================================================================== ======= Contents ======= ? A Sincere Heart is the Best Sanctuary | The Pure Love of Animals ? Slovenia | Thailand | Singapore | Japan | Korea | USA ? Presenting a New Focus on Health, Environmentalism and Animal Welfare | Encourages Children to Be Vegetarian ? The Story of a Saintly King ? Dealing with Fame and Fortune Requires Spiritual Practice | Cultivating Oneself is Necessary before Governing One's Country ? To Dear God ? Lost or Found? | Appetizing Math | You Can't Fool Me! ? Master Responds Immediately to Animals in Need | All My Wishes Have Come True | The Saga of Blackie ? Love Makes it Easier for Your Pets to Leave this World | Try Drinking a Glass of Cold Water Before You Flare Up ? The Soul Views All Experiences as Opportunities | The Limitations of Time and Space in the Physical World | We Create Constantly through Our Thoughts | Effective Emotional Management--the Proper Release of Anger | The Soul's Worst Enemy is Ignorance not Anger ? SEAL? Spray Stops Bleeding Fast ? How Can Medical Personnel Avoid Absorbing Negative Energy? | Care for Yourself While Caring for Others ? A Groundbreaking Meeting on Animal Sentience and Intelligence ? Our Animal Friends Enter the Golden Age | Compassionate Lions Save an African Girl ? Develop a Positive Vibration and Benefit the World | Perform Good Actions Expecting Nothing in Return | Remain Focused on the Saintly Path | When We Have Peace Within Heaven is Everywhere | Be Honest with Yourself and Uproot Persistent Habits | Constant Focus on the Wisdom Eye Hastens Spiritual Progress ? Overcoming Habits to Master Oneself--Insights from Keeping a Cat ? USA | Panama | Chile | Brazil | Indonesia | Thailand | Formosa | Expenditures for Charitable Activities in Formosa from March to June 2005 | Expenditures for Relief Work by The Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her Association in Chile, Brazil and Indonesia ? Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest DVDs | MP3s ? Truth, Virtue and Beauty Shine in the 11th Generation Celestial Jewelry ? 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 Dears) Example: When God wishes, Hes makes things happen according to Hiers will to suit Hirmself. News No. 159 Published: August 25, 2005 Founded: April 1, 1990 Published By: The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publisher: Hsieh Hsin-Lin The Supreme Master Ching Hai News magazine 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. ================================================================== 4Master's Words 8A Sincere Heart is the Best Sanctuary Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Florida, USA, June 12-16, 2001 (Originally in English) Videotape #724 Only if your heart is pure can the Center help you. If you don't come with a sincere motive, even if you're in God's Presence, you don't feel anything because your mind is attached to outside phenomena. And then even if God is right in front of you, you gain no benefit. Everything is according to our mind and our heart. And if we can't control them, then anywhere possesses the same chaos. I'm glad you profit in this environment. It's good for you. Many of you are like that. That's why you love to come to the Center because here is really a good place to help satisfy your sincere longing. So you can sit quietly all day, anytime you want. That's very good. But it's because you are good also. If you bring the whole world here, even ten Centers can't help you. You have the longing in your heart so this place is conducive. A center where you can sit and meditate freely is conducive. Not because the Center has a Saint and somewhere else doesn't; it's just that the Center has quietness and an environment that is conducive to meditation. But only if that's what you want. If you don't want it, then even if you come here, you're still thinking of many things. And you also feel more agitated; and even want to go home quickly. You think to yourself, "Why did I come here? I shouldn't have come here. Now I have to wait three, four or even seven days to go home." You don't feel good at the Center. So if you come here and you know what you came for, you'll always get the best out of it. The Center is very conducive. But you have to want that, and then it helps you. It's not that the Center doesn't help; it's just that you also must help yourself. You must really want to meditate, to be quiet, to find yourself at the Center. Otherwise, it's no use. You can sit all day long, and nothing will happen. You'll have more trouble and feel it's a waste of time, like you should go see a movie or do something better in the outside world or in the city where there's a lot of activity. So, being a saint or not being a saint is all up to you. We can only help facilitate the process. But you're the only one who can profit from your own purity and sincerity.? 8 The Pure Love of Animals Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, International Christmas Retreat, Florida, USA, December 23, 2001 (Originally in English) Videotape #725 We're supposed to be more intelligent than dogs or other beings, but we still do silly things because our minds distract us. How many times do you have the feeling that something is right, you have an intuition about it and you're going to do it, but then you look at the outside circumstances and your brain tells you, "No, no. That's not the right thing to do," and you forego it. And later on you regret it because it's exactly the thing you should have done! If you hadn't looked at the outer appearances or circumstances, you would have done the right thing. Similarly all beings do what they do because they also have brains, and most animals have younger brains than we do. For example, dogs have the brain or IQ of a ten-year-old; that's what we've been told, but sometimes it surprises me. Yet maybe they should have such a low or young IQ so that they can love unconditionally and innocently like kids. We grown up people calculate too much and say, "If I say I love you, what do I get from it?" Or, "If I treat you nicely, what's the good for me? What's in it for me?" But kids don't calculate so much--very little! Maybe for toys or affection, but not much else, not like a business. So, maybe that's why animals are so unconditional, so loving and so forgiving. You can scold a dog very badly or spank his bottom and he yelps, but then he comes and loves you the next minute, right away. The minute you call, he comes and forgets all about what you did before. Whether you're right or wrong, he doesn't mind. Whether you have a loud mouth or terrible garlic breath, he'll still kiss you. He doesn't mind if you don't change your underwear for a week! He doesn't mind. That's why people love animals--because they're so unconditional. They don't judge you, ever. Whatever you are, you're the person they love, the only one.? ================================================================== 4Panorama of Events Report from Slovenia 8Master's Love Abounds at the 2005 Slovenia Retreat By brother-initiate Benjamin Borisek, Ljubljana (Originally in English) [Ljubljana] From June 24¨26, 2005, Slovenian initiates joyfully prepared for their annual retreat by remodeling a remote cottage in the woods near Ljubljana into a spacious meditation hall. Traditionally, the initiates invite their brothers and sisters from Croatia to attend the event, and this year three participated. We decided to follow a meditation schedule modeled after that of our beloved Master at the recent retreat in Hungary; that is, one hour was reserved for breakfast and two hours for dinner with the remaining time used for meditation. At the beginning of the retreat everyone watched two of Master's latest DVDs well into the next evening and with great surprise and joy noticed that She mentioned our country Slovenia on both randomly selected DVDs. This year's retreat was special because we could feel Master's powerful presence the whole time as Her love emanated throughout the site, and we bathed in this soft wonder throughout our time there. Some shed tears of wonder and cried out in euphoria while others saw Her sitting on the chair in the meditation hall that was made especially for Her. We were also blessed with the sweet scent of orange petals emanating from the kitchen, and one sister exclaimed, "It's the scent of Master's perfume!" Although Master was not physically present, Her Love was felt by everyone and thus we were sure that Her blessings were with us the whole time, which made this the best retreat ever for the Slovenian and Croatian initiates!? 1 photo: sp8-1.jpg Report from Thailand 8Quenching Truth Seekers' Thirst with Divine Nectar at a Food Expo By the Bangkok News Group (Originally in Thai) [Bangkok] From May 21-22, 2005, Bangkok initiates participated in THAIFEX--World of Food Asia 2006, one of the year's largest food exhibitions, held in Muangthong Thani, Bangkok. The initiates were fortunate enough to be given a space free of charge due to the thoughtfulness of a local brother-initiate, the owner of a canned foods company, who had already arranged to work at the event and thus cordially invited the Bangkok work team to participate and disseminate Master's teachings to the public. More than 100,000 people visited the team's booth and obtained Master's brochures and sample booklets. After reading the booklets most asked questions about Her teachings and expressed interest in contacting the practitioners for further information. The team also continuously presented Master's video lectures, and sensed that everyone who saw Her became extremely joyful and satisfied. One lady guest told the practitioners, "I immediately felt very happy when I visited your booth," and asked to learn the Convenient Method of meditation. Another woman informed the sisters and brothers that she used to meditate without the guidance of a teacher, and although she had many inner experiences she also felt uneasy during meditation. So the practitioners suggested she study Master's teachings and remember Her at all times. Many other guests also reported that upon seeing Master they felt much happier, and some added they had attended Master's lectures in Thailand and were still faithful to Her and interested in further studying Her wisdom. Thus, the brothers and sisters passed on the Bangkok Center's contact information and invited them to visit. Master has said, "The world is now elevated," and THAIFEX--World of Food Asia 2006 proved this to be true because more attendees than usual were attracted to God's message and eagerly asked for further information on the Quan Yin Method.? 2 photos£sp4-1,-2.jpg Report from Singapore 8World Book Fair 2005--Witnessing the World's Spiritual Elevation By the Singapore News Group (Originally in English) [Singapore] From May 28 to June 5, 2005 Singapore initiates earnestly took part in the World Book Fair 2005 held at the SUNTEC Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre. During this major annual exposition, the sisters and brothers reached out to many anonymous saints, especially those who had an affinity with Master. The main theme of the initiates' exhibit was "The Quan Yin Method and The New Golden Era." In keeping with this idea, the booth was beautifully decorated and featured a huge, awe inspiring photograph of Master in a glorious costume that captivated innumerable spectators, as well as continuous showings of Her DVD lectures. On the first day of the Fair, a brother photographed the exhibition booth, and just as he pressed his camera's shutter witnessed dazzling light shining from Master's face around Her physical eyes and especially from Her wisdom eye. Then to his delight, the brother later found that the light had been captured in his photo! Also, while watching Master's DVD lectures, many spectators said they saw light emanating from Her image, and some linked Master to the Goddess of Mercy, Quan Yin Bodhisattva. It is indeed true that saints are now all around us. One of them simply walked into the initiates' booth and asked, "Where can I find the Key?" and while conversing with the initiates stated that human beings' main purpose in life is to find this "Key." Another gentleman, having previously read Master's sample booklet, was instantly inspired and on the spot switched to a vegetarian diet. In addition, during the Fair this visitor purchased many of Master's publications, registered to learn the Convenient Method and later stated, "Once I begin reading Master's materials, I can't put them down until very late at night, and upon waking up, the first thing I do is continue reading where I left off." Also, after learning that it was Master who had designed and created all the art works on display at the booth, an elderly lady exclaimed, "She must be God! She must be God!" Throughout the Fair it was clear that Master's recent elevation of human consciousness has made people more open-minded. For example, at such events, exhibitors from various spiritual paths often maintain a distance from each other. However, during the Fair, a woman from another spiritual group who visited the initiates' booth watched Master's DVDs for a while and then happily accepted both a flier and a sample booklet. She afterwards became a frequent visitor and even voluntarily took some of Master's fliers to distribute at her booth. All during the Fair, Master's loving vibration and blessing power were felt by vendors, visitors and fellow initiates alike. For instance, while reading the sample booklet, one retired gentleman experienced Master standing before him and talking to him. Through many such incidents, the Singapore initiates who took part in the World Book Fair 2005 witnessed the obvious elevation in spiritual awareness of our fellow beings, which is a divine blessing for us all. The sisters and brothers also feel blessed to have the great fortune of knowing our merciful Master, Who uses every means possible to help us progress. Thus, they pledge to strive even harder in their spiritual practice and hopefully climb higher during their sojourn on Earth.? 2 photos: sp6-1,-2.jpg Report from Japan 8Reaching out to Truth Seekers at the Tokyo International Book Fair By the Tokyo News Group (Originally in Japanese) * 1 illustration: sp10-1.jpg [Tokyo] From July 7 to 10, 2005, the 12th Annual Tokyo International Book Fair was held at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center, attracting representatives of 650 publishers from 25 countries, including The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association and local centers in Japan. The Association's exhibition booth was located in the Fair's Humanities and Social Sciences Section and featured beautiful displays of Master's art work and publications. In addition, a brief video introducing Master and several of Her lecture DVDs were shown on three sets of computers. The warm, loving ambiance the booth created attracted numerous visitors, including several Aulacese and Inner Mongolian initiates from Osaka, who had made a special trip to Tokyo with friends and relatives interested in the Quan Yin Method and eager to learn the Convenient Form of meditation. The sisters and brothers working at the booth were delighted at the arrival of these unexpected visitors, who contributed to the warm atmosphere by earnestly distributing Master's sample booklets and News magazines. The fellow practitioners also exchanged sample booklets and discussed spiritual practice with exhibitors from other spiritual groups. Visitors to the booth responded more warmly this year than in previous years even though some had had little contact with spirituality in the past. Their interest was piqued as soon they began reading the sample booklets. Moreover, Master's cover photo drew instant praise from some visitors who accepted copies of the booklet with happy smiles accompanied by the exclamation "She's really beautiful!" One vegetarian lady who had learned of Master and the Quan Yin Method from a friend and visited the Quan Yin websites frequently became very interested in Master's teachings. She had come to the Fair with no idea as to why she had set aside her busy work schedule for the trip. Only when she saw the Association's booth did she realize the reason she had come, happily acquiring Master's publications and saying, "I'm truly grateful for this encounter!" Another woman from Toyama obtained a large number of Master's books, and placed orders for the Buddha's Chanting CDs and prints of Master's paintings. The practitioners later learned that she had been initiated more than ten years earlier but had stopped practicing. Although she had longed to be reunited with the Quan Yin family at the Fair, she had hesitated about making the trip for financial reasons but eventually decided to come alone to Tokyo by train. Incredibly, as soon as she made up her mind to attend, she received enough money to cover her travel expenses. Then her husband, who had never shown any interest in spiritual cultivation, suddenly offered to drive her to Tokyo, a trip that was to take them eight hours. This episode shows that as long as one maintains faith in God and is not intimidated by difficulties on the spiritual path, Master's almighty power will take care of everything. Through the Tokyo International Book Fair, many people received the message of Truth and had the opportunity to be spiritually elevated. Some might have merely glanced at the booth or gazed at Master's photo for a moment, but through these acts they formed an affinity with Her and gained the blessing of spiritual practice in the future. Such are the inconceivable benefits that a living Master brings to the world!? 2 photos: sp10-2,-3.jpg Report from Korea 8All Were Winners at the 2005 May Festival By the Seoul News Group (Originally in Korean) [Youngdong] In addition to the fresh green of springtime, festive flowers and clear blue skies, the month of May offered many reasons to celebrate for Korean initiates: Children's Day, Parents' Day, Teacher's Day, Master's Birthday and the new messages from Master. Inspired by these events, on May 15 Korean initiates conducted a special meditation retreat and festival at the Youngdong Center followed by a sports meet. After the retreat, the initiates eagerly watched one of Master's 2005 Europe Retreat DVDs. Then all the sisters and brothers who were sixty years of age or older received beautiful carnations, which were pinned on their lapels to celebrate Parent's Day. The unexpected floral gifts reflecting Master's and the initiates' thoughtful arrangement greatly surprised and touched the diligent and hardworking recipients. To demonstrate their appreciation for the older disciples' good example, the participants gave them a huge round of applause. After lunch, the initiates joined with local Convenient Method practitioners and their families at a nearby elementary school for sports and recreation. In the school's playground the young practitioners joyfully celebrated Children's Day, and for the adult initiates it was like a journey back to childhood. Feeling carefree, they innocently enjoyed swinging, playing ball and other children's pastimes. Then the sporting event proceeded with soccer, volleyball, basketball and a relay race. Among these games, the race represented the high point of unity for the group. Two teams were created and everyone took part in the competition, which ended in a draw. The last two runners arrived at the finish line holding hands in a spontaneous and beautiful manner. The participants had tried their best and shared happily with one another so everyone came out a winner!? 2 photos: sp1-1,-2.jpg Report from Texas, USA 8Master's Divine Presence Imbues Houston By the Houston News Group (Originally in English) [Houston] Through Master's love and guidance, on Sunday, June 19, 2005, Houston initiates held a luncheon featuring delicious vegetarian food at the Love and Fisher Shelter. Close to 300 people attended the feast and enjoyed an especially spiritual day. Side by side, the sisters and brothers worked to help serve everyone as a feeling of compassion filled the air. While eating the food blessed by Master, the guests viewed the video-lecture Face Life with Courage, and thus gained a few hours of wisdom in their challenging lives. After the event the homeless rushed to express their gratitude, thanking the practitioners for their love and kindness, with many saying, "We've never been treated with such respect and love." The initiates' collective reply was "Don't thank us. Thank God." Then on the following Sunday, June 26, the initiates conducted a seminar at the Barbara Bush Public Library, showing our beloved Master's DVD-lecture The Hotel Called Life on a giant screen for the guests. Everyone focused deeply on Master's Heavenly words, and later through Her blessing enjoyed wonderful vegetarian delights. Afterwards, some guests registered to learn the Convenient Method of meditation, and in that moment the initiates felt profoundly blessed as if Master were with them. After participating in the luncheon and video seminar, the Houston initiates wish to express their gratitude to Master as follows: "We deeply appreciate Your continuous love and guidance. Without You we would never have been able to have such a positive impact on so many people. We will continue to spread Your message of love and enlightenment. Thank You, Master."? Sp7-1/-2.jpg Report from California, USA 8Putting Master's Teachings into Practice By the Los Angeles News Group (Originally in English) [Los Angeles] On Saturday, July 9, 2005, a group of initiates from the Los Angeles Center conducted a seminar featuring Master's videos at the Santa Ana Public Library in Orange County, California, and the room was filled beyond capacity. The brothers and sisters decorated the venue so beautifully that they might qualify as interior designers. Then the video presentation began with Walk the Way of Love, which introduced the guests to Master's life and works. Next a lecture delivered in Manila, the Philippines entitled Illusion is a Reflection of Reality was shown to the captivated audience. After the videos the guests enjoyed delicious food prepared by the fellow initiates, and many stayed to be fed spiritually as well by learning the Convenient Method. It was breathtaking to witness the attendees' eagerness to satisfy their spiritual hunger through the Method, and during the subsequent meditation session everyone experienced great peace and tranquility with several participants eagerly asking if full initiation was also being offered that day. Through the Santa Ana Public Library seminar, the Los Angeles disciples put Master's teachings into practice and worked together efficiently and effectively as every detail from serving the attendees down to the post-seminar clean-up was handled with much loving care and kindness. Thank You, Master, for Your caring assistance in another successful Truth-sharing event!? 2 photos: sp9-1,-2.jpg Report from California, USA 8Sharing the Ultimate Teachings Evokes Infinite Joy By the San Francisco News Group (Originally in English) [San Francisco] From April 22 to 24, 2005, initiates from the San Francisco and San Jose Centers participated in the biannual New Living Expo, a fair comprised mainly of "New Age" exhibits and vegetarian and vegan food stands. And driven by their souls' longing, many spiritual aspirants attended the Expo in search of the ultimate Truth. The initiates set up two booths, one displaying Master's publications and showing videos and the other offering food to promote vegetarianism. Thus the guests were offered several ways to encounter Supreme Master Ching Hai's wisdom and enhance their lives. Some visitors who had listened to Master's radio programs sponsored by the local centers were pleased to finally see Master's photo and get more information about Her teachings. Also, thousands of people received great service and nourishment filled with Master's blessings from the practitioners at the booths, who worked swiftly and with smiling faces. The video seminar, which included the introductory video on Master Walk the Way of Love and Her lecture Face Life with Courage, allowed the divine power to reach many people. A beautiful vibration permeated the atmosphere at the seminar as countless spiritual seeds were planted in the minds of audience members. After hearing about the event on the radio, one enthusiastic visitor had called several days earlier for more information, exclaiming, "Supreme Master Ching Hai is a great Master and Her teachings are highly elevated." He subsequently visited the initiates' booth on the first day of the Expo, was glad to see the brothers and sisters, enjoyed the vegetarian fare and said, "It tastes like food made in Heaven." Then over the next two days the man returned and attentively watched Master's videos, cried several times out of joy that his spiritual quest was over and told the initiates, "I've searched all my life for the Truth, and when I found Master Ching Hai at the Expo I knew that She and the Quan Yin Method were the ultimate." The brother then learned the Convenient Method and showed an eagerness to be initiated. At the end of the event, the vendor next to the initiates' booths commented, "You people are the friendliest workers I've ever seen. I can tell that you truly work out of love rather than for profit or greed." After the New Living Expo, the participating fellow practitioners were in high spirits and felt great joy at having spread Master's teachings. From this experience they truly came to understand Master's aphorism "Helping others is helping ourselves."? 2photo: sp2-1, -2.jpg Report from California, USA 8Welcoming God's Children Back Home By the San Jose News Group (Originally in English) [San Jose] On Saturday, May 21, 2005, San Jose practitioners organized a spiritual seminar at the San Jose Public Library Tully Community Branch to share Master's divine message with local residents. The seminar attracted a large audience, the majority of which was already familiar with Master's teachings through the local radio and TV programs. The audience members concentrated deeply and responded joyfully while watching Master's lecture Be a Torchbearer for God, delivered in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1999. During the intermission, the audience happily perused items at the spiritual desk set up by the sisters and brothers and acquired Master's books, CDs and DVDs. In addition, while enjoying vegetarian food prepared by the disciples, they cordially chatted with them as if they were former acquaintances. Afterwards many guests stayed to learn the Convenient Method. One guest from Melbourne, Australia said, "When I came to San Jose three years ago, I had a chance to listen to Master's lectures on the local radio program and was able to record twelve programs on cassette tapes, which I've repeatedly listened to over the years." He also expressed his sincere admiration for Master: "I listen to Her teachings and observe Her unconditional service to humanity; thus, people should acknowledge that She's a living Master. I don't understand why many people chase after popular masters and don't realize the real One." Another guest, who has been practicing the Convenient Method for four months said, "Although I've only recently begun practicing the Convenient Method, I've had many great experiences. For example, any time I feel doubts inside, I receive the answer right away through watching Master's video tapes or reading Her spiritual teachings." This guest also stated that he is ready and eager to be initiated in order to fully learn the Quan Yin Method. Through the video seminar at the San Jose Public Library Tully Community Branch, the local sisters and brothers happily introduced many Truth seekers to the Quan Yin family. And they wish to extend their sincere gratitude to Master for sending Her utmost benevolent love to God's children and for guiding them back Home.? Sp3-1.jpg Report from New York, USA 8A Successful Series of Events to Spread God's Message By the New York News Group (Originally in Chinese) * 1 photo: sp11-1.jpg [New York] Inspired to share Master's teachings with more of the public, beginning in June 2005 New York Center initiates held a series of Truth-sharing events. And through Master's loving power the activities proceeded smoothly and ended successfully despite limited manpower and tight schedules. The first event the sisters and brothers participated in was Book Expo America held at the Jacob Javits Center from June 3 to 5. The initiates decorated their exhibition booth beautifully, making it look especially resplendent by displaying Master's radiant Longevity Lamps and paintings. Visitors to the booth praised Master's teachings and artistic talents as Her Heavenly message left a beautiful impression on their minds. Then on June 26, the fellow practitioners participated in the Fourth "Taste of Health" Vegetarian Exhibition at the Lincoln Center. All the event's food exhibits were screened by the organizers to ensure that they were purely vegetarian. And apart from serving delicious vegetarian cakes and snacks, the initiates also displayed Master's Supreme Kitchen cookbook and paintings. In addition, Master's lecture videos were shown on a large TV screen, attracting numerous guests. Some watched the videos many times yet still felt reluctant to leave. In fact, one lady stayed until the end of the day and asked to finish watching the last video on a computer when the big screen had to be turned off. Some visitors also said that they were naturally attracted to step into the booth as they passed by. * 2 photos: sp11-2, -3.jpg Next, on July 10, the initiates conducted a video seminar at the New York Center. Prior to the event, the practitioners distributed fliers downtown and placed advertisements in newspapers in hopes of sharing God's message with as many guests as possible. At the seminar the attendees raised many questions. And among them was a gentleman who had been a vegetarian for twenty-five years and was seeking a true spiritual path. Although the man had practiced several methods, none was able to quench the thirst in his soul. On the eve of the seminar, he got up from his daily meditation session feeling that he had to continue seeking a Master and an ultimate method. Then as soon as he left his house, he received a flier from a fellow practitioner. He later showed up at the seminar punctually and requested initiation into the Quan Yin Method. The New York initiates are very grateful for Master's loving blessings, which helped them to accomplish the above-mentioned series of Truth-sharing activities, and also look forward to having more opportunities to serve the public in the future.? * 1 photo: sp11-4.jpg 8Event 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. You are welcome to join in these activities with your friends and relatives. For the latest schedule of our activities, please visit the following URLs: http://www.Godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng/latest_news/events-dateboo k.htm ================================================================== 4Vegetarian Era 8 Presenting a New Focus on Health, Environmentalism and Animal Welfare By brother-initiate Leron Rabinowiz, Los Angeles, California, USA (Originally in English) In Mad Cowboy: Plain Truth from the Cattle Rancher Who Won't Eat Meat (Scribner 2001), author Howard F. Lyman offers a compelling and credible case for eliminating animal-based foods from the human diet. After more than twenty years in the fields of farming and cattle ranching, Mr. Lyman faced death from cancer and a turning point in his life. Out of feelings of guilt, he began asking himself whether he should continue with commercial cattle ranching or spread the truth about the harmful effects of chemically oriented agri-business practices and a meat-based diet on health and the environment. In 1996, the former feedlot operator was a guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show and shared his insider's views on food production, the rendering process and the possibility of "mad cow" disease spreading to the United States. (According to news reports, the first cases of the illness were discovered in the U.S. in December 2003.) After Lyman's appearance with Oprah, a group of Texas cattlemen filed a $10 million lawsuit charging them with "food disparagement," alleging they had violated a Texas law forbidding someone from "knowingly making false statements" about agricultural business. Such laws, which are discussed in the book, limit freedom of speech and are as detrimental in their own way as is the consumption of meat. In Mad Cowboy Lyman provides firsthand insights on the horrific operating conditions and techniques currently used in many commercial farms, ranches and slaughterhouses, clearly linking the use of pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics, growth hormones, chemical fertilizers and the ground-up remains of other animals (used for feed) to the spread of cancer, heart disease, high cholesterol levels, osteoporosis, obesity and other ailments. Along with health, the environment also suffers as a result of these techniques, which cause large-scale pollution of our air, soil and water, and in turn natural disasters such as floods and droughts. In addition, the author describes the government's powerful role in protecting large scale agri-business, which continues to leave many family farmers and the environment in the dust. The fourth-generation farmer also provides abundant evidence supporting the view that a meat-based diet has a negative impact on our overall quality of life, citing various research studies and personal experiences to show that the best way to prevent environmental destruction and end world hunger is to adopt a vegetarian diet: "Let's not deny the facts or let our mind confuse the truth. Meat kills. A plant-based diet is the step towards a healthier lifestyle." As Mr. Lyman faced death, he decided to turn his back on the destructive agricultural practices of his peers and instead direct his attention toward the light by spreading the truth and raising our awareness of health and environmental conservation. Thus he provides a shining example for us all. Inspiring, informative and powerfully moving, Mad Cowboy: Plain Truth from the Cattle Rancher Who Won't Eat Meat encourages readers to alter their diets and pursue a new path. The evidence presented also demonstrates that the human race will enter the "Vegan Era" either by choice or by force due to economic circumstances and environmental conditions. Many things can be imitated but nature can never be duplicated so let us strive to live in harmony with the earth and all its creatures!? 8 Victor's Picnic with the Vegetarian Animals Encourages Children to Be Vegetarian By sister-initiate Ling Gao, Chicago, Illinois, USA (Originally in English) Through its lively graphics and clearly written text, Victor's Picnic with the Vegetarian Animals by Radha Vignola (Aviva Publishing) helps introduce youngsters aged two to seven to the benefits of vegetarianism. The book is about a boy named Victor who wants to save the lives of his farm animals by pursuing the noble ideal of being vegetarian. However, since the adults in his life are all meat eaters, he is uninformed about the proper guidelines for following a vegetarian diet. Victor ultimately gains this important information through a dream in which he attends a picnic with vegetarian animals and shares their food. The book provides information on topics such as the differences between carnivores and vegetarians and the types of food that vegetarians eat, and features delightful illustrations. My three year old daughter loves to have the book read to her right before bedtime. And as it turns out, she understands more of its meaning than I imagined. For example, one day she went to the grocery store with her grandmother, who picked out a package of red meat while shopping and told her it was cow's meat. My daughter immediately pointed out, "We shouldn't hurt animals or eat them either." At the end of the text the author includes a simple rhyme that can be recited with children that begins, "Vegetables, beans and the grains, fruits, nuts and the seeds; these are the foods we eat to satisfy our needs," echoing the Bible's message about vegetarianism as humanity's proper diet: "And God said, ¡Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for food.'" [Genesis 1:29] Thus Victor's Picnic with the Vegetarian Animals espouses age-old vegetarian principles in a colorful, easy-to-read format that can both entertain and enlighten young children.? ================================================================== 4Master Says 8The Story of a Saintly King Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, during a two-day retreat in Formosa, September 27-28, 1992 (Originally in Chinese) MP3-CR14 * A River in Exchange for Sparing the People Ananda (Shakyamuni Buddha's attendant) asked the Buddha: "My Lord, could you please tell us disciples what You've done in Your past lives that is beneficial to sentient beings?" In reply, the Buddha told Ananda the following story: Eons ago, on our planet Earth there were four rivers and two great kings. One of the kings was named Brahmadeva, which means the Brahma (supreme force of creation), and his land contained three rivers. His country was rich, and so were his people. However, they were weak with respect to military power. The territory of the other king, called Vajradati, had only one river and a smaller population, but his people were superior in terms of military strategy. "My soldiers are valiant, yet there is only one river in my country, and it's barely large enough to supply us with water. King Brahmadeva's army is weak, but his land contains three rivers. We should ask him for one," thought King Vajradati. "If he agrees, we'll make friends and maintain good relations with him. Should he refuse, I'll plan an invasion of his country. If he gives me a river, I'll share everything with him, and come to the rescue of his people should disaster befall them. Otherwise, I'll attack him!" So King Vajradati summoned his counselors to discuss the issue, and then wrote a letter to King Brahmadeva. When King Brahmadeva received the letter, he was reluctant to yield and thought to himself, "Hey! This nation was passed down to me by my ancestors. I didn't seize it from King Vajradati. On what grounds can he make such a demand?" So he told the messenger, "I didn't found this country. It was passed down to me by my father and ancestors. It's very unreasonable for your king to demand that I cede my land! If you wish to wage war, we too will not be courteous!" Then the messenger returned to his country to report the situation to King Vajradati. Soon King Vajradati sent a powerful army to invade King Brahmadeva's country, and Brahmadeva's army was totally defeated. Next King Vajradati marched straight into the capital and besieged the royal palace, causing King Brahmadeva to be so overwhelmed by fear that he dared not confront the aggressors. Observing the perilous situation, his counselors advised him, "Your Majesty, their men are brave and powerful, while ours are weak. Why does your Majesty remain so attached to a river and thus place his people in jeopardy? Should you remain so, we might even lose our country. Please reconsider your decision and give King Vajradati the river." King Brahmadeva consented, and his counselors went out to talk to King Vajradati, saying, "Our king has conceded to your demand. He'll also offer you a princess. From now on, our two countries shall maintain a good relationship, share good things with each other and protect and help each other when in danger." Then the two kings were reconciled, each returned to his own country, and King Vajradati brought home the princess to be his wife. * One Virtuously Benefits All After some time, the princess became pregnant and during her pregnancy, a precious canopy appeared over her head. No matter what she did--sleep, walk or sit--the canopy followed her constantly. When the time came, she gave birth to a baby boy whose body shone radiantly like gold, and whose hair was beautiful. After his birth, the canopy followed him instead of his mother because it was for the child that the canopy had come. Many soothsayers came to see the child and had only words of praise for him: "Your Majesty! This baby is exceptional! The prince's appearance and countenance show that he has great blessings and virtues that are supreme in the world. No one can match him." The king and queen were delighted to hear this, and tradition had it that the child should be named according to two conditions: first, the occurrence of a peculiar phenomenon; and second, the child's natal horoscope (the position of the stars and planets at the time of birth). "Your Majesty, did any fantastic phenomenon occur during the queen's pregnancy?" asked the soothsayers. "When the queen was pregnant, a canopy composed of seven priceless items* constantly hovered over her head and followed her wherever she went," replied the king. Thus, the prince was named "Precious Canopy." When the prince came of age, King Vajradati died and the prince succeeded him to the throne. As king, Precious Canopy often left his palace to observe the lives of his people, and one hot summer day he went out and saw some farmers cultivating their fields unprotected by clothing under the scorching sun. He also saw cows laboriously plowing the land, trudging through the mud dragging heavy plows, and noted that both men and animals were exhausted from their arduous toil. Then the king asked his entourage why the farmers were working so intensely. "Our country relies on agriculture, and most of our people are farmers. If they don't work hard, we can't survive and our people will starve. And if the people live in poverty and starvation, our country will be in danger," replied the officials by his side. On hearing this, the king made a vow: "If I am truly a king with great blessings, my people will have no need to toil so diligently in farming, and yet there will be enough rice and other crops to satisfy everyone's needs." After Precious Canopy made this vow, for every family in the country, all sorts of rice and other produce grew naturally in sufficient quantities for all. Whatever kind of rice or vegetable the people wished for would appear in their homes. Some time later, the king again went out to see his people, and this time saw many chopping timber, carrying water and pounding rice. They were sweating profusely and looked exhausted so he asked his counselors, "Why are my people working so hard?" And the counselors replied, "Your Majesty, thanks to your grace, our people now have enough rice and vegetables to eat, and no longer need to work in the fields. However, they nonetheless have to pound rice and chop timber in order to light fires to cook the rice. So they still have to work relentlessly." Upon hearing this, the king made another vow: "If I truly have the divine sanction and virtues to be king of this land, may my people have whatever cooked food they desire appear automatically in their homes. Then they won't have to expend so much effort in cooking their meals." And as before, the king's wishes came true. >From that point onward food appeared automatically for his people without having to be cooked. After some time, the king again went out to have some fun, and on this occasion he saw some people working vigorously spinning cotton yarn and weaving cloth. Again he asked his counselors about the situation, and they reported, "If the people don't weave cloth, they won't have any clothes to wear, and they will thus suffer from the cold so they still have to work." Again, the king made a vow: "If I truly have the grace and righteousness to be king of this land, may my people have any clothing they wish, and not have to labor so hard spinning and weaving." And indeed, it came to pass that from that day on, his people had whatever garments they desired. Instead of growing leaves, the trees yielded clothes. People simply chose the items they liked and took them home. It was fantastic! Later, the king again went out to have some fun and saw many people making musical instruments so he asked, "What are these people doing? Why do they have to work so arduously?" And the counselors replied, "Now that the people have enough to eat, drink and wear, they want to listen to music. They wish to play musical instruments to amuse themselves." Oh! So again the king made a vow: "If I have the merits and noble qualities to be king, may music sound from the trees in my country, and entertain my people with any music they wish to hear." And so it was realized! Countless musical instruments grew from trees for the people. And if they didn't want to play the instruments themselves, music would still come from the instruments automatically. Then after a while, the king's counselors went to see him, and it was mealtime so the king invited them to share a meal with him. After sharing the king's food, the counselors found it delicious and the best they had ever eaten. It made them feel healthy, spirited and happy so they said, "Your majesty, we've never enjoyed such good food before. It's delicious and healthy, and makes us feel joyful in both body and mind!" "Should you wish to enjoy the same food that I do, you have to eat at the same time I do. Then you'll definitely have the same good food at home," the king replied. So the king issued a nationwide proclamation that all his people should eat at the same time he did. And from that moment on, when the king ate, drums were sounded to let the people know it was mealtime. As they all ate at the same time, they could enjoy the same good food that the king ate, which enlivened them both physically and mentally. * Brahmadeva Seeks the River's Return Meanwhile, King Brahmadeva sent a messenger to pay his respects and convey the following message to King Precious Canopy: "When your father was alive, we ceded one of my country's rivers to your country. Now that your father has passed away, would you please return the river to us?" And King Precious Canopy's reply was: "I did not seize your river to build my country. Now that I'm king, I won't let my people suffer. This is a trivial matter. Please be patient. I'll try to meet with your king to discuss issues that are more important to our two countries." The messenger then conveyed the message from King Precious Canopy to King Brahmadeva, who consented to the proposed meeting, and they agreed about a time to meet. So the kings, accompanied by their armies, arrived on the bank of the river, which now separated the two countries. They met on a ship in the middle of the river, where they held their negotiations. Upon seeing King Precious Canopy, King Brahmadeva was filled with admiration, being impressed by his dignified figure, which was radiant like a gold mountain, his hair which shone like crystal, his eyes which glittered like stars, his mouth which was as beautiful as a flower, his nose which was high and straight, his face which was square and majestic, and his ears which were long and authoritative. Oh! The more he observed King Precious Canopy, the more awestruck he was. He thought perhaps that he was an incarnation of the great Brahma for this king was no ordinary human! Then the two kings talked about the weather and how good the climate was. "People in my country have enough food to eat and objects to use, which all come naturally with little effort. They don't need to offer me anything. We don't collect taxes or fines, and don't need to enforce the law. For these reasons, I cannot return this river to you and let my people toil for you. In my country, our citizens do virtually nothing for the king. Everything they want to eat, drink or use comes naturally. Even their clothes and music arise naturally. They have everything so they don't have to do anything to serve the king," said King Precious Canopy. This extraordinary account brought tremors to the heart of King Brahmadeva, who was terrified even further when King Precious Canopy's men began to beat the drums that signaled lunch time. Brahmadeva began to tremble, thinking that they were going to seize and kill him, and stood up to apologize, his limbs weak and quivering. King Precious Canopy also stood up to pacify him and asked him to sit down, saying, "You have no cause for alarm. It's time for lunch so my soldiers are beating the drums to notify our people for if they eat at the same time I do, they will surely get delicious and exotic food. This is a custom in our country!" Upon hearing these words, King Brahmadeva closed his palms and said, "Your Majesty, please extend your love to our people, too. Please also give us food that appears spontaneously as it does in your country. Then we'll become your subjects. We'll surrender to you today!" * The Perfect Reign of a Saintly King King Precious Canopy consented to King Brahmadeva's request, and from that day on ruled both countries. Thereafter, all his counselors were on standby day and night in a solemn court that governed with diligence. Then early one morning, a precious vehicle with golden wheels flew over the kingdom from the eastern sky. It looked beautiful and glorious, its radiance illuminating the great earth below. Witnessing this event, King Precious Canopy descended from his throne and knelt down to pray to Heaven and earth, saying, "If I had the blessings and high merit to become a chakravartin, (Sanskrit term for a ruler whose virtue, earned by good deeds in former lifetimes, allows him to effortlessly subjugate all lesser kings and govern the world) please let this awesome vehicle stay!" Just as he spoke, the vehicle stopped in mid-air in front of the palace, and many sacred objects fit for a chakravartin flew over as well, including priceless elephants, women, pearls and electronic soldiers,* which were perhaps robots. There were all kinds of items. This vehicle sent to the holy king might have been a UFO of ancient times because UFOs existed even in those days! It came from another planet and was wonderful! There were many blessed instruments fit for the holy king. From that day forward, King Precious Canopy became a chakravartin possessing opulent treasures and ruling the four continents. His grace and merits brought peace and happiness to all sentient beings, and allowed their every need to be met. Under his reign, the people observed the following ten precepts: 1. no killing; 2. no stealing; 3. no sexual misconduct; 4. no lying; 5. no sowing discord, meaning no gossiping and stirring up disputes between parties by talking badly about one to the other; 6. no malicious speech; 7. no exaggeration, for instance, about what really happened in a given situation, without adding fabrications that confuse people; 8. no greed; 9. no wrath and 10. no infatuation. Everyone in the land adhered to these precepts and ascended to Heaven after their demise. * Cause Dating Back Eons At this point, the Buddha said, "Ananda, you have to realize that King Precious Canopy was actually "me" in a previous incarnation! And King Vajradati is now my father and his queen is now my mother." The Buddha continued by saying, "At that time, I was very compassionate and loved everyone like my own child. I shared my wealth and teachings in order to edify them. It's for this reason that I've become a Buddha today, supreme in the three realms, and paralleled by no one. It's also for this reason and affinity that those who followed me during that period learned how to practice spiritually, to show compassion for the benefit of others and to meditate together." Ananda then asked the Buddha, "My Lord, may I ask what cause and affinity led King Precious Canopy to become a chakravartin and to be protected by the precious canopy even before his birth?" So the Buddha replied, "Ananda, long, long ago, innumerable eons ago on this planet Earth was a holy mountain. And a Pratyeka (self-enlightened) Buddha living on that mountain fell ill after suffering a stroke, and his doctor prescribed milk for his condition. So the Pratyeka Buddha went to see a merchant named Seng-you, told him about his illness and asked for some milk. The merchant happily offered the milk to him, and after drinking milk for three months, the Pratyeka Buddha recovered from his illness. Then out of gratitude to his benefactor, he wished that Seng-you would receive enormous amounts of divine grace and merit. So he flew into the air and manifested in the form of an Arhat. Perhaps he manifested in a massive form as huge as the sky, and then shrank into a very small form as thin as a strand of hair. In this way he changed shape alternately thirteen times, and Seng-you was overjoyed at the sight. Finally, the Pratyeka Buddha descended from the sky and accepted his offering. Some time later, the Pratyeka Buddha entered nirvana, and Seng-you missed him very much. So after the Buddha was cremated, Seng-you gathered his sarira (sacred pebble-like relics left after cremation of a saint) and put them in a golden urn. He next built a costly pagoda to house the urn, and a precious canopy as a shade over the pagoda. He then made offerings to it for the rest of his life, providing incense, flowers, fruit and music; nothing was missing." The Buddha then said to Ananda, "You ought to know that the merit derived from making offerings to the Pratyeka Buddha earned infinite blessed reward for Seng-you, and so both in Heaven and on earth he always enjoyed a glorious status and lived in great contentment. Each time he was in the embryonic stage of life, he was protected from above by a precious canopy. You should also understand that the Seng-you of that time was actually "me." So everyone, both lay people and monastics, should practice to accrue merits, and then life after life they will enjoy infinite reward." Upon hearing this discourse, everyone became very delighted and vowed to make offerings. This is the end of the story! (Applause)? * Master's Comments 8Perfect Alms-Giving Everything we have, we've earned on our own. There's nothing great about it! No one gives us anything. Everything is created by us, be it wealth or poverty. What do you think of this story? You see, the people of that country couldn't enjoy peace and contentment without relying on the merit of their ruler. So we can't simply become a leader or an enlightened Master just because we want to. We must have sufficient blessings to share with our disciples, citizens and subordinates. So in ancient times, people were overjoyed to meet a wise king, saying that they relied on the king's grace, and acclaimed him as a "saintly king" or "saintly lord." As the Bible recounts, when King David committed a number of mistakes, God punished his people with three days of plague (see Chronicles 1:21). There's also an account in Chinese history stating that if a king were perfect with respect to his divine sanction, his prayers could move Heaven and earth. But if he were foolish or tyrannical, his prayers would be futile, he wouldn't be able to save his own life and his empire would fall with great loss of life. This historical story brings to mind why we should practice spiritually. We already have the Quan Yin Method today so why must we continue to practice? Why must we make our blessings, merits and virtuous qualities more sublime? It's good enough to practice the Quan Yin Method and attain liberation. Why do we have to be upright and honest? Master has guaranteed us liberation so why do we have to practice to become moral? The answer is that it's still necessary so that we can thus influence others, just in case in the future God wants us to become a king or high minister, lead the people or become an enlightened Master. If we have perfect sanction from God, all of our followers or subordinates will benefit from our grace and enjoy contentment and bliss. So we shouldn't rush to become a spiritual teacher, king, president or high minister. If it's so arranged by destiny, it will eventually be ours. We can't refuse it even if we want to; it's our fate. If it's not our destiny but we obtain it by force, the result won't be good, and our karmic hindrance will increase. In hell, there are many so-called false masters, kings and so-called saints and monastic practitioners! So we shouldn't desire such fame or superficial positions but instead abide by God's arrangements. When we're asked to do something, we must do our best. If no one asks us, we should simply sleep and eat. This King Precious Canopy didn't do anything great in his previous life to have earned so much merit. All he did was make offerings to a Buddha. However, he was very natural when he made the offerings, and that was the good part. That's "perfect alms-giving"--both the giver and receiver should be very pure in their actions, speech and thoughts, and free from any intent involving greed, anger or infatuation. Precious Canopy was just happy to make the contribution, and didn't wish to earn merits, and the Buddha gladly accepted the offerings. Neither party felt indebted to or obliged to repay the other. Only in such cases is it a perfect offering that benefits both parties. That's why this person definitely profited from his acts. * The Inconceivable Merit of a Living Buddha From this story, we realize that a person who's become a Buddha or a great spiritual practitioner can help innumerable people! He [Pratyeka Buddha] benefited the merchant who made offerings to him, and when the merchant later became a chakravartin, he too assisted billions of people. Can you imagine that? It wasn't a direct benefit but an indirect one! This means that the power originating from innumerable eons ago still existed! Can you imagine how inconceivable such merit is? So for a spiritual practitioner, an enlightened or a living Master who has come into this world, whatever He or She does, be it eating, drinking or playing, everything is for the benefit of others! Do you understand? (Answer: "Yes" and applause.) Besides, this advantage doesn't last just a couple of lifetimes; it continues for innumerable eons! What terrific merit! Thus, you'll also be terrific once you're accomplished in spiritual practice. (Laughter) Whoever makes offerings to you will be great; the merit too will be great! That's why we have to make our merit more sublime, and not just think of ourselves. This benefit is too immense, too inconceivable and immeasurable. However, we can't gain blessed rewards simply by giving alms to others. We can't earn God's grace just by randomly forcing people to accept our offerings. No! No! No! This merely abuses them. Pratyeka Buddha, for instance, was truly in need at the time. He had no money; he was old and infirm, and couldn't work. He was in an emergency situation and was ill. So at that moment, whoever willingly made an offering to him was doing it at the right time and in the right situation! We shouldn't give alms randomly just because we want to earn blessings, or force people to accept things from us just because we have too many possessions; because then we'll be forcing them to accept the items even when they don't want them. It would be like wanting to get rid of something but not wanting to throw it into the garbage bin, so we dump it on someone else. This is also not good. We shouldn't desire merit. Giving alms or making offerings to spiritual practitioners can bring great rewards, but we mustn't abuse them mentally. We should only give when they need it. If they don't, we shouldn't offer. From Shakyamuni Buddha's case we can see that the merit derived from making offerings to a great spiritual practitioner is inconceivable! That's why people say, "It's very rare to meet a Buddha." It is indeed very difficult to meet an enlightened Master! Whatever He or She does is only meant to bring you benefits. He or She only gives, gives and gives. By comparison, whatever you give Him or Her is garbage; it's nothing! It's just an excuse to let you feel comfortable. So you see, giving alms to a spiritual practitioner can accrue more benefits than giving to a billion people. It's never mentioned in Buddhist stories that offering charity to countless ordinary people earns great merit. No! All that's ever mentioned is that someone being charitable to a great spiritual practitioner earns enormous merit that lasts millions of eons! I've told you before that whatever an enlightened Master eats or drinks here is only meant to assist the world. When He or She goes to a certain country, it's to bless that country. If He or She accepts anything, it's also to give blessings to the people of that country. In fact, He or She doesn't need anything. Now do you know why we have to make our blessings and merits more sublime? Just in case God needs us for a certain reason in the future, people who follow or believe in us will also derive perfect grace and rewards. * Revelation: Cultivate the Self before Pacifying the World Shakyamuni Buddha mentioned the grace of the country and the grace of the ruler--the four kinds of grace. If the ruler is good and the political situation is good, people will enjoy peace and happiness, depending on the divine mandate of the king. If there's economic stability and political openness, and the citizens are living in peace and harmony, they ought to feel grateful for the blessings of their country and leaders. But how do we express our gratitude? By becoming more sublime so that the country's merits will increase further! Suppose we have enough wealth and material comfort, begin to feel contented and become sluggish, thinking that we have no reason to progress spiritually. This should tell us that we possess far too greatly the qualities of an ordinary human. However, if we have a large amount of money and enjoy a comfortable life yet still aspire to renounce the world, realize the ephemeral nature of existence and become free from greed and attachment, then we know that we've practiced spirituality for many lifetimes and have the qualities of a saint. No grace can surpass that derived from spiritual cultivation. Once we've reached perfection, whoever serves us will derive rewards. This is how we bring blessings to the world. Otherwise, the insignificant merit of ordinary humans can never bring about spiritual elevation. When reading such stories, we should delve deeply into their real meaning and learn the moral within, instead of just being entertained. Oh! This man became like that. That person transformed into such a shape, became a chakravartin and so on. Oh! There was food, there were drinks, rice appeared magically and so on. These elements are not the story's main essence. Instead we ought to realize the great moral behind it. Only spiritual practice is the highest source of divine grace. Only sharing the supreme teachings is the best form of alms-giving for we thus let people know how to practice the supreme method and how to earn the highest merit. So, since ancient times, people have said that accomplishing perfection in spiritual development is the best way to deliver the world. And after reading these stories, we come to realize that similar accounts may be found in the Bible, the Buddhist sutras, the Taoist scriptures and others. So no matter what we want to become, we have to first cultivate ourselves before we can manage the family, govern the country and bring peace to the world. The ancient sages weren't given to exaggeration or excess.? * According to the Buddhist scriptures, when a chakravartin is born, The Seven Treasures, namely, the precious wheel, precious elephants, precious horses, able ministers, loyal generals, divine pearl and precious women descend to earth at the same time. ================================================================== 4Pearls of Wisdom 8 Dealing with Fame and Fortune Requires Spiritual Practice Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Seven-day Retreat, Taipei, Formosa, May 22, 1994 (Originally in Chinese) Videotape #427 In this world it isn't difficult to attain power, fame and fortune as long as we strive a little harder, act a little more cleverly and shrewdly, know how to scheme and have a little ambition. But what's difficult is to control this power and put it to good use. If we don't control our fame, fortune and power they'll hurt us, our friends, our relatives, our countries and the whole world. Thus, fame and fortune are indeed very terrible, not because those who are famous and wealthy are terrible, or because fame and fortune in themselves are terrible but because those who can't handle their fame and fortune and can't use it properly are terrible. Most people are too greedy and ambitious, never being satisfied no matter how much they possess. So in order to gain fame and fortune and maintain their power, they unscrupulously use any means necessary and dare to do anything. So we say that fame and fortune are terrible because most people don't know how to handle it. Instead of using it they're used by it. If we know how to make use of fame and fortune, however, no problems will arise. For instance, in history many so-called masters have become emperors or officials who've taken charge of very important tasks in their societies, yet there were no problems. Only when fame and fortune come into the hands of laypeople, into the hands of those who have little morality but big ambition does it become very dangerous.? 8 Cultivating Oneself is Necessary before Governing One's Country Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Four-day International Retreat, Washington DC, USA, December 23, 1997 (Originally in English) DVD #604 Most great leaders have spiritual aspirations in their hearts; that's why they're great. If not, they're just politicians, bad ones at best. If they don't have spiritual goals to sustain their souls, they can't even be good politicians. They can't be good at anything. So spiritual attainment is the most important thing we have to achieve in this life before we can achieve anything else, be it financial status, fame, name or politics. If we want to lead people, we have to first lead ourselves out of darkness.? ================================================================== 4Poems To Dear God By brother-initiate Suandi Ajen, Jakarta, Indonesia (Originally in Indonesian) Oh, God, since knowing Your Glory My soul soars Now I appreciate life more than before I appreciate Your creation I'm more loving toward others, More humble, more willing to sacrifice And more considerate with them. Because of You, God, Your generosity teaches me And the impossible becomes possible. I'm so happy Because You're beyond my imagination You're just so simple You're more loving than any other lover You sacrifice more than one could ever dream And You suffer more than all victims. Your glory, God, awakens our souls Even if we're only Your creations We're still so valuable to You. You spoil us so much, God, And though we don't care about ourselves Forgive us Because we've only just realized this After Your long, immeasurable suffering. Allow us then, God, To devote the rest of our lives In this world just to You. Thank You, God, For all Your sacrifices in this world. Amen! ================================================================== 4Master Tells Jokes 8 Lost or Found? Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, May 15, 1996 (Originally in English) Videotape #550 Once a young man with long hair and tattered jeans was walking around with a glove on one hand so another man who was very serious and old came after him and said, "Oh, my son, you've obviously lost a glove." But the young man replied, "No, actually I just found one!"? 8 Appetizing Math Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Florida, USA, February 4, 2003 (Originally in English) DVD #754 A teacher asked a child, "If your mother cuts two oranges and two bananas into ten pieces, what will you get?" And the student said, "Fruit salad!"? 8 You Can't Fool Me! Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Florida, USA, February 4, 2003 (Originally in English) DVD #754 There was a lady from the countryside who came to the city and checked into a hotel. Then she said to the bellman, "I refuse to take a tiny room like this, with no window and no bed in it! You can't treat me like a fool just because I don't travel much! I'm going to complain to the manager!" So the bellman said very politely, "Madam, this isn't your room. It's the elevator!"? Please visit the following websites to enjoy the original audio versions of these jokes, and you may share the joy of Master's humor with those around you: http://www.Godsdirectcontact.net/eng/news/159/jk1.htm (USA) http://www.Godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng/news/159/jk1.htm (Formosa) ================================================================== 4Master's Wonders 8 Master Responds Immediately to Animals in Need By sister-initiate Cornelia Matzener, London, UK (Originally in English) In several situations involving needy animals, Master has shown me Her divine omnipresent power by immediately answering my prayers. The first such event occurred while I was living near a bird sanctuary. One night I was awakened from a deep sleep upon hearing the distressed calls of a little bird that lived in the field outside my garden. I had seen this type of bird before and knew that they nested in the tall grass that grew beside the nearby lagoon. The bird continued to make the calls for about half an hour. Then I suddenly remembered that a friend once told me about a bird living in his garden that had cried the whole night for her lost chick. The next morning he found the baby bird drowned in his pool. Not wanting such a thing to happen to the bird in my yard, I began whole-heartedly praying to Master, asking Her to guide the little birds back together if they were lost and to calm them. Then instantly the atmosphere became quiet and the bird never made another sound. I was deeply moved that Master had helped the needy creature so quickly and felt that it was a miracle to have a prayer answered as soon as it was uttered. In a more recent case, while staying on my mother's small farm in South Africa, I again awoke to the cries of an upset animal coming from afar. This time it sounded like a dog or jackal caught in a trap. It was extremely dark outside as there was no moon so I woke my mother up and asked her to help me search for the animal, which I believed might be caught in a trap on the neighbor's farm. After searching for a while on foot we found nothing and decided to continue our search by car. So we returned to the house and got my father to drive us up to the local rubbish dump--the yelps seemed to be originating from there. We then scoured the area for nearly two hours in the dark before deciding to give up. At this point the animal sounded more like a puppy and seemed to be running to and fro over the nearby hill. Next my father and I climbed into the car to leave, but my mother walked a little farther up the hill and called for the animal one last time. Then as I sat in the car I remembered how Master had answered my prayer by helping the bird so I again prayed to Her and concentrated intently on my third eye, saying, "Please, Master, guide the animal to my mother." After a while I looked up and asked my mother if she had found anything, and she said, "Yes!" It was a tiny, pitch black puppy that could not have been more than six weeks old. It was very small and yet we had found it in the darkness of night in the bush. Only Master could have helped us find the pup under such conditions! I felt greatly overjoyed that another miracle had occurred. Again, I had experienced an immediate response to a prayer and felt Master was showing me that when we pray sincerely for the benefit of other sentient beings She will answer us straight away. I also feel deeply moved by the way She loves and helps animals unconditionally. Thank You, Master, for being so loving and kind to our fellow creatures.? 8All My Wishes Have Come True By sister-initiate Wu, Mainland China (Originally in Chinese) Since my initiation, I have meditated diligently and kept the Five Precepts while studying Master's teachings as much as possible. Her words, which are deeply ingrained in my mind, have greatly lessened my tendencies toward greed, anger and infatuation. Whatever the situation might be, I am no longer worried or anxious as I was in the past because now I understand that everything is caused by karma. So I am always reminding myself to keep my actions, speech and thoughts pure. As a result, everything has been going smoothly with my life and work, and I feel very happy. In addition, I have come to realize that Master arranges and takes care of everything for me, making all my wishes come true. For example, I remember that She once sent a Quan Yin messenger to my hometown for an initiation session, and on seeing the messenger I was overjoyed as if I were seeing Master Herself. Also, I deeply hoped that my mother could learn the Convenient Method after the initiation, but she missed the opportunity due to her poor health and the intense heat that day. Then after the Quan Yin messenger left, I felt great pity for my mother and wished that he could return to our area, and sure enough he did so two days later. I was overwhelmed with joy and felt I were in a dream as he taught my mother the Convenient form of meditation in a one-on-one session. Thank You, Master, for having such great compassion and love that You fulfilled my mother's and my wish! I learned afterwards that the Quan Yin messenger had actually returned to see another contact person who happened to be away from home, and so came to visit me instead. I am deeply grateful for Master's perfect arrangement! Also, after my initiation, I recited the Holy Names daily as often as possible but always felt I was not saying them very accurately and thought in my heart, "How wonderful it would be if Master could someday teach us the Holy Names Herself!" Shortly afterwards, my wish again came true as one evening during the international retreat in Thailand in October 1997, Master patiently repeated the Holy Names over and over with the participants as if we were Her primary school students, and we were all immersed in the ocean of infinite love. On the path of spiritual development, I feel that Master is with me every second of the day, knows every thought that arises in my mind and every word that I speak, and always makes the best arrangements for me. Dear Master, I know no way to repay Your great benevolence and grace but to practice more diligently. I will do my best to manifest our inner Heavenly glory so as to express my gratitude to You.? 8 The Saga of Blackie By sister-initiate Park So-Yeon, Seoul, Korea (Originally in Korean) Blackie is a very old and ponderous but loyal dog. In the early days when the CARE (Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth) Center, Korea's largest refuge for abandoned animals, was a deserted, rundown house at the foot of a mountain in Gapyeong-gun, he would always sit at the entrance guarding the staff and his animal friends in any weather. Over time, Blackie began to develop a terrible cough during the winter season. So the Center's other workers and I took him to an animal hospital where he was diagnosed with pneumonia. Then his coughing worsened with each winter until early 2005, when we discovered a severe tumor in his esophagus. The growth had caused Blackie's cough to deteriorate so much that listening to it was painful. Then in January, 2005, the vet informed us that Blackie had only a short time to live. So I took him to another hospital for a second opinion, hoping that a different vet would give a more positive diagnosis. However, the second vet's staff told me that Blackie's condition was even more serious than we thought. So it seemed that his fate was sealed. Drawing the large, pitiful Blackie close to me, I insisted on treating him to delicious food and having him sleep in a warm place. However, I did not know whether it would improve his health or whether I was simply acting this way to console my unhappy mind. That night, Blackie's cough worsened and I felt that keeping him one more day would be torture to him. So with a heavy heart I decided to take him to the hospital at the crack of dawn, praying to God to bless the poor creature so he could go in peace, and in his next life return in a human body. Around seven in the morning I began meditating in front of Blackie, and as I started doing the Sound meditation I noticed that his coughing had suddenly eased up. On the previous night, he had coughed for about two minutes each time, and the coughing recurred every ten minutes. But during my Sound meditation, Blackie's formerly terrible cough became much less intense and more sporadic, lasting only a second or two. Observing this change, I meditated with more concentration. Then when I unintentionally opened my eyes during meditation and found Blackie lying flat on his stomach, staring at me silently with clear eyes, I felt an extraordinary feeling as if he and I were connected and that he knew what I was doing. After I finished meditating, CARE staff member Anusha and I were about to help Blackie into our car to go to hospital when he suddenly began to struggle, as if to say that he did not want to be taken away. Feeling that I had no alternative, I grabbed him forcefully and pushed him into the car, with Anusha crying behind me. As soon as we arrived at the hospital, however, Blackie made his getaway. Not wanting to leave us completely, the big dog ran only a short distance and kept circling around us. Finally, Anusha and I managed to catch him and lead him through the hospital door. A staff veterinarian saw what was happening, and as we stepped into the examining room he wondered how such an ailing animal could run around so energetically. Then, as part of the normal procedure, the doctor examined him for the last time and suddenly, while he was checking Blackie's lump, he exclaimed in surprise, "How can this be? The lump has become very small!" The embarrassed vet then decided to take another x-ray, and at that moment I had a flashback of Blackie's tranquil eyes watching me while I was meditating, and thought of Master. That was it! While I was meditating Her blessing power was working for the sake of innocent, pure-hearted Blackie. After examining the X-ray, the doctor was astounded and said, "This can't possibly happen! How could the dog's condition change overnight without any treatment?" The previous day's X-ray had shown Blackie's tumor winding around his esophagus, almost completely blocking his airway and lungs. But the image taken that morning revealed that both his throat and lungs were normal, as the tumorous tissue had completely disappeared. Then the doctor compared the two X-rays saying, "That was a mistaken diagnosis. I'm so sorry that I almost put him down. However, I'm confused as to how this miracle occurred." On our way back home with Blackie, only Master could know how we were feeling and Anusha said wholeheartedly, "So-Yeon, I think it's because of your prayers that Blackie was healed. I want to do meditation, too." So I explained, "Anusha, it wasn't me. It was God who did it. God always answers our sincere prayers no matter what." Then she nodded and seemed to understand. I thank God for relieving Blackie of his suffering, and also for giving the kind Anusha new hope in her life. One month after Blackie's miraculous recovery Anusha joined the Ocean of Love and learned the Convenient Method. Now I know a bit more about God's wise love, and that the divine protection is always with us.? ================================================================== 4Loving Reminders 8 Love Makes it Easier for Your Pets to Leave this World Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Florida, USA, December 25, 2001 (Originally in English) Videotape #730 If you have to put your dog to sleep for any reason, perhaps because he's too sick or too old, talk to him. Tell him what's going on. Tell him the doctor thinks it's better for him and that it's time to go. Hug him and be with him all the way through it. Don't just throw him in the clinic and let them do it or anything like that. He understands that he has to go, but he needs love to be able to go. He doesn't mind going, but he needs you to tell him that you still love him; it's just that he has to go. And then bury him; be nice to him.? 8 Try Drinking a Glass of Cold Water Before You Flare Up Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Florida, USA, February 14, 1999 (Originally in English) Videotape #633 Take care of yourself, all right? For example, if you think you have a big temper, try a glass of cold water before you flare up. Each time you want to get mad and think there's no reason to, drink a glass of cold water straight down and "on the rocks." That will give you time to think about whether you should spend your energy screaming or talking. Sometimes we can learn to do things in a different way. For instance, we might discover that it's better to reason with others than to scream. Because sometimes when you scream very loud and fast, people don't even understand what you're talking about. And it's a waste of time. You may have a lot to tell them, but if you talk in a loud voice like that they won't even understand, which is frustrating.? ================================================================== 4Selected Questions and Answers 8 The Soul Views All Experiences as Opportunities Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Videoconference with initiates from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, August 4, 2002 (Originally in English) Videotape #746 Q: Any rational person does not seek suffering and pain. So why would the soul come back if just the habits and desires have to be reincarnated? M: Because the habits and desires were inhabited by that soul. So that person has to come back to learn that it's not desirable for these things to be attached to the soul. He or she has to come back again to learn that they don't belong to him or her. For example, if your husband leaves your house to go to work and you tell him, "Honey, there's a bag of garbage over there. Please, on your way, throw it in the garbage container outside of the park for me." And then he takes the garbage to work with him in the car. However, he carries it on his shoulder and then he forgets. So he brings it into his office. Then he realizes he has a bag of garbage, only the garbage needs to be disposed of elsewhere. So he has to take it out, dispose of it and then come back to the office. This is just the way the universe works. The soul is very willing to do all of this. But because we're sitting here in the physical dimension discussing things in terms of the physical imagination of our planet or our expectations about the limited human capacity to understand, we view suffering and sorrow and happiness as the completely opposite picture. We view suffering and sorrow as undesirable qualities and always aspire for happiness. But from Heaven, from the higher dimensions, we view all things as just opportunities to exercise different abilities and different strengths within ourselves. So, we never mind reincarnating if we need to, or doing certain chores or errands on any planet in the universe. So don't worry about all this. In the universal picture, sorrow and suffering are just a fraction of everything. Just like when you watch a movie, the actors don't mind undergoing all kinds of suffering and danger in the film, to make the film exciting and action-filled for entertainment. They don't mind because they don't view that as real suffering. Similarly, in the big picture, if we know our Self as a soul or as an actor, we don't mind. It's just that now we're sitting here in the physical dimension, and we worry about suffering. We fear death and abhor sorrow. But when we're in our real Self, we're outside of the picture and we know that the real Truth is different. I hope I'm making myself clear? (A: Yes) This is very abstract, and I'm happy that you understand. If not, just continue practicing. I know you've been progressing very well.? 8The Limitations of Time and Space in the Physical World Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Durban, South Africa, November 26, 1999 (Originally in English) DVD #668 Q: Why does God take so long to answer one's prayers? M: It doesn't take long. It's thinking that we're separated from God that takes long, and the time factor of this physical dimension that makes it seem long. I'll explain. In order to experience physical existence as we do now, when we were one with God in Heaven before, we as God created time and space on this planet and in this physical existence so that we could experience separation from God and could reunite with God again and enjoy the bliss again. And that's how it's been going on for eternity. We have forever created new dimensions and new experiences so that we can remember God again as God, and as a creation of God. So when we're in this dimension, there's time and space. That's why things take time to manifest and take space to materialize. In Heaven, however, everything is together in one time and one space; there's no separation, ever. For example, I have all these flowers here. (Master gestures toward the flower arrangement in front of Her.) So how long does it take for them to be joined together? No time. They're already together, all the time. But if I take one flower out of these and put it over there (Master demonstrates), and now these flowers wish for this flower to rejoin them, how long will it take? Maybe one second. (Master transfers the single flower back to the arrangement.) You see? This is the dimension that we live in. Everything is separated by time and space. It's because our creative minds want it this way. But now that we've created it, we've forgotten. Never mind; you'll remember. If you practice the Quan Yin Method of meditation, you'll remember everything: who you are, why things happen to you, what you've created and why it comes to you because you've created it. That's why I've said before that there's no victim, ever. Everything that happens to us, we create for our best purpose even though we don't see that now because we've chosen to forget. Be patient. At the time of death, you'll see this even if you don't practice the Quan Yin Method. You'll see that whatever you wish for comes immediately because it was always there. You're always with everything, and everything is always with you. By that time, we've already transcended time and space. At the time of our transit from this world to the so-called Heavenly world, we transcend time and space. This body is the instrument that activates time and space. That's why the things we wish for don't seem to come immediately. For example, in Heaven, if you want to go somewhere, you just think it and you're there right away, immediately, faster than the speed of light. That's why all Heavenly beings and all the people who die are careful about what they think. They know they shouldn't think anything that's not good because anything they think will be materialized right in front of them. But here, for example, if I wish for a car, it takes time. The car is somewhere over there, not here. I have to make money first, and then I have to go over there and ask about the price, sign the papers and drive the car home. So if you sit here and wish for a car, God also can't bring it right away. It takes time. We might feel that God doesn't answer our prayers, but Hes always does! It just comes later or now, depending on the situation. That's why all the religious scriptures advise us that we should keep our speech, actions and thoughts pure at all times. Because whatever we think or wish for, bad or good, will come sooner or later. We have this physical body that blinds us to all reality and blinds us to all Truth so we think that whatever we do or think in darkness, no one will know. But everything will come back. Hence all the commandments of Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism or any other religion tell you just to do good things and think good things because whatever we do and whatever we think will come back to us. It's very scary when you know how the law of cause and effect works, very scary. If we could truly see these things, we'd be much more careful about what we think and what we do.? 8 We Create Constantly through Our Thoughts | Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Durban, South Africa, November 26, 1999 (Originally in English) DVD #668 Q: Can we eventually possess the power to materialize and create things? M: Yes, you can. And you create things all the time. Anytime you think of something, you create it. And that thing will come to you, sooner or later. That's why we should be careful with our thoughts. Because if we think good things, they'll come to us, and if we think about bad things, they'll also come to us. Suppose we think about many good things that we want to possess, and then we die at that instant. But all the things we've created and desired haven't come to fulfillment so we have to be reborn again to enjoy them. That's why all the Masters advise us that we shouldn't concentrate on material possessions, but on our property in Heaven. This means we should concentrate on God's Kingdom and not mind too much about material possessions. That's why we shouldn't bother to learn magical powers or materialize things: We already have creative power all the time in our life! For example, if you died now, this instant, you'd understand exactly what I mean because when you left this limited prison, you'd be free, and your spirit would be everywhere at the same time or many places at the same time. And anything, absolutely anything you wanted would come to you right away. It's just that when we have this physical body, we can't see this. That's why we're careless about what we think and what we want. We're not very in control of our minds. If we know that everything we think will come to us, we'll be very careful about what we think.? 8 Effective Emotional Management--the Proper Release of Anger Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Tel Aviv, Israel, November 21, 1999 (Originally in English) DVD #671 Q: What can I do when I'm angry or hurt? How can I stop these feelings? M: Don't stop them; don't stop your anger or hurt feelings. Just go through them quickly, with no resentment--and heal them afterwards. Anger, hurt and pain are natural feelings of the physical elements. It's just that you don't know how to handle anger; that's the problem. It's OK: If someone hurts you, of course you feel hurt. You're not a wooden table! And when people provoke you unreasonably or you think that they provoke you, you're bound to be angry. That's all right, but we must understand that by nature anger is not very constructive most of the time. So if you have to be angry, just get it over with. Don't try to suppress too much of your anger or you'll become sick and feel crazy. Anger is a natural feeling; it's just that you shouldn't carry it too long or you'll drown yourself in it. That's no good for you or for the other party involved. So get angry and talk. You don't have to be sarcastic or hurtful when you talk; just air your views and tell them that they made you angry because of whatever reason and you hope that in the future it doesn't happen again because you won't tolerate it. Air your views, be finished and love each other again. When we were young, most of us were taught that we shouldn't show anger and hurt. And so we keep repressing them, thinking that they're no good. But these are natural feelings within us; we can't help it. So we can just let it be, but now we know the anger, its quality and its real face; we're in control of it and we don't allow the anger to be our master. That's all. We just know, "OK, I'm angry because you hurt me." If someone hits you, you feel pain. That's natural. So just say it because sometimes it's just a misunderstanding; you talk to the person and he has a chance to explain, saying, "No, I didn't mean it that way. I meant it this way." And then, either way it will be good. If the person didn't mean it, then you don't feel angry anymore. And if the person really did mean something bad, after he hears that you're hurt, pained or angry, he'll change because he understands. And that's good for both of you. Otherwise, we always end up saying, "You give me a headache," "You're a pain in the neck" or "You're a pain in the somewhere else." (Laughter) It's true. Anger suppressed can make you physically ill. So don't hurt yourself more by swallowing the poisonous anger within you. Spit it out, just in a proper way.? 8 The Soul's Worst Enemy is Ignorance not Anger Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Florida, USA, February 14, 1999 (Originally in English) Videotape #633A If you keep truly wanting to kill your temper, that won't do. The more you want that, the less you'll succeed. So don't want; just do what you can. Also, I'm sure that many situations aren't completely your fault. Sometimes it's the circumstances you're in, and sometimes we're born with different traces of past experiences; this is out of our control. But I'm very proud that you're so young and already so wise and humble that you admit your shortcomings, even in public. I'm sure you'll do very well in the future because half of your sickness has already been cured by your own knowledge, that you seek help and that you humbly admit it. So, I'm sure; I have a lot of faith in you. But temper is not the worst enemy of our soul. The worst enemy is ignorance, or lack of enlightenment, which you've already destroyed. Temper is just a trace of the unfortunate, extra garbage that we sometimes happen to house in our being. With time, either you get rid of it or it will rot by itself. So don't worry too much. Take it one day at a time, as much as you can. (Applause) If you can sometimes control it, then control it. But don't hurt yourself by bottling it up. Or, you can sometimes try to express your feelings in a different way. The feeling is true. It doesn't matter who says what to you: If you feel bad about something, you feel bad. But if you can, try to express it in a clearer and more loving way. If you can't and you feel that you must explode and later you feel you were wrong, just apologize and say, "Mom, brother, I meant it this way, but I couldn't express it better before. Now that I'm calmer, I see it clearly. I'm sorry; I should have told you in another way instead of getting angry." Then it's OK. It's not that we can't make mistakes; it's just that we should know that it was a mistake and try to make up for it. And it's not that we can't be angry; but if we know we were wrong, we should make up for it by being more loving later or by apologizing or doing something nice to erase the effects of our negative personality residues on other people.? ================================================================== 4First Aid 8SEAL?ON? Spray Stops Bleeding Fast SEAL-ON is an aerosol spray used to stop bleeding from minor cuts, grazes and surface wounds. On application the spray quickly dries to a fine white powder, which on contact with blood absorbs it and forms a soft, gel-like layer over the wound to stop bleeding quickly and efficiently. Its family of products includes Spray Powder, Nasal Sponges for nosebleeds, Adhesive Pads, Sterile Pads, Sheer Bandages and Blotters?. Benefits: * Natural ingredients, Hypoallergenic and pH balanced * Safe for use on adults. children and pets * Does not need to be removed from a wound and reduces the risk of renewed bleeding For more details about the product, please visit: http://www.seal-on.com/default.aspx (in English - American) http://www.seal-on.com/uk/default.aspx (in English - UK) http://www.seal-on.com/de/default.aspx (in German) ================================================================== 4Helpful Healthcare Tips 8 How Can Medical Personnel Avoid Absorbing Negative Energy? Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, International Six-day Retreat, Bangkok, Thailand, December 30, 1999 (Originally in English) Videotape #680 Q: I deal with many sick people each day and I'm just wondering, apart from repeating the Holy Names when I'm dealing with patients, is there any other way I can protect myself? M: If you don't protect yourself, it's OK. Do you mean from their sickness or from their energy? Q: It's just that sometimes there are patients you don't even want to go near. M: So if you're worried, repeat the Holy Names and immediately afterwards thoroughly wash your hands or any place on your body that's had contact with patients. Also, get some lemons if you can and at the end of the day or anytime you have lemons nearby, wash with lemon. It cuts the energy or psychic connection better. Use lemon and salt, but only use a little: just a few drops of lemon and some salt. Wash quickly, rinse and then shake your hands at least seven times after that to cut the psychic connection. If it makes you feel better when you don't feel so well, do that. It helps. It doesn't have to be exactly seven times; more is OK. After the seventh time, you can shake your hands more vigorously. Since you normally touch patients with your hands, wash them and after washing shake them as soon as possible; then rinse with a lot of water.? 8 Care for Yourself While Caring for Others Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, International Ching Hai Day Seven-day Retreat, Hsihu, Formosa, October 27, 1995 (Originally in English) Videotape #506 Whenever you handle patients, please be loving and pray all the time inside by reciting the Holy Names and praying to Master to help you. Afterwards, wash your hands thoroughly and anytime you can, shake your hands to cut the psychic connection. Then after you go home, wash with lemon and salt and put sandalwood oil or cream on your body to cut any negative connection that might remain.? ================================================================== 4Spirituality and Science 8A Groundbreaking Meeting on Animal Sentience and Intelligence By the London News Group, UK (Originally in English) From March 17-18, 2005, the landmark conference "From Darwin to Dawkins: The Science and Implications of Animal Sentience" was held at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Center in London. Drawing over 600 participants from approximately 50 countries, it was the first time a symposium devoted to animal consciousness and intelligence was staged on such a large scale. The first speaker, renowned animal behaviorist from Oxford University's Department of Zoology Professor Marion Dawkins, stressed the importance of considering animal welfare not only in terms of human treatment of animals, but in terms of animals' needs. Professor Dawkins' talk was followed by a wonderful keynote speech by Dr. Jane Goodall, one of the world's leading primatologists. Relying on behavioral evidence from her 45 years of work with chimpanzees, Dr. Goodall presented convincing evidence that chimps think deeply about daily life situations and relationships with others. Extending her findings to other creatures, she called for greater awareness about how we treat farm animals and branded vivisection "morally wrong," adding that it is vital for the future of the planet that children learn about appropriate food choices. Also, Professor Irene Pepperberg from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology summarized her work with Alex the grey parrot, who was able to master the rudiments of speech and complex cognitive concepts. Then Professor Marc Bekoff from the University of Colorado spoke about the obvious existence of animal emotions, and Professor Tom Regan of North Carolina State University discussed the moral rights of animals and "who" not "what" animals are. Talks throughout the Conference presented abundant evidence for animal sentience and shed new light on animal intelligence, revealing that our fellow creatures are much cleverer than most people believe. Farm animals, for instance, have long been viewed as possessing low intelligence and no sense of self, yet studies show that they display a wide range of emotions and sharp intellects. Sheep, long ridiculed for a non-questioning herd mentality, possess a strong sense of individuality and are far more complex than previously realized, being able to recognize the faces of at least ten humans and fifty other sheep, even in profile, for at least two years. Keith Kendrick, professor of neurobiology at the Babraham Institute in Cambridge, UK, further discovered that sheep react to facial expressions and, like humans, prefer a smile to a grimace. Professor Kendrick has also described how sheep can form strong affections for specific humans, becoming depressed by long separations and greeting them enthusiastically even after three years. Pigs were similarly found to have a cerebral capacity beyond the popular conception of a farm animal. Dr. Michael Mendl, from Bristol University, UK, has been studying pigs for sixteen years and together with his colleagues has found that swine are masters of deceit, deliberately misleading others of their kind if it will result in more food for them. And from the same university, Christine Nicol, professor of animal welfare has found that even chickens may have to be treated as individuals with needs and problems: "Remarkable cognitive abilities and cultural innovations have been revealed," she said. Research also shows that chickens possess an extraordinary degree of self-control over food, and are willing to delay gratification if they think a larger portion will be offered later. Chickens have also been found to display sophisticated social behavior, being able to recognize and remember more than a hundred other chickens, and expressing over thirty types of vocalizations. Yet, the research results that may most perturb animal welfare groups are those suggesting that chickens can feel pain. Tests have shown that those known to be experiencing discomfort or lameness chose food laced with morphine when given the choice. By contrast, chickens who are fully fit chose feed that is not spiked with an analgesic. Similarly, findings by Professor Webster and his colleagues have shown that cows have the ability to express feelings and to recognize each other. (Please refer to the News #157, " Say Scientists) The conference also included presentations on ethical food choices, the progress of the international animal welfare movement and specific conditions and legislation affecting animals in the US and China. To conclude the gathering, the participants overwhelmingly endorsed the following as an ongoing animal sentience mission statement. "This conference calls on the UN, the WTO, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and their member governments to join us in recognizing that sentient animals are capable of suffering, and that we all have a duty to preserve the habitat of wild animals and to end cruel farming systems and other trades and practices which inflict suffering on animals." Thus, "From Darwin to Dawkins: The Science and Implications of Animal Sentience" was an encouraging reflection of how science has come closer to recognizing what spiritual practitioners have long understood as truth--that animals possess sentience and intelligence just as humans do. In coming decades this knowledge will surely have a profound impact on humans' treatment of animals and the further spread of vegetarianism. Moreover, such events reveal how greatly and rapidly Master has raised the consciousness of humankind and the animal kingdom through Her incessant work, love, blessings and grace.? For more details about the conference please refer to: http://www.ciwf.org.uk/education/international.html (in English) http://www.ciwf.org.uk/Cn/index.html (in Simple Chinese) ================================================================== 4The Sentient World of Animals 8 Our Animal Friends Enter the Golden Age By the Little Lambs, Tokyo, Japan In June 2005, NBC and CNN ran an intriguing news story about an orangutan named Gypsy who is forty nine years old (over eighty years old in human years) and lives at the Tama Zoo on the outskirts of Tokyo. Feeling deeply touched by the report, a group of initiates from the Tokyo Center went to see Gypsy and offer the following glimpse of what they discovered during their visit. Gypsy is one of the Zoo's five orangutans, all of whom have distinct personalities that offer great insights into the divine nature of these lovable, tenderhearted friends from the forest, who never hunt and kill when in groups as gorillas and chimpanzees do. Over the past year, when the Zoo's head keeper for primates, Hidetoshi Kurotori, introduced manmade items such as household cleaning tools and musical instruments into the apes' environment to promote "orangutan enrichment activities," Gypsy began to display some surprising behaviors. Of all the Zoo's orangutans, Gypsy is by far the most curious and capable pupil, and has demonstrated numerous skills, including the ability to clean her cage with a cloth and broom, dig and place dirt in a bucket with a garden trowel and play the harmonica. Gypsy performs these tasks with more skill than her companions. And although two of her ape friends can play the harmonica in a simple fashion, only Gypsy understands how to blow and move the instrument from side to side in her mouth to produce different musical notes. Another of Gypsy's remarkable traits is her sense of fashion. She loves looking at glamour magazines, focusing mainly on pictures of attractive models in the latest designs. She skillfully tears out her favorite fashion photos and carefully tucks them away in her pillow case, where she stores all her keepsakes. Having the dexterity to tear articles from magazines is an incredible feat considering that orangutans have a maximum grip strength of over 300 kilograms, and need to control this remarkable power to do such intricate manual work. Similarly, orangutans in the wild tear long blades of grass to use as tools for dipping into termite mounds in search of food. So to allow its orangutans to practice this activity, the Zoo has constructed artificial termite mounds and regularly fills them with juice, which the orangutans lick from blades of grass after dipping them into the mounds' tiny holes. Captions: 1. Gypsy works diligently at gardening. (ak1-1.jpg) 2. Under the scorching sun, Gypsy wears a shirt on her head as a hat. (ak1-2.jpg) 3. Hey, Listen, I can play a harmonica harmonically! (ak1-3.jpg) 4. Gypsy's collection of beautiful models' photos (ak1-4.jpg) Next, the initiates entered a building with a glass enclosure housing a large male orangutan named Q. Males of the species are much larger than their female counterparts and generally avoid the females except during mating season. Q was two-years-old when he came to the Zoo in 1971 and during his early life was less friendly than the other orangutans, but in the last few years he has become more calm and gentle. When we approached the glass partition that separates him from the viewing area, he came right up to the glass and sat in a half-lotus position with his hands gently folded in his lap. We then sat together quietly and began to commune with each other. Soon a brother placed a picture of Master close to Q, and the ape seemed entranced. He kissed the glass several times and continued to look steadfastly at the photo, having the same reaction when a sister displayed another of Master's recent pictures. Again Q concentrated on the image and remained very still for an extended period. Next the brother put his hand on the glass, the gentle giant placed his hand in the same area on the other side and the two stayed in contact this way for several minutes. All the while Q seemed to meditate peacefully with his eyes open until some new, noisy visitors entered the enclosure and disturbed his tranquility. The orangutan then got up, walked to the other side of his cage and banged mightily on the bars, sending loud reverberations throughout the complex as we stood in awe of his power. Q's demeanor changed with the ebb and flow of visitors and their respective behaviors, enjoying peace during some periods and feeling disturbed when the atmosphere became disruptive and noisy. As other visitors entered the area he became agitated if they banged on the glass or startled him, and seemed to crave a quiet place to continue meditating. The creature looked like an Indian sadhu with his long red mane and serene disposition. Regarding Gypsy, it is interesting to note that the amazing progress she has made in her physical skills has only occurred during the past year. Perhaps these gentle vegetarians have indeed been elevated as we enter the Golden Age!? Caption 5. Male orangutan Q steadfastly gazes at Master's picture. (ak1-5.jpg) To view a slide show of Gypsy in action please visit: http://www.nbc4.tv/news/3783723/detail.html 8 Compassionate Lions Save an African Girl Reviewed by brother-initiate Daniel Grantham, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (Originally in English) On June 21, 2005, the Associated Press reported that a twelve-year-old girl had recently been kidnapped and beaten outside of Bita Genet, Ethiopia by seven men trying to force her into a marriage. The girl was later found guarded by three lions, who had apparently chased her captors away and stayed with her for about half a day until police and her relatives arrived. Everyone who witnessed the event thought it was a miracle because lions normally attack humans instead of saving them. Abducting young girls for the purpose of marriage has long been part of Ethiopian tradition. The United Nations estimates that more than seventy percent of Ethiopian marriages are by abduction, which is practiced mainly in rural areas. This amazing news about the compassionate behavior of lions is another indication that the world has been elevated through Master's constant efforts; not only humans but also animals have been affected. The incident also confirms that there is still much room for improvement with regard to the way we treat one another. Thus we should continue to promote Master's teachings so that humankind can turn away from such senseless customs and develop more loving and noble qualities.? For more details about this story, please visit: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=869799&CMP=OT C-RSSFeeds0312 http://breakingnews.nypost.com/dynamic/stories/E/ETHIOPIA_GUARDED_ BY_LIONS?SITE =NYNYP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME =2005-06-21-13-13-16 ================================================================== 4Helpful Tips Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Hsihu, Formosa, June 6, 1995 (Originally in English) Videotape #478 8 Develop a Positive Vibration and Benefit the World Try to meditate as much as you can and don't gossip too much. If you have to talk, talk about God, something beneficial, something that vibrates positively in the air and contributes to the harmony of the world as well as to your spiritual progress and that of your neighbors. Whenever we speak, we give off a vibration and accordingly what we say, good or bad, will affect us again. 8Perform Good Actions Expecting Nothing in Return We have to do good things in this world, not because we'll gain a good result or good karma. That's only for children, for the beginning, for beginners in practice, who still need awards, merit, punishment, praise and blame. But as we go to a higher dimension, a higher level of consciousness, we forget all this. We do whatever is necessary to benefit other people and whatever is righteous according to our conscience, not expecting anything at all in return. 8 Remain Focused on the Saintly Path Stepping beyond human life to become a saintly being who is beneficial to the whole universe is the meaning of being a righteous person. That's the purpose--the only purpose. As long as you practice goodness and kindness, there will always be a negative power that tries to attack you, that tries to make you stray from your purpose and go in a different direction, to sidetrack you. So it takes a lot of determination and principles to control yourself, to check your way, to check your life so that you always go in the right direction without regret, without complaining when you don't get good results from it. Because it's the challenge of this world that we always keep the way of God, we always keep the commandments of conscience. That's how we rise above all differences and all praise and blame to become a noble being. 8 When We Have Peace Within Heaven is Everywhere What is the Kingdom of God? It's not a palace shining with gold, silver, diamonds, rubies and all kinds of precious stones. It's purity, loving kindness, compassion, peace of mind. That's the Kingdom of God. If we carry this Kingdom of God within us, then wherever we go we always feel that we're in Heaven. So there's no need to yearn for the life beyond and to shun the opportunities to serve our brothers and sisters here on earth while we're still living. If we've already attained Heaven within, whether we live or die, it's ours and no one can take it away. But if we don't attain it, then even if we go to Heaven the outer environment of Heaven may not even penetrate inside our darkened souls, and we'll still carry with us hatred, jealousy and bad, negative thinking within our hearts. Then Heaven is just another place in the universe for us, the same as everywhere else, because we haven't changed ourselves. So if we change, the situation changes. If we have Heaven within us, peace within us, then everywhere is Heaven, everywhere is peace. That's the purpose of being good, of trying to do good, of trying to be good because that's the only choice. 8 Be Honest with Yourself and Uproot Persistent Habits You may think that you're already very clean and pure, but I tell you, be careful. Don't think that because we're vegetarian, because we keep the precepts, we're clean and pure. Not yet; it's not so easy. Watch yourself next time. Watch every moment for just one day. Spend one day watching yourself and see how you react in different situations. Watch carefully and then you'll know what I mean. There are many things that we ourselves don't notice, very trivial matters, very deep rooted, subtle habits that we don't know we have. And many other things like love, compassion and sensitivity to the suffering of others we don't have either. These are the very subtle habits and subtle hardness that we've accumulated over many lifetimes and we don't even realize it. So make sure that you check out any undesired, deep rooted habits that you don't want to carry around with you. If we're truly honest with ourselves and want to improve and train our sensitivity to the suffering and happiness of others as well as to our own purity and well being, we must always be vigilant. Always, always pay attention. Otherwise, it's easy to just pass the day, pass two days, pass three days, pass your whole life in self indulgence, bad habits, and not get into a higher level of consciousness, not be able to understand the deeper meaning of spiritual life. And then we blame others, blame God, blame the Method and blame the Master, blame everything but that doesn't help us at all. It doesn't help us to get better. The best approach is to be honest with ourselves and always be watchful of our deep rooted habits and the very undesirable affects that they have on us. Always be careful. 8 Constant Focus on the Wisdom Eye Hastens Spiritual Progress While walking, sleeping, talking, sitting and lying down, always try to concentrate on the wisdom center. In that way you progress rapidly and you'll feel it. And the more you progress, the more encouraged you'll feel and the more you'll practice. It's a pity that we already have the Method and we don't use it. ? ================================================================== 4Spiritual Interludes 8Overcoming Habits to Master Oneself--Insights from Keeping a Cat By sister-initiate Ming Jin, Chicago, Illinois, USA (Originally in Chinese) Master once told a story about the three servants of a wealthy man. Although each was gifted with a good quality, none knew how to use it in social interactions so they met with disastrous results in daily affairs. (Please refer to the News # 61 for details of the story.) Whenever I read this story in the past, I always laughed at the servants' stupidity and inflexibility. However, it was not until I recently acquired a cat that I truly comprehended its meaning. My God! If I had been the man's fourth servant, I most certainly would have also been obsessed with cleanliness and made the same mistakes as the three servants did. Before I had a cat, I took great pride in my excellent domestic hygiene. Then one day, my husband brought one home as a surprise for me, not realizing that I had never owned a pet in my life and had no idea about how to live with one day and night. However, since she was already in my home, I was reluctant to send her away so I decided to follow Master's good example and treat the creature as a family member. Unfortunately, however, things did not turn out as I planned. During the first three days the cat was in my house she almost drove me crazy! Watching her fur fall all over my shiny floor, I could hardly refrain from running after her twenty-four hours a day to pick up every strand. Also, the sheer sight of the little animal sleeping on my pillow had me chasing her away because I could not bear to have her hair touch mine. In my heart, I wanted very much to treat her nicely, in the way Master pampers Her pets with patience, love and tolerance. But my obsession with having a spotless house seemed beyond my control. Whenever such situations arose, this habit automatically resurfaced. Thus, I surmised that the servants in Master's story might have also been aware of their faults, but were unable to change their ways. They had become enslaved to the patterns recorded in their minds and so could not become their own masters. Cleanliness is in itself a good quality, but when we keep pets the priority should be love. Master cares about hygiene more than anyone, but when necessary She can set it aside because Her compassion for animals exceeds Her fondness for cleanliness. I understand this process in theory but in real-life situations I am unable to shake off my deep-rooted tendencies in order to show love. Now I dare not laugh at the three servants in Master's story. Instead, I pray every day, hoping that through Her blessings and the power of the Sound Current, I will be able to one day surmount my habits and truly become my own master.? ================================================================== 4Love in Action Report from Oregon, USA 8Master Takes Care of All Yearning Souls By the Oregon News Group (Originally in English) For the past three years, Oregon Center initiates have been conducting monthly seminars featuring Master's videos at the Clackamas County Jail in Portland, and during this time they have witnessed how the Master power works subtly but effectively on the inmates. On one of their first visits to the facility, the initiates donated Master's News magazines and several copies of Her book I Have Come to Take You Home to the Jail's library so that the inmates could learn about Master's teachings. Then on June 8, 2005, the Oregon Center received a letter from three inmates who had read Master's book. (See photo below) In their letter they stated, "We recently decided to begin studying the Quan Yin Method and respectfully request any literature and study materials as well as teaching texts that may be available to persons such as us with no financial means at our disposal." Before the next monthly video seminar, the initiates promptly forwarded the letter to the Jail's officials in hopes that these inmates would be allowed to attend. The officials wrote a follow-up letter saying that the men could not be present at the seminar due to their maximum security status. Then on June 11, when the sisters and brothers arrived at the prison to conduct the seminar, twenty inmates were in the video room, including one of those who had written the letter. The practitioners thus prayed to Master and earnestly pleaded with the guard on duty to give the other two inmates a chance to be there since the following month they could be transferred to another facility and so become difficult to find. Finally, the guard succumbed to the initiates' pleas and let the men in. Upon seeing the video room and seminar set-up, the three prisoners were very surprised because they had been unaware of the monthly video seminars due to their inability to mingle with other prisoners and participate in such activities under their maximum security status. When the initiates explained that they had been permitted to attend because of their letter, the men were deeply touched by the efforts made to help them learn more about Master's teachings and the Convenient Method. During the lecture DVD presentation a technical problem occurred causing only the audio function to work. This was the first time such a difficulty had arisen, but the inmates were nonetheless very attentive, and afterwards all stayed to learn the Convenient Method! After learning the CM, the three men who wrote the letter were deeply grateful that Master had helped them understand why they should become vegetarians. Another inmate also expressed his gratitude to Her for allowing him to grasp this message, and vowed not to seek vengeance on others after his release. Through such experiences at the Clackamas County Jail seminars, the Oregon practitioners have come to realize that Master takes care of all yearning souls, even those in seemingly impossible circumstances, and that we who are unimprisoned and saturated with Her divine love should not take Her blessings for granted but instead cherish Her gifts even more dearly. ? Letter: love5-1.jpg Report from Panama 8Extending Master's Universal Love to Newborns By the Panama News Group (Originally in Spanish) To celebrate our beloved Master's birthday on May 12, 2005, Panamanian initiates made their annual visit to the maternity ward of Saint Thomas Hospital, a government medical facility serving mothers with limited incomes. Each year, local initiates donate supplies for the Hospital's newborns, but this year the infants received the largest quantity ever of baby clothes, diapers, feeding items and other materials. Due to the Hospital's limited facilities, mothers and babies can only stay until the noon following the infants' births. And the date of the initiates' visit happened to be Nurse's Day in Panama so the nursing staff was especially kind. Other groups had given gifts earlier to some of the mothers so the initiates supplied gift baskets to those who had not already received presents. The sisters enjoyed the experience of giving their first large basket to a mother who had given birth to a baby girl. When asked to pose for a picture with her child, the woman quickly took Master's sample booklet from the basket and put it near her daughter's little head. This was a great surprise because her action was very sudden yet natural and it seemed her divine intuition had told her that her baby was thus being "baptized." The Maternity Ward was filled with newborns, and the initiates presented gift bags to each of their mothers individually. It was beautiful to see the faces of all these innocent little ones emanating light and purity like stars twinkling in the sky. Moreover their mothers' faces shone with happiness when they received their gift bags. Next the fellow practitioners visited another ward with expectant women who needed special attention because they had infections or diseases. These women also glowed with joy and gratitude when they received their gift bags. That night the initiates again celebrated Master's birth by watching one of Her 2005 Hungary Retreat video lectures, afterwards sharing food, cake and beverages and singing "Happy birthday dearest Master" in Spanish, Chinese and Italian. Everyone felt deep satisfaction and happiness after having beautifully shared Master's charity with many needy sisters and their offspring. Thus the mothers and babies of Saint Thomas Hospital along with Your disciples in Panama thank You very much dearest Master for the great love and compassion You continually bestow on us. 1photo£love1-1.jpg Report from Chile 8A Blessing in Disguise Reaches a Woman in Need By the Chile News Group (Originally in Spanish) During the winter of 2004, severe flooding in rural Chile left many families isolated and without food, housing and other resources. At the time, local authorities and agencies mobilized to help the victims as the news media published reports on the disaster and its consequences. Thus, Chilean initiates learned that the flood had destroyed homes, caused bridges to be closed and forced numerous families to seek shelter in schools in mountainous Lago Ranco Township. Feeling touched and desiring to help the victims, the initiates contacted local emergency relief personnel to learn how they could lend assistance and were informed about the dramatic situation of Mrs. Aurora Leiva, whose humble dwelling on the banks of Ranco Lake had suffered damage to its foundation. When the normally peaceful local river became turbulent due to the flooding, the elderly woman and her sons were forced to flee the home in a raft, bringing only a few items along with them. After the flood waters receded, Mrs. Aurora returned to her home, but months later was still without funds to make the necessary repairs. The Township government was unable to assist her as priority was being given to rebuilding the region's roads and bridges. In February, 2005, the Chile Center reported on Mrs. Aurora's difficulty to the headquarters in Hsihu, saying that she needed US$1,200 to repair her house. Later a Quan Yin messenger traveled to the Center to conduct an initiation, and brought this amount to express Master's love for her. Then the Director of the Emergency Office of Lago Ranco Township, Mr. Germán Olea, provided the Quan Yin initiates with a list of materials needed to repair Mrs. Aurora's home. And together with her daughter Nora we purchased lumber, nails and zinc sheets to repair the roof. Next we set out immediately to visit Mrs. Aurora, who knew nothing about our intentions because her daughter wanted to surprise her. When the sweet old woman came out to greet us we had a deeply touching encounter, and when she learned of our mission she was so astonished she did not know how to react. Afterwards she showed us her home and the river that had flooded, describing her anguishing experience during the ordeal, and then invited us for tea. As we conversed everyone was happy and contented and felt like a family. We then gave Mrs. Aurora a basket full of fruit and vegetables and some financial aid, and a few days later the materials to repair her house were transported. Through this experience we came to realize that it is often difficult to tell the difference between fortune and misfortune. Due to the suffering caused by the 2004 flood Mrs. Aurora had the chance to receive our Master's kind assistance and infinite blessings. So the disaster was a blessing in disguise.? Love4-1.jpg Report from Brazil 8Master's Love Shines Brightly in a Difficult Time By the Brazilian News Group (Originally in Chinese) * 1 picture: love7-1.jpg On May 17, 2005, heavy downpours throughout the night triggered the most serious flooding in two decades in Lages, southern Brazil. The water level of the Carah?River rose eight meters, and low-lying areas along its banks were inundated. As the floods occurred at dawn, most residents had insufficient time to move their belongings to a safe place, and those caught in bed were trapped inside their homes and had to be rescued by firemen. Local authorities estimated that approximately a thousand families were in need of urgent assistance, with most being from the low income bracket. Touched by a spirit of empathy, fellow practitioners from the Sao Paulo Center launched a fund-raising activity in an effort to help their suffering compatriots through this difficult time. Then through Master's love and blessings, and with the assistance of several Brazilian friends, from May 19 to 22 the initiates distributed 147 15-kg packages of food to the neediest families and victims who were still awaiting relief. The packages included coffee, black beans, sugar, salt, soy oil, flour and milk. Families with infants also received disposable diapers and powdered milk during the aid effort. Once again, Master's love and concern touched the hearts of many, as both material aid and spiritual comfort were provided to the flood victims.? * 2 pictures: love7-2,-3.jpg Report from Indonesia 8Master's Compassion Warms Young People's Hearts By the Jakarta News Group (Originally in Indonesian) In the wake of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami in the Indian Ocean, initiates from the Jakarta relief team provided aid to the people of Aceh province in Indonesia and have stayed in constant contact with the National Red Cross regarding any items the organization may need to assist victims in getting their lives back together. Four months after the Tsunami, the Indonesian government declared that the area was ready for reconstruction, and since then aid from overseas countries and non-governmental groups has been focused on housing, educational needs and equipment required to help its residents recover their jobs. Recently, the relief team learned from the Red Cross that many Aceh students needed school uniforms so they ordered 6,000 sets of clothing consisting of hats, shirts, pants, bags, socks and shoes: 3,000 for the boys and the same number for girls. Then on Monday, June 6, 2005, after enduring a shipping delay with the order and other obstacles, the team and a group of Red Cross staff members miraculously managed to deliver the school uniforms just before the start of the local school holidays. Everyone the initiates encountered during the distribution project was extremely helpful, and so they thank Master for all the blessings and grace She bestowed on them in bringing love to the children of Aceh. The Jakarta initiates are also grateful to Master for giving them the chance to share Her compassion with Aceh's children, and hope that through God's mercy all the residents of the province will enjoy greater peace and happiness.? Captions: 1. Receipts from schools in Aceh, Indonesia (tk1~8.jpg) 2. A thank-you letter from the International Red Cross, Indonesia (tk9.jpg) Report from Thailand 8 Out of Fire Comes Compassion By the Bangkok News Group (Originally in Thai) 1photo:love2-1.jpg Around 11:00 A.M. on May 18, 2005, a fire began in a house in the impoverished Wat Phraya Krai Community, Yannawa District, Bangkok and then spread quickly since all the homes in the area were 90% wood. After learning of the disaster, many local initiates visited the Community the next day, bringing cooked vegetarian fried noodles in boxes to the victims. The food was distributed quickly to the extremely hungry residents, who were told that the initiates would contact them again to see if additional aid was needed. On May 20, the sisters and brothers returned to the fire stricken area as promised and spoke with the Community's leader Mr. Sakorn Pongpun and other district representatives to get more information about the fire. The Wat Phraya Krai Community had consisted of 37 wooden row houses, of which the fire destroyed 34, leaving 150 families (400 people) with nothing except the clothes on their backs. Many victims had to stay in tents provided by the local government, and some were able to lodge with friends or relatives in nearby areas. After speaking with Mr. Sakorn, the initiates bought bread, jam, sweetened sterilized milk and fruit and distributed the supplies to the community members. To comfort their souls, the brothers and sisters also hung a plastic poster of Master in front of the food distribution area and promised that they would come back to visit the victims again in the future. Then on May 24, the initiates called Mr. Sakorn to see if other organizations had provided food for the victims, and he said that some groups had distributed food during the day but there was nothing to eat in the evening, when the victims were also hungry. Furthermore, many people had donated instant noodles, but the victims had no electric thermoses to boil hot water to soften the noodles. So the following evening the initiates supplied bread, butter, milk and fruit for breakfast in the morning, and two thermoses for public use. On May 26, the sisters and brothers cooked vegetarian food for the victims' lunch and from that day on called from time to time to see if their situation had improved. The people of Wat Phraya Krai replied that they were deeply grateful to The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, and invited the initiates to visit them without bringing material aid so the sisters and brothers again promised to visit soon. In this way the victims responded to the true love and compassion shown them when they were in a difficult situation. While conducting the relief effort, the poster of Supreme Master Ching Hai in front of the food distribution area emanated God's loving energy very strongly, making the victims feel calmer, more peaceful and less pressured, as everyone who saw Her photo was immediately uplifted. Also, through Master's unconditional love and blessing, other private and public organizations donated items needed by the victims. Thus the Thai initiates would like to thank Master for the care and concern She bestowed on them and the other citizens of Thailand during a very challenging time.? 1 photo:love2-2.jpg Report from Taipei, Formosa 8Helping the Homeless onto the Path of Happiness By the Taipei News Group (Originally in Chinese) In June 2005, as their city's annual Dragon Boat Festival approached, Taipei initiates launched yet another activity of care and concern for the local homeless population. On the morning of June 9, the sisters and brothers brought thirty-two cartons of summer clothes donated by fellow initiates to the Wanhua Community Service Center of the Taipei Municipal Bureau of Social Affairs. Then in the afternoon they delivered emergency supplies of canvas shoes, towels, toothpaste, toothbrushes, food and clothing, along with spiritual nourishment in the form of Master's books, sample booklets and News magazines. The contributions were accepted on behalf of the homeless by Director Zhang Hui-ci and social worker Zhang Xian-zhong. "The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association is firmly committed to charitable service and offers the greatest inspiration to our staff at the Community Service Center. It's remarkable how in just a few days our friends from the Association have been able to meet our homeless citizens' urgent needs for personal hygiene items and clothing in the summer heat when infectious diseases spread easily. The canvas shoes, in particular, allow our underprivileged friends to move about easily." In addition to her words of appreciation, Director Zhang gave the initiates two sets of mugs hand-painted by homeless artisans, with each set consisting of three mugs entitled "Alive and Hopeful," "Penniless but Happy" and "Enthusiastic and Loving Social Worker." The gifts symbolized hope and joy to the initiate brothers and sisters. The mugs were imprinted with the following message reflecting the contentment in the hearts of the less fortunate despite their condition: "Find hope in being alive; seek happiness in poverty; see love and enthusiasm in social workers." The items were being created to raise funds for a new residence for the homeless, in hopes that people with affinity would lend them a helping hand as they begin their new lives. The Taipei initiates found genuine delight in the realization that their underprivileged neighbors were again walking the path of love and happiness.? * 1 photo: love3-1.jpg Changhua 8Distributing Dumplings of Love By the Changhua News Group (Originally in Chinese) * 1 photo: love3-2.jpg On June 4, 2005, fellow initiates from the Changhua Center shared Master's love with needy families, community residents and children at the Ci-sheng Orphanage through an activity entitled "Love Wrapped in Vegetarian Rice Dumplings." Early that morning, the initiates gathered at the Siushuei Center to make glutinous rice dumplings. In a blissful and joyful atmosphere, a fresh fragrance filled the air as the dumplings were cooked and prepared for delivery. Then in the afternoon, a total of 180 dumplings, along with Master's books, News magazines and sample booklets were brought to the Orphanage. And to the initiates' surprise, the children showed greater interest in Master's publications than in the dumplings, indicating that the little angels had a far greater yearning for spiritual nourishment than for delicious food. * 1 photo: love3-3.jpg With assistance from Village Magistrate Lin Qin, the practitioners also visited the neediest households in Shansi, where they listened to the residents' stories and offered them material and spiritual support. Finally, the sisters and brothers personally called on each household in the community to express their friendship and concern, and were greeted by happy smiles when the residents received their News magazines and saw Master's photo on the cover. The day's activity ended on a perfect note as the Shansi community basked in a blissful ambiance. Presenting Books to Purify the Mind and Society In May and June 2005, Changhua fellow initiates brought Master's publications to local prisons, juvenile counseling centers, libraries, universities and the local cultural bureau to help the public learn the teachings of Truth. The books included God's Direct Contact--The Way to Reach Peace, Coloring Our Lives, Your Halo is Too Tight, Silent Tears and Wu Tzu Poems. Warden Fang Zi-jie of the Changhua Prison had previously attended activities at the Love Ocean Arts Center in Taipei and learned the Convenient Method, being highly impressed by the love and teachings of Supreme Master Ching Hai. Thus he warmly greeted the practitioners on their arrival and expressed gratitude for their gifts of spiritual books, which he felt would have a positive influence on the inmates. Mr. Fang also said, "While learning the Convenient Method, I felt a peaceful atmosphere surrounding me, and so I believe that learning the Method can cultivate the minds and souls of the inmates." Next, the initiates went to Changhua's Tianzhong Juvenile Counseling Center, where Director Huang Jin-deng and his teaching staff were preparing for a volunteers' seminar. Nonetheless, the Director found time in his tight schedule to meet the initiates and invite them to join the volunteer team to offer counsel and encouragement to the young people, adding, "The counseling center needs the concern and assistance of various organizations in extending warmth and support to the detainees. The center welcomes all types of activities and books that might benefit its youth, and writings that encourage spiritual practice and benevolent deeds will definitely awaken compassion in our young residents." The practitioners also visited the Changhua County Cultural Bureau, the Changhua Municipal Library and the Puyan Township Library to expose readers to Master's recent publications. As on previous occasions, the facilities welcomed Master's publications in hopes of offering better service to the public. Through Master's grace, these book contribution efforts will bring Her message to more people to purify their minds and spirits and thus create a more harmonious society.? Captions: On behalf of the Changhua Prison, Warden Fang Zi-jie receives books from members of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association. (love3-4.jpg) Director Huang Jin-deng of the Changhua Tianzhong Juvenile Counseling Center receives books donated by The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association. (love3-5.jpg) Chiayi 8Providing Relief for Flood Victims By the Chiayi News Group (Originally in Chinese) Beginning on June 12, 2005, torrential downpours in central and southern Formosa destroyed crops and became a major threat to the lives and property of the inhabitants. Four persons died in Chiayi, and on June 18, when the rain showed signs of easing, local initiates immediately visited the four stricken families to offer them consolation and financial relief. The practitioners supplemented the monetary aid with sample booklets, News magazines and vegetarian rice dumplings, and encouraged the flood victims to replace meat with vegetarian foods in their diets, endeavor to practice spiritually and pray to God, Buddha and Master to benefit themselves and their deceased family members. The initiates also distributed sample booklets and News magazines to the families' neighbors, who had dropped by to express their condolences and were happily surprised to receive the gifts. While visiting the stricken households, the disciples strongly felt Master's omnipresent love and care. And although the water level was still high in many places, through Master's blessings the sisters and brothers quickly accomplished their work of love.? * 1 photo; love3-6.jpg 8 Expenditures for Charitable Activities in Formosa from March to June 2005 Total amount in Tables 1 and 2 = NT$547,316 (approx. US$17,375.11) Table 1: Details of Expenditures for Charitable Activities in Formosa from March to June 2005 (Currency in NT$) Place Date Activities Amount Appendix Tainan 2005.03.23 Visiting inmates at the Tainan Mingde Labor Prison; holding soul-elevating seminars and Convenient Method teaching session (supported voluntarily by fellow initiates). 0 Tainan 2005.03.24 Visiting inmates at the Tainan Prison; holding soul-elevating seminars and Convenient Method teaching session (supported voluntarily by fellow initiates). 0 Taipei 2005.04.23 Cooperating with the government to support World Book and Copyright Day by contributing Master's spiritual publications to Taipei prisons, children's homes, elderly houses and libraries from March 29 to April 23, 2005. 358,000 A Tainan 2005.04.27 Visiting inmates at the Tainan Mingde Labor Prison; holding soul-elevating seminars and Convenient Method teaching session (supported voluntarily by fellow initiates). 0 Keelung 2005.04.30 Cleaning up the Changtanli Beach at Badouzi in support of the 2005 Formosa Ocean Year and environmental protection efforts by the Keelung Environmental Protection Bureau. 8,125 B Tainan 2005.04.30 Cleaning up the Golden Coast beaches in support of the 2005 Formosa Ocean Year and environmental protection efforts by the Tainan Environmental Protection Bureau. 2 05 C Chiayi 2005.05.03 Purifying minds and beautifying society by presenting Supreme Master Ching Hai's teachings, soul-elevating seminars, Convenient Method teaching session and information on vegetarianism at the 2005 National College and University Athletic Meet at National Chung Cheng University (April 29 to May 3, 2005). 10,800 D Changhua 2005.05.20 Promoting moral conduct by donating Supreme Master Ching Hai's spiritual publications to prisons, universities and libraries in Changhua County. 11,500 E Tainan 2005.05.25 Visiting inmates at the Tainan Mingde Labor Prison; holding soul-elevating seminars and Convenient Method teaching session (supported voluntarily by fellow initiates). 0 Tainan 2005.05.26 Visiting inmates at the Tainan Prison; holding soul-elevating seminars and Convenient Method teaching session (supported voluntarily by fellow initiates). 0 Changhua 2005.06.04 Preparing vegetarian rice dumplings for distribution to local orphanages and needy households and community residents at the 2005 Dragon Boat Festival. 4,500 F Miaoli 2005.06.05 Sweeping the Miaoli No. 28 Highway in support of environmental protection efforts by the Hsihu Township Office. 3 ,700 G Hualien 2005.06.06 Visiting parolees under the guidance of the Hualien District Prosecutors' Office; holding soul-elevating seminar and Convenient Method teaching session (supported voluntarily by fellow initiates). 0 Taipei 2005.06.09 Distributing casual canvas shoes, toiletries, clothing, candy and cookies to the homeless during the 2005 Dragon Boat Festival through the Taipei Municipal Social Affairs Bureau's Wanhua Community Service Center. 19,986 H Hualien 2005.06.13 Supporting the Ministry of Justice's Drug Rehabilitation Project by visiting addicts under the guidance of the Hualien District Prosecutors' Office; holding soul-elevating seminar and Convenient Method teaching session (supported voluntarily by fellow initiates). 0 Chiayi 2005.06.18 Distributing monetary gifts, vegetarian rice dumplings and spiritual books to local households affected by the heavy rainfall in June 2005. 20,000 I Tainan 2005.06.22 Visiting inmates at the Tainan Mingde Labor Prison; holding soul-elevating seminars and Convenient Method teaching session (supported voluntarily by fellow initiates). 0 Tainan 2005.06.23 Visiting inmates at the Tainan Prison; holding soul-elevating seminars and Convenient Method teaching session (supported voluntarily by fellow initiates). 0 Changhua 2005.06.23 In an effort to purify minds and beautify society, contributing Supreme Master Ching Hai's publications to libraries in the townships of Siushuei, Siansi and Erlin in Changhua County. 4,500 J Tainan 2005.06.25 Cleaning up the Golden Coast beaches in support of environmental protection efforts by the Tainan Environmental Protection Bureau (supported voluntarily by fellow initiates). 0 Total NT$441,316 Table 2: Relief funds given to needy households in Formosa from March to June 2005 (Currency in NT$) March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 Place No. of households Amount No. of households Amount No. of households Amount No. of households Amount Appendix Keelung 1 2,000 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Taipei 4 10,000 3 8,000 3 8,000 2 6,000 2 Taichung 1 3,000 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 Nanto ? 6 21,000 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 Kaohsiung 1 4,000 1 4,000 1 4,000 1 4,000 5 Taitung 2 8,000 1 4,000 1 4,000 1 4,000 6 Pengh ? 1 3,000 1 3,000 1 3,000 1 3,000 7 Monthly Subtotal 16 ¡51,000 6 ¡19,000 6 ¡19,000 5 ¡17,000 8 Expenditures for Relief Work by The Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her Association in Chile, Brazil and Indonesia Country Event Description Amount Appendix Chile Needy family Lumber, zinc sheets, nails and financial aid Ch ilean Peso 700.00 (=US$1,200.00) A1-A2 Brazil Flood Food (coffee, black beans, sugar, salt, soy beans, soy oil, flour, milk, disposable diapers and powdered milk) Brazil ian Real 4,028.46 (=US$1,549.40) L1-L9 Indonesia Tsunami Elementary school uniforms (shirts, pants, skirts, shawls, headgear, hats, school bags, socks, shoes), transportation, snacks, candy, drinking water and miscellaneous expenses (car rental, cargo unloading fees, hotel fees, drivers' fees, cargo insurance) Indonesian Rp 419,349,045.00 (=US$ 44,142.00) B1-B9 Grand total US$46,891.40 ================================================================== 4Elevation of the Soul 8 Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest DVDs 582 [Spoken in English with subtitles in twenty-six languages; second edition with new subtitles] Be Determined on the Spiritual Path International Four-day Retreat in Sydney, Australia, May 10, 1997 756 [Spoken in English with subtitles in twenty-three languages] The Value of Being Honest Group meditation at the Florida Center, February 16 and 18, 2003 758 [Spoken in English with subtitles in twenty-seven languages] The Power to Transmit Enlightenment Group meditation at the Florida Center, January 18, 24 and 27, 2003 695 [Spoken in Chinese with subtitles in twenty languages; second edition with new subtitles] A Spiritual and Intellectual Interchange (Parts 1 and 2) Seminar at the Academia Sinica, Taipei, Formosa, May 6, 2000 670 [Spoken in English with subtitles in twenty-three languages; second edition with new subtitles] Our Perfect Nature Group meditation at the Florida Center, September 26, 1999 8Supreme Master Ching Hai's Latest MP3s MP3-CL02 [Spoken in Chinese] 1. Lecture in Pingtung, Formosa, December 1, 2 and 3, 1988 The Story of St. Bernadette of Lourdes The Sole Duty of an Enlightened Master is to Liberate Sentient Beings The Difference between the Quan Yin Method and Magical Power 2. Lecture in Kaohsiung, Formosa, December 14, 15 and 16, 1988 Attaining Buddhahood is the Highest Ideal How to Enter a Happy Spiritual Realm after Death The Preparatory Method before Quan Yin Initiation MP3-CG01 [Spoken in Chinese] 1. Worshipping Buddha is Worshipping One's True Self Group meditation in Hualien, Formosa, June 2, 1988 2. The Origins of Superstitions and Idol Worship Group meditation in Kaohsiung, Formosa, June 5, 1988 3. The Ordinary Mind is the Tao Group meditation in Tainan, Formosa, June 7, 1988 4. Observing the Precepts is Necessary in Spiritual Cultivation Group meditation in Kaohsiung, Formosa, June 7, 1988 5. Questions and Answers between Master and Disciples Group meditation in Taichung, Formosa, June 11, 1988 6. The Magical Power of Controlling the Weather Group meditation in Chiayi, Formosa, June 12, 1988 7. Keep Yourself Pure to Receive Master's Blessings Group meditation in Tainan, Formosa, June, 1988 8. The Human Body is Most Precious Group meditation in Hsihu, Formosa, October 1, 1988 9. The Nine Stages of Buddhahood Group meditation in Pingtung, Formosa, October 5, 1988 10. The Story of Indian Practitioner Arjuna Group meditation in Hsihu, Formosa, October 8, 1988 11. Attachment to Fame and Gain Hinders Spiritual Growth Group meditation in Hsihu, Formosa, October 8, 1988 ================================================================== 4Supreme Art 8Truth, Virtue and Beauty Shine in the 11th Generation Celestial Jewelry Designer: Supreme Master Ching Hai This collection of Celestial Jewelry was created by Supreme Master Ching Hai through inspirations from Heaven during Her recent two-year retreat. The infinite blessing power of God lends sparkle to each piece, making the collection truly exceptional. The series entitled The Recluse consists of a necklace, two sets of earrings, a wrist chain, a bracelet, a tie pin, a tie clip and two rings. Each item is made of 18K gold and platinum and inlaid with a wide array of colorful gemstones including jade, citrine, amethyst, topaz, tourmaline (pink), moonstone and coral. The stones are cut into irregular shapes but show no traces of excessive carving. The result is a rare collection of art pieces, both resplendent and rich in pristine beauty. Regarding reclusion in the physical world, Master has said, "It's not that we have to run away from material existence, but we remain above it." The Recluse series of Celestial Jewelry uses seven types of precious stones cut into seven different shapes to symbolize the seven dimensions of the universe and our inner consciousness. Through daily meditation, we can visit these wonderful, supra-worldly realms and find freedom in being reclusive. ©©©©©© The Humble series consists of a necklace, a pair of earrings, three rings, a tie clip and a tie pin, all made of 18K platinum and inlaid with tiger-eye stones shaped like nuts with stalks intact. In the necklace, the stones are linked to a platinum vine with alternating square and diamond-shaped leaves. The absence of colorful, sparkling stones in this series does not detract from its subtle radiance and beauty, resulting from a simple yet elegant design that will remain enchanting despite the passage of time. The motif resembling a bunch of nuts hanging from a branch may seem unglamorous, but it creates a sense of abundant, forceful energy ready to be channeled into selfless sacrifice at any moment. The set also brings to mind a humble spiritual practitioner whose radiance is barely perceptible and who is never arrogant or boastful, but who silently serves the world by sharing the infinite merits derived from spiritual practice. ================================================================== P