Master Tells Jokes
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai,
Florida, USA, May 13, 2002 (originally in English)
There was a man who wrote the following letter to the IRS, the office
where you pay your taxes: "I have been unable to sleep, knowing that
I have cheated on my income taxes. I understated my taxable income. And
therefore, I am enclosing a check for $150 to your office with this letter.
If I still can't sleep, I will send some more."
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai,
Florida, USA, May 13, 2002 (originally in English) Videotape No. 747
A mother was trying on a new fur coat so she was hanging around looking
into a mirror. And her daughter, who was a vegetarian, hated it so much
that she said, "Mother, do you realize that some poor, dumb beast
had to suffer so that you could have this kind of coat?" The mother
then looked at her daughter with anger in her eyes and replied, "How
dare you talk about your father like that?"
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Florida, USA,
December 28, 2001 (originally in English) Videotape No. 735
There was a man who checked out of a hotel, and after he went out, he
realized that he had forgotten his umbrella so he went back inside. But
by the time he entered the hotel again, a couple had already rented his
room, and they were on their honeymoon. The man proceeded to his room,
but just as he got near the door he heard a man ask, "Whose hand
is this?" And a woman said, "It's yours." Then the man
said, "Whose mouth is this?" And the woman answered, "It's
yours." Next the man said, "And whose nose is this?" and
the woman replied, "It's yours." So the man outside the room
said, "Please, when you get to the umbrella, it's mine."
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/149/jk1.htm (Formosa)
http://www.godsdirectcontact.net/eng/news/149/jk1.htm (USA)
Master’s Words
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Lisbon, Portugal, May 7, 1999 (originally
in English) VideMaotape No. 645
Generally speaking, the students of any Master enjoy happiness, luck and the
fulfillment of any desire they ever have in life - be it physical, mental,
emotional or, of course, spiritual. And the day they leave the physical
body, they go directly to Heaven. There's no doubt about that.
So in order to even be happy in this physical life - not to mention Heaven
- to be happy here, to live a pleasant life here and to be a more intelligent
person here, we should meditate. We're already very intelligent, but we
don't use enough of our brainpower. Even though we use only five to ten
percent, we're already very clever and invent many things. Suppose you
meditate and use more of your brainpower: Of course you'll be more intelligent!
The average person uses only up to ten percent of his or her brainpower.
That's a fact known to every one of us; it's been scientifically proven.
So where do we put the other eighty or ninety percent? It's wasted. And
that's why we're not complete beings. We don't feel complete; we feel
frustrated and weak because we haven't used our complete power.
So meditation, we can also say it in another way, makes use of our complete
power. That's what meditation is for, or that's what meditation means:
harnessing our complete might so that we become almighty just like God,
or at least like the children of God. Otherwise, we sometimes don't even
have enough energy to take care of small problems or small things, and
we don't always do things completely to our satisfaction because we lack
power and wisdom.
So to know God is to know ourselves completely. And when we know ourselves
completely, we know God. Then because we're one with God, we're just like
Hirm in the way Hes made us because God made humans in Hiers own image.
Most Masters are very humble; they don't desire any kind of physical or mental
worship. They just want to make you a Master too. They just want to make
you realize that you yourself are a child of God, that you yourself are
great. They want to make you as great as you should be. Because no Master
ever thinks that He or She is better than anyone else. They know that
everyone is equal - equal in every sense of the word, here and in Heaven.
But it's human nature that if someone teaches others something so blissful
and rare as Heaven on Earth, of course they mostly worship that person.
We can do this if we still feel we need to worship a Master, but the best
form of worship is to become a master yourself. By this I mean a master
of your own life, a master of your own wisdom, a master of your own destiny
and a master of your own sincerity, being true to yourself in every way.
We can only do this when we know ourselves completely for who we really
are. Then we can be truthful, and can live our lives in a masterful way.
It's not that we have to forsake the world to know God. No, no! God made everything
for us to enjoy. Hes makes a beautiful woman to be your wife so that you
can love her, gives you beautiful, wonderful children so that you know
how to love them, protect them and sacrifice for them and thus know what
unconditional love is.
All of this God wants you to have. But if we have only the world and don't
have God, we have only half of it. We don't even have half of it; we have
only a little bit because we'll lose it all. But once we have God, we
have everything. Seek you first the Kingdom of God, and everything else
will come to you. That's the promise God made to us before we were even
born, but we forget it. And that's a pity for us. We should reclaim our
right, reclaim our glory, reclaim everything that we have because we own
the whole universe.
Be a saint, and enjoy the world at the same time. Be a rich, beautiful
saint. When I was just a little bit enlightened, I followed in the footsteps
of many ancient Saints and renounced everything. I didn't care about anything;
I didn't want anything; it didn't appeal to me anymore. But then God said
to me, "You must have everything. I'm going to give you everything,
more than you could ever want or need. You have to show the world that
I'm the Father and that I can give you anything and everything, as well
as spiritual awakening. You don't have to forsake anything in order to
love Me because I love you, whatever you are."
Hes told me I have to do this; I have to do it the glorious way. So I
said, "All right, Father, whatever You want." I would rather
be simpler; it's less work. But Hes likes it this way. Fine! Besides,
you like me beautiful, no? It looks more pleasant to the eyes.
So I said to Hirm, "But Father, ancient Saints like Buddha and Jesus
walked barefoot. They wore simple clothes and went begging for food. Why
do You want me to have all these things? How will that work?" Because
most people in this world expect or are used to Saints Who renounce everything,
Who don't have anything, Who look poor and Who walk barefoot.
Hes said, "No! It's a different time. Modernize! You have to be up-to-date,
in step with the times."
So I have all these things that I don't even care for. If you saw me on
the street, you'd see me as very simple. But I'd have a walkie-talkie,
telephone, fax, e-mail - all kinds of "spiritual equipment."
I have a lot of spiritual weapons that I have to use: One hand has a phone
and another a fax, an e-mail and so on. Otherwise, I can't do this job
the way Hes wants.
Panorama of Events
Taipei
Greeting the Era of Spiritual Awakening
- The Fragrance of Truth Pervades a Prominent
Book Fair
by the Taipei News Group
[Taipei] The world-renowned 2004 Taipei International Book Exhibition
was held from January 28 to February 2, attracting 925 publishers from
51 countries. During the six-day event, The Supreme Master Ching Hai International
Association introduced Master's teachings through a series of activities
including Truth-sharing seminars, a "music spa," a program called
"Little Angels Spreading the Word" and a special promotion of
the book I Have Come to Take You Home, thus announcing the arrival
of the Golden Age!
On January 29, the Association invited experts and academics to a multidisciplinary
dialog exploring the theme "Greeting the New Golden Age" from
the standpoints of religion, philosophy, technology, culture and social
progress. On January 31, the music spa raised the Exhibition to new heights
by integrating meditation practice and medical science to study the development
of body, mind and spirit. During the Exhibition, Association members promoted
I Have Come to Take You Home as an introduction to Supreme Master
Ching Hai's teachings and an easy guide out of life's labyrinth back to
our true Home.
On the last day of the fair, the Association held a seminar titled "Look
at the Angels Smile - Exploring Whole Life Education through Spiritual
Initiation," during which educators and medical professionals shared
unique perspectives with the audience on education from the womb to the
development of a holistic personality.
Heading toward the Golden Age
Even before the ribbons were cut to open the Exhibition, the vice president
of Infopro magazine, Mr. Zhang, who specializes in cosmic energy
studies, was already at the Association's booth waiting to register for
initiation and stating, "I can feel the intense energy and magnetic
field of all of Master's publications and art works." Having observed
a vegetarian diet for some time and been blessed with many inner experiences
while doing the Convenient form of practice, he was eager to receive full
initiation into the Quan Yin Method.
Also, a first-time exposure to Master's discourses led a pure-hearted
mother and daughter to learn the Convenient Method. They were deeply moved
when they saw purple flowers exploding into dazzling gold Light after
meditating for just a few minutes. In addition, a Shanghai-based Formosan
businessman who had diligently studied the eight volumes of The Key
of Immediate Enlightenment series and maintained a vegetarian diet
for a year, made a special trip back to Formosa to receive initiation,
which he called his "top priority in life."
Another visitor, Mr. Huang, president of a large international corporation,
felt intense blessing power at the exhibition booth. Later, when learning
the Convenient form of meditation, he saw the inner Master dressed in
pristine white standing atop thousands of lotuses, which then changed
into millions of glittering gold gems that showered down onto Earth. Moved
to tears, he revealed that he had been a vegetarian for fifty years and
had sought the Truth for decades, traveling worldwide to explore numerous
religions, but had never been blessed with such an awesome experience.
The following evening, when the Book Exhibition was about to close, Mr.
Huang hurriedly arrived at the booth with his wife, a doctor and a colleague,
all of whom eagerly sought instruction in the Convenient Method. Thrilled
and excited, Mr. Huang vowed to Master that he would stop smoking, prepare
for full initiation and have his whole family join him in practicing the
Quan Yin Method.
A seventy-four-year-old man who first became acquainted with Master's
teachings at the 2003 Taipei International Book Exhibition and acquired
a volume in the series The Key of Immediate Enlightenment, returned
this year to learn the Convenient form of practice. In a sincere and tearful
voice, he said that he would follow Master Home although he did not meet
the age requirement for initiation into the Quan Yin Method.
Another guest was the wife of the Senseio Cultural and Educational Group's
chairman Mrs. Su, who organized the 1998 - 2000 Taipei International Book
Exhibitions. She commented that over the past few years writers and colleagues
had told her amazing stories about how Supreme Master Ching Hai delivered
people and how they had been moved by Her love. While these accounts changed
the longstanding concepts she had held since becoming a Buddhist at age
twenty-six, they also gave her better insights into Master and the Quan
Yin Method so she learned the Convenient Method. Ms Su was grateful to
Master for arranging many brothers and sisters in her life who guided
her to the practice, and added, "For those who are frequently tense
and busy, half an hour of meditation a day is the best way to cleanse
and calm the mind!"
Professor Hu of Chung Yuan Christian University, an additional visitor,
had devoted his entire life to studying Christianity, always received
responses to his prayers for relatives and friends, maintained an unyielding
faith in God and reciting the Bible, yet he still harbored doubts about
life and death and various spiritual phenomena. He was deeply fascinated
by the book I Have Come to Take You Home displayed at The Supreme
Master Ching Hai International Association booth, and after speaking with
several fellow initiates and gaining a better insight into the Quan Yin
Method, registered to learn the Convenient Method.
Through Master's constant blessing and love, the warm support of many
fellow initiates and the earnest participation of academics and experts
from various fields, the venue of the 2004 Taipei International Book Exhibition
was permeated with an atmosphere of intelligence, compassion and spiritual
elevation. During the six-day event, more than a hundred and twenty people
with affinity received instruction in the Convenient form of meditation
and were blessed with highly positive experiences. Some of these new practitioners
also asked for initiation into the Quan Yin Method, having blissfully
boarded the express train to the Heavenly Kingdom of God and experienced
the ecstasy of a bountiful spiritual harvest in the New Era!
Kaoshiung
The Kaoshiung Center Finds an Ideal Home for Spiritual Cultivation
by the Kaohsiung News Group
[Kaohsiung] With Master's help, shortly before the lease on their
group meditation venue expired last September, Kaohsiung initiates found
a new location for a center in a beautiful natural setting. The center's
ground-breaking ceremony was held on Lunar New Year's Day 2004. Fellow
initiates can only feel deep gratitude to Master for blessing them with
this enchanting spiritual home.
Report from Quebec, Canada
A Brilliant Expo Opens the Year 2004
by the Montreal News Group
[Montreal] On January 18, 2004, Montreal initiates ran a booth at their
city's annual Lunar New Year Expo. At the booth, Master's magazines and
lecture tapes were displayed, along with articles on the benefits of vegetarianism
and meditation practice.
Master's lectures were also shown on two TV sets, attracting numerous
onlookers, including many young Westerners. In addition, several prominent
government and community leaders visited the stall. For example, Mr. Duong
van Thuy, former leader of Montreal's Aulacese community, stopped by to
express his special New Year's wishes and praise the initiates for their
interest in spiritual practice, adding, "I'm very happy for you."
Then Mr. Ngo Thu, former head of Da Nang's Social Affairs Administrative
Department in Au Lac commended Master for Her humanitarian and social
service efforts, adding, "The Quan Yin group's yearly involvement
in the Lunar New Year festivities always enhances the atmosphere."
The initiates then gave Mr. Thuy and Mr. Thu copies of Master's lecture
tapes and a brief introduction to Her humanitarian work.
Also, news reporter Mr. Hoang Le, a member of the Aulacese Social Committee,
said that he planned to visit the Montreal Center and interview the initiates
to write articles about the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association
for Aulacese newspapers in Canada and the USA.
In general, people's responses to the Center's booth were warm and welcoming.
For example, one man opened his heart to say, "Every year I pay attention
to your kiosk and notice that you have more and more members in your group
from different nationalities and races." Having read about Master's
worldwide humanitarian aid work, he had many questions and wondered how
She could possibly donate such large amounts to disaster victims. A brother
then explained that the Quan Yin Method of meditation is taught free-of-charge
and that Master uses Her God-given artistic abilities to create clothing,
jewelry, lamps, paintings and songs for the purpose of benefiting sentient
beings, which not only earns Her a living, but also goes to fund relief
efforts. The man then mentioned that the Association's presence each year
at the Chinese New Year's celebrations has helped him realize that the
group must be righteous and truthful since it is gaining members and surviving
the test of time.
The brother added that in recognition of Supreme Master Ching Hai's numerous
selfless efforts and contributions to society, many governmental authorities
have honored Her and presented Her with awards. For instance, the Los
Angeles Music Week and the mayor of Los Angeles recently gave Master a
Certificate of Commendation for Her superb musical compositions. After
listening to the brother's detailed comments, the guest asked more questions
about vegetarianism and the Quan Yin Method. Before leaving, he thanked
the initiates for giving him Master's videotape and materials, promising
to spread the news to his friends because they do not know much about
Master's teachings and what She has done for humankind.
The initiates from the Montreal Center thank Master for blessing them
and giving them the opportunity to promote Her teachings at the Lunar
New Year Expo. They would also like to reiterate Master's New Year 2004
wishes to all initiates: "Happy Golden New Year to everyone."
Report from California, USA
Truth-Sharing at a Lively Tet Festival
by the Sacramento News Group
[Sacramento] In the tradition of Tet (the Lunar New Year), Sacramento's
Aulacese community held a two-day festival from January 17-18, 2004 to
inaugurate the Year of the Monkey, providing a chance for local initiates
to spread Master's teachings to the public.
The Sacramento Center ran a booth at the festival displaying Master's
books, News magazines, videotapes, CDs and DVDs, as well as printed schedules
of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association's radio broadcasts
in Northern California.
The weather that weekend was forecast to be overcast and rainy, but with
Master's blessing only a light mist prevailed, and the temperature was
warm enough to produce a great turnout for the event.
Many visitors stopped by the Center's booth to inquire about the Quan
Yin Method and Master's teachings. In addition, representatives of many
local TV stations were present to report on the Tet celebration. So images
of the booth and its activities were recorded, from the magazine rack
to Master's videotapes, and later broadcast for all in the region to see.
Report from California, USA
Master's Love Abounds at a Golden Lunar New Year Festival
by Lynn Huynh and Golden Flower, San Jose
[San Jose] San Jose, California is home to the second largest overseas
Aulacese community in the world, which each year holds a well-attended
Lunar New Year festival. Many non-Aulacese residing in the local area
also participate in this popular event.
As in past years, on the weekend of January 24-25, 2004, San Jose initiates
hosted a booth at the festival, held at the Santa Clara Fairgrounds, to
reach out to community members and share Master's teachings with Truth
seekers.
At the Fairgrounds' indoor exhibition hall, The Supreme Master Ching Hai
International Association's booth was beautifully decorated with Master's
Longevity Lamps, attracting great attention and many inquiries from festival
attendees. Interestingly, the booth was the only one in the venue decorated
with cherry blossoms, which had come from an initiated family's yard .
The date of the Lunar New Year came early in 2004 so cherry blossoms,
which normally bloom later in the season, were nowhere to be found in
local markets. Yet, at the initiates' house, a special cherry tree had
bloomed abundantly! These incredibly gorgeous flowers brought joy to Festival
visitors, and many came to the Association's booth to photograph and videotape
them. One guest repeatedly praised the booth, saying, "How beautiful!"
During the festival, Master's lecture DVDs were continuously played on
a large-screen TV, and many guests stopped for long interludes to listen
to Her words. The Aulacese guests were especially impressed with the large,
clear subtitles in their native language. One middle-aged gentleman stood
at the booth to watch Master's lectures for hours, and at lunchtime the
initiates invited him to have some vegetarian food with them. Afterwards,
he asked if he could accompany them the next time they went to see Master.
Feeling his sincerity, they suggested that he learn the Convenient Method
and he immediately agreed. Another gentleman pointed at Master's picture
and explained to his companions, "This lady is Supreme Master Ching
Hai. Whatever money She has, She gives to others."
A number of visitors were attracted to the Supreme Kitchen cookbook
and Master's poetry collections, saying that they had heard Master recite
poetry on the radio and on Her website (www.CauThongVoiThuongDe.com) and
greatly admired Her voice. The guests also kept praising, "The way
Master recites poetry is just fabulous!" In addition, the guests
also welcomed the complimentary vegetarian recipes, sample booklets and
copies of Master's News magazine distributed by the initiates. One lady
who came to the booth lovingly asked, "When you go home, would you
please remember to thank Master for giving me the News magazine?"
Through Master's grace, the Aulacese radio program aired on San Jose's
KSJX 1500 AM each Saturday and the above-mentioned website have been active
for many years, allowing a great number of Aulacese in the area to absorb
Master's divine message of peace and love on a regular basis. While visiting
the Association's booth, many radio listeners and website users expressed
their respect and admiration for Master, acknowledging that Her teachings
are extremely logical and that, although they are not yet disciples, they
are trying to be vegetarian and live noble, ethical lives.
One visitor also stated that the dissemination of Master's message through
the radio program and website have greatly changed the face of the Aulacese
community in San Jose: "Master's teachings remind people to return
to a moral way of life and to our human conscience. I'm not talking only
about the religious aspect, but want to say in general that the Aulacese
community here has moved toward the path of spirituality - they have become
vegetarians and attend temples and churches more frequently. Crime, juvenile
delinquency and drug abuse have declined greatly compared to past years.
The problem with Aulacese gangs in San Jose is now almost non-existent."
It turned out that this gentleman was a law enforcement professional.
The initiates were touched by his open assessment and silently thanked
Master for the visible benefits that She has showered on sentient beings.
The power of a living Master's blessings when Her voice resonates through
the air is indeed indescribable!
When the Lunar New Year festival ended, the initiates left the Santa Clara
Fairgrounds with joy in their hearts as Master's love and blessings had
been evident throughout the two meaningful days they spent there, marking
the beginning of a true New Year in Earth's Golden Age.
Report from Florida, USA
Master's Blessings Elevate a Lunar New Year Fair
by Vicki White, Orlando
[Orlando] On Saturday, January 17, 2004, Florida Center initiates attended
the annual Lunar New Year Fair held at Orlando's Florida State Fairgrounds.
The event began in the morning with an opening ceremony and dragon dance,
and throughout the day various performers from the Aulacese community
sang, danced and played music on the venue's main stage.
Thanks to Master's perfect arrangement, the Fair organizers gave the initiates
a booth in the main hall near the entertainment area, a favorable location
situated along the most convenient path from the entertainment section
to the food and vendors' sections. Thus, throughout the day, numerous
guests stopped to watch Master's video lectures or inquire about Her teachings.
The faces of many sincere seekers lit up with enthusiasm as they helped
themselves to free sample booklets, brochures, and copies of the News
magazine.
Many visitors to the booth felt a great affinity with Master, and were
happy and thankful for the opportunity to connect or reconnect with Her.
Some guests also took an interest in Master's art work, inquiring about
Her poetry, paintings and the Supreme Kitchen cookbook. One visitor
even commented, "Master Ching Hai's disciples are different from
other people at the celebration.They have a bright light around them!"
Several initiates were interviewed by a local Aulacese reporter from community
cable TV channel 98 (which broadcasts in Orlando, Tampa and Miami), who
was very excited to learn about Master and Her teachings, and impressed
by the recognition She received from the governors of Hawaii and five
Midwestern states in the US, who honored Her by inaugurating Supreme Master
Ching Hai Day in 1994. The reporter told the practitioners, "I'll
talk to my supervisors about airing more programming on Master and the
vegetarian diet."
Florida practitioners were amazed at how Master had arranged every detail
to make their presence at the Lunar New Year Fair possible and for the
day to run so smoothly. They were also grateful to Her for allowing them
to share Her Good News on this very special occasion, the celebration
of our world's New Year of saintly beings and the New Golden Age.
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)
Caption:
A New Year's greeting card for Master from Aulacese initiates.
Thank You, Master, for the gift of enlightenment - a thank-you card
from initiates in Penang, Malaysia
Photo: Thai.jpg
Upon receiving Master's good news about the arrival of the New Golden Age,
local initiates came together for a great celebration at the Bangkok Center on
the evening of January 15, 2004. The event featured a variety of spectacular
performances, and was highlighted by the joyful exchange of special gifts. After
the entertainment program, the initiates cut a heavenly cake with warmth in
their hearts and faces glowing with beautiful, happy smiles. Thank You, Master,
for Your sacrifice and mercy for all sentient beings. We can feel the spiritual
elevation that has come about in the world and are becoming more and more
confident in our practice. We love You and are ready to go back Home.
Seoul
Photo: Korea-1.jpg
Seoul initiates greeted the New Year by decorating the walls of their center
with multi-colored balloons and its front stage with the most exquisite flowers
from which handcrafted butterflies flew upward. Then the initiates dressed up in
their most beautiful clothes for a special celebration, creating a warm and
merry atmosphere.
Photo: Korea-2.jpg
Youngdong
Youngdong Center resident disciples and initiates gathered for a joyful New
Year's celebration in which they sat around a stove having a potluck dinner,
sipping tea and sharing stories and then ate a specially prepared meal. After
dinner, the brothers and sisters rejoiced in singing and dancing as the party
continued late into the night before closing on a jovial note.
Busan
In a unique approach to New Year's celebrations, the Busan Center included an
awards ceremony in its holiday program, presenting prizes to those initiates who
participated in group meditation most frequently, were the eldest in the group,
had been initiated the longest, and who most sincerely served others. The
recipients expressed their heartfelt thanks to Master for their precious gifts
and promised to meditate more diligently and serve more people in the coming
year.
Photo: Korea-3.jpg
Daegu, Daejeon and Gwangju
On January 15, 2004, fellow practitioners from Daegu, Daejeon and Gwangju
celebrated the coming of the exceptionally meaningful New Year 2004. During the
event, all were greatly excited at the spiritual elevation of the world and
expressed deep appreciation for Master's great love and blessing.
5 Photos: Formosa-1,-2,-3,-4,-5.jpg
Initiates from centers throughout Formosa participated in a nationwide
evening New Year's celebration through Internet teleconferencing. With great
elation and high spirits, the brothers and sisters sang spiritual songs in
unison, their innovative, festive performance creating the impression that
"people with one heart are also one in body." They pray that all may
enjoy daily spiritual elevation, that the paradise of spiritual practice
continues to manifest here and everywhere, and that all beings under the heavens
will be enthroned in the realm of everlasting happiness and eternal peace.
Photo: Hik-1.JPG
Thank You, Master, for blessing us with Your recent series of wonderful
reports on the world's spiritual elevation. Hong Kong initiates were so
delighted and amazed at the news that they forgot all their worries and troubles
and participated with infinite joy in a series of celebrations marking the
arrival of the Golden Age.
2 Photos: Ca-1,-2.jpg
Montreal Center fellow initiates gathered to thank God and celebrate the
reality of the New Golden Age, enjoying a scrumptious meal and a fine
performance by a sister initiate who disguised herself as a story-teller. The
happy time was topped off with a photo shoot of the Montreal Center, through
which they sent their love and gratitude to the most wonderful Master in the
universe.
Phhoto: Pa-1.jpg
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania disciples overcame unfavorably cold weather conditions and icy
roads to gather at their local center and celebrate the unfolding of the
Golden Age. The initiates sang and danced joyfully, expressing their inner
happiness and gratitude for the blessings they have received. Words can
never express our deep appreciation to our beloved Master, Who has given
the world the most wonderful and priceless gift possible. They wholeheartedly
pray for Master's health, beauty, longevity and happiness so that She
may continue to glorify the world and guide them Home.
Ohio
According to Asian folklore, at the end of each Lunar Year the Kitchen
God, who is assigned to watch each household, returns to Heaven to report
to the Jade Emperor on the members’ good and bad actions during
the year.
Although Asian in origin, the Kitchen God has parallels in Western culture.
For example, Hestia, a renowned goddess of ancient Greece, and Vesta,
her Roman counterpart, were associated with the warmth and comfort of
the welcoming hearth.
The Kitchen God’s Account to the Jade Emperor
by sister initiates Vuong Vu and Lynn McGee, Ohio, USA (originally in
Aulacese and English)
Dear Jade Emperor,
Representing the Ohio Center,
I report the following to you,
All of which is completely true!
Throughout the past year,
I can state without fear,
In spiritual practice they all tried their best —
Not too many movies or late-night chats!
They also sat silent for many hours,
Praying with fervor for the Master power
Together with disciples from many nations,
All very diligent in daily meditation.
They tried being patient and training their minds,
Saying, “Don’t worry if wisdom’s not easy to find!
Don’t expect experiences and inner Light;
Just have faith even if it’s always night!”
After many long sessions, they “awoke” in the hall,
Thinking there must be something they could recall.
But their level was such they remembered not a thing
Except, sometimes, the vague sound of snoring!
Time flies very quickly, like the wings of a bird;
As it was only last March that everyone heard
Our great, beloved Master had kindly bestowed
Magnificent blessings —
even on those who’d been quite low,
Raising them to levels high above,
Way up to sainthood through Her infinite Love.
From the very beginning and ever since
They could all feel the difference,
Their spirits elated —
Such a gift wasn’t anticipated!
Our loving Master also gave them this key:
Practice with more and more humility;
For only then will you truly be free!
So they tried very hard, one and all,
To reach Bodhisattva level so they couldn’t fall.
Dear Jade Emperor,
Representing the Center,
I don’t lie when I say it wasn’t they who tried,
But the great Master power
That produced the Bodhisattva flowers,
Blooming everywhere
Under Her infinite care
Making them lucky
To be so free.
So thanks beyond words for Her blessings and prayers
Now that many souls are more spiritually aware,
And we also hear that the time is near
For the fruition of Her mission to become crystal clear
As so many beings grasp the Truth of “the sage,”
Master walks with us all into the Golden Age.
Now that She’s sown these spiritual seeds
We know that all roads now to peace do lead.
When no more countries will go to war
And no more hatred keeping score,
Love will at last have a chance to reign
And the Earth can be restored again.
With so many souls being finally set free
This must be the greatest time in history!
And now my report as Kitchen God’s done;
All I can say is that I had so much fun!
See you next year
When this time draws near.
Bye-bye for now and Happy True New Year!
In an entertaining and innovative approach, fellow initiates play Asian
and Western Kitchen Gods reporting to the Jade Emperor.
The Midwestern Centers
On the weekend of January 17-18, 2004, initiates from the Midwestern
states of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio gathered at the
centrally located Indiana Center in Indianapolis to celebrate the True
New Year and greet the New Golden Age with a retreat and performance program.
Also, each initiate and non-initiate guest received a gold envelope with
the following message in red lettering: "Welcome to the New Golden
Era. We Have Arrived, Thanks to Master, January 15, 2004." Inside
the envelopes were small photos of our beloved Master.
All the performances showed such a high degree of effort and sincerity
that many disciples in the audience were moved to tears. It was touching
to see the way the Midwestern initiates came together in a natural way,
making everyone feel deeply that we truly are One. Thank You, dearest
Master, from all of us.
New York
2 photos: Ny-1,-2.jpg
At a grand celebration following group meditation at the New York Center on
January 18, initiates and their relatives and friends happily gathered at a
venue decorated with festive lanterns and colorful ribbons. The exhilarating
atmosphere was infectious as children frolicked in excitement and initiates
expressed appreciation to their revered Master through captivating performances
that filled the Center with an air of joy and harmony.
Sacramento
On January 25, 2004, the Sacramento Center's theme for its New Year's
festivity in honor of the Golden Age was "Mother and Eternal
Happiness." A number of fellow initiates performed joyous original songs
while the others sang along. They give their thanks to the Mother of Compassion,
the Mother of Greatness, Who has bestowed on all sentient beings a spring of
eternity!
Photo: Cr-1.JPG
Costa Rican initiates celebrated the true New Year and the start of the
Golden Age for all humanity with a two-day retreat and large party. The brothers
and sisters expressed their excitement and divine joy during the celebration,
and felt our omnipresent Master's countless blessings expressed through the
activities. The Quan Yin brothers and sisters of Costa Rica wish to express
their sincere appreciation to Master for Her universal compassion, and hope to
enhance and share their sentiments of inner love and wisdom with the rest of the
world.
1 photo: Peru-1.JPG
Lima Center fellow practitioners celebrated the New Golden Age at a restaurant
owned by an initiate. Their happiness was so great during the celebration that
they spontaneously formed a circle and danced to Peruvian folk songs. The
brothers and sisters all felt fortunate knowing that they are contemporaries of
a true living Master during the New Golden Age. For they are having the happiest
time of their lives, and God has blessed Hiers Quan Yin children and their
relatives and friends with the companionship of the greatest and kindest Supreme
Being on Earth - our beloved Master Ching Hai.
Reflections on Spiritual Practice
A Noble New Year's Resolution
by brother initiate Martin White, Michigan, U.S.A. (originally in English)
The State of Michigan, in the north-central section of the United States, experiences
extremely cold temperatures during the winter months that affect both
animals and humans. So, following the example of a vegetarian co-worker
who is sensitive to the wintertime needs of our fellow creatures, I recently
began scattering seed on the patio in front of my apartment to feed the
local wildlife. Within a short period of time, a variety of new friends
has started to gather there, including ducks, squirrels, sparrows, Red
Cardinals and a pair of Blue Jays.
My apartment serves as the Michigan Center, and after group meditation
I open the window blinds so that the initiates can observe the feeding
antics of our animal neighbors, and whose presence enhances the spiritual
atmosphere of the place during and after meditation. This phenomenon may
be due to the God-like innocence of our fellow creatures or to the compassion
we feel in supplying them with much needed food, or perhaps it is a combination
of the two. In any case, the image of the animals feeding has a biblical
quality, and reminds me of the special love and care that Master showed
for Her pets during a retreat I attended in Florida. It also brings to
mind St. Francis of Assisi, the Roman Catholic patron saint of animals,
and his special rapport with God's creatures. Thus I was recently inspired
to search the Internet for information on St. Francis, and discovered
the following touching story (http://www.americancatholic.org/).
One pleasant day, while St. Francis and his companions were traveling
through the Spoleto Valley in Italy, the saint suddenly spotted a large
congregation of doves, crows and other birds. Caught up in the moment,
Francis left his friends on the road and ran to the creatures, who had
patiently waited for him. He greeted them in his usual way, expecting
them to take off into the air as he spoke, but they stayed in their places.
Filled with awe, he asked the birds if they would stay awhile and listen
to the Word of God, saying, "My brother and sister birds, you should
praise your Creator and always love Hirm for Hes gave you feathers for
clothes, wings with which to fly and all the other things you need. It
is God who made you the noblest among all creatures, giving you a home
in the thin, pure air. Without sowing or reaping, you receive God's guidance
and protection."
At this the birds began spreading their wings and stretching their necks
to gaze at St. Francis, rejoicing and praising God in a wonderful way
according to their nature. He then walked among the flock, touching their
heads and bodies with his tunic.
The saint next gave them his blessing by making the sign of the cross
over them and they flew off. Francis, rejoicing and giving thanks to God,
continued his journey and soon after wondered aloud to his companions
why he had never before thought of talking with the birds. From that day
on, Francis made it a habit to kindly exhort all birds, reptiles and other
animals to praise and love their Creator. Many times during his life,
remarkable instances of Francis speaking to animals occurred. There was
even a time when St. Francis quieted a flock of noisy birds that were
interrupting a religious ceremony! Much to the wonder of all present,
the birds remained silent until the ceremony was completed.
Although I have not lived long in Michigan, one of the first things I
noticed upon moving to the state was that fishing and hunting are very
popular activities among the residents. I have listened to otherwise good,
decent people speak about the "sport" of deer hunting in a way
that is totally oblivious to the suffering of the animals. For a while
I failed to understand how anyone could be so devoid of feeling as to
commit such atrocities against God's creatures. But I soon realized that
these people are not "evil" but merely ignorant - unenlightened
to the philosophy of our first precept, "Do not kill or otherwise
harm sentient beings," and oblivious to the concept of relating to
animals as our brethren under God's dominion.
I then understood that it is necessary to reach out to the public via
video seminars and other awareness-enhancing events to convey Master's
merciful teachings and thus promote enlightenment and non-violence. This
will be my New Year's Resolution!
Spiritual Interludes
The Golden Glow of a New Era
by brother initiate Matthew Sirpis, Sydney, Australia (originally in English)
With God as our witness and Supreme Master Ching Hai as our savior, we have
now entered the Golden Age of spiritual opportunity, when all ignorance
will fall away, leaving the bright light of Truth in its place.
This era has been foretold in the world's scriptures since ancient times,
but alas, it is now before us; we are immersed in it! The current transformation
seems unreal to the intellect, but humanity's apprehension will slowly
fade away as the world becomes more saturated in God's Heavenly Light.
Our place in the Golden Age is no longer a matter of mental calculation,
but a beautiful voyage Home guided by our innermost nature.
Trust seems to be paramount on this exciting new journey for our minds
no longer comprehend what may happen, how it will or why. Human thought
is by nature confusing, and when good becomes bad and bad becomes good,
the process of judging people and situations becomes foolish.
For example, one day a man rushed to his office, forgetting to carry with
him an important document he had prepared for a morning meeting so he
realized that he had to go back home to get the document. On the way to
his house he became angry with himself and blamed God for not reminding
him to bring the file. But when he arrived home, he found a thief searching
his house and was able to scare him off. At that moment he thanked God
for making him return home. Thus, because we are not always aware of what
God is going to arrange for us in the next step of our life's journey,
our minds judge from the present situation, and this is often unwise.
So may God grant humans the openness to accept the paths Hes lays out
for us in the Golden Age and the trust to know that all will be well,
in hopes that the Earth finds peace in the new way we have chosen to live.
While on the Path
A Withered Tree Sprouts New Leaves
During the first six months, practicing the Quan Yin Method was extremely
difficult, but I persisted. No matter what happened, I felt I had to meditate
and could not go back to my old life.
by brother initiate Flamenco, Spain (originally in Spanish)
Before I was initiated in September 2002 at the age of twenty-five, my life
felt meaningless and I showed a great deal of pride, anger, jealousy and
possessiveness in my relationships. For nearly thirteen years, one of
my biggest problems was a chaotic, self-destructive romantic life, which
seemed impossible to overcome. I tried continually without success to
conquer it, suffering from substance abuse, harmful acquaintances, stress,
resentment, anxiety and depression. In addition, my ongoing physical problems,
which had no medical explanation, made me want to commit suicide. Feelings
of impurity, inexplicable loneliness and physical and mental rigidity
ruled my life.
But from the day of my initiation, everything changed. It was incredible.
My frenzied sexual life, which had nearly destroyed me, was no longer
a problem. My physical ailments also disappeared. And although I still
experience anger and anxiety now and again, these feelings no longer dominate
my life.
Before being initiated, I was unable to do Convenient Method meditation
for even five minutes. But now, I can meditate for two and a half hours
a day. During the first six months, practicing the Quan Yin Method was
extremely difficult, but I persisted. No matter what happened, I felt
I had to meditate and could not go back to my old life. In order to gain
the power to advance further I regularly watched Master's videos and read
Her books and magazines. Then, little by little, my life began to change.
Although I feel my meditation practice still needs improvement, I know
that I am at the door to entering samadhi. As hard as this first year
has been, the changes in my life have been truly incredible. My family
and friends are all surprised at my transformation and sometimes cannot
believe it! Now I have the desire to live, to become a loving, compassionate,
humble, wise and pure human being so that I can surrender to God and be
of service to humanity.
Over time, I have come to realize that it was not my initiation per se
but the awakening of my real Self that changed me! After initiation, this
Self, which is beyond good and evil, exists forever and is always pure,
has gradually re-emerged.
My ignorance is also diminishing, but remains vast. I still need to purify
myself each day in thought, word and deed and to meditate more. Thus I
can center myself completely in God and Hiers Will, further polish my
loving nature and continue to gain enlightenment.
Thank You, Master!
Master Tells Stories
Use Your Wisdom to Know When It's Time to Let Go
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Florida, USA, October 4-5, 1998
(originally in English) Videotape No. 638
There once was a master who went to India. In those times, we didn't have the
communications or airplanes or many kinds of transportation that we do
now. So the master went to India on foot. He had never been to India before;
perhaps he came from Persia. And when he got there, he saw a lot of fruit.
In India they have plenty of fruit to sell, but much of it is expensive
because they can't grow much due to the water situation. So he saw one
basket, a big basket of some very red, long fruit. And it was the cheapest
in the shop, not expensive at all.
So he went up and asked, "How much per kilo?" And the shopkeeper
said, "Two rupees." Two rupees in India is nothing; it's like
dirt. So he bought a whole kilogram of the fruit and started eating it.
But after he ate some of it: Oh, my God! His eyes watered, his mouth watered
and burned, his eyes were burning, his head was burning and his face became
red. As he coughed and choked and gasped for breath, he jumped up and
down, saying, "Ah! Ah! Ah!"
But he still continued to eat the fruit! Some people who were looking
at him shook their heads and said, "You're crazy, man. Those are
chilies! You can't eat so many; they're not good for you! People use them
as a condiment, but only a little bit to put into food for taste. You
can't just eat them by the handful like that; they're not fruit!"
So the stupid master said, "No, I can't stop! I paid money for them,
and now I'll eat them. It's my money!"
And you think that master was stupid, right? Similarly, we sometimes do
a lot of things like that. We invest money, time or effort in a relationship,
business or job. And even though it's been a long time, bitter experience
tells us it won't work, and we know there's no more hope that things will
change in the future - this we definitely know by intuition - we still
continue just because we've invested money, time, effort and love into
it. If so, we're kaput in the brain. Just like the man who ate the chilies
and suffered so much but couldn't stop because he didn't want to waste
the money he'd paid.
So even if you've lost something, let it go and move on. That's better
than continuing to lose; this you must know. Don't say, "Master says
we have to be tolerant and unconditionally loving," and then let
the husband kick you in the butt anytime he wants to or let the wife continue
abusing you. It's no good! I don't advocate that; I've said so many times.
In another story about a snake and a monk, the master taught the snake
to be non-violent. But then the snake let everyone abuse him; they threw
stones at him, spun him around and so on. So the master said to the snake,
"I told you not to bite, but I didn't tell you not to hiss,"
meaning he should scare people away; that's what we have to do. We have
to protect ourselves in whatever ways are possible.
Master Says
The Sacred Relationship between Master and Disciples
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Taipei, Formosa, July 8, 1986 (originally
in Chinese) CD-CE05
At the time of initiation, I say to you, "Congratulations! From today
on, you're completely free. You've become a free, liberated person!"
However, perhaps only half of you believe me. But it doesn't matter. Being
liberated means being liberated; whether you believe it or not doesn't
change the fact. However, you still have to walk with me. After walking
for a while, you'll realize it more quickly. The more you meditate, the
sooner you'll understand it.
One day not long ago, an enlightened Master in India, accompanied by four
or five disciples, went out to handle a matter. Halfway on their journey,
one of the disciples was bitten by an extremely poisonous snake, the most
venomous and deadliest snake known in India. In an instant, the disciple's
face turned purple, then blue and several other colors. Everyone concluded
that his death was surely imminent for no one had ever survived a bite
by such a snake for more than five or ten minutes and there was no antidote.
"Please don't tell Master," the injured disciple implored his
peers. "Walk on with Master and leave me here. In no time, I'll be
dead and liberated. It doesn't matter." Then, just as the other disciples
were pondering what to do, their Master realized what had happened and
retraced his steps to see his stricken disciple, being anxious about his
condition. But the disciple beseeched Him, saying, "Master, please
don't worry about me. I'll soon be liberated. No problem!" Next the
Master said to his other disciples, "I've heard that this bite can
be cured by rubbing the wound with some kind of herb."
The other disciples did as instructed and treated the victim with the
herb, and sure enough, he was healed. The disciples knew very well that
it was not the herb but the power of their Master that had saved him;
for how else could someone in such a hopeless condition have been healed
through the rubbing of leaves on his wound? Deeply touched, the grateful
disciple fell to his knees before the Master, saying, "I'm just an
insignificant disciple. Why have you so mercifully shouldered my karma?
Why did you do that?" And his Master merely responded, "No!
I didn't. Now let us continue with our journey." Such is the relationship
between Master and disciples.
Cherish the Rare Opportunity to Have an Enlightened Master on Earth
Great Masters are manifestations of God. They are very compassionate, but in
this world, Their power is limited and They can't reveal Their true identity
or what They're capable of accomplishing so it is known to very few people,
even few disciples. For instance, after saving his disciple, this Master
instructed his disciples, saying, "Don't tell anyone about this incident.
You must forget it immediately." The episode later came to light
only when a disciple discussed it in a book he wrote, but by that time
the Master had already left this world.
Such is the way of humankind. A great Master comes to teach us, but we
don't recognize Him. Even when some people follow Him to learn, they're
wishy-washy and don't comprehend their Master's identity. The great Masters
become famous only after They leave the earth, and then the whole world
venerates Them. It was only in this way that people learned about the
existence of Jesus Christ, Bodhidharma, Shakyamuni Buddha, Lao-tse and
Chuang-tse. But then it was too late! We only recognize the great Masters
after They've left, not while They're on earth. What a pity! Such is the
way of people in this world.
Many followers come to learn from a Master, but after a long time they
still don't realize Who their Master is. Hearing that they need to meditate,
they say, "Oh! Meditation is too hard for me." Hearing that
they have to go and see the Master, they say, "Well! What's the use
in seeing Him or Her?" Hearing that they're supposed to attend the
Master's lectures, they say, "Well! It makes no difference if I go
to lectures given by other masters so why should I go to this one?"
(Master laughs.)
But after a great Master departs from this world, everyone suddenly learns
about Him, understands how great He was, and learns about the many things
He did while living. It's because the great Masters don't talk about Their
many deeds that even Their disciples are unaware of them. In times of
difficulty, we seek the Master's help and express appreciation for His
assistance. But even then He says, "It's nothing! I didn't do anything."
(Master laughs.) He might even reprimand us, saying, "Nonsense! Superstition!"
(Master and everyone laugh.) These Masters never advertise Themselves
in the first place. Any master who publicizes his magical or other powers
is not a genuinely enlightened Master.
It is the Greatest Blessing to Practice Spiritually under an Enlightened
Master
Great Masters bless Their disciples in many ways. Some are blessed by a mere
glance, some by a touch on the head, and still others in secret ways.
Most disciples don't know how their Master helps them or what He does
for them. However, whether they realize it or not, meeting this kind of
Master makes them the most blessed and protected disciples. Much of their
karma is erased by a mere touch on the head by such a Master.
In India, people revere a living Master more than they do Shakyamuni Buddha
or God. "Although God is very high, I cannot see Hirm," they
say. "To me, my Master is the highest! I cannot see the Buddhas but
I can see my Master. I don't know what the Buddhas are doing, but I know
what my Master has done to help me!" Originally, the great Masters
also come from God; They are manifestations of the Buddha nature. However,
they remain silent about it. Even if they do talk about it, people don't
believe them.
Several hundred years ago, there was a very great Master in India. One
day, one of His female disciples reached the Fifth Realm in meditation.
There she saw her Master - an enlightened Master in the Fifth Realm. After
this experience, she rushed to see Him, saying, "Master! You haven't
been telling the truth! You've been deceiving us by saying that you're
just an ordinary human being who has no magical power or ability to do
anything. However, today I saw that You're God! You're an enlightened
Master in the Fifth Realm. You're the highest; no one is superior to you!
Why have you been withholding the truth all this time and not revealing
your true identity?" Her Master replied, "If I had told you,
you wouldn't have believed me so I chose not to speak about it."
It's one's greatest blessing to meet such a Master. However, He can't
reveal too much in this world. Besides, He doesn't want to discuss it;
for what purpose would it serve to reveal it?
The Czar of Russia and His Exiled Subjects
A long time ago, a Czar of Russia disguised as a civilian traveled to Spain
to master shipbuilding techniques. In the course of his training, he met
some compatriots who had been exiled for offenses they had committed.
Forbidden to live in Russia, they went to work in Spain, where they lived
miserable lives in pathetic conditions. They missed their families and
homeland very much, but couldn't return because of the Czar's orders.
This Czar worked with them every day, and came to understand their nostalgic
sentiments. Deeply touched, he told them, "I'm a friend of the Czar.
I know him. Should you really want to go home just follow me. I'll ask
the Czar to pardon you so that you can go home." Some of the people
believed and followed him but others didn't for he looked just like an
ordinary worker. They didn't believe that he would have such great power
to negotiate with the Czar so a few of them refused to follow him.
Those who chose to return to Russia with him saw great crowds turn out
to welcome him. People greeted him in every city he entered. "Perhaps
he's a powerful man, a high-ranking official of enormous influence, or
a person of high status and great fame," they speculated. As they
approached the Czar's palace, more and more people came to welcome him,
and the celebration banquets became increasingly grand. They speculated
further, "Oh! He must be the highest chancellor or a relative of
the Czar. He must have been telling us the truth." Finally, when
they entered the palace and saw him sit on the throne of the Czar, they
realized that he was the Czar himself. At that time, all their sins were
forgiven because the Czar held the highest authority. It was he who had
exiled them, and now he also had the ability to let them return.
The same goes for us who have been initiated. We come originally from
the Supreme Force, and now this Supreme Force has come to take us home.
It's that simple! As in the case of this Czar, he could exile people and
bring them home because he had the highest authority that was subject
to no other person's command.
Initiates Can Immediately Behold the God Nature and Reach Sainthood
As recorded in many Indian scriptures, if you meet a Master who possesses the
Supreme Power, there is virtually no need for you to do anything - no
need to worship, no need to prostrate, no need to repent, no need to accrue
merits, no need for anything. Yet you will be perfectly well and fulfilled
in every way because originally we are this Supreme Power. From It we
come and to It we shall return. That's why we say, "Behold the God
nature and reach sainthood." This "nature" is our Self
nature, not our personality. This is what the ancient Zen Masters meant
by "immediate enlightenment" - immediately beholding the God
nature and reaching sainthood. Most probably we still can't believe that
we're saints, but even so we're still saints. We're free and liberated
all the same. When the time comes, we'll know it naturally.
This is similar to the story I've just told you. Those workers who had
some faith in the Czar followed him home, and the moment they reached
the palace they beheld the truth. They had already been freed when the
Czar told them that they could return home. When they were still in Spain,
the Czar said to them, "You may go home now," and from that
moment on they were free men. They didn't have to wait until they reached
the palace to be freed. However, it didn't matter. Although they had been
skeptical, as long as they followed the Czar, they understood everything
when they arrived home.
Similarly, at the time of initiation, I say to you, "Congratulations!
>From today on, you're completely free. You've become a free, liberated
person!" However, perhaps only half of you believe me. But it doesn't
matter. Being liberated means being liberated, and whether you believe
it or not won't change the fact. However, you still have to walk with
me. After walking for a while, you'll grasp it more quickly. The more
you meditate, the sooner you'll realize it. If you don't meditate, although
you'll understand it eventually, your life will have little meaning. You'll
only live a sluggish life, causing trouble for yourself and being plagued
by illness, heavy karma and deprived of enlightenment.
This is because we ordinary humans can't understand God. Even though we
have eyes, we cannot see, just like the blind. We don't know what God
has done for us or how Hes has helped us. Instead, we worship wooden statues
and beg for blessings every day. We even worship deities and ghosts, and
pray for safety and protection. Though we're rich inside, we go begging
outside!
Aphorisms
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Bangkok, Thailand, June 7, 1994
(originally in English) Videotape No. 435
Actually, everything takes care of itself in time. But meanwhile, we should
try our best to make life better and always avoid violence. That's the lesson of
all the Shakyamuni Buddha stories - we have to surrender to God's will and be
tolerant and patient. When the time comes, everything will change.
Most people don't know the best way to destroy their enemies. Just destroy
their evil hearts and then they'll be destroyed forever, but don't destroy their
bodies.
All Masters of the past, present or future try to demonstrate to us the good
qualities of a true human being. They attempt to teach by example, not only by
talking, and they try to teach us to always be loving and tolerant, and to
always put other people's advantage before our own.
Master’s Wonders
by brother initiate Ricky Dearman, London, UK (originally in English)
During the Christmas 2003 holiday, I was blessed to participate in a two-day
retreat at the San Jose Center in California, which is home to a large
Aulacese-American community. To be a white "snowflake" among
the yellow "cornflakes" was a fascinating cultural experience.
Happily, I was invited into everyone's fathomless heart, demonstrating
that there really is "One Love, One World," regardless of color
or culture.
On the afternoon of Christmas Day, a group of initiates put up holiday
decorations and lights to bring a festive air to the Center. It had been
raining on and off throughout the day, and as we worked in the kitchen
and dining areas, a rainbow appeared right before the entrance to the
meditation hall, stretching from in front of the steps to the driveway
entrance gate! It manifested colors more intense than any rainbow I had
ever seen, and when I looked into it, it seemed to glow more brightly
as though some additional power were surging through it. Master was surely
showing us that She can manifest in any form She wishes, thus keeping
our minds wide open. She often reminds us not to stay fixed on a single
viewpoint, joking that we cannot keep up with Her because She is too fast.
Brother David, who was helping with the decorations, first pointed out
the rainbow to everyone, and the very next moment, another one appeared
right behind it! It was the first time that he had ever seen two rainbows
appear together so he began to run around in circles, screaming and shouting
with tears in his eyes, just like a child. Then the cooking team came
running over, pointing at the amazing sight and shouting in Aulacese.
Although I was unable to understand their words, I grasped God's universal
language, which was flowing through the brothers and sisters and radiating
out into the Ether.
The overall atmosphere of the retreat was relaxed and cheerful with everyone
appearing to be in samadhi in a simple but profound way. Blessed are those
who come to know Supreme Master Ching Hai; for the two-day event in San
Jose was drenched in Her deep, unconditional Love. So thank You, Master,
for your boundless blessings.
Afterwards I was inspired to write this poem:
Dancing Beauty
Oh, Thy dust shows one how boundless Thou art
For God has given Thee Hiers beauty;
I see it dancing in Thee.
Invisible spirit of beauty is what Thou art
To have sight of such a rainbow.
With colors of such intensity.
I, one day a saint to be,
For they say saints are sinners who never gave up,
Look forth to bathe with thee.
Humble art Thou for this is just by the by,
Like God Hirmself, Who owns the whole universe,
But in silence, Both keep in the background.
by brother initiate Thomas Ha, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA (originally in
Aulacese)
The moment I received Master's exciting news about the world's spiritual elevation,
I suddenly heard a clear, child-like, gleeful shout within that extended
into a smooth, glistening, melody similar to that of an eighteenth-century
Western classical symphony. Also, upon gazing at trees and plants that
winter evening, I saw brightly colored lights projecting through Oklahoma's
stormy skies. In a sudden outpouring of bliss, my eyes filled with tears
of joy, an experience I had never had before.
Then on January 17, 2004, while preparing to attend group meditation at
the Oklahoma Center, I perceived a ray of extremely bright light shooting
up from the top of my head, as quick as a flash, to an area full of magnificent
golden palaces radiating bright light next to an emerald green lake, while
countless flowers spoke in an exotic, melodious language similar to the
celestial music. The blossoms resembled those in Master's painting Heavenly
Flowers. Next, all the splendid blooms turned into beautiful moon fairies
performing a graceful dance. Although I was unaware of my outer self at
the time, I was completely conscious of my soul's existence, being fully
charged with indescribable Heavenly happiness and pure enlightened awareness.
No worldly language can adequately describe this great Heavenly realm
and feeling of happiness! Moreover, such marvelous scenes full of colors,
images, melodies, light and pure happiness had never before manifested
during my life in the physical world.
During this experience, I felt like an infinitesimal drop in a vast ocean.
What remains vivid in my consciousness to this day is MASTER'S all-pervasive
COMPASSION, LOVE and TRUTH bestowed on all visible and invisible sentient
beings throughout the universe and for all time.
by Liberated Sister, Cape Town, South Africa (originally in English)
Until a recent series of personal trials affected me after moving from farm
to city, I thought I was a fairly diligent disciple. In my new urban environment
I was unprepared for the changes in lifestyle I underwent, having to work
three jobs to make ends meet. Working nights also interfered with my ability
to attend group meditation at the Cape Town Center, and in the chaos of
life without the protection of meditation, I became agitated, impatient
and irritable. People and events seemed too much to bear. During this
time, although I struggled to rise above the situation, I became dismayed
at my waning meditation practice and soon felt unfit to attend group meditation.
Then for a brief interlude in March and April of 2003, I found my way
back to the Center, where I heard the amazing message about the Quan Yin
family's spiritual elevation. It was wonderful and inspiring to see and
recognize our sisters and brothers who had made it to the level of non-regressing
saint.
But once again I began judging myself and becoming lost in the daily demands
of work; so I returned to my habit of skipping group meditation, but my
heart longed deeply for spiritual progress. During this period I had three
inner experiences of special intensity, which I recorded in my spiritual
journal and present below.
Experience 1: On October 21, 2003, in the midst of everything, the Divine
Energy pours in from the top into an image of my heart (much like the one Jesus
Christ holds in his hand in colorful Catholic pictures of the Sacred Heart),
making my heart open like a flower blooming in the sunlight and creating
infinite bliss ....
Experience 2: On November 23, 2003, I open the door of my car, swing my feet
out and suddenly perceive the "OM" resonance. I am struck, being
entranced by its perfect pitch and the vibration it creates. I can feel it in
the ground. I remain sitting there, listening with every fiber of my body and
being. It is magnificent!
Experience 3: On November 26, 2003, I unexpectedly see my name on "The
Page." It is the same as the holy pages of names of initiates who attained
the higher planes as "new free souls!" I can recognize the format even
though I can't see the print clearly because it's shining so brightly. I just
know for sure what is. I am so pleased! Then I realize that I've been a lousy
practitioner. I need to do a lot of self-repair. I can hardly believe that my
name is even there, not of my own effort!!
Later, however, I decided that these inner experiences were merely the result
of wishful thinking, and scolded myself for my arrogance at even dreaming
such things. But when I finally went back to attending group meditation,
I was shown Master's merciful Christmas greetings announcing the increasing
numbers of souls reaching liberated status!
Thank You, Master. I am overwhelmed with appreciation and love at having
been granted Your divine mercy. May I find the strength to change my ignorant
ways, and thus be able to offer You the gratitude and love You deserve.
Note: This sister has been working in government-funded projects that
assist the disadvantaged and disabled in starting self-sustainable businesses
making handmade paper and crafts from waste products and plant fibers
available in their regions. "Though I may have some worldly information
to share with the less fortunate," she says, "they themselves
are greatly assisting me in evolving my own compassion."
by brother initiate Tom Verhaeghe, Flanders, Belgium (originally in English)
Receiving initiation into the Quan Yin Method was one of the luckiest events
in my life. Ever since, my days have been filled with wonders, one of
which I would like to share with readers of the News.
Shortly after being initiated I learned that my sister's unborn baby girl
had been diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), a serious congenital
disorder involving heart lesions and other defects. Two medical specialists
confirmed the diagnosis and it was suggested that the baby undergo open-heart
surgery at least four to five times during her first years of life. The
whole family cried upon hearing this opinion.
From local fellow practitioners I came to hear of many positive experiences
and great wonders that had resulted from sincere meditation practice.
So placing complete faith in Master, we began meditating "till our
bottoms fell off." I also tried to convince my family about the positive
effects of prayer and meditation, even in very serious cases, by relating
Master's teachings and sending them articles I had found on the Internet.
In addition, my mother began praying diligently in an effort to improve
the situation.
Some weeks later the first relief came when my sister visited another
specialist trained in cardiology, who said that the baby's condition had
improved; specifically, an opening in her aorta had decreased in size.
This breakthrough urged us to continue meditating under Master's guidance.
Several months later, the child, named Rose by her parents, was delivered
under stressful conditions with a special medical team standing by, ready
to act if necessary. Fortunately, however, all went well, and several
days after the birth, the new parents were summoned to the doctor's office.
The doctor was very pleased as he could share fantastic news, adding that
this was a rare occasion for him. All of the baby's problems had miraculously
subsided! There was still a tiny hole in her aorta, but some tissue was
already growing over it, indicating a complete recovery. This had never
happened before in his experience as the serious problems associated with
TOF do not normally heal by themselves. One can imagine the smiles on
the faces of our whole family. Our relief and gratitude were enormous.
This wonderful story illustrates the depth of Master's grace and the boundlessness
of Her unconditional love. Her intercession in the case of little Rose
is more help than I could have ever wished for.
Thank You, Master, for showing me the way to God. Thank You again.
Poems
by brother initiate Arka, Jakarta, Indonesia (originally in Indonesian)
Glimpsing motion at a standstill;
Contemplating Sound in silence,
Holy Names echo within
As Moon and Sun combine!
Closing the door, observing Light,
Fire burns up the manuscript of living.
Closing the window, perceiving Sound,
Let the Spirit dance in song!
Thy pure palm melts away all desire,
Thy fond embrace dispels despair
Thy smile dismisses worldly wishes,
Thy glance consumes all earthly passion.
Brilliance of a million suns,
Roaring thunderbolt
Drowns me in compassion's sea,
Dissolving me in freedom!
Selected Questions and Answers
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Four-day Retreat, London, U. K., August
27, 1997 (originally in English) Videotape No. 595
Q: One of the things that strickes me from reading Your books and watching
Your videos is the fact that You always reinforce that a person should
find the Master within and that they needn't shy away from pursuing and
manifesting a career in the world and living their life.
This interests me because I'm trying to balance my path within business
as well as within my spirit. Could you illuminate me on that, or is there
any more guidance you might be able to give me?
M: That's clear. Or, do you want to be a monk, and go to the Himalayas
alone?
Q: Sometimes that seems very attractive, I must admit.
M: We can do all of it. We don't have to choose one way or another. For
example, you can be as successful as you want in the world. You should!
Since we're here, we play the game, and we should play it to the best
of our ability. But sometimes playing the game too long is tiring; then
you can go on retreat for a while. Go to the Himalayas, come to join our
retreat here or join some other retreat somewhere else to refresh your
spirit and recharge your energy. We can do everything we want, not just
one thing.
But some people like to make it simple. They choose one way of life, like
they might renounce the world and go into the Himalayas or the Tibetan
regions and then dedicate their whole life to knowing God. These people
are also successful. It depends on your karma and your affinity as to
what you should do. Before we descended to this world, we chose a path
to walk on. There's no path that's better than another path; I'd like
to tell you that. Maybe you're destined to be a successful business boss
so you should continue with that. But we shouldn't be extreme in any way.
I emphasize just the middle way for everyone. We can do this, that and
another: It makes our life more colorful and interesting.
Q: One of the things that's provided a real challenge for me is that somewhere
along my path or my life, I decided that I would try to accept the challenge
of making my business into a manifestation of the spirit. And it's very,
very challenging; I find it very difficult sometimes, and I really do
feel like I need to move to the Himalayas and get far away from it.
But Your message, to get in contact with the Master both externally and
internally for guidance, is what I feel is important help me to guide
this manifestation in the right way and also for my own spirit so that
I can find my own peace and my own time as well.
M: Yes, the outside Master is just meant to guide you to meet your own
Master, which is your Self. It's just to show you the way; you must drive
yourself. But sometimes you find that the outside Master is also the inner
Master. And that's interesting. And sometimes you find that the outside
Master is only an outside Master and can't be an inside Master. And sometimes
you find that the inside Master you meet has not manifested outside.
So, there are three categories of Masters. One is just the outside Master,
teaching you theory and any kind of religious doctrine. That's also very
good for you! Another one is the past Master or even present Master, but
inside. "Inside" means at a higher level of consciousness. He
or She doesn't manifest on the physical level so you can't see Him or
Her in this world. It's only when you meditate inside that you communicate
on the inner level.
That's numbers one and two. One is outside, completely alone outside.
And another one is inside, for example, Jesus or Buddha. Sometimes when
you meditate, in deep meditation, you contact these past or even present
Masters but on the inside level only. You can't meet them on the street
or anywhere else in this world. That's the inner Master.
Another kind of Master is such that He or She can also guide you on the
inner level of consciousness, at a higher level, but you can also meet
Him or Her in this world. You can touch, shake hands, talk and so on.
So, these are the three kinds of Masters. Finding a Master who can lead
us both inside and outside is more difficult than finding the other two
kinds. Finding the first one is easier. Finding the second one is more
difficult because we have to raise our level of consciousness to a higher
level in order to meet that inner Master. And finding the third one is
more difficult than the rest.
Most of the time, the outer Master guides you to meet the inner Master.
And if He or She is both the outer and inner Master as well, then that
Person has already become very enlightened and has access to all the levels
of the inside, even apart from the outside. That's rare. This kind of
Master is rare, only like Jesus or Buddha. These are the real Ones.
Q: If the Master teaches you how to get in touch with the inner Master, then
when you're distant or away from the physical Master, can you find yourself
in the company of people from other masters and still be part of the same
brotherhood because they're all following the inner teacher?
M: It depends on what teacher you've found. Suppose you've found only
the physical master, the one who can teach you only from the outside in
the physical world and who has no access to the inner level yet because
he himself hasn't reached it. Then, of course you can go to any other
master and be in any company because you need it.
But suppose you find only the inner Master, like suppose you meditate
and find Jesus talking to you inside and it's not an illusion; it's the
real Jesus. The Spirit talks to you, but you can only make contact with
Him when you're deep in samadhi, in your spiritual awareness. Then, of
course you can go around and meet some other people and meditate with
them.
But if you've already found a Master who is a manifestation on the physical
level as well as a Master from an inner level of consciousness, then you
don't worry about where the Master is because that Master will be omnipresent.
Once you make contact with that Master, She or He will look after you
all the time. No matter where you are - even if you go to an inner level,
an outer level, hell or Heaven - you won't be alone because the Master
is omnipresent. That Master is not only the physical body but also the
inner Master of spirit. Then, you don't need to mix with any other master
or teacher. You can; of course you can. You won't lose contact with the
Master once it's made with that kind of inner and outer Master in one.
But you don't need to mix.
Glimpses of Eternity
Frederic Chopin
-- Enlightened Composer of the Inner Worlds
by brother initiate Richard Stewart,
Los Angeles, California, USA (originally in English)
"A long time ago, I decided that
my universe would be the soul and heart of humanity."
- Frederic Chopin
Introduction
World-renowned nineteenth-century composer Frederic Chopin (1810-1849) is one
of the most original creative spirits in musical history. His compositional
style shows little influence from the work of other composers, and in fact, many
of his pieces, such as the polonaises and ballades, define new genres all their
own. As one modern critic writes, "In the structure and form of his
compositions, he is quite alone; his sense of balance and architecture seemed to
spring from some unknown well-source." Thus Chopin's inspiration appears to
have come directly from enlightened contacts with Heaven, the "unknown
well-source," and not from the examples of his predecessors or peers. This
view is affirmed by his friend, the Hungarian composer Franz Liszt:
So works this music upon Earth;
God so admits it, sends it forth
To add another worth to worth.
A new creation-bloom that rounds
The old creation, and expounds
His Beautiful in tuneful sounds.
- Excerpt from the
Preface to Liszt's Life of Chopin
Life
Chopin was born in Warsaw into the affluent home of a French father and a Polish
mother of noble lineage. From early childhood, he loved piano music and
began taking piano lessons at the age of six. He started to compose even
before he knew how to write down his inspirations, and his musical talent
soon became obvious, being compared with the childhood genius of Mozart.
His first published piece appeared when he was fifteen, and by the time
he was seventeen, Chopin was recognized as the leading pianist of Warsaw
and a gifted composer.
Due to political upheavals in Poland, however, at age twenty he moved
to Paris, the center of the Romantic Movement in the arts, and except
for occasional trips abroad, spent the rest of his life in France. Being
introverted by nature, Chopin avoided giving public concerts, but instead
played for groups of friends and made a living from piano teaching and
the sale of his works.
"If this beautiful but elusive
quality is not of humankind, but of God, then this is Chopin's highest
gift to us. In summary, Chopin got as close as any composer to expressing
the nature of the inner worlds of sound and experience."
- by a modern critic
Creative Work
Chopin wrote almost exclusively for the piano, making the instrument
"sing" in a way that no previous composer had conceived, and
so earned the epithet "Poet of the Piano." His sense of lyricism
and melodic genius gave rise to some of the most beautiful music ever
written, and his piano works are the most frequently played in history.
He is one of the few universal masters, and his popularity has never waned.
Nearly everything he wrote is in the permanent repertoire and his compositions
are known around the globe. The great twentieth-century American pianist
Arthur Rubinstein confirmed, "When the first notes of Chopin sound
through the concert hall, there is a happy sign of recognition. All over
the world men and women know his music. They love it; they are moved by
it. It is uniquely expressive and personal art." Besides being heard
regularly in concerts and recordings, Chopin's works are used for the
famous ballet Les Sylphides, and are heard in countless films such
as The Pianist, Shine and The Truman Show.
Chopin's widespread appeal no doubt lies in his ability to evoke memories
of the celestial music, the sounds of the inner worlds that were his source
of creative inspiration. This capacity is like that of his great role
model Johann Sebastian Bach, who believed that his works were not of his
own making but arose from and glorified God. Such true musical geniuses
transcend the desire to simply describe the human experience through music
and ultimately approach God Hirmself. As another critic states, "If
this beautiful but elusive quality is not of humankind, but of God, then
this is Chopin's highest gift to us. In summary, Chopin got as close as
any composer to expressing the nature of the inner worlds of sound and
experience."
Thus, Chopin's sensitive, mystical nature and attunement to the Heavenly
sounds are the keys to his limitless gifts as a composer and performer.
The nineteenth-century pianist Anton Rubinstein called him, "the
Piano Bard, the Piano Rhapsodist, the Piano Mind and the Piano Soul"
and added, "Whether the spirit of the instrument breathed upon him
I do not know, but all possible expressions are found in his compositions,
and all are sung by him upon this instrument."
Chopin's wide range of expression is shown, for example, in his Op.
34, No. 2 Valse Brillante, which addresses the human spirit in an
intimate way reflecting the beauty of the higher music - the "Heavenly
Melodious Teaching," to use Supreme Master Ching Hai's term. In fact,
many pianists and scholars have described Chopin's waltzes as "dances
for the soul" expressing profound spiritual reflection - musical
love poems to God and humanity that reveal the composer's elevated moods,
moments of inner longing and strong humanistic feelings. Le Menestral
('The Minstrel'), a journal of Chopin's time, wrote: "[He is] the
sylph of the piano, attached to this mortal world by the merest touch
of a finger and nourished by dreams from on high. Listen to Chopin play!
It is like the sighing of a flower, the whisper of clouds or the murmur
of the stars."
It was also his ready familiarity with the higher realms that allowed
Chopin to compose naturally and spontaneously, as his companion, the novelist
Aurore Dudevant (who wrote under the pen name George Sand), eloquently
remarks: "His creation was spontaneous, miraculous. He found it without
searching for it, without foreseeing it. It came to his piano suddenly,
complete, sublime, or it sang in his head during a walk, and he would
hasten to hear it again by tossing it off on his instrument." This
comment brings to mind Supreme Master Ching Hai's description of how She
creates Her art works quickly and naturally from inner revelations: "My
inspirations come from inside my brain! Sometimes the colors and pictures
come before I can paint them. So I have to do it fast before I forget.
Sometimes I'm very inspired. In one day I can make ten or twenty designs
or in one night perhaps thirty clothing designs."
Chopin also possessed the humility, detachment and simplicity of an enlightened
being. For example, when the great German composer Robert Schumann responded
to Chopin's early work, the Opus 2 Variations for Piano, with the
now-famous remark, "Hats off, gentlemen, a genius!" Chopin reacted
modestly, disliking the public excitement that soon propelled him to international
fame. Also, these excerpts from his letters attest to the composers' detached
attitude and uncomplicated nature: "I'm a revolutionary; money means
nothing to me" and "Simplicity is the highest goal, achievable
when you have overcome all difficulties." As Supreme Master Ching
Hai teaches, "We must become like children to return to the Heavenly
Kingdom. We should not be too complicated. We must not mind too much about
everything. Even when we grow up, we should still preserve a heart like
a child's." Through observation of his life and writings, it appears
that Chopin clearly lived up to this ideal.
Conclusion
According to a witness, the priest Abbe Jelowicki, as Chopin neared his untimely
death at age thirty-nine from tuberculosis, he seemed truly happy, and
told others of his contentment. At this moment he expressed only ecstatic
joy, love of God, detachment from the world, and a wish for a speedy departure
from the physical body. He called on the names of Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
kissed the crucifix he was holding and pressed it to his heart, crying,
"Now I am at the source of Blessedness" as if to say that he
was aware of entering the region of Heavenly Light. As Supreme Master
Ching Hai says, when we are enlightened, we "transcend the limits
of death and live forever. Once the fear of death is transcended, is understood
by our own very weak and scared soul, we are forever eternal." Perhaps
at this point Chopin had truly reached the state he wrote of in his letters:
"Simplicity is the highest goal, achievable when you have overcome
all difficulties."
Love in Action
Report from Iran
Iranian Quake Victims Welcome Master's Infinite Mercy
by the Singapore News Group (originally in English)
On December 26, 2003 a pre-dawn earthquake rocked the city of Bam in
Iran's southeastern Kerman Province, resulting in extensive destruction,
numerous casualties and thousands of homeless victims. So the merciful
Supreme Master Ching Hai immediately instructed that an emergency aid
effort be conducted in the region. So on January 1, 2004, a relief team
comprised of initiates from Singapore and Iran arrived in Tehran to organize
the distribution of needed supplies.
To ensure that the work proceeded smoothly, the team was divided into
three groups; one remained in Tehran and the other two went to Kerman.
Then, from the Kerman airport, one of the teams proceeded by car to Bam.
Upon their arrival in Bam, the team members immediately went about assessing
the situation in the quake-stricken area, but even with maps in hand,
moving around was difficult because the tremor had flattened most of the
city's predominantly mud-brick buildings. A piece of equipment featuring
Global Positioning System (GPS) technology came in handy as it expedited
the job of navigating and charting the regions where the distribution
was to occur.
The relief workers learned that Bam had been divided into several zones,
each under different management, giving them a clearer picture of the
situation, and enabling them to better identify and assess the areas where
people were in greatest need of Master's comfort and aid.
Next the team traveled to various locations to visit survivors living
in tents, many of whom had not only lost their homes, but also their immediate
family members and other relatives. With the help of an Iranian sister,
the initiates spoke with the victims and enquired about their most urgent
needs. These visits yielded a list of over a dozen commonly requested
relief provisions such as personal hygiene items, undergarments, slippers,
toys and ultra heat-treated milk.
Upon receiving the list, team members in Kerman quickly went about acquiring
the items. In fact, the initiates had already been busy with relief work
since their arrival in the city, approaching shop owners in bazaars and
neighborhoods to determine whether aid materials were available in large
quantities, and enquiring about renting trucks with which to transport
the supplies to Bam.
Team members from Tehran went to Kerman to help with the buying and packing
of the relief items, and soon all the necessary supplies were obtained
in local shops. The shop owners, knowing that the goods would be distributed
to their countrymen in Bam, were tremendously helpful. For example, one
owner who had sold slippers to the relief team offered his warehouse as
a place to store the supplies. Though the place was relatively small,
the workers managed to create space to store the provisions and pack everything
into gift packages on the night of January 7, 2004. Financial aid placed
in envelopes was also included in each package.
On the following afternoon, two trucks were loaded with the supplies amidst
a light drizzle, which local residents rejoiced at considering no rain
had fallen in the area for some time. While transporting the goods to
Bam, the relief team experienced a heavy downpour, which stopped upon
their arrival in the city. The aid packages were then unloaded into an
apartment belonging to an Iranian sister's family friend.
The apartment had an open courtyard where team members prepared more gift
packs for distribution. Fortunately, the apartment was also in a special
economic zone protected by security guards. The relief team is grateful
to Master for this caring arrangement.
As a safety precaution, the relief packages were distributed under the
cover of darkness, and on the first night the work went smoothly as both
personnel and gift packets were transported to the distribution area by
truck. The vehicle was parked outside the distribution zone and taxis
were used to transport personnel and gift packets. Then at various points,
team members went on foot to deliver Master's love and presents to the
quake victims.
Police escorts were present at some of the distribution points; so while
the aid packages were handed out, the truck was parked near a police post
for safety reasons. Upon observing this situation, the police offered
to load their sport utility vehicle with packages and even help |