The precepts must be strictly kept.Veganism is very good. We should have love for all beings, otherwise, we wouldbe learning from maya. If we don’t have any compassion for the helplessanimals, how can we then tolerate our enemies? Our enemies may put up a strongresistance, while animals are helpless, defenseless, and innocent. If we canbear to eat them, I’m afraid that we do not have enough love. No matter whatgood deeds we do, I’m afraid that our love is not deep enough.So sometimes the more we practice, the morepressure and pain we feel. Don’t be afraid. That means we are already on a veryhigh level, because we are more sensitive. It is not that the world gives us morepressure. No, no. Sometimes our level is so high, we cannot bear the pressure.We still have to be patient, OK? Be patient, recite the Five Holy Names, andpractice more. After a few decades or a few years, we will be gone. It won’t belong. This is your last life.

I’m telling you this by the way. This is atrue story. Those ghosts really exist, and hell really exists. But everythingis created by the mind. It depends on what we did in our past lives and what wedo in this life. When we die, we will bring out that vibration, that kind ofexpectation and desire. Then we get used to it, as if we are frozen at thatlevel.

In this universe, the “soft” always overpowers the “hard.” The more effortless, the more formless, the more invisible, the more gentle, the more powerful. See how important the air is for us! And water is able to wear away any rock. And qi can nourish the whole body and the whole universe. And that formless qi is the vibration of Quan Yin. That is more incredible. Nothing is better than that, because It is the Mother of the universe, who gives birth to the whole creation. If we can catch It, we would have all the secrets of the universe in our hands.If we don’t train ourselves well, and don’t practice diligently, this mind of ours will not be convinced. It will think that we are lying, and will not let us go up. We will obstruct ourselves. Therefore, we still have to practice to cleanse our mind. We have to let the mind understand that we are different now, we are really fit to be a Buddha or Bodhisattva now, and then it will be convinced. Then we will have no problem. In spiritual practice, we fix this mind, which has recorded too many bad things life after life. It won’t allow us to let go of our guilty feelings. That’s why we have to practice and train it. Every day we use the (inner Heavenly) Light to shine on all the cells in our body and to teach our mind. Inside each of our cells, the good and bad impressions of past lives are recorded. This causes karma. Sometimes, even though someone only gets a glimpse of you, he knows what you did in your past life or in this lifetime. It is because all the cells and vibrations of the body record very clearly, our every action, every move and every thought. Our desires are written down very clearly. So we can’t cheat anyone. There’s a saying, that when we die and see the king of hell, there will be a mirror where we can see our whole life very clearly, just like watching TV. But it’s very fast and very easy. This is true. This is our own Self. Our own ability to record everything. That’s why people can tell. Spiritual practitioners can tell a person’s past, present, and future lives. Our own karma is recorded in our body and mind, or in the so-called vibration around us. Everyone has that vibration, no matter if he practices or not. The more you practice, the less of that kind of vibration you have. So now when we go out and mingle with worldly people, we will definitely encounter that kind of vibration. The more we practice, the more sensitive we become. Don’t think that you will have more protective power as you practice more. You will, but your sensitivity will increase hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands of times. Did you think that Jesus Christ felt no pain when He was nailed to the Cross? The pain was killing Him! It was more intense than other people would feel. Because His body was not like that of ordinary people. His body was very, very sensitive. All His cells were completely changed. It is dangerous, very distressing, awful and helpless for this kind of person to be in this world. Sometimes they give me a massage, like these days when my body hurts. Whether or not it is due to karma, I just feel pain. The pain is unbearable. So some of them who know how, gave me a massage. They said that they didn’t exert any pressure, but I could not bear it as soon as they touched me. I am not the kind of person to cry out easily. Because my father was a doctor, I was not afraid to give myself injections when I was little. I gave myself injections here. Wherever it was easy to do, I could do it. Sometimes I could also inject here. You know, one-third of it here. It is OK here, very convenient. Or when others give me a shot or take my blood sample, “blood?” (Blood.) Blood. I am not afraid to watch. But some people scream before anyone touches them. I am not that type of person. But the massage really hurt. It was unbearable. Unbearable! So I pulled my leg away. They applied the same pressure as they do for people outside. They didn’t think that I’d be so sensitive. If you take a good look, you can see that my skin looks transparent, as if you can see the bones inside. It’s very fine and transparent. Every time I go abroad, it is easier to take her with me than others whom I usually work with. She has hands that really look like she has practiced karate. Wow! Whenever she touches me, I would scream and wake up the whole state. It’s unbearable. She has kung fu hands. Or it is because my body is very sensitive. I can only speak for myself. I don’t know about others, like Jesus Christ. I haven’t practiced very much and yet I am so sensitive. Of course, it might have been even worse for Jesus Christ. It must have been very painful when He was nailed. I heard that He wept. He wept not only for Himself, but also for the ignorant beings who crucified Him. With the karma they created, who knows how many thousands of years are needed for them to be liberated. Because their level was too low. It was the level of demons and beasts. One must have no compassion to be able to do such things. They covered up their human emotions, and pulled their level down to that of demons or beasts. Of course, it would be very hard to climb up. That was why He wept. Sometimes when I meet some ignorant disciples, who make me very sad and hurt, I really weep. I can only shake my head and say, “Oh, too ignorant, too ignorant.” That’s how it is. Then I also pray to God to forgive them, because they don’t know what they are doing. They wouldn’t dare if they knew. Every time I pray, I pray for those people. I do not pray for myself. What else can I get? Even if I become a Buddha, for example, so what? Or if I attain the highest position in the universe, what good is it for me? I cannot ask for anything. Therefore I say, all the good and the bad we do will stick to us. It is written down very clearly. Anyone who knows the secret, whether spiritual practitioner or not, can verify this. Do you know what I mean? So if we go out and mingle with worldly people, inevitably we become contaminated by their vibrations and our blessings pass onto them, even if they don’t want them. It’s like two water pipes, or two buckets, one higher up and the other lower down. Water will definitely run from high to low. So if you want to protect yourself a little, you should switch off the water pipe. Recite the Five Holy Names all the time, that is the only way. Sometimes it might still leak, because you might forget. You forget that Master is there. But if you are willing to do bad things, and you do wrong knowingly, you will also sink. If you make a blunder, I will definitely protect you. But if you do it deliberately and do not pray to Master for help or let me intervene, putting Master aside, then I cannot help you. But if you ask, you will get an immediate response. If it’s carelessness on your part, Master will definitely save you. But if you know it’s wrong and you do it deliberately, and do not let Master help, then of course, I can’t help. Don’t blame me when that happens. You will keep sinking no matter where you fall. So there’s a way. It doesn’t matter if you forget me, just do not refuse my help. Do not refuse, do not think you are great and you can solve any problem. No, no, no! This world is not a fun place. The Buddha is one foot higher… what is it? (As virtue rises one foot, vice rises ten.) As the Buddha rises one foot, the maya rises ten. The meaning is quite similar. The power is universal. Everyone can use it. But the point is how it’s used. We just heard from the brother, the kung fu expert. What did he say? He too used the wisdom eye before. He used it to send out qi with his mind power. Or the Taoist sister who used the wisdom eye to shoot a sword at me, to kill me. Fortunately I didn’t die, otherwise, no one would be speaking here today. It would be a great pity to have such a short life. I am not so bad-looking. It would be a pity to have such a short life without being able to show off the clothes. Well, they used it in a similar way. They also used the power there. Why not use all the power? They only used it to shoot a sword or send out qi. What a pity. It’s the same. So the maya is also very powerful. It’s not something we can play with. It’s not fun. We should not play where we practice spiritually. We are not supposed to mess around. That’s why it’s very difficult to select an Enlightened Master. Selecting a successor is also very hard. Otherwise, anyone could do it. It is truly so. Sometimes I can even use non-initiates, let alone initiates. So sometimes, for example, a fellow initiate came to see me. She was initiated six or seven years ago. She was in a car with 5 or 6 people. As the car drove over the rail tracks, it suddenly stopped. It wouldn’t start and they started crying. They cried, not knowing what to do. Suddenly, somebody said to recite the Five Holy Names and pray to Master. As soon as they prayed, a policeman came and told them to get out and push the car. And that was it. They were not able to figure it out themselves. It was the Master power working through the policeman that reminded them. Sometimes when you run into trouble, you just freeze. You cannot figure out what to do, even though you are very clever. This was a teacher, not just any old woman who sells vegetables in the market. She was a teacher, a high school teacher. Even a teacher failed to figure it out. Why is that? When we encounter a sudden disaster or karma, we go into shock. We cannot think straight. Sometimes, the monks here tell you that every day, I ask them to do things unexpectedly. “She would tell us to do things out of the blue.” Unexpected is good, too. Karma comes abruptly as well, doesn’t it? So we train ourselves to react quickly anytime, so that we can protect ourselves and get used to that kind of vibration. Later, when you become a Master, you can go up to Heaven or down to hell, just like this. If you sit there thinking it’s all too sudden and wondering whether it is time to go to hell or to Heaven, it won’t do. No, no, no. The faster we are, the more omnipresent we will become. Coming and going will be like we have not come or gone. Because it happens too fast. It’s beyond the worldly concept of time and space. At that time, we fold up the space. Here and there becomes the same. I have told you about the ant. If it goes from here to there, it will take a while. And the Buddha folds the paper from where the ant is, so it just jumps over. The space is the same, but the approach is different. The same with learning martial arts. There is a secret to learning everything, not just by working hard. OK. Similarly, the Buddha has His way of doing things. It’s done very fast and without moving. That’s why He is called “Tathagata”, coming and going without moving. He does not move, but He can do anything and go anywhere. He is present everywhere without going anywhere. That is true magical power. That is truly the highest level of spiritual practice. And it is effortless. So sometimes you say that Master’s transformation body comes here and goes there, does this and that, and saves you here and there. I don’t go anywhere, and don’t move anything. I don’t use any gestures. Mudras. It’s more or less the same. Same meaning. You can see that I don’t do anything. The monks are by my side. Do you see me doing any incantation? Or any mudras? No. I am probably sleeping at that time. Or playing a musical instrument, playing chess, reciting poetry, singing, planting grass, scolding people, it can be anything. It is effortless. Like the brother who has mastered the martial arts. He doesn’t have to make any effort, but people fall when they touch him. Just by touching him! He doesn’t touch them. By touching him accidentally, you will also fall, for example. Some people practice kung fu to such a degree. They don’t move. Unlike those who kick about with great effort and look tough, but have nothing. Anyone who is stronger can make them fall. But the one who makes no effort, no one can make him fall. The “soft” one always wins over the “hard” one. That’s the reason. In this universe, the “soft” always overpowers the “hard.” The more effortless, the more formless, the more invisible, the more gentle, the more powerful. See how important the air is for us! And water is able to wear away any rock. And qi can nourish the whole body and the whole universe. And that formless qi is the vibration of Quan Yin. That is more incredible. Nothing is better than that, because It is the Mother of the universe, who gives birth to the whole creation. If we can catch It, we would have all the secrets of the universe in our hands. Catching the mother means catching the children too. We’ll know where the whole family is. It’s very simple. Just like in the past when there was a battle, if the great general was defeated, then the army would be divided and in disarray, like a snake without a head. They could be defeated easily. Similarly, when we study any scriptures, they all discuss the universal vibration and the Word. That is the Tao, the original power. So, if we can catch It, we will have caught everything. There’s nothing else to catch. If we catch other things, such as magical power or intelligence, or anything else, we catch only a little corner. We don’t catch the head. A human being or any animal would be finished if the head is caught. That’s why we say that the Quan Yin Method is the best, the most original, the fastest and the highest. This is the only one, truly. It is true, however you study it. So I am also very happy that I have caught this Method, and then you also caught It together with me. We are really very lucky, aren’t we?

OK, so I can promise you liberation in one lifetime, immediate enlightenment, and liberation of your five generations. That is no problem, because I know what I am doing. After initiation you are liberated from life and death, but you still have to practice. Because if your mind doesn’t allow you to become a Buddha, it will be hard.Thank you. Do I look like that? Do I look like your past emperor? (Yes.) Good, good! Otherwise, you wouldn’t recognize me. Yes, yes. Somebody is about to prostrate, do you see? You recognize me now? Remember our past connection now? Yes, yes! What was I going to say just now? That set of clothes got all wrinkled. They look like they’ve just been washed but not ironed. Embarrassing. I feel embarrassed wearing it. It is not that I want to show off again. This was to be saved for next week. Otherwise, I would have no more tricks to show next week. Just now we were talking about martial arts up there. Our martial arts master told me that he used to practice the kind of kung fu that shows outer strength, for example, chopping a brick into three pieces, just like cutting a banana. But later he stopped doing that, because he has gone beyond that. Now he just stands there and appears to be soft and pliant. But if anyone touches him, that person would be sent flying into the wall. So this is the “soft” way. He doesn’t use the “hard” way. To practice until it becomes effortless is very hard, isn’t it? You have to practice very diligently. He practiced for 13 hours every day. Are you willing to practice for 13 hours every day to become a Buddha? Sometimes we do practice like that when we have a 7-day retreat. So now you know what I meant when I told you to be more diligent during the 7-day retreat. We have to do it once in a while. Otherwise, when can we ever be diligent? Two and a half hours every day is nothing. One hour of dozing off. Then another half hour snoring. And another one hour checking the time, and that is about it. Actually, when we learn the inner kung fu of Quan Yin, we can succeed as long as we have a sincere heart. It doesn’t need that much effort or strength. Because sometimes we are unable to make much effort. We are too busy and tired from work, and we can’t concentrate when we get home. The children, husband, wife, friends, phone calls, and many other things make it difficult for our mind to calm down. So when we decide to seek liberation and learn the Quan Yin Method, we are not alone. Just like the brother who practiced martial arts. He doesn’t need to practice anymore. He has reached the level of effortlessness. No one can touch him. If they do, they would go flying over there. Or if he touches us accidentally, we would fall over. It’s the same with us. His kung fu does not rely on force. So it is different. Our Quan Yin Method is similar. So the best kung fu is like this. The best kung fu is effortless. Like sometimes in the movies, we see an expert swordsman, or one who wields his stick in the most powerful and spectacular way. But a few years later, he doesn’t need to use a sword or a stick anymore. That means he no longer needs to do it at the coarse level. It is the same with our spiritual practice. When we first came, maybe those past Masters would teach us some magic or kung fu. Later we should give it up, if we are sincere about seeking the Truth. If the Master knew that we had a sincere longing for liberation, he would teach us something else. Our Quan Yin Method is the same. We do not use force to practice the Quan Yin Method. We only need the key to this Method. Without a teacher, we wouldn’t know this. We would not achieve anything, even if we practiced for ten thousand years. It is the same with martial arts. It is no use just punching and kicking like what you see others do. It is not the same. If the teacher doesn’t tell you the secrets, you will not succeed. Just like the brother whose softness triumphs over hardness. The one that makes people fall without lifting a finger. Or like his uncle, who is now over 80 years old. It’s too late for us to learn now. He just makes a move and people go flying and get thrown on the wall. It is the same with the Quan Yin Method. The best method is no method. I didn’t say anything when I passed on the Dharma to you, did I? We did it in silence, and it didn’t matter if I was there or not. The disciples went to mainland China to give initiation, and they also saw me there. They went to America to give initiation and saw me there too. I don’t need to be present. Somebody thought that I used something like… hypnotism. No! To hypnotize someone, you have to be there. How can I be here and hypnotize people in mainland China? They don’t even know me. I don’t use the mind power. But for martial arts and magic, you still use the mind. We have to surpass that, “To do without doing.” Like you said, when I was cutting the cake, the knife emitted light, or my hands emitted light. That was not done deliberately. It was not like I’d say, “Now I’ll emit light.” I was just cutting the cake for people to eat. If light was emitted, I could not help it. It was not with effort. Sometimes when I play a musical instrument casually, it sounds nice, and then the disciples also play in a “casual” way. The day before yesterday, we had a campfire party. They said it was Father’s Day, and they regard me as their Father. The monks regard me as their Father, because I’m their Master “Father.” But they also celebrate Mother’s Day. Because I am a woman, they can also celebrate. They celebrate Father’s Day for “Shi Fu.” Anything can be a reason for celebration. They celebrate all the time, and consume a lot of my candies and biscuits. OK, never mind. So Father’s Day is on August 8, which sounds like papa in Mandarin. The Chinese are good at playing with words, so August 8 is Papa’s Day. Wonderful! Well, at the campfire, a resident disciple came up to play casually. Ah! We could not bear it after a while. I said, “OK, you may stop now.” I knew they were impatient, saying, “How come it’s still not finished?” It felt like a long time when he played casually. There is a difference between his casual playing and mine. Just like our fellow initiate who is a kung fu master. If anyone picks on him, he would give a casual pat to ask him to leave. And the person probably would land where the guard stands, at least that far. So can you do it casually like this? There’s a difference between his casual way and yours. For example, I give initiation casually like this. Can you do it casually? It is different. There is a difference. First we have to learn it well before we can do it casually. Once we know how to drive, we can drive as casually as we like. But before we learn it, we may drive into the lake, even with great effort, not to talk about driving casually. We may fall into hell or go to the Western Paradise. Sometimes there’s a difference between kung fu experts. When we see someone break bricks like cutting a banana or bend an iron bar as if it is a noodle or baguette, we think he is great. But some people do not need to do it like this. He doesn’t have to move. But people fall when they touch him. They just fall over after touching him. He has done nothing. This kind of kung fu is better. Or for example, you say that Master has a lot of magical power to cure your illness and rescue you from disaster. Whatever you wish for comes true. But I don’t do it with the mind. It is done casually. You receive whatever you want, because I know it immediately. I know it even before you ask. It is very fast, faster than light. So that kind of magical power is the power of non-doing. Similarly, that kind of kung fu is the kung fu of non-doing. Kung fu without effort. It is of a little higher level. Anything that is at a high level is effortless, very gentle and very ordinary. Or like that fellow initiate who wanted to shoot me with swords of light, that she had practiced her whole life. I didn’t see anything, nor did I resist her. I didn’t use anything. I was just sitting there eating cake, giving a lecture, or cutting the cake, whatever. Understand what I mean? It’s completely effortless. The Quan Yin Method is the highest way for us to practice. If you practice diligently for a while, you will be like me for sure. I guarantee. If you are sincere, and have strong faith, you will achieve the same. You cannot be different from the teacher, or at most only differ a little, yes? What are you laughing at? What are you guys laughing at? (A little different from Master.) A little different. Yes, a small difference is better than a big difference. So where can you learn to be just a little different from the teacher? For example, an English teacher speaks English fluently. Even though our English is not as good, we are still able to speak it. Just not as fluently or perfect as him. But people understand when we speak. When the teacher is not here, we are the best. Frankly, it is not only monks who have the power. I could close my eyes and pick anyone, regardless of gender and age, to give initiation. It would be exactly the same. Same as if I were there. This means, if I pick someone, it doesn’t matter who he is, I don’t care. Anyone can stand up and volunteer. I don’t mean to pick but you all say, “Master selects the best.” It’s not true. It could be anyone among you. Even the lousiest one, who has no inner Heavenly Light and no inner Heavenly Sound. Even if he meditates less than two and a half hours a day, and doesn’t keep the precepts strictly, I don’t care. Just stand up and volunteer. For example, if I let you go and give initiation, at that time, I would transmit the power to you. I just transmit it casually, and you won’t see it. And I don’t need to make any effort, thinking that I’m going to transmit something. No, no. This is done inside. It is very easy. And then you can go out and give initiation to others, in exactly the same way. Exactly the same as if I were present. It means that you are able to carry the Master power, to accommodate the same power as Master. It means you are on the same level as Master, more or less. Otherwise, how can you carry it? For instance, if you are not as strong as me, how can you carry 20 kg? How can a child carry 20 kg? Being able to carry 20 kg means you are as strong as me. So don’t sit there and chant every day, “When will I become a Buddha? When will I?” You already are one. So this is even better than martial arts. Because in martial arts you have to practice very well to be almost the same as the teacher. But this, you don’t need to practice. You don’t rely on yourself, or your own mundane concepts and abilities. No, no! If I pick you out casually like this, you will have the same power, but your personality is still not good. If you haven’t kept the precepts strictly, been vegan for long, and been meditating enough, sometimes you cannot bear yourself. When you go out, people also look down upon you. People cannot believe that this is a Buddha, or Master’s big disciple. They cannot believe it, nor can you bear it. Although we are egoless, you have not yet reached that egoless level. So even if I give you all my wealth, you cannot use it. This is like a pampered son who’s been given all the power and property by his parents, but he doesn’t know how to manage it, and he messes up. His subordinates and workers do not listen to or obey him. And then he squanders the family fortune. You know what I mean? Similarly, any one of the resident disciples here can give initiation, including the very young ones. Why did I ask them to go up on the stage and give a speech? So they can speak to you to test their eloquence. Because the power is not the only thing that makes a perfect Master. That’s the difference between the Buddha and maya. The power is similar, but the wisdom is different. The love is different. The personality is different. Therefore, choosing a Master is not that easy. Anyone here can be Master’s successor. I could pick anyone, even the lousiest one. I could give you the same power, completely the same. But we still have to train ourselves, so that we become suitable for that position. Do you understand what I mean? OK, so I can promise you liberation in one lifetime, immediate enlightenment, and liberation of your five generations. That is no problem, because I know what I am doing. After initiation you are liberated from life and death, but you still have to practice. Because if your mind doesn’t allow you to become a Buddha, it will be hard. It will say, “Someone like you? Are you kidding?” Or other people may also say that to you. If you do not have self-confidence, it is no use becoming a Buddha. What is the use of becoming that kind of Buddha, right? So our manner and demeanor have to match the higher realm.

I will walk around outside. (OK.) Look at my magic! Look at my magic: Om mani padme hum! Isn’t it great? Q(m2): I can show You another move. Not even four or five monks together would be able to make me move. Master: OK, come up and push him. Recite the Five Holy Names. Tong, all come up. Push one by one, or two at a time. (Do you need someone to catch you from behind?) Behind. (He won’t budge.) No need. No need to block, just make sure the camera’s not blocked. Don’t embarrass us. One, two, three! Ah, can’t budge him! Impressive! Q(m2): More people can come. (More people.) Master: Tong, don’t be so polite. All right, never mind. Otherwise, they might think we’re bullying them with so many people. That would be embarrassing. One, two, three, go! Oh! We are finished. Tong… (You can’t protect Master.) You can no longer protect me. Forget it. Q(m2): I would really like to teach them this skill. Master: Ah? (I would like to teach them this skill.) Yes, come and teach them. (I have been saying this to my inner Master for a long time.) I would love it. You didn’t come when I asked. All right, come and stay for a while. (I can teach them.) OK, you can teach them. It’d be fun! Teach me a little kung fu, OK? For self-defense. OK, come if you want. I wanted to find someone to teach them, but no one came. (But their kung fu would be different from mine. Absolutely different.) Never mind. You can teach them different things, right? We need to defend ourselves. OK, so it’s settled. Because you have practiced for thirty years, since childhood. (Yes, yes. I’ve practiced martial arts since I was a boy.) You have practiced since you were inside your mother’s womb. But Tong did practice qigong. Even knives and swords cannot hurt him. He’s not bad. But he’s not that powerful, because he didn’t practice every day. Your kung fu is more steady, with qi inside. (It is because when we relax, we can stick to the ground like dough. I don’t use any physical strength.) Oh, I see. (They had to use physical strength.) Oh, they had to try hard. (Because this type of kung fu is completely effortless.) Understand. (It’s suitable for smaller people to practice. Short people can do this better than the tall and big ones.) I see. (So they won’t be able to touch you.) Strange. (This type of kung fu is…) Q(f3): The smaller the person, the better. Master: The smaller the better? Then I have hope! I am the smallest one here. (Because this type of kung fu doesn’t rely on physical strength. The less effort, the better. The smaller you are, the smaller is your body surface area. So people won’t be able to touch you.) How strange! (This is the real tai chi. Not the kind they do for show outside.) Understand. (This is different.) Only real masters know this. (This is the real kung fu.) It’s great to be able to achieve this. Just like cockfighting. The champion rooster doesn’t have to move. Just seeing him scares other roosters to death. Initially he is easily agitated. But when he is trained to be the best, other roosters tremble and flee without him having to do anything. That is the best gamecock, isn’t it? It is the same with our martial arts practice and spiritual practice. With the Quan Yin Method, we don’t have to do anything. We stay still even if it’s stormy or chaotic outside. In the end it will all disperse, right? Everyone is just retreating, right? (Retreating to the mountains.) Retreated to the mountains. And the ones who shot swords at me have also surrendered. It is good this way. I have also learned something from you. Thanks a lot. (Thank You.) It is good to practice martial arts like this. Are the tea and (vegan) food ready now? (They’re ready.) What about (vegan) cookies? Are they on those tables? (Yes.) Go out and check. (Done.) How much is there? Is there a lot? (Yes. A lot.) I’ll go and have a look myself. OK? You wait here for a while. Sometimes they try to fool me. They put only three (vegan) cookies on the table, and say that they’re prepared. I’ll come back after checking. OK? If it’s not so good, then let them do it. Wow, wow! This is not good. The kung fu is not good. OK. Come back in a while. Amazing. Where did you learn to be so good? Look, without using any tool. OK. Not bad. There’re quite a few places, like the publications area and the park. And where else? Huh? (The warehouse.) The warehouse? Only three places, yes? Where did you place them? (There are also some beside the kitchen.) But that’s the warehouse beside the kitchen. (There are some in the warehouse.) Yes or no? (Yes.) Eh! Don’t start, you people out there. We haven’t started yet. You’re secretly eating (vegan) cookies and did not come in to listen to my talk. All right then, tea and (vegan) cookies are ready. Hmm, how many places? If it’s only three places, then it’s not enough. How many for each person? You didn’t say how many for each. (There are many tables of [vegan] food in the publications area.) Many? And you don’t know how many for each person? (There are a lot of [vegan] cookies.) How many is “a lot”? Can one person get three, four, five, or six? (Yes.) OK. Three, four, five, or six per person. Take three first, and more later if there’s enough. If people in the front of the line take too many, then there’ll be none left for those at the back. That makes us greedy. We should share things here. Sometimes we’re unable to buy enough (vegan) cookies and candies in time. The shops may not have that much in stock. Even if we buy everything they have, it’s still not enough for us here. It’s not that one shop sells only one thing. They have a variety of things to sell, so, whatever we buy, it’s always not enough. Because there are too many people here. There’s no ashram that has so many people coming each week. So it’s never enough even if we empty the shops each time. I’m planning on running a big market here, which means you run, sell, and eat, all by yourselves. Or else we cannot meet this massive need. Good. Enjoy your day. Eat and drink as you like, then walk around. Chat with one another. Don’t worry about being orderly. Understand? (Understand.) We’ll talk later. OK? (OK.) I thank those who came up to talk about supernatural power, and the two martial arts teachers. You’re great in martial arts. Write down his name. He said he’ll teach you. No? OK. Starting when? When will you start to teach? (It’s up to Master.) Tomorrow? Is it OK? They’re studying arts and literature here, but also have to learn some martial arts, so as to be well-versed in both. We have to preserve our Chinese tradition, don’t we? Otherwise, if you die with no disciples and that would be a pity. Practicing martial arts is also good for the body. Come and show some moves to me first. Tai chi is not bad. It is very beautiful and good for the health. And it doesn’t look violent. At least this way you can protect yourselves. But the best way is to pray to the Master inside. It’s the fastest. Because the inner Master knows all the martial arts. Hiers power is omnipotent. OK, enjoy your tea. (Thank You, Master.) Wow, is it hot sitting up there? (No.) Do you know what kind of clothes these are? Aulacese (Vietnamese). It’s been altered a little. Something was added to make it brighter. The ones that you saw during the 7-day retreat were too fitting and looked too good. This looks more dignified, yes? (Yes.) Good! I will walk around outside. (OK.) Look at my magic! Look at my magic: Om mani padme hum! Isn’t it great? Look, strong magical power. (Master is beautiful.) (Thank You, Master.) What is important is the atmosphere, not (vegan) cookies or candies. Yes? (Yes, it is.) (Thank You, Master.) Hey, it’s you. Where’s your mom? (Where’s your mother?) Is she here? (Yes, she’s here.) (My mother went to enjoy her tea.) Enjoy her tea. OK, wow. So many people here. (Showing magical power again.) Wow, what a huge crowd. Is this the area they like the best? Can we go in now? (Yes.) Oh! It’s you again. Such a family. I can never escape your family every week. Gaining more and more weight. (Hallo, Master.) That’s for fun and not for satisfying your hunger. … Buy those… This is for those who are hungry. That one is fine. Why did you buy such a salty one? Strange. “Virtuous” (pronounced like “salty”) people buy “salty” things. (The [vegan] jelly tastes very good.) Do you know that they’re all “virtuous” (pronounced like “salty”) people? “Virtuous.” Very virtuous. Yes. Whatever a virtuous person buys is always salty. Wow, the crowd here is the biggest. (How are You, Master?) Fine. (Thank You, Master.) (Thank You, Master.) (Hallo, Master.) (Thank You, Master.) See, nobody wanted the (vegan) jelly. (I want it.) Huh? Do you want it? OK. (How are You, Master?) How are you? (Hallo, Master.) Where are you from? (From Kaohsiung.) From Kaohsiung? That’s far. (Yes.) Ah-ya-ya. (What a beautiful Master.) Yes. Did you realize just now? Do you think I left home because my ex-husband didn’t want me? Hallo, everyone. Here I am. Tea is good. It detoxifies your body. You can go home with a very healthy body. And you’ll say that Master’s blessing power is great. But it’s the tea, actually. Come to see Master and you’ll definitely have good health. You have to sweat a lot, anyway, having to jostle even for (vegan) food. (Hallo, Master.) Is the (vegan) food enough or not? Are there enough (vegan) cookies? (Yes.) There are a lot over there. There are a lot in the publications area. (There are a lot up there.) The (vegan) cookies they’ve prepared are not that good, are they? (They’re very delicious.) Are they good? (Very nice.) I think they’re nothing special. (They’re delicious. Thank You, Master.) (Thank You, Master.) (Thank You, Master.) It’s kind of salty. “Virtuous” as they are … (Thank You, Master.) You’re welcome. It’s good as long as you enjoy it. (Thank You, Master.) I’ll come back later. (OK.) (Hallo, Master.) Wow, there are also many people here. (Hallo, Master.) Is there enough tea? (Yes.) Tell the kitchen if there’s not enough. Is there anybody who hasn’t had tea? Raise your hand. Why? Is there no more? There’s more in the dining area. Go and get it quickly. OK? There are a lot of (vegan) cookies and tea. Hurry. Why didn’t the kitchen prepare enough tea? Anybody who hasn’t had tea? (There’s not enough tea.) Over there. Go get it quickly. Don’t just look at Master. Go. (Hallo, Master.) It’s so hot. I’m going back to get some rest and some tea. OK? (OK.) (Bye, Master.) (See You again, Master.)

The qi inside the human body is physical. The Quan Yin Method is the superior qi and has superior power. The vibration is different. Without the power of Quan Yin, there would be no qi, no physical body, no talent and no magic. It’s not wrong to practice qi, but basically, everything originated from the Sound. Q(m1): You once told us that qi only exists when we have the physical body. If we die… Master: We’ll have no more qi. (What can you do then if all your qi is gone?) Yes. (So practicing qi does not help to liberate the soul.) That’s right. We can collect qi or qi flow in the body to do many things. The physical qi inside the body is already so powerful. Can you imagine what we could do with the spiritual qi? When we practice the Quan Yin Method, our physical qi can also be activated and evoke many of our inner abilities, even skills we have never learned before. But not everyone can do that. Only the ones with highly developed wisdom. Because we have learned many things life after life. Once we reach complete enlightenment, we can bring out everything and use it in this world. Some people have been in this world many times. And because they were smart, they learned a lot of things when they were here in this world. So when they come down again, they know everything. They can do a lot of things naturally. They even know how to activate qi. Q(m2): Yes. I too was suddenly able to use my qi. No one taught me. Master: Yes, yes. Q(m1): This qi is inside our body, just like the power we rediscover through the Quan Yin Method. After some practice, we can develop this power. Same as the Quan Yin Method. Humans are the most powerful beings in the universe. Through the Quan Yin Method we can rediscover this power. They are the same thing, but the level is different. Master: I think they are different. The qi inside the human body is physical. The Quan Yin Method is the superior qi and has superior power. The vibration is different. The physical qi can help the circulation and digestion of the body to keep us warm and active. It helps the body stay healthy. But the Quan Yin Method is different. Without the power of Quan Yin, there would be no qi, no physical body, no talent and no magic. It’s not wrong to practice qi, but basically, everything originated from the Sound. Qi has a different function and purpose. If we focus on this purpose, we forget about the highest source. That’s all. Master: OK, anything else? What else did you practice? Apart from qigong (Tai chi, karate.) Karate and tai chi. What else? Q(m2): That’s all. No more. Master: You practiced those for 30 years? Q(m2): Yes. Master: Wow! Impressive! You practiced every day? Q(m2): I used to practice very diligently, for over 13 hours a day. Master: Wow! Over 13 hours! (13 hours every day.) You see! You only meditate two and a half hours every day, and some of you do less than that. You should feel ashamed! Whatever you do, you should do it wholeheartedly like this. Yes! The martial arts people practice very hard, and eat and sleep very little. Even when they sleep, they still think about their practice. That’s how they become… Kungfu masters. You just practice for two and a half hours but you complain a lot already. No wonder you did not become Buddha. And then you blame the Master. You see! That’s just an ordinary kung fu practitioner. Master: Did you say you were No. 1 in Taiwan (Formosa)? Q(m2): My master was the head of a branch in the field of tai chi. My skill in this aspect is… Master: And you were his No. 1 disciple. (I was his major disciple.) Just for martial arts. 13 hours a day! Do you think he still had time to sleep? Did you have time to earn money? (I had a job.) You worked? And you still had time? (I just used all my spare time to practice martial arts.) Yes, that’s right. (I didn’t do anything else.) Yes. (I didn’t even think about anything else.) Because you were very focused. It’s best to focus. No wonder he became the major disciple! Master: And I tell you, Brother Ke once told me that one of the initiates has now gone back to what he was doing. When he wanted to learn feng shui and fortune telling, he went to the top master in Taiwan (Formosa) He had very few disciples. If you wanted to be his disciple, you had to kneel… Brother Ke, come up! You can tell the story. They won’t believe what I say. You tell them. Today we have all kinds of masters here. Now listen. Q(m3): I have a friend who learned Chinese astrology from the top master in Taiwan (Formosa). Most of the famous astrologers in Taiwan (Formosa) are students of disciples of this master. It was more than ten years ago when he learned from his master. Master: Tell them like you told me last time. (OK.) Don’t miss anything! Q(m3): The master was very strict about accepting disciples. He lived near a cemetery. The students came at 10 every night. In the beginning there were about a dozen of them. They had to kneel outside the gate until 2 in the morning. Then the master would ask them to come and kneel inside the courtyard. And he would start talking from inside the house. The students were not allowed to take any notes. They could only try to remember it. In the beginning there were more than ten students. After ten years, only three stayed. Master: They could not take it anymore! (No.) Their knees hurt too much! (One of them was…) They knelt from 10pm to 2am? (Yes.) And after that? (Then he began his lecture. He would only start to teach after they had knelt until 2 AM.) And they continued to kneel? Q(m3): Yes, they continued to kneel while he lectured. I have a classmate who is outstanding. If you spread out the mahjong tiles, and let him take a look, and stack the tiles after shuffling, he can remember which tile is which without touching them. A deck of cards has 54 or 52 cards. You show him the cards once and turn them over. Then you draw a random card and he knows what card it is. He has that kind of talent. He later continued to learn with his teacher. Because the master didn’t allow them to take any notes, they could only listen and try to memorize it. Master: This guy had good knees! Knelt from 10 PM to 2 AM and then until the lecture ended in the morning. How many hours? (He taught until morning.) Let me see. At least six hours! (Five or six hours.) Every day! Every time! Q(m3): And they had to concentrate while kneeling. Maybe kneeling can help us concentrate better. Master: Really? Good! I’ve learned the secret. We can give it a try.Q(m3): As to how accurate he is in fortune-telling, I can share a story about my daughter. I had not yet met Master at the time, when someone stole my daughter at the market. This classmate of mine was working with me, and was very worried when my daughter went missing. He said, “Alright, let me check.” He predicted that if my daughter did not appear at a specific gate of the market at a specific time, it meant that she would go missing for at least one year. He also said that we might as well file a report with the police. Many good friends of mine helped to look for my daughter. This classmate stood at the gate, the gate of the market. And my daughter appeared at the time he predicted. He was so accurate. Friends in the entertainment circle all know him. Actresses like Ling Po and Chen Li-Li, who once played a prince, came from Singapore and Malaysia to have him tell their fortunes. During New Year holidays and festivals, people from southern Taiwan (Formosa) came on chartered buses to visit him. There are three thick books on the market about Zi Wei Dou Shu, or Purple Star Astrology. These are basic-level books. However, mastering these three books… People who want to learn this art study these three books, which are very thick. They’re written by a Mr. Tsai and Mr. Tsai is… the student of those who had studied the art before. The teacher that he studied with was a spiritual practitioner. When that teacher was about to die, he called my classmate and asked him to notify several others that the teacher was leaving the world. The teacher left his handwritten notes to three or four disciples. Master: OK. Thank you. Go on with your stories. He was only learning fortune-telling and had to kneel for so long. What about learning to go beyond the three worlds? What should he do then? OK, what else do you have to say? If not, (Nothing.) then show us what you’ve got. We are all fellow practitioners. Don’t forget that. Control your vanity a little. It doesn’t matter who wins. OK, give it a try. Ah, come on! Tell us first if you don’t have much power. The sword is merciless. Q(m1): For iron palms, this part of the palm is trained. Master: Yes. (To practice iron arms, it’s from here to here,) Yes. (the whole part.) How did you practice? Which part do you practice now? (I used to practice it.) What would you like to show us? (I’ll let him check how tough my skin is.) Do you still have the power? (I found that after practicing the Quan Yin Method, my power is still there.) It hasn’t disappeared. That is great. It even increases, don’t you know? It would increase more. (That means you can…) You may come over here, it’s OK. There’s more space here. In case you are too strong, let me protect myself a little. Om mani padmi hum. OK, if your qi goes all over the place, it would be troublesome. (I don’t need to use qi…) If I fall, we’ll know that it is these two. OK. Q(m1): You can use your hand to pinch yourself. You can all try to pinch yourself here and see if it hurts. Master: Ouch! It hurts! Q(m1): And does it hurt to pinch yourself over here? Now we will invite this brother to pinch me. Pinch really hard. Harder! Harder. Still harder. Q(m2): He has been practicing. Master: He has? (I can tell when I touch him.) You can tell by just touching? Terrific! Ah! (He does not feel pain when pinched.) Awesome. (The skin is separated from the bones, the flesh, the muscles and the fat. He has positive electricity so we can’t feel it.) Ooh! (When qi is able to get through, it can form a thin film. When you touch it, you can feel that the skin and the flesh are slightly separated. It is also like this if you practice tai chi.) Yes? It will become hard? (Yes, yes! It will also be like this.) Touch and see. I can’t tell. (I can tell by touching. Just one touch. I am very sensitive.) Good! (Very sensitive.) Then we don’t have to try any more. Q(m1): Anybody else wants to try? Come and touch, free of charge. Q(f3): Free of charge. Master: You have to pay him even! What do you mean by “free of charge”? Your karma may transfer to them if they touch you. Q(m2): This is also one of the skills in tai chi. Master: Yes. (Sometimes it looks very soft, very soft on the outside, but the bones inside are very hard. We also practiced this kind of skill.) That’s what I thought. (Yes, this is a kind of kung fu.) Right, sometimes they can use a paper fan to knock someone over. (Yes. We can send someone flying through the air with a light touch. We have that power.) Show us then! Would you like to come up and try him? Or you two can test on each other. (Someone here has also practiced tai chi.) Which one? (The one who just became a monk.) Find him. He’s the one who practiced drunken boxing. (Yes, I’ve seen him practicing it.) That is no big deal. (You can also get some big guys to come up.) Ah! Little sweet potato, come here. (He has trained before.) He is the prince of Shaolin. (He has practiced it.) OK, give it a try. Q(m1): And the bones. I make this part of my bones become like this, and you can use the same part, like this. Try to knock it. Master: Just joking. Q(m2): Then, you knock mine. Q(m1): And here. You don’t have to use too much force. Q(m2): Yes, yes. Q(m1): You can feel it by hitting here. Q(m2): You can hit me hard. Master: Yes. Q(m2): Harder still. Q(m1): You can feel that… Master: This is a joke. I can also do it. Q(m2): Master, this power is called “drive,” not “strength.” The bone marrow has been reconditioned to be like that of a tiger. Bones have three layers. The second layer becomes very dense, so it becomes very heavy. When he just gently… I have practiced the same thing. Master: I see. (When I touch it gently,) I see. (It hurts a lot. If I give a push like this, his head might crack.) Oh, I see. (Yes, yes.) Then I take it back. (Yes. I have practiced the same kung fu.) I dare not let you hit me now. Q(m1): It feels different from someone who has practiced it. Q(m2): We know from one touch. Master: If it were someone else, he would die in pain. Q(m2): No, no. Q(m1): If it were someone else, it would be more intense. Master: So we can’t do that. Q(m2): No, the bone may break. I know just by touching him. Master: Can we bring bricks here for you to try then? Q(m1): I hit him very gently. He would feel the difference. Q(m2): You can try hitting me harder. Master: He wouldn’t do it. Let’s use bricks then. Q(m1): You just need to see how hard the bones are. You don’t have to… Master: Just go fetch some bricks and then we’ll know. Is that OK? Q(m2): No, you have to feel it in order to perceive his power and bear the “drive” in his punch. You can’t use bricks. Master: The power goes inside. (Yes, so we can’t use bricks or stones.) I see. Then don’t do that. (This power is different from the power used to hit a brick.) It’s not just by force, it’s the power of the qi. (It is called the “power without power,” so we call it “superhuman power.”) Understand. (In the “Complete Works of Boxing”, it is called the “superhuman power.”) OK. (He has also read the “Complete Works of Boxing”.) I see, so what can the superhuman power do? (It can help you concentrate on your willpower and create a strong explosive force.) Explode from the inside. (Yes, explode inside.) When you touch this kind of person, you would slowly become ill? (He is so small. It would send him flying through the air.) Q(f3): He’d fly very far away. He’s afraid that he’d fly very far once he makes his move. Q(m2): Someone has to hold him from behind, or it would be dangerous. Q(f3): He would fly through the air. Master: It’s dangerous, so what can we do? Q(m2): My wife is here, she can hold him. Master: He knows kung fu. Maybe it’s OK for him to fly. Would anything happen to you? Q(m4): I don’t know. I have never met a top kung fu master before. Master: Which one is his wife? OK, you can use it on your wife, since you both know kung fu. But we wouldn’t know if they pretend. (You may get other people to try, it’s OK.) Are you really that powerful? OK, OK. (You help me hold it.) Don’t cheat. Take off your glasses. (No one is holding him from behind. Please tell them to stand up.) Move away! Q(f3): Block him. Master: Block him! (Get somebody to hold him, otherwise he might fall and get a concussion.) OK, catch him then. Form a wall. Q(m1): He’s getting into action. Master: Another wall over there too. Q(f4): Do you want to push me? Q(m1): The taller person. Q(m2): It’s OK. It doesn’t matter. Push him then. Master: All right. You can also push her. (I’ll push her first, then…) Yes. And somebody can hold him from behind. It’s all right. How far away should they stand? (Brother Hsu, please come up here.) Please tell us how far away they should stand. Get them in place. Stand up. Form a wall. Hold on well. So he does not fly. Who is this guy? (The dentist.) Dentist, right. (His brother-in-law. Have you also practiced it?) You also trained your bones? (Tai chi.) Tai chi, OK. Q(m2): Very gently… Master: Wow, that’s amazing. (Very gently.) I know, I know. It looks very gentle. Wow, that’s it? Very gently like this. (Yes, just like this.) Wow, impressive! Do you two fight at home? Better not. OK, you give him a push and see. Q(m1): You can tell by watching his feet. If both of his feet leave the ground, that means it’s working. Usually, when people push, only one foot leaves the ground and the person keeps moving back. But when both his feet leave the ground.Q(f3): That means it is working. Master: Understand! Try your best. Wow! You still flew away! Only one foot is off the ground. So it is no big deal. Ah, so soft. That’s it. (One more time.) OK. Use another method. (Stand firm.) Q(m1): You have to loosen your bones first. Master: Wow! It’s also useless. Amazing. OK, OK. Admirable! He’s so gentle, that’s truly amazing. The gentle one always wins over the tough one. (Very gently.) Yes. Yes, toughness is nothing.

There are two gates up there. One leads to places within the three worlds, and one goes beyond the three worlds. I opened the one beyond the three worlds for you when I gave you initiation. Understand? Just like your house has a front door and a back door. You use the front door to go outside, whereas the back door will lead you to the trash bin or the restroom. Master: There are people who practice that kind of martial art. Do you know it? It’s like this. From here. And neither the knife nor the sword can pierce into it, including here. (The throat.) And their hands become… (Very hard.) They can bend an iron bar like it’s a noodle. What did you practice? Internal or external qigong? Q(m1): I have iron arms now. Master: What? (Iron arms.) Q(f3): He has iron arms too. (Iron arms.) Master: You have iron arms? You can also bend the iron bar, right? Q(m1): No. After reconstruction, the bones become harder. And the skin can withstand pain. Master: Withstand the wind? (Pain.) Pain? Oh! Q(m1): If any of you want to try, you’re welcome to come up here. Q(f3): He’s asking people to come and try. Master: Come and try? No need. You can beat yourself with the iron bar. Then they’ll know you’re not afraid of pain! Q(m1): But if I use the iron bar, they will not know how hard my arms are. They have to try for themselves. Master: I have to find a martial art expert to come up here. Tong! The copper man! Come up! I don’t know if he has iron arms. I know he cannot be hurt by knives and swords. But iron arms… I don’t know. Someone else is coming? Come, come! It’s more fun this way! Otherwise, people will think that we are boring practitioners and only useless people come here. They don’t know that there are great kung fu masters among us. OK, you two. Master: Aren’t you a dentist? No? Q(m2): No. I’ve practiced martial arts for almost 30 years. Master: Practiced what? (Kungfu.) Wow! If I’d known this earlier, I would not have dared to give you initiation. Welcome. Now try him. Fix him for me. He has boasted enough about his power. You see that? Thirty years! Good! Wow! Great! You see? Q(m1): I came up to entertain you all, not to boast or anything. Master: Sit. Just sit down. Sit here. It’s OK. Now we will try something different. You all can talk. You don’t have to always listen to me. Now let’s hear you all talk. OK! Go on. You can fix him after he’s finished. Don’t be polite with him. OK, tell me. Q(m1): I once competed with someone who had iron palms. Master: Iron palms? (Yes.) OK, understand. (He could…) Kill someone with his hand, right? (Yes, he could.) Wow! Scary! Q(m1): He could even stir hot sands with his bare hands. His skin would peel off and be replaced with a new skin. The skin would have yellow and white patches. Master: Understand. Q(m1): It looked horrible. Because I got my iron arms from practicing qigong, they look normal on the outside. Master: Understand. (They are different inside.) I understand. You use the inner qi. (Yes.) to push it here. I know now. Q(m1): Yes, yes. Just like forging iron. A knife has to be forged to make it strong so it won’t become jagged after use. Master: Yes. Q(m1): I have hit his palms before. Master: You did? (Yes.) Oh! Not bad! Q(m1): But I found that his bones are not really hard. Master: Not so good. (No. Only one spot on his hands is hard. He only worked on one part, not his whole arm.) Master: Oh! Maybe he didn’t practice that well. But you have to watch out! If you met a top kung fu master, you would be finished. It’s true that some people really have iron hands. They can bend knives and swords like toys. You would be finished if you were touched by his sword. He can twist it like a noodle or a French baguette. Master: What else? You beat him? (No.) How good was that person? Q(m1): He was once an advisor to the taekwondo coaches in the Marine Corps in Zuoying. Q(f3): He was an advisor to a coach in the Navy. Master: Wow! That means he’s good, doesn’t it? Q(m1): He was an advisor to their taekwondo coaches. Master: Oh, that means… (In the army.) That means he’s good. Right? Or did they just pick randomly? Or were the real masters in hiding? Is that possible? Was there anyone better than him? What do you think? You are from the martial arts community. Do you know anything? Q(m2): I believe that kung fu is about what’s within. For example, in qigong, you have to relax when practicing, so that your bones would become strong. That’s what he meant by bone remodeling. I have practiced almost all types of martial arts, including qigong. I can make hundreds of people’s fingers longer or shorter at the same time. Q(f3): He can make fingers of hundreds of people become longer or shorter. Q(m1): You can try it later. Master: What is that? What do you mean by longer and shorter? I cannot understand your martial jargon. Q(m2): I can send qi to someone’s fingers and make them longer. Master: Longer? (Their fingers will become longer. Two fingers will be of different lengths.) Yes? Q(f3): And the fingers of each arm can also become different. (Yes.) Master: One will be shorter and one longer? Q(m2): Many people in Taiwan (Formosa) can do this. At least hundreds of them. Master: Hundreds of people can do this? (Yes, I am not the only one.) Hundreds of them in Taiwan (Formosa). Q(m2): Many can do it. It’s very common.Master: Wow! So you can make a short person taller? Q(m2): Yes, but they will shrink back after a while. Master: Then what is the use of it? (It’s of no use.) It’s a waste of your time and that person’s expectation. (That’s why I quit.) You stopped learning? (I now practice the Quan Yin Method.) Yeah, that is a waste of time. What’s the use of making people taller if they just shrink back afterwards? Otherwise I could… (But it could be used to relieve pain.) Otherwise, you could use it to help our young monks grow faster. Yes? You could use your kung fu to pull them up a little. They eat a lot of blessed food but it still doesn’t help. I order a lot of food for them every month. All kinds of food. They still don’t grow much. Like Tong. There’s nothing I can do! Do you think you can pull him up a little? OK, OK. Say yes only if you can. Otherwise, don’t bother. OK. You can tell us what you are good at. Then it will be his turn. We can have a discussion. If there’s anything you would like to add or correct, then you can bring it up in the discussion. OK, sit over here. Don’t face the audience, they have a lot of karma. Look over here. Tell me. What else? Q(m1): When I came for initiation, in the beginning I was not so… I just wanted to give it a try. But the more I practiced, the more discoveries I made inside. This is just an analogy. Many brothers and sisters fell in love with You first and married You later. But I did not fall in love first. My marriage came before the love. I was initiated first. Master: You just wanted to try. Q(m1): After initiation, I realized how good the Quan Yin Method is. I fell in love with the Quan Yin Method. Master: I see. And? You don’t have to talk about the Quan Yin Method. We all know about it. Just talk about your own experience. Q(m1): I shared many stories during the last 7-day retreat. Master: You did? Q(m1): Like I was suddenly able to do shadow boxing by myself. That was nothing. Master: So he learned it himself. The kung fu stances originally came from spiritual practice. After practicing spiritually for some time, some people could suddenly perform mudras or kung fu stances. That happens when qi is circulating smoothly in your body. Q(m1): I think it’s a flashback memory of previous lives. Master: Yeah, this happens. Then it developed into kung fu. For example, after practicing spiritually for some time, some people can automatically react to whatever the opponent does, without having learned any kung fu. Have you heard of such stories? (Yes.) Have you? It’s a natural ability. Q(m2): They call it “magic boxing.” Magic boxing. Master: Do you know anyone in Taiwan (Formosa) who can do it? (Yes.) (Yes.) Who? (Yes, my ancestors had this ability.) Your ancestors? (Many generations of my family practiced martial arts.) That’s why you are so good! You have the lineage. It’s better than learning from outside. Q(m1): I don’t think so. Because we would practice life after life, and be born here again. Q(f3): He thinks it’s not a good thing for him. Because he has practiced it in previous lives, so he was born again in the family of martial arts. Q(m1): Never to go beyond the three worlds. Master: No. (Stuck in transmigration here.) No. It’s good you are here now. You are so lucky already. Why are you complaining? Because you had some kung fu power, you could recognize Master. If you had not learned qigong, you probably would not have recognized me. If you had not shot me with your qi, you would not know my power. Just like the Taoist sister who shot me with invisible swords. She had to do that before she could surrender herself. Otherwise, she would not know who I am! Q(m1): After practicing the Quan Yin Method for 6 months, I thought that I had not practiced qigong for a long time. So I picked it up again. After practicing just one time, I could move automatically again. My body started to walk around making all kinds of hand gestures. Suddenly My body ran to my cushion and sat down to meditate (on inner Heavenly Light and Sound). Master: How strange! (So I think…) He was also a qigong master. He could make just one move and send people flying in the air. He had great skills, yet he used it to shoot his qi at me. But he came to learn with me after he failed. They are all like that! I do not use any martial arts. For example, when that sister came to shoot her magic swords at me, I didn’t engage her at all. I just sat there eating my cake. And you said the knife I used to cut the cake was emitting light. I didn’t do anything! I was just cutting the cake, It’s not me who made the knife shine brightly. I didn’t do anything intentionally. But you needed to have intent when practicing your magic skills, (Yes. It’s not good using the mind power.) Mind power? (It’s not good to use the mind.) It’s still… (Low level.) It’s still not so good, is it? It’s better to do it naturally. Right? (Yes.) OK.Master: Now you can share something with us. Then you two can compete with each other. Now tell us your story. When did you start practicing? What did you practice? Q(m2): I had practiced martial arts since childhood. It’s been a family tradition for many generations. I also practiced karate for many years. Karate. (Practiced karate.) Master: Karate. Wow! Awesome! Q(m2): With the Japanese. You can see that my hands are round. Master: Yeah. (They are both round.) Yes. (The whole hand is…) I know. (Round.) Really professional! Q(m2): Because I practiced karate for many years. After that I learned tai chi too. I learned tai chi from the chief master. He was the highest master of the orthodox tai chi style in Taiwan (Formosa). Q(m1): Was it Huang Xing Xian? Q(m2): No, Huang also learned the moves from my master. Huang was a junior fellow of my master. He had hundreds of thousands of students in Malaysia. Master: Oh, I see! (But my master was the chief master.) Wow! Awesome! (I was his first major disciple.) Really? That’s great! Major disciple? (Yes.) Wow! I am honored to meet you. So? Q(m2): After practicing tai chi for many years, I felt like I had reached a plateau that I could not break through. Master: How come there are also different states of martial arts? Q(m2): Because in the field of tai chi, this is how it is when you reach the highest state. You’ll have the power of hearing and apprehension, etc. It’ll be like that when you reach the highest state. Because it seems… I felt empty inside when I reached a high level. It was as if there was something missing. Master: Yes? Q(m2): I didn’t know what it was. Nothing looked right to me. I did not seem to know anyone in this world. I seemed to have no feelings toward people, including my wife. I often felt like I did not know her at all. It was strange. Master: It’s like your attention is focused, you know? Concentration. That’s not bad. Q(m2): It seemed like nothing in this world concerned me. And then my brother-in-law invited me to come and get initiation from Master to practice the Quan Yin Method. During the lecture… Master: Can everybody hear it? Can people in the back hear it? (They should be able to hear. They should…) Yes? (Yes!) Q(m2): I… I went to Master’s lecture at the National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. I only went on the first day. The second day I did not go. But I saw Master’s transformation from my wisdom eye for 4 to 5 hours. The image was vivid, as were Master’s clothes. It lasted a long time. When my brother-in-law came back from the lecture, I described to him what Master was wearing at the lecture. He said, “Yes. How did you know?” This just happened naturally. I never practiced this kind of magic before. Master: It’s not magic? Q(m2): No, no, I never practiced anyway. I never learned anything like that. So I came quickly to get initiation. Master: Because you found it strange. Q(m2): Yes. Very strange. The vision was… When we practice qigong, we have the impression and energy field of the opponent ingrained onto our wisdom eye, like framing it in a mirror, then we send it out using the mind power. That’s how it’s done. That’s how qi is sent out. We also use the wisdom eye to send it out. Because I was just a beginner, so I didn’t dare to ask Master that, if I sent qi from the solar plexus all the way to the wisdom eye, would it interfere with my practice of the Quan Yin Method? I’m not sure about that. Master: What did you say? Please explain. Q(m2): I used to send my qi from the solar plexus to the wisdom eye and send it out from there. After practicing the Quan Yin Method, I often have to cut it off here. Because it would flow upwards, with the mind power and the vibration. The subtle vibrations would come up here. So I often have to control it, to push it down. Master: Why do you have to push it down? Q(m2): I don’t know. Because I thought that I should ask only after having practiced for three years. Today, it just happens… I feel embarrassed because this is in public… Master: I don’t understand his question. What did he ask? Q(f3): Do you mean after you practice the Quan Yin Method? Q(m2): No. Because I had practiced qigong before. That’s why. Master: It goes up automatically? Q(m2): Yes. Because I learned to emit qi from all parts of the body. Through the hands or the side of the body. Just anywhere. Not only the hands. Even the wisdom eye. We also learned to send out qi from the wisdom eye. But I don’t think this is the right way. I should focus on the Quan Yin Method. Q(f3): He said that he used to emit qi from the wisdom eye. Master: Understand. Q(f3): He thinks that it’s wrong to do that. Master: Why is it wrong? Q(m2): I don’t know if I should do that. Master: You were using the wisdom eye for a different purpose. I told you before that there are two gates there. You were using the one within the three worlds. (Oh!) It’s at the same place, one on the left and one on the right. Q(m2): Originally, I wanted to concentrate on my practice and ask Master this question three years later. Master: Ah, no need. There are two gates up there. One leads to places within the three worlds, and one goes beyond the three worlds. I opened the one beyond the three worlds for you when I gave you initiation. Understand? Just like your house has a front door and a back door. You use the front door to go outside, whereas the back door will lead you to the trash bin or the restroom. Q(m1): I have my own thoughts about this. Chinese people say that humans live on three things. Essence, qi, and spirit. There is a big difference between qi and spirit. Qigong is at the qi level. If you want to become a celestial or a Buddha, you have to rise to the level of the spirit. Cultivate your spirit. The spirit is the Light and Sound. So the qi level is much lower than… Master: The spirit level. Q(m1): The spirit level. We also practice through the wisdom eye. Master: Understand. Q(m1): But the level is different. Master: Yes. Q(m2): For qigong, we have to use our mind power, strong mind power. Master: Use the mind? OK. Of course, the wisdom eye is the center of wisdom. Inside. We can use it in any way. But qigong uses it for only one purpose. Even though it opens the right door, it is used only for one purpose, such as emitting qi. It does not take you beyond the three worlds. Qigong is used solely for martial arts, but not to its full capacity. So being the best kung fu master is all you could achieve. But the best kung fu master is still nothing! Q(m2): No, it’s truly nothing. Now I really feel that it’s no use. Master: Understand. (I don’t want anything now.) Understand. But we don’t just stop at the wisdom eye. We start from there and go to other realms. The wisdom eye is just a door. There’s nothing great about it. We should not just stop there. For example, we open the front door to go and see friends, go shopping or go to work. What’s the use of just standing by the door? You can only see so much from there. Understand? I use that door to take you out, not to make you stand there. But with qigong, you just stand at the door. That’s the difference. OK, anymore?

Did anyone else try to shoot me before? Please come up. How did you do it? There are quite a few qigong masters here, quite a few men. Are you all hiding? I would not take revenge. The best revenge is to take you beyond the three realms, so that you wouldn’t want to shoot me anymore. Master: Master Ji Gong told many people to come to me. You were not the only one. He said very clearly to some people. He also told them that he’s not up to Master’s level. He meant I was a little higher than him. That’s what he said. Q(f1): Actually, You are much higher. Master: Lovely! (Yes.) It’s hard to measure “a little.” How much does “a little” mean in the Buddha’s realm compared to this world? Then what happened? Q(f1): The day after Master Ji Gong spoke to me, I saw Master wearing a monastic robe with Her head shaved, like in the early days. And You said to me, “You can be my disciple now.” Something like that. Q(f3): The second day, she saw the inner Master come to tell her, “You may become my disciple.” Master: OK. Q(f1): Then I bowed to You. I said I did not have enough merit. I dared not. Then I withdrew. The second day You came again, again wearing the nun’s robe. I stood there and You walked around me three times and said, “You can practice the Quan Yin Method with me now.” Still I said that I dared not. The third day, I only saw You wearing the golden garment, just like in the early days, but You said nothing. And then… Master: I already told you twice. What more could I say? I was too tired the third time. You were lucky to see me appear again. Other Masters would have let you go. (Yes.) And then? Q(f1): Then I finally came to Hsihu ashram. The first time, a fellow initiate drove us here. On our way here there was a heavy storm. The rain was so heavy that it was almost impossible to drive. But we came anyway. We heard that Master was giving initiation that day. But when we got here, we found it had been rescheduled. The second time, again there was a storm and Master was going to give initiation, but the initiation was canceled again. The third time, we also traveled through a storm. But when we arrived in Hsihu, the day was clear. The rain had stopped. That day happened to be Your birthday. And on that day, I also thought that I must challenge You. Master: At that time, she still wanted to challenge me. You see? That was too much! (Yes.) To have disciples like this. Hard like a stone. Master Ji Gong already told her to be my disciple. The deity from her own religion already told her to come learn with me. And my transformation body also came and told her three times. She still came here to shoot me. See? Always the disciples are like this. See how hard it is to teach you! I have to suffer so much. You don’t understand. So much hard work! You wouldn’t know if she didn’t tell you. It’s good that she told you a little bit today. There are quite a few other disciples who wanted to shoot me. You didn’t know. If I was not powerful enough I would not be here today. Q(f1): Then after initiation, I went back to stay in an I-Kuan Tao temple. Q(f3): She stayed in an I-Kuan Tao temple, focusing on spiritual practice. Master: Oh. Q(f1): Yes. I stayed in an I-Kuan Tao temple. I practiced the Quan Yin Method there and meditated. But I felt very different after a week. I believed that the so-called deities and gods in I-Kuan Tao were at the astral level. When we meditate and practice the Quan Yin Method, our inner Buddha light shines out, emitting immeasurable merits. And the astral beings would come and try to grab this light. Master: Grab your light? (Yes.) It happens! (Yes.) Then what happened? Q(f1): After seven days of meditation, I felt that my practice was not on the right track and my spirit seemed to have gone away. Like it had unraveled. So I knew that the registers for heaven and hell mentioned in I-Kuan Tao did really exist. Master: I don’t understand. Q(f3): I don’t understand. Master: Please explain the last sentence. Q(f1): I-Kuan Tao mentions a dragon heaven chart. Do You know that? It means the registers for heaven and hell. Q(f3): They have a dragon heaven chart. Master: What about it? Q(f1): The dragon heaven chart is like the chart used in Taoism for liberating the dead. Master: But what is the connection between this and your spirit going out? Q(f1): Oh. Now we’re talking about the deities and gods in the I-Kuan Tao temple. Q(f3): The problems with the deities in the I-Kuan Tao temple were what she was talking about. Master: Oh. Go ahead. (Yes. And then…) You talk about the problems of those deities. Q(f1): Yes. They say that spiritual practice can liberate us from the cycle of birth and death. Yes? They say we can be elevated from the cycle of life and death. At that time I believed it, that our names could be removed from the list for hell and added to the register for the astral heaven. Master: Do you understand? (Yes.) Yes. Q(f3): She said that it’s called the Long Tian list, or Dragon Heaven list. (Yes, the register for heaven.) The soul could go to the Asura world. She said that the purpose of practicing spiritually is to be liberated from the cycle of birth and death. (That… Yes.) Master: Put the microphone further away, then your voice might sound clearer. Q(f1): OK. As for the register for heaven, the name will be removed from the list for hell and registered for heaven. Meaning your name will be removed from the list for hell. Q(f3): She said that our names would be added to heaven’s register and crossed out from the hell list. That means we would not go to hell. Q(f1): Yes. So after we die, we would not go to hell. Master: I’ve told you this many times. But you don’t believe me. Then what happened? Q(f1): In I-Kuan Tao, it’s said that Master Ji Gong would bear our karma, but only for three years. After three years we’re on our own. Yes. Paying no heed to you after three years. Master: Oh! What happens after three years? (After three years, it’s up to us.) OK. Q(f1): Yes. It depends on our level of practice. If we cannot bear our own karma, then after three years… Master: It’s already good that he carries your karma for three years. (Yes.) Otherwise, who wants to take your karmic burden? Q(f1): Yes. That’s why I believed in I-Kuan Tao. But now I have learned the Quan Yin Method and saw that You are a real living Buddha, who can save sentient beings, truly save our souls, and liberate us from the cycle of birth and death. That’s why I want to be a nun. Master: I see! (Yes.) OK. (That’s all.) It’s good. Q(f1): Yes. It was all arranged by Master. Master: It’s good that you believe me. (Yes.) Master: Where is your magic sword now? Where did you put it? Q(f1): Oh that! I threw it away! I’m done with it. Master: Good, good. Don’t use it anymore. Q(f1): No. Now I’ll concentrate on the Quan Yin Method and practice for Buddhahood. Master: That’s wonderful! I do not blame you for shooting me. Because if you did not try, you would not know who I am. (Yes, I learned my lesson.) You were thinking, “what if she’s evil?” Right? (Yes.) “I’ll shoot her, and if she doesn’t die, it means she’s good. Then I could be her disciple!” It’d be troublesome if we found the wrong teacher! No? She was trying to find a real Master, because she had been practicing since childhood. She has an intense longing for the Dharma. If she found the wrong Master, her whole life would have been wasted, understand? Q(f1): Yes, that’s why I had only one Master before, Master Ji Gong. Master: He is also a good one! Q(f1): Yes, but he’s not as high as You! That’s why he wanted me to come to You! Master: What did you say? (He was not as high as You. That’s why he wanted me to learn with You.)Master: Great. He’s honest. He will have merit for this. Master Ji Gong is good. But he’s not in this physical world anymore. Q(f1): No. He doesn’t have a physical body. So he cannot bear our karma. Master: Right. Anything else? (That’s all.) That’s all? (Yes.) Tell me more after you become a nun. OK. (Thank You, Master.) Master: Did anyone else try to shoot me before? Please come up. How did you do it? There are quite a few qigong masters here, quite a few men. Are you all hiding? I would not take revenge. The best revenge is to take you beyond the three realms, so that you wouldn’t want to shoot me anymore. That’s revenge from the core. End the hatred forever. If I take revenge on you, I’ll not be able to eliminate it from the core. I always deal with things from the core. It’s good, isn’t it? (Yes.) OK. That’s the real solution. End the cycle of revenge. Master: OK, who else? Anyone has better magic? You can also show your small magic. Just for fun. It’s a pity that she could not perform for you. But I believe that she does have this magic. She would not lie to you. You can tell from the way she talks. She truly has magic power. It’s not easy to have achieved this. If your wisdom eye is open, you can see the sword she manifested was like a real sword, but it was thousands of times more powerful. You could not stop it! You could not control it. If you don’t have much spiritual power, you’d be shot by it. Then you would probably die, even without any sickness. Not only in this life, but many lifetimes! No one could save you unless you met a high-level Master. The sword could penetrate your spiritual body. After that you’d be controlled by her. You would listen to her command, unable to do anything with your own will. Your soul would be controlled! You’d be seriously injured, deeply wounded! No one would be able to save you. It’s very scary. So if a sorcerer has no morals, it’d be really troublesome. Yet this is how she came to believe Master. It’s not because she was jealous or had bad intentions. You cannot say that she’s not loyal to the Truth. She just wanted to test whether I was a demon or not. She thought she could be like the Monkey King, protecting people from evil by eliminating a big demon. That’s why. When she failed, she knew that I was not the bad one. She was. I’m just joking. You see, it’s not easy for her to obtain such power! She has meditated since childhood. She has been training since she was little. It’s easier if you learn from childhood. You’re more innocent and can concentrate more easily. If you start from childhood, you would be very powerful and have great achievement. There are some who have achieved something similar. But you don’t have to manifest such a long sword to kill a person. This is enough. It’s already a great achievement for her. I am small. For me, just this long is enough. Isn’t it? With a few centimeters to spare. It’s a waste to use so much energy to manifest this. OK. If you want to shoot me, then make a small one. Don’t need to waste so much power. However, there is one thing not so good about it. Not only do you use this power to harm people, you also use it to kill and eliminate. Annihilation. (To annihilate him.) Saving people is really what matters. What’s so great about killing people? People learn two things: To kill and to save. To kill is so simple. To eliminate someone is so easy. It’s also easy to eliminate ghosts. But it’s better to save ghosts and demons. Isn’t it? If you just kill and eliminate anyone and everyone, it’s no good. Right? Master: Well, anyone else wants to share something? Just to pass the time. Let’s not be too serious. Come, come. Yeah, I remember him. I remember him. He told us some stories at the 7-day retreat, didn’t he? Come sit here. OK, sit anywhere you like, as long as you’re comfortable. You don’t have to look at them, if you are worried that they will make trouble for you later. Tell me. Q(m1): I once tried to exchange qi or energy flow with You by releasing it from the top of my head. That was during a lecture by Master in Pingtung. Master: I don’t understand. Come closer. Come over here. Here we can talk better. Come, come. You’ll feel more comfortable. OK, now we can chat. Sit down. Sit here. It’s OK. What are you afraid of? You already know I am not a demon. Sit! We can talk casually, like friends. They would just listen by the way. Q(m1): One time Master was giving a lecture in Pingtung, At that time I didn’t know who Master was. I was practicing qigong at the time. I could exchange my qi (energy flow) with trees. Q(f3): He could exchange energy with trees. Master: Oh! (I could…) Exchange qi with all beings. (Yes.) And? Q(m1): My qi would flow from the top of my head into a tree. Master: Into a tree? (And then…) Draw energy back from the tree? (I can absorb energy from the tree.) And? (When you were giving the lecture…) No wonder your face looks so green. You’ve almost turned into a tree. And then what happened? This is not easy. It’s not a simple task. I know. It’s similar to the way Arabian people practiced. I know. There was once an old Arabic witch. She was an old practitioner, an old woman. She did not have to eat. She just absorbed energy. How did she do it? For example, if she was going to perform, she would pick a grapefruit about this size. She would just lie there with her eyes closed and do nothing. But suddenly the grapefruit would shrink, leaving its skin dry. She had extracted the juice inside! Is it like that? If you extract qi from the trees, will they die? (No.) No? Q(m1): They are grown trees, not small trees. Master: So you used bigger trees? Q(m1): Just ordinary trees. I dared not exchange qi with very big trees. I had heard a story about a person who knew how to exchange qi. He tried to exchange qi with a sacred tree. A sacred tree is one that has lived for hundreds of years. As a result, his qi was sucked away by that tree. Master: So small trees are better? Yes. That’s right. Q(m1): His whole body stayed cold for a whole month. Master: Oh! Was he OK? Q(m1): He recovered slowly. So I only do it with smaller trees. Master: Yeah, they are kinder and do not react so severely. Stick to smaller trees in the future. Didn’t your teacher tell you that? Why go to sacred trees? They are old and more powerful. Even I know, that old people are not to be messed with. Then what happened? Continue your story. Q(m1): So Master was giving a lecture in Pingtung. I was ignorant of Master’s Power. Master was sitting on the stage, and I tried to send out my qi to exchange with Master’s. Master: You aimed your qi at me? Oh, you were only trying. (Yes.) You did not see my light? Q(m1): I did. But I did not realize that it was the Buddha Light. My qi dissipated when it touched Your Light. Again and again, I sent my qi and it was gone. Master: You lost your qi. (Yes.) My goodness! Lucky you are still alive! And then? Q(m1): Actually, this ability came naturally after I practiced qigong. It was very sudden. It was not my original intention. Master: Understand. Q(m1): I practiced qigong to strengthen my internal organs. This was incidental. Master: You tried to shoot your qi at me. Then what happened? How did it disappear? Q(m1): Once I released my qi, it dissolved just like materials melt upon contact with the sun. I don’t know where my qi went. It seemed to have hit something and was dissolved right away. Master: OK. Did you run out of qi? Q(m1): I dared not continue. I stopped after trying a few times. Master: You stopped? (I stopped just in time.) Good. Otherwise, you would have no qi left. (That’s right.) Anything else? Q(m1): I just wanted to try out my sorcery skills. By practicing qigong, I also achieved some other skills, such as external qigong. External qigong is… Master: Did you practice neidangong or internal alchemy? Q(m1): No, it was qigong. The real qigong. Master: Qigong, OK. There are many kinds of qigong. (Yes.)

That day I came here to challenge You. I shot swords of light at You. And You melted them all. Master’s Buddha light filled the entire hall. My swords turned soft and fell. Turned soft? (Yes.) Like a noodle. Not a sword. The Buddha light dissolved the swords of light. Their light merged together. So it became harmless. (Yes.) That’s good! Master: After the Song dynasty it was the Liang dynasty, right? Is that right? (Pardon?) (Yuan dynasty.) Q(f3): Song, and then Yuan. Master: Yuan dynasty? It is! Huh? (Pardon?) No, no. We’re talking about something else. It has nothing to do with you. (OK.) Q(f3): Five dynasties and ten kingdoms. Q(f1): Oh. What you’re discussing does not concern me. Master: Hmm. I’m talking about something else with her. (Oh. OK.) Master: Then what about my other lives? (Other lives?) The one before being a monk. (The one before…) Master: If you can’t see that far in the past, check out a more recent one. Anything? Q(f1): The more recent one… The more recent one is now! Master: A little more recent. (A little more recent?) Not more recent. From this time to that... Q(f1): Oh I see, there’s no more. Master: Then before that? (Before that?) Did you think that I was only a monk for one lifetime in China? Q(f1): No. You had affinity with China many times. Master: What kind of affinity? (Complicated affinities.) Q(f3): The relationship is really… might still be thinking. Master: Tell me using your magic, not by guessing! (OK.) It’s not fiction. Q(f1): Many affinities. You were once a king. And also… Master: Which king? (An emperor.) Master: Which one? (Yes?) Which one? Q(f1): I saw in Your body that You were a king in one lifetime. I saw You dressed in a dragon robe. Only kings could wear that. Q(f3): She saw You dressed in a dragon robe. So You were a king. Master: Yes. But which emperor was that? (Which emperor…) Which one? (Which emperor…) Master: Which dynasty? Q(f1): Which dynasty… Let me check it out at home, OK? Master: You seem to have no magic at all. I could say that too. Q(f1): I have to go home and meditate more on the Sound. Then I’ll have more power to look into Your previous lives. Master: You don’t need to have a very high level to see my previous lives. (Really?) You can see this if you go to the Buddha City. No need to meditate more on the Light and Sound. No big deal. Master: Is there anyone who knows about my previous lives in China? Raise your hand. Q(f1): We have many fellow initiates with magical power. Master: Yes, you can see everything. (Yes, Master, I’d like to escape, too, but I can’t.) Master: Does anyone go to such a place to see? Come up! Come here. If you make mistakes, I’ll cut off your hair. Force you to be a nun. Anything else you want to say? Please wait a moment. She wants to say something. Q(f1): Master, I have a request. I want to be a nun. Master: Don’t take advantage of this opportunity! You haven’t shown us much magic. And now you want to be a nun with nothing to offer. Go home to do some research. (After that…) It has to be correct. (Then I can be a nun?) Master: If you are correct, I’ll accept you as a nun. (OK.) It’s because you do have a little talent. Q(f1): Thank You, Master. Master: It’s all right. Master: Now tell me! Can’t hear you. I can’t hear. Pass her another “magical tool.” It’s called a “long broad tongue,” which is very loud. Q(f4): Hi! Master: Ah! Q(f4): Sorry, it's too loud. Master, Master, were You the Sixth Patriarch Hui Neng? Master: I don’t understand. Q(f3): She said, were You Hui Neng, the sixth Zen Patriarch? Master: Why do you ask me? Q(f4): During Your lecture at Shih Jian Hall, I saw You appear as Master Hui Neng. You looked very old. Master: How could you tell it was Hui Neng? Many monks were old. Q(f4): He was short. He was just over 160 cm tall.Master: Hmm… I wouldn’t know. Did he look like me? (His hair was white.) Q(f3): With grey hair. Master: When people get old, their hair turns white. You cannot tell by that. (Thank You.) Master: OK. I won’t tell you the answer. You saw the image and had to ask me! If I say yes, people would say I am bragging. What to do? I cannot prove it. The only similarity is that we both cannot write Chinese, we can only speak it. There’s no other similarity. Do I look like him? Q(f4): You’ve already changed into another physical body. Of course, it looks different. Master: Looks different? (Yes.) Master: OK, never mind. I was a monk in the Song Dynasty. But why was I also a monk in the Liang Dynasty? You are making me out to be a monk life after life. It’s too boring! (I saw You appear like that.) Master: Maybe I was... I’ll look into it. (OK, thank You.) Master: You’re welcome. I also suspected that a little. Who else? It seems that I have deep affinities with the Chinese. I’ve been in China many times. One time I was an emperor. It was not fun being an emperor. It was most pathetic. However, some emperors are very enlightened. They were wise emperors. They were loyal to the country and took good care of the people. They were selfless and sacrificed for their people. They truly cared. Some Chinese emperors were truly like that. Yes or no? (Yes.) Like the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. He was good, wasn’t he? I know little about others, only him. He had a dignified presence and was both strong and intellectual. He was elegant, kind and loving. He did nothing wrong. He did everything right. Other emperors had both merits and shortcomings. Is that right? But he seemed to have only merits. He had just one weakness when it came to beautiful women. But that’s like every man, isn’t it? Nevertheless, his feelings were pure. He just liked to look at them and chat with them. He didn’t do anything to them, did he? It was nothing. He was just making friends and offering them help. Because he was attracted to their beauty, he was able to learn about their grievances. And he helped them by the way. He left after helping them. It was OK. It was good. Master: So, any more you want to tell me? The “challenger.” The Taoist. Wait. The “Taoist” who came to challenge me that day, became the “challenger.” And what happened? Gave up? Q(f1): That day I came here to challenge You. I shot swords of light at You. And You melted them all. Q(f3): They wanted to have a magic duel with Master. They kept projecting light (Yes.) which Master all caught. (I shot light at You like a sword.) They projected swords of light. Master: Swords of light? (Yes.) Ah! If I had known that, I would not have dared to show up that day. I have aging eyesight and saw nothing. Otherwise, I would have been trembling in fear. Then what happened? Q(f1): Master’s Buddha light filled the entire hall. My swords turned soft and fell. Master: Turned soft? (Yes.) Like a noodle. Not a sword. Q(f1): The Buddha light dissolved the swords of light. Master: Their light merged together. So it became harmless. (Yes.) That’s good! Q(f1): Yes. My magic swords could not hurt You. No magic, Taoist or otherwise, works on You. Master: Doesn’t work? (No.) Really? (Yes.) That’s great! (Yes.) Wonderful! You Taoists are so mean. I’ve never offended you. Why did you shoot swords at me? Really! I didn’t even know you. And now you ask to become one of our nuns. How scary! To bring an enemy into my house. I have to think about it now. I have to reconsider your request. It’s so scary. Q(f1): I am now Your disciple. I can leave my past behind and learn the Quan Yin Method with Master. The Quan Yin Method is the ultimate Method. It is the only way to reach Buddhahood. If I really want to strengthen my Taoist power, then I have to practice the Quan Yin Method. Q(f3): If one wants to master the Taoist power one has learned before, then one has to practice the Quan Yin Method. Master: Of course! (The original Taoists also practiced this Method. That’s how they developed these abilities.) Yes. (If I want to reach their level, if I want to go higher, I also have to practice the same method of enlightenment.) Master: Wait a moment. Q(f3): She said that if you want to learn and reach the same level as the Zen Patriarch, you have to be like them, to learn the same method that’ll make you enlightened. Master: Yes. (Yes.) The original Taoists also practiced the Quan Yin Method. You know? (Yes.) They were also Enlightened Masters. They would put aspirants through some tests before accepting them as disciples. There were different levels of apprenticeship. You know? Beginners would learn the magic of mopping the floor, cleaning the toilet, and carrying water. Later, they learned faster spells like summoning wind and rain. It was useful. It was needed at that time. In the old times, they lived in very simple houses. At big spiritual gatherings, people had no place to stay. During the assembly, sorcery was used to dispel the clouds and postpone the rain. But it sapped their energy, leaving them physically exhausted. It was not easy. They couldn’t do it at will. Besides, they were beginners, and many were not vegan and not strict with their diets. They did as they pleased! Those were not real disciples, just followers. So they just did what they wanted. That was why they were exhausted after using magical power. They did not have much endurance like us vegans. And they were easily disturbed by demons. Demons respect vegans, who have more love. Fairies, demons, ghosts and deities, all respect people with morals. They dare not hurt us. If they do, it’s a grave sin for them and nobody can save them. So, they dare not do that. They rarely do. For example, in our society, thieves and robbers only rob the ordinary citizens. They dare not rob the presidential office or from high officials. Because if they were caught, it would be the end for them. Do you know what I mean? It’s like that. OK, continue. Q(f1): There’s one more thing. On the day I challenged You, the swords of light I shot were very short because my level was very low at that time. The sword was about 3 inches (7.6 cm) long. The length of the sword depends on your power. Master: I don’t understand! Q(f3): She said as for the power, the more powerful you are, the longer the sword of light is. (That’s right.) The light can be an inch, or two or three inches long. Master: What about her? Q(f3): She hasn’t spoken yet. Master: How long was your sword? (The one I shot at Master was about this long.) This long? Wow! It was very powerful! (Yes. I saw a photo of You on that day, which was…) Master: Not bad! You have to practice for a long time before you can manifest a sword this long. You must have practiced since childhood. (Yes, from childhood.) Master: And you were not vegetarian, no? (No.) Master: It’s really not easy! Not bad! Most people can only manifest a needle, like the pin on your ID card. Understand? Q(f3): A sewing needle. Master: Only a sewing needle. That’s not bad! Thankfully, it didn’t hurt me. It was long enough to go through my head. And possibly hit another person behind me. Q(f1): This sword can also penetrate spiritual bodies. Q(f3): She said even spiritual bodies can be penetrated. Master: Yes, yes. Q(f1): Yes. The other day, I saw a photo of You holding the Sword of Wisdom. The power it emitted was immense. Master: Which photo? Q(f3): There’s a picture of Master holding a Sword of Wisdom. (The one with the Sword of Wisdom. The Wisdom Sword of Manjushri Bodhisattva.) Master: What sword? The knife I used to cut the Christmas cake? (Yes.) That was the Sword of Wisdom? It was for cutting the cake. How powerful could it be? Q(f1): It had tremendous light. Then I realized, if I wanted my swords of light… Master: It’s just a good kitchen knife. Maybe it was the reflection of light. (No.) What did it have to do with me? Q(f1): It was Your Buddha light… Master: You can just find the… (The kitchen knife.) The kitchen knife shop. Q(f1): No, it’s not that. It shone with the brilliant Buddha light from within You. The power came from You. Master: I was just cutting the cake. No big deal. Q(f1): That’s what I saw. Master: Did you see clearly? I was just cutting cake to give to people. It was not magic, not like you shooting swords. Nothing like that. Q(f1): Yes. Everything You do is magical. It’s just that sometimes Master cannot hide it. So it reveals itself. Master: I cannot hide it? (No.) Then what can I do? Q(f1): I saw Your Sword of Wisdom. It was very bright. So, I thought to myself that I had to practice the Quan Yin Method if I wanted to have a sword that emits bright light. That’s the only way. Q(f3): She saw that the light from Master’s Sword of Wisdom is very strong. She thought that if she herself wanted to have that kind of light, she had to practice the Quan Yin Method. There’s no other way. Master: Really? (Yes.) You are a wise person! Q(f1): It’s due to Your blessings. Master: And then? (Then...) You could not shoot the sword. Then what happened? Q(f1): I did shoot it, but then it was dissolved by Your light. Master: Dissolved? (Yes.) Then what did you do? Q(f1): I was helpless and didn’t know what to do. Master: So you just sat there. Q(f1): Originally, I came here to expose You. I saw that… Q(f3): Originally she wanted to check if Master has a flaw. She wanted to reveal Master’s flaw. Master: Oh! You wanted to see me fall and have everyone laugh about it. But I did not fall. Q(f1): You were too powerful! Master: I can’t help it. I am sorry for that. (No, no.) I didn’t do it on purpose. (I know.) Master: If you had told me earlier, I would have pretended to fall. It would have been fun. You’re a bad actor! We could have put on a show. You could not act alone. If you had asked me, “Today I am going to shoot You. Please fall down for a moment.” I’d have done it for you. No big deal. Q(f1): That was before my initiation. I was trying to convert the sister back to I-Kuan Tao. It was me who introduced her to I-Kuan Tao. But before I came to Hsihu, the celestial being or deity in Taoism told me, “You can practice the Quan Yin Method.” Master: He was so candid? (Yes. He said that I could practice the Quan Yin Method. So before I came, before I received initiation, I asked Master Ji Gong.) Q(f3): She asked Master Ji Gong before coming to You. Master: What did he say? (He did not say anything. The next day, he called my name. I had practiced I-Kuan Tao for three years, working very hard. Then Master Ji Gong called my name three times. “A-cai, A-cai….”) Master: So her name is A-cai. (Yes, my name is A-cai. I knelt down and kowtowed three times. Then he said, “You are ready for Buddhahood.” When I heard that, I cried.) Q(f3): She kowtowed to Master Ji Gong three times. Then Master Ji Gong said to her, “You are ready for Buddhahood.” Then she cried. Master: Ah! (Yes.) Why did Master Ji Gong cry? You are going to be a Buddha, so why did he cry? Q(f3): It’s she who cried. Master: Oh, you cried? (Yes, I cried.) Master: Ah! This means that you could practice the Quan Yin Method? (Yes. Only the Quan Yin Method can make us Buddhas.) Master: How did you know? (Because…) Master: Did you ask him whether or not you could practice the Quan Yin Method? Q(f1): I asked him whether I could get initiation from You, and he kept silent. Master: That’s right. That was his answer. Q(f1): Yes, but I didn’t understand until he told me to go ahead and be a Buddha. Then I cried.

People were very focused on what they were doing. Ancient people lacked material resources, so they had more time to practice. They focused wholeheartedly on their practice. No matter how poor or how tough life was, they were able to continue and had a lot of time to practice qigong and magic, in addition to meditation and spiritual practice. Q(f1): The ones I dispelled? I used to practice I-Kuan Tao before initiation. I brought a friend with me to pursue spiritual practice in I-Kuan Tao but she followed Master instead. So I tried to bring her back. And then I came with her… Master: Can you hear her? Can you hear her clearly? (To our ashram.) Do you understand? (Yes.) What did she say? Grab what? Q(f2): She used to practice I-Kuan Tao… Master: It was a person. (Yes.) I was talking about ghosts! Q(f1): Yes. On the day of my initiation, the ghosts I’d dispelled followed us. They followed us wherever we went. Master: I don’t understand. (Yes.) Oh, the ghosts followed you wherever you went? Why? Q(f1): We were not powerful enough. Q(f2): Not enough power. (No.) Master: They meant to take revenge, yes? You chased after them before, now they chase after you, right? Q(f1): No, they followed us so that they could have… Master: What? The last sentence. Repeat again. Q(f1): The last sentence? When we drew magic symbols to dispel ghosts, the ghosts would remember us. Wherever we went, they would… Sometimes we also asked them to look up things for us. Q(f2): She asked the ghosts to help her to check something. Master: To check things? (Yes.) Like a spy? I have never heard of ghost spies! Ah, that could be helpful. It’s better because no one can see them. (No.) No gun or sword can hurt them. (That’s right.) And then? (Then…) And they can check out a lot of secrets. (Yes.) That’s right! (Yes.) Because no one can see them. (Yes.) And people would tell all their secrets. (Yes.) Yeah, they can hear. (Yes.) Even if no one knows, (Yes.) the ghosts will know, as will the gods. (Yes.) And then? Q(f1): Then I came to Hsihu to receive initiation from Master. It was on Your birthday last year. You were dressed in white. You came out in the evening. Master: Who was in white? (You were, Master. You were wearing white.) I didn’t… (You were also wearing a white round hat.) Was I? Q(f2): Yes, last year. (May 12th.) Master: I wore white last year? Q(f1): Yes, last year. (Last year… The strapless…) Master: Oh, the strapless suit. (Yes.) With the shoulders exposed? (Yes.) And then? Q(f1): Before You arrived at the hall, I saw a brilliant light filling the hall. Master: What did you say? Speak clearly. Q(f1): When Master walked toward the hall, there seemed to be a very bright light. I did not know what it was until You walked into the hall. And then I realized that it was You, Supreme Master Ching Hai. Master: I don’t understand. Q(f1): When you came up to the stage, You came on the stage and Your body turned dark in three minutes. Master: Wait. Q(f2): She said that it was on Master’s birthday last year that… (Say it slowly.) She saw Master… Master: I was bright in the beginning, but became dark after coming on to the stage? (Yes.) Yeah! I knew! (Yes.) You saw all this when I came on the stage. (Yes.) Q(f1): You were like a huge magnet, attracting all the karma from us. Q(f2): You were like a magnet attracting all the karma from people. Master: Yes. And then? Q(f1): The ghosts we had dispelled before followed us. They were touched by Master’s love and light and ascended to another world. I asked them, “Aren’t you going to follow me?” They said, “No, we want to go to a better place. We’ll stop following you.” Master: Wait. (Yes.) What did she say? Q(f2): She said… Master: It’s strange, I could not hear her! Q(f2): Those things she learned from Taoism. Master: Yes. (Speak slowly.) Q(f2): The ghosts followed her here. Master: OK. Q(f2): And then they ascended to somewhere higher. Master: Who? (The ghosts.) So the ghosts dared not stay here? Q(f1): No, it’s not because they dared not stay here. It’s because Master’s Love elevated their spiritual levels. Master: OK! Understand. (Yes.) So they rose from their previous level. (Yes. The dark level.) They preferred… (Brighter places.) Somewhere higher. (Yes.) Yeah, understand. They realized that their world was not good. (Yes.) They should not be attached to that any more. I understand now. (Yes.) OK, then? Q(f1): Actually, in the beginning, I was here to challenge You with magical power. Master: What did she say? Q(f2): She wanted to challenge You. Master: Really? Now you can. You should have come up earlier when I asked you. I knew you wanted to challenge me. I am giving you a chance now, yet you won’t take up the challenge. You see, now it’s clear. It’s not that I was curious to see magical power. Some people really wanted to challenge me. That is, before they were initiated. If I didn’t accept the challenge, they would have regrets. This is why I asked you to show us what you’ve got. But you didn’t come up. OK! Now you can take this chance. Q(f1): No. I realized that Master is too powerful. Compared to Your power, my small magic is nothing. I am no match for Master. Master: So you forgo the challenge. Q(f1): I cannot be Your opponent. I can only be Your disciple. Master: What did she say? Q(f1): I can only be Master’s disciple. I cannot compete with Master. Q(f2): She can only be Master’s disciple. She cannot compete with Master. Master: Never mind. If you are not going to challenge me, you can still show your power. (Mmm…) OK? (I really dare not.) It’s OK! Just for fun. Just like some people sing for me, some dance with their sword, or perform martial arts, (That’s right.) like qigong. (Yes.) You can show us your magical power. Q(f1): Brother Chen told me that Master said only visible magic can be performed, but not invisible magic like drawing magic symbols and fortune telling. Only the magic of flying in the air or tunneling through the earth is allowed. Master: I don’t understand. Q(f2): Please say it again. Master: Can you understand? (Yes.) Some people don’t understand. Can you repeat what you said? Q(f1): Only visible magic can be performed, but not invisible magic. And most of the Taoist magic is invisible. Q(f2): She said that she cannot see any magical power here anymore. Master: No, she did not say that! Come, come. You can go now. Q(f3): She said that brother Chen told initiates at a group meditation in Taoyuan that they could perform their magic here, but only the visible acts. Invisible magic cannot be performed. Master: Yeah. That is what she said. Something is wrong with your hearing! I could not understand her because I am a foreigner. But you are Chinese! No wonder there are lots of international conflicts and disputes. Nothing gets straightened out. (Yes.) Communication problem! Anything else? Hey, Tong, stay here. By the way, are you a Taiwanese (Formosan)? Q(f1): No, I am half Taiwanese (Formosan), half mainland Chinese. Master: No wonder I cannot understand you. What else have you got? Tell me. (Let me think.) It’s OK. You are not exaggerating anything. I just want to know what Taiwanese (Formosan) people usually practice. Q(f1): I feel nervous when I face a real Buddha. I don’t want to be nervous but I can’t control it sometimes. Master: Why? (I…) Buddhas are kind and compassionate. Don’t be afraid of them. (That’s right. But I don’t know why.) You are not scared of ghosts, but you are scared of me. This world is really topsy-turvy. (Yes.) Why is that? Q(f1): Because ghosts would listen to us. So it seems that we are We’re more powerful than ghosts, so they are scared of us. That’s why I am not afraid of them. But I would be scared of someone who is more powerful than me. Q(f3): She said that they’re more powerful than ghosts. So if someone is more powerful than them, they become frightened. (Yes.) Master: OK. But I won’t take you by force. (I know.) Anything else? (Yes?) Anything else? Any more magic? Master: Her story is interesting, isn’t it? She does have her reasons to practice Taoism but it’s just that they are too attached to magic. (Yes, yes.) Sorcery was also a kind of science. Do you know that? Spiritual practitioners lived in one corner of the world. (Yes.) You know? (Yes.) In the old times, we did not have airplanes. (That’s right.) No cars, for example. Since we didn’t have cars, it was not easy to travel. (That’s right.) That’s why people practiced... (Magic.) Flying in the air or traveling under the earth was much faster. (Yes.) It was much faster to run or protect themselves. Because in the old times people were more barbaric. They would kill anyone who looked weird. There were not many laws to protect the victims. Many of the officials were corrupt. Is it a rascal? (A corrupt official.) How to say it? A corrupt official? There were a lot of corrupt officials. (Yes.) People could be killed anytime. That was why they had to learn that kind of science to protect themselves. It was called magic. That was why. And they had to heal themselves by learning how to take the pulse and work on acupressure points. It was necessary in those times. That was one aspect of their practice. People were very focused on what they were doing. Ancient people lacked material resources, so they had more time to practice. They focused wholeheartedly on their practice. No matter how poor or how tough life was, they were able to continue and had a lot of time to practice qigong and magic, in addition to meditation and spiritual practice. The later generations forgot to cultivate their morality. Instead of searching for inner wisdom, they became attached to magical power. For example, in the old times, the new disciples had to learn some magic in order to do menial tasks more efficiently, like chopping firewood, fetching water from rivers, or delivering messages. Running errands for the Master, or serving as a messenger relaying information, in order to earn merits. The Master chose disciples who were loyal, competent and efficient, who were quick learners, who were humble with their magic and kept good morals. He would only teach these disciples the supreme dharma. Now some disciples are not so patient. They just learn the magic and leave to form a sect. They’re impatient after waiting too long for the Masterto teach them the highest method. They are content with their magical power. They go out to form another sect, which later becomes a sect for magic. Understand? (Yes.) And people come just to learn magic, which they find more appealing. So, people misunderstand them and regard Taoists only as sorcerers. It’s not like that! The original Taoists also practiced the Quan Yin Method. (Yes.) You can tell from Tao Te Ching. Master: OK, continue speaking. Q(f1): Another thing that Master just talked about was telling a person’s past by taking his pulse. Master: Yes. Q(f3): Speak slowly. Q(f1): Some people see others’ karma with the eye. Another method is to take the pulse. Then time seems to move backwards and you can see people’s past lives. You can tell which dynasty that person had been born into in previous lives and what he had done. Master: To check out their karma? (Yes.) To look into the past. Q(f1): Yes. It can only be done with an innate ability. Master: Can you do it? Which dynasty can you see? Tell me. Did you learn that? Q(f1): I can do it by measuring the pulse. I didn’t learn it. Q(f3): She didn’t learn it. Master: So you can do that? Q(f1): I have been meditating by myself since I was very little. Master: Understand. Q(f1): I did some mudras without knowing what I was doing. I was naive at that time. I did not realize I was meditating, until I saw Buddhists meditating during their 7-day retreat. When I graduated from middle school, I went to a Taoist temple and the abbot asked me to be his disciple. That’s how I started. Master: Can you understand her? What did she say? Q(f3): She has been meditating since she was young. Master: I knew it. And then? Q(f3): She went to a Taoist temple to learn meditation after graduating from junior high school. Master: Wait a minute. You meditated, and? Q(f1): They told me that I would gain some magical abilities after practicing meditation. Master: I asked whether or not you could see people’s past. (Yes, I can.) You look at me for so long and haven't answered me yet. (Yes, I can.) You can? (Yes.) OK, now tell me about my past. In which dynasty did I live? Who was I and what did I do in previous lives? (You were…) This is not my first time in this world, you know? (Yes, I know.) Yeah. (OK.) So? Q(f1): Now You are full of light and I can see nothing but a Buddha. Q(f3): She said that Master is full of Light. Now she can only see Buddha and nothing else. (Yes.) Master: You think I’ve never been here before? (You…) You think I’ve never been to this world? Q(f1): Yes, You have. Many times. You have come and gone many times. Master: OK, now look into my previous lives. What kind of job did I have? Have I ever been Chinese? (Yes.) When? If you say it wrong, I’ll cut off your hair. Check out what I did in China. Just the last life. (The last life?) Don’t take too long. (Before this life?) Yes. In your previous life… What did I do in China? Q(f1): You were a monk. Q(f3): You were a monk. Master: A monk? Q(f1): A famous Master. Yes, a Master. Q(f3): A Master. Master: What was his name? (I don’t know.) Hmph! (I only know that the Master’s level was very high.) How high? Q(f1): You mean when? During the Song Dynasty. Q(f3): Song Dynasty. Master: Was there any famous Master from the Song Dynasty? Q(f1): I am not familiar with the Buddhist Masters, only the Taoist ones. I have no idea. Master: What did she say? Q(f3): She only knows about Taoist masters, not Buddhist ones. Master: OK. Look it up when you go home. (I’ll do that.) Otherwise, it’s too vague. We don’t know who it was. (OK, I’ll check when I go home. Is that all right, Master?) Yes. (Yes?) OK, tell us next week. (Tell You next week.) Tell us next week. (OK.)

Which one of you had magical power? Come up quickly and show us your talents.Q(f): We truly thank the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas for this immense blessing, that we could have the chance of eons of time to meet an enlightened Master. It’s hard to be born as a human. Once we lose it, redemption will be almost impossible. Master said that we’re liberated after getting initiation. If we don’t practice spiritually, we’ll sink into degradation life after life. Enlightened Masters will have to come to deliver us. We’ll be harming others and ourselves. It’d be best if we could practice well in this life and get liberation in one lifetime. Then we could really benefit ourselves and others, liberate ourselves and others. We’ll make the world a better place. Now, let’s talk about the benefits of practicing the Quan Yin Method. There’re 84,000 methods of spiritual practice. They are all for the purpose of attaining liberation and enlightenment, of returning to our home in the Buddha Land. However, sometimes we have a lot of lessons to learn. If there are not enough affinities, we’ll be moving around among the 84,000 methods. We’ll be struggling and experiencing a lot of suffering. We’ll worship mountains and rivers, undergoing plenty of hardships, but we will not get liberation. It might be because the affinity has not yet come or we haven’t learned our lessons. Eventually, when all the affinities come together and we’ve learned all our lessons, we’ll practice this last and most perfect method that gives us the highest attainment, and that is the Quan Yin Method. The benefits of the Quan Yin Method can be grouped under two aspects. One is the supra-worldly aspect, and the other is the worldly aspect. First, we know that Master has the power of perfect enlightenment. She has attained the Tao and is the omnipotent power. She can initiate us and impart the Method to us, enabling us to get enlightenment and liberation in this lifetime, and elevating five generations of our ancestors to higher realms. Furthermore, we Quan Yin initiates have the Buddha’s Light protecting us. When we repeat the Five Names throughout the day, we have the protection of the Buddha’s Light. It makes us feel more and more relaxed, and wiser and wiser. The Buddha’s Sound can cleanse our karma. It is a very good protective power. It can purify our body, speech, mind, and magnetic field. We also have Master’s protective power. Once we are initiated, the inner Master is always with us and protecting us. After we start practicing the Quan Yin Method, in the worldly aspect, Master will help us to become more relaxed, and happier and happier. Everything will go more and more smoothly. Whether in business, physical health, the family, or work, everything will be more and more successful and satisfactory. It will make us more carefree. Because, after initiation with Master, after we’re connected to the great power of the universe, we’re no longer lonely, helpless, or weak. We’ll just be happier and happier. This is Master’s power. All right. I think my time is up, so, end of my report. Thank You, Master. Master: Thank you, Tong… Host: Please go on the stage, brother. There’s an alarm clock in the front for you to check the time. Please be mindful of your time. Next, let’s invite Sister Tong… Master: No, no, no. Host: No? Master: Leave it for next time. Enough for today. (OK.) No. It’s not like that. Master: Which one of you had magical power? Come up quickly and show us your talents. Yes! I show you my magical power every day. You’ve only been asked to show us once in a while. Why are you hiding? Do you have any magical power at all? You used to boast but now do not dare to come up. Or you’re just shy? You don’t have to be shy. If you were brave enough to learn magical power, then you should have the courage to show it to others. Don’t worry about karma, because I asked you to do it. It’s not because you want to show off. If any of you are talented in martial arts or acting or can play musical instruments, you can come up! Singing and dancing as well. Showing off magical power is OK too. It’s just for fun! We can have fun when it’s time to have fun. Anyone? Come out, everybody. Come out. I promised you last week that we’d have tea and watch a supernatural power show here. If we don’t, it would mean that I lied. Wouldn’t it? Would you like to see your Master criticized as having told a lie? Come out now. If you don’t have it, then stand up and say “no.” Yes? Does anybody here have supernatural powers? Those who have learned Taoism or other methods, come out. Quick! Or if you know who they are, recommend them. Check your neighbors. Are there any? Or else, shame on the Chinese! You talk a lot. What supernatural power or secret method do Chinese have? Taoists are said to be powerful, but I haven’t seen any yet. I’ve heard that Tong… was once a Taoist priest. I heard from Tong that some of you were among the top notch in Taoism. You are all hiding, and that’s why I want to see what makes you so great. Come on, show me your talents! You always pray to me to help you, wake you up, repair your cars, fix your TV, wake you up on time for work and meditation, and help you in a car accident or during a fire. You ask me for so many things, but you won’t do what I ask of you even once? It means that you don’t have what it takes. Otherwise, you would do it. You would do anything for me. Isn’t that right? Are there any volunteers? Raise your hand, even if you don’t want to come up here. Whoever has magical power, let me see your hand. Either great or modest magical power is fine. You don’t have to perform, so it’s OK. Just raise your hand. No one? Over 3,000 people and none of you have magical power. You exaggerated. Anyone? Let me ask again. Does anyone have magical power? Raise your hand. No. You pretend that you don’t understand Mandarin. Tong, please come up here and ask them in Taiwanese. Tong! I only remember your name. Please come up and say it in Taiwanese, so they can’t pretend not to understand. Q(m): Master is asking those of you who have magical power to come up to perform now. Master: No, just raise your hand. Q(m): Please raise your hand. A Taoist master told me that many initiates from Taipei used to be his brothers and sisters. He said that you are just like pit vipers hiding deep in the mountain. Those who have great magical power are gone now. Master: Anyone wants to come up? Raise your hand! You? Come on up. Do you want to come up here? No? Not even for me? OK, anyone else? How many? How many people raised their hands? (Only one.) Only one? What a pity! How about the guys? Anyone? No? I’ve heard amazing things. Some of you could make a sword dance in the air, move mountains, drain the sea, transform beans into soldiers, or turn grass into beans. But I’ve never seen it. I’m very curious! I don’t have any magical power. I want to do an apprenticeship. But I can’t find anyone to do it with. Wait a minute. All women? So no one wants to demonstrate magical power to me? Master: OK, let me ask you then. What magical power do you have? You can talk about it instead of doing a demonstration. Microphone, please. How many years did you practice it? Q(f1): Good morning, brothers and ... Master: No need to talk to them, just talk to me. Q(f1): When I was a Taoist, I practiced drawing symbols and chanting mantras. Master: Drawing symbols? What for? (It’s for…) Master: To heal people’s illnesses? (Yes. And transform their karma.) Master: Also to dispel ghosts? (Yes.) When you did that, did you see the ghosts? Q(f1): The ghosts were already there. Master: What? (The ghosts were already there.) Master: OK. They were already there. But did you see them? (Yes.) You did? (Yes.) Master: Did they go away when you tried to dispel them? Q(f1): Some did, some did not. We tried to talk to them first. If they didn’t go away, we drew magic symbols. If they didn’t listen, then we would draw magic symbols. Master: You dispelled them with symbols if they didn’t listen? (Yes.) Master: What happened when you drew the symbols? Q(f1): We would chant mantras at the same time. They would become scared. If they were scared, sometimes they would disappear. Master: They disappeared by themselves? (Yes.) Master: Was that all there was? Q(f1): I also helped people with feng shui. Master: What? Q(f2): Feng shui. Master: Feng shui? (Yes.) Master: That’s not magical power, is it? (No.) Master: You can learn feng shui from books. Q(f1): Yes, there are books like I Ching. Master: You can learn it. (Yes.) Master: It’s not done by invisible power, right? Q(f1): It also works for tangible things in the natural environment. Master: Tangible. Tangible, not invisible, right? (Yes.)Master: I also have this talent. Q(f1): Your level is higher. Master: What? Q(f1): Your level is higher. You are Supreme. Master: But I did not follow the textbooks. For example, I’ll tell you how I know about feng shui. (OK.) Of course, I am the best. Wait a moment. Don’t applaud so quickly. You trust people so easily. For example, before we settled down, I would look for a site that was nice and simple, and immediately available at a decent price, where we could set up camp right away with access to water and power. It’d be a quiet spot without people or police coming to bother us. That place would have the best feng shui. No one could be so clever. Everybody had a piece of land, but there was no place for us renunciates to stay. If we camped on other people’s land, the police would evict us. The land in Taiwan (Formosa) is either privately or publicly owned. It’s all occupied. Do you know what I mean? (Yes.) All the land belongs to someone. What? (Understand.) Master: Anything else? Any other magic? Q(f1): I had before but now I forgot. Q(f2): Already forgotten. Master: How could you forget? (I forgot them all.) Master: OK, now tell me if there’s a ghost here. Q(f1): Here? There’re only Buddhas and Bodhisattvas here. Master: Everyone can say this, even the children in our ashram. (Yes.) Master: I want you to use your magical power to see if anyone has brought a ghost. Of course, there are many Buddhas here. (Yes.) Did anyone bring a ghost to listen to the teachings? Q(f1): Non-initiates or guests would bring things along with them from outside. Master: What do you mean? Q(f1): Today we are open to visitors. Because they are not initiated, the karma of their previous lives follows them to our ashram. Master: I don’t understand. Q(f2): The visitors are not initiated. Master: Not initiated. Q(f2): I mean… Master: So they brought astral beings here? Can you see them? (Sorry?) Do you see them? Don’t guess. Tell me if you truly see them. Everyone can guess. They learned from my lectures that non-initiates may have heavier karma, and are affected by their past actions, so they bring a lot of astral beings here. Can you see them using your magical power? (Yes.) Master: Can you see them? (Yes.) Master: Really? (Yes.) Master: Do they look scary? (Not really.) Master: Why? Q(f1): They are moved by Your love. So they’ve become more gentle. Q(f2): Master’s love. (OK.) Q(f1): Yes. They are touched. Master: What? Q(f2): They are touched by Master’s love. Master: They are touched? (Yes.) But they are ghosts! Q(f1): Because there is Buddha light around here. Master: What did she say? Q(f2): There is Buddha Light around here. (Yes.) Master: Did you see it yourself? That they are touched? I’m not kidding. (Yes.) You did? (Yes.) Master: Did you see that they were touched? Q(f1): They also came here to listen to Your lectures. Master: I asked a different question. Q(f1): Yes, I did. Q(f2): Yes, she said she did. Master: You cannot say something that’s not true, OK? (Of course.) Master: Tell me what you truly see. (OK.) Master: So you saw it? (Yes.) Master: Do you see it often? (Mmm…) Master: Do you see it often? (Not quite often now.) Master: Often or not? Do you chat with them? (Mmm…) Master: Do you talk to them? (I dare not.) Master: Then how could you tell they were touched? Q(f1): Their appearance would change. They looked very wicked before. When they came here, they were influenced by the blessing power from all the initiates and became better. Master: Even ghosts become better? (Yes.) Master: Great! Invite them to come often. Invite the ones that you dispelled.

Master once said that, if we want our spiritual practice to be fruitful and to progress quickly, we should always focus on the “Tao.” Always think of the Tao, think of God, think about liberation, think of the Buddha, the Dharma, and the monk order, and think about benefitting sentient beings. Then, we are constantly in the Tao, anytime, anywhere.Q(f): Hallo, fellow initiates. First, we want to thank all of you for your patience and love, and for giving us this opportunity to learn. I think Master wants to train us to be independent and be able to face trials, as well as to train our faith, patience, and courage. Today, I’ll take this opportunity to share some of my thoughts on following Master to practice the Quan Yin Method and to become a nun. Through this sharing, we can encourage each other. I think this is also a good way to eliminate the ego. Why? Because we all know that we are being haunted by our ego. That’s why we often have fears. We care about good or bad, success or failure. We care about gains and losses. Therefore, we cannot be free and have peace of mind. This is also due to our ego. Every day, we are obstructed by outside influences. Our faith is shaken by praise and criticism, success and failure. We cannot be free. Therefore, ever since I followed Master, I always looked up to Master. I feel that Master is our best example, our best paragon in spiritual practice, and the best and the greatest trainer. As such, Her every act, speech, and personal example are the best teachings for us. Master is also the greatest educator. At the same time, She is also the greatest trainer. “Great Trainer” is one of the titles of Buddha. Master trains, controls, and tames us, these stubborn sentient beings who are difficult to train and tame. In daily life, we can observe that Master’s speech and acts are always perfect examples. For instance, whether Master is giving internal discourses to us, or giving open lectures to thousands of spectators, She is always so composed, at ease, graceful and noble. Her superb demeanor is truly mesmerizing. Master’s speeches further reveal Her extensive knowledge, unfathomable wisdom, and fluency in debate. Her words are gems of Truth, and every sentence is aphorism, all of which are reminding us of faith and find the precious power within us. Since Master is our teacher, She trains and educates us like a teacher. Her ways of teaching are often unpredictable. She teaches all of us equally without discrimination. Among our fellow initiates, Master does not care whether we are rich or poor, intelligent or mediocre. She teaches us all with equality and the greatest compassion. Master is also good at using suitable ways to teach different disciples. She is aware of their personality, needs, and their ability to learn and receive. She provides us the best education accordingly. She is good at using suitable scenarios to teach us. Her ways are flexible and ever-changing. Sometimes, She uses both soft and hard measures. Sometimes, She is gentle and stern at the same time. In conclusion, She teaches us using the best ways possible. At the same time, we could deeply realize the incredible ways that Master uses to teach disciples. For instance, Master sometimes uses kind and loving words to warm our hearts, to touch our hearts, and to make us happy so we forget all our worries. Sometimes, Master inevitably has to use rather stern ways. Even Her scolding is charged with Love. As we know, we scold the most our loved ones. Is that right? As parents or teachers, we can realize the agony when our children progress or improve too slowly. Sometimes, for the purpose of teaching us, Master inevitably has to scold us to resolve our invisible karma. However, fellow initiates should understand that this is precisely one way for us to receive Master’s great Love and compassion. We couldn’t even thank Her enough. Never have a critical heart. Doing so shows our ignorance. Master is a teacher above this world. She is the greatest teacher, giving us the most precious things. She transmits the Dharma to us, this most profound method of liberation, helping us to reach enlightenment and liberation in one lifetime. She guides us to find our Buddha Nature and to return to the Homeland of our soul. Master’s grace is infinitely vast like the ocean and high like the mountains. We have no way to describe or show our gratitude for Her grace. We can only repay Her by practicing conscientiously. In the way of a stern father or loving mother, Master teaches, corrects us, and lets us know what “love” is and how to love others. These are the teachings that Master bestows upon us. Before I met Master, about nine years ago, I had deeply perceived the ephemerality of life and the ever-changing and unreliable nature of this world. Since then, I started to have the idea of seeking an enlightened Master. I encountered all kinds of setbacks, didn’t succeed. Recalling this experience, I am filled with emotions. It’s also because we have gone through so much hardship, that we realize the preciousness of Master’s method, and the greatness of this true enlightened Master. In ancient times, to find an enlightened Master and to attain the Truth, people had to cross mountains and rivers, enduring all kinds of hardships. Begging for the true method, our Zen Patriarch even had to kneel in the snow through the night and lose an arm. Some even offered their lives for this goal. We can imagine their intense yearning, and the hardships they encountered. How blessed and fortunate our fellow initiates are today. We have found the Master, but it was She who crossed mountains and rivers, endured hardships and extreme dangers, in order to save us, a herd of lost sheep. She has gone through a lot of tribulations to save us, and for that, She endured defamation, criticism, and slander. All these pains are really beyond what we can imagine. Also, to give us initiation, She must shoulder our karma of many lifetimes, and even the karma of our relatives and friends. We really cannot imagine the intense pain that Master must bear for this karma. We have found this extremely precious method. If we don’t cherish it and practice diligently, we ought to be ashamed for wasting Master’s good intent and sincerity. Master once said, “It’s easy to find sincere disciples, but hard to find a sincere Master.” We all know that, in this deluding world full of sins and evil, it is not so easy for a Buddha to come to deliver sentient beings. Because this is the maya’s world. He won’t let us practice spiritually. He will deter and hinder us, let us experience lots of pains, and discourage us. Therefore, the Master… Only a Master like our Master, having such a great compassion and Love, would be willing to descend to deliver sentient beings. Of course, there are many Bodhisattvas Who use various intangible ways to teach sentient beings. However, Master is the most compassionate and loving. She puts the sentient beings before Her fame, reputation, and life. We are truly touched, and there is no worldly language to express our gratitude. This is true. Master is an enlightened Master who has attained great enlightenment and the Truth. As an enlightened Master, She is empowered with great love power. We know this love power is very precious and magnificent. The power of love is above everything and is able to coalesce and illuminate everything. This power of love can make lonely people happy, bring warmth to those in pain, and make this world beautiful. Of course, Master is the most loving person. If not for love, She wouldn’t have to come to this deluding world to endure so much suffering for all of us. So, this power of love is also a very important lesson for spiritual practitioners. Master once said that this power of love is a prerequisite for those who strive to attain the Truth. However, this power of love has to be developed naturally from within us. It is not to be acquired outside. Of course, we need to rely on spiritual practice to develop this inner quality of ours. Spiritual practice can change everything. Next, I wish to share some of my insights. I’ll speak whatever comes to my mind. Master says that we spiritual practitioners must be humble. A humble person is always grateful. We shouldn’t take anything in this world for granted. Master: All right. Are you going to finish soon? Q(f): I am still talking.Master: Hurry up. Today we came here to enjoy tea, not to listen to your speech. Hurry up. Good. So, just by the way… Q(f): One time, Master spoke at the Bamboo Grove. Even the earlier fellow initiates might have missed this. Master said, “I’m always grateful for everything. I never take anything for granted. Everything in this world is the result of everyone’s efforts.” Master: Just sit over there. Q(f): I forget when I see Master. Master: Never mind, you definitely will have (vegan) snacks, because everyone is mentally prepared for a tea party. Very generous. Q(f): In our world, even the rice that we eat in our daily life is sowed, fertilized and irrigated by the diligent farmers. Braving rain and storms and working very hard, so that we can enjoy steaming fragrant rice. Thus, we understand that every grain in our bowl is the result of hard work. These are material and ephemeral things of the world, but still we know we should be thankful. Not to mention the profound and precious method that Master imparts to us; this is the most precious method and is beyond words. So, we ought to be even more thankful. Master’s grace is so immense that we have no way to repay. We can only practice diligently to be more fruitful in Buddha nature. This is the best way to repay Master. Master once said that, if we want our spiritual practice to be fruitful and to progress quickly, we should always focus on the “Tao.” Always think of the Tao, think of God, think about liberation, think of the Buddha, the Dharma, and the monk order, and think about benefitting sentient beings. Then, we are constantly in the Tao, anytime, anywhere. Any moment we forget this Tao, we become ordinary humans. Outwardly, there is no difference between one who is enlightened and one who is not. The difference is in the ideal. We have the ideal to seek wisdom and to benefit others. We are different from people who have no ideal and just live day by day, following the flow of society. Thus, spiritual practitioners are different from non-practitioners. Why do we say that Quan Yin practitioners have infinite merit? It’s because worldly people may also be clever and intelligent, but only to the mind level. They might be able to improve life materially, but the intangible power of the spiritual practitioners can bless society and the universe, purify the world, and make the world more peaceful and radiant. It would be terrible if the world was not blessed by this power. We couldn’t survive. The sun and the moon would become dark, so would the sky and the Earth. We’d be in great agony. Without the power of love, people would become depressed and agonized. OK, we know that if a person is not nourished by love, he may be more violent and unhappy. Then his actions manifested outside would be rather coarse and undesirable. However, the power of love can change everything. From past records of students in schools, we have learned that many students, who suffered from broken families, would become negative and unhappy. Their behavior would show that they are less friendly. However, they can also be softened by loving teachers. Among fellow disciples under Master’s teaching, we can see some men, who seldom shed tears, are softened by Master’s Love and end up crying like a baby. Even an eighty-year-old grandpa would melt in Master’s Love. The love power is incredible. Where does this power of love come from? In addition to practicing spiritually, our Master has explained that it is a converged power of (inner Heavenly) Light, (inner Heavenly) Sound and the Buddha power. This power can bless society and the universe, and give us greater peace and happiness. Today, we are blessed to practice under an enlightened Master. I hope fellow initiates would be more diligent. In addition to purifying our actions, speech and thoughts, be clear about the precepts. In this way, we can purify our society. Master said, “Invisible swords are more terrifying than visible swords.” Why? Because that invisible sword is negative energy and bad karma. It causes people great pain. Spiritual practitioners will become increasingly sensitive. This sensation will become very intense. I think, after we purify ourselves, we will become more aware of it. We practice the Quan Yin Method, so we know that it is very precious. People outside are also practicing spiritually. Then how do we know that we have found a real Master, and that the Quan Yin Method we practice is truly the best method? I wish to elaborate on this further. As we know, all spiritual practitioners are responsible and obliged to share the true teachings. Since it’s our duty and responsibility to help beings get enlightenment and liberation, this certainly is the most meritorious deed a spiritual practitioner can do. We do not seek meritorious rewards, but we have to do as much as we can. Each of us has the responsibility to spread the Truth. Each of us is a lamp for the world. We can act on it and undertake the grand task of a Buddha. We can also serve as the tens of billions of transformation bodies of our Master. We can be Master’s ‘thousand eyes and thousand hands.’ If every word we speak could spread the Truth and benefit others and make others enlightened, then even one word from us would be very precious. Hmm… Where was I? Master: You haven’t told them how to tell that our method is the best. Yes. Yes. Question asked, but no answer. Q(f): I’ll first talk about an enlightened Master. We’ve met a truly enlightened Master. That’s why we believe that the Quan Yin Method is the best method. Our Master is one who has attained the Tao, the great enlightenment and great wisdom. She is one of great love, great wisdom, great compassion, great courage, great faith, and great power. Most importantly, as a true Master who has achieved the Tao, She has incredible power, the power that neither arises nor ceases, is neither impure nor clean. It’s the great universal power that is inexhaustible in supply and always available for use. That’s why Master can initiate us and impart the Dharma to us. Most importantly, She leads us to enlightenment and liberation, so that we will forever be free of the cycle of birth and death. After we’re enlightened, we can bear testament to the Buddhist sutras. There’re 84,000 methods of spiritual practice. Everyone says that theirs is the best with the best master. So, how do we prove which is which? Yes? Master gives us all kinds of inner experiences. Sometimes we see the inner Heavenly Light, Light of different levels, and hear the inner Heavenly Sound of different levels. We also see visions of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, which are described in the Surangama Sutra, the Bloodline Theory of Bodhidharma the Zen Patriarch, the Lotus Sutra, the Wonderful Dharma Lotus Flower Sutra, and the Universal Door Chapter – the Lotus Sutra, etc. We can truly verify the inner experiences described in many Buddhist sutras. Since the sutras tell the same things, we know that the method Master has imparted to us is absolutely true. Master can have billions of billions of manifestations, as seen and experienced by Her disciples. They are omnipresent and omnipotent. They can appear in thousands of places in response to thousands of prayers, saving those in suffering and calling for help and benefiting all beings. Master is also… a truly enlightened Master who has achieved the Tao. She does not seek fame or gain. Most importantly, this is a point we know for sure. This is very difficult for a lot of religious masters to do. Master does not take any offering. Nor does She ask for personal fame or gain. Everything She does is for all beings. For all beings, She cares not about Her reputation, success or failure, good or bad, or Her image. She works for all beings, sparing no effort. If Her spirit of selflessness, non-self, devotion, and sacrifice is not the spirit of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, what could it be?

Today, we would like to share with you the following essays from “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran. “It is not a mouth thirsting nor an empty hand stretched forth, But rather a heart enflamed and a soul enchanted. It is not the image you would see nor the song you would hear, But rather an image you see though you close your eyes and a song you hear though you shut your ears. It is not the sap

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“The Father brought forth everything, like a little child, like a drop from a spring, like a blossom from a vine, like a flower, in need of gaining nourishment and growth and faultlessness. He withheld it for a time. He Who had thought of it from the very beginning, possessed it from the very beginning, and saw it, but He closed it off to those who first came from Him. (He did this,) not out of en

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