Cannot Forget
As a child, I always heard my teachers say, "You are graduating next year, but we the teachers always stay in the same class." The words are still echoing in my ears, yet I have already grown up! Looking back at all the sunshine and rain on the way, I can hardly forget the warm touch of those hands that supported us. I can still see the forgiving smiles, and the tears of the young female teacher who was exasperated by our naughtiness. I am very grateful to you all -- my teachers, for helping and guiding me in those childish and innocent days.
I remember one year on Teacher's Day, Suma Ching Hai told all fellow practitioners to thank the teachers in each corner of the world, because their diligent and arduous teaching efforts have contributed greatly to the civilization of the world today. Therefore, She wanted everyone to pray for the blessing of all teachers!
How fortunate we are to have a perfect Master -- Suma Ching Hai, as our living paragon. We wish You and all the teachers in the world a happy Teacher's Day!
By Fellow Initiate Lin, Nantou, Formosa
I was initiated by Master in the second year of my teaching career. During my first year of teaching, I was keen on competition, and unwilling to ask humbly for advice from other teachers. My ego led me on a very rough path in my teaching . Unsuccessful in my profession, I had a strong urge to explore the meaning of life. I learned about Master through the introduction of a friend, and thus got initiation. Initially, after initiation, I did not sense any particular changes in myself. As time passed, however, I came to understand more about Master's teachings, directives, and painstaking intent. Subsequently, the bitterness and complaint in my heart were gradually subdued. Master's video and audio tapes have been my best teaching guidelines. When educating young children, I have often been amazed to find myself speaking many concise and appropriate metaphors that are understandable to them. Gradually, I have come to realize that on such occasions, it is Master's power functioning, providing proof of my opened wisdom. Occasionally, I have had insufficient time to conceive teaching plans or prepare teaching tools, but the results of my lessons have been very good. As I recall now, many of these teaching techniques were new to me. I had never thought of them, yet I could use them fluently and naturally. Some time later, I finally reached a conclusion: When I practice meditation diligently, my teaching will be smooth. If my practice is indolent, many problems and difficulties will arise.
The longer I follow Master in my practice, the better I understand myself, and the more clearly I can figure out the problems of my students. To me, Suma Ching Hai is not only a spiritual master, but also the best educator. Apart from helping me to raise my teaching techniques to a higher level, She also gives me distinct and precise ideas in counselling children; and these ideas have all been demonstrated by Master through Her own actions. I used to think, if I were compassionate and patient, the children would definitely improve. Only now do I realize that compassion without wisdom is undiscriminating compassion. How could I really treat my students with enough patience without truly understanding the cause of their problems?
Before initiation, I once decided to further my studies after teaching for several years. I even considered studying abroad. However, since initiation, when I have doubts in teaching my students, the first thing that comes into my mind is always Master's image. I deeply realize that, only through persistent practice to open our infinite inner wisdom, do we experience the most economical, yet most effective form of higher learning.
Ordinary people can hardly associate 'spiritual practice' with 'education,' but they are really related. Spiritual practice helps us to understand and improve ourselves. There is an ancient saying: "Teaching with actions is better than teaching with words." All the ancient saints and sages educated their disciples through the example of their own actions. Unfortunately, people today drill themselves only on knowledge and theories. Teachers may publish their own individual theories, but they cannot change students very much, because their understanding of children is limited. Once lost in the maze of theories, I am finally liberated, and realize that all the theories are incomplete. As I follow Master to practice now, I get to learn how to make up for these shortcomings.
In the past, I posed in front of my students as their only teacher. Now, with pride, I often introduce them to 'the Teacher of their teacher'-- Suma Ching Hai. Master, what a great, beautiful, magnificent, wise, and extraordinary mentor You are! You are the teacher of us all!
By Fellow Initiate Mei Zhi, Taichung, Formosa
If God had not given me the wisdom, I could not have overcome all the difficult situations in my life. If not for God's love, I would not have unceasing love for others.
I had been teaching for about seven years before I was initiated. Endless problems with my students often made me feel helpless and frustrated, and as though my spirit had dried out. I began to suspect the professional knowledge that I had studied so hard to acquire, and considered changing professions.
Since my initiation, the problems with my students still remain. In fact, there are even more incidents than before, and they are more serious. However, I am no longer afraid, because through the power of meditation, I have earned greater confidence and courage. Also, there is an endless loving power that accompanies me and my students in overcoming many hardships.
Over a long period of being together, my practical actions have made them feel that they are being cared for and acknowledged. Very often I will give them words of encouragement. Although still faced with setbacks, and even having my 'dignity as a teacher' impaired, I have attempted to change the general practice of giving punishments. I have introspected again about my own attitude, and learned to let go of my ego -- that untouchable 'dignity.' Surprisingly, I have received greater love and respect from my students, and the distance between us has shortened!
In my teaching career, Master's verbal and physical instructions to us provide teaching materials for my classroom practice, and also goals to which I can attain. Her 'Aphorisms' are golden words of encouragement and advice for me and my students; 'Master Tells Stories' and 'Humorous Wisdom' enliven the monotonous classroom routine. Master's humor defuses the rigid and tense atmosphere between teacher and students. Wearing the beautiful photos of Master not only remind me to fulfill my duties, but also enable students to know this unique enlightened Master.
Though being a teacher, I have continued to learn the lesson of spiritual practice from my students. I have come to realize deeply that only diligent practice and meditation can develop more wisdom to lead my students. I have very profound feelings on this Teachers' Day. Besides being grateful for Master's grace, I also encourage and expect myself to be a good student, and a good teacher.
Dear Master,
By Fellow Initiate Xiao Yu, Taichung, Formosa
It is very difficult and toilsome to be a teacher of children in today's society. However, it makes me realize how arduous Master's work is, and how great She must be.
This summer, my group of vocational high school students graduated, and as I exuded a sigh of relief, it felt as though a heavy burden had been lifted from my shoulders. Thinking back over the past few years, various types of problems frequently occurred among the students. They often made me cry and pray for them through countless sleepless nights. I also prayed to God to be merciful and give me wisdom and compassion in helping me handle all kinds of situations. Fortunately, everything worked out smoothly and now I can say my job is done.
On the day of graduation, several students who had been responsible for causing most of my headaches, presented me with bouquets of flowers, which surprised and touched me. Again, I could not sleep that night, and while I was thinking about Master, all manner of emotions and feelings welled up in my heart.
In fact, during those difficult days, Master was the one who most deserved to be thanked. It was Her invisible power and merciful heart that accompanied me and the students throughout, and every moment I could sense that She was just beside me. She listened to the words of my heart; She accepted my prayers; She resolved many difficult situations for me, and She did it all silently without complaint or regret, asking nothing in return.
I also received an "Outstanding Teacher" award from the high school for my efforts this year, and I know it is God who bestowed this encouragement on my feeble heart. Master is the one who really should have received the award. With Her selfless devotional spirit, She is the most excellent and the greatest teacher.
Today, my responsibility to this group of students is finally relieved. In addition, I can rest in the coming few months' of summer vacation, but Master, what about You? You always work without stopping. Have You ever had a good rest? My students have graduated, but Your students are not only far from their graduation date; their numbers are also increasing each day. When will Your responsibility end?
If we don't practice diligently to improve our inner qualities and enable ourselves to grow quickly, what difference is there between the playful, unmindful and immature students and us? What worthiness would there be in all of Master's painstaking efforts?
A Change Of Attitude Makes
The Teaching Go Smoothly
By Fellow Initiate Jiang, Taichung, Formosa
After over ten years of teaching regular primary school, I was transferred to special education -- teaching a group of severely hearing impaired children with normal intelligence. Only then did I discover that all my past teaching experience could not be applied.
Besides their hearing impairments, the children had their own unique characters. Some of them wailed for no apparent reason; some were overly introverted; some were hyperactive; some were physically handicapped due to brain-related paralysis; and also, there were those who loved to contradict new teachers. In order to make up for such handicaps, lessons have to be prepared with plenty of teaching aids to increase visual learning. Initially, I strove to teach by using many hand gestures and other body language in addition to speaking. The results of my efforts, however, were scant; usually I simply got blank stares from most of the students. The lessons proceeded with numerous interruptions from the hyperactive and disobedient children. At the end of each class, I would feel very exhausted, as though I had just fought and lost a battle; it was extremely frustrating.
In the past, it often took a long time before I could recover from the bad mood resulting from my job. Fortunately, during the year that I began working in special education I also received initiation from Master and began to practice the Quan Yin Method. Each time after I meditated, I felt as though I was recharged with energy; my mind was clear, my spirits were high, and all the frustrations of teaching left me. Meditation became the source of power that sustained me to continue teaching diligently.
After I heard Master talk about not being a sulky Buddha, and that knowledge was not of the utmost importance, I began to learn to control my emotions and lower my scholastic standards. I tried to focus on the good qualities of each student, and accept the children from my heart. Gradually, my teaching became more and more easy going. Hindered by their innate handicaps, the children's scholastic achievements were not up to par; however, their behavior made obvious improvements.
Looking back, I have noticed great changes in my mentality and attitude towards teaching. I give credit to Master for Her teachings and blessings; otherwise, I don't know when I would have broken free from my struggles and frustrations.
Master's Inspiration
By Fellow Initiate Richard, Indiana, USA (Originally In English)
Since my initiation, I have felt the power of Master's presence in the tutoring, editing, and writing work that I do in my own educational consulting business. Since receiving a Ph.D. in language education in the summer of last year, and for several years before that, I have been helping undergraduate and graduate students at Indiana University, USA, with academic research and the writing of doctoral dissertations, journal articles, papers, resumes, and other texts. I instruct students in research methods in education, psychology, and other subjects, edit and revise their work, and tutor them in English composition. I also do freelance writing and editing for professors, educational publishers, and other professional clients, including psychologists and teachers, as well as volunteer editing for Master's news magazine. All of this work involves teaching in one form or another, and I feel that Master has helped me to be more patient and understanding as an educator, and more efficient, dynamic and productive in all phases of my life.
In fact, the people that I work with on Master's magazine have noticed that a calmer and more tolerant attitude has come over me since my initiation. I edited the magazine for several months before initiation, and seemed to have less patience for what I perceived as others' slowness, lack of knowledge, and so on. But since I have been initiated by Master, I feel more loving and understanding toward my colleagues and also toward my tutoring and editing clients. I still have occasional periods when I lose my patience, but when this occurs I try to remember to recite the five Holy Names and think of Master, and then return to a more peaceful, compassionate, and centered state.
I find that Master's power helps me to see the positive qualities in the people with whom I work, and to understand the differences that might normally separate a tutor or teacher from his or her students, especially when the they are of different cultural backgrounds. Much of my tutoring and editing work involves helping non-native speakers of English from Formosa, Mainland China, Korea, Malaysia, and other countries improve their academic writing, study methods, and research. And this can be very frustrating for a perfectionist like myself, who tries to get everyone, no matter what their nationality or language, to write and speak the best possible English and work as effectively as possible in their studies. This 'pickyness' about language and academic work is difficult to overcome. However, with Master's help, I find myself becoming more and more patient with others and more able to identify with their cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Thank You, Suma Ching Hai, for giving me the inner strength and blessing to go beyond the outer form and see the true spiritual essence of others, and thus be more accepting of their personal differences and flaws, as well as of my own drawbacks and 'big ego,' which seems to be getting smaller each day under Master's watchful eye.
The Great Backer Behind
The Teacher
By Fellow Initiate Chang, Hsihu, Formosa
About a year ago, Cambodia requested that Master set up a language class at the local center there. Complying with their request, Master assigned several fellow practitioners from many countries to help improve the language ability of the local people.
I never dreamt that I was to become a teacher, because education is not an easy task. Unexpectedly, the first job that I did as part of Master's work was to teach! Carrying a text book on elementary Chinese conversation, a box of word-learning cards for children, and some marker pens, I set off for Cambodia immediately! I was not worried at all, because I have the greatest backer behind me.
The Chinese Class was launched, and enrolled a group of talented students. I could not speak Cambodian, and my English proficiency was not much better than my students'. Yet we managed to communicate successfully, and the class went on in high spirits. I was very grateful to God for granting me an extra 'bonus' each day -- two hours of wisdom!
When meditating every day, I kept praying to Master to give me the best inspiration and ideas to make the class relaxed, lively and useful. Subsequently, all sorts of ideas emerged like an incessant spring in me, and I could use any conceivable skills and resources in the class, including some children's song books over twenty years old. I never imagined that I could have talent in designing teaching materials. Sometimes, my mind was blank of any ideas the moment before I stepped into the classroom, and I was a bit worried. When I simply opened my mouth, it seemed as if the current was connected, and the teaching target of the day was accomplished in bliss!
No matter whether it is inside or outside, Master always helps us to the end. She will never let us down us by ignoring our sincere prayers for good causes!