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Master's Words
The Best Master in the World is Right Here
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Florida, USA, December 26, 2001
(originally in English) Videotape No. 730
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
Germany
Hail, Hail, Hail!
Merry Christmas and Happy
New Year!
Hail, Hail, Hail!
Our beloved Master has
elevated
Earth with love and Light.
Hail, Hail, Hail!
Now the blue planet will
discover
The real existence of
the Universe.
Hail, Hail, Hail!
We'll become happier and
happier
At this Christmas and
News Year's time.
Hail, Hail, Hail!
Our beautiful Master continues
to open
The door of the Universe
to the world.
Hail, Hail, Hail!
Thank You, Master, for
Your grace and love,
For letting us know other
brothers and sisters
In this great Universe
That's so full of joy
and Light.
The
initiates of the Munich Center wish You
A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Quebec, Canada
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.
Ontario, Canada
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.
Santiago, Chile
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.
Mexico
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!!
Spain
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.
Costa Rica
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.
Oregon, USA
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.
Indiana, USA
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!
New Jersey, USA
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.
California, USA
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.
Korea
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.
Formosa
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)
Dear Master,
Wherever You are,
Whatever You do,
Our hearts and thoughts are with You.
Your love is with us,
Your blessings remind us
That we're never alone or forsaken.
Your presents reach us each day;
With every hour we grow gladder.
Thank You, thank God and thank all the Saints
For this unforgettable Christmas!
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
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.
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
Report from Poland
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.
Report from Oklahoma, USA
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.
Report from Ontario, Canada
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!
Report from Thailand
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.
Report from Korea
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）
Report from Formosa
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!
Report from Formosa
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:
http://www.godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng/latest_news/events-datebook.htm
(English)
http://www.godsdirectcontact.org.tw/ch/latest_news/events-datebook.htm
(Chinese)
Master Tells Jokes
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.
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."
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:
http://www.godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng/news/148/jk1.htm
(Formosa)
http://www.godsdirectcontact.net/eng/news/148/jk1.htm
(USA)
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.
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Warsaw, Poland,
May 11, 1999 (originally in English) Videotape No. 657
Try to have some consideration; not because of other people,
but for yourself, to elevate yourself into a much higher sensitivity of
consciousness.
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, New Jersey, U.S.A., June 18,
1992 (originally in English) Videotape No. 256
Heaven is the state of tranquility, of desirelessness, of
everything being fulfilled of its own accord, and we also call that Nirvana.
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Singapore, March 3, 1992 (originally
in English) Videotape No. 223
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.
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Amsterdam, Holland, May 9, 1999
(originally in English) Videotape No. 647
Beautiful People and Beautiful Events
An Expert Archer's Key to Success --
An exclusive interview with brother initiate Jacky Chantraine
(originally in English)
Foreword:
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:
Dear Master,
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.
Thank You,
Jacky Chantraine
For on-line viewing of this interview, please visit Sun TV program serial
no.55 of A Journey through Aesthetic Realms:
http://www.Godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng/hichannel/index.htm
(English, with Chinese subtitles)
Letters between Master and Disciples
A New Life of Light, Love, Hope and Miracles
by would-be initiate Yang Zhijing, Malaysia (originally in Chinese)
To my beloved and revered Supreme Master Ching Hai, whom I miss the
most,
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
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)
(Pics. 2: Source: Daily Nation, kenya,
Jan 7, 2002)
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."
* http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/604076/posts
1 Diet For Transcendence, p. 63
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
Foreword:
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.
Note:
As Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration,
Ms. Nathanon Thavisin holds a status similar to that of the Mayor
of Bangkok, the city's highest administrative officer. She has a doctoral
degree in environmental protection and is dedicated to ecological
conservation, national movements and vegetarianism.
Q: How do you plan to transform Bangkok into an international
metropolis?
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 p |