♪ Master Tells Jokes
Misunderstanding the Prescription/The Most Practical Words/Hint for a Proposal/Such a "Gentleman"

♪ Panorama of Events
U.S.A./Australia/Formosa

♪ Inspiring Events
The Quan Yin Method Develops Potential Talents

♪ Cyber Age Journal
Spiritual Practitioners of the Cyber Age

♪ Spiritual Interludes
The Incredible Observational Power of a Master/Spiritual Practice Is Like Road Renovation

♪ Master Says
Blessing the World Is the Duty of Spiritual Practitioners

♪ Vegetarian Restaurants around the World
New Zealand/Japan

♪ Master's Words
Concentration and Professionalism

♪ Master Tells a Story
Qualities Are Infectious, Be They Physical or Spiritual

♪ Front Line
Heavenly Melody Graces an Ancient Country--A Truth-sharing Tour in Peru

♪ Master's Wonders
The Story of Mr. Tan

♪ Questions and Answers
Each Soul Makes Its Own Choices

♪ Pearls of Wisdom
Spiritual Practice Creates a Perfect Tool for God

♪ Poem
A Living Stream of Blue Water

♪ Story World
Spiritual Dogs

♪ Media Reports
Everything You Need to Know about Asian American History/
New Human Dawn/Java Post--Video Seminar Draws Full-house Audience

♪ A Brief Message
Master's Sample Booklets in Various Language Versions are Now Available on the Internet

♪ Elevation of the Soul

♪ Quan Yin Family 
Sharing Spiritual Bliss

♪ Love in Action
El Salvador/U.S.A.

♪ Letters of Appreciation

♪ Television Programs

♪ Supreme Art

♪ How to Contact Us

♪ Quan Yin WWW Sites

A Little Message:
In speaking of God, or the Supreme Spirit, we will use original non-sexist terms to avoid the argument about whether God is a She or a He.
She + He = Hes (as in Mess)
Her + Him = Hirm (as in Firm)
Hers + His = Hiers (as in Beers)
Example: When God wants, Hes makes things happen according to Hiers will to suit Hirmself.


News No. 121
Published: May 10, 2001
Founded: April 1, 1990
Published By: The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association 
Publisher: Lin Ping Xing
The Supreme Master Ching Hai News 
is published in the following languages: Aulacese, Chinese, English, French, German, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Thai. Copies are available upon request.
Example: When God wants, Hes makes things happen according to Hiers will to suit Hirmself.

 

 

Master Tells Jokes

Misunderstanding the Prescription

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Hsihu, Formosa, December 29, 1991 (Originally in Chinese)

There was a newly wed couple, and the husband could not tolerate his wife. He quarreled with her every day until he came close to a nervous breakdown. He then rushed to see a doctor. "What's wrong?" asked the doctor. "Ah! I have been quarreling with my wife too much," the man responded. "Now I am weak in both body and mind. What shall I do?" "You need to do some exercises! I suggest you buy yourself a track suit and jog about ten kilometers each day, then call me in a week or two." The man said, "Okay!" and left. That day, he bought a track suit and started jogging. A week later, the man called the doctor and the doctor asked, "How are you doing physically? Are you feeling better?" "Better, much better!" said the man. Then the doctor inquired, "How is your wife treating you?" "How would I know?" the man replied, "I'm already seventy kilometers away from home!"

The Most Practical Words

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Florida, U. S. A October 1, 1999 (Originally in Chinese)

Three people died in a car accident and soon arrived at the screening center in Heaven, where they were to undergo a trial by an angel before being assigned to selected places and jobs. The angel asked them, "What did you like to hear the most when you were in the coffin, and your relatives and friends were crying noisily at your funeral?" The first person answered, "I liked it when they said that I used to be the best doctor and the best parent." The second person said, "I liked to hear people say that I was the best husband and the best professor, who was most conscientious about his children's future. The last one answered, "At that time, I would have liked most to hear them say, 'Oh! He is still alive!'"

Hint for a Proposal

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Florida, U. S. A. October 1, 1999 (Originally in Chinese)

A woman met a man. She looked at him and said, "Wow! You know, you look very much like my third husband." "So, you have been married three times?" the man asked. And the woman replied, "No, twice!"

Such a "Gentleman"

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai in Florida, U. S. A. October 1, 1999 (Originally in Chinese)

Two men were playing golf, and when a funeral passed by, one of them made a great gesture. He immediately stood upright and took off his cap, and then watched and waited until the procession was some distance away before resuming his game. "You are such a fine gentleman, so considerate, friendly and polite," his competitor remarked. "But, of course, we were married for thirty years. This is our very last ceremony!"

Please come the following web sites to enjoy the original audio and video versions of the jokes and you may share the joy of Master's humor with those around you as well. http://www.Godsdirectcontact.org/video/joke/121  http://www.Godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng/light_sound/jokes/121 

Panorama of Events

Report From New York, USA

Participating in the "New Life Expo"

[NewYork] On March 2-4, 2001, the New York Center participated in the 'New Life Expo', which attracts tens of thousands of people thirsting for physical and spiritual health. The local weather forecasters had predicted a major snowstorm, which was to bring over two feet of snow to the city during the time of the Expo, but with Master's blessings, the weather was mild. All of our volunteers who came from out of state had no trouble getting home at all.

It was the first time for some of our volunteers to participate in such an event, but they did an expert job in introducing Master's teachings, and answered numerous questions about meditation on the Inner Light and Sound.

Through our display of Master's videos, flyers, sample booklets and magazines, we were able to satisfy the curiosity of many seekers, and some even planned to attend our video seminars to be held on March 25 and April 7 to learn more about the Quan Yin Method.

One young Chinese student very much admired Master's artistic creations and Celestial Clothes designs. She particularly loved reading Master's poems, but could not afford to buy one of Her poetry books. Luckily, a disciple remembered that Master once said if someone liked Her books but could not afford them, we should give them as a gift. When we told the young student she could have the book for free, her face lit up with a huge, happy smile, and she broke into tears. People witnessing this scene were deeply touched by everyone's sincerity

The Expo was the occasion for many wonderful inner experiences for us, for instance, starting from the second day of the event, everyone began to feel powerful vibrations, and an atmosphere of light and joy around our booth. Some attendees told us that they came back and sat around our booth for reasons that they could not understand. But we all knew that, because Master's blessings had created a calm and peaceful vibration, people kept visiting us again and again. The purifying power of meditation was clearly shown to us during those special three days!

Caption:Initiates from New York introduce Master's teachings at the "New Life Expo"

Report from Australia

Clean-up Australia Day

[Perth] March 4, 2001 saw the return of the annual Clean-up Australia Day, and once again the Perth Center eagerly participated. The weather bureau had forecast a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius, quite a scorcher, so our fellow brothers and sisters decided to first participate in the clean-up and afterwards hold our monthly meditation retreat. One sister even commented that she meditated better after the physical exercise.

The Perth Center is located at a community center with an adjoining sports oval, where many other activities by various other groups take place.

The sisters concentrated their efforts on cleaning the Center and oval, while our brothers cleaned up the local shopping area, which turned out to be in much better condition than in previous years. Master's light must surely be shining and purifying the place! Helping to convey Master's teachings in various ways, including cleaning up the environment, is the greatest joy on earth.

Report from Formosa

Lighting Spiritual Lamps on Campus

[Taipei] In order to introduce Master's teachings on university campuses, initiated students established two student organizations in northern Formosa, the Light and Sound Association of National Taiwan University (NTU), and the Soochow Healthy Vegetarian Association. In mid-March, NTU held its annual Azalea Season Fair while Soochow University celebrated the 101st anniversary of its founding. With the support of the Taipei Center, initiated students from the two universities set up large stalls consisting of a vegetarian snack bar and an exhibition of Master's artistic creations and spiritual books. These activities underscored the need for the healthy development of body, mind, and soul.

The stalls had a beautiful background of silk satin. Master's paintings embodying spiritual meaning were placed on display, as dozens of Longevity lamps splendidly lit up the venue, attracting crowds of students and visitors who came to make inquiries. The snack bar offered a selection of vegetarian delicacies, as well as free oolung tea, milk tea, and coffee. Many gathered at the bar for a cold or hot drink as they appreciated the paintings. The spiritual book exhibit displayed Master's various book series, immersing the students in a harmonious ocean of spiritual truth.

Visitors were full of praise for the delectable vegetarian food, and showed a keen interest in learning the Convenient Method. They made several inquiries, their faces shining with the joy of having found a treasure. The light fragrance of the azaleas floated through the continuous drizzle, and groups of young students happily stood before the stall, uplifted by the intense love and spiritual aura of our Master.

Caption:Master's artistic creations hold students and visitors captivated on campus.

Prison Holds Seminar for Volunteers

[Tainan] On March 13, the Edification Department of the Tainan Prison convened its 2001 annual seminar for volunteers and honorary counselors, including groups and individuals who had extended their concern to the Prison's inmates. Fellow practitioners from Tainan and Kaoping, who have visited the prison regularly for a long time, attended the seminar on behalf of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association.

In an opening address delivered on behalf of the prison warden, Prison Secretary Chang stressed the need to elevate the spirituality of the inmates through religious influences, which together with the vocational training and education provided in the prison, could help them adapt to life outside of prison before they began to work. Prison authorities also offer advice on acquiring licenses in specialized fields to make job placement easier for inmates when released, Chang said.

Discussions covered the psychological condition of volunteer workers, counseling guidelines, and crime issues. Mere enforcement of the Criminal Code can not eliminate crime. However, the overwhelmingly powerful influence of religion can be a subtle and effective inspiration to inmates, Edification Department Director Huang Te-hsiung said.

The seminar was followed by a tour of the Prison's facilities with correctional officers, who helped participants better understand the daily life of the inmates. This was especially useful for future volunteer work. An amazing display of fascinating works by the inmates, including music, calligraphy, painting, drama, and other art forms, had the participants marveling at their incredible skills and talents. Pity and respect arose in our hearts, as we realized why Master has called such imprisoned friends victims of the times. We ask all members of our society to sympathize with and accept them, so that they can further utilize their talents after their release.

Caption:Tainan and Kaoping fellow practitioners participate in a seminar convened by the Tainan Prison, in hopes of rendering greater assistance to inmates.

Finding Joy in Clean Beaches

Caption:Fellow practitioners, young and old alike, enjoy the sunshine on a beach now free of garbage.

Caption:Tainan fellow initiates restore natural beauty to the Tainan's Golden Coast as part of their regular environmental trip.

Tainan Book Circulation Office Opens

[Tainan] To celebrate the completion of the new Book Circulation Office at the Hsinhua Center in Tainan, the Center held an inauguration ceremony and family fair on February 25. Fellow practitioners, including liaison practitioners and publication staff members from all Formosan centers, excitedly partook in the event with hearts full of gratitude.

The Book Circulation Office has a fresh air of elegance and warmth, which demonstrates the wisdom and ingenuity of the fellow practitioners who designed and remodeled the place. A library containing Master's books, videotapes, and audiotapes, as well as other spiritual books recommended by Master, is open to fellow practitioners, who can borrow the materials free of charge.

On the opening day, the publication display section on the first floor was a major attraction for fellow initiates, while the display of Celestial Clothes and Jewelry in the same area also drew a huge crowd of visitors, indicating that Master's teachings and creations of love remain the favorites of initiates. In addition to the Book Circulation Office's positive ambiance, a joyful atmosphere pervaded the family fair as well. Feelings of joy and love lit up the faces of all, as both events drew to a successful close.

Caption:Inauguration ceremony: Fellow practitioners sing "Incense Praise," praying for the Bodhisavas to bless the Center.

Caption:A wealth of spirituality and art: The scripture library and Celestial Clothes and Jewelry display area.

Caption:Generous sharing: Fellow practitioners bring relatives and friends to the opening of the new Book Circulation Office in Tainan.

Caption:Joyful atmosphere: Fun and laughter pervade the family fair.

Inspiring Events

The Quan Yin Method Develops Potential Talents

The Book Circulation Office of the Hsinhua Center, Tainan is a popular attraction among fellow initiates and guests, who become fascinated by its sophisticated decoration, warm atmosphere, and powerful, loving energy .

Our appreciation goes out to the entire work team, especially brother Wu, who humbly insisted that the beautiful venue was the result of Master's blessings. Brother Wu, a professional mechanic with no experience in interior design, was distressed to find Master's publications and artworks displayed in a disorderly fashion. He thought that, as spiritual practitioners of the Supreme Method, we should present Master's books and masterpieces in the most beautiful environment possible. With this mindset, brother Wu immediately began to work on designing the venue. It was Master's arrangement, he said, that gave him the opportunity to undertake this project, and that all his inspiration came from God. Every time he encountered a difficulty, he meditated and the inner message emerged naturally. He had no preset plans or blueprints for the layout and materials required for the venue, including the ceiling, lighting, and showcases, but depended solely on his own inner inspiration and intuition, and the outcome was surprisingly perfect! Brother Wu was convinced that he had reaped yet another harvest while following Master. It was a real-life testimonial to what Master once said: "Practicing the Quan Yin Method can develop our inner talents and potential."

Cyber Age Journal

Spiritual Practitioners of the Cyber Age

Master Goes Online

Master once said that in this modern age, a Buddha must hold a walkie-talkie and mobile phone in one hand, while handling a fax machine and surfing the Net with the other. As disciples of a modern Buddha, we cannot be "outdated Buddhas" in this respect! Let us learn how to go online and follow Master every step of the way on Her earthly journey.

Countless Advantages

The Supreme Master Ching Hai News has followed closely on the heels of the cyber age, changing from a traditional print periodical into an online multimedia magazine, accessible on the Internet 24 hours a day. Now, each issue of the News magazine focuses on a selected theme presented in a multimedia package of text, sound, and visual images specially integrated to bring Master close to readers. The Quan Yin Web sites provide immediate access to the latest news about the Quan Yin family, an extensive collection of Master's teachings, and a gallery of Her artistic creations. Also available are sound and video clips of Master telling stories, touching musical performances, and past celebrations that allow you to relive beautiful memories. Above all, the Quan Yin Web sites transcend both time and spatial constraints to bring you the News magazine online anytime and anywhere-a privilege unaffordable in the print format.

Efficient and Easy

Fellow practitioners wanting to learn this cyber method of accessing Master's teachings may be interested in obtaining the CD--"How to Surf the Internet/How to Get Online," a special News Group production that guides you through the basic techniques of linking and surfing the Net, enjoying audio and video programs, and downloading the News magazine. In this educational, user-friendly CD-ROM formatted like a comic book, Little Bodhi guides you through each simple step until you can travel the cyber world freely and easily!

Easy Surfing, Free CD-ROM

[Hsihu, Formosa]The News Group has produced a special CD to teach fellow practitioners important techniques for getting online in the cyber age. This CD is available free of charge while at the same time educational Internet classes are being held at the Hsihu Center and other local centers around Formosa in April of 2001. Fellow practitioners are elated and encouraged to know that Master is using the most rapid communication tool of our time to carry out God's will. They have demonstrated a keen interest and enthusiasm in mastering the techniques that will enable them to quickly access the latest spiritual information on the Quan Yin Web sites.

The first Internet class was held at the Hsihu Center on the first Sunday of April. By noon of that day, the News Group service counter was crowded with young initiates eager to learn how to get online. As soon as the computers were hooked up, the youngsters sat down in an orderly fashion and started to learn seriously. Very soon, adults and even elderly fellow initiates joined in. It was obvious that all of the participants earnestly wanted to become proficient in using this modern tool that will help them progress faster on the spiritual path.

The free instructional CD proved to be very popular, as all copies were give away in no time! Each center in Formosa obtained a copy for additional duplication. Many fellow practitioners could hardly wait until group meditation time at their local centers to obtain the CD; they wanted to master the technique that very day, in line with the spirit of efficiency in the cyber age.

The CD offers detailed explanations and uses illustrations in lieu of text to make it easy to learn the process of getting online. Thanks to this special product, even fellow practitioners inexperienced in using the Internet now have no trouble traveling cyber space and following closely on the heels of the "Modern Buddha" as Her up-to-date disciples.

caption:Fellow practitioners enthusiastically learn to get online by following the instructions in the specially prepared CD "How to Surf the Internet/How to Get Online."

Spiritual Interludes

The Incredible Observational Power of a Master

By sister initiate Hsiao Jing-er, Taipei, Formosa

Whenever I think about the need for carefulness and attentiveness that Master emphasizes, I recall a sister initiate telling me a few years ago about how, when they watched movies together, Master used to instruct the male residents on lighting, photography, and music. Although I have watched movies since I was a little child, I have never noticed so many details about them. This is what makes a Master different than ordinary people.

Master and I may both be watching a movie, but however great my concentration may be, my attention is limited to just the plot. But Master is different. She learns ten times more than I do from the same thing. It's no wonder that She is our Master! One's learning might be attributed to one's background; the more one experiences, the more details one notices. However, Master's carefulness and attention to detail are not of the ordinary kind. A single glance lasting less than a second is enough for Her to pinpoint problems and tell what improvements are necessary.

For a period of time, I was lucky enough to work with Her closely. Each time a problem arose, She would remark sadly, "This is the result of inattentiveness." I realized how difficult each job was, for the way I tried to be attentive was different than Master's. If I concentrate on walking carefully, my attention is focused on that alone. As a result, I might bump into other people or be knocked down by them, or, I might find myself blocking the way of others, or not notice that someone needs help. But Master can take perfect care of everything at the same time!

Hence, spiritual practice is extremely important; otherwise we will feel inadequate, no matter how much effort we put in. I sincerely hope that one day I can be as perfect as Master is.

Master Says

Blessing the World Is the Duty of Spiritual Practitioners

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Hsihu, Formosa, February 18, 1990 (Originally in Chinese)

Good spiritual practitioners have blessing power wherever they go. Fully charged with their magnetic fields and loaded with merits, they enhance the vibrations of things they touch and the ground they walk on. Sometimes, people enjoy being near these practitioners, seeking a touch, taking a look, or just offering them food; and they are changed from within.

Tonic for the Soul

The milk or tonic we drink, and sometimes even the mineral water that contains many minerals, does not appear to be nourishing. Our naked eye cannot discern any minerals in the mineral water. It seems no different than ordinary water, when it is actually very nourishing. While physical substances contain physical nutrition, speech of a higher level or spiritual nature carries spiritual blessings, too. Tangible things have tangible power that ensures our physical well-being, but intangible things have intangible power that nourishes our invisible body-our soul- and keeps us mentally healthy.

The physical things in this world contain only physical nutrition. But as human beings, we are more than just this body. We have a spiritual nature as well. Our thinking comes from this invisible spirit, whose existence cannot be denied. We may say, "Today I am in high spirits or in low spirits," or "I am spiritually drained." Everyone knows that the spirit exists, but no one can describe it or pinpoint its whereabouts.

Likewise, we cannot say that spiritual practitioners have no blessing power. We know that they do, which is why we feel very comfortable when we sometimes come near highly spiritual and ethical people. If we have not been in their proximity for a long period of time, we miss them very much. They are the invisible food that nourishes our invisible spiritual body. It is like watering plants. If we water their roots, they feel comfortable, turn lush green, flourish, and bear many flowers and fruits. This is because water contains many nutrients. Similarly, if we nourish our spiritual body with the invisible water, it too will grow big and strong, relax, and blossom.

Water from the Ganges River is definitely blessed, and these blessings become attached to physical things. For instance, when we water a plant, water permeates its roots and is transported to the cells of every little leaf. The plant is nourished by the nutritious water. Similarly, spiritual tonic can be absorbed by the cells of any physical body in its proximity. The more tonic the body absorbs, the stronger and better it becomes. And the more internal changes occur.

As long as we water and fertilize a small plant, it will absorb everything, and grow stronger, taller, more beautiful, and different. So will our spiritual body. When we come close to such spiritual nutrition as the magnetic field, morality, and love of great practitioners, our spiritual bodies flourish and feel comfortable. This is unlike physical comfort, for our physical bodies look the same, while our spiritual bodies feel comfortable and relaxed because we have consumed spiritual food. Therefore, a single spiritual practitioner can benefit many people.

The World Needs Spiritual Food

A river benefits many beings, including plants and vegetation. Sometimes a river may flow underground, but it continues to nourish vast fields, countless trees, fruit, minerals, and animals. Its influence reaches far and wide. In the same way, we spiritual practitioners are blessed with an invisible blessing power. It is so rich and nutritious that anyone who comes near will benefit and develop very well. That is why there are spiritual practitioners who develop their power life after life in order to bless this world.

There are many people doing different jobs in this world. Farmers plant crops; road builders pave roads; drivers transport us to various destinations; and spiritual practitioners bless people's souls and spirit. We all have to work, but that does not mean that we should all be road builders or farmers. Some people have misconceptions about this. They think that everyone should be a farmer in order to help the world. But that just helps the stomach, and leaves many other aspects without help. We need different people for the many kinds of work; we need doctors, road builders, train pilots, airplane pilots, mechanics, and most of all, farmers of spiritual food. These are few in number. (Master laughs.) Many people plant vegetables and fruit, but few plant spiritual food. Therefore, we practice the Quan Yin Method, by which we plant this kind of food. It is our responsibility.

Spiritual Light Dispels the Darkness of Ignorance

Initiation and good spiritual practice bring you comfort. When you go out, people feel comfortable around you and treat you well because they feel the benefit. Some people feel uncomfortable in the beginning. This is because of their heavy karma and the strong internal resistance that causes them pain when they meet you. This is like having been isolated in a dark room away from the sun for a long time. Seeing the sun then hurts the eye. It is like the discomfort our eyes experience if the light is turned on when we have not quite awakened. We often see the light, but because we have been asleep or haven't seen the sun for a long time, our eyes hurt in the beginning and we want to complain. But we cannot accuse the light or the sun of being wicked or bad. It is because we are not yet accustomed to it.

Most people feel comfortable and benefited around spiritual practitioners. The sick get better; the stupid get smarter; people whose business is floundering find that their business has improved (audience laughs); those in poor health get better; the unhappy ones feel happier. These are common phenomena. But there might be one or two who cannot bear it. For some of you, your husband or wife might have quarreled with you after you received initiation. This happens in the beginning, because they haven't seen the sun for a long time, so their eyes feel discomfort at the sudden sunshine. Later they come for initiation and apologize to me (audience laughs). We are fine because we walk in the sun every day, while they have been caged in a small, dark room and feel uncomfortable at the sight of the sun.

You should know that we are always blessing this world, and anyone who meets us benefits. If you encounter occasional resistance from a couple of people, you must realize that they have been away from the sun for a long time and you should not be angry with them; instead, you should have pity on them. You should take your time and be patient. Things will be fine after they become comfortable. The situation is different for everyone. Some things may be good for them, and we should seek what is good for us. We all need different things. For example, if someone doesn't need the sun, he won't seek it because he doesn't like it. But we like the sun, because we are sick (Master laughs). There are sick people, so the sun must be there to help them recover. Or we may be thirsty, then we should seek water. But they may not be thirsty, so why should they bother! If they are not thirsty, yet we bring them water and say, "The water is good. I just drank it. Why don't you try some?" (all laugh) this is not logical, so we should just let it be.

Spiritual Practice Helps the World Most

People benefit from our spiritual practice. When a person practices, he gradually becomes one with the world, and his property becomes that of the world. When an Enlightened Master passes away, He leaves His merits and the fruits of His practice to the world instead of taking them with Him. Therefore, our world becomes more and more civilized, because Enlightened Masters come during every era and time, and they leave some property for us and our descendents, thereby making our world more and more civilized, blessed, and bright. Previously, there were no lights, telephones, cars, airplanes, or television. But the situation has gradually improved. In ancient times, there was no medicine to cure diseases, but now medicine has become very advanced.

Therefore, practitioners are of the greatest help to the world. This is not superficially discernible, but we cannot deny the help we render to this world. We work and practice. We cause no harm. Our renunciates also work hard. Everyone should know that spiritual practice is very good. We share our spiritual merits with the world, instead of practicing for ourselves. We cannot just retain the merits if we practice this Quan Yin Method-people will come and take them (all laugh and applaud). Take an electric lamp, for example. Is it possible for the lamp to not radiate light? It shines naturally and people come near to read, eat, and chat in the light. It would be illogical to say that the lamp does not want to give illumination. Illumination cannot be withheld. It is given away naturally.

In the same way, we practitioners bless every place we go, whether we want to or not, whether we do it consciously or unconsciously. It is best if you are not aware of it. Your ego will grow if you are. It should be as Lao-Tzu said, "Do without doing" or "Know without knowing; that's the real knowing." We feel something, but we don't know what it is. We just like "whatever it is." (All laugh and applaud.) Therefore, don't worry about getting no benefits from spiritual practice. They are there for you! We don't care if we benefit personally or not, as long as others do. It is a certainty that we get the benefit naturally. You will feel it clearly. At least your life will become different. It will be purer and more carefree, and your mind will be more open rather than constrained.

In the past, you felt sad when you were scolded. But now you don't feel so sad except when I scold you (all laugh), because you have the misconception that Masters should be sweet. Therefore, you feel hurt. You don't allow me to do my job naturally. Of course, I want to be sweet, but I can't when your bitterness blends in with my sweetness. It takes a long time before the sweetness surfaces. This is like adding a little milk to water. You cannot feel the change, but as you add more and more milk, the milky color shows and the mixture becomes milk in the end.

Sharing Spiritual Merits with the World

The best news is that we can share our spiritual merits with others; we have no private property. We are individuals but we all get the same thing. The sun shines without losing its brilliance, and everyone gets its benefit. The same goes for Quan Yin practitioners: Others receive our blessings without us incurring any losses.

Yesterday, a fellow initiate told me that he repeated the Holy Names while he made noodles. Customers love his noodles and this preference has never faded. His business is expanding (all laugh). He can hardly make enough noodles. Yesterday, he had to ask for a leave to come for group meditation. His business is so good that he almost couldn't make the trip. He said: "I have to come and see Master. I have to set the work aside!" He was afraid that he would be drained of his blessings if others ate his noodles. That is so cute! You won't lose your blessings. You just benefit more when others benefit from you! Because we are all one. My feet, for instance, are no better looking than my face. They cannot talk, but they are mine, nonetheless. If they get hurt, I feel uncomfortable all over. If they are fine, I am fine too. If they are uncomfortable, I feel troubled, too.

We are all one in this world. We may be at different levels and engage in different work, but each one is still a part of us as a whole. We are the same inside. However, since you are at the superficial level and haven't delved deeply enough, you see differences; as you go deeper, you will know that you are the same as I am. My level is yours. There is no difference between you and me. Now you are wrong because you think you lose something when you benefit others. No! We are all one.

I have told you this story before. The mouth, feet, and hands are quarreling. The hands and feet complain to the mouth, "You do nothing all day long, while we work so hard to feed you. From now on, we will stop working. We won't feed you anymore. Then let's see what will happen to you!" So the mouth gets nothing to eat. But after a while, the feet and hands become so weak that they can no longer move. They become sick. We mistakenly think that our spiritual merits belong to us and we don't want to share them. It is impossible to keep them to yourselves! Others will take them automatically. For instance, we have to pay interest to banks for loans. The interest is automatically deducted from our income. The food we eat, the roads we walk on, and the clothes we wear, all come from this world. Everyone has to depend on others to exist. So why don't we share our merits with others if we have spiritual blessings? You have to share them even when you are aware of it, let alone when you are unaware of it! All the blessings come from the Master. How can you be so stingy! (Audience laughs and applauds.)

Fulfilling the Duties of a Spiritual Practitioner

Electricity running through cables comes from a power generating station, not from the cables. How can the cables retain the power, or lose it after it is conveyed? Of course, they cannot! It is the duty of the cables to supply electric power to every corner of the world. It is the same with each one of us. We should convey the highest blessing power to every corner of the world. That is our responsibility. I have told you already that everyone has his responsibilities. Farmers grow crops, builders pave roads, and we are the electric cables. We carry this blessing power to every part of the world. If we cannot do it, then we are not cables.

Therefore, if we don't practice spiritually and share our blessings with the world, we should not call ourselves spiritual practitioners or spiritual persons. We are at different levels and do different jobs, the way a professor has to teach students if he wants to be called a professor. If he doesn't, then he isn't a professor. The same is true for spiritual practitioners. Our aim is to bless this world. We must do our job clearly, not for the Master. We do it not for fear that we will violate the precepts. We do it not for fear that we will go to hell. We do it not for fear that we won't have merits. We do it because it is our obligation.

When you have practiced more, you will understand your mission. This mission is no mission (all laugh). We bless the world naturally. However, we need to practice well before we can have the power to bless. If the cables are disconnected, power won't be able to flow through them. Therefore, our mind, body and speech must be clean in order to protect the "cables." If they are not, they will be like torn cables. The power will leak out and the cables become useless. Again, a water conduit is not water; the two are not interconnected. They are of different qualities . But water cannot be transported to our house if the pipe is broken. Therefore, if others say that we don't need precepts for practice, they are wrong; that is just like water without the water pipe. Of course, water is clean and useful, but it won't reach our house if the pipe is broken. Do you understand? (Audience applauds.)

Vegetarian Restaurants Around the World

New Zealand

The New Zealand Vegetarian Society, Inc.
National Office: P O Box 77 034, Auckland 1030, New Zealand,
Tel: 64 9 828 9301

The New Zealand Vegetarian Society, Inc. is a volunteer group that helps individuals attempting to live a vegetarian lifestyle or introduces vegetarian meals into their diet. Over the years, the Society has produced many publications, including "Common Myths about Being a Vegetarian", pamphlets on "Iron and its Sources", information on bringing up vegetarian babies, recipe leaflets, etc. Last year the group sent information packets on vegetarianism to all the secondary schools in New Zealand, and presently it is trying to raise public awareness of its "V" symbol, which companies can use on their products to show that they are suitable for vegetarians and meet certain guidelines.

In April, 2000 when Master Ching Hai gave a lecture at the Aotea Center, Auckland, New Zealand, the Society's pamphlets were displayed at the venue, and some of its delegates attended the lecture. The delegates said that they had enjoyed the meeting very much and thought it was wonderful to see so many people searching for some 'sense' in their lives. They added that it was very encouraging to see people who like to think beyond themselves, and who care about the future of the world and try to give something back to humanity. The delegates also said that it was lovely to see Master Ching Hai after reading the sample booklet about Her life and Her many achievements.

Japan

Shankara
Address: 110-2 Genmoku-cho, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka, Japan
Tel: (053) 478-7553
http://www.ohmaki.co.jp/shankara/ 
The restaurant is open every day except Wednesday.

Opening hour: 8:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m.
(Tuesday, Sunday & public holiday: 8:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.

For more information on worldwide vegetarian restaurants

please visit the following website:
http://www.godsdirectcontact.us/com/vegetarian/veg.html 

Master's Words

Concentration and Professionalism

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai Hsihu, Formosa, June 28, 1991 (Originally in Chinese)

Most of you fail to do things well because you lack concentration, and just carry out one profession only. Suppose you grow up, study medicine, and become a doctor. Whether you are a good doctor or not will depend on whether you possess concentration and are compassionate at heart. You may not even do well in your professional career. Suppose you have learned to be a business person, an engineer, or a certain type of professional, and you improve constantly as you gain experience and undergo more training. But even then, your performance may not be very good. That is why some doctors perform better than others, and some architects have greater achievements than their peers. The cause lies in their different levels of concentration and intelligence.

Why are Enlightened Masters able to do everything? It is because they are always in a state of concentration. They concentrate all their actions, speech and thoughts on whatever they are doing. They can also concentrate simultaneously on other areas and have billions of manifestation bodies. They can dance in one place and have billions of manifestation bodies at the same time. This is because their minds are never defocused; they have reached the state of never lacking concentration.

The Sun shines on every corner of the Earth without having to consume anything; however, a candle can only illuminate one spot and yet its radiance is short-lived. This is where a spiritual practitioner differs from an ordinary person. Why do we see things that others cannot see? It is because we possess concentration. Why are we able to do everything so perfectly and better than others do, and even better than the experts, if necessary? It is because we are always concentrating.

My heart and mind are forever concentrated on whatever I am doing, and they are never distracted and never drifting on to other things. Even when I think about other things, only one part of me is doing the thinking, so I can still do a lot of work at the same time. Ordinary people can never do that. If you are not trained or if you are not used to it, you cannot work with concentration. You can do your work well, not because you are focused, but because you are a professional. Being a professional is different than being concentrated. Being a professional, you are only good at one particular job, and even then, you may be good at it only because you have done it habitually.

When we spiritual practitioners practice and attain a superior level, we don't have to be professionals to do our jobs well. We can perform even better than the professionals because we are focused on wisdom, which lets us accomplish everything perfectly. And because of this difference, we are able to do anything. Once we attain wisdom, we can do anything, for wisdom can illuminate the whole universe and create the whole universe. Is there anything that It cannot do? It does those things that are necessary and leaves the unnecessary things alone.

Master Tells a Story

Qualities Are Infectious--Be They Physical or Spiritual

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Hsihu, Formosa
June 2, 1995 (Originally in Chinese)

Scientists have concluded from experimental data that if the same action is performed daily for forty days at a stretch, it will become a habit. The same is true for meat eating, drinking, and smoking. Initially this happens for a day or two, or three, but a month later, it develops into a habit. Many other things take a similar course as well.

Girl Turned Snake Companion

I recently read a newspaper report about a seventeen-year-old girl who is an expert snake trainer. The sight of snakes may fill us with fear, but this girl sleeps and eats with them every day. She holds them close, embracing not just one, but dozens of them, all at once. And some are deadly. But she is accustomed to them, for her father fed her some snake venom in lieu of milk when she was just born. (Master laughs.) As she grew up, this became a habit. Now she has developed such a strong immunity to snake venom that snakebites will not take her life.

Snakes are her constant companions. They stay very close to her, and the girl sometimes holds their heads in her mouth. The snakes slither onto her face, kissing and licking her, and sometimes, at her deliberate provocation, bite her until she bleeds. If the venom is too much, she sucks it out and spits it away. She cannot sleep unless she has enjoyed some snakebites. Can you believe anyone having such a habit? But this is a true story.

It is common among snake breeders, who are also called artists. It may be weird, but it is an art anyhow. There are many weird arts in the world; the weirder they are, the more popular they become. In contrast, normal people like myself are not very well-known. (Master laughs.) The way she is dressed tells you that this woman is only seventeen or eighteen, but she is already an expert snake trainer in her neighborhood. She performs the art as a living. She has grown so accustomed to snakebites since infancy that she loses sleep if she has not been bitten. However, people are afraid of her because she has become as venomous as these creatures. This is a fact. She leads a lonely life. She reckons that perhaps no man would have the courage to marry her.

When she touches or plays with the dogs, cats or birds that occasionally approach her, they drop dead as soon as she accidentally scratches them. Just as we get poisoned when we are scratched or wounded by animals, this girl causes death to animals when she scratches them, because she is filled with venom. Even her nails are poisonous. This is very frightening! It is not her blood or the venomous discharge from her body that infects the animals. Nor does she bite them until they bleed. No! The animals die from mere scratches. This has occurred several times. So people are very afraid of her. Fortunately, however, she says that she has never hurt a human being.

It is good for her that her immunity has increased during the many years she has spent in the company of snakes. But her body has to have sufficient toxin to develop that type of immunity. It is like injecting a toxin in the form of germs (a vaccine) into our blood so that we become immune to a disease, that is, fighting poison with poison. The same is true for this girl, who has absorbed snake venom-either through oral feeding or injection-since she was a baby. Her father trained her to be an expert snake tamer from the time she was a child, keeping her in close company with snakes, the way we are with dogs and cats.

Snakes are harmless and non-aggressive, she says. Although they attack when disturbed, they are usually harmless. She often lets snakes bite her and goes to bed only after enjoying a few snakebites. How horrifying! Even though she sucks out the venom if it is too much for her, a small amount is still left inside her body. Such daily intake, and the snake venom she has absorbed since childhood, has turned her into a poisonous snake. A scratch from her, however unintentional, is enough to kill an animal. This is the result of developing an immunity to snakes, just as we survive by becoming similar to the person we want to be with. The only difference between this girl and a snake is that she knows she would never intentionally bite or wound other humans, whereas snakes do not.

Developing Good Qualities

The same is true for spiritual practitioners. This relationship with snakes goes no higher than the physical level, yet it can be very poisonous. In the same way, our thoughts can be trained to become either venomous, or very virtuous or powerful. You may think that wizards and witches derive their magical powers from mantras. No, it is they who give magic to the mantra, but not by reciting it once a day. This is not possible. They recite it day after day, again and again until the mantra is charged with their willpower. They continuously develop their willpower with thoughts of either killing or helping people. Therefore, when they recite the mantra, it works. When they perform miracles by reciting the mantra, they can impart this ability to another person and it will also work.

This girl, for instance, is not a snake, but constant contact with snake venom has made her poisonous. Originally, people die from snakebites. But now the snakes have imparted the poisonous power to the girl and she has become a tool, just like a snake. Whomever she bites or scratches, dies. To the man who has the courage to marry and kiss her, I wish good luck. (Master and audience laugh.) Her whole body is poisonous. So are her nails, even though she cleans them every day. I wonder what would happen if she were to have a baby. It might become poisonous while still inside the mother's womb.

By contrast, we practitioners have to rely on our own nature, long for liberation, and become a force of goodness and virtue, a loving force that can save sentient beings. We have to develop our willpower in that direction if we are to cultivate such strengths. But this takes time. When we have fully acquired this power, anyone who receives it from us will have it as well. Slowly, he will become more and more powerful, and eventually become like us.

We depend on our willpower to do everything. Martial arts athletes should be gripped by an inner pugnacity; boxers should punch as they would at an enemy. Only at that moment will they be overwhelmingly powerful. If you are too kind, make no aggressive moves, or cannot stretch out your arms, you cannot become a good martial arts athlete. However, this is confined to the more violent types of martial arts. A good martial arts athlete does not fight. In cock-fights, the well-trained combat rooster just stands in the ring while its opponents run away upon seeing it, or kneel down and cry. They cry not because they have lost (Master laughs); they may hide behind a tree and cry out of fear.

So we can train ourselves every day, allowing our talents to develop in different directions. If we want to develop in this way, it is best to be together with those who share the same ideal. This is true for everything, as in the case of this girl. She would not have developed that poisonous power if she had not always been around snakes. She could not have become so poisonous by herself. Just as material aspects can be transmitted in the material way, spiritual aspects can also be transmitted in the spiritual way. Our practice is spiritual in nature, so we should follow those people on the same spiritual path. We can transmit that power to each other, supporting and helping one another along the way, and becoming spiritual practitioners. This is a certainty. If a vicious person can train himself to kill by sheer willpower, then compassionate people like us can also cultivate the willpower to save people. This is very logical; it is not some indefinable theory or superstitious philosophy. We who practice the Quan Yin Method are clear about everything, and should not be superstitious.

Never Make Deals with Maya

However, some of you do not have enough faith. You rush to see spirit mediums and worship the earth deity. You have an "Earth Goddess" here, yet you still worship the earth deity! (Master laughs, and audience applauds.) That is very silly of you! If you owe Maya a favor, it will be Maya's favor, not a human favor. If you become indebted to Maya, after a while it will want your soul, and then you will have to take care of yourself. I will not kowtow to Maya and plead for your soul. Sometimes you indiscriminately beseech other humans, or spirits or ghosts for material benefits or for this ephemeral body. These sentient beings from not very high levels then ask you to pay up. Sometimes their fees are very high. They may want your soul, permanent possession of you, or subordination from you. You become a lonely spirit, a wandering ghost, and their lowly slave. Being such a spiritual slave is far more miserable than being a slave in physical form. I am warning you clearly!

Any wealth or property that comes from your parents is free. But if it comes from outside people, it has to be returned. Sometimes people may trap us and charge us dearly. Similarly, in the world of spiritual practice, there are many such traps. Low-level sentient beings, spirits, and ghosts all have their set prices. If you want their help, sometimes they will do so very quickly, but the price is high, and very soon you will regret it. I myself will not go pleading for you. If you make deals with ghosts and spirits, you have to take care of the matter. I have not asked you to deal with them. For a few million or billion US dollars, you sell your soul to others. And after some time, the money becomes useless. When you leave this world, you cannot take it with you, and your soul is detained by others. It is not like this world, where you can take care of matters by paying money. Ghosts and spirits do not want money!

Suppose you are a girl from a good family, and out of ignorance, perhaps, you get involved with hoodlums and gangsters. They make you do bad things or demand money from you. If you give them money, perhaps they will release you. But you cannot play with ghosts and spirits in that way. They do not want money. They want your soul, and they want it for a very long time. I do not know for how long; it depends on how much you owe them and what you have promised them. Sometimes a promise is not needed. Once you receive their help, automatically you belong to them. In the realm of ghosts and spirits, that is how things work. That is their law. So don't make a mess and then come to me only when there is a problem. I do not want to intervene in such matters. I won't go to ghosts and spirits for these kinds of silly matters. Since you yourselves want to walk the evil path, you can go your own evil way. Would I, a dignified Master, go pleading with them? Should I? (Audience: "No!") Do you want me to kneel before them and implore them to set your soul free? Do you want that? (Audience: "No.") I don't! I have no time to do that kind of silly thing. If, for your own wealth and ephemeral life, you kowtow to ghosts and spirits, begging those who are at a lower level than yourselves, then that is your own business. I warn you. I will not intervene in that kind of matter.

In this world, I can make any sacrifice for you if you request my help with regard to any problem. But if you do not have faith in me and seek those lowly sentient beings instead, that is your business. I cannot be responsible for the outcome. Every world has its own law. I have already brought you out. If you want to jump back in, then what more can I do for you?

Attend Group Meditation Often--To Be Near Virtuous Friends

The story about snake breeding that I have just told you is a true one. It has even been reported in the newspapers. You can learn about it if you read the papers. Or you can ask those snake breeders. Their bodies must have a little snake venom in them, so they can have enough immunity against snakes. Certain snake species are very dangerous. They only have to touch you, and not bite you, for you to die. But nothing happens to those people even if they are bitten. That girl even said that she could not sleep unless she was bitten. This shows that we quickly become assimilated with sentient beings we spend a lot of time with. Years of contact with snakes, for instance, have made this girl almost one of their kind. Although externally she looks like a human, inside her body she is like a snake carrying venom. When snakes bite her, she does not die, because she is with them every day. She is fully pervaded.

We are also like that. If we spend much time with fellow practitioners and virtuous friends, we will develop the same spiritual qualities. Material qualities are infused in the material way. Spiritual qualities are infused in the spiritual way. This is very logical. When we come here or go to group meditation, we do not learn anything that is not good. Everything is virtuous, very good for the self, the family, and society. This is the philosophical aspect only. In terms of wisdom and our spiritual nature, the benefits acquired through enlightenment are invisible but receivable. If one can change into a snake through frequent contact with snakes, can't one become a saint in the same way? Following a saint turns one into a saint; following a snake turns one into a snake. This is natural. Sometimes we see how people look differently when they raise animals, or often slaughter pigs and cows. Sometimes people who kill too many pigs begin to look like a pig, too. Don't they? (Audience answers, "Yes.") For instance, I have seen two faces that look the same in the newspapers. (Master laughs.)

Do not be skeptical about the benefits of group meditation. Do not doubt the benefits of meditating together. Do not have reservations about the benefits of communicating with fellow practitioners. Like attracts like. There is mutual encouragement and nurturing, and we grow closer in oneness. This is certain. I have to be diligent and make an effort to purify my thoughts, words, and deeds. You, too, should be diligent and make an effort to purify your thoughts, words, and deeds. In this way, we will have mutual benefits. We will certainly benefit from meeting with each other. (Audience applauds.)

Front Line

Heavenly Melody Graces an Ancient Country--
A Truth-sharing Tour in Peru

At the end of January, a Quan Yin messenger arrived in Peru to give initiation to sincere Truth-aspirants and hold a series of seven video seminars. Each seminar attracted a full-house audience, whose touching enthusiasm accentuated the high spirituality of the Peruvian people. The concept of spiritual practice deeply rooted in people's hearts immediately awakens their souls when they meet an Enlightened Master and become acquainted with His teachings. Thus, the people of Peru have been able to recognize Master and readily practice the Quan Yin Method.

caption:Peruvian newspapers carry news about Master's video seminars.

Longing Souls

In one short month, we held seven video seminars in six cities around the country. Each time we arrived in a new city, we were warmly received by the local newspapers and radio and TV stations, which were all eager to share the good news about the Quan Yin seminars with their fellow citizens. Many media representatives interviewed us, and sometimes we had to accept interviews at several radio stations in one day. We had a tight schedule in Chincha city as we were interviewed at a TV station and five radio stations. During the interviews, some of the stations aired excerpts from the introductory video about Master- "Walk the Path of Love." Many broadcast Master's song "I Will Forever Love You" as a prelude, and played it quietly as background music during the interviews. The song's beautiful melody touched people's hearts and audiences were elated and deeply moved by Master's singing when it was played.

At the seminar in the ancient city of Cusco, the strong spiritual atmosphere of the local people was overwhelming. The 200-seat venue was packed with more than 300 guests, some of whom occupied the stairways and crowded into the back. Those who could not squeeze into the venue felt deep regret. In a live interview, a radio station reporter said, "The entire venue is packed. We will need another seminar. The Quan Yin messenger is very spiritual and we feel close to him."

In Lima, the capital of Peru, more than 300 people had to remain outside the seminar venue, where they could only access sample booklets. So, another video seminar was held at the public's request. With Master's blessings, we found an ideal venue in a very short time, a four-star hotel where the rental was to be charged. However, after the manager read Master's sample booklet, and learned that we were going to present Her holy teachings to his fellow citizens and teach the Quan Yin Method free of charge, he allowed us to use the venue and its audio equipment at no cost. The lecture was a complete success! The guests smiled happily and more than a hundred left their addresses for future contact.
In Chiclayo city, we set up four TV sets to present Master's videos, and many of the 500 attendees had to go without seats. During the teaching of the Convenient Method, some presented a touching scene as they stood in meditation.

The lecture in Arequipa also drew enormous crowds. Many guests had to sit on the stage, and over a hundred people had to watch the lecture on a TV that had been temporarily set up outside. The attendees were so interested in the lecture that they asked many questions and stayed late into the evening.

Puno, a very spiritual city by the shores of world-renowned Lake Titicaca, was not originally on the tour schedule. But the local contact person was very sincere and issued many invitations to us. So we decided to hold a seminar in the city anyway. Three Lima initiates undertook a two-day trip to come and help, braving the snowfall in the high mountains before they reached Puno, 3,850 meters above sea level. They came from Lima, with its burning hot weather, to the cold, thin air and high plateau of Puno, and immediately began putting up posters and distributing flyers even before adapting to the weather. Their sincerity under these conditions was truly touching.

This lecture also drew a full house, and many people were excitedly and blissfully blessed with special experiences during the teaching of the Convenient Method.

caption:Master's beautiful photos are a major attraction for guests; the teachings of Truth, virtue and beauty are the nectar long yearned for by their souls.

caption:Each seminar was packed with guests, who, seated or standing, listened attentively to Master's words.

Postscript

At present, the economic and political situation in Peru is not very good. So, during an interview in Arequipa, one reporter asked emotionally, "Is Master Ching Hai aware of the unstable situation in Peru? How is She going to help us?" We answered, "Master say that morality is the foundation of politics. By practicing the Quan Yin Method, we can save our country and our people in a fundamental way, through the high vibrations of the Inner Light and Sound, which can develop our love, wisdom, and power." Upon hearing this, the reporter's attitude changed immediately and to his listeners, he said, "We need spiritual practice."

For these video seminars, Peruvian initiates worked with strong motivation and a Quan Yin messenger's assistance, contributed money (in most cities), exerted great personal effort, printed flyers, rented venues, made each seminar a great success, and learned much from their experience.

Each initiate expressed a sincere longing for Master's future presence in Peru. One sister initiate held her hands together, kowtowing again and again as she spoke of Master. Although she had never seen Master in person, we could feel the close bonds between them. The contact person in Puno could hardly keep from crying when she thought of Master's compassion and love. The Quan Yin messenger persuaded her to hold back her tears, for her sore eyes would sadden Master, and instead suggested that she laugh more because Master wants us to be happy. It was very touching to see the sincerity other initiates expressed toward Master as well.

We pray that God will bless these kind, sincere, and pure-hearted brothers and sisters and fulfill their wish to see Master in the near future.

caption:The Quan Yin messenger introduces Master and the Quan Yin Method to the audience during interviews with TV and Radio stations.

Master's Wonders

The Story of Mr. Tan

By sister initiate Linda, Australia (Originally in English)

Recently, I happened to meet Mr. Tan and his daughter Miss Tan. The following events about our conversations together are very interesting.

The first time I met Miss Tan was when a friend of mine told me that a new teacher working in her art school wanted to meet people of a Buddhist background, as she had just arrived in Australia from China and was very eager to visit temples or meet other Buddhists. So, my friend gave my phone number to Miss Tan and she phoned me. I told her about our local center and she immediately expressed interest in visiting it.

I then took her to the center, where she obtained News magazines and sample booklets about Master. During Miss Tan's visit to the center, she mentioned her father, who practices both western and traditional Chinese medicine. He is also a Chinese painter and calligrapher, and is able to connect himself with the energy of the universe and treat many serious diseases successfully. A few days later, she phoned me and said that she had gone through all of Master's sample booklet and News magazines, and felt that She possessed immeasurable merits. She also told me that her father was coming to visit her soon.

After her father had arrived in Australia, but before I even met him, Miss Tan told me over the phone one day that when he saw the photo of Master on the sample booklet he realized that he had seen Her in a vision when he was a youth. When I met him, he also told me that he was a spiritual master himself, and that he had many disciples in Mainland China and Formosa. Although he had just been in Australia for a few days, he had already acquired some disciples.

What he teaches is contemplation of the inner Light with the wisdom eye. He does not teach contemplation of the Sound. The following is what he wants to pass on to our Master: Before his master passed away, the master told him that in the future he was going to work with a Master from Au Lac to share Divine Teachings and bring the spring of Truth back to Earth. His master also put his hand on his wisdom eye and let him see (in a spiritual vision) a picture of the Master from Au Lac. That was about 30 or 40 years ago. The future master he saw in his vision was still a young girl, but he realizes now that She was our Master. So he wants to meet our Master, and thinks this is very important.

Questions and Answers

Each Soul Makes Its Own Choices

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Los Angeles, U.S.A. June 7, 1998 (Originally in English)

Q: When Christ says, "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit," I don't think anyone, even myself, really understands completely what it would actually take to commit an unforgivable sin, if there were such a thing.

M: 'Unforgivable' is in the sense of the world, but there's nothing eternal. Suppose if Christ had come, and the people preached falsehoods against Him, or blackened His name, or accused Him falsely or wrongly, things like that, that's against the Holy Spirit, because He represented the Holy Spirit. So these sins are, of course, unforgivable, but not eternal. As soon as the soul turns around and repents, it's forgiven.

That's why Jesus did not hate those who condemned Him. Also, He knew that they had to do their duty. They had to do what they did to complete His mission, so that He would be glorified and honored in Heaven, as well as on Earth, up till now. If He hadn't died like that, He would be in oblivion; He wouldn't be as famous as He is now. Other masters have come and gone, but no one is as famous as He is.

So, those who persecuted Him had to do what they had to do. And He knows that, and they are forgiven. They had a role they had to play. Of course that's not the highest choice that they made, but someone has to make a choice like that. You know, just like in a film: Someone has to be a murderer, someone has to be a detective, someone has to be a victim and someone has to be a hero.

So, it's a choice we made before we came. Nothing is unforgivable, even though it seems unforgivable. Of course, we should never make a choice like that. But in eternity, in the game of the universe, everyone chooses a different way to walk back home. Sometimes they like to take a long way; some people take a short cut, like we do.

God knows everything; God forgives everything. It's just that we can not forgive ourselves. So we should never make lowly choices that we regret afterwards. Therefore the Master and the brothers stand by all the time, to assist us in re-choosing. We can always make a new choice. And depending on your choice, a new event will happen, a new direction will open up. Then you go into a different dimension. That's why every sinner has the chance to become a saint-any of them, no problem. There's always hope. There's always love, plenty of love for everyone, even for the worst criminal, plenty of love.

Pearls of Wisdom

Spiritual Practice Creates a Perfect Tool for God

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Tainan, Formosa,
May 13, 1988 (Originally in Chinese)

If we do not practice spiritually, we will not know when God wants us to be Hiers tool, and our actions may incur bad karma. It is said that "Karma does not exist originally." Suppose God wants more people to know about me and wants me to do more in sharing the Truth, let more virtuous people know about my teachings, and let more people come to my lectures. Since I am not responsible for publicity matters, God helps me through other people, particularly those who have money and authority, because they own many religious magazines and newspapers. When God works through them, they use expressions of recommendation and praise, if they are aware of it. But if they do not practice spiritually, the God-power may become poison for them; what should have been praise turns into words of defamation.

Therefore, God's Grace is of little use to those who do not practice spiritually. An average spiritual practitioner who shares my teachings with millions of people is blessed with infinite and inexhaustible merits, and attains sainthood very soon. However, for those who do not practice spiritually, even a big mission or assignment from God turns into bad karma. People pray for God's grace, but if they do not practice spiritually, God's blessings will be of little use to them. When we have indigestion, even gourmet dishes become toxic when eaten, and we cannot digest tonics even if we take them. You all know this theory. Suppose we have a stomach problem; drinking milk will only produce more toxins in us. However, milk is good for children and makes healthy people even healthier. If we have a gastrointestinal problem, we cannot digest even the best food, which only turns into toxins.

Therefore, we should try to purify our actions, speech, and thoughts to be able to digest the superior blessings from God. Otherwise, the more God blesses us, the more trouble we will have. Take the mission group we just mentioned, for instance. If they had accomplished this work for me, they would have earned considerable merits. They would have flourished, benefited, and attained sainthood. Unfortunately, because they are not enlightened, they failed to accomplish this task and incurred bad karma with their actions. Sometimes, they perform their jobs with negative thoughts, not realizing that the work is an honor from God. The same assignment, the same mission, and the same result may bring them only bad karma instead of blessed reward.

This is why we have to practice spiritually. Only when we do will we realize that karma does not exist originally, and there was no karma in the first place. It is our toxic mind which turns God's arrangements into bad karma. Therefore, we must practice the Quan Yin Method to cleanse our mind of any preconceptions and garbage, then everything that goes in will reside in a pure abode and become nectar water. Otherwise, no matter how much we do and how diligently we work, it is all for our ego, for fame and profit, and will not yield any blessed reward. We do not know that it is the arrangement of God, our highest almighty power, to perform work through our physical body and mind. This is beyond the understanding of our mind.

Once we have purified our actions, speech, and thoughts, everything we do is correct and any action is appropriate. Therefore, we must practice spiritually. Now you have a clear picture of how the blessing power descends from above. It is our negative thinking that finally turns it into a toxin within us. That is why the Sixth Patriarch Sutra says, "When your thinking is neither good nor bad, then you are in the Tao." The Tao does not incline in any direction, but this does not suggest that the Tao means doing bad things. Only when it is done through the mind does it become bad.

Therefore, it is most important for us to pursue spiritual practice. This is mentioned in all scriptures, but strangely, few people understand it. We must first cultivate ourselves and foster family harmony before we can govern the country and contribute to world peace. However, people rush to maintain world peace, thinking that this is the most important phase and the other three are trivial matters not worthy of concern. How on earth can they ensure world peace? Suppose we want to build a house; we must first lay the foundation. Without a foundation, the higher a building is, the more troublesome it will be and the sooner it will collapse. Therefore, pay no heed to advice that you can practice without observing the precepts. I have made myself very clear on this point.

Poem

A Living Stream of Blue Water

By the Ven. Babarende Sumedha Nugegoda, Sri Lanka (Originally in English)

When I was thirsting for a drop of water,
Gazing at the wide open sky,
Rupturing the rainy clouds,
There came YOU, to make lush
The garden of my life!
Far, far in the sky above,
Drifting, drifting through the universe whole,
To soothe burning hearts,
May You become a living stream
Of blue water and shine, oh, shine
Till the world lasts, lasts and lasts!

Story World

Spiritual Dogs

Dogs are man's loyal friends. Countless stories about their heroic deeds have been told around the world, but you may not know that dogs are highly spiritual. They not only can feel the high vibrations and positive magnetic field of an Enlightened Master, but can even prophesy His coming. This issue's "Story World" presents a selection of funny and heartwarming stories about interactions between Master and dogs, which we hope you will enjoy.

The Dog That Circled Master

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai,
Hsihu, Formosa May 17, 1992
(Originally in Chinese)

In the past few days since our retreat began, a dog has been walking around my quarters every day. He walks in circles, making seven rounds each time. After the seventh round, he sticks out his tongue to cool off, and then repeats the circling again. This has become his daily routine and I have no idea how many rounds he has made. If he does not see me, he barks a few times. The sound is unbearable. (Master imitates the dog barking.) (Master and audience laugh.) If he does not see me after the seventh round, he barks, and each time the pitch is different. When he is tired, it goes "ou" (lower note); and when he is not, it goes "oh, oh" (higher note). (Initiate: "He must be an Indian dog.") The Indian dog goes circling around the Buddha (an enlightened Being). At first, I thought he was hungry and gave him some food. But he was not hungry. How could a hungry dog move around like that the whole day!

He only circles my house. He is very disciplined and does not run around wildly. He follows a definite path. (Master demonstrates with Her hands.) If he is tired by the fifth round, he takes a two-minute break before resuming. At the end of the seventh round, he takes a longer rest.

Sometimes, I talk to him and say, "Okay, stop circling around!" But he thinks I want him to go on, and continues doing so. If I am quiet, he stands guard in a very dignified manner. Strangely, he only circles my house and moves down after finishing his rounds. The female initiates thought he was a stray dog and tried to chase him away. But he refused to leave. He ran up to my house instead. Every time he is chased, he just runs back up and starts circling again, thinking that he hasn't done enough rounds. When residents try to chase him away, he just stares at them.

Resident disciple: "The other day when I was on guard and tried to chase him away, he even tried to bite me. How ferocious!"

Bite you! Really? He had not finished his rounds yet, so how could you chase him away? You do not know his habit. He was trying to tell you, "You are only one of the guards, nothing more! You are a first-rank guard. I am a third-rank guard. We are not much different." (Laughter!)

He makes seven rounds each time and walks the same path on every round. You people on guard duty know that. It seems to have drawn a line on the ground, and walks the same course every day. He only moves around my house, and nowhere else. He may be a Tibetan dog. Tibetan people also walk in circles around the Buddha. How strange that he has been making daily rounds over the past few days, not going anywhere else or doing any other thing! Also, he is not noisy. He barks only when he does not see me, (Master imitates the barking), as if to tell me, "Here I come!" (Initiate: "It is reporting for duty to Master.") It has reported for duty clearly enough. However, I say, "Don't report anymore. I do not like noise." He only barks if he cannot see me; he does not dare bark loudly, but in an unpleasant kind of tone. If he can see me, he does not bark. It is fine seeing me once a day.

In the beginning, when he passed by my door, he would come inside a bit to see if I was there. Now, he does not come to the door to take a look. He just moves around the house, round and round like this, stopping to rest after every seven rounds.

A Dog on a Pilgrimage

When Master was telling us the story about the dog that circled Her seven times, brother Ke happened to be present.

Brother Ke said, "When Master once visited me in Hsinchu, three or four dogs that we had never seen before came to our door and just squatted there. They sat at the door the whole day. We could recognize all the dogs in the neighborhood, but we had never seen those few before. We had no idea where they had come from. They refused to leave even when we tried to chase them away. They sat there the whole day. Even when Master was out, they sat by the door waiting for Her, as if they knew She would return."

The Dog That Saluted Master

After the May 2000 retreat in Youngdong Center, Korea, Master stayed briefly in Japan. The neighbor living next to Her quarters had a big dog. The dog usually sat at the door or walked around there. Every time it saw Master come out of Her abode, it would immediately lie down on its stomach, as though it were respectfully saluting and bowing to Her. But when it saw Her attendants, it did not act in the same way.

Blessed Dogs Waiting for Master

By sister initiate Mikyung Oh, Seoul, Korea

The last owner of Master's house left us two dogs. When we were remodeling the house in the winter of 1997, they delivered three puppies. We tried to take them from the kennel into the house as it was very cold outside. But they were afraid of us because we were strangers to them. They barked constantly, not just at strangers, but also at us, even though we fed them food every day. We tried to catch them many times, but failed each time. Finally, they ran into the mountains just behind the house and were rarely seen.

In May of 1998, on the eve of Master's arrival, they suddenly appeared and guarded the gate through the night like security guards. We couldn't believe our eyes. The next morning, when Master arrived at the house, they came down to the garden and sat still looking at Her. It was incredible that they did not bark at Her! It was as though they had been waiting for Master for a long time. They looked very happy when She waved to them. We believe even dogs can recognize the Supreme Master.

Media Reports

Author: Lan Cao, Himilce Novas
Publisher: Penguin USA
Published in April 1996
ISBN: 0452273153
(Originally in English)

Everything You Need to Know about Asian American History

This publication introduces Master
on pages 222-223 as follows:

Who is the Supreme Master Ching Hai?

Born in Vietnam, and an honorary American citizen since 1993, Supreme Master Ching Hai is a symbol of spiritual wisdom and guidance for hundreds of thousands of seekers of enlightenment around of the globe. She teaches, free of charge, a non-denominational form of meditation called the Quan Yin Method in worldwide centers. Supreme Master Ching Hai has achieved international fame for her humanitarian and disaster-relief efforts on four continents. In recognition of her contributions, she received the International Peace Commendation and the World Spiritual Leadership Award in 1993 and 1994 respectively. Master Ching Hai has been the honored guest of world leaders and has addressed the United Nations in New York and Geneva on numerous occasions.

According to Master Ching Hai's philosophy, all of the world's religions teach the same fundamental truth: universal brotherhood and sisterhood, moral courage, and purity of mind. Master Ching Hai's Quan Yin Method of meditation is referred to in ancient scriptures as the key to "Immediate Enlightenment." At the core of the Quan Yin Method is silent contemplation of the "Inner Sound stream," by which the individual may experience higher levels of consciousness and uncover the path to enlightened understanding.

From the magazine, New Human Dawn,
published February, 2001 in Seoul, South Korea (Originally in Korean)

Subject: The Key of Immediate Enlightenment--
The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association

How attractive it is if someone says we can get enlightenment immediately! Throughout human history, numerous truth-seekers have been eager to gain enlightenment, but only a few have done so, even though they had to go through all kinds of suffering and hardship. So generally it is thought that getting enlightenment is very rare and difficult to attain, and it is only possible after we go through many hardships. We ordinary people usually think that getting enlightenment is an issue that is 'far apart' from our lives. But Supreme Master Ching Hai insists that we can meet our real Self simply by closing our eyes, and can get enlightenment immediately through a simple and universal meditation method.

Worldly Life and Spiritual Practice Need Not Be Separated

Since 1992 Supreme Master Ching Hai has been well-known in Korea. Moreover, since 1993, through Her lectures in Seoul and Pusan, the number of Koreans who practice the Quan Yin Method and maintain a vegetarian diet has increased dramatically. The current number of practitioners in Korea is in the thousands. There are meditation centers in 11 major Korean cities and initiates and initiates-to-be gather each Sunday to meditate together. However, no one is forced to give money or change their religion to practice the Quan Yin Method. In order to help people begin a vegetarian diet, The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association's Seoul Center runs the 'SM Vegetarian Buffet Restaurant' and the 'VegeLove' bakery in Poi-Dong, Seoul.

caption:Written by Jeon, Chae-Yeon http://ccy@newhuman.org Photographs by Kim, Myung-Soon

Interview with brother Choi (a VegeLove worker) from The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association

Realization of Universal Love

Q: When did you get initiated?

A: Five years ago. From then on, I have been maintaining a strict vegetarian diet and practicing meditation for three hours a day. I keep practicing in the middle of daily life because we don't believe that spiritual practice and worldly life are separate.

Q: What difference have you noticed in your life before and after initiation?

A: My personality and values about life have changed. Before, I used to be passive in interpersonal relationships, and sometimes became depressed. But through meditation practice, I have begun to feel compassion towards everything and my understanding towards my neighbors has widened. I've gained the power to look at the world brightly and to love universally.

Q: Tell me about the Vegetarian bakery 'VegeLove'

A: There are only a few vegetarian bakeries like 'VegeLove' in Korea. We deal in almost all kinds of vegetarian products in Korea to help people easily access the vegetarian diet. We sell vegetarian meats and ham, and eggs made of wheat gluten, and make vegetarian hamburgers, sandwiches, pizza, and so on. We promote all kinds of products that do not include animal ingredients. We deliver the products free of charge if the total cost of the order is over fifty thousand won.

Q: Share your thoughts about Supreme Master Ching Hai

A: I feel comfortable with Her, like breathing air.

Q: What do you want to do in the future?

A: I believe practice involves finding one's own way by oneself. I would like to try organic agricultural methods as a part of my practice and as a way to benefit the public.

Java Post, Indonesia, March 4, 2001 (Originally in Indonesian)

Video Seminar Draws Full-house Audience

The Indonesian Center of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association held a video seminar on the Quan Yin Method yesterday. Although Supreme Master Ching Hai was unable to attend personally, the seminar nonetheless attracted several hundred people. The seminar lasted more than two hours, as all attentively watched the videotapes presented.

Master's photos and books were on display at the entrance of the seminar venue, along with Her Celestial Clothes and other artistic creations, including paintings. A disciple of Master Ching Hai told a reporter with confidence: "Although Master is not physically present at the seminar, Her manifestation body is omnipresent." The crowd that showed up for the lecture once again left us deeply impressed by Supreme Master Ching Hai's charismatic appeal to the people.

All applicants for the Convenient Method were screened, and a guard stopped a reporter from entering, saying, "Only those who vow to be vegetarian can learn the Convenient Method; everyone else is requested to remain in the lecture hall." Although this requirement is not easy for most non-vegetarians, dozens of people registered for the Convenient Method without hesitation. Those requesting initiation into the Quan Yin Method are required to maintain a vegetarian diet for three months at least. An initiate explained that the first condition for initiation is to refrain from killing. Initiates are required to strictly abide by five precepts: No killing, no lying, no stealing, no adulterous misconduct, and no alcohol. No killing means following a full vegetarian diet, but dairy products are allowed. Convenient Method practitioners must maintain a vegetarian diet for at least ten days each month, and should try to consume less meat at other times. Initiates are required to meditate two and a half hours each day in order to elevate themselves toward higher enlightenment.

Disciples Lead Carefree Lives

Supreme Master Ching Hai often says that it is not difficult to get enlightenment, and there is a way to immediate enlightenment. This is the most appealing part of Her teachings. "We can have daily, direct contact with God after initiation, and God is omnipresent," She states. Followers of different faiths are strongly attracted by Master Ching Hai's teachings, and She is a merciful and loving example to disciples: Like Mother Teresa known for her loving actions, Master Ching Hai has conducted numerous humanitarian activities around the world without ever seeking anything in return. A disciple initiated three years ago said that during initiation, Quan Yin practitioners can see brilliant light, and enjoy carefree lives and more harmonious family interactions afterwards.

caption:Young girls attracted to the Quan Yin Method waste no time in purchasing video tapes of Supreme Master Ching Hai.

A Brief Message

Master's Sample Booklets in Various Language Versions are Now Available on the Internet!

To provide worldwide and immediate access to the precious teachings of Supreme Master Ching Hai, along with Her life sketch, selections from Her lectures, and a brief introduction to the Quan Yin Method, "The Key of Immediate Enlightenment" sample booklets are now available on the following web sites in fifty languages. To read them on-line, please visit one of these sites:

http://www.Direkter-Kontakt-mit-Gott.org/booklet (Austria)
http://www.Godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng/publication/sample/sample.htm ((Formosa)
http://www.Godsdirectcontact.org/sample ((USA)

These sites are designed to display the sample booklet in a format that may be read on-line. Or, the booklet may be downloaded as a PDF file for convenient access and printing from your personal computer. (Detailed downloading instructions are available from the second web site above.) The only software needed is Acrobat Reader. If Acrobat Reader is not already installed on your computer, you may follow the instructions and obtain it, free of charge, from these sites.

Elevation of the Soul

Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest Audiotapes

<In English>
E78 (Four tapes)
Enlightenment and Ignorance
Asia 2000 Ocean of Love Tour,
Lecture in Kathmandu, Nepal , May 1, 2000

Illusion Is a Reflection of Reality
Asia 2000 Ocean of Love Tour,
Lecture in Manila, The Philippines, May 3, 2000

Wisdom and Concentration
Asia 2000 Ocean of Love Tour,
Lecture in Tokyo, Japan , May 7, 2000

Life Continues Forever
Asia 2000 Ocean of Love Tour,
Lecture in Seoul, Korea, May 8, 2000

<In Chinese>
CL22 (Six tapes)
True Happiness Is Recognizing Our True Nature (1)(2)
Asia 2000 Ocean of Love Tour,
Lecture in Hong Kong , May 2, 2000

Listening Inwardly to Our Self-Nature (1)(2)
Asia 2000 Ocean of Love Tour,
Lecture in Taoyuan, Formosa, May 5, 2000

A Spiritual and Intellectual Interchange (1)(2)
Seminar at Academia Sinica,
Taipei, Formosa , May 6, 2000

<In English>
ER20 (Five tapes)
Beyond the Emptiness of Existence
International Six-day Retreat in Bangkok, Thailand
December 27/30, 1999

A Day of Togetherness
International Six-day Retreat in Bangkok, Thailand
December 27/28, 1999

The Heart of a Child
International Six-day Retreat in Bangkok, Thailand
December 29, 1999

Spreading Truth in a Natural Way
International Six-day Retreat in Bangkok, Thailand
December 30, 1999

The Smile of an Angel
International Six-day Retreat in Bangkok, Thailand
December 30, 1999

E77 (Four tapes)
The Reunion of Souls (1)(2)
Asia 2000 Ocean of Love Tour,
Lecture in Auckland, New Zealand April 27, 2000

The Light Keeper
Asia 2000 Ocean of Love Tour,
Lecture in Colombo, Sri Lanka April 29, 2000

Love is the True Essence of Life
Asia 2000 Ocean of Love Tour,
Lecture in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia April 30, 2000

New Book Releases

"Letters Between Master and Spiritual Practitioners,Volume I" (Now Available in English) 

English version of the "Letters Between Master and Spiritual Practitioners,Volume I" is a brand new collection of letters between Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her disciples and other spiritual practitioners. Each letter is spiritually enlightening, and Master's penetrating responses provide illuminating answers to the questions within your heart, pinpointing
oversights and clarifying confusion in your spiritual practice. Its rich and extensive
contents cover all the details of spiritual practice, from attaining serenity of mind to creating harmonious relationships. Master's wisdom is an illuminating lighthouse leading us in the right direction on the spiritual path.
The meticulous care and Infinite Grace given by Supreme Master to Her disciples are clearly obvious in the exchange of correspondence between them. The many true stories in this volume are moving testimonials to Master's unfathomable love and omnipresent power. The steady stream of love between Master and disciples shines through in these letters, and will touch your heart, strengthen your faith, and increase your courage in facing the challenges of daily life and spiritual practice.

Related web address: http://www.godsdirectcontact.org/eng/news/121/es1.htm

Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest Videotapes

<In English with Aulacese Subtitles>
669 The Mercy Of God
Lecture in Cape Town, South Africa
November 27, 1999

<In English and Korean>
707 Body Code of A Master
Group Meditation in Seoul, South Korea
May 20, 2000

To order Master's publications, please contact:
The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co., Ltd., Taipei, Formosa
Tel: (886) 2-87873935
Fax: (886) 2-87870873
E-mail: wisdom@m2.dj.net.tw 
ROC Postal Remittance Account No.: 19259438
Postal Account: The Supreme Master Ching Hai Publishing Co., Ltd.

Quan Yin Family

Sharing Spiritual Bliss

(Originally in English)

Below is a letter from Brother Shaun Hannocks,which he sent to us while he was traveling overseas. His devotion, sensitivity and awareness of Master's great power were a joy to read about, and I was moved to share Shaun's happiness at having found Master and the Quan Yin Method. I asked Shaun for permission to share this letter expressing his bliss with readers of the News magazine.

With Master's love

Ray and Julie

Byron Bay/Northern Rivers, Australia

Dear Ray and Julie,

Well, we're all connected now and ready to communicate. How are you guys doing? It sounds like things are really good. This meditation is just amazing; things just happen, and I can feel Master's blessing. I try to keep up with three hours of practice every day, but sometimes I flake and then sometimes I just do double to catch up.

School over here keeps me busy. I made a documentary film the other week. I went to Washington, D. C. and filmed a huge protest; this was for film class. I spent the whole day editing it and finally finished it. They then showed some of the films in class, and when they showed mine the people loved it; they clapped so loud and carried on clapping, that I started getting embarrassed. Wow! I was so surprised and thrilled and I really started to realize that I did an awesome job and was congratulated by many students. I was thrilled and was worried about my ego and then remembered that it's the work of Master.

Master gives so much; even if I have trouble keeping up with meditation She is still there to help. Sometimes I see people and just want to hug them, but have to hold back. Sometimes I'll almost do it, but it's seen as a little bit strange, just all of a sudden, to hug someone you have just met.

In the amount of meditation that I do I feel the benefit. There is going to be a time in this life when I just want to practice full on; I feel this urge a lot. But there's also something holding me to technology. I think it's got something to do with helping others or showing others by means of communication through it.

Through the years of growing up the way I did, I feel that my ego is the size of a mountain in comparison to an ant; it couldn't get bigger. I fight it every day, because it gets in the way of everything. I am super lucky to know and believe what I do today, that there is nothing in life that can upset me, that everything happens for a reason, and when it does I thank Master.

I must go now.

With all the best and all my love,

Shaun

Love In Action

Report by the Costa Rica Working Team (Originally in Spanish)

Sharing God's Divine Love with El Salvadoran Quake Victims

On January 13, 2001, at about two a.m., a strong earthquake hit El Salvador in Latin America. The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association immediately sent relief funds to the victims through the San Jose and Los Angeles Centers in the United States, to cover the cost of food supplies and home reconstruction. Costa Rican fellow practitioners who were in charge of the funds teamed up with San Salvadoran initiates to form a network of human and material resources, and thus bring Master's loving concern to the quake victims.

Fellow practitioners visited several communities and provided aid to 257 households in Tamanique County, including El Jobo, La Lima, La Cumbre, San Isidro, and two remote villages. Severely devastated rural communities where little international aid could reach were listed as top priorities for the relief operation. First, we visited several communities in Tamanique County to determine the practical needs of the victims, and then divided into several groups to handle different work assignments. With God's Grace, everything went smoothly, and the relief provisions were fairly and reasonably distributed. Such timely material assistance was welcomed at the time, but we realized that spiritual comfort would last forever in the hearts of the victims. Thus, we also conducted seminars featuring Master's videos during community gatherings, and many people asked to learn the Convenient Method. Fellow practitioners were amazed and delighted by the people's overwhelming interest in Master's teachings.

El Jobo

An onsite examination showed that the victims urgently needed food and construction materials. Several fellow brothers went to San Salvador to purchase the building materials from wholesalers, while another group visited victims in El Jobo and prepared for a local seminar. It was a long trip to El Jobo, for we were not familiar with the travel routes and had to change buses four times before we finally arrived at the center of Tamanique County.

We did not plan to stay there, but intended to finish our job and return to San Salvador to join the other fellow practitioners. So, when local inhabitants told us that there were no buses to San Salvador after four p.m., we panicked. We had only a small amount of money and some instant noodles, and had no idea how we could reach our next destination. But very soon, we felt protected by the omnipresent Master, and became calm and peaceful. We came to a convent, where God seemed to have arranged everything for us. The head of the convent, Mother Superior Barbara Durbon, received us cordially and provided us with tools for our work. That afternoon, she found us a car so that we could meet the chiefs of the El Jobo community.

The basic facilities in El Jobo had been completely destroyed by the earthquake, and the people grieved over the loss of their homes and property. Although we were shocked by the devastation, it was touching to hear Indian Chief Pedro de Jesus Amaya say, "Master Ching Hai's loving concern has brought bliss and hope to the hearts of all." We distributed Master's sample booklets to the villagers, and the number was just right. This again gave testimony to the fact that Master arranges everything perfectly in advance.

The next morning, Mother Superior Barbara introduced us to Madam Gladis Olaisola de Serrano, the county magistrate. She was a leader of the local farmers, and a popular young woman with a simple lifestyle. Upon seeing Master's sample booklet, she immediately wanted to know more about Her teachings, and expressed her sincere wish that Master could one day visit her county. She could sense God's intense love shining through Master's teachings, and earnestly asked us to teach her the Convenient Method and vegetarian cooking. Magistrate de Serrano was an excellent tool of God; she provided us with a small truck and an office furnished with a telephone and typewriter. This facilitated our contact with other community leaders and the press, and helped convey Master's teachings in El Salvador.

La Lima

As we traveled by car from El Jobo to La Lima, another group of fellow practitioners had negotiated with La Lima's community leaders regarding the distribution of relief supplies and the presentation of a seminar to share Master's teachings. Coincidentally, the local elementary school was holding a social gathering to assist families in planning and re-organizing their lives, and to encourage them to help each other in overcoming the tragedy. This activity provided a perfect opportunity for us to distribute Master's sample booklets and invite local residents to the El Jobo seminar the next day.

It was not until midnight that all the relief supplies had been distributed. Though everyone worked continuously without a break or nap, none of us felt tired. We later returned to the convent and continued to prepare food for distribution. We were delighted to have some young nuns and volunteers help us pack the food and make the task a loving and pleasant one.

Video Seminar

More than a thousand adults and children from all of communities in Tamanique County came to this grand event. The venue was beautifully decorated with colorful balloons and a yellow banner bearing Master's photo and the greeting "Welcome to the El Jobo Community!" Despite their difficult situation, the people were not depressed. Instead, they said, "Supreme Master Ching Hai has brought us happiness, light, and hope." Farmers from La Lima joined in the occasion and brought with them a huge poster carrying these words: "Our heartfelt thanks to Supreme Master Ching Hai!" To show their innermost gratitude, they even brought along a band of tambourine and guitar players, who entertained everyone with soul-touching music. Children from the Tamanique Primary School and residents from other communities sang the El Salvadoran national anthem together, as peace and harmony pervaded the gathering, and joy shone on every face!

Four hundred children queued up in an orderly way to receive a share of blessed food-a tiny colored cloth bag, containing candies and cookies, which were stitched by a sister initiate from El Salvador. The crowd was just as orderly during the food distribution, but as more and more people arrived, we began to worry that there might not be enough food. Fortunately, however, everyone got a share. Later, a sister initiate responsible for distributing the food revealed: When she noticed the large number of people who had come, she immediately prayed to God and Master to let the food increase in quantity. A miracle really occurred! The food in the sacks seemed to be inexhaustible, as bag after bag was handed out to the people. While absolutely amazed, we firmly believed that all was the manifestation of Master's love, and we also believed that it was a recurrence of Jesus Christ's historic miracle. In His time, a large crowd was waiting for food. His disciples took out loaves of bread from a basket to be distributed to the people, and a new loaf of bread always appeared after one had been taken. In another corner of the venue, a sister initiate and the local community leaders were distributing a full truckload of zinc-plated roofing material and construction tools to the people. Under Master's loving blessing, everything proceeded beautifully!

caption:Desperation and helplessness are written on the faces of the homeless residents.

La Cumbre Is Not Forgotten

The entertainment program, video seminar, and food distribution concluded, and we still had many sacks of dried sweet corn left. God had made another arrangement; a member of the El Jobo Development Association asked that we send the remaining food to the adjacent La Cumbre community. With assistance from the county government car team, we then went to La Cumbre to distribute the dried sweet corn and Master's sample booklets. When we arrived, all we could see was the debris of ruined houses. People were sheltered in makeshift huts built of wooden planks and plastic covers, as most had lost their homes. The community's miserable school had only three classrooms left, and these were also packed with victims! Many children became orphans because their parents had been buried alive during the quake. We were sad to see people suffering so much from this catastrophe. Fortunately, however, God made sure that we came to this place to share Master's divine love with our less fortunate fellow humans.

caption:Fellow practitioners deliver relief provisions with Master's blessings to affected areas, bringing hope to the victims.

caption:The earthquake has reduced many homes to debris in El Salvador. People build makeshift shelters from cloth and plastic covers.

Expenditures for El Salvador Earthquake Relief Activities (Unit: US$)

Supreme Master Ching Hai has contributed another US$10,000 for relief of the victims, details of the expenses will be reported in a furture News magazine.

Report from New Jersey, USA

Relief for the Gujarat, India Earthquake Victims

[New Jersey] on Jan 26, 2001, a severe earthquake registering 7.9 on the Richter scale hit Gujarat, India, causing approximately 20,000 deaths and leaving tens of thousands of people homeless. Upon hearing news of the disaster, the New Jersey Center immediately asked local fellow practitioners in the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania to contribute money for disaster relief. We subsequently received a total of US$24,408 and sent it to the India Development & Relief Fund (IDRF). Dr. Vinod Prakash, President of the IDRF, sent us a letter to express his group's appreciation for the love shown by Supreme Master Ching Hai.

caption:Three receipts for remittances amounting to US$24,408, contributed through the India Development & Relief Fund for the victims of Gujarat, India earthquake.

caption:A letter from Dr. Vinod Prakash, President of the IDRF, expressing his group's gratitude for the love shown by Supreme Master Ching Hai.

Letters of Appreciation 

(Originally in Spanish)

El Jobo Community Development Association
February 8, 2001

To Supreme Master Ching Hai,

The residents and members of the Community Committee of El Jobo, Tamanique County, Libertad Province wish to extend their most sincere gratitude to Supreme Master Ching Hai for sending a working team to render aid to those of us who lost our homes in the earthquake of January 13, 2001. Through the generous contribution of Your association, each household received zinc metal sheeting for roofs; tools including nails, hammers, and handsaws; food provisions; and gifts of candies and cookies for the children.

For Your charitable act of loving kindness, our community is extremely grateful to You.

May Almighty God bless You!

Yours faithfully,
Pedro de Jesus Amaya, Chairman
Jose Osmin Ramos, Secretary
El Jobo Community Committee, Tamanique County

Tamanique County, Libertad Province, El Salvador
February 7, 2001

To the venerable Supreme Master Ching Hai and The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association:

Our people have received invaluable assistance from Your Holiness. We can find no words to convey our gratitude to you. From our corner of El Salvador, we respectfully extend our heartfelt appreciation to your Association. Thank You for Your kindness and Your sacred love for humankind.

These are the heartfelt words of the people of Tamanique County to You. You will always see the smiling faces of our people, both young and old, as they say "Thank You." Our people will transform their love for You into a glorious page in history and adorn it with gems and gold as a remembrance of Your charitable acts.

We are honored to know Your generous people, and our county's government hereby proclaims You honorary citizens. This is a sign of our greatest respect to distinguished people like You, because there is no other way that we can repay Your invaluable merit.

With a heart full of love and gratitude, we, the people here, sincerely invite You to be our guest anytime You find convenient. We love You dearly, and Your charitable actions will remain in our hearts forever.

Maria Gladis Olaisola de Serrano
(County Mayor)
On behalf of Tamanique County, Libertad Province, El Salvador

Television Program

Please visit the following website for the latest timetable of other TV programs about Supreme Master Ching Hai:

http://www.spiritual-discovery.org/events/tv.htm

Supreme Art

Happy Yogi World

Mother Earth calls--
She who gives life to all things
And embraces all,
She who stands for universal love,
Tolerance, and silent humility.
In Her soil, so full of life,
Runs the pulsating force of the universe,
Awakening the yearning in Her children
To rush into Her open arms.

Beginning in March, the S.M. Celestial Clothes group launched a series of Happy Yogi leisure clothing exhibitions at the Hsihu Center. The shows focus on a new theme each month, and the venue is specially arranged to display Master's beautiful creations, so that initiates can further realize Master's loving intent.

Around the end of 1999, Master designed the S.M. Happy Yogi Clothes as part of Her global effort to remind us to pursue spiritual practice and always remember our true inner nature . This collection of casual and leisure wear featuring attractive floral patterns and simple contours is a special gift from Master to Her dear children, and a way to forge ties of affinity through everyday living.

The main theme of the March exhibition was "Great Earth," featuring a series of Happy Yogi leisure clothes in earth colors set against a ten-by-three-meter mural to create a gracefully serene atmosphere.

A one-person multi-purpose tent designed by Master was ingeniously placed in the exhibition area among mannequins wearing different versions of Happy Yogi clothes in a spectrum of earth tones. The superb setting could easily have been mistaken for a grand event in Heaven!

Other Celestial Clothes designs were displayed in the "European Lady" area, which formed an exotic, romantic scene providing a tranquil and leisurely atmosphere, and made visitors linger on without any thought of leaving.

How to Contact Us

News Group: 
E-mail: lovesrc@Godsdirectcontact.org
Fax: 1-801-7409196 or 886-946-728475 

S.M. Book Department: 
E-mail: divine@Godsdirectcontact.org

Fax: 1-240-352-5643 or 886-943-802829
(You are welcome to join us in translating 
Master's books into others languages.)

Spiritual Information Desk: 
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Fax: 886-946-730699

S.M. Celestial Co., Ltd.
E-mail: smcj@ms34.hinet.net
Tel: 886-2-87910860 \ Fax: 886-2-87911216

The Supreme Master Ching Hai International 
Association Publishing Co., Ltd., Taipei, Formosa.
E-mail: wisdom@m2.dj.net.tw
Tel: (886) 2-87873935 \ Fax: (886) 2-87870873

LA Center Bookstore
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Fax: 1-909-738-9992

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Quan Yin WWW Sites

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The WWW Addresses for The Supreme Master Ching Hai News Online Are:

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