| |
|
The inner Light, the Light of God, is the same Light referred to in the word "enlightenment". Its intensity can range from a subtle glow to the brilliance of many millions of suns. It is through the inner Light and Sound that we come to know God.
|
Master Ching Hai initiates sincere people longing to know
the Truth, into the Quan Yin Method.
The
Chinese characters "Quan Yin"
mean
contemplation of the Sound Vibration.
The
Method includes meditation on both
the inner
Light and the inner Sound. These inner
experiences
have been repeatedly described in the
spiritual
literature of all the world's religions
since
ancient times.
For example, the Christian Bible states,
In the beginning was the Word, and
the Word
was with God, and the Word was God.
(John
1:1) This Word is the inner Sound.
It has
also been called the Logos, Shabd,
Tao, Soundstream, Naam, or the Celestial Music. Master
Ching
Hai says, It vibrates within all life
and
sustains the whole universe. This inner
melody
can heal all wounds, fulfill all desires,
and quench all worldly thirst. It is
all
powerful and all Love. It is because
we are
made of this Sound, that contact with
it
brings peace and contentment to our
hearts.
After listening to this Sound, our
whole
being changes, our entire outlook on
life
is greatly altered for the better.
The initiation into the Quan Yin Method is
not an esoteric ritual or a ceremony
for
entering a new religion. During the
initiation,
specific instruction in meditation
on the
inner Light and inner Sound is given,
and
Master Ching Hai provides the "Spiritual
Transmission". This first taste
of Divine
Presence is given in silence. Master
Ching
Hai need not be physically present
in order
to open this "door" for you.
The
Transmission is an essential part of
the
Method. The technique themselves will
bring
little benefit without the Grace of
the Master.
Because you may hear the inner Sound and
see the inner Light immediately upon
initiation,
this event is sometimes referred to
as "sudden"
or "immediate enlightenment."
Master Ching Hai accepts people from all
backgrounds and religious affiliations
for
initiation. You do not have to change
your
present religion or system of beliefs.
You
will not be asked to join any organization,
or participate in any way that does
not suit
your current life-style.
However, you will be asked to become a vegetarian. A lifetime commitment to the vegetarian
diet is a necessary prerequisite for receiving
initiation.
The initiation is offered free of charge.
Daily practice of the Quan Yin Method of
meditation, and the keeping of the
Five Precepts
are your only requirements after initiation.
The Precepts are guidelines that help
you
to neither harm yourself nor any other
living
being. These practices will deepen
and strengthen
your initial enlightenment experience,
and
allow you to eventually attain the
highest
levels of Awakening or Buddhahood for
yourself.
Without daily practice, you will almost
certainly
forget your enlightenment and return
to a
normal level of consciousness.
Master Ching Hai's goal is to teach us to
be self sufficient. Therefore, She
teaches
a method that can be practiced by everyone,
by themselves, without props or paraphernalia
of any kind. She is not looking for
followers,
worshippers, or disciples, or to establishing
an organization with a dues paying
membership.
She will not accept money, prostrations,
or gifts from you, so you do not need
to
offer these to Her.
She will accept your sincerity in daily life
and meditational practice to progress
yourself
towards sainthood.
FIVE PRECEPTS
1. Refrain from taking the life of sentient
beings*;
2. Refrain from speaking what
is not true;
3. Refrain from taking what is
not offered;
4. Refrain from sexual misconduct;
5. Refrain from the use of intoxicants**;
* This precept requires strict adherence to a vegan or
lacto-vegetarian diet. No meat, fish, poultry, or eggs
(fertilized or nonfertilized).
**This includes avoiding all poisons of any kind, such
as alcohol, drugs, tobacco, gambling, pornography,
and excessively violent films or literature.
|
