Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai
Laiyi, Pingtung, Formosa
December 29, 1992 (Originally in English)

 Many of our troubles are self-made. If we have no faith in a guy, then we can find another one. As long as we are happy, it's all right; just find your happiness, go swim all over the place to shop, if you want. I never bind anyone. Whatever you do, and you are happy, it's all right. But before you go, you have to be sure where you're going, and when you go to other places, decide if they're better than this place or not before you go, otherwise you waste your time. You might just as well sit here and run on the bicycle faster. If you just go in all directions, even if you go on an airplane, it just doesn't work. Therefore, you have to look where you're going or decide whether it's necessary to go, to change directions or not. If we are walking or bicycling on this road, it takes a long time. And probably we'll run out of patience, and then we might lose faith. But we have to look, ask people who are coming and going, whether it's the right direction. If they are going in the right direction, then we know we are on the right way, whether bicycling or on a motorcycle, or in a car or airplane. Don't just walk all over or run to another place just because you are going too slowly, your vehicle is too slow. The road is correct. So we accept it.

 Therefore, before you go shopping, you should just look carefully, that's all. If all the people have good experiences and gain enlightenment, you know it's okay, you know the Supreme Master is okay. [Applause] That's the only way to judge. By their fruits they shall be known. Otherwise, what will you judge by? If you can't reach the fruit on the tree, maybe your arm is too short. That doesn't mean the tree doesn't bear fruit. Everyone else eats it, and you can see it. You cannot eat it because you cannot reach it. It's your fault. You have to try harder or climb up. You cannot blame the tree.

 If everyone else eats it and you can see they are eating it, and you can see the fruit there and you cannot eat it, you cannot blame the tree. Only if no one else ever eats it or on the tree you can't find any fruit, no one ever tastes the fruit of the tree, and you don't see people eating it, then you can say the tree has no fruit. But if you see all the people eating, you know. And if you cannot, maybe it's your problem.

 

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai
Malaysia, February 27, 1992 (Originally in English)

 

It takes a sincere heart to stay on the path, because outside temptation is very great. I know sometimes you fail, but then you can come back and start over again. You can go out shopping, spiritual shopping, but then you will have to come back, because I know of no other better way for you. I have shopped all over the world. If there were another better way for you, I would have bought it earlier for you at an expensive price. Because I have spent my pocket money and my time running around, searching for a method of enlightenment or a Master. I have searched, I have tried, I have done zazen, I have done zen zen, I have done yoga, and I have done all kinds of things. I have even eaten one meal a day, and have sat many hours with my eyes open in case I fell asleep, and done all kinds of trying. I have called on all the saints, until there were no more saints to be called upon. And I've repeated all the mantras that you can talk about, that you can name, that you have heard of. I have bowed to them until my knees were shaking like autumn leaves. And I have gone all over the place on pilgrimages, seeking blessing and enlightenment. I have done all in my power to learn the best way to liberation. And this is the one I have selected, and it suits everyone, from children to adults, old to young. But this way is not for everyone that is for sure. Even though we are open to everyone, not everyone comes. Because it is not the outside performance. It is not only my teachings that attracts people, it is not only my appearance or my personality, it is their longing souls that are important.