[…] it is an ancient way of quick liberation. But even then, you have to persevere. Every day you must meditate. I don’t just tell you get a quick enlightenment and then go home and watch TV every day. No, you have to work hard. I still meditate every day; the Buddha meditated every day. It’s not a quick fix. It’s just a quick glimpse of enlightenment, and a long life of watering and nourishing. So, it’s no lazy path, no, no, no, no.
(Is it true that once you become a Master, you can develop magical powers, such as turning objects into different things, etc.?) Everybody likes magical power, what small tricks. Turning objects into different things? Yes, definitely. These are only children’s tricks. You want to learn that? Any magician can do, no need for a Great Master. But the Master can do that also, if necessary. Not to do it to let you have a look.
Aulacese (Vietnamese). “Would You please tell me whether there is an afterlife? Why do kind and honest people still face unfortunate situations? And wicked people still have luck and live happy lives? If we continue to practice at home, will our next life be better?” Yes, there is an afterlife. When you practice spiritually, you can see it, you can see your past and future lives. However, if you practice this Quan Yin Method, there will be no afterlife anymore. You will go to Buddha Land (Kingdom of God) and you won’t reincarnate anymore.
Regarding the second question: “Why do kind and honest people still encounter unfortunate situations?” Because in their past life (or lives), they were not kind and honest. The people who live in this world don’t have just one lifetime, but they sometimes have past lives, too. They forget and can’t see their past lives. Or sometimes, they are doing some dishonest work in the dark, that we don’t know about. It appears on the outside that they are honest, but we don’t know what is in their heart. So, when we practice spiritually, we will know who is good and who is bad. (Because) then we use our spiritual eye to be able to see that.
Regarding the third question: If you continue to practice at home. If you don’t practice the Quan Yin Method, but you keep the precepts, then your next life will be a little bit better. You will be born as a human, and you will be happier and wealthier. It is like that. However, that may not be for sure. It is not guaranteed. Because the karma of previous lives sometimes influences this lifetime. Even though in this lifetime we are good and honest, we still face miserable and wretched situations due to our previous lives’ karma. Therefore, it is best to not have a next life. Come quickly to learn the meditation method with me, and meditate for two (and half) hours a day, then you will not come back next time. You will go to stay with the Buddha (or God), and it is safer.
You want me to translate this as well? (Yes.) Yeah? How many more questions? (They have a whole bunch of questions.) Outside? Oh, OK. (No, we have them right here.) The first question is an Aulacese (Vietnamese) question. The first question the Aulacese (Vietnamese) person asked, “Is there really a life after death?” I said yes. If we practice, we can see it. We can see our previous lives and our afterlife. But if we practice this Quan Yin Method, we don’t see our afterlife because we don’t have to come back as a human being anymore. We go to the Buddha’s Land; we go to live with God. So I told him. And then also he said, “Why is there someone who looks very nice and virtuous, and why is it that he still encounters some disasters and unpleasant circumstances?” I said yes, maybe because last life he was not very virtuous, some of the karma from last life. Or maybe in the darkness, when nobody else looks, he does something that is not virtuous. We don’t know but God knows, the Buddhas know. So that is what I answered him. And those who seem to do some very bad deeds but also have a lot of merit and happiness in this life, it is because last life, they have sown some good seeds, some merit, some good virtue. Now, the third question is, “If you carry on to practice as a layperson, would you be better off next life?” I said maybe, maybe not. Because we do not know what’s in store for us in the future if we don’t clean the store of karma away. Because our life consists not only of this life’s karma but of past lives’ karma. So, if we don’t clean them all off, then we don’t know what we become in the next life. So, the best thing is not to have a next life. So, practice the Quan Yin Method and go directly Home, with the Buddha, with God. Then we don’t need to worry about anything. We go to live in reality.
(We still have 16 questions.) So, what is it? (We don’t have time.) We don’t have time, so what to do about this? (One question per paper.) Sorry? (One question per paper.) One question per paper. But it’s difficult to choose.
OK, the last one, “What is the best way to integrate the three levels – the child self, intellect, and the higher God-self within you?” Oh! The Quan Yin Method. That’s the best way to unite yourself, put yourself all together, and become one.
Now, we have a problem here. We have a lot of questions, and the time is up. We could stay longer, of course. Until 12 o’clock, is that right? But we have to clear everything out before 12. And maybe someone wants to get initiation, or someone wants the answer. Shall we do initiation another day? And answer questions today? (No.) No? Do you want initiation today? Come back tomorrow, it’s the same. (Yes.) You couldn’t come tomorrow? (No.) Why? Why? If any really good reason that you couldn’t come tomorrow? (Might be too late.) Maybe too late? (Right.) I understand. When I wanted initiation, I also wanted it yesterday. But what about these questions? (Answer them tomorrow. Tonight.) Everything tonight. OK, how many people want to get initiation? Couldn’t we just do it together tomorrow? I promise you will not die tonight. I will protect you until tomorrow. This is lovely. It’s so… it’s hard to decide. We have two and a half hours only, might not even be enough. How about coming to our place, tomorrow daytime. Will you have time in the daytime? (No, you have to be in Aulacese [Vietnamese] …) Tomorrow. Oh, yes. Tomorrow I’m busy. (Tomorrow morning at 10:30.) Then the next day. Monday. Still have vacation. She shakes her head. I’m afraid the police will throw me out. He’s waiting, 12 o’clock he’ll throw me out. It’s like this. Who is for questions today and initiation Monday, please raise your hand. Only one. Who is for initiation today and answers tomorrow?
OK. But you must promise me one thing. If I give you initiation today, you must come back tomorrow again. Why? Because there are many things I could not tell you enough today. I could only give initiation without any explanation. Understand? I’m worried you will go astray, that’s all. You only come to see me tomorrow, or next day. After, you don’t need to. Not that I want to catch you. I just want to do my duty completely. Is that alright? (Yes.) OK, then initiation today, go out and fill out the form. And the other... Go out and fill out the form, and get some information quickly and come back. Whoever wants initiation, please go out and ask for some basic information. Quickly, quickly, quickly. We have no time.
If you want initiation, you must be vegan from today. Now, please. Please don’t talk. Now I can answer some of the questions. (Can I receive some information?) Yes, of course. (Thank You very much.) Yesterday we had a session, and you did not come. Yes, sir. (Can I be initiated?) How old are you? (Sixty-six, and I have been vegan since…) You can be vegan? (Yes, I can.) Alright! Alright, go out. Tell them that I accepted you, then you’re OK. What is it? (I have a question, a private question.) Could you ask another day? (Another day?) Is it so quick? (I’ll ask maybe inside.) If you don’t get answer tonight, then come back tomorrow. (OK.) Or come to my place. Now please, listen to the question and answer. (Master, and this one.) This one also? Now, if you want to have the question and answer, please listen and don’t talk. We give initiation until 12 o’clock midnight. Can you stay?
Now, “Describe Your first experience at enlightenment. How did You know?” This at initiation you will know.
“I have taken many journeys in my life, but each time I travel into nature – far, far off the beaten path – I experience a tremendous feeling of power, almost as if I am traveling inside myself. What does it mean?” It means you might be experiencing something new. It’s your own power inside. It’s also good. But be careful, if you have a Master, better ask Him how far you are.
Now, the third question: “My hobby is rocks and minerals. In its pursuit, would this be one of the many paths to enlightenment?” No, you’ll become a rock. You are what you like. You are what you eat, you are what you think. So, many people look after pet-people, and they look like a pet. Don’t you think so? Dog (people) and their caretakers look the same. So be careful.
“Whereas our world is inundated with things like instant noodles, instant housings. Now comes instant enlightenment for instant self-gratification. Isn’t this quick fix method a direct reflection of social impatience and, therefore, our inability to truly realize that glorious and elusive path of Providence?” Sudden enlightening, this is an ancient method. In China, we call it sudden enlightenment. The method of immediate enlightenment. It means sudden enlightenment, means immediate enlightenment, or instant enlightenment. It’s the same thing. We had this long ago. And the Buddha called it sudden enlightenment.
There are two roads to enlightenment, a quick road to enlightenment, and a long road to enlightenment. We call them gradual enlightenment and immediate enlightenment. Meaning a gradual path and a quick path. So, this is not a reflection of our modern standard civilization, but it is an ancient way of quick liberation. But even then, you have to persevere. Every day you must meditate. I don’t just tell you get a quick enlightenment and then go home and watch TV every day. No, you have to work hard. I still meditate every day; the Buddha meditated every day. It’s not a quick fix. It’s just a quick glimpse of enlightenment, and a long life of watering and nourishing. So, it’s no lazy path, no, no, no, no.
“Why do You shave your hair and dress like a monk? What is the purpose?” Oh, it is because I’m a monk. I was a monk, I’m a monk, and I will be a monk. What is bad about being a monk?
