for physical wellbeing but for the mind and spiritual cultivation as well.

This interview and the Vegetarian Festival will soon be available for on-line viewing on the Sun TV program A Journey through Aesthetic Realms at:

http://www.Godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng/hichannel/index.htm
(spoken in Thai, with English subtitles)

Caption: Ms Nathanon Thavisin, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, (first on right) conducts an exclusive interview on the A Journey through Aesthetic Realms TV Program

Pearls of Wisdom

The Essence of Non-Violence

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, New York, USA, June 20, 1994 (originally in English) Videotape No. 436

The precept of non-violence is a reminder for us to always try to avoid harming other living beings' lives as much as we possibly can; so that we don't intentionally harm them or have the intention of violence in our hearts.

Wanting to kill and accidentally killing are two different things. Killing and "killing" are different: It's not the killing that's bad; it's our conscience wanting to kill that's bad. It's bad for us, not for the killed. So keeping the non-violence precept is good for you, not for any other being. Because if we lose a physical body, we can get it back again; so those who kill are the ones who become damaged, not those who are killed.

Thus the precept of non-violence is actually meant to remind us to keep a very compassionate, loving heart. We don't want to harm things intentionally because our intention is what kills. It kills those things and also kills us, which is very bad.

The Sentient World of Animals

Compassion for Animals is on the Rise!

by Katherine Doyle, Coffs Harbour, Australia (originally in English)

On September 1, 2003, a fascinating article appeared in the Los Angeles Times entitled "A Change of Heart about Animals" by Jeremy Rifkin, who cites numerous examples of recent scientific experiments to discover whether animals have so-called human qualities such as emotions and the ability to learn. These studies have shown that, just like human beings, animals do in fact have feelings and are intelligent, sensitive creatures.

An especially interesting fact presented in the article is that fast-food chains such as McDonalds, Burger King and KFC often sponsor these studies. As the author states, "Pressured by animal rights activists and by growing public support for the humane treatment of animals, these companies have financed research into, among other things, the emotional, mental and behavioral states of our fellow creatures."

For example, McDonalds funded a Purdue University study on the social behavior of pigs. The researchers found that pigs really crave affection and attention and that denying them the chance to play with each other can easily lead to depression. The research also found that the lack of emotional and mental interaction can cause the animals' health to decline.

As a result of such studies, the European Union has made it illegal, beginning in 2012, to isolate pigs in stalls. The German government has also taken these findings seriously and has begun encouraging farmers to give each of their pigs twenty seconds of human interaction per day. Germany is also the first nation to guarantee animal rights in its constitution.

Other research cited in the article suggests that animals, like humans, have well developed learning abilities. For example, Koko, a 300-pound female gorilla at the Gorilla Foundation in Woodside, California, has learned sign language. She knows 1000 signs, understands several thousand English words and scores between 70 and 95 on human IQ tests!

In another amazing finding, elephants were observed standing next to a deceased relative for days and also occasionally touching it with their trunks, thus dispelling the myth that animals do not mourn for their dead.

These studies and the subsequent humane actions taken by governments around the world show that the compassion of humankind is growing to encompass the rights and welfare of animals - a positive step in the world's evolution toward a higher level of consciousness.

Story World

Master and Her Little Heavenly Assistants

by sister initiate Mini Monkey, Munich, Germany

All my experiences in working with Master have assured me of one thing: Whatever She does is meant only to benefit our spiritual progress. How deeply and unconditionally She loves us is beyond our comprehension; so because we are also in love with God, we should let Her power work on us and let go of all our preconceptions.

During the 2001 Christmas Retreat in Florida, Master asked me to "talk" to two of Her parrots. She said that the boy parrot had been biting the girl; even though it was the boy who had chosen the girl, and Master had acquired - this "girlfriend" for him.

She said that I should ask the little green couple to make peace, make the boy promise not to bite the girl again, and also ask the other parrots if they were satisfied or if they needed anything. If I did this, She would not have to go down to the level of the birds to communicate with them, but could immediately go to see the Aulacese initiates instead. Hearing this, I thought, "Wow, now I can 'help' Master with something."

I remembered once hearing Master explain in a lecture video how to talk to animals. She said we should quiet our minds and tune in to them, communicate with love, and thus automatically connect with their inner world. I think that perhaps many brothers and sisters have had such experiences.

So to communicate with animals, I always concentrate intently, and sometimes hear their message. But Master hears everything all the time like a Palace with all its doors open, as winds from all directions enter effortlessly - the All-hearing Buddha!

Responding to Master's request, I tried to talk to the parrot couple about unconditional love, brotherhood and enlightenment but did not get much of a response. So I turned to the bigger parrots to see if they were satisfied, saying, "Hey, you lucky birds! You're living in God's house. Do you realize that?" Their response is difficult to translate into human language, but it was something like: "We have no idea what you human beings mean by the term 'God.' You have egos, habits and imaginations. By contrast, we just follow the universal energy and our instincts and are free. Why do you get excited or feel you aren't worthy?" Coming back to the little green couple, I could hardly believe my eyes. The boy had stepped, millimeter by millimeter, toward the girl!

Later I told Master about what I was able to "hear" from the parrots, being ashamed that I could not hear more. And She said, "It's OK. There was no problem with the birds. I just wanted you to have fun with them."

This experience broadened my thinking and erased my preconceptions. I realized that Master had not really needed my help. But She and the birds - Her Heavenly assistants - had arranged a situation to help me better know God.

Master Tells Stories

Appreciate Every Miracle in Your Life

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Cambodia, May 13, 1996 (originally in English) Videotape No. 547

There once was a man who took his new hunting dog to try her out for the first time. He happened to shoot a duck, and the duck fell into the water of a lake. The man couldn't swim, but the dog was watching, and she understood. So she just walked on the water, dragged the duck back and gave it to the owner.

The hunter couldn't believe his eyes and said, "The dog, walking on water!" He kept rubbing his eyes and looking. "Was that the dog walking on water?" he kept murmuring to himself, and then asked his neighbor, "Did you see something strange about that dog? Did you see it too, or is it just me?" The neighbor had been looking at the dog as it walked on top of the water, and he said, "Yes, now I know: That dog can't swim!" He just thought the dog couldn't swim. He didn't notice anything else.

This is similar to us because in life many miraculous events happen, but we don't take them seriously. We don't notice because we just take them for granted. It's like that. Just like our heart beats every day, but we don't appreciate it until one day it stops or causes us trouble and reminds us that it's there through some pain or something. Then maybe we feel wonder and say, "What a miraculous thing, that such a small heart like this keeps beating every day without us controlling it!"

It's a miracle. Life is a miracle, and it's full of miracles every day for most people. Unfortunately, however, sometimes we make a hell out of our lives. By listening to the ego, listening to our illusions and listening to the stubborn habits that we accumulate over the years, we make life hell. Even if we live in Heaven, we make it a hell. That's why Heaven can't be a place for too many stubborn, stupid people because they would make a hell out of it.

It's not that God or Saint Peter doesn't want to let too many people come to Heaven. But if they go there, it will become a hell. So we don't always have to ask God or the Master to be undiscriminating; we just have to know that even though the Master or God is compassionate, a person must be ready for that precise place or precise blessing.

Selected Questions and Answers

Amazing Grace

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Brisbane, Australia,March 23, 1993 (originally in English) Videotape No. 339

Q: I'd like to know a bit more about what happens at the time of initiation. I was ill for a long time, and now suddenly I have lots of energy after being initiated. I've found myself constantly thinking, "It's quite fantastic!" A great thrill has come over me. Can you please explain a little more about what's happened?

M: You've answered yourself. Great things can happen to you because your own power has been awakened. Your torch has been lit by another already lit torch. Our torches are both lit, and we're both illuminated. You feel that I'm just like you and are slowly discovering that whatever I have, you also have. In case you haven't discovered or are not yet confident in yourself, you may pray to the so-called Master to help you at the beginning of your spiritual practice.

But even without praying, you get it. Just being initiated for only a few minutes - it's immediate enlightenment! I tell many people, but they don't believe it. Only the ones who believe as you do will get it, and then you'll shout with joy. But don't shout too loudly, or people on the street will think you're crazy! But you'd like to do it, sometimes jumping like a baby. It happens. Because you're very sincere and pure, you receive the maximum benefit. For the ones who are pure at heart, the Kingdom of God belongs to them: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God," (Matthew 5:8) or "Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Mark 10:15 and Luke 18:17) That's it. If you're pure, anything is yours because it's already there. To the complicated or doubtful ones it will also come. But sometimes they waste it a little bit, or it doesn't soak into them so deeply. Because they've built some protective walls around themselves, and the blessing is stopped because of their unwillingness to accept it.

Even God's blessing is not to be forced upon anyone. Otherwise, God would force blessings from Heaven and we'd all be liberated. There would be no need for me to go around and beg each of you to meditate. But you understand that because you know it for yourself and because you're sincere. And I'm happy for you. Many people are like that; you're not the only one. There's nothing to explain, nothing logical and nothing scientific about it. It's just that you yourself, your great wisdom, wakes up and immediately goes to work. It organizes and regulates the "body-disordered" places and puts them in order again. It also puts your mind in order and erases some of the negative tendencies and residues through the great force of the universe.

Thus, you feel alive again. In the mystical sense, you can say that this illness or the heavy feeling of pressure from the physical and mental body is the result of previous karma or from this life. But now we turn to the source of mercy and love, so it's washed away. That's as much as I can say. Many more of the things of God we can't explain at all. So just enjoy it, and keep quiet. It's all right for us to talk about it here, but if there's much more you would like to tell people later, take care to see if they understand. Otherwise they'll doubt you and think you're telling lies, and that will hurt you.

I'm used to getting hurt. I keep telling people, "Please come; it's all free. I do everything for you. You only have to know yourself and be happy. Don't be ill, don't be so weak and don't beg for anything because you have everything. Please just come and experience it." But many people just stay outside. Even if they come, sometimes they walk out. It's due to their karma, which is so heavy that they're blind to any love that stands in front of them. Therefore, even Jesus, they crucified Him. Such a love personified, such a blessing that He wanted to pour into the world. But they see nothing and feel nothing because they're so spiritually blind and deaf. The world is like that.

So sometimes I suffer. Even though I know everything is God's will, I suffer for them. I feel so sorry for these people: How can they be content to live such a life? Why don't they believe in themselves? (Applause)

Our path is a little different from many other paths because I tell you to rely on yourself, to awaken your own power (Master gestures toward the wisdom eye) and become the Master, not to worship me all your life, do everything for me and rely on me. So I give you the way to know yourself. Then you at least begin to be a teacher of yourself, or of whoever comes in contact with you. Maybe I could just let you worship me, and you would get the blessing all the same anyhow. Many people just recite my name because they don't want to get initiated. They pray to me for every kind of help or anything they want, and they get the benefits. They see Light, and they also sometimes see the Master coming to them. It's not that I bargain, but they won't become teachers. They'll forever rely on my blessing and grace. But that's what they want so what can we do about it?

If they want it that way, I don't mind. Relying on me is fine. But I'd like all of you to be your own great teacher. That's what I show you with this way. Do it every day, and you'll become greater. And everything you want will just come even if you don't ask for it. Just be pure and sincere.

The More We Meditate, the Better We Can Deal with Karmic Retributions

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Four-day Retreat,London, U. K., August 27, 1997 (originally in English) Videotape No. 595

Q: I feel that I try to do my best in the world and pursue my vision, but many times it's easy to get lost. And sometimes I find myself doubting whether I'm doing the right thing. Will the Quan Yin Method help me get guidance from my true Master at any time so that I can have a better guide for how to live my life and make decisions on a practical level as well?

M: Yes, definitely. That's what the Method is for. It's to know yourself, to be sure about what you want in life and what you have to do here. But it doesn't happen overnight, of course. That's why we have to meditate and invest some time every day because we forget again. Sometimes you have an enlightened vision, and then after meditation you forget all about it; it's just like a dream. So we have to do it again and again.

And every day, the more we meditate, the more surefooted we'll be about everything we do in life. That's for sure. Otherwise, what's the use of spending our time, if we're still unsure like we were before? So, it will definitely help. Ask the people who do: See how they feel better about their lives. Everything is smooth.

Of course, because you spend more time communicating with God, you get wiser; you have more inspiration and more intuition from a clear state of mind. When you clear out everything else, you just communicate with God. Then everything is clear to you.

M: It doesn't stop it altogether; it just stops it a lot. But you can also change bad karma. After enlightenment or after initiation, the real Master will erase the past karma for you and leave only the present karma alone. Because if everything is erased, we can't live anymore in this world and we have no excuse to exist. By leaving the present karma for this life to continue, we still have the good and bad karma included in it.

So I can't tell you that all the bad karma will be erased. But by following the discipline and the vegetarian diet, which minimizes all future karma, our life will become smoother. We'll have to deal only with our existing but not our newborn karma. So we won't be reborn again as a suffering being but as an enlightened Saint if we wish to be reborn again in this physical world. And if we don't wish to, we can stay in a more elevated spiritual world as a teacher or simply as a citizen of the universe, but enlightened and happy.

Bad and good karma exist because we've sown them in previous lives. But we can never destroy stored karma without a living Master's help. That's the law of God. That's what the grace of God gives us through the Master, to be authorized to take care of the stored karma and burn it up so that the Truth seeker will be more light-weight in order to go on the road because it's very difficult.

It's very difficult to work in this world and be spiritually aware as well. That's not even talking about the stored karma waiting. And if the stored karma isn't destroyed, the person still has to come back. Because what he paid is just this present lifetime's karma, which is already fixed. The stored karma hasn't been destroyed. And after paying for this, he has to pay for another one. So the Master will have to destroy the karma that's in storage and only leave a little for this present lifetime.

But this is easy. And the more we meditate, the more we communicate with God, the more we know how to handle even bad karma. We don't feel the burden so much anymore because we're stronger. It's just like having more resistance; then even if we're down with the flu or something, we won't die. We don't feel so weak. We might get sick, but we recover quickly.

Love in Action

Ongoing Relief Efforts Ease Flood Victims' Suffering

by the Seoul News Group (originally in Korean)

On November 26, 2003, Youngdong initiates aided destitute flood victims using funds leftover from Supreme Master Ching Hai's September 2003 contribution to relieve the effects of Typhoon Maemi. Thanks to the Supreme Master's perfect arrangement, the remaining money was exactly the amount needed for the relief work.

To conduct the project, the practitioners visited Cheolam-dong, an abandoned mine site inhabited by underprivileged elderly people, orphans and the disabled, all of whom rely mainly on government support for their livelihood. With the winter season already upon them and the damage inflicted by the Typhoon not yet rectified, the unfortunate locals faced a cold, miserable winter. Thus, the initiates provided 200 heating briquettes for each of the 171 homes at the site and also offered the residents copies of Master's sample booklet and News magazine.

From time to time, the people of Cheolam-dong receive aid from social service groups. However, this winter, the residents felt colder than usual due to the severe flood damage the region had suffered. So many asked at the Cheolam-dong Bureau for briquettes provided by local charitable organizations, but the Bureau did not have enough to go around. The initiates thus advised the people to come to the town's Senior Center at 1:00 P.M. on the 26th and some arrived as early as 9:00 A.M. to make sure they would receive their share. As the briquettes were distributed, the residents and Bureau representatives repeatedly thanked Master for Her contribution because this year was the first in which briquettes were provided to all the households in the area.

Due to Master's kindness, three school children who were living on their own did not have to worry anymore about their winter heating expenses because they had acquired enough briquettes to warm themselves for a long time. Thus the children and their teachers sincerely thanked the Supreme Master for the much-needed supplies and Her loving support.

Ms. Choi Hyun-Suk, welfare director at the Cheolam-dong Bureau, came to learn of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association when local initiates visited the area in September 2003 to conduct typhoon relief work. At that time, Ms. Choi regarded our group as just one of many religious organizations in Korea. Later, however, she happened to visit a vegetarian restaurant operated by our fellow initiates, and learned more about Master Ching Hai and the Association. Moreover, Ms. Choi said she knew that ours was a non-profit organization and felt the Master must be a really great Teacher as Her disciples were very kind and humble: "First I had a preconception of the Association as being just another religious organization. However, after finding out more information, I was touched since its members don't show off what they've done or advertise their deeds, but simply provide genuine help and then leave quietly."

After hearing these comments and successfully completing the Cheolam-dong relief project, the Youngdong initiates were thankful to Master for giving them another chance to put Her teachings into practical action through valuable service to the less fortunate.

　Expenditures by The Supreme Master Ching Hai for Relief of Needy Families in Cheolam-dong, Korea

The Spirit of Giving Reaches the Remote Leesaw Mountains

by the Bangkok News Group (originally in Thai)

On November 18-19, 2003 fellow initiates from Chiang Mai, Phrae and Bangkok happily gathered in Chiang Mai to conduct a humanitarian relief project in the Leesaw Mountain region of Northern Thailand, including several areas inhabited by tribes-people desperately in need of aid. Most of the local residents had never received material assistance before so three stops were scheduled for the operation.

The first was an army base where the director, Mr. Sirote Decha, kindly greeted us along with several soldiers who helped set up the venue for the distribution of gift packages containing blankets, long sleeved shirts, T-shirts, socks, slippers, and other items to ninety-one local families.

Throughout the morning, the recipients waited on straw mats while joyfully watching Master's videos on a TV that the practitioners had set up. The brothers and sisters then dispensed the gifts with tremendous bliss, feeling Master's presence and blessings, which caused the base to overflow with radiant, smiling faces.

The second stop was in a more isolated area of the Mountain that was difficult to access with ordinary vehicles due to its extremely narrow roads. Thus army tanks transported us to a remote village, where we distributed relief packages and an allotment of financial aid to each family.

On the same day, an hour before sunset, the work team reached its third stop, a village in another remote mountain region that had a school under construction, where we gave bathing kits, including a towel, soap, shampoo, baby powder, a toothbrush and toothpaste to the children. Eager to enjoy their new gifts, the youngsters went down to the local river where fellow initiates joyfully washed them. For a change they were bathing in bubble bath and washing their hair with shampoo as their pure hearts filled with laughter.

Later, while the kids watched one of Master's video lectures, the kitchen team quickly prepared vegetarian food for everyone to enjoy. Before dinner, loaves of bread were distributed to the hungry children, and it was exciting for the youngsters, who for the first time experienced bread. All in all, eighty people including the work group members were provided with a hot, tasty meal. The food was so popular with the kids that they came back for second and third servings.

All the participants were elated and the whole mountain was filled with joy due to Master's immense grace. The merriment continued with the presentation of special gift packages from our beloved Master to the excited children, including a raincoat, balloons, chocolates and vanilla waffles.

Afterwards, out of gratitude to the initiates, the indigenous women performed a traditional dance around a bonfire, and invited everyone to participate, creating a blessed moment that we all cherished. Thus the whole night was filled with great light and happiness, and ended on a happy note.

The next morning a sister from the Chiang Mai Center introduced The Supreme Master Ching Hai to the participants, who asked many spiritual questions, which were answered to everyone's satisfication. Once again, the locals received gift packages from our loving Master, this time including a flyer bearing Her beautiful image. After this final gift distribution, the work team left Leesaw Mountain with a sincere sense of accomplishment.

Thank You, Master, for giving us the chance to convey Your message of love and profound Truth to the less fortunate residents of Northern Thailand.

　Expenditures by The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association for Relief Supplies for Northern Thailand's Leesaw Mountain Tribes-People

Item Description	Amount (Unit: Baht)	Appendix
300 blankets	39,000.00	T3
300 winter hats	7,500.00	T1
125 pairs of warm socks	2,500.00	T1
575 pairs of casual socks	3,450.00	T1
120 adults' sweaters	7,200.00	T2
55 teenagers' sweaters	6,050.00	T4, T5, T6
45 children's sweaters	4,275.00	T4, T5
5 dozen towels	650	T4
3 sets of medicine kits	4,652.00	T8
62 sets of baby bathing kits and stationery	4,119.50	T7, T9
plastic bags	350	T3
packaging	300	T3
Total	Baht 80,046.50 (Approx. US$2,020.36)

Bringing Thanksgiving Love and Laughter to the Homeless at a Night Shelter

by Baby Dragon, Los Angeles Center (originally in English)

On November 15, 2003, Los Angeles Center initiates visited the New Image Emergency Shelter, which houses approximately 400 homeless residents from Hollywood and various parts of downtown Los Angeles, including the well-known Skid Row District. The Shelter, a huge converted warehouse, is the largest of its kind in the city and is equipped with a kitchen, separate men's and women's sleeping quarters, shower rooms, several TVs, a barber shop and booths where staff members assist residents in finding jobs. Currently, the facility is open every day of the year due to the growing population of homeless in the area, and each day buses travel to four designated pick-up locations from which the street people are brought to stay for the night.

After arriving at the Shelter, the initiates were given a building tour along with a description of the services the staff provides. Shortly after, a group of buses arrived with the day's homeless guests, who became excited as they entered and saw many tables stacked with hooded sweaters, gloves, socks, knit hats, blankets, rain ponchos and even veggie snacks provided by the initiates. That night, the practitioners witnessed the Shelter residents express their gratitude in many ways. For example, one man in his 70s who had received a package of clothes warmly shook a brother's hand and said with a sad but appreciative heart, "My wife recently passed away and I just lost my job, but I'm very thankful for all of you tonight."

Throughout the evening the initiates also saw many amusingly joyful scenes such as when a Spanish-speaking woman in her 80s came to the gift table modeling her new clothes and asked with an adorable smile, "How do they look on me?" Some of the residents even arranged their new clothes side-by-side on their beds in a fun and childlike manner, and stood nearby admiring their gifts, while others sat on their beds attentively reading Master's sample booklet.

Towards the end of the distribution period, the Shelter manager, Ms. Sylvia Lazano, surprised the initiates by inviting one of them to inform the residents about our group and where the clothes had come from. A brother then gave a brief introduction to The Supreme Master Ching Hai and our Association and received warm applause from the grateful audience.

A few days later, when we contacted Ms. Lazano again, she said that the homeless were so joyful and proud about their new clothes that many had spent the evening showing them off, and that the initiates' winter visit had made a real difference in their lives. Thanks to the Supreme Master's kindness and arrangements, the residents of the New Image Emergency Shelter were able to feel that their fellow human beings truly cared for them at Thanksgiving time. It was also a blessing for Los Angeles Center practitioners to have such a remarkable opportunity to give and receive God's love.

Captions:

1. Los Angeles initiates bring Master's loving gifts to homeless residents at the New Image Emergency Shelter. (love3-1, -2.jpg)

2. A homeless friend attentively reads Master's sample booklet (love3-3.jpg)

Master's Love Touches Suffering Souls in the Sunshine State's Correctional Facilities

by Vicki White, Orlando (originally in English)

Since the spring of 2003, Florida initiates have been in contact with Chaplain Alex Taylor, Chaplaincy and Volunteer Services Administrator for the Florida Department of Corrections Volunteer Services Program, in an effort to donate English and Spanish copies of Master's sample booklet to the state's prisons. As a result, packages of booklets have been sent to 161 correctional institutions throughout Florida, including 54 long-term facilities. A letter included in each package informs prison chaplains that upon request more sample booklets, other books and audio and videotapes will be provided to them free of charge. The booklets are being placed in the facilities' libraries and free literature areas. Corrections officials estimate that over 77,000 inmates reside in the State of Florida's prison system, and hopefully many will take the opportunity to read Master's materials.

In a letter of thanks, the Reverend Mr. Alex Lam, Chaplain Supervisor for the Everglades Correctional Institution, said the following: "I would like to thank you for the booklets that you have faithfully donated to our chapel at the Everglades Correctional Institution. The booklets were well received, and our inmates express their special gratitude for your thoughtfulness. Please keep us in mind for future donations, and if available we also need books." In response to this request, the initiates sent Mr. Lam copies of Master's books God's Direct Contact - The Way to Reach Peace nd I Have Come to Take You Home. And a second thank-you letter was also received.

In another note of thanks, Ron Tamburri, Correctional Chaplaincy Services Specialist for the Gainesville Correctional Institution wrote, "We received the religious materials you so graciously donated to our facility. On behalf of the inmates here at the Gainesville Correctional Institution, I want to thank you for your generous donation. The men are always blessed by the materials you send. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated. May God continue to bless your ministry." Then he added a quote from the Bible: "And let us not grow weary while doing good; for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." (Gal. 6:9)

We also received letters of thanks from Chaplain Lanigan of the Desoto Correctional Institution and Reverend Steve Gadaire, Chaplain for the Alachua County Sheriff's Office, Department of Jails. Reverend Gadaire felt that Master's teachings will be of help to both the prison and its prisoners. In addition, he expressed interest in any other information we might have to offer. In response, the initiates sent him several copies of Master's publications.

It is the Florida initiates' sincere prayer that Master's sample booklets will provide comfort and hope to all our brothers and sisters living in correctional institutions throughout the state. Thank You, Master, for helping us bring Your Truth and Love to many suffering souls, who otherwise may never have had the chance to know You in this lifetime.

Caption: Letters of Appreciation from Florida's Correctional Institutions.

Conveying Holiday Love and Warmth to the Homeless

by Hoang Nguyen, San Francisco (originally in English)

Many of San Francisco's homeless sleep outside with only a thin blanket and cardboard box as shelter from the wintry cold, and with empty stomachs and little hope for a better tomorrow. So out of compassion for these less fortunate brothers and sisters, local fellow initiates brought them Master's blessings in the form of warm smiles and material aid, thus easing their sorrow and pain and reminding them that God had not forgotten them during the 2003 Christmas season.

On December 13, with a mini van and car full of sleeping bags, winter clothing, warm food and sample booklets, the initiates set out for a late night in downtown San Francisco. On the way to the city, the rain that had fallen for the previous few hours suddenly stopped, affirming that Master's blessings were with the relief team. Then for two and a half hours, the initiates combed the city in search of the homeless, bringing them warm smiles, tidings of comfort and joy and much appreciated supplies and spiritual information.

Serving the homeless has become a holiday tradition for the Quan Yin brothers and sisters of San Francisco. With each passing holiday season, the initiates have come to realize more and more that many of the underprivileged are saints and angels in disguise, choosing to play their parts in order to help us grow spiritually. Thank You, Master, for again giving us the opportunity to fulfill our obligation to assist others in need, develop our compassion and recognize that we are all equal in God's eyes regardless of our role in life.

Caption for the photos:

1. Each gift bag includes a copy of Master's sample booklet, items for keeping warm in winter and hot food, among which the sleeping bag and jacket are the most welcomed by the street people.

2. Each homeless person is attended to by two or three initiates, who make sure that everyone receives what he or she needs.

More Blessings for the Needy Residents of Santa Fe

by Mabel Kaplan, Buenos Aires (originally in Spanish)

When disastrous floods struck Argentina's northern Santa Fe Province at the end of April 2003, our merciful Supreme Master Ching Hai sent timely material relief in the form of blankets, bath towels, candles and sweets for the children. She also conveyed Her unconditional love, which gave the flood victims the necessary spiritual support and hope to withstand their trying situation. (Please refer to the News #144)

When fellow practitioners first arrived at the relief mission area in Santa Fe, they noticed that among all the residents the children were suffering most. Many had inadequate footwear or simply walked barefoot in the wet, cold mud left in the aftermath of the flood.

When our compassionate Master learned of this situation, She sent a second donation to the region, which supplied footwear for the children. This time Master's love was transmitted to two of the Province's poorest and most flood-ravaged slums: San Lorenzo and Las Lomas.

In order to accomplish the relief work more efficiently, fellow practitioners from Buenos Aires travelled to Santa Fe to work along with the local initiates. As the project began, the weather was stunning, with the sun shining brightly and the azure sky cloudless.

San Lorenzo was the first district to receive a blessing contribution. There, kindergarten principal Daniela Ferreira, who well understood the needs of the locals, helped with the task of distributing shoes to children. During the activity, Ms. Ferreira was excited and at its completion, she tearfully thanked Master for Her compassion.

Then the fellow practitioners journeyed to Las Lomas. There, the local children, along with school principal Liliana Martel and their teachers, gathered at their school, eagerly awaiting Master's gifts. Then each one, from first graders to teenagers, received a pair of sneakers. Along with the footwear, they also received stickers bearing Master’s image. Most of the youngsters asked about the Supreme Master and wanted to receive more photos of Her to place on their beds.

Everyone involved in the Santa Fe Province relief project worked in a highly focused way, and thus the activity roceeded harmoniously. As Master says, "When we help others, we feel good because we are one with God at that moment." And so after the activity, the initiates felt extremely thankful and joyful for having had the chance to be our great Master’s instruments, carrying Her love and blessings to many young people in need. Master, Your children are forever thankful!

Caption: The youngsters of Santa Fe smile brightly while receiving shoes supplied by our loving Master Ching Hai.

Expenditures for Footwear Distributed to Children in Santa Fe, Argentina by The Supreme Master Ching Hai

Emergency Aid for Needy Fire Victims

by Edgar and Teresa, Lima (originally in Spanish)

In December 2003, Lima initiates planned an activity aimed at providing a ray of Christmas happiness for local children living in poverty. However, their plans were thwarted due to a fire in the district of Lomo de Corvina, a few kilometers from Lima.

The fire occurred during the first few days of December, and because no water was available, the only means to contain the blaze was with sand. Despite these difficult conditions, through Master's blessings, no fatalities occurred but approximately 284 families were devastated by the loss of everything they owned.

After the fire was contained, the initiates visited the site on December 22 and distributed food containers, plastic glasses and toilet paper to 200 of the area's 284 families. Then on December 29, the fellow practitioners again went to Lomo de Crovina to distribute more food containers and plastic glasses. When the residents received the relief materials, the practitioners could see the gratitude and comfort in their eyes as Master's blessings poured into them, and their sadness abated.

The Lima initiates are grateful for the opportunity to spread Master's love and kindness to their brothers and sisters in need.

Expenditures for charitable activities in Formosa from September to October 2003

Table 1: Details of expenditures for charitable activities in Formosa from September to October 2003 (Unit: NT$)

Place	Date	Description	Amount	Appendix
Pingtung	2003.09.07	Visiting and presenting Moon Festival gifts to elderly residents of Sinjhih Village, Wanluan Township, Pingtung	18,480	A
Tainan	2003.09.12	Cleaning Tainan's Golden Beach in coordination with the Tainan Environmental Protection Bureau (voluntary support from fellow initiates)	0
Tainan	2003.09.24	Visiting inmates at the Tainan Mingde Labor Prison, holding soul-elevating seminars and teaching the Convenient Method (voluntary support from fellow initiates)	0
Chiayi	2003.10.22	Visiting inmates at the Chiayi Prison, holding soul-elevating seminars and teaching the Convenient Method (voluntary support from fellow initiates)	0
Kinmen	2003.10.24	Visiting inmates at the Kinmen Prison, holding soul-elevating seminars and teaching meditation method (voluntary support from fellow initiates)	2,100	B
Keelung	2003.10.25	Cleaning beaches at the Pinglang Bridge, Changtanli dist., Badouzih village, in coordination with the Keelung Environmental Protection Bureau	2,520	C
Kinmen	2003.10.26	Care for children of the Kinmen County branch of the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families: Convening the Little Angel Happy Growth Camp on Oct. 25 and 26 at the Chongshan Forest Campsite in Kinmen National Park	22,600	D
Kinmen	2003.10.28	Offering spiritual nourishment to Kinmen County residents: Truth-sharing activities held at the Jinsha Township Office, presentations of Master's lecture videos , an art exhibition, a soul-elevating seminar, Convenient Method transmission and a vegetarian food sampling	15,740	E
Kinmen	2003.10.30	Offering spiritual nourishment to Kinmen County residents: Truth-sharing activities held at the Lieyu Township Office, presentations of Master's lecture videos, an art exhibition, a soul-elevating seminar, Convenient Method transmission, free medical consultations, free haircuts and a vegetarian food sampling	15,430	F
Total	NT$76,870

Table 2: Relief funds given to needy households in Formosa
during September and October 2003 (Currency: NT$)

1. For many years, initiates from Keelung have earnestly supported the local environmental movement by cleaning beaches, and thus contributing their efforts to protection of the ocean's ecology.

2. Soul-elevating seminar at the Chiayi Prison

3. Fellow initiates invite inmates at the Chiayi Prison to join in the singing of spiritual songs.

Breaking News! Loving Relief Rendered to Iran's Earthquake Victims

In the early morning of December 26, 2003, a strong earthquake rocked the city of Bam in southeastern Iran, causing extensive destruction and numerous casualties. Upon learning that Master was greatly concerned, and had ordered relief action and funds to be used for the victims, fellow initiates in Iran and Singapore immediately formed a relief team, bringing along Her love and US$70,000, and reached the affected area on January 1, 2004 to distribute supplies to the victims. Details of this operation will be reported in the next issue of the News magazine.

Media Reports

Gang Won Do Min Ilbo, Korea , December 8, 2003 (Page 15)(Originally in Korean)

Have a Warm Winter!

The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Donates Briquettes to Residents of Cheolam-dong

[Taebaek] Members of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association wished a warm winter to local flood victims as they spread their love by donating heating briquettes to the residents of Cheolam-dong, whose homes suffered flood damage in September of this year.

Twice in September 2003 members of the Association from Moseo-myun, Sangju City, Kyungbuk Province visited the region and provided bedclothes, clothing, daily necessities and other items valued at about 10 million Won (approx. US$9,090).

Recently they again visited the district, this time supplying 200 briquettes to each of 171 households in Cheolam. The total value of the briquettes was 8.55 million Won (approx. US$7,772). Taebaek city officers joined with the members in distributing the fuel. Significantly, most of these households consist of underprivileged or elderly citizens living alone. So the supply of briquettes was a precious gift for the residents.

In expressing his gratitude for the supplies, Chief of the Cheolam-dong Bureau Jang Gyung-Hee said, "Our residents have difficulty surviving mainly in the cold weather so even one briquette is a great benefit to them. I feel very grateful to The Supreme Master Ching Hai for already having helped us three times. I can feel the love of our neighbors since the briquette providers are increasing during the winter season."

Florida Governor Jeb Bush Lauds Nation's First Faith-Based Prison

by sister-initiate Vicki White, Orlando, Florida, USA (originally in English)

Below is a synopsis of an article from the December 25, 2003 edition of the Sarasota Herald Tribune, Florida, USA. Florida initiates are delighted to see that so many prisoners in their state have become interested in spiritual growth, and that the local government is supporting the inmates' desire to know God in a deeper way.

On Wednesday, December 24, 2003, Florida's Governor Jeb Bush dedicated the USA's first faith-based prison, Lawtey Correctional Institution in Lawtey, Florida. The purpose of making Lawtey a faith-based institution is to provide a nurturing environment where prisoners can dedicate more time to their faith and spiritual growth. Before the faith-based program was begun, inmates were given the option to transfer to another prison if they chose, and prisoners from other correctional institutions in Florida were given the option to transfer to Lawtey. So the prisoners at Lawtey are now there because they chose to be there. Prisoners must stay out of trouble for at least a year to transfer to Lawtey, and will be transferred out if they have discipline problems.

The 791 prisoners at Lawtey represent 26 faiths. The Prison currently has 500 volunteers who help with religious instruction and serve as mentors, and Prison officials are seeking another 500 volunteers. Department of Corrections Secretary James Crosby Jr. states, "We've developed a cocoon, a place where they can practice their faith and not have the severe negative pressures and interactions that naturally take place in some of our institutions. It gives them an environment in which to have a chance."

Supreme Art

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Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest MP3s

September 21 ~ 23, 1991/June 5 ~ 7, 1992
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Lecture at Wanhua, Taipei, Formosa, July 8, 1986
<Spoken in Chinese, with oral interpretation in Minnanese>

Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest DVDs

European Three-day International Retreat, Hamburg, Germany,
August 25 ~ 27, 1995
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Is enlightenment related to a person's character, virtues or shortcomings? Why were there so many "Zen enigmas" exchanged between masters and disciples in ancient times? What is the hidden meaning behind these stories? What is the difference between "theoretical understanding" and "ultimate realization"? How does our spiritual practice benefit from the verbal teachings of an enlightened Master? Is language necessary to explain the teachings of Truth? What is the real meaning of "living in the present moment"? Why do many Masters dress in the same attire? What lesson does the Supreme Master want to teach us through Her ever-changing appearance?

Group Meditation at Hsihu, Formosa, November 12, 1995
<Spoken in Chinese with English subtitles>

What can we learn about the demeanor of a spiritual practitioner from the story of Guan Zhong and Bao Shu-ya? When Master says we should wear "beautiful clothes," what kinds of clothes is She referring to? How did Master dress during Her previous life as a married person? For spiritual practitioners who should transcend the illusory fame and gain of the world, and be consistent within and without, what precautions should be taken to avoid enslavement by fame and gain?

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