In this episode, Master discusses the meaning of charitable activities and the purpose of spiritual practice in the Quan Yin Method.
(Master, in Hawaii, they asked You about the social work You have done to help refugees and people from Âu Lạc [Vietnam]. You said that although You do this work, there is no need to let everyone know about it.) Yes, that’s right. (Master maintains humility in these matters.) Yes.
(But, Master, there was one case when You came back and helped the camp after the recent fire.) ($US200,000.) Those things were written about by the Americans. (So many people started raising questions about it.) Oh really? (They say, “Why does Master never help the people of Âu Lạc [Vietnam]?”) (Do then advertise…) (Master went and helped them.) (Master was helping Aulacese [Vietnam] as well, but people just didn’t know about it.) So now, should I advertise it in the newspapers or something? (That is the problem, Master.) If we do something good, should we publish it in the newspapers? For example, think about yourselves. When you did something in the past, did you keep advertising it all the time? “My name is […] today I donated US$400,000 over there.” “Please praise me.” I’ve helped the people of Âu Lạc (Vietnam) a great deal. (Yes, we know that.) Yes, but why bring it up now? (Yes.) But sometimes I do. (You do mention it, Master.)
But yes, sometimes it happens. For example, in our magazines – the ones written by my disciples – if there’s any news about me, they will publish it. For example, how much I’ve given. (Ah, those are just internal publications.) Yes, because you haven’t looked into it, so what can I do? (Where can we get those now, Master?) Alright, I’ll give you some of those magazines. There might still be some. I don’t know if there are any left. They probably wrote a few general things. Sometimes when I help, I have to do it secretly. That’s how it is.
(But Supreme Master has also helped refugees of other religions?) Of course. I do that quite often; you just haven’t been following it. (I see.) OK. Why isn’t it published in your newspapers? It’s because you don’t even come to see me. Should I run to your editorial office and say, “Don’t you know? Today I helped a lot of refugees. Go ahead and publish it”? I don’t do that. Whatever I do, I just do it naturally, right? (Yes.) Whoever knows about it can publish it themselves. Otherwise, what am I supposed to do? What can I do? I don’t go around all day asking newspapers to publish things. Today, you yourselves voluntarily came to visit me. (Yes.) And since you’re interviewing me, I’m happy to welcome you. (Yes.) If you don’t come, then that’s fine, too. (Yes.) Right? I don’t go looking for it, and my disciples are the same. For example, when I go out to spread the teachings, whoever comes can listen, and whoever wants initiation can receive it. That’s all. (Yes.)
There’s no going from house to house, or writing letters and things like that to pressure people, inconvenience them, or make them annoyed. (Yes.) That’s just an example. Since you asked, I explained it. (Yes.) As for the fire here, I heard about it unexpectedly. Then when I came here and saw people in trouble, of course I had to help. (Yes.) Especially since people here have also helped the people of Âu Lạc (Vietnam) a lot. We should help and care for one another. There is no need to distinguish between Americans, people from Âu Lạc (Vietnam), or Chinese people? I help people all over the world – wherever help is needed. Wherever I know about it, or whenever the right conditions are there, I help immediately. I don’t look at whether someone has a flat nose or a prominent nose, or what passport they have. Understand? (Yes.)
For example, now you’re only talking about Âu Lạc (Vietnam). I’m not talking about you; I mean the people who asked that, OK? (Yes.) For example, people from Âu Lạc (Vietnam) – there are so many who came over here and have become Americans, right? So when I help here, it’s also like helping Âu Lạc (Vietnam), isn’t it? (Yes.) And if I help Americans, people can say that people from Âu Lạc (Vietnam) have helped Americans, which also brings honor to the people of Âu Lạc (Vietnam), right? Is money the only thing that is valuable? A person’s honor is even more precious, isn’t it? Everything I do brings honor to Âu Lạc (Vietnam), doesn’t it? (Yes.) That’s also a form of help, isn’t it? OK, that’s one thing. But I’ve also provided practical help to Âu Lạc (Vietnam). But I feel a little embarrassed talking about it, because it’s already in the past. As for the help during the fire, it was because Mike Gordon knew about it, so he called here and interviewed me. Then he published it, whereas our Âu Lạc (Vietnam) newspapers didn’t publish it, you see? I did not go looking for you to say, “Oh, I did this.”
(The Register newspaper published it.) Yes, that’s right. (Vietnam Post also published it, Master.) Yes, later they followed up based on that newspaper. (Who is this man, Mike Gordon, Master?) He is from The Register newspaper. (Yes. A reporter.) He is a reporter. (A reporter.) A reporter like you. He called me. So I told him about it. Someone probably told him. That’s how things work in America. Usually, newspapers investigate, and they have their… what do you call it? (Branches.) Their branches, right? They ask their people. If there’s any special news, they tell each other, and then he called and asked me. Only when he asked did I tell him. Then after that they invited me to Laguna Beach. (Yes.) And also to do something – what is it called? To bless that place, what we call “blessing.” To attend the ceremony to bless the land that was burned. (Pray for the fire incident.)
Pray for the fire incident, that’s right. (Pray for the fire incident.) Yes, I went together with representatives of 12 religions and branches of other religions. So I went. Of course, journalists came. So, the newspapers know about things like that, right? That’s just an example. Or sometimes I send disciples out to bring gifts to people. And when people see them there, naturally they find out about it.
If they know, they ask; if they ask, then we tell them. It’s not that I am hiding anything from you all, but it’s just that we don’t know where you are. And I didn’t think about that either. “When you give with your left hand, let your right hand not know about it.” So what’s the point of talking about it? (Yes.) It’s not that I don’t give to Âu Lạc (Vietnam). (Yes.) I do give! (Yes.) But sometimes it’s also difficult. (But people don’t know, so we can’t blame them either.) It’s difficult! (Yes.) Sometimes giving can even endanger one’s life and reputation. You don’t know about that. Anyway, let’s talk about the good things and leave the bad things aside.
(Many people are also wondering about helping refugees, helping Aulacese [Vietnamese] here.) Of course. Because here, nobody lacks anything that would require our help. The refugees here already have everything they need. I helped them. (Did help Vietnam Post.) (That’s something.) (Oh my God!)
Well, let me tell you now. The refugees here, for example, already receive assistance from the government. They have family and friends to support them. Once they’re here, they are also less fearful. (Yes.) For example, I often help refugees in the camps. Sometimes they don’t even have instant noodles to eat. (Yes.) If you give them an apple, they’re very happy. So usually, I help refugees in refugee camps.
(But are You still helping now?) It’s still an ongoing thing; I keep helping them, of course. Yes, helping continuously, helping over and over again. Yes, helping all the time. Sometimes I have to give them money and supplies so they have something to eat and drink. At New Year, I give them lucky money. (Yes.) Ten dollars for each person. Ten dollars for each person too. (Yes, today the newspapers in Orange County have been talking a lot about Master.) Where? (In the newspapers – right there in the newspapers.) The Âu Lạc (Vietnam) newspaper? (Yes. Every paper printed it in big headlines.) Oh really? The Âu Lạc (Vietnam) newspapers? Wow! This is the first time in my life. (First time in Your life. ) So now I’m famous, huh? (Yes.) (We were worried Master might go to the Meditation Center, so we’ve been busy making arrangements with Master.) OK. (We invited two newspapers, so they can learn more.) OK. (And thanks Heaven, …will make another visit. And if You come back here, we’ll do another session.) Yeah, yeah. (We’ll share it gradually; we’ll do it step by step.) Then we’ll do even more. OK, good, good.
(Dear Supreme Master, many people are wondering about the funds You use for humanitarian aid. Where do they…?) Where do they come from, right? (Do they come from contributions by disciples or from other international organizations?) No. No one contributes at all. That’s because I don’t take money from disciples, so there isn’t that much. (Yes.) If everyone contributed, there would be a lot more. (Yes, may I ask, then, where does it come from?) Because I work. (Ah, yes.) I am a painter. (Ah.) A singer, a musician. (Ah. Yes.) And an artist. (Ah.) I do many things. I paint. (Yes.) I make artwork. (Yes.) Works of art. (Yes.) (Vietnam Post featured that.) Really? (Tomorrow.) Oh, really? Ah, OK. Buy me some, please. (Vietnam Post.) OK. Buy me some. (That day… when we went to Hawaii, [they] took a photo.) Ah, that’s right. Yes, that’s right. (They took the photos that day, when we first arrived there.) Oh, really?
(There are also some lanterns that Master made.) I designed the lanterns and created the designs. Then my monastic disciples, those who stayed close to me, made them. (Yes.) (I think there are photos of those too.) Yes, those things can also be sold to earn money. There is also demand for them around the world.
(May I ask what things, Supreme Master?) The lamps. (Ah, the lamps.) Lamp, for example… They’re made by hand, handcrafted. (Paintings.) And my disciples work as well. For example, I teach them how to make various things. (Is that in Taiwan [Formosa], Master?) Yes. We pooled the money together, but most of it is my money. But I also regard my money as belonging to everyone; I don’t think of it as my own. (Yes.) (So the disciples don’t contribute?) No, they don’t contribute, though sometimes they may put in a little here and there, but it’s nowhere near enough. You know, when you ask for donations, you can’t simply get as much as you want. (Yes.) Take the Mount Pinatubo eruption, for example, right? (Yes.) If I called on my disciples to contribute, they would. But I don’t call on them to do so. Nor do I ask the general public for money. (Yes.) So whatever I have, that’s how much I give. That’s all. It’s not that I deliberately set out to do charity or establish a charitable organization. Actually, I originally didn’t intend to have any organization at all. (Yes.) I simply do what I can whenever favorable circumstances arise. That’s all. (Yes.)
The meditation organization exists only because the authorities require it. For example, if we gather in large numbers or meet regularly over a long period, we have to explain to the authorities why we are gathering. That’s why we have to have an organization. Otherwise, if we’re simply practicing spiritually, what do we need an organization for? (Yes.) Isn’t that right, sir? (Yes.) Spiritual practice isn’t something that requires an elaborate organization with this person and that person involved. (Yes.) (Up to now, approximately how many people would You say follow You?) Wow! There are so many, I couldn’t possibly count them. (About how many Aulacese (Vietnamese) people are there in Daly (California)?) There must be quite a lot. (By “a lot,” do You mean around ten thousand or twenty thousand?) Probably around that number, perhaps more. (More than twenty thousand?)
(So right now, how many Meditation Centers do You actually have here?) Sometimes people follow me without registering their names or anything, (Yes.) so I don’t even know about them. You might enter someone’s home and see my picture displayed there; that’s how you find out. (Yes.) Yes? What were you saying? (So, how many Meditation Centers are there here? There’s one in Tinley, this one down here, one in Pomona, one in Riverside…) I’d have to count them again; otherwise… (So, is there one in each state, or…?) Yes, but some Meditation Centers aren’t really considered official centers. (Ah, yes.) Sometimes fellow practitioners have large homes. (Yes.) Or they may own two or three houses. (Ah.) They offer them for use or pool their resources together. (Yes.) But I bought this house for the disciples. (Yes.) Because they didn’t have enough money. (This house here?) Not this one. Pomona, right? (Meditation Center.) That place is called Pomona, right? (Pomona.) I don’t even remember what that place is called. (Yes.) I only know that I paid for it. (Riverside.) In Riverside? (Riverside.) Oh, right. See? I was planning to buy that place for them. (However, there is a picture of the Meditation Center…) They didn’t have enough money to buy it themselves.
(Master, a few months ago, there was a weekly Aulacese [Vietnamese] newspaper…) Yes. (It mentioned You and criticized You. What do You think about that? Have You read it?) I haven’t read it. I heard about it, but that sort of thing is quite common. We can’t force people to praise us. (Yes.) Well, let them answer to their own conscience.
(Supreme Master, as for those who follow You, what is the main reason they follow You? Is it to…) Because they have discovered their true Nature, their true Self. I show them how to discover their latent potential and their highest wisdom. So they become happy, and their lives change. (Yes.) They experience Heaven on Earth, and that’s why they follow me. You couldn’t deceive people for that long, could you, sir? (No.) You might fool someone for a day or two, perhaps even a year or two. You might fool children or elderly people. But you couldn’t fool young engineers and doctors. (Yes.) They won’t agree unless they see some benefit. Now if you get nothing at all – you go to the Meditation Center every day, and sit for two and a half hours, with your back aching and your neck getting stiff – could you endure that?
(So does that mean Your followers have to go to the Meditation Center and meditate for two hours every day?) No, not every day. They meditate at home, at home. (Meditate for two and a half hours.) Yes. (Yes.) Ah, it means we simply try our best. We meditate as much as we can. So that we can discover more of our own wisdom. (Yes.) When we become still, we come to realize our own greatness, right, sir? For example, if you have a problem, don’t you sit somewhere quiet for a while and think about it until you find a solution? Generally speaking, meditation is very logical. (Yes.) It’s not something mysterious, nor is it something that people would say no one can do. (Yes.) Even children can meditate, and elderly people can too. Intelligent people can do it, and so can those without formal education, you see? (Yes.)
When we meditate, we return to the tranquility within our soul, and in that stillness, we gain wisdom. Only then do we recognize our true Self. It’s not this person or that person, not this physical body, but something within us that possesses great Wisdom. Then we can use that great Wisdom to solve all the problems in our daily lives. And help those who have not yet found that clarity, you see? (Yes.) That’s all. It’s very simple. As a result, they believe that’s how things are. Because it is something real, something they have actually experienced. I am not just saying these things with nothing behind them.
(I came by and just had an ordinary conversation with Master, and was able to learn more about it. And now these two gentlemen would like to ask Master some questions so that they can share the information with the general public outside. Yes. I know. (And he himself has also already…) Understood it deeply already. Yes, I know. Yes. Yes. It’s alright. I don’t really like explaining or defending myself too much, but I’ll try. Ah, I’ll try. (Yes.) Actually, I don’t like explaining or defending myself. (In the past, even the Buddha had people who opposed Him.) We cannot force people to believe in or revere us. That depends on… (Lord Jesus Christ also had people who opposed Him; they even crucified Him.) That’s right.
What I mean is, no matter who opposes me or what they do, I never try to defend myself or retaliate. What would be the point? You see? While you’re at it, if you could write a few pages saying good things about me, I would appreciate it. Otherwise, I’m not going to waste money and time retaliating or defending myself. What for?
(Not long ago, about two weeks ago, there was that fire incident in Malibu.) Yes. (Master donated US$200,000.) The fire down in Malibu? (In Malibu.) Yes. Let me tell you, I bought all those Meditation Centers with my own money. If you don’t believe me, go ask the disciples how much they contributed, whether they ever gave me a single cent. Have I ever spent their money? Never. I’ve never even opened my mouth to ask for a single cent, let alone anything else…
(This newspaper says that You recently became a US citizen.) Oh, really? (Have You gotten a passport yet?) No need to get a passport. That’s just an honor. Because that lady said that I should go get it, so I said, “Alright, then.”
(Why didn’t Master help poor people, but instead helped those wealthy people?) Rich? What do you mean, rich? Their houses burned down – what wealth do they have left? (Because to them, a house worth four or five hundred thousand… It doesn’t mean much to them, but according to those journalists, when their houses burned down, even their poverty burned away too.) Now, whoever is in trouble, we help; if we stand there still discriminating too much, then there is no compassion left. (Yes.) It becomes calculation, it becomes business, doesn’t it? I help unconditionally. It was Mr. Mike Gordon who found out about it. I don’t need anyone to know about it, so why would I say anything? We help because we want to help people, not for fame or personal gain, right? (Yes.)
Yeah. Only one newspaper reported it. Mr. Mike Gordon published it in a newspaper, and that’s how you found out about it afterward. (Yes.) That’s basically how it was. As for whom I help – it’s my money. I help whomever I want. That’s up to me.
Photo Caption: “Incognito Beauty”
