In Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association news from the United States…
On April 17 and 18, 2026, our Association members joined the third annual Food 4 Thought Festival at Stanford University in California. The event gathered students, researchers, and industry experts from over 60 universities and 14 countries to reimagine a plant-forward food system. Our Association members, together with the member-owned restaurants Loving Hut Oakridge Mall and Merit Vegan Cuisine, served free vegan buffets to all attendees. An outreach booth played Supreme Master Television and offered gift bags featuring Supreme Master Ching Hai’s book, “Love Is The Only Solution,” along with vegan recipes and starter guides.
“Because every animal has a mother, and no mother wishes to see her child eaten. Every animal may also have children of its own. And no child wishes for its mother to be eaten. And animals also suffer. But more importantly, it is about compassion. We cannot bear to kill living beings, and this touches on the ethics of life. All are living beings, all living here on Earth, so why should we kill them just to eat them?”
“I went vegan about 15 years ago for the animals. It was a rabbi who shared with me that the way that we get dairy milk, that calves are separated from their mothers at such an early age. And as a mom, I could not fathom that – being separated from my children like that when they were still breastfeeding. So I went vegan for the animals, and I am driven to create a vegan world, create a kinder world for all creatures. My mother, once I educated her about where the animals that we eat come from, went vegan in her eighties. She’s now close to 95, and she’s vegan and healthy.”
“I was reading a review of a restaurant, and someone said, ‘Is that moment on your taste buds more important than a whole animal’s life?’ And I was so moved by that that it really is a matter of just one decision – of weighing an animal’s entire life versus a moment on your plate.”
“Veganism is good for the planet because it’s the least carbon-producing diet out there. It’s healthy, it’s sustainable, it’s regenerative. All of these reasons are strong factors to make this switch every single day. It’s a choice, and it’s an opportunity to protect the planet every time you sit down to have a meal.”
“I just think go as vegan as possible. And I think that it’s a lot more possible than people believe. At every single chance that you can, at every meal, swap out those ingredients. Take those small steps, and you can make a huge impact.”
Etc…
Highlights included a keynote by Climate Healers founder Dr. Sailesh Rao (vegan), Loving Hut’s onstage presentation of its mission of World Vegan, World Peace, and morning meditation and meditative eating sessions guided by Venerable Xianshu.
“When we say a next-generation food system is a food system that can achieve zero hunger, zero animal suffering, and zero environmental harm within our generation.”
“Working with Loving Hut has actually been exceptional. I was able to talk to a lot of the attendees. Even the ones that were vegan who have been cooking were actually really, really impressed by the food Loving Hut has to offer. It’s incredibly tasty. They have such a wide range of options, which I really appreciate.”
“Hi, I’m Navin Durbhakula. I’m the CEO of Food 4 Thought, be Vegan and Keep Peace.”
We humbly thank Beloved Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan), our Association members, as well as the Food 4 Thought organizers and radiant young leaders for lighting the way to a kinder future. May all humanity swiftly embrace the compassionate vegan lifestyle, welcoming Eden on Earth, in GOD’s immeasurable Grace.
