Master's Love Toward Korea

By Pusan Center, Korea (Originally in English)

With response to Korean disciples' sincere request Master visited Korea on the way to USA. She stayed a few days in Seoul. During Her stay, Master spent time with Korean disciples every evening and She met various VIPs in the afternoon who were eager to meet Her.
On the first day one group visited Master, among them some are psychology and philosophy professors, some are journalists of a spiritual magazine and another is a politician. Master explained with love and the professors listened carefully. The journalist practice a different method under one master, They gave their master's presents to Master before the interviewing and said that their master respected the Supreme Master Ching Hai so much and he sent journalists and a gift: his Chinese handwritings after he heard about Master's visit to Korea. After this meeting three VIPs came to visit the Master. Congressman Park Se Jik. He was the major of Seoul, the former head of national security a minister and well-known in the world as the chief-director of the 1988 Seoul olympic committee. Mrs. Hwang San Seong, the former minister of environment, famous lawyer and TV guest. Also the president of Volunteer's Women Association ,Mrs. Lee joined the meeting. They ask about the relation, between Christ's teachings and Buddha's. Master explained the points, as they listen with attention, they felt their minds become more and more open. How they understand, somewhat, that the Buddha's teachings and Christ's teachings are not different. Mr. Park was particularly impressed so he invited a Korean Buddhist monk fellow initiates to a Christian morning prayer and breakfast, where the president all the influential VIPs present, and Master accepted his invitation.
On the second day Master was interviewed by the journalist of a Religion Newspaper. He is a new initiate. He asked the origin of the different religions, because that newspaper dealt with all kind of organizations about religion. Master answered each question with love.
Mr. Seo and Mr. Son (the biggest newspaper and magazine's chief cultural editor and publisher) visited with another journalists the last day. We were sure that they had most unforgettable experience of their lives. Master also made a call to General Jeon-Gwan. He was the person who invited Master to Korea the last time, He was very surprise after receiving Master's call. He said that he couldn't express Master's love or describe his feelings of thanks. He said "I hoped that this world would become heaven with no war, no suffering. I know that this is difficult, so sometimes I'am doubtful. But after I met the Supreme Master Ching Hai, I'm convinced that it is not dream. It is already happening." During Master's stay in Korea, every evening we had time to be with Her. Master told us interesting stories and answered our question. She especially gave some instructions for the center. We learned about "harmony". Master said that the Master's power is omnipresent. However, when Master uses someone as a tool to help us, we would reject this person on the contrary. Perhaps because we don't understand this person, or that he seldom comes to the group meditation...etc. We shouldn't care about his personality. The important thing is his internal enlightenment and talent in being capable of becoming Master's tool to help with Her work. If the fellow practitioner is still a virtuous person and believes Master's teachings, although he really couldn't come to the group meditation often, if he truly wants to help and is talented, we still should treat him as our kin, as a brother. Finally, Master encouraged us to broaden our mind, be magnanimous, give more encouragement to others, let our underlying love surmount our prejudice. G

Press Conference
In Los Angeles

By Fellow Initiates in Los Angeles, CA, USA (Originally in English)

Supreme Master Ching Hai returned to Los Angeles following an urgent need for a press release of the recent tragic event in the Au Lac refugee camps in Hong Kong. The news caught headlines in many local newspapers like China Morning News, Eastern Express, Hong Kong Standard etc. Master's arrival coupled with the controversial issue of the Au Lac refugees in Hong Kong attracted a much larger group of local reporters, journalists, T.V. and radio broadcasters from a number of communities such as Au Lac, Chinese, Korean, Indian and American.
Master did not waste a minute of Her precious time right after Her arrival at the Beverly Hilton Hotel where the press conference was held to personally meet each individual participant and extend Her warmest welcoming greeting to each one of them. Master then began Her briefing to the entire conference using Her latest and most up to date facts and information. A participant who had profound knowledge of the current social dilemma in Au Lac totally supported the argument by sharing his expert view. More than half of the reporters and journalists were from Au Lac communities, many of whom were editors in chief representing the different media like Vien Dong Kinh Fe Thoi Bao. Ngay Mai Magazine, Viet Times, Que Huong News, Hon Viet Magazine, Dien Anh Entertainment Magazine. Others were directors and CEO of various organizations like VPPMA, World Publishing Co., The Association of the Vietnamese Press and Media in U.S.A., Indochinese American Volunteer Organization (IAVO), Vien Thao Telecommunication, Asia Pacific, and the list goes on. From Chinese, Korean and American communities were top ranked people representing media such as Southern California Chinese Broadcasting, NAC Broadcast, North American Television, American Channel Television, Channel 62 KAZN, Indochinese American Social Workers, Sservianda Times. Some astonishing facts were also uncovered which surprised many participants who had been misinformed of the real truth, and therefore, were kept side tracked of the event. Many questions ranging from doubtful opinions toward Master's wholehearted advocacy of helping the Au Lac refugees to inquiries of non-related issue like assisting H.O. people were also fielded and satisfactorily responded by Master in Her used calm yet passionate voice reflecting Her stand of not only a true compatriot but also a loving human being. Her passionate briefing backed with sufficient facts about the Au Lac refugees issue not only caught attention and focus of those who attended but also touched off their true emotional and sympathetic voices which were reflected through their sincere discussion of alternative solutions aimed at helping the Au Lac refugees.
Nevertheless, the overall atmosphere showed vivid signs of good expectations and togetherness which brought about a good spirit for the people who shared a common ideal. After the press conference which lasted longer than scheduled, loving-gifts were distributed,

Master is watching a photograph given to Her by a reporter. He was present at one of the banquets, and had taken this photograph of Master singing Her own spiritual practice songs.followed by an entertainment program. The entertainment was provided by the local fellow practitioners, together with many Au Lac celebrities. The various exciting performances from comedy acts to singing and reciting poems. All created a relaxed atmosphere in entertaining Master and Her guests after their long and tiresome press conference. A famous Au Lac comedian was once again successful in arousing excitement, joy and endless laughter in the audience. He then confessingly disclosed to Master that he had been a true vegetarian since his last march when he met Her at an informal dinner party with the press. Another reporter who met Master at the same dinner party, with honor presented Master one of his works of art as a photographer. It was a meticulously framed colour portrait of Master taken at the party just at the right moment when She was singing: "Follow Me and I will Set You Free", with Her finger pointing upward.
As expected by the devoted audience, Master read a beautiful poem written by a well-known contemporary poet, and one of Her own poems that attracted thunderous applause from the aspiring audience.
The dinner party ended around midnight with excitement still lingering in everyones' mind. As Master started to leave the dining hall, the crowd surrounded Her for a last minute glance, reluctant to part from Her, but still having to say good-bye. May Master have enough energy for a private meeting with the press tomorrow morning!

The Bravest Mother!
The Prettiest Mom!

By Fellow Initiates Yu And Laing In Hong Kong

After the many Au Lac refugee supporting activities, it was Mother's Day. On Sunday, April 8, Master allowed the initiates to bring their mothers to celebrate Mother's Day at the ashram. The main activities of the day were the barbecue feast and the inauguration of the new main hall on level three.

In the morning, level one of the ashram was packed with fellow practitioners and guests. As Master had instructed earlier that the new main hall must be finished by Sunday, everybody did their best, and it was finished on time. Due to this holiday, fellow initiates took the opportunity of inviting Master, to conduct the inauguration. Soon afterwards, wearing a white dress with a golden patches, carrying a white umbrella, Master gracefully appeared. Amid the warm applause of the fellow practitioners and guests, everybody crowded in front of the lecture stage of the new main hall. The new hall was then formally inaugurated by Master. The ceremony was simply yet dignified.
On that day, there were several refugee representatives that happened to come from the Tai A Chau Detention Center. This refugee camp is the most difficult to visit, so both Master and disciples were very happy that these representatives could see us at the ashram. They brought the most precious gift of the day--a badge made by the refugees in the camp, symbolizing their endless gratitude and love. Master was delighted, and immediately pinned it on Her chest. She also told fellow disciple to take a photograph showing that Master had accepted their good will, and carefully instructed them to print many copies of the photo, so that each refugee who wishes could have his/her own copy. (As the Refugee representatives requested)
On behalf of the refugees in the camp, one of the representatives made a short speech, mainly conveying their gratitude to Master for the support given by fellow practitioners from all countries. From this they knew that many people in the world still cared about them. They recovered their faith and courage in life, and are no longer thinking of hurting themselves. They are not afraid any more, because they know there is still true and deep compassion on Earth. His short speech was a great consolation to Master and fellow practitioners. We will definitely carry on supporting them with greater effort and conviction. Master commenced the feast of the day. Everyone helped themselves to the many delicious foods prepared by fellow initiates: much tastier than usual.
After the meal, Master stayed to chat with us. She greeted the mothers present. Master also mentioned a dream She had last night. She dreamed that there were many bees, flies and owls in Her socks. She asked if any fellow practitioner knew the meaning of this dream. One fellow initiate came forward to explain her interpretation, "The feet of a saint are where disciples worship. The socks symbolize the feet. It means the owls with sharp vision will come as Master's disciple, helping Master to get rid of the disgusting pests!" There was continuous laughter after this explanation. Both Master and fellow disciples seemed to have accepted it.
To express our gratitude to the Master Mother, we sang a song "In the world, only mother is the best. A child having a mother is like a pet...."dedicated to every mother there, and the greatest of them all--Master. That was the only performance, simple but sincere. Because the refugees are still in suffering, Master especially expresses that Her birthday and Mother's day not be celebrated. The long-term residents of Hsihu center sent a poem to Master: The Bravest Mother. The initiates of Hong Kong are very lovely. They drew a picture of Master for a card upon which was written: The Prettiest Mom. How perfectly said! From all the fellow initiates of Formosa there was a hand embroidered poem entitled "Immeasurable Affection", describing the love between Master and disciples. The wording was so beautiful and touching. "Mother" was actually about to return to level five to rest. Due to Her children's love, She stayed and told something to the fellow disciples which they loved most--humorous jokes. The simple program and celebration ended in laughter. Upon bidding farewell, Master again stressed that we should be grateful to the refugees. Their courage in risking their lives is really admirable. Finally, Master told us to meditate more and pray more for the refugees, so that Master could soon find an abode for them. On this precious festival day, all the material things didn't mean anything. The only way to gratify our merciful Mother is to adhere to Her teachings. Watching Master's tiny figure vanishing in the distance, we were once more grateful in our heart for everything She bestowed on us.

Wishing our merciful Master Mother to forever be healthy and happy! G