The Supreme Master Ching Hai eNews No. 146 ================================================================== If you've meditated a lot, you look at everything cheerfully and you're mentally relaxed. ~Supreme Master Ching Hai ======= Contents ======= ? Elevation of the Soul Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest DVDs/ Books/ CDs/ Videotapes ? Master's Words Transcend Good and Evil, Focus Inwardly to Reach Great Enlightenment ? Panorama of Events Australia/ USA/ Colombia/ Korea/ Formosa/ Thailand ? Pearls of Wisdom We Can Help the World Only through Diligent Practice/Renounce Everything and Be Happy/ Together We Can Make the World a Paradise ? Poems Declaration of Joy ? Frontline God Takes Care of Everything--Combined Report on the Taoyuan Book Exhibition ? Science and Spirituality A Scientific Look at Meditation ? Selected Questions and Answers The Criterion for Gauging Spiritual Development/ Develop Your Inner Healing Energy / The Mirror of Mirrors ? The Quan Yin Family Your Love Vibrates in All Our Hearts/ Quan Yin Meditation Elevates My Family/ Amazing Grace ? While on the Path The Ultimate Experience ? Master Says Remain Focused and Detached during Retreats ? Story World Learning from Master's Perfect Example of Love ? Master Tells Stories The Farmer and the Snake ? Love in Action Canada/ India/ Korea/ Hong Kong/ Formosa ? Letters of Appreciation Canada/ Korea ? Media Reports Canada/ Korea ? Aphorisms Become Liberated While Living ? Master Tells Jokes A Doctor's Wise Investment/ Psychic Mailman Needed/ Too Bad about God's Dollar! ? Our Liaison Practitioners around the World ? Quan Yin WWW Sites A Little Message: In speaking of God or the Supreme Spirit, Master instructs us to use original non-sexist terms to avoid the argument about whether God is a She or a He. She + He = Hes (as in Bless) Her + Him = Hirm (as in Firm) Hers + His = Hiers (as in Dear) Example: When God wants, Hes makes things happen according to Hiers will to suit Hirmself. News No. 146 Published: November 5, 2003 Founded: April 1, 1990 Published By: The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publisher: Hsieh, Hsin Lin The Supreme Master Ching Hai News is published on the Internet in the following languages: Aulacese, Chinese (in both traditional and simplified versions), English, French, German, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese and Thai. Please refer to the "Quan Yin WWW Sites" of the News magazine for related websites. ================================================================== Elevation of the Soul Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest Videotapes 751 Non-Regressing Bodhisattvas Videoconference between Master and Hsihu Residents, February 23, 2003 ¡ ================================================================== Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest Books I Have Come to Take You Home We are all perfect beings from Heaven. However, since we are constantly affected by a myriad of environmental factors, we often fail to see our original Self clearly, and are thus trapped in the ocean of worldly suffering. Only by finding our true Self within and recognizing our great Self-nature can we attain liberation. The invaluable spiritual text, I Have Come to Take You Home, is a compilation of excerpts from Supreme Master Ching Hai's lectures given in various parts of the world that can help you in this quest. Her words of wisdom, like radiant beacons, illuminate the path back Home for sentient beings craving liberation from the illusory world. Supreme Kitchen Volume One, Second Edition now available! (In English and Chinese) This exquisite cookbook featuring international vegetarian cuisine contains beautifully printed texts and pictures that reveal the cooking secrets of fellow practitioners from around the world. What makes this volume even more invaluable are its many wonderful recipes personally imparted by Supreme Master Ching Hai. The recipes cover a wide variety of exotic Western and Asian dishes. Even if you are not adept in the culinary arts, with the step-by-step guidance of this book, you can prepare many delectable vegetarian dishes with little effort! These recipes bestowed on us by God are best shared with friends and relatives! ================================================================== Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest DVDs 560 Each Soul is the Master Group Meditation at the Raising Center, Cambodia, July 22, 1996 What is the mission and purpose of each soul that comes into the world? How does the soul choose its own path? Why do some souls lead free and easy lives while others choose to suffer and go through countless predicaments? When souls come into this world, it's very easy for them to forget their Heavenly glory. Why is this so? How should we treat the souls who still don't want to return to the Heavenly Kingdom? In this DVD, Master gives explicit discourses on these topics. 742 Elevating the World through Spiritual Practice Master's videoconferences with disciples, Hsihu, Formosa, Hong Kong and China, August 4, August 11 and September 15, 2002 This DVD covers three of Master's videoconferences with disciples. Fellow initiates raise many questions concerning spiritual practice, such as: How can one overcome persistent distracting thoughts during meditation? In a time when there are many false masters, how can we protect our aspiration for the Truth? How can one simultaneously attend to spiritual development and participate in the local center's work? Master's patient response to each question posed by disciples provides valuable insights for all of us. 512 How to Practice in a Complex Society Group Meditation in Hsihu, Formosa, November 5, 1995 On this DVD, Master gives us much valuable inspiration by presenting the story of Guan Zhong, a great politician of ancient China. For the benefit of his country and the Chinese people, Guan Zhong (prime minister of the state of Qi during the Warring States Period) forsook his own reputation and selfish interests to act in tactful ways. Though deeply immersed in the political whirlpool of his time, he was able to remain vigilant and properly manage the country. 716 A Natural Way to Love God Group meditation at the Florida Center, U.S.A., June 8, 2001 Why do some fellow initiates feel that they have made no progress since the time they were initiated? What is the solution to this problem? People engaged in certain careers may find it hard to concentrate in meditation. Why? How can they overcome this difficulty? In addition to questions and answers between Master and fellow disciples, this DVD is also full of Master's loving reminders. Attentively watching this DVD will help us to remember our saintly status, and remind us to always act in the noble, magnificent and holy manner of a saint. 705 Waking up from the Dream Group meditation in Seoul, Korea, May 17, 2000 On this DVD, Master states that She wrote many of Her poems before embarking on the spiritual path and later recited them. Subsequently, the recitations were broadcast on radio and received a warm response. What's the mysterious reason for this effect? Most Asian countries practice the custom of ancestor worship. How should Quan Yin Practitioners view this tradition? What is the vital key to seeing the Light in meditation? What is Master's opinion on human cloning? After the demise of the enlightened Master, will half-initiated children still be under Her care and guidance? You can find the answers to all of these fascinating questions on this DVD. photo: 146-bk-in-e ¡ ================================================================== Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest CDs CD-CE04 The Invisible Work of a Living Master Spoken at Wanhua Dist., Taipei, Formosa, on June 30, 1986 What are the various jobs that the physical body and transformation form of an enlightened Master have to do? How does Master handle the demonic karmic hindrances of disciples, and convert the demons to practice spiritually under Her? Do you know how Master goes through the jungle of swords in hell on behalf of five generations of Her disciples' families? Master stresses that no matter what path we practice and what level we have reached, all is futile if we do not have true compassion. Do you know why? This lecture CD is the first of a series of Master's discourses spoken in the early years before She began preaching openly in Formosa, and is an audio publication worth treasuring! ================================================================== 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: smchbooks@Godsdirectcontact.org ROC Postal Remittance Account No.: 19259438 (for Formosa orders only) Postal Account: The Supreme Master Ching Hai Publishing Co., Ltd. Please visit our bookshop's website to download our catalogue and summaries of the contents of Master's latest publications: http://www.smchbooks.com/ (in English and Chinese) ================================================================== Master's Words Transcend Good and Evil, Focus Inwardly to Reach Great Enlightenment Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Hong Kong, June 26, 1993 (originally in Chinese) Videotape No. 379 Our God Nature is great and infinite.We ought to develop and recognize It every day instead of just being content with a little enlightenment. This is absolutely not enough! The God Nature is Great and Infinite You must meditate more! Otherwise, not only will you do things poorly, but you will also feel mentally uncomfortable. If you've meditated a lot, you look at everything cheerfully and you're mentally relaxed. Isn't that right? (Yes!) Meditation doesn't mean just sitting there cross-legged. You also have to focus inwardly with sincerity and concentrate inside, ignoring worldly matters. If we can remain in this state for twenty-four hours a day, our aura will become very comfortable. We'll look at everything lightheartedly, and won't keep it in our minds for a long time. Don't think that it's enough to be enlightened. Take Shakyamuni Buddha for example. After He was enlightened, He continued to meditate daily to make Himself more enlightened. Our God Nature is not that limited. So, don't be overjoyed at just seeing a star or the moon. Don't think that it's enough to be able to see the inner Light, or the Amitabha's World, or the Heavenly realms every day. Our God Nature is great and infinite, and we ought to develop and recognize It each day instead of just being content with a little enlightenment. This is absolutely not enough! Transcend Gossip and Rise to Great Heights Some spiritual practitioners aren't cultivated enough, or don't even meditate at all, but then they complain that their lives aren't comfortable. When our lives aren't comfortable, we should meditate more! Only through meditation can our lives become a little more pleasant. Otherwise, we're engulfed by the bad atmosphere of the world. How can we find ease under such circumstances? Thus, you had better ignore these senseless, trivial matters. The less you know about the things of the world, the better it is for you. Don't care about too many trivialities. You ought to transcend and ascend. Only then can you practice with tranquility, attain greater enlightenment, experience results in meditation and have motivation. Otherwise, caring about these trifles all day long will make it very difficult for you to meditate with concentration. If you just sit there wrestling with the chaotic, distracting thoughts that constantly emerge, how can you possibly sit still? The best way for us is to soar high and ascend, transcending all the gossip in this world. That's why I'm always changing in this aspect or that aspect, just to let you learn this lesson. You have to learn faster, and not confine yourselves in these petty, useless and worthless corners of your life. Don't be Hooked by a Tiny Thorn Each time we're angry or critical, our hearts become narrower and can't accommodate all. It's like when your clothes are hooked by a little thorn on a tree, and you can't free yourself unless you pull out the thorn, however tiny it is. So, we shouldn't mind our neighbors or our Master, or the good or bad in anyone. Only then can we meditate wholeheartedly. If there's any garbage in our hearts, we'll be stuck there; we'll be hindered. Why have you progressed so quickly in your spiritual practice? It's because I change a lot, and you can never "catch" me in time. (Master and everyone laugh.) You're not fast enough to get attached, to praise or to cling to any form. All you have to do is follow my teachings to practice, and you'll benefit and progress, and then be happy, joyful and cheerful. However I act is my own personal matter. It has nothing to do with you. It's the Master's Power, the universal power, and not I, this person, who is helping you. Therefore, don't mind what I do, and especially don't care about the rights and wrongs of your neighbors and fellow practitioners. Of course, if you feel that they've done something wrong, and you can't stand it anymore, then you may talk to them. If they don't listen, forget it. Don't keep it in your mind for long. Sometimes, when we're angry with someone, do we meditate badly? (Yes.) The more you try to forget him, the more his disgusting face appears before you, (laughter) just like watching television. However, a television is easy to turn off, but his image is out of control and keeps appearing right in front of your wisdom eye. It's truly intolerable! Thus, try not to mind about the good and bad aspects of other people. Let the big ones become small, and the small ones turn into nothing. Try your best to forgive and understand others. The more we forgive and understand, the better it will be. Don't be angry with people. When we're angry for a long time, cancer may develop in the body. You all know that anger is the most harmful emotion to the body. Dissolve Anger to Benefit Yourselves and Others When you're very angry, try your best to reduce your anger; if it's only a small anger, try your best to reduce it to nothing. Later, just laugh and forget about it. This is better for us. We can control our emotions; it's not that we can't. If we can control them, then it's very good for us. I've tried this. Just as we adjust the sound volume higher or lower, we can also adjust our anger. It's up to us. If we turn our anger higher, we'll be in a bad mood the whole day, and it's also harmful for other people. If we turn down our anger a little, later it will seem as if nothing has happened. It's good for us and for everyone else as well. ================================================================== Panorama of Events Report from Australia Marulan Initiates Joyfully Celebrate the Opening of a New Center [Marulan] On August 29, 2003, initiates from Marulan invited friends and neighbors to commemorate the grand opening of their freshly painted, spacious and beautiful new center with a delicious vegetarian feast. And soon after the opening, a group of initiate-handymen converted a double garage at the center into a meditation hall with a large lounge attached. In addition, eight temporary shower stalls with water storage tanks were built, and the meditation hall, entrance, campsites, kitchen, showers, toilets and other areas were brilliantly illuminated with electric lights, adding to the venue's warmth and welcoming ambiance. Then, thanks to the assistance of brothers and sisters from the Sydney and Canberra Centers, the place was ready for a two-day opening retreat, which began on Saturday, September 13. The Center's subsequent Moon Festival celebration was a wonderful way to round off the grand opening activities, as adults and children alike reveled in a blessed atmosphere of beauty and happiness, content with presents in hand, and satisfied by an enjoyable entertainment program. Photos: sp7-1-146,sp7-1-146,sp7-3-146 Sp10-146e ================================================================== Report from Australia A Delightful Retreat in a Tranquil Setting [Byron Bay / Northern Rivers] In mid August 2003 initiates from Byron Bay / Northern Rivers enjoyed a two-day retreat at their local center, which delivered them to a state of elevation. All of the participants were fully charged with bliss at the end of the event. Photos: sp10-1-146, sp10-2-146 ¡ ================================================================== Report from Pennsylvania, USA Sharing Master's Teachings Benefits Everyone [Harrisburg] For years, initiates in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (the state capital) had contemplated spreading Master's teachings in the local area, and their idea finally came to fruition when they conducted the first video seminar of 2003 in the city on August 25. Prior to the event, a group of initiates from Virginia, New Jersey, Canada and Philadelphia, PA came to Harrisburg to help with the preparations. And through Master's blessings the venue was given a warm, nurturing atmosphere. During the video presentation, the audience was captivated by Master's words, as some frequently nodded in agreement, others showed understanding smiles, and one black brother was moved to tears. A Polish participant who had been a strict vegetarian for many years told us that several days before the seminar God had shown her a bright, Heavenly light. She asked that she be allowed to see the light again if it was a true manifestation of God's power, and then she saw the light two more times. After attending the seminar, the woman learned the Convenient Method and is now eagerly awaiting full initiation. The sister knows that it is her time to go back to Heaven with Master through daily meditation while taking care of her regular worldly duties. Many participants in the seminar learned the Convenient Method and some requested full Quan Yin initiation. While learning the Convenient Method, they all enjoyed their meditation very much. Everyone, including those who were not yet ready to learn the Convenient Method, had positive comments about their experience and said that Master is beautiful and Her lecture was wonderful. The local initiates were joyful about the experience of organizing the Harrisburg seminar, which taught them many spiritual lessons and demonstrated the boundless benefits of working in harmony to spread Master's teachings. We look forward to more opportunities to convey Her loving message in the beautiful state capital of Pennsylvania. Photos:sp8-1-146 ¡ ================================================================== Report from New York, U.S.A. Sharing the Truth to Promote World Peace [New York] Two years have passed since the September 11 disaster shocked the world. This catastrophe will forever remain in people's hearts, urging them to reflect and work together for world peace. In order to share the message about "The Way to Peace" with local residents, New York initiates held a Truth-sharing video seminar in Manhattan on September 14, 2003. As they had only a short time to prepare, the initiates hurriedly publicized the event through fliers and posters. Although New York practitioners are usually busy with mundane work, they wholeheartedly supported this Truth-sharing activity and eagerly participated in the preparations. In culturally oriented districts such as SoHo, people readily accepted the fliers, and in fact, many came forward to ask for them. Some middle-aged people took their fliers home to read as though they were great treasures. On the day of the seminar, the venue was beautifully decorated with Master's paintings and photos. After viewing Master's videotaped lectures, many guests stayed behind to learn the Convenient Method, while some requested initiation into the Quan Yin Method. New York initiates are very grateful to Master for giving them this opportunity to serve their fellow brothers and sisters, and thus help their love and wisdom to develop and grow. However, the most precious gift that the initiates received from Master was the indescribable bliss that filled their hearts when they were totally immersed in the work of Truth-sharing. Photos: sp9-1-146 ¡ ================================================================== Report from Colombia Master's Love Again Pervades Bogota [Bogota] After Bogota's first video seminar featuring Master's teachings was held in 2002, initiates from the United Kingdom held a second seminar at the conference room of the Richmond Hotel on June 21, 2003. For several days prior to the event, the initiates played Master's music in the hotel's rooftop gym, and as the sounds echoed around the building, staff members from the night watchmen to the chefs in the kitchen enjoyed Master's sample booklet. Their kind offer to help with the preparations made the seminar much more delightful because our guests were thus able to enjoy vegetarian cakes late into the night. Before the seminar, news of the event was broadcast on two popular local radio stations, and one even agreed to continuously replay Master's music for an indefinite period. On the scheduled day, despite pouring rain, many guests arrived early to secure seats, and the love and energy that filled the venue was indescribable! The seminar was very successful, and thus another one was conducted on June 28 in a smaller venue, a holistic center called Centro Interior Mandala, where many of the guests who attended the first event again came to watch Master's video to acquire a deeper understanding of Her Teachings. Sister Maria Eugenia of the Universidad Pedagogica Nacional, who has been practicing the Convenient Method since the seminar held in 2002, promised that Master could set up a meditation center in her home. So after the 2003 seminars, fellow initiates helped her complete the renovation of her home and finally set up a new group meditation center in Bogota. Local brothers and sisters were delighted to find their dreams fulfilled as the center was recently opened for their use. Thank You, Master. Fellow practitioners' hearts fill with Master's love at the opening of the Bogota Center. Photos: sp1-1-146, sp1-2-146 ¡ ================================================================== Report from Korea Joyously Spreading Master's Teachings [Incheon] On August 17 and 31, 2003 Korean initiates held video seminars at the Incheon West-district Cultural Center, and the Incheon South-district Office Grand Conference Hall respectively. Incheon is the third largest city in Korea and the gateway to the nation with the Incheon International Airport being located there. Master's teachings are not yet widespread in Incheon although some disciples in the area regularly attend group meditation. Before the seminars, several initiates from Youngdong, Seoul, Daejeon, Busan and other cities came to Incheon to help with preparations. On the day of the seminar at the Incheon West-district Cultural Center, a large number of the guests showed great interest in vegetarianism and in Master's teachings. And after the video presentation, more than a third stayed behind to learn the Convenient Method, with some applying for initiation. Three days after the seminar, a man who had been practicing a breathing method for several years visited the Incheon Center, watched Master's videos, read Her books and proclaimed, "Now, I've come to realize that the Quan Yin Method is the best method for directly reaching the Truth!" The visitor also acquired six of Master's books before returning home. Toward the end of the Incheon South-district Office Grand Conference Hall seminar, a Chinese woman visited us, learned the Convenient Method and then followed us to the Incheon Center where she studied Master's books for a while. Afterwards she exclaimed, "I'm so fortunate to learn the Convenient Method! I'll recommend the Quan Yin Method to my husband and we'll practice together." While spreading the Truth through these events, Korean initiates felt happy and elated although the August weather was so hot and steamy that it caused us to sweat profusely. We are sincerely grateful for God's grace in arranging the efforts of the seminar work team members, who with joy and love spread Master's teachings in Incheon City. Photos: sp6-1-146.jpg ¡ ================================================================== Report from Thailand A Retreat in Honor of Our Great Mother [Bangkok] August 12 of each year is Mother's Day in Thailand. This year, Thai initiates held a retreat from August 9-10, 2003 at an initiate's home in Chachoengsao Province to celebrate their "spiritual" Mother's Day. Realizing that Master is like our great Mother on the spiritual path, a large number of local initiates attended the event to honor Her and pray for world peace. Our meditation sessions featured the playing of Master's melodic Buddha's Chanting tape. Thus the meditation room was continuously filled with Master's blessing power! The participants also felt our Mother's love through watching Her videotapes. At the end of the last session, we took a photo together and each person received blessed food. Due to the great blessing and spiritual benefit everyone felt from the retreat, we decided to hold another one next month. ¡ ================================================================== Report from Miaoli, Formosa Celebrating the World's Spiritual Elevation at the 2003 Moon Festival [Hsihu] At the end of August 2003, Master announced that the spiritual consciousness of all the countries in the world has risen tremendously, and fellow initiates everywhere celebrated in a joyous atmosphere. Coming soon after Master's announcement was the Moon Festival, a symbolic time of reunion and auspiciousness in Chinese culture. On the first Sunday of September, fellow practitioners from all around Formosa gathered at the Hsihu Center with relatives and friends to celebrate the Moon Festival and the coming of the Golden Age, meditating diligently in deep gratitude for Master's infinite grace. Also, for about an hour after lunch, everyone was entertained by brilliant programs such as lively, attractive plays, dance performances and humorous dialogues. photos: sp5-all-146.jpg ¡ ================================================================== Events Date Book To keep pace with the planet's ongoing spiritual elevation, the local centers of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association are holding more and more video seminars and other Truth-sharing events worldwide. You are welcome to join in these activities with your friends and relatives. For the latest schedule of our Truth-sharing activities, please visit the following URLs: latest_news/events-datebook.htm (English) latest_news/events-datebook.htm (Chinese) ================================================================== Pearls of Wisdom Together We Can Make the World a Paradise Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Bangkok, Thailand, September 14, 1994 (originally in English), Videotape No. 446 I don't know if we can help much. We can only do what we can, what our ability and time allow. The world is really big, and the suffering is so great, but even if we can only do a little bit of something, it's better than nothing. And if every one of the world's people does a little bit, like we do, then the world will really become a paradise. No one will be hungry at all. So we should not wait for the whole world to do it. We should do it first, and if other people do it, then it's even better. It's very easy! Our group is very small. If such a small group as ours can do things like that and everyone in the bigger group does it and the whole world does it, then it's no problem, really. We'll have no fear and no need to go to Heaven. We Can Help the World Only through Diligent Practice Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Hsihu, Formosa, April 12, 1992 (originally in Chinese) Videotape No. 241 Meditation is like refueling and recharging a car to keep it running; or it's like having to eat to gain energy to keep working. Since we have to eat as much as we can every day to remain healthy and be able to go on working, we should also recharge our souls with energy so that we can do great things. Why do we want to do great things? It's not because we want fame or regard ourselves as a big deal, but because we see too much injustice in this world. Some people suffer too much. Some people can't enjoy human values or even the basic dignity of being human. People treat each other like savages. That's why we want to help the world. In order to help the world, we have to cultivate ourselves first, practice diligently and be strict on ourselves, then we'll know how to do it. Otherwise, we won't be able to do it even if we wish to. Renounce Everything and Be Happy Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Seven-day Retreat, Hsihu, Formosa September 28 ~ October 3, 1990 (originally in Chinese) MP3-9 When we're in the higher dimensions, we see everything in the innumerable worlds emerge and disappear in a fraction of a moment, just like bubbles! We can't even say it takes place in a moment. Things disappear almost as soon as they emerge. It's the same with all the illusory worlds we see in the higher dimensions. We seem to go through long periods of suffering because of our ignorance. We're trapped in the cage of time and space; that's why it seems to be a long time. In reality, it's not that long. To God, it's even shorter than a second or a fraction of a moment. It can't be considered time. It passes really quickly! But since you're trapped in a corner, you can't see the whole and you think that you're just there. This isn't true! You're omnipresent. You're just stuck there and can't fly out. Then you consider yourself to be there, and you're just that one or this one. Sometimes little birds or insects get stuck on our windows. Since the windowpane is transparent and the room is lighted, they don't realize that there's a window and they crash into the pane. Their heads become swollen and their eyes blinded, and in a short while they unconsciously fall on the floor. They don't enter through an open space, but fly right into the windowpane. We do the same! We should renounce everything, even our happiness, and then we'll be fine. We shouldn't even ask for peace, health, success, reputation, riches or family. We should ask for nothing at all. Then we won't suffer! It's just that we ask for too much so we get stuck here and there, with our nose caught in there, too. And then we cry out for help. ================================================================== Poems Declaration of Joy by sister initiate Leonid, Formosa (originally in Chinese) I surrender, I surrender, I completely surrender! Over time, I have utterly surrendered in my heart. Prostrating before You, I'm ready to do whatever You ask. The moment You bless us with the glory of elevation, All the lights in the theme park are lit! Everything becomes appealing, relaxing. Why would anyone still need to flee? ¡ ================================================================== Frontline God Takes Care of Everything © Combined Report on the Taoyuan Book Exhibition by the Taoyuan News Group, Formosa From August 22-31, 2003, the Second Annual Taoyuan National Book Exhibition attracted more than a hundred publishers and 200,000 visitors. Among the participants in the event, the biggest of its kind in many years held by the Taoyuan County Cultural Affairs Bureau, was the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co., Ltd. Fellow initiates created a wonderful display of Master's publications and presented Her teachings in a vivid, lively manner through such well-planned activities as "A Picture a Day," "Learning English through Comic Strips," "Cracking Riddles at the Book Fair," "Onsite Storytelling" and spiritual seminars. Computers were available at the venue for online viewing of comic strips in multimedia animation, and a coffee corner was set up in which visitors could read books over delicious snacks and fragrant drinks. Learning English through Comic Strips: Using Master's stories as teaching materials, fellow initiates proficient in English instruction offer English lessons to children in a relaxed and joyous atmosphere. photos: fl1-1,2,4,5,-146.jpg ,fl1-2a-146.jpg, fl1-8,9,-146 ¡ Toddler Saints and Elderly Saints Alike Return Home In conjunction with the release of Master's latest illustrated book of wisdom tales, God Takes Care of Everything, initiates adapted the spectrum of colors used in the text for the background of their exhibition booth, whose soft, warm, lively style attracted numerous visitors of all ages. Even toddlers dragged their mothers to the display, and one small child of about two, who had been crying loudly, was quieted down by Master's photo on the illustrated storybook. When a sister initiate placed the book before him, the cute, innocent little saint immediately moved his face, still wet with tears, toward the book and kissed it, totally forgetting his unhappiness. Watching this touching scene, the infant's mother could not help smiling and bringing him into the booth. The two spent a long time appreciating Master's paintings and publications, and were reluctant to leave. On the first day of the Exhibition, a gentleman in his seventies lingered at the Company's booth for hours. Speaking with emotion, he told the sister initiate who greeted him that he had long been an earnest supporter of the Quan Yin Method, but had been unable to receive initiation because of his age. He especially used to enjoy reading Master's News magazine sent by his local center as each issue brought him bliss and inner peace. However, when the online version of the News replaced the printed version, the gentleman lost touch with the Quan Yin Family. Thus to him, the Book Exhibition was the setting of a reunion with long separated relatives. Overjoyed, he kept repeating, "I'm back with the team again! Finally, I'm back with the team again!" Deeply moved by his words, the sister warmly extended her arms to welcome him home. Another sister serving at the venue noted that two of her relatives had been suffering from an unknown inner conflict, but through God's amazing arrangement, both visited her in Taoyuan while the Book Exhibition was going on; so it was only natural for her to take them there. One of the relatives, who had been practicing the Convenient Method, immediately felt the loving ambience pervading the venue. And the other had no understanding of spiritual practice, but after learning more about Master's teachings, she also decided to begin practicing the Convenient Method. Thus through the Exhibition, Master once again guided many lost lambs Home. God's Invisible Arrangements are Always Perfect The preparations for and progress of the 2003 Taoyuan Book Exhibition perfectly demonstrated that God takes care of everything! Local initiates had initially planned to provide a rest and meditation area for the work team at the event, but the organizers could only offer a room in a remote basement corner. Unexpectedly, on the first day of decorating the venue, this "rest area" came as a gift from Heaven. Because a lack of decorating material in the adjacent booth had forced the exhibitor to leave its rear portion unused, and the size of the space fit the initiates' requirements exactly. After some negotiating, this place became an ideal location for the work team members to meditate in. Fellow initiates could not help but marvel at yet another example of God's incredible arrangements! On the last Friday of the Exhibition, a woman working in the neighboring booth came over and said to a brother initiate with great sincerity, "I must tell you that I love watching your Master's DVDs very much. She speaks so logically! At the Taipei International Book Exhibition earlier this year, our booth was just opposite yours. Ever since watching your Master's DVDs there, I have been observing a vegetarian diet!" In such incredible yet indiscernible ways, Master delivers sentient beings with affinity as naturally as a breeze creating ripples on a lake. Children's Drama Receives Widespread Acclaim To introduce the new release God Takes Care of Everything to the public in a dynamic and interesting way, the Taoyuan Center and the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co., Ltd. held a special conference at the Exhibition on August 26. The main program featured two children's plays based on stories in the book. A seminar was also held, where many experienced education experts and scholars discussed the meaning behind God Takes Care of Everything, agreeing that education should begin at the fundamental level and wisdom should rise to the highest. At this event, young Taoyuan initiates performed "A Thief Becomes a Spiritual Practitioner" and "God's Arrangements are Always the Very Best," winning warm applause from the audience and praise from reporters, who commented that our young initiates' performances were as good as those of professional children's drama groups. Then in response to the earnest requests of many guests, the young initiates presented two more performances, one each on the last two afternoons of the Taoyuan National Book Exhibition. On both occasions, the shows attracted large crowds and became the most exciting events during the concluding stage of the Exhibition. When reporters asked the young actors how they manage to perform naturally, calm their nerves and overcome stress during rehearsals, the initiates answered, "We just meditate more! Meditation helps us calm down, and then we're able to perform in a very natural way." Another said, "We just practiced more and became more confident. So we weren't nervous during the performances." Hoping to make full use of the Book Exhibition to share Master's teachings with people of affinity, fellow initiates also held four spiritual seminars at the Cultural Theatre of the exhibition hall. After the seminars, the participants could proceed to Master's display booth. And those who were interested could learn the Convenient Method, thus reaping the benefits of the ultimate Method capable of elevating body, mind and spirit. photos: fl1-6,7,-146.jpg ¡ Conclusion: Through events such as the Taoyuan National Book Exhibition and through Master's love and blessings, the spiritual consciousness of the world's population is continuously rising. So with hearts full of bliss and gratitude, we again thank Master for Her compassion, and thank God for arranging everything! ¡ ================================================================== God Takes Care of Everything--New Book Conference Recorded by brother initiate Liu De-fu, Taipei, Formosa On August 26 at the Taoyuan National Book Exhibition, the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co., Ltd. and the Taoyuan Center held a new book conference to discuss the release of God Takes Care of Everything, an illustrated collection of wisdom tales by Supreme Master Ching Hai. Many people attended the event, which included brilliant children's drama performances and a seminar by five education experts, who explored the volume's unique points and shared their insights on early childhood education. Miss Zheng Shan-ling, advisor to the Taipei Association for Self-learning at Home to Develop Human Potential, said, "This illustrated storybook covers all twelve of the special aspects of children's character development. It provides superb examples with respect to recognition of the human self; the benevolence, love, courage and imagination inherent in human nature; and unification with nature. It's consistent with the balance of body, mind and spirit that's emphasized in high-quality children's education and is thus an ideal teaching tool." In addition, Miss Lai Mei-xin, a licensed Waldorf Education teacher and full-time mother, said, "The most vital elements in children's education are treating them with wholehearted sincerity and letting them grow up in an environment of love and joy." Miss Lai considers the book God Takes Care of Everything to be a gift from Supreme Master Ching Hai to both children and adults. Young children have just arrived from Heaven, and though they may be too small to read, they can still appreciate the text's lovely illustrations. This is a book about love and an excellent spiritual guide for everyone. Mr. Zhou Hui-hong, a prominent figure in Formosa's go-chess community said, "When I was little, my teacher often said that when educating children we should treat them as our own. Now I'm teaching children how to play go-chess. In this book I found a corresponding truth, namely, "accompanied learning." I've noticed that when parents are sincere about being by their children's sides, a loving energy emerges. This allows the children to concentrate totally, and I too gain inspiration to teach more profoundly! Madam Li Bo-ling, who has twenty-three years of experience in teaching junior high school students, said, "The most important thing in children's education is helping them develop correct concepts about values and a positive attitude toward life. Rather than infusing them with large amounts of knowledge, it's better to teach them the way to acquire knowledge and proper values by themselves. This illustrated storybook will touch readers in many profound ways. Its amusing and vivid illustrations and concise text convey great truths about life for us to appreciate. You may use it for bedside story reading or role-playing; the book is the best companion for parents in educating their children." Madam Li Zi-mei, a former lecturer at an American vocational training center and currently a therapist-consultant in clinical psychology in the U.S. said that the book had impressed her deeply. Upon opening it she found that the whole text, from the foreword to the stories themselves, is perfectly structured for use in children's psychological education. The first level helps to develop love through imitation of actions. The next teaches children to treat others as they would themselves. And the third focuses on elevating children's level of consciousness to achieve full development of their character. Madam Li thus recommended the book as a must-read for people interested in early childhood education; for they will only discover its wonders by reading it personally. photo: fl1-10-146.jpg ================================================================== Science and Spirituality A Scientific Look at Meditation by the USA News Group (originally in English) To Quan Yin practitioners, practicing meditation is as natural as eating or sleeping, and to Asians and many other non-Westerners, it is also a time-honored tradition associated with spiritual devotion and elevation. In the West, however, meditation has long been regarded as a somewhat exotic or even fad-related activity reserved for adherents of Eastern religions or New Age philosophies. But according to a report in the August 4, 2003 issue of Time magazine entitled "The Science of Meditation," "Ten million American adults now say they practice some form of meditation regularly, twice as many as a decade ago." This piece, comprised of several articles, focuses on various aspects of meditative practice. One article describes the history of meditation in Western culture, calling it a contemplative practice that disappeared for literally centuries but has recently been revived. Another, written by a journalist who describes his attempt to meditate, represents the voice of a skeptic but also someone who cannot help but note the apparent value of meditation. Yet another article describes research findings that provide confirmation of the physical and emotional benefits of meditative practice. While no consistent link between meditation and God is established in the report, the spiritual aspects of meditation are frequently mentioned. For example, in a discussion of the history of meditation in Western culture, one article acknowledges that "strikingly similar disciplines (to meditation) have been part of Western culture for centuries." Also, nearly all of the research for the report was conducted with practitioners who meditate within a specific spiritual tradition, including Indian yogis, Japanese Zen practitioners, and meditating Buddhists and Sikhs. Inward concentration and focus are mentioned as key elements of a successful meditation practice. One article even provides basic steps in teaching oneself how to meditate, which include finding a quiet place to eliminate distractions and thus enhance concentration, closing the eyes so the brain can stop actively processing information from the senses, and repeating a soothing "sound," in this case a meaningful word or phrase to help one focus. Overall, the report views meditation as having a highly positive influence on one's health, happiness and sense of well-being. As Hollywood actress Heather Graham states, "It's easy to spend a lot of time worrying and obsessing, but meditation puts me in a blissful place." "The Science of Meditation" also provides an encouraging and upbeat picture of the direction of spirituality in America today by pointing out meditation's benefits for body, mind and spirit. For more details please refer to: http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101030804/ ================================================================== Selected Questions and Answers The Criterion for Gauging Spiritual Development Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Long Beach, CA, USA, December 29, 1996 (originally in English) Videotape No. 571 Q: I'd like to know if the things that happen in our life have meaning: good things, bad things, natural disasters and so on. And is it good to be aware of the hidden significance behind these events? M: Well, they happen for our spiritual development even though sometimes during a crisis or event we might not be able to understand it. But everything has some purpose. If you can be aware of the hidden meaning, it's fine. If you can't, just let it be. Things happen; it doesn't matter how they happen. It's not what happens but how we react to the event that's important. The event is there so that we can reflect on ourselves and our development. Then we know how far we've grown up, to what height. I'll give an example so it's easier for you to understand. Some journalists write some things about us that aren't true. Some people get upset, and they tell me. They cry and all that, thinking that because of the journalists, I get my name blackened, and they're upset for me. But I say there's no need. The journalists write what they write. I am what I am. How I react to them is what's important, not what they write about me. If they write something good about me, if I'm proud or very excited, happy and feel very arrogant, then that's bad for me. So it's not that writing good things about me is good, but whether my attitude toward it is good or bad. It's for me alone. And then if they write bad things about me and I get really upset, I feel bad for a long time, I hate them or I want to make revenge, and that's also no good for me. It means I'm not truly so developed as to have my peace at every moment, in every situation. So, if you look at the situation like this, then how you feel, how you react and how you solve a problem, that's the lesson. That's the tool to help us remember who we are, how great we are, how tolerant, how loving and how understanding. I also feel upset sometimes for a very short while because the situation should not have happened that way. It should have happened in a more beautiful way. That's just my expectation. But I'm not upset because of bad people who write bad things about me, nor do I expect them to write good things about me. They write bad things because they don't know me. Even you don't know me so how can outside people know me? That's a very obvious reason; they don't know me. And I'm not going to go out into the world and tell all the journalists how good I am. Even if I tell them, whether they believe me or not is another question. Why should they believe me? Even you, so-called disciples, came here by yourself voluntarily, and you really love God so much that you can even humble yourself to ask questions and learn from me. But sometimes you doubt me. You think bad things about me. You look at my appearance and my actions in a distorted way and then criticize me and leave the path. You look at my personality instead of my teachings. I was born the way I am. God made me the way I am. I can't 'wig-wag' myself to please everyone the way you think. I am what I am and I'm perfect: finished. You're also perfect: finished. If you don't know you're perfect, then you have to know. You have to learn how to accept yourself as perfect. Anything that's not perfect according to your opinion you can change if you want. I think I'm perfect. (Applause) I don't mean that sometimes I don't make a mistake according to your opinion, but that's all right. I accept my mistake, too, as long as I don't stick there all the time thinking it's good. But maybe it is good! (Master laughs) Maybe my mistake is necessary for someone else. It looks like a mistake, but it might not be. It might not be a mistake. Say for example, there's a man who's crying in distress and emotion. Maybe he looks handsome and good-looking. And I might hug him or comfort him. In your opinion, maybe I shouldn't do that. Maybe I should refrain from hugging him because I'm a woman and he's such a good-looking young guy. But I care not about what you think. So maybe in that instance, you think I make a mistake. But maybe my mistake was necessary for that man. He needed my mistake. Maybe I shouldn't have done it in order to keep my reputation more flawless and to keep your respect. But I don't care. Why should I care about everyone's opinion? His or her opinion might not always be correct. I just do what I feel is correct at that moment according to my understanding. And I always stand for what I believe in and what I feel at that moment only. For anything else, I'm not responsible. That's the way it is. (Applause) So that's one thing. If all the newspapers or people outside talk bad about me and I feel very hateful toward them, it means I don't understand. It means that I still have to practice harder, I have to control myself and try to look into the situation better, with more intelligence. That's my job. Their job is to write what they want. They're responsible for their actions and I have to be responsible for my actions. So I look at it this way: They don't know me. They can't understand me and that's fine. They write according to their beliefs, their understanding and their opinions. And that's all right with me. If I can, I'll explain it to them. If I can't, then I just forget it. I have to tell you that even though we're spiritual practitioners, we don't always immediately have understanding about every situation that we encounter in our lives. We may not always understand, but at least because we practice, after a few minutes of anger and immediate reaction, we reflect and say, "What is this here?" So don't blame yourself if in some moment of natural reaction if you feel angry or you feel you want revenge. But afterwards, after it subsides, you think, 'This is not the way I should react to this situation. How should I react? What should I do in this situation that's the most beneficial for me and for the opponent?' And that's the way it is. It's not that you don't get angry sometimes, but that you don't overdo it. You don't overdo it and you don't let the anger override you for a long time so as to affect your health, your spirit and your situation. It's not that you don't get angry sometimes. It's good to be angry sometimes. It's healthy. But what you do with the anger, that's another thing. Don't let it destroy you. So for any event that happens in our life, it's up to us to measure how we've grown already in our spiritual development. If you can look at it that way, it's fine. And try to know how to react to it in the best way for yourself. photo: qa3-1-146.jpg ¡ Develop Your Inner Healing Energy Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Sydney, Australia, March 16, 1993 (originally in English) Videotape No. 333 Q: I have the need to become more spiritual toward life. How do I react to the negativity around me? M: If we have spiritual tendencies, we're more tolerant toward all things, including negative influences and any negative outlooks on life. We're more tolerant and more understanding. Also, our positive Self radiates a healing energy, which will somewhat correct the negative atmosphere. So we don't need to do anything, really. If we're truly spiritual, things will better themselves to some degree. And should anyone come to us for advice or want to become better also, we'll be in a position to suggest what to do. photo:4-1-146.jpg ¡ The Mirror of Mirrors Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Florida, USA, May 11, 2002 (originally in English) Videotape No. 736 Q: Recently I told Master in my meditation that when I check out of here, I would like to go straight to the Fifth Level. (Laughter) I really don't want to come back here. M: You don't ask for much. (Laughter) Well, it shall be done. (Q: I don't care what it takes.) It shall be done; don't worry. (Q: This time, I've had enough.) Don't worry, you'll change. Q: So, do you think it's possible? M: Yes, it's possible. If that's all you want, that's all you'll get. It's no problem. If you keep that idea in your mind all the time, until the time you die, then you're there. Q: If I work to reach the Fifth Level even before I die, I'll be able to help Master better here. M: Oh, sure, sure. (Q: If that's possible) It could be possible, too. But I don't know if it's possible with you. It depends on you. (Q: I'll do anything) No one needs you to do anything. You have to control your brain. It's not that you need to do anything. It's not like you die a hundred times and then you become a Buddha, or you offer anything and become a Buddha. It's not that. It's just the determination of the soul inside, whether he wants it in this lifetime or not. Q: Does he have to prepare for that before he comes? How spiritual he wants to... ? M: It depends. Everyone wants to prepare for this. But when they come down, it's just that they sway around a little bit. And then, because Maya, the king of illusion, is there, waiting for you, saying, "Ah, hah! Welcome home, baby. Let's see how strong you are. Here's a beautiful girl, here's a presidential position and here's a big company with big money." And then you work yourself to death, you serve the girl, and you're so tired that even if you wanted to go find the Master, you wouldn't know where. You lose your energy, you get sick and then you die. And then you say, "OK, it's my time to go now. Next time, I'll try again." Q: The director says, "Cut!" M: Yes, "Cut." But it doesn't really matter. You're determined to find God, anyway. Before we come down here, that's what we're going to do. We want to know ourselves as God by being "not God." You want to find a mirror so you can see your face. Although the mirror is an illusion, you need it. The one inside there is not you, but you need it to see yourself. You look into it, and you recognize yourself. How else would you see yourself? Should I stand here and look at myself, or stand where? The mirror is an illusion. The one who looks inside is you, yet it's not you. So this world is full of God, yet it's not God. God is inside looking at the God outside here. Q: It's a bad reflection of the real thing, right? M: Well, it's a good reflection. It's just that we look into the mirror and we get confused because this mirror of Maya is different. It's a magic mirror, a "mirror on the wall.*" It's not the mirror, but the mirror of the mirror. So we get confused here, and we see all things reflected together in the mirror. And then we say, "Oh, what's that there? What's that over there? And what's that?" You even forget to look at your own picture, the mirror is so big. It reflects everything in it, and you get lost in that illusion. You chase one thing after another. "Oh my God, this looks good. That looks good." And you get lost in your mirror. You forget. The time it takes you to realize it's a mirror is maybe a fraction of a second. But the time we take to realize Buddhahood is also a fraction of a second in universal time. * "Mirror, mirror on the wall" is a line from a fairy tale called "Snow White," in which the step-mother believes that the reflection from the mirror on the wall is real. photo: qa5-1-146.jpg ================================================================== The Quan Yin Family Your Love Vibrates in All Our Hearts by brother initiate Jonathan Pi, Austin, Texas , USA (originally in English) Dearest Master, My fourteen-year-old son Chris, who is not initiated and lives with his mother (my ex-wife), would like me to send You his sincerest thanks because You recently helped him when he needed it most. Among Your countless wonders, his story is like a humble, green patch of Mother Nature, but, it means a lot to me. After completing my Ph.D. in Missouri in 1995, I moved to Chicago, to join my family when Chris was almost seven years old. During that time I took care of him while looking for a professional job. He ate vegetarian meals with me, and although his mother seemed not to like it, she did not oppose it, and even ate vegetarian dishes with us. Chris always asked me to tell him stories before going to sleep, and I recounted to him many beautiful bedtime tales that You had told us, thus comforting him and bringing him restful sleep and happiness. I also watched wonderful Disney movies such as "Beauty and the Beast" with Chris, and explained to him, "Due to the loveless heart of the young spoiled Prince, he descended to the level of a beast. He made himself become a heartless being with much anger and impatience. However, a beautiful young girl, a symbol of love, came to the beast to awaken his heart, and then the beast regained his position as a true Prince after developing unconditional love for the Beauty of God." I also said that I understood such stories due to the wisdom of my dearest Supreme Master Ching Hai. So he naturally loved You. I can never forget two anecdotes about Chris that reflect his love for You. Protecting Master from the Sun The summer of 1995 was extremely hot in Chicago. And one day, while driving with Chris in my old Toyota, the sun poured brightly through the windows and I did not even have an air-conditioner to cool us down. While waiting at a traffic light, Chris suddenly stood up and used his little hand to shade Your photo hanging from the rear-view mirror. I asked why, and he replied, "It's too hot for Master Ching Hai." Drawing Master's Picture Since I could not find a job in my profession at the time, I worked as a part time laborer sorting packages for a living at UPS (The United Parcel Service). One night after I came home from work, my ex-wife excitedly told me, "Your son was very concentrated on drawing your Master from Her photo." (The photo at Yang-Ming Mountain, Formosa) My ex-wife then continued, "While drawing, Chris wasn't even aware that I had come home. I watched him for a while, and he still didn't notice I was there." After she finished her story, I looked at Chris' drawing and was touched by the purity of his young heart. Several months later the situation changed and the time for me to leave Chris had arrived. He felt deeply hurt that I was going away but all I could say was "Dad is going to get a job somewhere far away." One afternoon around that time I decided to attend a one-day retreat at the Illinois Center, which was about 100 miles away from Chicago. Before I left, Chris came out of our apartment to kiss me goodbye five or six times, and as I drove off he stood behind the window sadly watching me leave. As the chilly wind of late fall in Chicago blew yellow leaves from the trees, Chris experienced the pain of physical separation because he felt the loss of Your love for him that had been manifesting through me. I had to go to my destination and put him behind even though it was extremely difficult. I know You are still taking good care of him and his mother, and although our love and relationship as husband and wife are gone, I still care for her as an old friend. During my past few years of wandering, I have not often seen or even called Chris, but, he has always loved me very much. I remember one winter I got the chance to go back to Chicago to see him. But because his mother and he had moved to an area I was not familiar with, I got lost trying to visit them and called his mother, who gave me directions, saying, "You're just about five minutes away, and your son is already waiting outside for you." But, it still took me about forty-five minutes to get there. My son, however, was so anxious to see me that he just stood in the snow waiting. Several years later I settled down in Austin, Texas, where Chris has come to visit me on occasion. He has now become a strong, healthy teenager and looks like a typical Asian immigrant boy in America. But, he still likes to discuss religious and spiritual issues with me by e-mail and phone or during the times we are together, and asks questions about You. He has begun to have problems relating to his classmates, teachers, and sometimes his mother, saying that he occasionally feels lost, impatient, angry and unsure of why he has to come into this world. To comfort him, I say that if he still believes in You, he should pray to You for help and view You as a dear and most reliable friend. Earlier this month, Chris suddenly e-mailed me after quite a long gap between messages. As his e-mail below states, he hopes that I can send You his gratitude because You recently helped him in a time of need. I was so happy to read these words that tears rolled down my face. Although my feelings for my son were strong several years ago, I now cannot feel the same way. I know, however, that I still love him very much. Dearest Master, I've often wanted to write you a letter such as this during the past ten years. I've wanted to talk to You as my dearest friend. But something always stops me from this kind of communication. I'm afraid of many things and have tried to hide myself because I know I'm far away from what I want to be. I want to offer You my best to make You happy about my spiritual progress. But I've always been unsatisfied with myself. However right at this moment, I just realized that I am one of Your sons whom You love very much, much more than I love my son. So I'd like to share with You this simple story. All of my best and warmest wishes to You, my beloved and dearest Master and Friend, Jonathan ¡ ================================================================== Chris' e-mail dated 8/6/2003 Hey, Dad, Haven't talked to you in a while. I want to know what's happening in Austin and if you're OK. You probably know that I'm going to Egypt this Friday but you didn't know that I just came back from my state swimming tournament and placed fifth in the 100 yard breaststroke. I hope you can send Your Master my gratitude since She helped when I most needed it. I can't talk too much now but I'll see if I can send you another more detailed e-mail tomorrow. Bye, I love you. ¡ ================================================================== Chris' e-mail dated 8/26/2003 Dad, Now that I have time to talk, I'll tell you the story of exactly how your Master helped me at my state swimming championships. I was at the championships and since over the past two years I've been doing pretty poorly, I was nervous but also confident since I was placed very high up and expected to win points. Unfortunately, however, in all of my races I did just a little bit below my expectations. I was very angry about this since some of the people whom I used to beat were beating me, especially a little kid that I used to beat easily, and I was always getting places like 9 or 10 in my races, and each time this happened to me, I was very angry. On the third and last day I was very tired since I had swum the most of any swimmer that day and in the evening I was beaten by another kid by barely half a second. At that point I just decided that all my anger has not helping me and I must think about my race. I thought I had warmed up exactly the way I was supposed to, but unfortunately I missed the evening warm-ups on both the second and third days so I was not well prepared. I was expected to do poorly by both my coach and myself, but then after I thought of my race and warmed up during the ten minute break I decided to let patience, training and the wisdom of God and Master Ching Hai take over me and I prayed to Master Ching Hai and said, "Master if I'm truly to fail as a swimmer and drop beyond my place then You shall reveal to me my absolute failure and let me pass on with my life and give me the courage to withstand my humiliation, but if I'm not going to lose then I beg You to give me strength through my upcoming challenge. This is very important to me, and I trained harder than any of those people next to me, and I know that since my coach told me please don't let all of my hard effort and pain go to waste. This means so much to me that I have never felt like this before, not even when I'm most angry. Help me, Master Ching Hai." And during the race I felt calm and peaceful as I have never felt before. I still felt tiredness and pain but it's like something told me to forget the pain and concentrate on my work since I had worked hard all summer long to achieve this, and when I finished I did better than I ever have in that event. I got fifth place at the state championships even when I was tired and not warmed up going into the race. I know that none of the other swimmers were as tired as I was because some of them purposely cancelled another event to swim well in this one, the 100 yard breaststroke, and none but me swam the longer events. I thank Master Ching Hai for Her gift for She has helped me in a matter of great importance to me. When I swam it was as if the Divine were personally cheering my race. I am glad I had Master Ching Hai. Thank You, dad and Master. I love You. Good bye to both of You. ¡ ================================================================== Quan Yin Meditation Elevates My Family by sister initiate Duong Vy, Hammond, Indiana, USA (originally in Aulacese) Since my first encounter with Supreme Master Ching Hai, all the events that have happened to my family are strong evidence verifying Her words: "God's almighty power transforms karma." Due to Master's grace and our sincere practice of the Quan Yin Method, our family is continuously changing for the better. My husband and I were born in Au Lac and are now living in a town bordering the states of Illinois and Indiana in the Midwestern United States. Before marrying my present husband, I had four children from my previous marriage, and he also had four of his own. Then we had our youngest son together so in total we have nine children, creating quite a crowd! Four years ago, a friend lent me some of Master's videotapes, which my husband and I watched that same night. My husband watched the tapes over and over again, staying up all night, and then going straight to work in the morning. When he came home from work, he told me that he thought Master had lectured so perfectly and wonderfully that he decided to become a vegetarian, according to Her teachings. Even though we had never been vegetarians before and didn't know how to cook vegetarian dishes, I tried very hard to cook for him. And after several months of seeing him eat vegetarian food and remain healthy, I also decided to become a vegetarian. Five months after we first watched Master's tapes my husband was initiated in Atlanta, Georgia. After that, my youngest son and I were also initiated and our family still sincerely practices the Quan Yin Method. We drive every weekend to Chicago or Indianapolis to attend group meditation, in accordance with Master's recommendation. A year before my initiation, I had a serious problem with my kidney. Every week, I had to go to the hospital for a dialysis, and each time it took four hours. After these visits, I came home feeling very exhausted and walked slowly. However, after initiation, although I still have my illness, my mental and physical conditions are much better than other patients who have the same problem. In the beginning, knowing that I was a vegetarian, my doctor strongly urged me to eat meat to gain strength, but of course I didn't, and after a few years of seeing me improve more rapidly than other patients, she changed her mind and told me to continue my diet! I know that illness is just karma so I don't complain like before, but instead accept my condition and continue to practice the Quan Yin Method so that my life karma can be cleansed. During each group meditation session I attend, the local centers allocate a private area for me where I can place the equipment to filter my kidney water and meditate at the same time. Master is incredibly compassionate and loves me so much that She cares for my every need! Many more positive changes have occurred to us since we began practicing the Quan Yin Method. For example, the local town officials sent us a congratulatory letter praising our home for having the best garden in the neighborhood, and encouraging us to continue beautifying the environment. Also, my sister-in-law from Au Lac has tried for the past thirty years to become a vegetarian, but only after staying with us, watching Master's videos and learning the Convenient Method has she been able to do so. It's exactly as Master says - we meditate to bless the world! Even my own children and husband have been changed a great deal. Before initiation, I couldn't talk to my oldest daughter, for even a few minutes, and my husband couldn't talk to his oldest son without starting an argument. Now, however, all the children are more peaceful and filial and happy to visit us more often than before. My husband's oldest son is married and has two sons; one is three and the other two years old. Despite their young age, my grandsons' souls are very mature. When they come to visit us, before each meal, they raise their bowls to ask Master for Her blessing. And each time they see Master's picture, they fold their hands, bow to Her and say, "Amitabha Buddha!" One day when the two came with their father to our house I was busy and the kids were being noisy and running all over the place. So I brought a cassette player from my bedroom with Master's chanting tape and turned it on, hoping that my grandsons would become less hyperactive. It worked exactly as I wished and the kids sat quietly listening to Master. They then pulled the cassette player up to their tiny bellies, paying rapt attention to Master's voice coming from the machine. When She began chanting "Amitabha Buddha," the boys immediately put down the cassette player, folded their hands, bowed toward the machine and prostrated many times! After that, their father told them that they had to go home, but they were determined to hold on tightly to the cassette player, throwing their shoes away, not wanting to leave. They are truly like two little monks, and despite their young age in terms of worldly years, their souls already recognize the Living Master! ¡ ================================================================== Amazing Grace by a fellow initiate from Guangxi, China My grandmother is 78 years old now. One night at dinner, she told us that she had seen the Quan Yin Bodhisattva slowly walking towards her in her room, and she could see clearly that the Bodhisattva was very beautifully dressed in a white robe and wore jewels on her head. She was about to kneel down when the Quan Yin Bodhisattva disappeared. On another occasion in the dining room, grandma saw a person in a monk's robe walk toward her and sit down opposite her. But she could only see the lower part of the monk while the upper part was not clear. As both my mother and I are Quan Yin practitioners, we immediately realized that it was Master's transformation body being revealed to grandma. This happened two months ago, shortly after grandma came to stay with us. She used to be in poor health, but her health has gradually improved since she moved in with us. However, it is strange that whenever she goes to stay at other relatives' houses, she feels discomfort. We know it is Master who is taking care of grandma. Thank You, dear Master! In other people's eyes, these wonderful experiences may seem like fairytales. But in our Quan Yin Family, they are just ordinary events. It's our dear Master who has taken us into this beautiful wonderland. ================================================================== While on the Path The Ultimate Experience by brother initiate Angel Garzas, Madrid, Spain (originally in Spanish) During my life before initiation I followed diverse spiritual paths, but on each one I was conscious of a deep uncertainty, a doubt that could only be resolved by finding true inner peace. And so this desire for peace was the basis of all my prayers to God. Since childhood, I have been haunted by the idea of death, and the ultimate meaninglessness of worldly existence. As a committed Catholic, I was taught that life's only purpose is to glorify God, and because of this I enrolled in a seminary to study for the priesthood, thinking that this could be the only way to reach Hirm. Years passed and events occurred for which I could find no logical explanation with my limited human mind. Being a rational person, however, I kept looking for another path, but never left my fundamental base in Christianity. Working as a high school teacher for twenty-six years, I had the opportunity to learn many important life lessons from children and teenagers, but the doubt remained. Then, several years ago, during my desperate search for peace of mind, I came to the conclusion that I should become a vegetarian and live a more ascetic life, paying less attention to material things and focusing instead on mysticism and spirituality. I would thus have to change my lifestyle completely. After reading a number of books on meditation, however, I began to realize that it was not necessary to leave my ordinary life of work, family and friends to reach God; so I began to look for an appropriate method of meditation that I could practice as a layperson. At first I chose a very expensive meditation program, but when I was ready to begin the practice, my lovely partner, who became a vegetarian long before I did, reminded me that if I spend too much for a meditation method, it is possible that it will not lead to God because God cannot be reached through money. So I returned to my prayers, asking Hirm again for the true method. God must have finally felt pity on me because I eventually came across a magazine that discussed the Quan Yin Method, a definitive meditation technique that was taught completely free of charge by Supreme Master Ching Hai. I called the phone number listed in the magazine, and a contact person answered. Later I learned the Convenient Method, after which time all the spiritual signs that I discovered led me to the same place, where an Ocean of Love and Wisdom filled my heart. Afterwards when I received the Quan Yin Method, I felt as if I were flying on a cloud, and I reached the peace that I had been looking for all my life, the peace that makes me finally feel I am the owner of my heart and life. Thank You, Master. ================================================================== Master Says Remain Focused and Detached during Retreats Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, December 28, 2002, Christmas Five-day Retreat, Florida, USA (originally in English) To the ones who have progressed: congratulations. You've done your best. You've put down many things. That's how you've progressed. For the ones who have not progressed: You have progressed, but too little. In order to progress quickly, the way you always want and the way you always ask me, "Master, how do I progress quickly?" I tell you, "Put down, put down, put down everything," but you don't. You come here with a lot of friends, relatives, sons and daughters. I tell you, you have them all day long, all life long and you have only five days here for God! But no, that Guy comes second. That's why you don't progress. The only secret is to put it down. God takes care of everything. We can't do anything! If God's Grace isn't there, we can't do anything. Of course, you come here and ask me to intervene in your destiny. Sometimes I could ask God to do it. But it's not my problem. I could intervene; I could do anything for you. But it's your problem. Because if you come here with that intention, that's all you get. Maybe your son gets better or your daughter has a good marriage, but that's all you get. The whole treasure, you leave behind. And that's a pity for you. That's why I'm not bothered if you ask me any questions, even mundane or petty questions; I can answer them for you. I can help you with anything. But I just feel bad for you. You came here for only five days, and you can't even remember God. Just for once, you should come here just for Hirm, just for God! But no, you always come here and try to make excuses, asking for all kinds of favors. All these kinds of favors you could ask for at home. I tell you truly: Anytime you pray to God or the Master Power, it's heard. We're not deaf! I hope you don't think so. (Audience applauds.) And I hope you don't think that "I" am here (Master indicates the physical body) -- that I am sick, I am ill, I am weak, I am small, I am big, I am this and that. No, no, no! It's not me; it's not this person. We're not deaf, we're not dumb, we're not blind and we're not stupid. So there's no need to come here whining about your family and friends or your problems and misfortunes. You can; you can talk to me about anything you want. Of course, if you want to take me as a mother, as a friend, as a shoulder to cry on, that's fine also. But remember, these are only secondary. And whenever a retreat comes, you should take advantage of the time, of no disturbances, no demands from family and friends, no business, no work, no boss, no colleagues, no husband or wife - we separate for you - no quarrels, no kids. You should concentrate. Treasure this time as if, after this, you'll die. You'd have no more chance then to even worry about your family, who would be left behind! Will you have a chance to worry about them when you die? No! And you don't know if I'll be alive again the next day, much less after five days if I'll still be here to conduct another retreat. So you're really silly. The ones who don't progress are really silly. Every time you come to a retreat, we remind you to concentrate on one Guy only: one Husband, one Wife. That's true faithfulness. It's not about you being loyal to your spouse on this planet. But you have to be loyal to the Spouse in Heaven; this is most important because the spouse here can leave you at any time. If you become ugly, sick, old, or he meets someone better, like the karma loosens and he meets someone from a past life he feels better with, then you're doomed. But the Spouse in Heaven will never, ever leave us. And we're very unfaithful; that's bad news. Nevertheless, I hope you learned your lesson this time, those of you who haven't progressed. Whenever or if we have a next time again, take your chance then, OK? (Applause) I'm not angry with you; I'm not frustrated with you; I'm nothing. I just do whatever I have to do, at that moment only. So whatever poison you feel, give it back to me now. You can go home and you're free. You're good, you're perfect again, and you're the person you are. When you're here, I have to correct you, I have to cleanse you, and the process is sometimes very painful for both of us. But it's OK. It's done, and you're free. After the five days, whatever's bad here or good here, it's gone. (Applause) So you're perfect, you're loved and you're wanted, as usual, and during the retreat, too. But other kinds of treatment might make you feel that you're unwanted or unloved. It's not true. It's just that administering medicine was necessary at that time. So whatever you don't need, give it back; put it back right here and go home free. You're perfect as usual, even if you haven't progressed. You've just learned another lesson, at your own expense. I mean, money-wise, also. (Master laughs.) You spend a lot of money, coming here and going back for nothing. It's not my fault; I sell everything! Everyone has the same sale. I don't reserve anything for anyone special; everyone can have the same merchandise. If you want to buy it, everyone has a chance. Now, for the ones who have progressed, you should be happy and proud of yourselves. I don't have any reward or certificate to give you, but you know you're rewarded. You have your own certificate. You should be happy. (Applause) And for the ones who have not progressed at all or maybe just a little bit, since you can't help but progress a little - I hope there will be a next time for you, so that you can undo your mistakes. Next time, if we have any time, if you have any more chances to come ever again for such a retreat, please be one-pointed as if you're dead. If you're dead, no one can do anything to you. Put the word "Dead" on your forehead before you go out the door. Take it off and say, "I'm alive again!" when you get out of this retreat. That's really what it is. (Applause) Because if you're not dead to the world, you can't be alive with God. It says the same thing in the Bible: "You can't worship both God and mammon." So we have to be one-pointed. Whatever I did during this retreat was to guard you or herd you into this one-pointedness. Be it loving, be it petting, hugging or scolding, it's all to help you during these five days only. So don't think that you're more special if I give you more tenderness, and don't think that you're terrible if I give you a scolding. You're all equal, equal, equally loved in my heart. (With tears in Her eyes) I love you so much! (Extended applause) Because even though sometimes you do things I don't like you to do because I know they're not good for your practice, or you have something in your heart that's not good for your practice, I know it's not your fault. It's just the circumstances that made you this way. It's this terrible world that pushes you into these situations. I have nothing but love for you. I don't want to give you any harsh words or anything, but I have to. It's for your own good, but I just want you to know that I love you through all that. It's just like sometimes you scold your children, but you never stop loving them. And maybe if some of your children aren't well, you put them in the hospital. It's a terrible treatment for them, but you want them to be well. So you put them in the mental ward, because you want their mind to be sharper, you hope, in the future. That's all there is to this treatment, but treatment is never pleasant. Just try to meditate more so you don't have to have this kind of treatment anymore. Some of you were more enlightened in Heaven before you came here, but you wanted to be even more enlightened than that. For example, when you were 80% enlightened in Heaven, it means you were in the Fourth World or something. But you came down looking for me because you knew I'd be here. And when you came down, your enlightenment became less than when you were in Heaven. And you suffered and suffered here, and forgot everything that was on the path and in Heaven for you. You've suffered more here because you've forgotten. So I'm trying in every way to make you remember, to reach back there and above it, above the level you were on before you came down. So anything that's possible, I'll do for you. But you also have to try to remember your real Self. Otherwise, the less we remember, the more we suffer. Anyway, I just want you to know that you're very much loved and very much respected because you're good. It's not because you were bad that you're good. It's because the situation makes you so bad, yet you're still trying to be good. That's why you're good. (Applause) You have so much pressure from home, society, friends, colleagues, jobs, boss, husband, wife and so on. And you still try your best to meditate at home, go to group meditation and also come here on retreat. Even if you come on an airplane, it's easy and all that, but it's not all that easy. So for that, I really love you. I know you try your best, and God will know. So anything you want, you should just pray for at home. The next time you go to a retreat, just desire to know God: For just five days, be dead to the world. (Applause) Postscript: A Humorous Event that Occurred after the Lecture After attending a group meditation at the retreat during which Master gave the talk presented above, a brother returned to the Florida Center's kitchen to carry out his duties as cook, and a fellow brother who had to stay behind to clean up the kitchen asked him, "What was the main point of Master's talk today? The returning brother thought quickly and responded, "Remember God and you're dead!" Photo: mt2-146.jpg ================================================================== Story World Learning from Master's Perfect Example of Love by a resident from Hsihu, Formosa Master's discourse "It's More Joyful to Give Than to Receive" published in News magazine # 142 transported me back to the autumn of 1989, when Master first went to Mainland China. Accompanied by both resident and lay disciples, She visited spiritual practitioners, and made acquaintances and affinities with many people. Master's main purpose at the time was to bless the whole country and promote spiritual awakening among the people. In Xiamen, on the way back to our hotel after we had visited several temples, Master's car suddenly stopped. We had no idea what was happening until an attendant came to ask, "Who's willing to contribute a pair of men's trousers?" But no one had any spare trousers to give at the moment. Then, without hesitation, Brother Chen took off the trousers he was wearing and gave them to the attendant. It so happened that Master had spotted a ragged vagabond squatting by the roadside and wanted to offer him some food and a pair of trousers. Seeing this, my heart was filled with compassion and I thought, "Why hadn't we noticed him?" Honestly, we might have neglected him even if we had noticed, but Master knew that a child of God needed people's love and concern. The next day while taking a bus on an errand, I remembered the incident the previous day and wondered, "Will there be a chance that I might meet that man again?" The bus then made a turn, and there I saw a man wearing a pair of trousers that looked familiar. He was swinging his body as he strode along in high spirits. We all smiled and I thought, "This is another work of love and beauty created by Master!" Later, in Guangzhou, we were finishing breakfast in our hotel when Master's attendant said, "Give all available food to the man begging on the other side of the road!" I looked out the window and saw a hungry-looking man outside. When I handed him the food, I felt joyful as though someone had brought me food when I was hungry and thought, "Why do people's fates differ so much?" From these two real-life experiences, I discovered that my loving heart was still not great enough. I often ignored the needs of others while attending to my own. So I then began to consider other people's needs more closely. Once, while working in China as a Quan Yin messenger, I was looking for directions when I drove past a small bridge in a suburb in Hebei Province and saw a man by the bridge. Both his hands were handicapped and he had a card hanging in front of his chest that carried a plea for help. Having learned from Master's personal example on several occasions in the past, I naturally offered the man help. Soon afterwards I found my way, and the joy in my heart was indescribable. In the above-mentioned article "It's More Joyful to Give Than to Receive," Master said, "When I help others, it's as if I become that person; that's why I feel so happy. Whomever I give to, that person seems to become me, so he and I both feel very happy. However, I'm happier than he is because I not only feel his happiness, but also know that I've brought him happiness. The two together make me happier than he is. That's why we say: The giver is happier than the receiver." I deeply appreciate the fact that the perfect qualities taught by Master through Her personal example have now been imprinted deep in my heart. Only by following Master's guidance can one realize that we create our own happiness. For all this, we can only be thankful again and again for the love of God and an enlightened Master. ================================================================== Master Tells Stories The Farmer and the Snake Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Hsihu, Formosa, July 12, 1992 (originally in Chinese) Videotape No.268 This story is called "The Farmer and the Snake." Every day, a farmer went to the city to sell his flowers and farm produce and then went home after selling all his things. One day, he left home very early, so early that when he arrived at the city, the gate was still closed. So he lay down to take a nap, when he awoke he found that the storage bin containing his farm produce had become empty except that there was a gold coin inside. Although all the things in the bin had vanished, the gold was much more valuable so he was still very happy. He thought most probably someone had taken his things and left the payment there, and went home happily with the money. The next day, the farmer again went out to sell his things but again arrived too early so he slept outside the city gate just like he had done the day before. And the incident repeated itself. All the produce that the farmer had brought disappeared, and there was a gold coin in the bin! At that time, gold was very valuable. One gold coin had a value many times higher than the farmer's produce. Then one day some time later, the farmer's father asked him, "Where have you gotten so many gold coins lately? Where did the money come from?" So the farmer revealed to his father what had happened. After listening to his story, the father thought, "One day I'll follow my son as he goes out, and see who's been consuming his things and leaving the money in the bin." So one day, when the farmer went out to do business, his father quietly followed him. While the farmer was sleeping near the city gate, his father saw a snake crawl up to his bin and eat his produce. Having finished eating, the snake once again spat a gold coin into the bin as payment to the farmer before leaving. Seeing this, the farmer's father thought, "If I kill the snake, I'll be able to seize all its gold coins!" He then picked up a stone and cut the snake into two parts. At that time, the head and trunk of the snake were already in its den, and only the tail was outside. The father thought that there must be a big treasure in the den so he told his son to reach inside for it. But unexpectedly, when the farmer reached his hand into the den, the snake bit and killed him! Even though it had been cut into two, the snake could still bite! I understand how this could have happened because that was how I got bitten when I was small. At that time, I saw a centipede that had been beaten and squashed by someone, leaving only the head intact. I thought it was dead, and to make sure, I poked it with my foot. It bit me hard and I cried for three days. (Laughter) I was really dumb! Remember! Don't play with a centipede even if it looks dead. Sometimes it just fakes death; it's not really dead. Perhaps that was what happened to the snake in the story. Its head wasn't dead yet. Thus, it bit the farmer, who subsequently died. Seeing his son killed, the farmer's father cried brokenheartedly next to the son's dead body and asked the snake, "You snake! Why did you kill my son? Why did you bite my son and kill him?" Instead of answering him, the snake asked, "Why did you break my back with the stone? There was no animosity between us. I had never done anything bad to you, nor had I done you any harm. If you had been more patient and waited, I would have given the entire treasure here to you. However, because you struck me, I bit and killed your son. Had I killed you instead, you would not be in such deep sorrow. I killed your son so that you'd live the rest of your life in agony." This snake was venomously wise! Instead of biting the man who tried to kill it, it bit his son so that the father would be in agony for the rest of his life. It was truly amazing! We can also learn something from this story. Sometimes you may ask me, "Why don't You take me to the Fifth Realm immediately? As such I'll be liberated from suffering and promptly become a Buddha. Wouldn't it be better? Why do You tell me to meditate for two and a half hours each day, and observe the Five Precepts and a vegetarian diet? This is too slow, way too slow!" Actually, this isn't slow! You can digest it only in this way. If I gave you too much at one time, you'd be filled to death! Because you're too greedy, in the end you get nothing at all. Sometimes we spiritual practitioners have no obstacles. We understand very well why we're pursuing this spiritual path. Every day we meditate diligently without any doubts and never create obstacles for ourselves. However, when Maya can't hinder us from practicing spirituality, it annoys our relatives, using them to obstruct us and cause us harm. Shakyamuni Buddha once said that when Maya couldn't attack the Buddha, it would attack His disciples. So when the disciples sometimes encounter many troubles, the Master is also involved and affected. It's because the Master can't look on without doing anything when the disciples are in danger. This is like when parents see something happen to their children. They don't have the heart to just stand there watching so they're definitely affected. In the course of spiritual practice, it's inevitable that you'll sometimes have friction with relatives and friends. We all have such experiences. Just try your best to endure, explain to them, neglect them, leave them, ignore them or be as cordial as you can. We should react depending on the situation. Each person has different situations; there's no way that I can set an exact example for you. You have to apply your wisdom to handle problems to reach a satisfactory result as best you can. Nonetheless, you mustn't give in too much and sacrifice your spiritual progress. Photo: st1-146.jpg ================================================================== Love in Action Report from Quebec, Canada The Quebec Center's Relief Project is Gratifying for All When flash floods recently devastated Quebec, Canada, our merciful Master immediately instructed local initiates to launch relief activities in the affected communities. So on the evening of August 13, 2003, Montreal initiates completed the purchase of relief supplies, packed them into boxes, and rented two vans to transport the items to victims in various cities. The following morning, the relief team left the Montreal Center for Warwick, the first city on its list. At the Warwick City Hall, the initiates met the mayor and introduced Master to him and his staff members, who recalled Master's charity in 1998 when She generously donated US$50,000 during the ice storm in Quebec. (Please refer to the News # 91) The mayor said that he was impressed by Master's charitable acts and thanked Her for bringing comfort and hope to his people in this time of need. When the affected families arrived, the relief team told them that Supreme Master Ching Hai cared deeply about their situation and had asked that Her love, concern and gifts be brought to comfort them during this difficult period. The recipients were very happy to accept Master's assistance, being especially grateful for Her financial help, which came from afar, and was conveyed by people who were genuinely concerned about their welfare. Some of the needy families in Warwick had many children to look after, while others had lost their homes, furniture and clothing in the flooding. The flood victims had requested only the necessary clothing to wear to school and work, and never expected that the Association would bring large quantities of vests, jeans and shoes in the exact sizes they needed, as well as underwear and nutritious food. The people of Warwick also received much more from The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association. For example, a family with two children and twin babies was given baby clothes, baby food and a baby carriage. While distributing the supplies, the initiates could perceive the recipients' happiness through their smiling faces and the loving atmosphere that pervaded the City Hall.¡ When accepting Master's loving concern and gifts, the flood victims of Warwick were very happy, and beautiful smiles shone on their faces. (Third from the right is the mayor of Warwick) photo: love5-1-146.jpg After their visit to Warwick, the relief team traveled to Chesterville and was received by the mayor's representative, Mrs. Lise Cote. People had arrived beforehand to receive their gifts, and they were impressed that help had arrived so quickly. For instance, some families had asked for dehumidifiers the previous week, and did not expect that they would receive them within a few days. As they opened the envelopes forwarded by the initiates and displayed the financial aid inside, surprised smiles appeared on their faces. In response to Master's timely gifts, the Montreal Center received a thank-you note from Mrs. Jean Paul Poisson of Chesterville, expressing her sincere gratitude, especially for Her financial help. (Please refer to the letter of appreciation below.) Also, some of the mayor's staff members were sincerely interested in Master's humanitarian work, and asked numerous questions. We then gave them a brief introduction to Supreme Master Ching Hai along with some sample booklets, a portfolio describing Master's charitable activities and the video Walk the Way of Love. Captions: Flood victims in Chesterville receive necessary materials and financial aid forwarded by relief team members. love5-2.jpg The last relief stop was the Tingwick City Hall, where simple, outgoing Mayor Paul-Emile Simoneau, his wife and his secretary were very supportive. Mr. Simoneau's name was mentioned in many newspaper reports on the flood; as he did his best to inform the press about his constituents' situation and ask for external help. Mr. Simoneau received the relief team workers and flood victims in his cabinet room, where the initiates thanked him and his staff for their prompt assistance, which accelerated the relief process. The initiates introduced Master and explained the purpose of their trip, as many of the local residents listened with emotion. One man even left the room temporarily because he could not hold back his feelings. In addition to taking care of their basic necessities, the relief team also delivered Master's financial help. Before departing, the victims came and shook hands with the team members, and one man, being still very emotional and not knowing what to say, even came up and embraced the volunteers. Thus, in silence, everyone knew that Master's care and love had deeply touched the hearts and affected the inner being of the relief recipients. The work team then stayed to talk with Mayor Simoneau, telling him more about Master's work and ongoing efforts to alleviate earthly suffering. After the distribution of supplies was completed, the Mayor's staff informed the initiates about some other families who had asked for help. Thus, another relief trip was planned for the following week. On behalf of his citizens, the mayor of Tingwick (Third from the right) expresses sincere gratitude and regards to Master Ching Hai for Her compassionate aid. photo:love5-3-146.jpg Second Trip to Aid Victims On August 22, 2003, the relief team conveyed Supreme Master Ching Hai's love and concern to more flood victims in Chesterville and Tingwick, based on their requests. At 4:30 PM, the volunteers arrived at the Chesterville City Hall, where the recipients, including some families with many children who truly needed assistance, expressed deep gratitude for Master's timely financial contributions. The mayor's representative gave special thanks to Master on behalf of the flood victims, saying that she had learned about Master through the portfolio the initiates had left behind on their last visit. Knowing that She designs gracious fashions and also maintains Her own worldwide relief fund, the representative added that Master is very beautiful and talented. In addition, the newspaper La Nouvelle et L'Union reported that Master's loving actions had enhanced solidarity among the people in this region of Quebec. At Tingwick, the relief team was again impressed by the devotion of Mayor Simoneau and his wife. The couple greatly assisted the initiates by informing families of the team's arrival and by their overall willingness to assist the community in time of need. One young couple was in a desperate situation because they had lost all their possessions in the flood. However the initiates comforted them, promising to assist them financially and thus help them get back on their feet. In his speech before the team members left, Mayor Simoneau sent his warmest regards and thanks to Master, adding that his city would hold a recognition and fund-raising day on September 6, 2003 to thank the groups that had helped them through the difficult period of the flood. He invited The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association to join his citizens on this special day, thus showing his profound gratitude to Master. Special Day in Tingwick At 8:30PM on September 6, 2003, the Montreal Center relief team members were welcomed at the entrance of the Tingwick Community Hall by Mayor Simoneau and his wife, who were very happy to see them. The Mayor had reserved two tables for the initiates, and during the event, he, his secretary and the citizens in attendance were wonderful hosts, caring for and entertaining everyone with great attention. In addition, the name of Master and The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association were highlighted on a thank-you board among other sponsors of the flood-relief effort. The residents of Tingwick are good-hearted people who lead godly lives, and thus they supported each other during the flood disaster by offering used furniture, stoves and other merchandise for auction, using the revenue earned for the flood victims. At one point during the celebration, a woman came to the initiates' table asking if it was Master Who had recently helped her city during the flood. After she learned of Master's instructions to quickly send Her love and care to the people of Tingwick, the woman sincerely thanked Her and The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association for their contributions to the flood victims. While chatting with the initiates and his staff members, Mayor Simoneau also praised Master for Her generosity and charitable deeds, adding that he is ready to go to the United States at any time to meet Master and thank Her personally. (The interview with Mayor Simoneau will soon be available for on-line viewing on the Sun TV program A Journey through Aesthetic Realms.) The Quebec initiates are grateful to Master for Her ongoing assistance and reminders about spiritual improvement, and for giving their Center the chance to work together and learn to share Her love with others when they needed it most. Expenditures for Quebec Flood Relief Aid by Supreme Master Ching Hai Item Amount (Unit: Canadian $) Receipt # Clothes, toys, babies?necessities 2,108.38 C1 Food (cereal, pasta, canned food, soup, candy, biscuits) 2,065.87 C2 Dehumidifiers, water dispensers, water filters, electric kettles 2,715.75 C3 Gloves, towels, detergent, soap 1,546.31 C4 Financial aid to flood victims and city funds 15,500.00 C5 Transportation (van rentals, gasoline) 1,113.97 C6 Miscellaneous (cartons, photocopies, portfolio, film, etc.) 550.00 C7 Total expenses CA$25,600.28 (approx. US$18,727.34) ================================================================== Report from British Columbia, Canada Master's Love Rebuilds Countless Lives from the Ashes of Disaster The summer of 2003 was the driest in recorded history for British Columbia, Canada. Temperatures ran high and there was no rain for months. In August alone, more than 300 forest fires broke out in the province, caused by the careless disposal of cigarette butts. The Louis Creek community in the beautiful area north of Vancouver was virtually wiped out (65 buildings including a saw mill were destroyed), 238 homes were burned in Kelowna, and a number of houses were burned and many more suffered smoke damage in Barriere. In response to the fires, our merciful Master donated US$50,000 with special instructions to provide comfort to those in greatest need who had been overlooked by other relief organizations. The Canadian government declared a state of emergency in the affected areas, and many residents were evacuated and given financial aid by the government and local charitable groups. Ten thousand people were moved to the nearby city of Kamloops, where most stayed in motels, their room, board and clothing allowances being covered by the Red Cross and the provincial government. After assessing the situation, local initiates went to Vancouver, where they rented and filled a large truck with relief materials before returning to Kamloops to contact the evacuees staying at the various motels in the area. Then each individual or family received a parcel containing food, drinks, fruit and a sample booklet, and all were very happy to receive this loving support from Master. Next, the work team tried to reach those in the greatest need; namely, families that had lost their homes and that were not covered by insurance. The initiates found that by dropping their preconceived ideas and letting Master guide them, they could readily find these people. For example, the initiates saw one frightened and unhappy woman at a motel who had been living in her sister's house, which burned down in the Kamloops fire and was thus ineligible for government support. With few financial resources of her own, she could hardly pay her rent at the motel. Coincidentally, the initiates had purchased a small trailer at an excellent price, and it was exactly what the woman and her family needed. Upon receiving the gift, the woman was overjoyed and extremely grateful for Master's love, feeling that receiving the trailer was truly a miracle (photo 1). The work team then visited the Red Cross in Kelowna, and on behalf of Supreme Master Ching Hai, expressed gratitude for its support to the evacuees. The team also made a financial contribution to the organization to help in its very important work. Of course, the Red Cross representatives were touched and delighted at Master's compassion (photo 2). The relief team found that most of the people in the affected areas had animal companions that they dearly loved. The SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) has a foster care program and its Kamloops branch took care of many such victimized animals, including horses and cows. The SPCA staff fed the animals, gave shelter to those that were without foster families, and provided them with medicine and loving attention. The initiates visited the SPCA and were so impressed with the love and devoted care given to their animal friends there that they made a financial contribution, which was highly appreciated (photo 3). The relief team then left Kelowna and headed for the Louis Creek/Barriere area to determine what types of aid the affected families needed most. For many, it was cash and for others schooling for the children. The initiates responded by giving the fire victims financial aid and purchasing school supplies for families with school-age youngsters. Among the families visited, the initiates' attention was captured by the head of one household, who seemed to be kindly but also deeply distressed. About a week after the visit, the man called to say that he had tried all available organizations, but none could help him with a vehicle that he needed to get back to work. Due to the infinite generosity of our beloved Master, the initiates were able to buy a truck for the man at a very reasonable price. His boundless gratitude was evident as with sincere emotion he said, "I hope the Master realizes we're sincere. This is God-sent. Every day of my life until now, I've been getting up at 5 A.M. to work to take care of my family. Now I can again take care of my family, and I'd be happy to work seven days a week. Other relief funds are not set up to deal with people from the heart like Supreme Master Ching Hai does. She takes people's inner soul to heart, and wants to help mend the heart as well as the material level." The relief team also purchased a car and three trailers for four families to resolve their transportation and lodging problems and thus resume their normal lives. One elderly couple said that they prayed every day, but their house had burned down and they had no insurance. They were living temporarily in a small trailer and were worried about the cold and discomfort of spending the winter in this makeshift home. When the initiates helped them rent a place for the winter, the couple's joy knew no bounds. "I read the Bible every day. I pray every day. Now God sends us help. No one does that. I believe your Master is God," said the old man (photo 4). In another case, the head of a family whose house had burned down was going through the rubble to see if he could salvage anything. He found only one page of the Bible that said, "Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted." Indeed they have been comforted! Our beloved Master not only provides for the material needs of Her children, but also blesses people with infinite love. The residents of Louis Creek will never forget the kindness and compassion of a woman they have never met - Supreme Master Ching Hai. Some said, "It's a miracle." And one man told us, "When all hope was gone, your Master gave us a way to start our lives again. Now I know that I must care for others the way your Master has cared for us." Thank You, Master, for Your infinite love and meticulous care of every living being. photos: love6-1,2,3,4,5,-146.jpg Expenditures for Aid and Relief to Fire Victims in British Columbia, Canada by Supreme Master Ching Hai Description Expenses (in Canadian Dollars) Receipt # Donations to British Columbia Red Cross and SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) 10,000 D1 Food and Gifts for Evacuees 2,999 D2 Transportation (gasoline and toll fees) 472 D3 Relief staff members?travel, lodging and daily expenses 1,062 D4 Trailers for three families 11,000 D5 Truck for a needy family 4,000 D6 Car for a needy family 3,924 D7 Gift money for fire victims 35,000 D8 Total CA$ 68,457 (Approx. US$ 50,151.50) Photo: love6a-146.jpg Related news coverage and Master's enlightening discourse are available for online viewing on Sun TV Program serial No.71 ================================================================== Report from India Master's Love Brings Happiness and Prosperity to India's Drought-stricken Northwest Over the past few years, northwestern India has suffered from an ongoing drought, and the situation deteriorated this year. Thus on Master's instructions, fellow initiates from many countries travelled to the region in April to render aid, distributing relief materials at that time, and in June, helping villagers in the Barmer District of Rajasthan to build water tanks and consolidate wells. (Please refer to News Magazine No.144 for details.) In response to requests by local residents, fellow initiates returned to the area in July with an ample supply of seeds for the planting of crops. Soon after their arrival, the volunteers were greeted by delightful rain showers from Heaven. Thick clouds gathered and the sky grew dark above Barmer. Then lightning flashed, brightening the heavens as peals of thunder roared across the sky. Soon, rain fell and continued for several days, bringing life back to the region's moribund fields. Local residents saw bushes and trees turn green for the first time in more than four years after the debilitating drought, as the weather-worn faces of farmers beamed with happiness. While Heaven bestowed rain on the thirsty land, fellow initiates promptly purchased seeds for the poor farmers in the districts of Barmer and Jaisalmer. With assistance from Mahila Mandar Barmer Agor (MMBA), a local organization, seventeen members of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association quickly distributed the seeds to the farmers, working continuously for three days to ensure that the supplies were received in time for sowing. The volunteers conducted the allocations either in local villages or from distribution centers. Over three thousand farmers received packages of seeds of bajra (millet), mung beans, moth beans and cluster beans. The farmers showed great respect as they received their allotments and paid reverence to a photo of Supreme Master Ching Hai that was on display. In addition to the seeds, fellow initiates also provided the people with nectar for the spirit - Master's sample booklets. When fellow initiates visited the farmers a few days later, they learned that the seeds had been sown the day after they were received. In some villages, sprouts were already apparent, and in one field the seedlings had already grown five to ten centimeters tall! The abundant rainfall before and after the distribution operation spurred the germination of the seeds, not only watering the fields but also filling up wells and underground water storage tanks that could sustain the villages for three years. Local residents thus deeply appreciated Master's timely gifts! photos: love3-1,2,3,4,-146.jpg ¡ Expenditures for Northwest India Agricultural Seeds and Sample Booklets Contributed by Supreme Master Ching Hai Description Expenditure(in Rupees) Receipt No. Purchase of seeds for the Barmer District 1,180,170.00 B1 & B2 Purchase of seeds for the Jaisalmer District 115,798.00 B3 Transportation of seeds to various distribution centers 18,410.00 NIL Plastic bags for seeds 2,890.00 NIL Banners 2,000.00 NIL Sample booklets 48,000.00 B4 Total 1,367,268.00(approx. US$29,983.95) Photo: love3a-146.jpg ================================================================== Report from Korea Master's Loving Contribution to Firefighters Involved in the Daegu Subway Disaster Upon learning of the devastating subway fire in Daegu City, Korea on February 18, 2003, our compassionate Master presented relief funds totaling US $30,000 to the victims. Korean initiates were deeply touched by Master's great love, and contacted the City's Red Cross and Victim's Union to offer the gift, only to be told that it was not needed because US $60 million had already been donated by the public and six months had passed since the fire. But we firmly believed that because Master instructed us to offer the money, there must be some group in the area that was truly in need of Her blessing and help. Then, after investigating the matter, we were informed that some of the firefighters involved in the rescue efforts had been hurt and were still receiving treatment for their injuries. These dedicated civil servants were used to aiding the public and expected nothing beyond their normal salaries in return. However, as they came to realize that Master's offer expressed Her unconditional love for them, they opened their hearts and accepted the gift. Thus, touched by Master's loving heart, on July 26, Deputy Fire Marshal Kim Shin-Dong opened the lecture hall of the Daegu City Fire Department headquarters for a special ceremony to receive Master's contribution, along with gifts including bedclothes sets and Master's publications. These items were beautifully wrapped in decorative boxes to lift the firefighters' spirits and wish them a peaceful rest and recovery. In a warm, gentle atmosphere of love and friendship, Korean initiates also supplied vegetarian noodles and healthy beverages to participants after the ceremony. During the event, we gave to each firefighter a "Letter of Appreciation for Dedicated Service to Humankind," recognizing them for their selfless dedication to the public. Firefighters in Korea are wholly committed to public service without expecting additional reward and are not compensated while recovering from job-related injuries. Thus Master's caring contribution and recognition served to open their hearts and gave us a chance to convey Her love. An additional benefit resulting from this special event is that South Korea has now planned to launch a disaster relief team to help firefighters in similar situations in the future. This shining example of Master's compassion is a real inspiration for all who were touched by the occasion. Touched by Master's loving contribution, the Daegu City Fire Department headquarters holds a special ceremony to receive Her unconditional Love. (photo:love2-1-146.jpg) The shining example of Master's compassion is an inspiration to all who were touched by the occasion. (photo:love2-2-46.jpg) Korean initiates supplied vegetarian refreshments to entertain participants after the ceremony. (photo:love2-3,4-146.jpg) Expenditures for Firefighters Injured during the Daegu Subway Disaster Description Amount (unit: Korean Won) Receipt # Donations to 12 firefighters 30,500,000 #1 Gifts: Bedclothes sets, beverages, sweets, chocolate, snacks, flowers 1,031,800 #2, #5, #6 Packaging materials 21,000 #3 Stationery 21,000 #4 Total: 31,573,800 (approx. US $28,700) Photo: love2a-146.jpg ================================================================== Report from Hong Kong A Miracle through Master's Blessing at a Home for the Elderly In our competitive society, senior citizens are often a neglected group. So with the desire to bring Master's love to their elderly friends, Hong Kong Center initiates paid a loving visit to the Jianian Nursery at the end of August, 2003. As residents of this small facility seldom receive care and concern from society, it became the natural choice for the initiates in their activity of love. On the day of the visit, vegetarian snacks were prepared and several entertaining performances were presented. The initiates also chatted and did health-enhancing exercises with the people. Thus, through Master's love and blessings, the nursery was filled with warmth and joy. After a sister skilled in acupuncture applied needles to an elderly lady's body, a miracle occurred. The woman, who used to rely on a walking stick, was able to walk without it through the encouraging applause of people around her. In addition, she expressed a wish to become a vegetarian for the rest of her life! All the fellow initiates present were deeply moved and decided to send over free vegetarian food so that the woman would be able to enjoy a nutritious vegetarian diet on a regular basis. This visit not only gave the residents of the Jianian Nursery a heart-warming and enjoyable day, but also enabled Hong Kong fellow initiates to develop their inner love. May the elderly brothers and sisters at the Nursery have a peaceful and happy life and discover eternal joy! Hong Kong fellow initiates visit a home for the elderly. (photo:love4-1-146.jpg) Expenditures for Charitable Activities in Formosa from May to August 2003 Total Amount in Tables 1 & 2: NT$ 1,924,316 (US$55,777.28) Table 1: Details of expenditures for charitable activities in Formosa from May to August 2003 (Currency in NT$) Place Date Description Amount Appendix Pengh ? 2003.05.23 4,800 3M N95 masks contributed to the Penghu Hospital, the National Armed Forces Penghu Hospital, and the Penghu County Fire Department to aid in SARS-prevention efforts (please refer to the News #144). 240,120 A Taipei 2003.06.09 Due to the government’s urgent lack of medical supplies in conducting anti-SARS efforts, a total of 63,000 3M N95 masks flown in from the US were contributed to frontline medical workers in Formosa’s hospitals on May 24 and June 9 through the Executive Yuan’s Department of Health (please refer to the News #144). 1,272,086 B Tainan 2003.07.23 Visiting inmates, holding a spiritual seminar and teaching meditation at the Mingte Labor Prison (supported by fellow practitioners) 0 NIL Tainan 2003.07.26 Support for the City Environmental Protection Bureau’s efforts in cleaning the beach on the Golden Coast in Southern Taiwan (supported by fellow practitioners) 0 NIL Tainan 2003.07.31 Visiting inmates, holding a spiritual seminar and teaching meditation at the Tainan Prison (supported by fellow practitioners) 0 NIL Miaoli 2003.08.03 Cleaning the Miaoli No. 28 Highway in cooperation with Hsihu village’s environmental protection efforts 3,200 C Changhua 2003.08.21 Donating spiritual books to the Changhua City Library and Changhua County Bureau, to benefit local residents. 3,910 D Tainan 2003.08.28 Visiting inmates, holding a spiritual seminar and teaching meditation at the Tainan Prison (supported by fellow practitioners) 0 NIL Total NT$1,519,316 ¡ ================================================================== Table 2: Relief funds given to needy households in Formosa from May to August 2003 (Currency in NT$) May 2003 June 2003 July 2003 August 2003 Place Number of house-holds Amount Number of house-holds Amount Number of house-holds Amount Number of house-holds Amount Appendix Keelung 1 2,000 1 2,000 1 2,000 1 2,000 1 Taipei 6 16,000 6 16,000 5 13,000 5 13,000 2 Taoyuan 1 2,000 1 2,000 1 2,000 1 2,000 3 Hsinch ? 2 6,000 2 6,000 2 6,000 2 6,000 4 Taichung 4 14,000 4 14,000 4 14,000 3 11,000 5 Nanto ? 7 26,000 7 26,000 7 26,000 7 26,000 6 Chiayi 1 3,000 1 3,000 ?/font> ?/font> ?/font> ?/font> 7 Tainan 1 4,000 1 4,000 1 4,000 1 4,000 8 Kaoshiung 3 10,000 3 10,000 3 10,000 3 10,000 9 Pingtung 3 10,000 3 10,000 3 9,000 3 9,000 10 Taitung 2 8,000 2 8,000 2 8,000 2 8,000 11 Pengh ? 2 5,000 2 5,000 2 5,000 1 3,000 12 Sub-total per month 33 $106,000 33 $106,000 31 $99,000 29 $94,000 Grand Total NT$405,000 Photo: received-formosa-1.jpg ================================================================== Letter of Appreciation Concern for Firefighters Injured in the Daegu Subway Disaster Thank-you Note for Dedicated Service to Humankind (Originally in Korean) July 26, 2003 Dear Firefighters, We sincerely appreciate your brave rescue work and the spirit of sacrifice that you showed during the Daegu subway disaster. The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association is a worldwide organization that not only practices spirituality but also carries out global charity and relief activities. For humanitarian purposes, we provide unconditional support to anyone, anywhere who suffers due to natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, famine, poverty, and the like. Not long after the Daegu subway disaster, the Korean branch of the Association donated relief money to the victims. Recently, Supreme Master Ching Hai and the Association's headquarter learned of the disaster and sent additional relief funds. Accordingly, we tried to determine if there was anyone still in need, and came to realize that you were injured while rescuing others and were still receiving treatment. Each day, we are continuously exposed to unexpected danger from accidents as were you firefighters injured while rescuing others, even at the risk of your own lives. Your efforts were a good example of humanitarianism and deserve the respect of the world's citizens. However, being preoccupied with the suffering of other victims, our society did not show enough respect and appreciation for your noble courage. Thus it is our honor to say thank you on behalf of all the people of the country. Please remember that the international community sincerely appreciates and praises your devoted work. We hope our gift can help to hasten your speedy recovery. All human beings are brothers and sisters, and depend on each other for support. Our small gift is just an expression of appreciation and comfort for your noble service and sacrifice to humankind. Our offer is unconditional, so you need not feel indebted. Please contact us if we can be of any help in the future. Once again with deep appreciation,¡ The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association photo: tk1-146.jpg ¡ ================================================================== (Originally in French) August 15, 2003 To: The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association I am writing this letter to thank You for showing Your care in bringing assistance to the flood victims of Chesterville. My family and I very much appreciate Your gifts of a dehumidifier, healthy food and especially Your financial help of CA$200 in cash, which has allowed us to pay our immediate expenses. We can never hear enough about the good deeds and generosity of people like You, who think and care about the well-being of others. Thank You many times. I will pray so that You always have hope to continue Your work. There are still good hearted people in our topsy-turvy world! Mrs. Jean Paul Poisson Chesterville, Quebec photo: tk2-146.jpg ================================================================== Media Reports The Yeongnam Ilbo, July 28, 2003, Korea (originally in Korean) Comforting Public Service Workers Injured at Subway Disaster Members of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association visited Daegu Fire Headquarters on July 26 and gave donations and gifts to twelve firefighters injured in the subway disaster of February, 2003. The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association is an international organization that practices meditation and carries out loving activities such as relief work. photo: mr2-1-146.jpg ================================================================== Chesterville, Canada (originally in French) ================================================================== A Beautiful Act of Solidarity Monique Giroux, Reporter for La Nouvelle et L'Union newspaper August 15, 2003 An American philanthropist recently brought help to flood victims in Chesterville, Tingwick and Warwick. The gathering with the victims of Chesterville took place on Thursday, August 14 at the office of the municipal secretary, Lise Cote. Each family received a dehumidifier, one box of essential goods and sweets, and a monetary gift CA$200. Five families from Chesterville that were victimized by the flooding benefited from the generosity of this philanthropist, Supreme Master Ching Hai, who is originally from Au Lac, and whose name means "pure ocean.""Our spiritual master Supreme Master Ching Hai, who resides in Florida, learned about what happened in Bois-Francs while listening to the news. We are twelve disciples from Montreal, Quebec and Victoriaville, who responded to Her request to visit the victims, comfort them and bring them help to alleviate their situation while they await the government's aid," explained Hugues Rivard, a disciple from Montreal.Another disciple from Montreal, Nghia Nguyen, added that it is important for us to help each other in order to share our unconditional love: "We should bring hope and assistance to make suffering people's lives easier." Nghia Nguyen, Marie-Yvonne Desilets and Lise Cote, the municipal secretary (third from the left), are pictured with five of the Chesterville flood victims. Hung Nguyen, the main organizer of the humanitarian activity, gave CA$200, a dehumidifier and one box of essential goods to each family. Madame Ching Hai creates artwork as well as elegant clothing designs, and uses the revenue to help the less fortunate and disaster victims around the world. This is the second time She has been involved in helping the people of Quebec; during the ice storm in 1998, She offered CA$70,000 to the victims. Being very surprised to witness such an initiative, the gift recipients of Chesterville enthusiastically expressed their gratitude in acknowledging this beautiful act of solidarity from these unknown visitors. It's a pure coincidence that this act was noted and made public here. Photo: mr3-4-146.jpg Media Reports On September 10, 2003, the Canadian weekly magazine Thoi Moi and the monthly magazine Tham My (September edition, p. 72) presented reports on the flood relief activities in Quebec conducted by The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association. (Originally in Aulacese) photo: mr4-1,2-146.jpg ================================================================== Love in Action Report from Formosa Letter of Appreciation--This Letter of Appreciation is presented to The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association for its generous donation of surgical masks to help medical workers in their fight against SARS and for their distinguished contributions to the control of the epidemic. - from Chen Chien-jen, Minister of the Department of Health, Executive Yuan, ROC (July 30, 2002) (photo: love1-1-146.pg) Certificate of Appointment--The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association is hereby appointed by the Formosa Hualien District Court Prosecutors' Office to be an executive organization handling the reeducation of reprieve cases starting from the year 2003. Note: Since 1994 The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association has been conducting monthly visits to parolees and prison inmates in Formosa. The Association's efforts have been recognized by local judiciary bodies and have received many commendations from the Ministry of Justice, the Judicial Yuan (the Judiciary of Formosa's central government) and the Taiwan High Court. (photo: love1-2-146.jpg) Spiritual seminars held at the Tainan Prison and Mingte Labor Prison. (photo:love1-3,4-146.jpg) Braving the scorching sunshine, fellow initiates clean a beach as part of an environmental protection effort. (photo: love1-5-146.jpg) ================================================================== Aphorisms Become Liberated While Living Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Houston, Texas, USA, November 13, 1993 (originally in English) Videotape No. 394 The most important things in this life, in our principles of spiritual practice, are loving others, loving ourselves and being liberated from all hatred, prejudice, criticizing attitudes and negative thinking. And once you're already liberated in this lifetime, you'll surely go to a higher level. Because these are the negative things, the burdens that bind us to this physical world or within the Three Worlds. If we have none of that, we're liberated while living. That's most important, not visions or sounds. These are only the food to support our well-being. ================================================================== Master Tells Jokes A Doctor's Wise Investment Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Florida, USA, June 11, 2001 (originally in English) Videotape No. 717 There was an art exposition, and the artist who painted the pictures for the exposition asked the gallery owner whether anyone had been interested in his paintings. So the owner said, "I have good news and bad news for you. The good news is that there was a gentleman interested in your paintings and he asked me whether your artwork would increase in value after your death, just like that of many other artists. So I said, yes, of course, it would. According to your potential, your paintings will, of course, increase in value after your death. So he bought fifteen of them altogether. That's the good news." Then the artist asked, "What about the bad news?" And the gallery owner replied, "The guy who bought the paintings is your doctor." ¡ ================================================================== Psychic Mailman Needed Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Florida, USA, June 11, 2001 (originally in English) Videotape No. 717 There was an idiotic guy who wrote a letter and put a stamp on it and everything. Outside the envelope he wrote, "To my Brother, the Engineer in Saigon." When his friend looked at the envelope, he said, "My God, why did you address the envelope like that! How will anyone be able to find your brother?" So the first guy said, "You idiot, I only have one brother who's an engineer!" ¡ ================================================================== Too Bad about God's Dollar! Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Florida, USA, June 11, 2001 (originally in English) Videotape No. 717 A mother gave her kid two dollars and said, "One is for you to do with as you want, and one is to put in the box in church for God." So the kid went around and was playing with the dollars, and then one of them went into the river. She couldn't find it so she said, "Sorry, God! Your dollar's gone!" ¡ photos: jk1-1,2,3-146.jpg ¡ ================================================================== Please visit the following websites to enjoy the original video versions of these jokes, and you may share the joy of Master's humor with those around you: http://www.godsdirectcontact.org/eng/news/146/jk1.htm (USA) http://www.godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng/news/146/jk1.htm (Formosa) http://www.godsdirectcontact.net/eng/news/146/jk1.htm (USA) How to Contact Us / Our Liaison Practitioners around the World A Journey through Aesthetic Realms TV Program Videotapes E-mail: art&spirituality@Godsdirectcontact.org Fax : 1-413-751-0848 (USA) News Group: E-mail: lovenews@Godsdirectcontact.org Fax: 1-801-7409196 or 886-946-728475 Book Department: E-mail: divine@Godsdirectcontact.org Fax: 1-240-352-5613 or 886-943-802829 (You are welcome to join us in translating Master's books into other languages.) 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