GOD'S TEST OF ABRAHAM ¡@
Spoken By The Supreme Master Ching Hai, Hsihu Center, Formosa ¡@
June 10, 1990 (Originally In Chinese) ¡@
Once there was a family. The patriarch of the family was called Abraham. He did very well in his spiritual practice and was God's friend. One day, God told him to leave his home town promising, "If you follow my instructions -- leave your home town, and do what I tell you to do -- I'll make you the father of many nations." This meant that God would make him the national father of many nations.
God also promised to give Abraham a son and many other children to make his family very big. Hes said, "You'll have numerous children, as many as the stars in the sky." However, at that time, Abraham and his wife were very old. Although they had faith in God, they wondered, "How can that be? We're too old to bear children."
Many years passed. Each night when Abraham looked at the stars in the sky, he remembered God's words and felt very annoyed. He thought that God might have been joking. Finally, Abraham and his wife gave up hope completely.
The Child Given By God
However, unexpectedly, Abraham's wife conceived and gave birth to a boy. They rejoiced over his birth and named him Isaac. Many years later, Isaac became a big, tall, strong and handsome boy. Then God decided to test Abraham.
One day, God appeared to Abraham and said, "Abraham, I want you to take your only and most beloved son Isaac into the land of Moriah and offer him to me." Here, to "offer" means to kill or to sacrifice. Ancient people made sacrifices to gods or ghosts that way. Sometimes they sacrificed little boys or girls and sometimes cows, horses, pigs, et cetera.
Abraham couldn't believe this. He kept asking himself, "Does God really want me to kill my only son? Hes once promised me many children. How could Hes ever want to take away my only son?" He kept struggling within himself. However, he had learnt all his life to believe in God. Some people might believe in God only fifty percent, but he believed in God wholeheartedly. Therefore, the next morning, he prepared a lot of wood and matches, and then set out for Moriah with his son.
It took three days to get from their home to Moriah. They had to walk a long way to get there. With the passage of time, Abraham felt more and more pained and sad. Although he believed in God, he still struggled within and didn't have the heart to face the moment when they reached Moriah. Although he was hurting immensely, he didn't tell his son. No one knew about it except him.
Abraham Offers God His Son
When they were close to Moriah, his son Isaac asked him, "Father, we've prepared wood and matches in order to make an offering to God, but where's the lamb?" In the old times, people killed a lamb and burnt it to make an offering to God. That's why Isaac asked Abraham where the lamb was and why they had only wood and matches. At that time, his father sighed and replied, "Don't worry. God will Hirmself provide a lamb."
After they arrived at Moriah, they built an altar and piled the wood orderly. Then Abraham bound his son's arms and legs and placed him on the altar ready to sacrifice him. He told Isaac, "You're the lamb to sacrifice to God, because God wants you." Then he picked up the knife to slay his son.
However, at that moment, Abraham heard God call his name and say, "Abraham, don't kill him. Now I know that you truly have firm faith in me. This was only a test. Now I know to what extent you would follow my instructions. You don't need to kill your son. There's a lamb nearby. You may sacrifice that for me." That lamb was produced by God. God truly provided Hirmself with a lamb by producing one. So it wasn't a real lamb.
Abraham and his son were very glad and showed their gratitude to God. From then on, everything that God had promised Abraham came true. Abraham had many descendants, generation after generation. The story ends here.
Do you think that Abraham was a good father? (Audience: Yes.) It was very good to have such faith in God. Since all things are created by God, if God wants any of them back, we should return them to Hirm, for they belong to Hirm originally. Abraham and his wife were very old and had no hope of bearing any children, but they eventually had one. What a marvelous thing that was! The child was given by God. Since he came from God, why couldn't he go back to God? Right? (Audience: Yes.)
The Lesson Of Detachment
Why do most of us live in suffering? Because we hate to part with anything. We can't even part with a pair of ragged shoes, let alone our sons. Therefore, when we're separated from our lover or family, we are in a lot of pain and feel sad. That's because we don't understand that we'll all die sooner or later and no one can live forever. Even if we say that we love a person very dearly, if he dies tomorrow, will we die with him for love? (Audience: No.) Of course not! We should live on.
Among ancient romantic stories, there is one about a couple named Liang Shanbo and Juh Engtai (known as "the butterfly lovers"). It's said that they reincarnated seven times as human beings and wanted to get married during each lifetime, but they were always hindered. During their last lifetime together as human beings, even though they were not hindered, one of them died first and the other, due to extreme sorrow, fell ill and soon passed away too. Then they turned into two butterflies. They had to become butterflies to overcome the obstacles between them. That was a very difficult situation.
Therefore, if we cling to anything, our souls are harmed and our freedom is limited. Being butterflies seems carefree, but how many of us would like to give up our precious human bodies and become butterflies? Those two turned into butterflies because they clung too much to their love. They both had very strong willpower, so they stuck together and became butterflies. Since they loved each other so much, God couldn't be too harsh on them, because if they had reincarnated as human beings again, they would definitely have suffered and been hindered again. They were destined not be together as human beings.
In these kinds of stories, people who are indebted to each other or have an adverse affinity with each other always like to stick together, while those who have a smooth affinity with each other don't like each other much. The person in front of your nose, you don't like him much, but rather like the one who lives in the mountains very far away. The worse the affinity we have with each other, the more we like each other. This is human nature. People like complicated things or things that they've obtained through fighting. Only then do they think that these things are valuable.
The reason why the world is full of suffering is because people don't understand that there's actually no suffering at all. Even when we lose our own lives, we shouldn't feel sad, let alone when others lose their lives. We've had many children, life after life. We also have had many spouses, life after life. Even when we don't have any, God will arrange one for us.
You can see that the world population has long been balanced between numbers of men and women. Don't think that there're more women than men. No, that's not true. It's possible that there're more women in this place and less in that place, but the total numbers of men and women in this world are balanced. For example, there're more women in one country, while there're more men in another country. There would no longer be any problem if they could get together. But there're problems because worldly people don't get together. It's not that God hasn't given us what we need.
It's said that during wars, many men are killed, but many more women will get pregnant and give birth to more male infants. Is that true? (Audience: Yes.) This is a statistical conclusion, which has been obtained after lengthy research. So there's always one man for one woman. That's why God has made the rule that no one can have more than one spouse at a time, because should you have two, someone else will have none. Or if you're too greedy and have two spouses in this lifetime, you may have none in your next lifetime, because you'll have to compensate. Therefore, God has said that each person should have one spouse only so that he/she can have one in his/her next lifetime.
It was possible that Liang Shanbo and Juh Engtai each had had two or three spouses in their previous lifetimes. As a result of the Law of Cause and Effect, they couldn't have any in their later lifetimes. They couldn't even marry their most beloved. This was due to the Law of Cause and Effect. If they wanted to break free from this retribution, they had to become another kind of sentient being. Since they had strong willpower to break free from the retribution, they became butterflies.
Precepts Provide A Balanced Life For Us
The precepts are intended to enable us to live a balanced life and not have too much of everything this time and too little next time. This applies to eating or spending money. Don't consume anything too much, because you may run short of it tomorrow. Whatever we use, we should use only the proper amount of it. Similarly, the precepts are set up to enable us to balance the Yin and Yang. They're designed to save us from suffering, not to oppress or restrain us.
In the first story that I read to you about Adam and Eve, why did God withhold the apple from them? Because they had too many things already. The entire Garden of Eden had been given to them. The Garden of Eden refers to heaven, where there were all kinds of things. Adam and Eve didn't have to work or look for anything. They had enough of everything. However, consuming one apple made them suffer a lot.
If our so-called ancestors hadn't eaten that apple, we probably wouldn't have to suffer today. If they hadn't eaten the apple, they would have been pure and not aware of good and bad and had no discrimination.
They wanted to become like God. I don't know what's the good of becoming like God. Is it possible that God is a miserable person? I think that Hes is, because Hes had to create everything and take care of all the planets, all the people and all the sentient beings. Hes must be exhausted. Those who want to be God must be the most stupid.
So I advise you that you don't have to become God and you don't have to become a Buddha, as long as you're happy and peaceful, live moderately, and live with an ordinary mind. Why do you have to pray for eternal happiness? What for? The more we covet, the more we suffer. Yearning for anything is painful because we covet what we lack. Yet the more we covet, the more hurt we feel.
Take the romance of Liang Shanbo and Juh Engtai as an example. If they hadn't yearned to marry each other, they wouldn't have suffered. Why did it matter to marry? They could have taken their time looking for someone else. Even if they couldn't find anyone, it would have been fine for them to become a monk and nun. They suffered simply because they desired and coveted each other. Why bother?
Similarly, we spiritual practitioners shouldn't ask for too much. We should practice step by step. When the time is ripe, we'll have the results. Of course we must practice diligently. However, our sincerity is the most important. "The Buddha is in our hearts." When we're sincere, Hes will come out. If we do everything and even pursue spiritual practice for Hiers sake, we'll eventually get to know Hirm and become one with Hirm.
Three Kinds Of Practitioners
There're three kinds of spiritual practitioners. The first kind believes in God and obeys God, the second kind works for God, and the third kind, the highest of all, becomes one with God. Those who are one with God or become God attain this state naturally, not because they expect it. They're very sincere, of course, but they aren't expecting anything. Sincerity is different than expectation. I don't know how to tell you the difference between them, but it comes naturally. It's difficult to explain this in words. Sometimes we may get confused and think that expectation is sincerity, but they're actually different.
The first kind of spiritual practitioner likes to worship God and obey God, and then they're satisfied. They're happy to be able to worship God every day and think that there's a God who's higher than them and is taking care of them. If they can pray to Hirm every day, they're happy and don't ask for other things. This is the first kind.
The second kind of spiritual practitioner recognizes God, so they like to work for God. Whatever they do is for God. However, after they work for a while, they become more fond of their work than of God. So they begin to find more and more work to do and forget that their goal is to work for God. This kind of spiritual practitioner can earn a lot of merit. They can do many good deeds to liberate sentient beings, such as giving lectures, building temples, becoming monks or nuns, et cetera.
However, after they have worked for a long time, people may worship them, adore them, and think that they're virtuous. People may keep praising them. The more people praise them, the more they indulge in their work. Gradually, they become attached to doing good deeds and hence are never able to become one with God. These two kinds of spiritual practitioner can't attain the highest level, because one is attached to worshipping God and the other is attached to working in order to please God.
The third kind of spiritual practitioner may also worship God and do good deeds to please Hirm, but they know that these things are only secondary. What interests them the most is: "Who is God?" They not only want to worship God, not only want to work for God to please Hirm, but also want to know who God is in order to get hold of Hirm. This kind of spiritual practitioner will ultimately become one with God. However, very few people can attain this level. It's easy to talk about it, but it's hard to realize it.
What we see in our meditation every day represents our inner qualities. If we see the light, we know that we're the light. If we see darkness, we know that our inner qualities are still in the dark. Therefore, we can't stop our spiritual practice even for one day. We must keep seeking, just like we must eat every day and can't stop eating for one day. Well, not eating for one day may be fine, but not for many days.
The same applies to spiritual practice. We may think that it's boring to be vegetarian and meditate for two and a half hours every day. However, we eat every day, why haven't we gotten tired of eating? The food is similar every day, but we still eat it, because our bodies need it to grow and our cells need it to be nourished. Similarly, we meditate for two and a half hours every day, we do the same every day, because our souls need this to develop.
Don't think that spiritual practice has to be complicated, and you should do this hand gesture today, that head gesture tomorrow, and another foot gesture the day after tomorrow in order to do spiritual practice. No, you don't have to. For example, it's good enough if our food is simple. The more sophisticated our food is, the more trouble we'll make for ourselves, because the purpose of eating is to nourish our bodies anyhow. The more sophisticated the food we eat, the heavier the karma we incur. Besides, sophisticated food may not really be good. Our stomachs may not be able to take it. So we won't digest it and then get ill.
When we encounter a painful situation in which we have to part with something that we cherish, we shouldn't sink into sadness. Instead, we should think, "Will I die if I don't have it?" or "Is there any substitute that may be better than it?" In fact, there is. Sometimes we think that the person whom we have is the best, but after he leaves, we'll eventually find another person who is better and more suitable for us. Is that not so? When we get hold of something, we forget to look at anything else. Actually it might have been better if we had taken time to search for something better.
Attachment Is A Kind Of Habit
There's nothing that we really can't part with. We hold onto a thing because of habit and because we cling to it too much. When we stand in a place, we just stand there and don't want to move. When we get hold of a person, we just hold onto him and don't want to switch to another one. If two people get married and have a good relationship, of course they should be loyal to each other. However, if there is a problem such as he/she dies or one of them doesn't love the other anymore, the other person should retain an ordinary mind and shouldn't lose him/herself because of that person or because of anything.
When we're in grief, do we usually forget about our faith? Do we? (Audience: Yes.) If we grieve over the loss of a person, we may forget that all creation is one, that nothing has ever existed, and that everything is from the same origin. We shouldn't cling to the physical form of a person. When the form disappears, the person will go to another place and find himself another form.
For example, sometimes we love a rose or another kind of flower very dearly, and when the flower withers, we feel sorry. We can't bear to part with it and wish that it could exist forever. However, if every rose existed forever, how could there be more roses to come?
For another example, supposing there's a beautiful mango and we don't have the heart to eat it. We think that such a beautiful mango should swing on the branch forever; so we don't eat it. However, if we don't eat it, its seed can't fall onto the ground. When the mango tree gets old, it won't bear any more fruit, nor will we have another mango tree to replace it.
This applies to all other things in the world. We shouldn't grieve too much when we lose anything. It's possible that we'll get something more valuable tomorrow. There's a Chinese story about an old frontiersman who lost his horse. You're all very familiar with the story, but you still don't appreciate the value of pain and suffering.
Each time I've undergone surgery or gotten ill, my karma has been cleansed a lot. I' was very grateful! You may find this hard to believe. Sometimes I've even said, "If this can truly cleanse a lot of disasters, suffering and karma, let me get more illnesses." I was really glad. Of course when I was ill, I cried because it was very painful and couldn't stand it, but that didn't mean that I was unhappy or unwilling to accept it. No. Even though the pain was great, I was still willing to accept it.
When we're ill, it's truly the most glorious time of our lives. It can eliminate a lot of our darkness and heavy karma. If I hadn't had suffering, illness or pain in my life, I could not stand it, I could not digest the karma of sentient beings. Even if one has a lot of merit, one still cannot digest that much karma all at once. I could have repaid it slowly, but then when would I be finished with it? There're many sentient beings, I don't have enough time to do it slowly.
So God has Hiers own system. Hes can help us to cleanse our karma. Since Hes has let us take along so much "garbage," Hes will help us once in a while by sending a "vehicle" or people to transport our "luggage". So when you have a disaster or illness, don't complain, but be grateful to God instead. Without suffering and illness, our spiritual level can't be elevated, because we have too much karma. Even if we have no karma ourselves, we're still carrying the karma of our ancestors.
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BK.TXT
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Life After Life
By Raymond A. Moody, Jr. M.D.
Published By Bantam & Mockingbird Books,
Georgia, U.S.A. 1975
By Sister Initiate Carolyn Adamson, Texas, U.S.A.(Originally In English)
Life After Life, originally published in 1975, is a compilation of 150 case studies collected over a five year period. The subjects, all of whom had experienced "clinical death," narrated details of their "near death experiences" to the author. The incidents, very similar in many respects, included a sensation of floating outside of the physical body, associated with feelings of peace and oneness. Most subjects told of another "person" who helped them in their transition to another plane of existence.
A typical, composite experience was described: A dying man reaches the point of his greatest physical distress and hears himself pronounced dead by his doctor. He begins to hear an uncomfortable noise, a loud ringing or buzzing, and simultaneously feels himself moving very rapidly through a long, dark tunnel. Then he suddenly finds himself outside of his own physical body.
Spirits of relatives and friends who have already died come to meet him, and a loving, warm being of light appears before him. This being nonverbally asks him a question to make him evaluate his life and shows him a panoramic replay of the major events of his life. Later, he sees himself approaching some impassable barrier, and he discovers that he must return to earth, that the time for his death has not yet come.
Enraptured with feelings of joy, love and peace, he resists, but is forced to return. Later, when he tries to tell family members or friends of the incident, he realizes that he has no human words to describe what had happened to him. Others scoff at him, so he stops talking about it, but finds that the experience has profoundly affected his life, especially his views about death and its relationship to life.
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CL1.TXT
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The True Story Of A Baby Squirrel
By Sister Initiate Hannah M. Vu, Indiana, U.S.A.
(Originally In English)
It was a sunny afternoon in fall, and trees started to display beautiful red and gold colors. The air was still warm although there was a cool breeze.
In the back yard of a junior high school, a boy named Dan was waiting for school to finish so he could get a ride home with a friend. While he was playing, a little squirrel came towards him. He looked so small and cute, like he was only a few weeks old. As if having known the boy before, the squirrel went straight to Dan without fear. Dan noticed one of its legs was injured. While marveling at the cute creature without fear, he let the squirrel grasp his pant and climb up to his shoulder. When Dan's friends came out, they thought the squirrel was his own pet. Dan happily accepted that and named the 'male' squirrel "Cluster".
On the way home, Cluster looked very contented in the understanding that Dan was not kidnapping him. Dan only wanted to help a lost and crippled baby animal who needed to be with someone. Cluster's family was probably too fast for him to keep up with, so he was simply lost and hungry.
The squirrel showed no sign of wanting to run away, so Dan's whole family rejoiced with so much love in their hearts. Dan and his younger brother had long been wanting a pet, but because his family were initiates, they knew having a pet could create a lot of problems. Two weeks previously, Dan had asked his mother yet again to allow him to have a hamster, if not a dog or cat. But his mother is scared of rats, hamsters are a kind of rat; they give her goose bumps!
But when Cluster came, Dan knew God had kindly granted his wish. Cluster was so easy to take care of. Besides some food and a small space for him to sleep, he required almost nothing. He was so cute and helpless that Dan's parents couldn't possibly refuse him. And best of all he was vegetarian by nature. His diet was mainly nuts. Therefore, the family loved Cluster so much that they went 'nuts' over him.
On the first day that Cluster arrived, they immediately bought him a flea collar. All the fleas on his body quickly disappeared overnight. The next morning, Cluster got his own little box padded with a soft furry material that was designed for cats, as well as a lot of nuts to eat. Since his teeth were not strong enough to break a nut shell, the nuts were all cracked for him.
For the first few days he enjoyed raw peanuts, then Dan switched his diet to walnuts, then pecans, then hazel nuts and then...almonds!! Finally, Dan's mother had to buy bags of mixed nuts. She spoiled the squirrel so much that she would give the whole bag to him to choose himself.
Like a kitten, the squirrel was very clean and hated being bathed. Every day he would use his tongue to clean his fur. But better than a kitten, his "toilet" needed only to be a piece of absorbent paper towel next to his "house," that could be changed each time he wetted. The most amazing thing was that he NEVER wetted on people, carpets or any surface that could not be wiped. He would often hold his bladder until he found a suitable spot. Sometimes the family traveled and had to leave Cluster where there was no "toilet" facility. When this happened he simply didn't drink. That was surely a miracle and Dan believed even more that it was Master who gave him the pet.
Dan insisted that his mother take Cluster to the vet to mend his hind leg because Dan couldn't stand seeing Cluster suffer. But the vet refused to help because he was "only a wild animal". Mercifully, Master healed him several days later, completely! He became a happy, playful animal. Soon, he became adventurous around the house and discovered new things about the human world. He did not hesitate to climb onto members of his new family, comfortably lay on their laps or shoulders, and doze off.
One thing Cluster enjoyed doing was to chew on wood. Since wild squirrels mostly eat acorns, which are the round hard-shelled nuts of oak trees, they need to sharpen their teeth daily. Sometimes, Cluster was taken outdoors to play, but he didn't show much interest.
The fall quickly passed, and the cold weather of winter approached, bringing gusty winds and snow. Little Cluster felt lucky he didn't have to be outside, taking refuge inside a little cave somewhere like other wild animals. Best of all he didn't have to look for old acorns left on the ground from the last season -- if there were any left at all. The gardener who worked in the area brought Cluster a long tree branch with a few branches for him to climb, chew, or just sit on. It became his gymnastic equipment.
The backyard of Dan's home is a small wooded area. Once in a while other squirrels would come timidly to look for nuts. When Dan and his younger brother introduced Cluster to them, they looked at Cluster wondering, but he seemed not to care. The boys really enjoyed giving their animal neighbors some nuts in a shell. These friendly squirrels would hold the nuts, one at a time, in their mouths, then carry them to the nearby yard to look for a spot to bury them for another meal later. Then they would come back up to the house to pick up some more, leaving only the last one to eat. It's amazing how squirrels can remember the places where they buried nuts many days before.
Cluster was so smart and loving that sometimes Dan felt like he was not a wild animal but a member of the family, having a soul of a human. Cluster loved his adopted family and very much enjoyed their embracing and caressing. But if any guest or stranger approached him, he would hide behind his little house or run to one of the family.
Who said animals don't have souls? And who would have the heart to hunt or eat such an animal for the mere joy of it? Dan knows animals are such lovely beings and wishes humans and animals could live happily in peace together.
Spring came, the fierce cold weather turned mild, and the ground became a soft carpet of green grass. One day, Dan's mother opened the patio door for some cool fresh air and Cluster went out to experience the world outside. It was beautiful, so open and free. Even though the family loved him very much, they had no intention of keeping him if he didn't want to be kept. After a while, he came back, possibly thinking whether or not he should leave. The next day, he went out to the patio again. This time he decided to experience more of the outside world. He sat on the deck a long time, smelling, looking at nature, the lawn and the woods out there. Whoa! He probably didn't know life could be better than it had been. He perhaps thought: "I really like outside better!", as he went down the deck to the yard and the trees. A wonderful new adventure was waiting for him.
Cluster did not come back. Dan and his brother went looking for him, but it was so vast outside, he was probably already far away in the woods somewhere. It was no use, but they missed him so much. Every day they looked outside, hoping to see if Cluster would return. But he never did. He had gone forever, starting his new independent life. They prayed that his flea collar would fall off so his neck could grow normally. One time, luckily, his collar did come off, as Cluster had chewed it half way through. May God's care always be with him.
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CL2.TXT
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A Happy Family On the Spiritual Path
By Little Initiate Chuang Ya-Ching, 12 years old, Taipei, Formosa
I've been initiated for several years. When I was in kindergarten, I believed in Master very much and requested my parents' permission for initiation.
Before we met Master, Dad was very hot-tempered and always took it out on us. After initiation however, he was not violent anymore. Even when we were naughty, he just told us to behave.
Mom hardly ever cooked in the past. She always bought us food from outside. But now she has learned how to cook quite a few vegetarian cookies and cakes, and often makes them for us. How lucky we are to enjoy her food!
My sister and I used to do poorly at school; but since our initiation, we have been meditating and have improved in the recent exams. My younger brother used to be afraid of taking bitter tasting medicine, but now he has overcome this.
All these great changes in my family came due to the Quan Yin Method. Thank You, Master, for making every effort to take care of us and reduce our karma.
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CL3.TXT
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Encountering Extraterrestrials
By Little Sister Initiate Ban Bi, 8 years old, Taoyuan, Formosa
One night, my dad gave me too much coffee to drink. I tossed and turned in bed and couldn't fall asleep. I was thinking, "I really want to fly!" and suddenly, I saw a white UFO outside the window. I felt curious, so I went to the window and jumped out. I ended up on the neighbor's roof and saw the UFO land on the roof. Suddenly, some strange looking beings came out of the UFO. Their heads looked like those of pandas and their bodies like frogs. They had antennas on their heads and no noses. Their eyes were on the top of their heads, and their arms were able to stretch and retract at will.
I said to them in Mandarin, "Are you ETs?"
They nodded and said, "Yes, we are." Then they said to me, "Come to our planet," and they took me away in their space craft.
After I arrived on the ETs' planet, I saw many strange things. For instance, the trees and their leaves all grew downwards. Everything that I saw there was different to what's on our Earth.
The ETs told me, "You can live here for as long as you like." So I lived there for thirty days and then I was sent back home by the ETs. However, when I looked at the clock at home, it was only 3:30 in the morning, and only then did I set my mind at rest.
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CL4.TXT
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Fearless Little Bodhisattva
By Little Initiate Chen Wei-Ting, 12 years old,
Taipei, Formosa
I have learned many things from spiritual practice in my daily life. For example, once I hurt my foot and had to have an operation; I was very afraid. I concentrated on reciting Master's name. Strangely, the seven shots of anesthetic I had to have were not painful at all.
Another time, when I was going to have an exam, I was afraid of not doing as well as before, so I stayed up all night praying to Master and reciting Her name. Later, I became the head of the class.
Also, once I was having my tooth pulled. The tooth wouldn't come out but instead kept bleeding. Mom told me to concentrate on the wisdom eye and meditate. After I did this, the tooth finally came out, without any further bleeding!
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CONTENTS.TXT
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Contents
In my Father's
house, there are many mansions
full of heavenly glory.
2 Master's Words
A Repeated Reminder
4 The Supreme Master Panorama
Australia/The Solomon Islands/Singapore
Formosa/South Africa/Puerto Rico/Panama/Chile
6/13 Aphorisms
12 Love In Action
Soothing Wounds Of The Earth With Love
12 Media Report
Iran Appeals For Quake Relief
13/35 While On The Path
Ching Hai -- The Pure Ocean
What We Have Is Just Right For Us
Be Brave In Doing What Is Right
Seek You First The Kingdom Of God, Then All Other Things Shall Be Added Onto You
14 Master Says
Death And Enlightenment
20 Introductory Book Note
Life After Life
20/44 Pearls Of Wisdom
Ego Trick
21 Master Tells A Joke
Illusion And Marriage
21 Elevation Of The Soul
22 Special Report
Under The Silver Moonlight
24 Supreme Art
Overflowing Bliss
The Revelation Of Big (Inner Cover)
29/42 Poems
Endless Love, Endless Suffering
A Lantern Kept On For You
Who Am I?
30 Bible Story
God's Test Of Abraham
33 A Joke
Story Of Planet "Z"
39/45 Little Initiates' Column
The True Story Of A Baby Squirrel
Encountering Extraterrestrials
Fearless Little Bodhisattva
A Happy Family On The Spiritual Path
43 Selected Questions & Answers
Confusion Of Artists
The Horror Of Drugs
46 Our Liaison Practitioners Throughout The World
48 Vegetarian Restaurants Throughout The World
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ES.TXT
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Elevation Of The Soul
The Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest Videotapes
* Blessing The World With Spiritual Practice (Part 1)
International 4-Day Retreat, Sydney, Australia
May 9-12, 1997
* Be Determined On The Spiritual Path (Part 2)
International 4-Day Retreat, Sydney, Australia
May 9-12, 1997
* Meditating Wholeheartedly (Part 3)
International 4-Day Retreat, Sydney, Australia
May 9-12, 1997
* Let Your Life Be Harmonious And Beautiful (Part 4)
International 4-Day Retreat, Sydney, Australia
May 9-12, 1997
* Take The Love Back With You (Part 5)
International 4-Day Retreat, Sydney, Australia
May 9-12, 1997
* Mother's Day Celebration
International 4-Day Retreat, Sydney, Australia
May 9-12, 1997
* Real Blessings Come With The Inner Connection With A Real
Master (Part 1 & 2)
Group Meditation, Surabaya, Indonesia
March 19, 1997
* Walk The Way Of Love
Group Meditation, London Airport, UK
April 20, 1995
* The Unsurpassed Benefits Of Taking Refuge In The Buddha
Group Meditation, Hsihu Center, Formosa
February 17, 1996
* Real Blessings Come With The Inner Connection With A Real
Master (Part 1 & 2)
Group Meditation, Surabaya, Indonesia
March 19, 1997
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JK.TXT
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Illusion
About
Marriage
Spoken By The Supreme Master Ching Hai, Hsihu, Formosa
February 19, 1996 (Originally In English)
It's a true story. I know a person, not a friend, just an acquaintance. While we met, probably a few years ago, he told me that he was not married. I said, "Why not?"
He said, "Well, I have not had the time yet."
Yeah, very busy and all that.
So I said, "Okay, so when is the time then you will marry?"
He said, "Yes, of course, I like very much to get married and I've some person already that I want to marry."
I asked him, "What is the reason you want to get married?"
He told me, "Well, it's a very sad life to be a bachelor."
For example, when he has a glass of juice or drinks something in the morning, then hurries to go to work and puts the glass on the table without cleaning or putting it away, after he has worked all day long, he comes back in the evening (laughter), the glass is still there. No one moved it away or tidied up for him. So he feels like it's pretty untidy, cold and unwelcoming. He would like to get married. It would be better.
After some time, I heard that he was married.
I said, "Oh, good! Congratulations! Ah, now you are married."
He said, "Yes."
I said, "Well, I wish you all the best luck in the world. I still remember the story you told me about the empty glass on the table which you put in the morning after breakfast and it still stayed there until after you got back from work in the evening. So what happened now to the glass story? Did it change?"
He said, "Oh, yes, it changed. There are two glasses on the table when I come back." (Master and everyone laugh. Applause)
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JK2.TXT
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Story of "Planet Z"
By Hsinchu News Group, Formosa
Brother initiate Liu is a Master's degree student in computer science research. His immense talent has attracted much attention from the information technology industry. Since he is rather petite and has a pair of oversized ears, we often jokingly called him "E.T.". He responds by telling us that he comes from "Planet Z". Being so naive, we immediately associated the "Z" with the flash sign in the Future Buddha collection of Master's Celestial Jewelry. Consequently, our beautiful imaginations about "Planet Z" went wild. However, brother Liu's description of the planet was like this:
"Long, long ago, in a remote corner of the universe was a mysterious planet called 'Planet Z'. All the inhabitants on this planet had a 'Z' shaped halo on their heads. While meditating, the more deeply they fell asleep, the bigger would be the size of the 'Z' halo, indicating their level. It would be something like this: zzzZZZ... This was considered an international language. So, the next time when you hear someone snoring, you will know what language they are speaking, or where they came from."::::::::::::::
MS.TXT
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Death And Enlightenment
Spoken By The Supreme Master Ching Hai, San Jose, Costa Rica
November 22, 1989 (Originally In English)
Tonight, I would like to offer you some ideas about what happens after one leaves this world, because when we are living in this world we already know what to do. Most people do not know what happens after we depart from this world. I would like to also make a comparison between enlightenment and the experience of so-called "death".
Actually when we die we do not die, we just change physical appearance; or sometimes we just forsake our physical appearance for a short period of time; or maybe even long period of time, maybe many hundreds of years, maybe many days, maybe many thousands of years. Then we may come back again to this world to express our wisdom and experiences through a physical instrument again.
Enlightenment Is Dying Daily
In the Bible, one of the saints stated that he died daily. In other places, it is stated that it's important to learn to die so that you may begin to live. Also in other places, it's stated something like if you forsake your life then you will gain life. So when we read the Bible and come across such sentences, we may become very puzzled. How is it possible that we die in order to live? How is it possible that one can die daily? How is it possible that we must forsake life in order to gain life?
I think many of you would have read a book called "Life After Life," in which an American doctor has collected many stories about people who have died and come back to life; and nearly all of them expressed the same experiences. That is, after they died, or they left this physical body, they felt a great sense of joy and freedom; they were able to fly to some far away country in some kind of vehicle that looked like a tunnel and then were welcomed by some beings who were full of light, love and assistance.
When we experience so-called enlightenment, we have similar experiences to some extent. That's why we heard that "I die daily". The enlightenment means we are connected with the higher frequencies of the higher worlds. Now in this universe, we are not the only beings and also our lives in this world are not the only life that we've ever lived. So if we get the so-called enlightened experience, that means we are at that moment connected with the higher world and sometimes relive our past glorious experiences in the glorious world.
We have not always been human beings. We have sometimes been Buddhas, angels, saints, Bodhisattvas. Bodhisattva means saint in Christian terminology -- just a non-translatable term from Sanskrit. Bodhi means enlightened, sattva means being. Now we have lived many lives in different worlds. Sometimes we have lived our lives in a very glorious and intelligent world. But when we came to this world, most of people forgot their past. So when we get enlightenment, then sometimes we will remember these past memories. Then we can trace back to where we belong, where we came from, and we begin to realize how great a being we are.
Just the same with the dying experience of some people. When they go through the so-called dying experience, most people will see a kind of reflection of all their life's experiences, which flashes before their eyes like a movie. But mostly these so-called dead persons can only have the experiences of this life shown to them in the other worlds. But the enlightened person can see many, many lives back, thousands or hundreds of many thousands of years time and not only the experiences in this world or in this life -- many worlds.
So after such a knowledge, the person realizes that he is not an ordinary person, but a Buddha or a Christ consciousness. That is how Jesus proclaimed Himself to be the son of heaven, and the Buddha proclaimed Himself to be the enlightened one, the Buddha. Buddha also means Christ. Christ means the level of God consciousness. So Buddha is a Sanskrit term for Christ. Christ is the Hebrew term for Buddha. If we reach this kind of level of understanding and wisdom, we will also realize that we are Buddhas, we are Christs.
If we do not get the highest enlightenment, then we can only experience some kind of -- like the death experience. We can go to some kind of astral world or little higher world after we leave this world. But if we have the higher level of enlightenment or higher level of attainment through daily meditation and practice, then we can reach higher worlds, which represent the higher wisdom, and the higher glory.
Jesus said, In my Father's house there are many mansions. Yeah, that's what He meant. In the Bible it's also recorded that someone was caught up in the third heaven. In the Bible it didn't say how many heavens, but if there is a third heaven, there must be a second and a fourth.
Similarly, in Buddhism the Buddha has described many different Buddha Lands, and many levels in one Buddha Land. For example, there is a land of Amitabha Buddha. This land has divided itself into nine levels, from the lowest to the highest. Those with meager virtues and practice will stay in the lowest level for many thousand years. He will stay there until finally he gets the greater awakening through daily learning with the higher Buddhas or enlightened beings, then he will also go to the highest level.
I think it is similar to our school, like in high school we have many classes. Now when we have the so-called enlightened experience, it is similar to when we die -- we just leave the physical body temporarily and we come back again, just like those after death experiences in the book of the American doctor.
Prepare For Death
What makes dying so painful and difficult is the inexperience of death. If we have learned how to die every day, then it's very pleasant. Most people when they die, they are so fearful that they may lose this world. Because they do not know that there are better worlds, more beautiful, more pleasant, more happy awaiting them, they cling to these well-known surroundings, also cling to the loved ones. This makes us struggle between the spiritual body and the physical body and that's how it results in pain.
If we know dying is just a kind of rebirth, then we will not fear. We will look forward to it when the time comes. Now how to prepare for that beautiful day? Many people prepare for birth, for weddings, but do not prepare for death. Actually death is the biggest day. It should be the most important day. In birth we only have our physical bodies, limited freedom and very slow process of growth. But in death, we gain a vaster freedom, a more beautiful and flexible body, a greater wisdom and more beautiful world to live in -- for resting, for learning, for improving, for progressing.
So actually death is a very helpful event to speed up our evolution, to make us ascend quicker to higher wisdom. But in order to gain this status after death, we should also take care that the experiences we summon during this Earthly life are of a more pleasant type, more virtuous, so that when we leave this physical world, we will have no regrets, no guilty feelings and no attachments, so we just ascend very quickly and very happily.
When people leave the physical body, there are some other obstacles adding to their pain -- they are the crying, and grief of the loved ones who are left behind. Most people cry when their loved ones die, and grieve for many months, many years. Well, that for us is also understandable because we've lost a loved one, a good friend, a companion and we do not know where that friend has gone to; if his or her life would be better after this world; if anyone takes care of him. Therefore, we grieve and feel attached to that departed soul. Consequently, this sentiment will also hold up the departed soul and inhibit him in some way; also lessen the intensity of his joy and limit some of his freedom.
So the best way and the correct way is not to grieve when a loved one dies. I know this is difficult, but it's the higher kind of sacrifice and love. We should feel happy that the soul is released from the physical limitation, from this "prison house"; that the soul is freer to fly anywhere, to learn many things, and to do the many things that he loves to do. But because we cannot glimpse into the after world, we can't rejoice at the death of a friend or a relative.
We can learn to glimpse into the after world through a very scientific method. We can learn to know how to die; we can learn to look beyond this life into many other planets, many other dimensions and feel secure and assured of the happiness of the life after this life; and we can see also where our loved ones have gone. Also we can choose our place to go after we leave this physical world. In this way we will never fear death and we will not cry if someone leaves us. Or at least if we cry we don't feel such a burden, a heavy sense of loss and sorrow. We might cry in joy and gratitude.
Our Lives Are More Positive
After Enlightenment
When we have such experiences of beyond this world, we call this enlightenment. There are many levels of enlightenment. And at the time of initiation with a competent Master, we will have some part of this enlightenment experience. We can see beyond this world into some glorious worlds and have the experience of leaving the body and coming back again, exactly like when we die. Then we know how pleasant dying can be, we will lose the attachment for this world, and we will lose any kind of heavy sense of sorrow and misery.
Some people say that after they have come back from the other world to this world, they feel that they do not like this world anymore because they have known a better world. But also paradoxically, they love life. It isn't that they become depressed or want to die. It's not so, because they know life is a continuous process, and that they never die. That is what makes people more positive, more encouraged that they try to live a more fulfilling life, a more beneficial life, a more conducive life to society and to themselves.
That's why we read in many scriptures that all the saints always work ceaselessly for humanity's benefit. They dedicate their lives, energy and wisdom to the service of humankind, especially in the spiritual field. Look at the life of Jesus. We do not have to say that He was a very great son of heaven. It's enough to look at His life to know that He was a saint. Now, we know that He walked every day from place to place, enduring much hardship and poverty, in order to preach the Truth, in order to remind people of God. He did not need to do that. You remember He multiplied the bread and fed about five thousand people, and you remember He made water into wine. Such a man would not need to endure poverty. But He chose to do so in order to serve humankind; in order to awaken people to the Truth, the principle of God, to help them come out of misery, of ignorance.
Now, let's come to the life of Buddha. No need to say that Buddha was not a Catholic, was not a Christian. He was as much Christian as Jesus. Jesus was as much Buddhist as Buddha. Now what did the Buddha do? Exactly the same as Jesus. When we read the Buddhist sutras, we know Buddha had limitless power and also in worldly life, He had a very high position. He could have been the king of the nation, but He forsook it all and endured poverty and hardship, traveling from place to place, humbly begging for His food so that He could preach the Truth. He did not need the food even. But He did so as an act of humility, as an act of grace so that those who gave it to Him, may it be so little, would receive some blessings in return; would learn the act of giving and selfless service. The same with Jesus, He didn't need to beg for food or He didn't need anyone to offer to Him. He just did so, so that people gained some blessings and wisdom.
What makes these saints so selfless is that they have gained knowledge into the ever continuing life, that they have gained happiness from enlightenment. They also want to share this joyous experience with others, because they know how miserable it is to be ignorant and that many errors, many mistakes, many crimes come from ignorance. There are no criminals in the world. The greatest criminal is ignorance! If we know the secret of life, if we know how to love life, if we are enlightened, we would not commit any crime. Therefore anyone who makes mistakes, commits any crime at all, they are not to be blamed. Ignorance is to be blamed.
Therefore, the saints instead of condemning people, they teach people how to get out of ignorance, how to know themselves, how to put their great wisdom to use. I mean how to make use of their wisdom, because everyone has wisdom hidden within ourselves. That's what we call the Kingdom of God, glory, knowing or love. When we find this Kingdom of God, whether by our own effort or by learning from someone who knows, we begin to feel a sense of fulfillment! We begin to feel the love and positive attitude towards life. That's why all the saints in the past worked very hard to enlighten people; even though by doing so, they had to endure many kinds of criticism, misunderstandings and hardships, sometimes even risking their lives.
In the case of Jesus and Socrates, also Buddha, many people wanted to kill them, blacken their names. But despite all of the difficulties, the saints always endure for the sake of people. The saints are the greatest peace-makers, the greatest politicians, who always bring peace to the world -- the kings without any thrones because they don't need anything in this world.
Jesus said that His Kingdom was in heaven. Buddha forsook the Earthly kingdom. They have a greater Kingdom within, we call the Kingdom of God. Seek you first the Kingdom of God and all other things shall be added onto you, it is truly so.
After we have gained the Kingdom of God, we have no desire for the kingdom of this world. Remember when Jesus was in the desert meditating, and the King of Maya came -- Devil, Satan came to Him and said: If you bow to me, I will give you the kingdom of the three worlds.
Jesus said: Go behind me.
Means go away. He did not need this, not even the kingdom of the Three Worlds, not one world. The kingdom of the Three Worlds, included the third heaven, but Jesus did not need this. When Buddha sat under the Bodhi tree for forty-nine days, the so-called negative force tried to seduce Him in many ways, offered Him many things; but He did not want. So for those enlightened souls, even though people praised them as kings, it's not in the sense of the worldly kings. But worldly people cannot understand this due to their ignorance and jealousy, which is common within the human brain, within the human behavior.
When Jesus was alive, many politicians at that time were jealous of Him; and because of that, they killed Him. It was because they misunderstood Him. If they knew, truly He didn't care about anything in this world, they wouldn't fear His influence.
Establish A Heavenly "Telephone" Connection
Enlightenment is always necessary, even if we want to be in this world, even if we do not want heaven. In China we say, "First be enlightened." Means cultivate yourself, then we can take care of the household; then further, we can take care of the nation; and further, we can bring peace into the world. So if we practice self-cultivation, we contribute to peace in the world without having to say anything, without having to be in any peace conference. Peace will rain upon the world automatically, naturally.
How to practice self-cultivation in everyday life? It's very simple. We should remember the commandments, try our best to keep them. If we fail, we try again. Yes, always turn to God, to the Buddhas for help and guidance. A Buddha means an enlightened Master of the past, present and future. If we truly ask them for help, they will give us help.
Many people go to the church, go to the temple to pray. But sometimes it is difficult to get in touch with these Buddhas or the God-power. Therefore we feel that our prayers are not fulfilled, because our connection is severed. Just like our telephone is disconnected; so if we talk on the telephone, it is a useless attempt. We can only make noise and the neighbor would hear us, but not our needed person in the distance. Even though our friends are a very long distance away, through the connection of the telephone wires, we can talk to them like I am talking to you now.
Similarly, even though God is supposed to be very far away in heaven, or the enlightened Masters are supposed to be in the Buddha Land somewhere very high, very far away, through a connection, although invisible to the eyes, we can contact them and get help from them. That contact is offered through the so-called initiation or what we call true baptism, like John the Baptist did, like Jesus did. That is why the necessity for a physical Master. Otherwise, Jesus didn't need to come here, Buddha didn't need to come here, many other saints didn't need to come here. They know our calls, but we cannot receive their answers. So they have to come here and make the direct link between heaven and Earth. Then, we are no longer separated from the universe.
Of course, whenever the saints come to this world, not many people will come to them, not all of the world anyhow, but some will come. Just like we have some public telephones, better than none at all. So, through these public telephones we can make contact with other people, even though we don't have a private phone ourselves. Similarly, those who follow the saints, the higher disciples will act as a public link between heaven and Earth. Maybe not too many, but it's still useful. Of course the more the better.
Similarly, if we ourselves have a telephone, then, we can directly and every time connect with heaven. Masters, like Jesus and Buddha, offer this kind of service -- to establish the heavenly "telephone". Then every time we pray, our prayers will be answered. We will know it intuitively or very clearly, visibly; it depends on our level of practice and understanding. Some people are higher in consciousness, some people are lower. It depends on their background and their strength of practice in this life.
Some kinds of diseases are incurable, even though they are very common diseases. I am not talking about new diseases which have no medicine at the moment. It is because these diseases are deeply rooted in the past life, and the doctors and the scientists cannot go beyond the present conditions into the very far past existence in order to find out the root cause. If these people however get enlightenment themselves, they will know how to cure themselves. They cure by their own wisdom, by their understanding of why this has happened. Oh, they can know this intuitively or it can be visibly clear. It depends also on their practice. If we are highly elevated souls, we will see things more clearly and visibly. If we are some kind of so-called beginner then of course, we do not see things very clearly but only intuitively. But even just knowing a little of our real life would help us immensely.
Therefore, the saints always encourage people; emphasize that people should be enlightened, should get in touch with the Kingdom of God, with the God-power. We can do so during this lifetime. We need not wait until we die and go through the painful experience of so-called death. If we wait for the dying process to take over in order to learn, in order to get contact with heaven, then our learning would be very limited, our level of understanding would not be so high. If we learn to die during this life, we have more chance to advance into a higher wisdom. And we can do so just like we learn any kind of hobby, new science or new subject. We learn side by side with other duties. We can keep our normal lives and positions, but we save some time every day to learn this beyond-life science.
To learn this science, we have no need for academic titles, any educational background or any financial status. It is all free of charge, because the wisdom that we gain is from ourselves. Therefore any real Master never charges the student any money, because it's our own treasure that we discover again.
If I tell you that in your house there is a hidden treasure. Well! Do I have any credit for it? I can't claim any credit for it because the treasure is yours. I only know where it is and just tell you.
God's Power Works Through A Living Master
The Kingdom of God is within us. Buddha Nature is within us. The Bible, the scriptures tells us so. And it's truly so: Know you not that you are the temple of God and the Holy Spirit dwells within you. If the Holy Sprit dwells within us, we should find him, and ask him what he is doing there all the time. Why he leaves us in darkness. Why he doesn't hear our calls. Why he doesn't take care of our lives and make them better. He is dying to help us, but we didn't ask or we asked the wrong way.
In the Bible it says: Knock and it shall be opened. Ask and it will be given unto you. But you say you have been asking every day in the church and at home. Why haven't you receive? You forgot what Jesus said: Ask, but in my name. Then God will give to you! Do we have to ask God in His name? And: No one will come to the Father except through me. Does it mean that Jesus is bigger than God? Yes? No. It's only His job. For example if we want to see the president, we can't just drive through and go in. We have to ask his secretary, make an appointment with his deputy or whoever is in charge of the appointments for guests. Is that not so? Doesn't mean the secretary, the deputy or the person in charge is greater than the president. It's just his job.
So now, you also would tell me, "But I ask Jesus every day. We are a Catholic country, Christian country. You don't tell me what to do. You're Buddhist." No, I am not Buddhist I am "Godist". Buddhists, Christians are all "Godists". We just call God different names in different countries. Just like here you call your wife "querida". In America they call her "my wife". In Chinese they call her "tai tai". In Au Lac they call her "vo toi". So many different names for one title.
So why is it if we ask God in the name of Jesus every day in a church and we also don't receive any grace or light? It is because Jesus has left the physical world. His job is done here. So we have to find someone else who is a Comforter, as Jesus has promised to send after He left the world. Those so-called Comforters are those who do the job of Jesus, continue the work that He had not finished, because Jesus said that only as long as He lived in the world, He would be the light of the world. He did not say He would be forever the light of the world; only as long as He lived in this world.
Then He promised to send the Comforters afterwards. Someone who is able to comfort and replace our beloved ones, must be at least similar in capabilities and standard. So He means after He is gone, there will be other light givers coming to this world. Just like before Him, there were other light givers. Therefore someone asked Jesus if He was the reincarnation of such and such great past prophets, He did not object. Understand? It's the same spirit, power that goes into different bodies to serve humankind. Therefore, Jesus said: Not I, but it is the Father that works through me. And St. Paul said: I live, but not I, Christ lives in me. It means the same spirit works through different physical instruments, because all the greatest enlightened saints are one with the Father, one with God or one with the Buddha Nature. Therefore all the enlightened Masters reaching a certain stage are titled Buddha, because they share equally the power they have, the same wisdom, same capabilities.
If any of you would like to have this enlightened experience, I would be happy to serve you; because I continue the tradition from Jesus and Buddha to serve mankind in this way. Just like you serve your country by being a doctor, an engineer or a lawyer, I serve your country, I serve the world, the whole world in my way. We just do different jobs. There is no need to praise me or to be surprised at my job or my statements. I have just studied different subjects and graduated in a different school. So I do a different job than you do. Just a job!
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A
Repeated
Reminder
Spoken By The Supreme Master Ching Hai
L.A., U.S.A.
July 6, 1997 (Originally In English)
We begin our journey after initiation. You will find definitely that your life begins to take a turn for the better. Even after the Convenient Method, if you practice for a while, you will also feel your life change, much better than before. Is that not right? (Audience: Yes.) That's why you came for more. Today, you have been introduced to more than before and of course the blessing, the happiness will be manifold more. You will enjoy a much better, smoother, peaceful life. Everything that was too difficult for you before, becomes easier. All the problems that you could not solve before, you can solve them now, much easier, quicker and more clearly. So just take time to do your meditation every day.
Be careful what you eat so that you do not contaminate yourself, make the cells become confused, make the brain confused, as these will consequently hinder your spiritual progress. It's not that God cares what we eat. But if we poison our systems by intoxicating things, or impure food such as meat or animal products, then our cells -- the cells of the body and the brain cells -- will also become contaminated and confused. Thus we will not be able to think clearly and we will not be able to sit calmly in order to find the source of our happiness and wisdom. We have to sit calmly; not only sit but practice daily. Daily activities would be more calm and more inward, so that we can contact with the real source of our God-like quality. From there, we take care of every daily problem and pain, and make it become happiness.
If we confuse our cells, brain, blood, the "sentimental department" will be also confused. Then we cannot think straight anymore and when we sit in meditation, we'll become very restless, agitated. Even if we can sit well in meditation, our vision would be clouded with negative influences from the poisonous things that we have taken into our bodies. So it's not that God cares what we eat, I care what you eat, or whether you eat a little meat then you go straight to hell. It's not true. Just that if we want to be God-like, we must care about everything we do, that everything we eat is pure, so that we become pure also -- body, speech and mind.
I do not care what you eat; but whatever you eat will affect your meditation practice, your mood, your temperament, your personality, your character, your value of life. Everything is hanging on that. As long as we are in the material world, every material thing affects us. That's why we must take care to eat pure foods, foods that have less karmic burden, that have less suffering for our sake.
Animals suffer a lot. They fear death; they cling to life; and if they're forced to die prematurely for us, of course their fear, their hatred are retained in the flesh that we eat. That's why we've become aggressive, agitated, discontented and sometimes violent, like the feelings of the animals before they died.
Plants also have feelings -- not really feelings just reactions; but they don't have that much of a life span, as long as the animals. The fear in plant is not so intense. Besides, they can grow again. You cut one branch of a tree and it grows another two, three branches sometimes. So if we cut some trees, it's all right. But plant more trees, or we cut a branch and let it grow three more, it is okay. We don't worship nature, we use it, and we also protect it for our sake. Human beings must always come first.
Some people are very fanatic. They say, "Okay then we don't eat plants because plants also have life." I say, "Okay then go die." We don't worship fanaticism, we do everything in a middle way, a very mild manner. Just the same in the way we behave -- we don't meditate all day. We meditate two and a half hours only. We discharge all our duties first, then we are peaceful, then we can sit for meditation.
You don't have to sit and meditate two and half hours one stretch; just one hour maybe, and if you're tired then get up. In the morning, meditate more; or the next time, when you're not too tired, then meditate a little bit more. Then it adds up. Two and a half or three hours, it's okay. But sometimes when you get together for one or two weeks or a few days, you can meditate all day. That's also good for you. That's to compensate for those days that you missed or you didn't meditate enough.
So everything we have introduced is helpful to you, very beneficial. There are no rules, no regulations and not really any precepts. They are just a noble way to live our lives, because if everyone lived their life the way you do, this world would be a paradise. Would be truly like that.
We have a lot of wars and trouble, disasters in the world, because most of us don't live the beautiful way that God intended us to live. Most of us don't live the God-like quality that we have within ourselves. We bury the God quality and develop the worldly qualities too much; so our lives are very unbalanced, everything becomes more materialistic and it in turn, invites disaster and competition. Through competition, wars and conflicts arise internationally.
So the way we walk our lives is the best way, the noblest way, the way that everyone should walk. But not everyone does walk, and that is one pitiful fact of this world. I'm just telling you this to remind you that the way you have chosen from today to walk your life is perfect, so try to remember, remind yourself to continue this way. The old initiates also try to remember that the way you have chosen is perfect. There's no better way, no better choice to live our lives than like the way we do now. Doesn't matter what other choices you make, you would suffer. So the only choice we can have is here, the way we do; the way we practice spiritual wisdom; the way we refrain from negativity; the way we control our lives, make them become noble and purposeful. There's no other choice. Even if you want to make another choice, it's no good for you, you know that. That's why you should stay and you know you would.
I'm just telling that this way is the best choice that you have made and I hope that you stay with your choice, because it's good for us, good for the world, an exemplary life for everyone else to follow. We cannot wait for the neighbor to do it. We do first and then the neighbor will follow. From one person, many other persons will follow. But it started with only one, with me, so you could see the example. Who knows how many other thousands of lives will become more shining, more happy because of your one individual shining example?!
So you are very important. One person is important, two persons more important, the whole group has a lot of importance to this world. Many wars will be avoided, many disasters will be minimized because of your spiritual energy, since the day you got initiation. You will notice, maybe even your neighborhood will become better, nicer looking; and you'll see some shining light around the road that you walk, around the trees, the flowers that you will enjoy, and everything will become better. Because of you, many other people will follow and enjoy the same benefits. So I also thank you for joining us for the benefit of this planet. (Applause)
I wish all the best for you and God's blessing will be with you forever, that's for sure. That is for sure. (Applause)
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MT1.TXT
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Ching Hai -- The
Pure Ocean
By Sister Initiate Kuan Yiao, California, U.S.A.
More than ten years ago, I dreamt of a big clear ocean. The water was so soft and warm. The jade color made it appear half gaseous and half liquid, but it was crystal clear. I immediately jumped in and felt myself dissolve and unify with it. I disappeared, yet I remained conscious. Never before had I felt such an intense feeling of belonging, and also an indescribable feeling of nirvana and ecstasy. It was an ocean of love. There was no boundary to it; there was no beginning or end, as if the whole universe was engulfed by it. Countless lives were forming in it. This ocean was both tangible and intangible.
I knew it was what I had been looking for all the time -- the original source where I belonged. But, where was it? For a very long time, I tried hard to find the answer to this beautiful dream. It was not until many years after, when I first heard the name "Ching Hai," (means Pure Ocean) that I was totally electrified. The riddle was solved: Master is the ocean of love that occupied my mind all the while.
I saw Master, I got the initiation, and I began to practice the Quan Yin Method. After that, I was even more certain that She is the primeval and the everlasting source of all. I will strive to reach the state of absolute selflessness, so that I can merge with Her, and attain the ultimate Truth.
I realize that Master began teaching me more than a decade ago with that "clear ocean" dream. That year was precisely the year when Master first started spreading the Truth openly in Formosa.
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MT2.TXT
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Pearl Of Wisdom
Ego Trick
Spoken By The Supreme Master Ching Hai at the International 7-Day Retreat, Cambodia
May 11, 1996 (Originally In English)
Don't let the ego trick you because sometimes it comes in so many different forms that we think we don't have it. "Why I love the Master so much," for example, "I love the brothers and sisters so much, I'd do anything for them." Yes, you'd do anything for them, but the way you want. And you busy yourself with being a good girl, good boy and charitable person, et cetera. In fact, you cause more trouble than help, because you don't do the things people require you to do. You busy yourself with any other things to make your days so busy, and you look so good that people cannot even scold you. They dare not even scold you. You'd do anything, anything except the things that other people want. So the ego can always trick us into thinking that we're virtuous, good and egoless; but it's not true.
So every time we do something, we must think whether this thing is needed or not; because sometimes the people feed on the charitable actions, like they would feel very good that they did something good.
Similarly, the practitioners like us can also sometimes be very deluded into thinking that we are good, that we are very charitable, that we're very egoless by being busy all day and doing everything, that everyone knows that we are busy. But it's not necessarily beneficial.
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OP.TXT
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What We Have Is Just Right For Us
By Brother Initiate Wessel, Cape Town,
South Africa (Originally In English)
We, (but maybe I should say me) don't always appreciate how blessed we are with what we have. That which we have is just right for us. Not too much, not too little, just right. No extremes. Also, we forget that we are given the strength to cope with our problems. We grumble, are dissatisfied, feel "done in," cheated. In other words, we feel very sorry for ourselves. I am, or rather was, like that until recently when I had to relearn that I am very blessed indeed.
I have a son Rikki, an adult, who has a truly golden heart. He is not "normal" in the sense that he suffers from schizophrenia, a degree of autism, attention disorder syndrome, better known as dyslexia, and has a tendency to be epileptic. We, the specialists and I, still don't know the total problem. The doctors at the Mental Hospital regard Rikki as being extremely complex, complicated and difficult to fathom.
He has an IQ bordering on "imbecility". He has the innocence and intelligence of a child. He finds it impossible to concentrate on anything. His mind continually wanders. At night he hardly sleeps. Watching TV and stress exacerbates his condition. In short, economically speaking, he is worth zero.
It is not that we discovered his problems recently. Oh no, we knew something was wrong with our son when he was several weeks old. My wife just left the problem for me to solve. Years of searching for answers to his problems has only enriched doctors.
I have rebelled, cursed, and behaved in ways that reflect my frustration, anger and bitterness. Count on it. I have done it all. But never mind, I still had everything that mattered to me: Status, power, money, property, a career, a car and of course that all important ego.
That was several years ago. Since then, I have had to make a 180 degree turn around. All was taken away from me, even that all important "human right". They, the judges, attorneys and advocates raped me to the extreme. I went through the mangle and came out a bitter, heartbroken, poor and jobless man. Both of those all so important and vital qualities, PRIDE and EGO, were truly mauled to a million pieces.
At about the same time, my daughter left the house. The roles of my wife and I were reversed. She is now the bread-winner, she controls the purse strings, she is the "boss"! I am just nothing.
At the time though, I was full of hatred, a hate that cannot be explained in words. I even had the intention to commit suicide in front of the judge's house. No one knew of my carefully worked out plans. In order not to alert anyone, I regularly went for treatment at the Mental Health Society and took anti-depression pills and drugs. I kept my plans to myself. Though I knew that everything in life happens for a reason, I could not possibly imagine that anything would make all this suffering worth it. Yet, little did I know then that I would become a most blessed person.
The time to execute my plan neared slowly, day by day. It so happened that some days before "D-day," I found myself at a hardware store where I usually never go. When I was at the till to pay, I noticed a little green booklet and two of the most beautiful and loving eyes looking at me. There was a notice of some sort which said that someone would be available to answer questions, a date and also a telephone number. I asked the lady whether I could have a booklet and she said, "Yes of course, help yourself."
Once home I immediately started reading it. I liked what I read. It all made sense to me. The booklet emitted a warm feeling of love and compassion.
I phoned the lady at the shop asking her to give me the address and telephone number that was on the notice by the till. Imagine my disbelief when she said that she didn't know what I was talking about. There were no booklets there! Neither was there a notice of any sort! What is more, I never asked her whether I could take a booklet! Oh yes, she remembered me. How could she forget me? I have a distinct accent and told her a joke. For the rest -- no, sorry, I must have been dreaming. The booklet? Well maybe I picked it up somewhere else. So she could not help. She suggested that maybe I look in the booklet itself. I did and found some telephone numbers at the back.
My life has never been the same since. I felt as if a heavy mantle had been removed from my exhausted shoulders, like a burden had been taken away from me. I waited and waited for initiation and became impatient. I faxed an emotional letter to Master begging her to have me, telling her that I knew that She has the Power to accept me wherever She might be. However, I just had to wait.
Meanwhile slowly and silently my life changed. The apparent eternal waiting was worthwhile. However, this of course, one only learns with hindsight!
Although I have not had to pay taxes for several years, I received an unexpected check from the Receiver of Revenue because years before I had overpaid. Soon after this, a notice arrived at the Centre to announce the dates for a four-day retreat at Miao Li. Master also let it be known that non-initiates were welcome to come. They would receive initiation prior to the commencement of the retreat.
What a better way to spend that little money I had? My wife could not possibly understand it, but did not stop me. I went to Miao Li and was initiated.
I was in heaven and it would not surprise anyone to learn that most of us feel that way when we are physically close to our beloved Master. I was blessed every day by Master. Not a day went by without Master saying a few words to me or laying her hand on my tired shoulders. She knows what we need.
One evening Master recited the Holy Names with us. Explaining in words the emotional upliftment I felt is impossible. I still do not know whether I cried, sobbed or what. I seem to have been filled with love, compassion, understanding and all sorts of emotions that are indescribable!
I am very blessed to have a loving, and above all, very patient Master who, in spite of my stubbornness, sometimes lack of faith and trust, still believes in me and is still lovingly willing to assist, comfort, encourage, and guide me on my journey Home. Master still makes it possible for me to learn vital lessons without too much suffering. She even gave me the opportunity to realize that I am blessed with my son and that there are fathers and mothers that are worse off.
And so, I come back to my starting phrase: We, (but maybe I should say me) don't always appreciate how blessed we are with what we have. That which we have is just right for us. Not too much, not too little, just right. No extremes. If only we could let go of our egos. But as you know, it is difficult. We just lack faith and trust. We still suffer from the mistaken belief that we know what should be done and how it should be done. After all, it is our problem. Well then we should keep it and not give it to Master!
We display more faith in the dentist than in Master. When the dentist says, "Open your mouth, stay still," we do just that. He could hurt us very badly, but we trust him. It is taken for granted that once we have gone through the pain, we will be better.
Master doesn't even ask us to suffer the pain. She takes it from us and in return just asks us to do what we should: Love one another and help Her to take us back Home, where we belong.
Thank You, Master, for making me go through all this.
Be Brave In Doing What Is Right
By Sister Initiate Lei, Mainland China
I was very lucky to be initiated recently. It is my honor to be able to follow You in my spiritual practice. What I'm trying to say is, whatever people might say, we should do what we think is right, because it's from our inner wisdom which is correct and the greatest thing.
In the past, my whole family had been practicing the Pure Land Method. One day I suddenly discovered both of my parents had been initiated into the Quan Yin Method. That made me wonder, how stubborn Buddhists like them could be so easily converted to the spiritual practice of another method, while I, a believer that every religion guides people onto the righteous path, still clung to the Buddha statues and wouldn't let go. I read the The Supreme Master Ching Hai News magazines that my mother brought to me, only to discover that all the teachings in them were the ones I already knew. The path was not another religion; it was essentially the same as Buddhism or Christianity.
However, hesitation and uneasiness followed. In the social environment here, nothing new is allowed to happen. Although I knew very well that it was not anything new but instead the origin of everything, other people and society as a whole could not accept it.
Also, I had to work during the day and study at night. How was I going to have time for meditation? What would people think about me, such a young girl, if I became a vegetarian? With my mind occupied with all these questions, I began to pull back.
One day, my mother went to group meditation. I lay in bed doing nothing. All of a sudden, Quan Yin Bodhisattva appeared to me in white. She was so clearly visible and so bright that I got excited. For the past ten years or so of my practice of the Pure Land Method, I had never seen Quan Yin Bodhisattva; but now, I saw Her when my mother attended the group meditation! Everything dawned on me in an instant. My mother kept telling me Master's power was omnipresent, which I had never believed; but that day, I really experienced it. No wonder mother said that only when I experienced it would I believe it.
Soon I felt I had been such a fool. The problems that kept me back were actually not problems at all. Master renounced such a beautiful marriage for the sake of seeking the Truth, but I was only afraid of what other people might say. Could my problems be compared to that? Mother had already told me that as long as we sincerely entrusted everything to Master, things would get better by themselves. Now I understood.
I'm glad to have such a good "Mother" and my good mother as well. There were a few things that I had known, but because they were not applicable to this society, they gradually passed out of my mind. Now it's You, Master, who made me remember them again and restored me to the simple, lovely and understanding little girl that I used to be. Thank You so much!
There is one more thing I'd like to tell You. Last week, a woman who was considered quarrelsome by all of her colleagues told me that her former work place made her feel oppressed. But after she moved into our office, she felt joyful from the bottom of her heart. That's true. What could I say to her? Master's photos and magazines inside my desk warm up the whole office -- of course she would feel joyful.
However, I am still not strong enough. Sometimes I get upset for no reason at all when I get home after a day's work. I know it's the negative atmosphere that has influenced me. Sometimes I even feel overwhelmed by the negative power. I pray for Master's blessing to protect me from the negative atmosphere, which is still too strong for me to resist. There were times I wished I could run away as far as possible, but when I remembered Master telling us to "peacefully accept whatever circumstances we are in," I felt much better. It would be good to leave, but if it's impossible for the time being, I should not give up on myself either. As long as I work harder and do spiritual practice diligently, everything will turn out favorably. Master is inside all of us, so there is no need to pray to the Buddha's statue. By praying to the real Master, I'm sure things will change for the better.
There is one thing I want to tell everyone: Do what you think is right, no matter what people say. A chance like this doesn't come every day. We are extremely fortunate to be able to live in such an era and meet a Master like this. Thank You, Mom.
Seek You First
The Kingdom Of God,
Then All Other Things Shall Be Added Onto You
By Sister Initiate Hui, Tainan, Formosa
Ever since I started practicing the Quan Yin Method, I have kept the precepts. With the blessings of God, this year, I have not only obtained my Master's degree, but also passed a Ph.D. entrance exam with an outstanding score and been admitted into the doctoral program of a historical science institute in Formosa.
The Quan Yin Method has been really powerful. I have developed my wisdom so that study has become easy for me. My master's degree thesis was the best in my class. Besides, I was the first one in the class to graduate, which surprised all of my classmates because I had to commute from Tainan to Taipei to go to university as well as work. It's not easy to graduate with such a good score, and the younger classmates who had no family responsibilities acknowledged my dedication. Practicing the Quan Yin Method has enabled me to concentrate better and become successful in my work and study.
Before being admitted into the Master's degree program, I was a manager; and since I was very busy with my work, I had no time to prepare for the exam. Besides, I made a mistake one time and was publicly criticized by local newspapers. Therefore, I was depressed when I took the entrance exam. While I was demoted by my boss because of his misunderstandings, I received my report card and the news that I had been admitted into the Master's Degree program. I was so moved that I cried. Actually, I had not studied before the exam and the acceptance mark for the program was very low. So it must have been that Master knew that I had been wronged, and gave me this nice gift. I had taken the entrance exams previously, but had failed each time, although I had really studied hard and my scores were very high. It is thus evident that as long as we concentrate on the Truth, Master will arrange everything for us.
The year before I graduated, I knew my work commitments would not enable me to attend lectures for two months during the second semester. Therefore, I finished all of my course work during the first semester, and at the same time applied for a waiver to miss attending lectures the next semester. I applied for it several times, but was always refused. However, on the last day of the semester, my brother suggested to me by telephone to try again. I had no hope for success, but when my brother asked me to do it again a thought suddenly arose in my mind, "Is it Master's arrangement?"
Without hesitation, I quickly ran to the Dean's office. I did not expect the Dean to approve, but he did immediately. I almost cried on the spot. Fearing that the Dean would see my tears, I quickly went outside. There, I looked up into the blue sky and prayed to Master, "Thank You, Master, for this wonderful arrangement!" I felt grateful to Her for teaching me such a good method.
Once we get reconnected with God, the gifts that Master gives to us are always appropriate. She did not give that gift to me earlier, but did so on the last day of the semester.
Now, along with my spiritual practice, I work and study. These opportunities have all been provided by Master. I understand that returning Home to the Kingdom of God is my utmost goal. The worldly things are only to add some pleasure on my way Home; therefore, I won't let myself indulge in them and sway from the Truth.
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Endless Love, Endless Suffering
By Sister Initiate Weilin Hsu, Taipei, Formosa
A Master's life seems always in danger.
It's not just a joke You said.
You often laugh at Your supreme job.
A Master, a "garbage collector,"
Actually mean the same.
No one really understands
How much You suffer,
Because You never give us the chance.
You try to fix our broken hearts,
Entertain Your beloved ones
As much as You can.
Yet now You suffer again.
You name Yourself, Ching Hai (Pure Ocean),
It seems that the love You give
And the sins You take, like the ocean,
Will never come to an end.
There's no other rescue
Unless we begin
To love every creature that God creates
Until the end.
There's no other rescue,
Except love is the only way.
From now on,
Perhaps we'll feel Your pain.
Take this love medicine, Master.
Let us pray to God
To allow us to share it with You!
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A Lantern Kept On For You
By Sister Initiate Mo-Yeh, Taipei, Formosa
In a place that sounds familiar,
A place you know so well,
Someone keeps a lantern,
Waiting for you in silence and faithfully.
The sky and ocean out here,
Are immense and ever vast.
You, free, keep marching farther,
Unbound and unpossessed.
Whenever you're feeling tired,
You can always return,
Embrace Her soft and tender love,
Which is ever there, with no regrets.
The one who sacrifices and never rejects,
The lantern burns forever,
As long as life can last.
When you get deeply weary,
From the lengthy worldwide trek,
For you, no need to worry
Because there's a cozy nest.
Where the lantern is on,
Someone is patiently waiting for you.
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Who Am I?
By Sister Initiate Leyla Hassan, Surrey, U.K. (Originally In English)
I hear the wind stirring
In the dark of the night.
I am the wind.
My soul restless
Searching like the wind, in the night.
Bright lights flickering in the distance,
Stars in the Universe.
I am that lonely star,
Longing for something...
But what...
Pain in my heart so heavy,
I long for your smile,
Your warm touch.
A leaf blows in the wind
I am that leaf.
Bright Shining Light
Coming nearer,
I am that light.
I begin to remember
I am the universe
I feel complete....::::::::::::::
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Pearl Of Wisdom
Spoken By The Supreme Master Ching Hai,
Had Yai, Thailand
November 27, 1994 (Originally In English)
If we want to go higher and to know the most powerful level of consciousness, we want to taste the powerful energy of the universe, then we must be prepared, we must be pure, we must be one with this purity in order to survive; because this power contains nothing but purity, positiveness, love, compassion. If we have any trace of negativity, of the opposite direction, anything that doesn't mix with this, anything that can not become one with this purity, love and compassion, then it has to be eliminated. That's why we have trouble. So now we know why we must be loving, why we must be compassionate, why we must be pure. Because we want to attain this absolute power.
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Aphorism
Spoken By The Supreme Master Ching Hai
(Originally In English)
Whatever undesirable habits, you try to cut down; and whatever you think it's good for you -- more ideal, more noble -- then you try to fulfill in your capacity, in your time, in your own sincerity and endeavor.::::::::::::::
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Aphorisms
Spoken By The Supreme Master Ching Hai
(Originally In English)
The obstacles are there for us to train ourselves. Never be afraid. Have always the courage to face the obstacles.
Our choices make us noble or lowly. If we do not struggle within ourselves and try to better our thinking, our ideal, our work or our actions, then we will always remain at the same level as before.
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Confusion Of Artists
Spoken By The Supreme Master Ching Hai Group Meditation, L.A., U.S.A.
July 13, 1997 (Originally In English)
Q: I'm in theater, working with some artists and I also work with a lot of dancers, actors, actresses, musicians. I often see those people I work with; they often smoke pot, doing a lot of stuff just to get out of their own personal frustrations. Well, as an artist, we always want to be open-minded and try as many things as possible; but since I'm following the Quan Yin Method, I sometimes feel like I'm unable to do that. Of course I know that I shouldn't do it, but sometimes they have this theory like, "Try something in order to be a good artist." Sometimes I get very confused so I'd like to ask for Your suggestion and support.
M: These people, they are confused. They feel very empty in their lives. After they've tried all their best to please the public, of course then they are empty, and they don't know where else to turn. When they call to Buddha, Buddha doesn't answer; when they talk to Jesus, Jesus just hangs-in there. (Laughter) So then of course, they try something to quickly fill their emptiness inside. Any kind of work for the public gives you this empty feeling aftermath. You must know. That's a great sacrifice that every artist must make.
Q: Should I change my career?
M: No. You have your Master, you have the Quan Yin Method. You have the meditation which is quicker than the pot to fulfill your inner satisfaction and peace. Why do you need these cheap substitutes? You tell them. You should lead them instead of letting them lead you. You are the light, you don't follow the darkness. (Applause)
Q: Sometimes I just feel like I'm so alone among these people.
M: No. You're not alone. You are there to lead them. You are there to bless them, you are there to give them what they don't have, you are there to be their strength, because they are in darkness. You are the only light, and you want to dim yourself and go into the darkness too?! (Applause)
God put you there so that there is one light in the darkness. You talk to them, tell them there are better ways, more noble ways, less damaging, more fulfilling. They are lonely, they need you. You must be strong. Be thankful. Artists' jobs are very noble. You make a lot of people happy, make their time pass quicker. When they watch a good movie, it's educational. When they watch a good theatrical performance, it's educational.
Of course, whenever we give, we empty out. That's why they feel more lonely. Artist feel more lonely after the big applause from the people. They feel more empty. I know that. Every Sunday I know that. After every group meditation, I know that. I empty too. I empty everything out, so that you feel fulfilled and happy. But I often feel very lonely and empty, not to talk about artists. But I have to be strong. You have to be strong. We are there to be strong, for people to lean on. We are there to show the way, to be a beacon. Don't be tempted to go the easy way. You'll fall, then you will regret and bring a lot of people down with you. You know your mission, why you are there. You're not only an artist, you are a saint. (Applause) I hope that it helps you.
You are a saint. Remember! Forget your outward mask as an artist. You are a saint in disguise to be there so people feel better. Talk to them about something more noble, more meaningful. Even though they reject you, their minds record. Give them more good recordings than what they have been recording up to now. Up to now, they have recorded all the negative things, so you have to replace that with better recordings for their minds. Whether they accept it or not, the mind still records it. Later, it will germinate, it will bear fruit. You don't have to take credit for anything you do, just do it.
Every time you talk to someone or you please someone, even though it is very good, it takes something out of you. That's for sure. That will be refilled later, only if you know that. But some people don't know -- takes longer. They want quick results. They feel such a tremendous rush of emptiness upon themselves and they just get confused, panick, and feel lonely. So other people tell them, "Oh! You just smoke this and you'll feel in heaven." They try that out of curiosity, out of weakness, out of frustration. Then they go down the hill and they cannot stand up anymore. That's the problem.
Anything you can try, but how will your life be later? So we have to understand, every choice we make is free will, but the consequences are different. God lets you try anything you want. But because you have wisdom, you have to know what choices are good for you.
The Horror Of Drugs
Spoken By The Supreme Master Ching Hai, Hsihu, Formosa
June 27, 1995 (Originally In English)
Q: I have a problem with the meditation. Before, for a few years, I was taking quite a few hallucinatory drugs.
M: So what happens now? If you don't take, it's fine, good for you. Of course you damaged a little the brain cells; but it's all right, we'll repair it. So you have problems when you meditate. What kind of problems?
Q: Concentration.
M: Concentration. That's why you have to practice, of course. But I think you're okay, you've repaired. Don't worry about that. Just concentration; just a common "disease" of this world's people. So don't worry, take it easy and when you meditate you always have to remember here (Master points to the wisdom eye) with all sweetness and loving kindness. Then it massages your inner brain. Use your love, contact inside, that's all you need. Because you didn't take drugs for too long, it's okay. It's repairable. You do the Quan Yin Method, it will repair more. It will mend all the tissues and recharge them with new life and energy. Don't worry about that.
You have to do it more diligently. Even if you can't concentrate, you do it. When you do the Guan, the light, of course, it's not easy to concentrate. But the Quan Yin Method, even you don't concentrate, it's also there, so it will help you. The Quan Yin Method means the sound, it's the most beneficial for this kind of problem.
I'm very happy that you have quit the nasty habit and come back to your beautiful Self, fragrant with the elixir of love. It's more suitable for you, for such a handsome guy.
So he is very clever and strong. It very difficult to get out of that habit. If you are in, I think you're finished. Many people are finished. Sometimes they end their lives because they can't do anything about it. You know drugs are very nasty. When a drug addict has no "food," drugging "food," then he feels like millions of needles are pinching him from inside and then his whole body is like on fire -- things like that, when he can't get it on time. Terrible, and they're in agony all the time; or like thousands of snakes biting them at the same time, everywhere from inside the brain, and all that. That's how drugs damage the nerves of people and make them die a horrible and slow death.
That's why all of the drug people are the most horrible beings in this world. They trade such a poison, killing people's brains, energy, youth and their precious intelligence. The drug selling people are terrible. If they realize what harm they do to the world, I think they would stop. I don't think they realize it because, as the drug dealer they probably don't take it themselves. They know it very well, they don't take it. If they take it they always have enough supply, so they would die eventually from the poison but not in such agony. They would die with drugs, that's all. Over dose and die quickly, but not in such agony. So they don't realize what harm they're doing to the youth of this world.
It's terrible. See how terrible it is? Very rare people can get out of that habit. This is really terrible. All the time the world is in trouble.
Actually drugs are one of those things we can avoid, therefore we must avoid them. We must avoid spreading suffering to humankind by trading drugs, encouraging the use of drugs, have anything to do with drugs, or covering for the people who buy, sell or accidentally stumble on drugs and become the victim of them. We must avoid it -- drugs, cigarettes, alcohol and things like that. It's the disaster that we can avoid, so we must avoid. We can die anytime of anything, of course; but if we inflict suffering upon ourselves and upon other people, then we take the karma.
Of course in the war too. The people who order war take the most heavy karma. So if we go to hell, we see all kinds of people there. If one day you're bored and you want to go "shopping" in hell, you have a look. Almost all the famous murderers are in there and they are suffering all the time. They are suffering the feelings that they caused to millions or billions of victims when they were alive. That's what's called hell. There is no need of a devil to pinch you, to fork you, to chop you, to grind you -- no need. Your eternal turmoil is enough to kill you every day. The more people you kill, the more people you abuse or agonize, the more suffering and the longer you have to experience that.
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Wings Of Angels (Vegetarian Strawberry Cake)
Provided By Sister Initiate Yamazaki of Angel's Cookies, Gunma, Japan
For one circular sponge cake, 15 cm (6 in).
Ingredients:
1. low gluten (pastry) flour 154 g (1 1/4 cups)
baking powder 10 g (2 1/2 tsp.)
powdered sugar (castor sugar) 60 g (1/2 cup)
vegetarian margarine 50 g (4 Tbs.)
fresh cream 30 g (4 tsp)
milk 120 mls (1/2 cup)
whipping cream for garnishing 300 mls(1 1/4 cup)
granulated sugar 16 g (3 tsp.)
strawberries about 20
2. Preparation Method:
Blend the pastry flour, baking powder and powdered sugar. Warm the margarine, fresh cream and milk in a pan until the margarine melts completely, then remove from heat. When cool, pour into a mixing bowl. Add blended flour mixture and combine well with a mixer. Line the baking tin with baking paper, and then pour in mixture.
Bake in a preheated oven for 20 minutes at 160oC (320oF), and then for another 10 minutes at 150oC (300oF). (Temperature of oven may vary slightly between different models.) Let the cake cool, and then slice it into three layers, each 1 cm (1/3 inch) thick.
Whip the whipping cream and granulated sugar until fluffy. Cut the strawberries into thin slices. Layer in the order of cake, whipped cream, strawberries, for each of the three layers. A beautiful cake is made!
*A teaspoon vanilla powder or a few drops of vanilla essence can be added for more flavour.::::::::::::::
SA1.TXT
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Overflowing Bliss
By Sister Initiate Peanut, Honduras
As we were planning to hold a seminar introducing the Quan Yin Method of meditation, we also wished to share Master's perfect and beautiful art creations with the local brothers and sisters. Unfortunately, we didn't have any of Master's works of art, so we asked for urgent help. The resident fellow disciples were very considerate and cooperative. They quickly sent the items we needed by courier. On my way to pick up the parcel, I felt so extremely happy that the staff at the courier company noticed it.
With amazement they asked me, "Why are you feeling so happy?"
I joyfully answered, "It is because I am receiving the most beautiful paintings by the most beautiful lady in the world." When I showed them a painting, their faces became radiant with happy smiles. Suddenly, the whole place was filled with bliss. Coincidentally, the painting I showed them was the one entitled, "Filled With Bliss". In my heart, I silently prayed that all sentient beings would be graced with this bliss and God's love.
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A View On Master's Celestial Jewelry Entitled "Positive Victory"
Narrated By Brother Initiate Chen Tai Qi, Taipei, Formosa
Compiled By Sister Initiate Wang Xiu Qing, Taipei, Formosa
In the vast universe, there exists two energies -- Yin and Yang. We are living almost entirely in the Yin, and we receive lots of negative information and ideas every day. This is why the world is full of poverty, wars and pain. If we want to be liberated from this sea of suffering, and furthermore to save the world, we must switch to receiving positive and constructive information instead. To do this, enlightenment is the only way.
Enlightenment can wake up the positive power that is originally within us, eliminate ignorance, and balance our Yin and Yang. Such is Master's intent in creating this "Positive Victory" collection. She hopes to elevate the vibration of sentient beings and purify their souls. Here is my view and insight to this collection of Celestial Jewelry.
The pearls represent the light of wisdom, while the topaz symbolizes God's light. Under the radiance of these two divine lights, the snake, representing negative desires like greed, anger and attachment, will eventually be influenced and subdued by the light of love to become a positive power. That is why the snake has been depicted with the pure color of gold. Besides, Master has added a unique symbol, " ". This has three meanings: The first one is "infinitely big". Once we have been connected to the power of God, our light of wisdom will reflect back to the secular world incessantly. This is the so-called "infinite light". The second meaning is "the functioning of heaven's way," which is never ending and has no beginning. The third meaning is "human". There is a relevant passage in the Tao Te Ching:
"There was something formless and perfect
before the universe was born.
It is serene. Empty.
Solitary. Unchanging.
Infinite. Eternally present.
It is the mother of the universe.
For lack of a better name,
I call it the Tao.
It flows through all things,
inside and outside, and returns
to the origin of all things.
The Tao is great.
The universe is great.
Earth is great.
Man is great..."
In conclusion, it means that the Tao existed before heaven and Earth were formed. It is empty and quiet, and is high above all of Creation. It is unchanging, and functions incessantly everywhere and anytime. We call it the Tao, and the word great is hardly appropriate to describe it.
From the above quote we understand that the Tao can be described as "big". In Chinese pictographic characters the word "big" portrays a person stretching out his four limbs. The sign " " has two circles, which symbolize the function of the Tao. One circle represents the head while the other circle represents the body. One who practices the Quan Yin Method will know that the conjunction point of the two circles is symbolic of the wisdom eye. The two circles, each spinning in opposite directions, point to the paths leading towards either the pure land or the defiled land.
Apart from the Tao, heaven and Earth, humans are also big. So, how big is a human being? It is mentioned in the Buddhist scriptures: "One thought encompasses the whole universe." Even heaven and hell are within us. It is up to us to make good use of this rare human body to pursue spiritual practice, and thus find God and the heavenly kingdom within. When we have found our inner God, even if there are many demonic obstacles on our path back to the heavenly kingdom, we will have a "Positive Victory"!
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Report From Australia
A Fruitful Trip
After the International 4-Day Retreat in Australia, we organized several seminars in northern and central (the Northern Territory and Queensland) Australia. They were held respectively in Gladstone, Rockhampton, Townsville, Cairns, Darwin and Alice Springs. As a result, there were many people who registered to learn the Convenient Method of meditation and for initiation.
God's blessing power had arranged everything for the whole trip. There was always someone to help us in every place we visited, and things were done effortlessly. In Rockhampton, for instance, there was a highly respected Catholic priest, who has known of Master for some time, but has had no chance of obtaining further information. When we visited him, he spared some time for us even though he had a tight schedule, and happily provided us with information about all the local spiritual associations. On the same night, he watched one of Master's videos and read a few The Supreme Master Ching Hai News magazines. He also attended our seminar and registered for both the Convenient Method and initiation.
Townsville was where we felt the happiest. This was not because the seminar there attracted the largest number of people, but because most genuinely sought the Truth. Therefore, Master's blessing power was incredible, which greatly delighted the audience. The joy of such a reward is beyond words. A local radio station reporter also arrived in advance to do a live interview with us.
After the seminar, a lady requested to buy a big picture of Master. She even offered to display Master's publications, as well as a place for group meditation in her shop.
Situated in the center of Australia, Alice Springs is an area where a great number of aborigines reside. The aborigines regard the area as highly spiritual. One aborigine told us after the seminar that she was very happy to have been able to attend the seminar. She continued to say that, once she sincerely prayed to God for enlightenment on her spiritual path. God's reply to her prayer was, "Read page 57 of the Bible." As she was given Master's sample booklet and turned to page 57, all the answers to her questions were found on that page. She was really happy and immediately registered to learn the Convenient Method.
We felt very happy about this trip of spreading Master's teachings. Every day we went to a different place, meeting different people and sharing the Truth. Living in Master's inexhaustible blessing power, we felt refreshed and were happily surprised each day. While helping others (which is in fact our obligation), we also helped ourselves to grow on our spiritual path. But more importantly, we understand little by little the greatness of our souls. Thank You, Master, for all the perfect arrangements.
Report From The Solomon Islands
Sowing The Spiritual Seeds
When a Quan Yin messenger went to the Solomon Islands, she went to some places to distribute the sample booklets. Most people on the Solomon Islands are Christians, and they have no idea about meditation. However, Master's bright photo on the sample booklets attracted much attention and was warmly received. The sample booklets that were placed in bookstores were all taken in a very short time.
She also found that the local people there had no idea about vegetarian food. They could only imagine the food that she described to them without getting any real feeling for it. Therefore, one local person suggested that if she were willing to cook vegetarian food for the people with whom she lived, they would follow a vegetarian diet for one week.
So the Quan Yin messenger exerted a great deal of effort and cooked pure vegetarian food with the available local ingredients. The good taste of each meal made vegetarian food known even among the people in the nearby islands. Meanwhile, all these people received Master's sample booklet or News magazines. They talked about Master and began to realize the benefits of a vegetarian diet.
A fisherman, who was among them, surprisingly asked the Quan Yin messenger, "Are all vegetarians as strong and healthy as you are? Are you practicing Chinese Kung Fu? Why don't you get tired walking on the mountain roads?" Hearing that the Quan Yin messenger was practicing "meditative Kung Fu," many people showed interest in meditation. Even the fisherman requested to learn the Convenient Method.
Several customs staff members who worked on another island invited the Quan Yin messenger to their island. They were also willing to give up their main hobbies -- smoking and chewing betel nut -- as well as to eat fewer eggs.
After a week, an amicable friendship was established between the Quan Yin messenger and the locals. Master's love and light shone on everyone. Despite their varying ages, they all were immersed in Master's ocean of love. They talked and laughed, and though they were of different nationalities and spoke different languages, there were no barriers at all between them. This shows that the power of God is truly inconceivable! Besides, everyone was glad to know that the local vegetables could be cooked in other ways than what they were accustomed to. They said that they would like to try to cook the vegetables themselves, when they went back on their own islands. This change was not easy because they traditionally eat fish, meat and eggs.
Report From Singapore
New Quan Yin Web Site
Singapore fellow initiates are happy to announce a new web site: It's a repository of The Supreme Master Ching Hai's spiritual teachings about the Quan Yin Method, enlightenment, liberation, samadhi, the living Master, the Himalayas, vegetarianism and karma. It is a content-rich site featuring the world-wide public lectures delivered by The Supreme Master Ching Hai; lectures and talks conducted in group meditation sessions with disciples; international retreats; question and answer sessions with a public audience, with various media reporters; and excerpts from the The Supreme Master Ching Hai News magazines. Since the material of Her speeches and talks are numerous, this is by no means the complete collection of Her words of wisdom. We will be progressively adding more materials to this site.
This site also features The Supreme Master Ching Hai's artistic creations with pictures of Her art work including: paintings, poetry, stone paintings, ceramics, longevity lamps, fans, Celestial Jewelry, et cetera. We welcome all to appreciate the little world which harmonizes Truth, virtue and beauty into one.
Currently this site is in English only. For other languages -- Chinese and Au Lac -- please refer to the sister sites: http://www.quanyin.org (U.S.A.) http://fiber.ieo.nctu.edu.tw:5000 (Formosa) http://www.magi.com/~quanyin/homepage.html (Canada)
Another reference site: http://www.spiritweb.org/Spirit/Yoga/quanyin.html
Report From Formosa
First Aid Training
In response to Master's love in extending a saintly compassionate spirit to help others in suffering, and the advocacy by the International Red Cross to promote the skill of basic first aid, the Keelung Center requested the Red Cross Association to teach fellow initiates basic emergency first aid. The course mainly focused on CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) and lasted for two days. An exam was held at the end and certificates were given to those who passed.
The course coordinator also taught us how to treat wounds on different parts of the body. We practiced at the end of each session. Many had never done this before, so we tried very hard to learn. Some of us, however, still managed to overlook some minor details. For example, some tied the knots over a wound between the victim's body and the limb, which may cause discomfort to the victim due to friction. Although these are minor things, it reveals how careful we need to be.
Most of us learnt about CPR for the first time, so it was understandable that we made mistakes. For example, when checking a victim's breathing, some squeezed the victim's nose; when performing CPR, some breathed so hard that their faces turned red, yet insufficient air went into the victim's lungs; or when performing heart massage, we were either in the wrong position or the strength and speed of the massage was wrong, which can cause rib damage. Sometimes, the course coordinator could not help laughing at us. Indeed, if the scenario was real, some of us would have injured the person more seriously by our fumbling about! Poor patients.
From this we learned that even in the process of helping others, if we don't have proper training, we may make matters worse for the patient. This is the same on our spiritual path. Only when we are truly liberated can we begin to help others, or else it may pull others further down into the sea of suffering and reincarnation because of the wrong guidance. Although we made a lot of amusing mistakes during our training, we all understood that to perform CPR is a serious matter because it can save someone's life. We all tried to practice as much as we could. The two-day training session progressed quickly through many lessons and much laughter.
A sister initiate had a relative that passed away last year due to heart problems. This prompted her to register for this first aid course. Since she had this personal experience, she understood much better than others the importance of knowing emergency first aid procedures. Other fellow initiates also felt that the course was extremely meaningful because they gained some practical experience in emergency first aid.
A Paradise, "Taoyuan," My Home
- A Painting Activity
When summer came, students started their long vacation. One weekend, using the theme "The Paradise 'Taoyuan, My Home," the Taoyuan Center held a special and enjoyable painting activity to enhance young initiates' and young guests' happy holiday.
With nearly a hundred children shouting and laughing, the activity began. Children were divided into three groups: nature painting, imaginative painting after listening to a story, and impromptu painting. While listening to the instructions of the activity, the children created a vivid scene in the bright sunlight with their little figures holding big painting boards. This also made the adults feel so young and lively that they could not help urging each other to paint. So one after another, they also got some paper and started to paint. The activity began to b