(As long as my daughter and daughter-in-law are happy and healthy, that’s enough. I have one of them with me here, along with two grandkids and a fellow practitioner. That’s it.) Oh, that’s good. That’s more than enough. That guy, that uncle.
(Dear Master, we sincerely thank You for blessing our team working in Montréal, Canada. We’ve had a lot of good results from the videotapes showing the initiates’s relief work that Master sent to Âu Lạc [Vietnam] to help the poor and those affected by natural disasters. I distributed those tapes to all the associations in Montréal. They were very touched and very supportive. They called my house to share how moved they were by Master’s Compassion for our people back home. At one banquet, a general made a public statement: “Do you know that there’s a Lady who has been helping Huế, our homeland? She’s been doing it quietly for more than ten years, even though people have spoken badly about Her. But we believe this Lady has sacrificed everything not just for Âu Lạc [Vietnam], but for the world. This Lady has suffered many injustices. Do you know who She is?” At that table, mostly veterans, they said, “Who is it, General?” The general said, “That’s Supreme Master Ching Hai.” Then he said, “Even if we don’t follow Her Teachings, we must at least support Her spirit, so that She has the joy and inspiration to continue helping others.”
After that, I also shared the tapes from the Hollywood relief event that Master organized. I gave these tapes to all the organizations. I have a friend who’s a writer and astrologer. I gave him all the tapes I got from the entertainment department, so that he can spread them further. When people from the doctors’ and dentists’ associations came to watch them, they said, “Brother, we were wrong. We are in our 50s and still make mistakes. Listening alone isn’t as good as seeing with our own eyes. Even seeing with our own eyes can be misleading sometimes.” Then my friend asked them, “Why do you say that? Tell me more.” They replied, “What we heard from some temples was complete nonsense. But now we see people like Debbie Reynolds and Bill Conti deeply respect this Aulacese [Vietnamese] Lady, and we realize we misunderstood [Her]. This is something to be proud of for our Aulacese [Vietnamese] Community”. And my friend said, “A sparrow can’t understand an eagle.”) Oh my. Saying that will make people feel bad. (He also said, Master, that You are like a commander leading an army of proud white elephants into “battle,” facing countless arrows and bullets.) …but still not dying. (And still moving forward and victorious. And he said if there’s anyone in the world who deserves the Nobel Peace Prize, it’s Master.) Please thank that person for me, OK? (Yes.) Send my greetings and best wishes to that person.
(By the way, I would like to report to Master that the Aulacese [Vietnamese] community in Âu Lạc [Vietnam], up to now, has always rejected all our news magazines. But before I came here, they told me, “When you return, you can post all the relief news. We will publish it for Master and your Association.” This is the main Aulacese [Vietnamese] community group, representing over 50,000 people. Yes. At every Tet festival, they would call me. Last week I was away, and they called three times. So I went to their office and asked, “Was there a reason you called so many times?” They said, “You’re the first one we called because your Association always has the biggest turnout at the New Year fairs. Every year when your Association opens registration, many organizations sign up. Now we have to call in advance.” And especially this year, they even gave us a discount, Master. They gave us a discount. They charged other groups more. Yes.) Just pay them the same as the others. (Yes.) That’s OK, make them happy.
(Also, Master, I want to share some good news. Musicians Đức Thành and Nguyệt Lan performed for Master in Fresno recently. When they returned to Montréal, they were full of admiration and praise for You and our whole Association. They were amazed that such a grand event was organized in such a short time. Normally, it would take them eight months to prepare. They said our group was very disciplined, joyful, and efficient. From the airport reception to the entire program, our members took care of them. They were so pleased. They said they were honored to meet You in person. They are very happy. They even sent You a CD of their poems and music. Composer Phạm Anh Cường also sent You a special publication about Huế, along with his best wishes for Your continued success.) Thank them on my behalf.
Where’s Hòa? Is Hòa here? (Yes, I’m here.) Hòa? OK, please receive those items and help send some gifts back to those people for me. (Yes.) Get in touch with them later. (Yes.) Or you can give it to me now, but hand it to Hòa. Hòa knows who they are and will send more gifts back to them. (Yes.) Take Master’s gifts back for them, OK? Thank you. Because Hòa is part of the entertainment department. Artist to artist, you know. It’s easier to talk [about Master’s teaching]. Đức Thành is a friend of Hòa. (Yes.) I know. (In the envelope.) You’re his acquaintance, right? (Yes, Mr. Đức Thành is a very famous musician in Canada and even internationally, Master. Recently, during a film screening by musician Nguyễn Đình Nghĩa in Washington, D.C.) Yes. (Mr. Nguyễn Đình Nghĩa, until now, he rarely performs anywhere.) Yes. (But somehow when he saw Master and read Your poetry, he felt that You are a great Bodhisattva. So he asked for permission to compose music from Your poems and perform them in Washington, D.C. Since then, many other organizations, especially artists, have paid a lot of attention to [Supreme] Master Ching Hai. He humbly and sincerely requested to release a CD based on those compositions. Today, I have the honor of presenting to You the CD by Đức Thành from Canada. I don’t know why, but talking to You makes me nervous. This is such a joyful occasion.)
Now standing in front of me, you’re nervous. (Yes. And today, we’re really happy. It’s been one or two years now. It’s been harder and harder to see Master. But today, we see that Master looks younger and more beautiful than ever. I don’t know why, but every time I sit and talk with this friend, everything he says just feels completely right to me. Because when Master appears, it’s like a radiant Light enters the room. A great Bodhisattva guiding us, step by step, toward a great awakening for our homeland. Don’t you all agree?) (Yes.) (One day, Master’s physical footsteps will return to our homeland, and Âu Lạc [Vietnam] will shine brightly. Those of us overseas must believe in that hope. Thank You so much, Master.) I’ve been going back all the time – why are you only saying that now? I’ve gone back there all the time. (Yes.) So many people say I’ve taken them on spiritual journeys; just now, someone was saying I took her out to have fun. So many stories of people saying Master has taken them on journeys, and now you say I haven’t returned there? (Yes, Master.) I go back all the time.
(Truly, our country Âu Lạc [Vietnam] has been through so much suffering. When the Aulacese [Vietnamese] elders come here and share their stories with Master and with us, we feel so happy, because in such a country, who would have thought people could still practice and remain steadfast like that? And for us overseas, we should support them by meditating, praying and helping each other in love and unity, so our nation may shine more and more. In fact, every country has its own hardship. Look at India, how much suffering there is. But it’s always in the most suffering places that Buddhas appear. In prosperous countries, Buddhas rarely come. Isn’t that so? So our country Âu Lạc [Vietnam] has gone through thousands of years of hardship, and now that the Buddha has appeared, we should feel proud and follow this Buddha when She returns. Thank you, everyone, very much.)
Alright, enough for now. So, are your comrades going over there to continue meditating? How are we going to sit over there now? Sit at the back? (No, we’ll stay and meditate here.) Sit here? I was planning to go over there to meet the other group. I still need to see the Taiwanese (Formosan) brothers and sisters too, so what now? Is Tong here? (Master.) Do you have other arrangements later on? Have you arranged other groups after the Aulacese (Vietnamese)? I said that I’ll see the Taiwanese (Formosan) again later, if there’s time. Was it not said? I don’t know if they’ve prepared anything. Is there any preparation? (They can come over here. Master, they can come over here.) But did you tell them where to sit? (No, no.) Then, what to do? (It doesn’t matter. Master can take a rest while we ask them to come over.) Yes, but you have to go in to announce it. (Yes, I’ll announce it.) But then, you’ll disturb everyone. (No, we won’t.) Is there any specific area for them to sit? No? (No, no.) Forget it. I’ll go over there. (OK. OK.) But if these people go over there, will it disturb them? It will, right? (Not quite. As long as Master goes there, everyone will get up anyway.) Right. What time did they start meditating? It’s eight o’clock (PM) now, right? (Yes. They started meditating at seven o’clock [PM].) So, they’re supposed to get up at nine. Is it not so? (Yes, yes.) OK. Nine o’clock is… Usually, do you meditate until 9 or 10 o’clock (PM)? (9 o’clock.) 9 o’clock. OK. Yeah. OK. Then it’s correct. So should we go over there now? (Yes.) Then, tell them to come over here, or shall I go there to join them? (OK. Yes.) Tell the Taiwanese (Formosan) to come. (It’s also OK.) OK. OK. Do it this way.
Because tomorrow we won’t have meditation anymore, right? Tomorrow everyone starts heading home. (Yes.) I am going to see people from other countries for a bit, OK? (Yes.) So, if I don’t see you again, travel safely home. (Yes.) If we don’t see each other again, have a safe trip home. OK? (Yes.) (Bye-bye, Master.) We’ll still meet tomorrow, but maybe not have a chance to speak in Aulacese (Vietnamese). (Yes.) OK then. Alright. (Yes. We love You, Master. Thank You, Master.) (Thank You, Master.) Gently, gently. (Yes, thank You, Master.) (Let go of the hand.) It’s not that I don’t allow it, but you’re too strong. (Yes.) (Thank You, Master.) It’s because I still have work to do. If I have to see a doctor, that’ll be too troublesome. I will just look around, then leave. (Yes, Master, I ask Your permission to leave now.) Leaving tomorrow? (Yes. Wishing Master all the best and good luck in the coming year.) OK, if needed, we’ll talk privately. (Yes.) OK. (Love You so much, Master.) (Disciples love Master.) OK, alright. See how she holds my hand? Sometimes it feels like they’ll snap it off. I still have to drive. OK. (Master, please touch my head.) Oh, really? No attachment. (Master, just touch my head once.) Why so… Such fancy stuff. Beautiful! (Dear Master.) Who is that? (When will Master come down here?) Already came, huh? (Yes.) Everyone, safe travels! Safe travels! (Thank You, Master.) Not yet? Who’s left? Haven’t touched yet? (Master’s coming down.) (Master. Master.) How are you? (Good.) That’s it then, alright? (Master. Master.) (Master. Master. It’s me, Master.) (My head, Master. My head.)
The ones from Âu Lạc (Vietnam), who just arrived and haven’t seen me yet. (I’ve never met You before.) Âu Lạc (Vietnam), first time meeting. (Where now?) (Master, I haven’t gotten mine yet.) (Me, Master. I haven’t either.) (Thank You, Master.) (Master, You’re so beautiful.) (Greetings, Master.) (Master. Master. Me, Master. My turn, Master.) (Master, did You touch my head yet?) (Master, please touch our heads.) (Please touch me once, Master.) (Thank You, Master.) (Master, I’m going back the day after tomorrow.) Huh, where to? (Master, please touch my head.) (Me too, Master.) The contact persons can stay here. And the Taiwanese (Formosans) sit in the front, if we have space. If we don’t have space, I will ask you to leave, if you’re so kind. (Master, You forgot me. Master, You forgot me.) Already did, I did it yesterday. (Master, Master.) (Master, I just came from Âu Lạc [Vietnam].) (Master. Master.) (Thank You, Master.) (Master, please give me too.) Yeah, yeah, yeah. So greedy, so greedy. Hi, hi. Hi, whoever. And contact persons do need. Hey, sorry, guys. Contact persons can stay, if there is space. If not, maybe you can stand outside or you go and meditate. (Thank You.) Hey, welcome. It’s just by the way. Oh, you’re so cold, honey. Go in there. (I just got off the guard.) Is that so? OK, OK. Make sure you can stay out of the wind. Hey, guys? OK? (Master, can I have a hug?) Just touching. (Thank You, Master.) (Oh. That’s all.) Keep warm. Oh, yeah? Have a nice journey home. (Hug Master.) (Bye-bye, Master. Master, bye.) Keep warm, it’s cold. (Bye.) (Bye.) Bye. See you. I see you. (Yes.) (Bye.) OK? (OK.) (Bye, Master.) (I love You.) (Bye.)
Photo Caption: Securing a Peace-Filled Rosy Future.
