I am very sorry that I cannot help the whole world because the world is in need – not just the spiritual aspect, but mostly in need of material support, and I’m alone. It’s very difficult for me to reach out to every corner of the planet, as well as help everyone that is in need. I don’t feel well sometimes because of that. I know they are crying, I know they are needing this and that, and I just toss and turn.
Next one. (Dear Master. From the time I received initiation up until now, even when I do not meditate on the [inner Heavenly] Sound, I still hear very high-level Sounds. But as for the [inner Heavenly] Light, when I concentrate, there is a small object that appears dimly; it does not shine brightly, as when I just received initiation.) Understand. (Please help me, Master.) OK. (So that I can practice better.) At the time of initiation, of course, you are very focused. At the time of initiation, there’s no family, no friends around and our mind is very... we already put down everything. At that time, because we were sincerely seeking the Dharma (Teaching), the Master Power can enter easily. But when we go home, there are other things that hinder us, trouble us, distract us, so sometimes, the (inner Heavenly) Light is reduced. It also depends on each situation. A little bit of (inner Heavenly) Light left is still better than being turned off. OK. Thank you.
Next one. (Dear Master, please explain about the [inner Heavenly] Light and Sound of the Five Worlds. Thank You, Master.) At the time of initiation, the representatives (messengers) have already explained them. (Yes. Thank You, Master.) It is not convenient to explain that here. This is not the time for initiation, understand? During initiation, we only explain it to that group, we cannot speak about it publicly like this.
Next one. (Greetings, Master.) Hallo. (Thank You, Master. Today, I came here to bring a letter regarding the relief work in a remote area. The person who wrote the letter wanted to send it to Master from Âu Lạc [Vietnam].) Who? What? (A letter about doing charity work, Master, up in...) What is it? (Our charity work, Master, in remote areas where...) Bring it here. (They asked me to give it to Master.) What letter? And whose letter? (From the Commission and the government teachers.) Oh! (They even wrote down the name “Supreme Master Ching Hai International Meditation Association.”) A thank-you letter, right? (Yes, Master.) OK. Bring it here. (Thank You, Master. I wish Master good health.) Tell them I thank them, too. Wow! This is from the government. (Yes. Thank You, Master.) Wow! (I wish Master good health. All fellow practitioners wish Master good health.) Tell them I thank them. I have received it and I will read it. (Thank You very much, Master. I wish Master good health. I love You very much. We love Master very much.) I will post it on the wall for everyone to read; it is from the government.
The government of Âu Lạc (Vietnam) is getting very, very open, very respectful and tolerant. I’m happy for our world. I’m happy for Âu Lạc (Vietnam). It’s all from Âu Lạc (Vietnam), from the government – I mean local, local government, not the main central government. But of course, they’re working for the whole government. I wonder why they… So it’s all from the official agency, official department of Âu Lạc (Vietnam). And also from a school. Because sometimes, I ask people to go and give some money, some financial support to different causes. I am very sorry that I cannot help the whole world because the world is in need – not just the spiritual aspect, but mostly in need of material support, and I’m alone. It’s very difficult for me to reach out to every corner of the planet, as well as help everyone that is in need. I don’t feel well sometimes because of that. I know they are crying, I know they are needing this and that, and I just toss and turn. Because even though we have a lot of brothers and sisters in different corners of the world, but not every corner of the world, and we cannot always reach out all the time.
We can always send them prayers and well-wishes, hoping their situation will become better. If the world’s spiritually elevated, then this situation will become less and less, or zero. That’s how Heavens are made: people helping each other. And then they are born into such a domain that no need at all arises because they have been helping. So they, in turn, are also helping themselves because the merits will return manifoldly. And then you will be reborn in such a very contented Heaven, where you can have anything, just at the mere thought of it. The reason we are living in this world with a lot of wants and needs is because maybe karma made it since we were not able to help someone else before. Therefore, we did not sow the seeds of merit, of abundance, so we don’t reap it now. It’s not easy to help people, even if you want to. And then, because you don’t help, so it becomes a circle; later you’re reborn also in a situation where you cannot help again, you’ll be in want again, and that’s how it works in this world.
So, if we want to have a more comfortable life in the future or even now, then we have to begin to be charitable. It’s not like you have to be very rich to help others. You help with your prayers, with your sympathy, with whatever you have that you can share. Remember, in many of the Buddhist stories, the Buddha told of people who even just offered a very old rag, the only possession they had, to the Buddha. And then they were being born in richness for 91 kalpas even. That is uncountable time – billions, billions, and billions of years of being reborn in richness and comfort. But it is better we seek liberation – enlightenment and liberation. And then, even if we don’t escape poverty in this lifetime, we will, finally, at the time when we depart from this world, and forever. Never have to come back to suffering, poverty, or sorrow again, ever, ever. Just like you after initiation. Better to go to the created Holy Lands that the Buddhas and the Saints created, waiting for you.
OK, next question? Yes? Hallo. (Dear Master,) Hallo! (I have a question: In front of me, sometimes, two eyes appear, and sometimes I can even see the pupils. The eyes are blue, but when I meditate on the [inner Heavenly] Sound, they become very dim. Especially in this meditation hall, they become dim, and I just see two black dots.) What? Where? What are blurry? (Yes, here.) Now it’s blurry. (Very dim, two black dots.) But at home it’s clearer. (When it’s clear, I feel very uncomfortable.) When it’s clear you feel uncomfortable? (If I pay attention to it, I feel like a demon is attacking me.) Do not look, OK? (May I ask, if I practice spiritually and go up to the Fifth Level, will it still obstruct me?) No, no, no. Once you reach the Fifth Level, you don’t have that problem. Perhaps you haven’t gone there yet, that’s why it’s like that. Don’t look at it. If you see the eyes, recite the Five Holy Names immediately to protect you, or pray to that Supreme Master Ching Hai of yours to help you, OK? Pray inside your heart when you are meditating. Then, it will disappear. When it hears my name, it will be gone. (Yes, Master.) Thank you.
Anybody else? (May I ask You about my mother?) OK. (My mother was an initiate. She was very good to me. But she listened to her bad siblings and misunderstood me, and then she treated me unkindly. She passed away about one year ago. Before departing, she asked Master to forgive her. I love my mom, so I forgive her completely. May I ask if my mother will be liberated forever, Master?) Where is she? (My mom passed away more than a year ago.) She passed away already? (Yes, Master.) You didn’t see where she went? (I saw my mom occasionally but didn’t know where she was…) When you saw her, did she say anything? Did she laugh or cry? (She asked me to pray for her.) You saw her occasionally, right? (Yes, Master.) In your dream, did she laugh or cry? (She laughed, Master.) She laughed, then it’s good; it means she’s liberated. (Thank You, Master.) You are welcome.
I forgive everyone. Their judgment is obscured by ignorance. I forgive all; I’m not angry at anyone. I am not angry at anyone. But if you say too much nonsense, then sometimes, the karma is so heavy, you will drop to a little bit lower level. Understand? You were supposed to go higher, but you spoke ill of Big Sister, Auntie Hải. You were critical of Her, while Big Sister didn’t do anything wrong. Understand? I only work to serve humanity, right? My money, I give away to all corners of the world. If you see someone like that but still speak ill and nonsense about Her, you will naturally incur a lot of karmic debt. The more you talk negatively about Her, the heavier your karma. Even if I want to save you, it will be slow going. If you were supposed to go to the Fourth Level, you will only get to the Second or Third and stay there. You will have to sit and wait until the karma lessens. Only then will I be able to bring you up. You harm only yourself, not me. I forgive all. I am not angry at anyone. I don’t think anything about anybody. The true Self is formless. Dust can’t cling to it because there’s no place for the dust to cling to. Understand?
Next one. (Hallo, Master. I really need Your help. I’ve been taking in negative things from humans since I was a child.) Oh! How come you still look so beautiful? (No.) You’re not affected at all. (I am. If a place is full of heavy karma, my face becomes distorted.) Oh! (And, for example, every single movement of people around me… Let’s say someone yawns or something; I would immediately take in the foul chi [energy] from his body. I’ve been feeling awful since always. Even though I got initiated, it’s still the same. I was hoping to ask You for help.) I see! OK. Just continue meditating. Recite the Five Holy Names more often. Don’t forget, OK? Anything can be washed away if you recite the Five Holy Names and then do the (inner Heavenly) Sound meditation. Anything can be cleansed. Wash it slowly; it will be fine afterward. Don’t be attached to it because it’s just a thought. It can’t be grabbed. It can’t be grabbed, seen, or tied down. Then why bother with it? (OK.) There is nothing there except thoughts. (OK.) Alright, don’t worry about it. (OK.) Meditate more. Do the (inner Heavenly) Sound meditation. (OK. Thank You.) You’re welcome. Remember the Diamond Sutra? There is nothing in the first place. OK?
Next one. (Dear Master, Supreme Master TV is very good at spreading the vegan lifestyle. May I ask Master a question? I have some friends who work at the local television station. Can they be MCs for our vegan programs?) You mean to take our programs and advertise on their channel? (I mean the news program, we let them read the news for us on our channel, is it OK?) If they read the news, no problem. They can use all of the programs. We don’t forbid anyone to use our programs. Anyone can download and use them. If they can use and benefit people, then it is very good. (Because Supreme Master TV is always on in my restaurant, and these people from the TV station said, “Oh, this is such a good channel.” Then I said, “This is the channel of my Master.”) OK. (And they said, “This is even better than our channel!”)
We do it unconditionally, wholeheartedly, so it is like that. On other TV channels, they are just doing their job. (Yes, Master.) And this channel, we do it because we want to offer freely. (That’s right.) Therefore, people feel it is different. If they want to use our programs, just download and use them. They don’t have to ask anyone. For example, if they advertise vegan products, they can download our programs and use them on their channel. Or they can take any of our programs they like. They’re allowed to use any program. They don’t have to credit [Supreme Master] TV – nothing. If they use them for the benefit of everyone, then it is alright. (Thank You, Master.) Thank you. It’d be wonderful if many TV channels used their facilities to help the world! They don’t have to ask me.
Next one. If anyone wants to talk, then raise your hand higher. OK. Continue. (Dear Master, in October 2011, I was initiated by [someone else]. And later, I heard all kinds of sounds, including the repetition of the Buddha’s Name, which was so confusing and deafening to my ears. It was very difficult for me to meditate. Then, on November 11, I received initiation from You. But how come that sound is still there, Master? Please help me resolve this problem.) The (inner Heavenly) Sound is still there or not? (Yes, it is, but very confusing.) If the (inner Heavenly) Sound is still there, then it is good. (No. The Sound and the voices of people reciting Buddha’s Name are all mixed up, and it is difficult for me to concentrate.) What is mixed up? I don’t understand what is mixed up. Why? (It is hard for me to concentrate…) You recited the Five Holy Names, didn’t you? (When I recited the Five Holy Names, those voices recited after me. I did recite the Five Holy Names, but the voices repeated them.) Just ignore it. It’s no problem.
(But it’s difficult for me to concentrate during meditation, and I’m scared.) Just let them recite, like when you hear sounds coming from outside. No problem. For example, when we meditate, and cars are passing by, or the neighbors are talking, we don’t pay attention to it. We only concentrate on our wisdom eye. OK? (Yes. But it is the same when I meditate on the [inner Heavenly] Light and on the [inner Heavenly] Sound. Is it OK, Master?) No problem, no problem, it’s OK. Because you pay attention to one area, it is like that. No problem. It’s OK. (Thank You, Master.) Just try to do as much as you can. Divide it. When meditating on the (inner Heavenly) Light, you try to pay attention to the Light. (Yes, Master.) And when meditating on the (inner Heavenly) Sound, you try to pay attention to the Sound. You will get used to it gradually. Don’t pay attention to outside noise or other sounds. (Thank You, Master.) You are welcome. Alright. OK, I think it’s time I go. You guys meditate. Or I sit with you for a while, and then we recite the Five (Holy) Names. Everybody turn off the cameras, and we’ll meditate for a while, and then I’ll leave.
PHOTO CAPTION: Enjoy the Fleeting, Look 4 the Lasting
