Here, Supreme Master Ching Hai reflects on selfless service and perseverance amid discouragement, blending wisdom and laughter in a heartfelt farewell.
Most people, they come for spiritual practice. They already had enough of the world. Therefore, you can’t blame them for not doing things. But actually, they have the right not to have to do it, because that’s fine also. But unfortunately, if we have a company like us who has to run around for the world, then they are also forced to work. But we do not work in such a way.
We work in different ways. So, like you and your group – you cultivate the land and help in agriculture and all that – and we just cultivate the spiritual field, and we “plow” the people. We plant the seed of knowledge. (Yes.) So actually, we’re also kind of farmers. We plant the virtues in people and spiritual seeds for the future generation. Therefore, I’m not an expert in all these things that you are talking about. But we have some disciples who know some things, and I was thinking maybe with digging wells and all that, maybe we could help.
We’ll see what is necessary and what we can do, or get there. Otherwise, your group is much more enthusiastic than ours. You have a lot of plans, and you want to do this and that and others. We have no plans, huh? We seem to be a lazy group.
Really, I just do what’s requested, and I have no kind of excitement for this plan and another. I never knew this feeling. So sometimes when I see such a group of people like you, I feel like I’m out of touch, out of place – because I never have this enthusiasm of doing anything. I am only coming here because I’m requested to come. Or by the way. I came because of the exhibition of art – of my paintings – as requested, that I come. And then, by the way, there’s a long waiting list from different countries for my visit, so I came by the way because it’s nearby Europe, so I came. That’s it.
And I went, for example, to America purposely because somebody arranged a meeting with the President of America for something. (Yes.) But unfortunately, at the last moment, it was not possible because he was so busy with talks with Russia, the aid for Russia and things like that, so of course, it’s important. Since I went to America, the surroundings were also included.
So now, Africa also – I have been invited a couple of times already for several years by some disciples there, but I never considered it because we don’t have enough disciples there, and I thought, “Africa – oh, it’s so far.” It only appeared in a One Thousand and One Nights story, but I never know if it exists and things like that.
So maybe because of your Master that I will go there once at least. Otherwise, who knows when I will awaken myself and bring my body up there. So, you see what I mean? The difference between your group and ours? You cannot blame our group of students for being “lazy.” So fortunately, you have a very active Master. When you hear His voice, He’s very enthusiastic, full of vigor and energy.
(There is also, let’s say, a necessity to do that because, you see, in our foundation, we are based in a rural area. For example, you have a medical center, but you call it a hospital.) Understand. (But it is, I think, 40 kilometers or 50 kilometers around, there is nowhere such a hospital.) Oh, I understand. (And we are helping not only the members (Yes, yes.) of the Foundation, but we help the people around.) Understand. (Yes, like schools – we have a school also. So we are obliged to do these socio-activities.) Understand.
But there’s no end to the developments in this world. (Yes.) Not only in Africa – even talk about other countries like Âu Lạc (Vietnam) or the Philippines – oh, they’re full of necessary things that you should do. And sometimes when you look at the whole problem of this world, you just shake your head. And you don’t know where to start and when you will be finished. (Yes.) And sometimes money is just poured in. And just like you – a drop of water on hot sand.
I have been thinking of this world because they are ignorant. That’s why they live in such a condition. If they’re all enlightened, the world would become a paradise. (Yes.) This is my vision, because I know it. I know it very well. But it’s just the people of the world will not believe it. So therefore, I have to be patient, do what I can, what I am requested, and according to my physical endurance and mental ability.
When I see the chaos around the world, and how people live their lives – ignorant of the treasure that they have inside and suffering so much from the illusionary sorrow of the world – I just shake my head. I thought my work will never end, and I can never do enough, even spiritually. So when we go around on tour, we spend so much time, money, physical health, and stamina for that. But how many people will truly heed your sincere call? (Yes.) The Master has to be sincere, not the disciples. Today, it’s difficult to find sincere disciples.
The Master must be the most sincere. And I think I am very sincere, and I have done my best. I can’t say that I do it all the time. Sometimes you get discouraged, and you feel it will never end. Never end. You feel like whatever you do, even you try your best, it’s just a drop of water in the desert. Sometimes you feel discouraged, but still you go on and do whatever you can in that corner. Maybe [it’s] better than nothing. That’s what I think. You understand? (Yes.)
Therefore, I never had enthusiasm, even in the beginning of my mission. I just do things. I just do things when it’s there, when it’s required. But I don’t have enthusiasm. Even though you see me running around the world, but it’s not from enthusiasm. I do it just the way you breathe, I guess. Or you have to bathe when you sweat too much, and you change your clothes after some time.
And when I met many groups, like your group or other people, I hear fantastic ideas to change the world and do that, do this, I feel a little ashamed and out of place, like I am the one who never thinks of the world, never does anything for the world. No enthusiasm. Maybe that’s the quality that I lack. And some people like you should have.
OK, I won’t keep you very long. You have delivered the message, and then we will see what we can do. Alright? Everywhere people want us to do something, they always come to me. I think people should realize that like attracts like. And always the most sincere and enthusiastic people come to me, and I feel helpless, feel sorry for them that sometimes they come to the “wrong” company. Yes.
How do you feel? You come into such an atmosphere. So you sit here for many hours, being patient, listening to all my jokes, and that’s it. So you must know me. That’s why most of the Masters are men. God knows. God knows. God knows that men are more aggressive, more enthusiastic, more outgoing, and go-getting. We women are passive. Never mind. We’ll see what we can do. So you choose what you want – just take whatever you want.
And whomever likes to go with you, welcome – all immigrate to Africa and leave me alone. I’ll be fine, I’ll be fine. Yeah, that would be the day I celebrate. Fully steamed banana. Oh my God! Anyone want to go to Africa? (…) maybe, he is full of talent. (Oh, yes.) Anything he can do. (Yes.) He can grow everything. You see how he grows his beard? At your expense again. No one else has this beard around, so...
OK, see you tomorrow. You have a lot of work to do or not? (Yes.) Yeah? Still? Aren’t they all given away? (Almost.) (They say it’s almost done.) (Almost done.) Almost done, good. OK, see you tomorrow. That’s it! It’s too late. It’s too late and now we kept you too long. In Africa, you sleep earlier, right? (In a foundation, no.) No? Two o’clock in the morning? (Today, but it depends.) Yeah, it depends. (But usually the bedtime is around 10 (PM).) Oh, that’s the best time. Yeah, in our Center also. But I never sleep before ten in the morning. Terrible. I slept only about one and a half or two hours last night. Always working and talking. So, OK, I’ll see you tomorrow at the lecture, perhaps.
And I wish you have a pleasant stay. A good night. (Good night.) Good night. A pleasant stay this evening. (Sleep well and sweet dreams!) Sweet dreams! Yeah. Alright, brothers. I thank you for coming and the loving message from your Master. If in the future we can do anything at all, then you’ll be lucky. (Sure.) If we cannot do it, you know you’ve come to the “wrong” group. (We remain confident. Don’t worry.) So where did you find that? All from Africa? It’s all fresh. OK, I have to go. If I cough too much, then by tomorrow I lose my voice. Bye. You understand everything, right? (Yes.) You were born in Africa and you are right… You know everything. So, brothers… See you tomorrow. You stay until tomorrow or after? (Yes.) Right. And then you’ll go home when? (We may be here for some weeks.) OK. Alright. Have a good stay in Belgium. And the sister will look after you very well. Good night. (Thank You.) Good night! (Good night.)
Photo Caption: “Thanking GOD for Any Such Divine Gift!” (All what shows here are no pain)
