(Master, the Christian practitioner, His name is Saint John, He wrote a book, it’s “Dark Night of the Soul.” And I also read a Chinese practitioner, they also mention about many other “Dark Nights.” I’d like to know if that’s the difference…) Why are you speaking in English? Here they are all Chinese. It’s time you should speak Chinese. Strange! When it’s time to speak English, you don’t. When it’s time to speak Chinese, you don’t. Strange. You’re always doing weird things. (A spiritual practitioner in China, or a Christian practitioner, they both mentioned that when their souls go beyond this world, they went to a dark world which is the Fourth World.) Yes. They couldn’t go through. (OK. In which World is the Western Paradise?) Oh, it’s on the… the Eighteenth World. About 100 kilometers away. I forget to bring the… The measuring tool, measuring tape. This is not a question about difficulty in practice. I pardon you. But it’s also quite fun. I also like laughing once in a while. It’s a very silly question. Next, is there anyone who wants to ask? This is probably a more enlightened group.
No more questions? Really? Take your time, or else your legs would hurt. I worked too much the day before yesterday; I can’t move my legs even today. (Hallo, Master. I’m Chinese, studying in Belgium. I’ve been initiated for nine months and 21 days. The Quan Yin Method has changed my entire life. It has made my life happier and happier, more and more peaceful.) Really? (Yes.) OK. (Taking this opportunity, I’d like to express my gratitude that’s beyond words.) Great. If you are comfortable, I’m comfortable. The greatest reward you can give me is you yourself feeling comfortable.
(Thank You, Master. My question is, does Master still accept renunciates?) Why to accept renunciates? Why do you want to become one? Besides, you are a mainland Chinese. If I accept you, how could you follow me? (Because I trust Master…) That Master’s Power will help you, isn’t it? I tell you, you’re not yet ready. Is it possible for you to stay abroad? (I…) Don’t you want to return to mainland China? (I can go back to mainland China, if only Master would… give me this hope.) You go back to China… No. Can you stay outside? (Yes, yes.) Meaning you don’t have to return to China. (No, no, no.…) Is it not necessary? (Not necessary.) Can you stay outside the country? Is it legal? (Yes, yes.) Really? (I’m studying in Belgium.) Studying abroad. (Yes.) Yes. But after finishing your study, don’t you have to return? (This I can…) Extend the time? (Yes, yes. I can continue.) But how can you become a renunciate in Belgium? How can you become a renunciate in Belgium?
(I… Master, I think…) What’s your concept of being a renunciate? Tell me. How do you renounce? Go ahead. (Because I… As I meditate more, I feel that I aspire more to…) Helping others? Right? (Helping others. Another goal is to liberate myself as soon as possible.) OK. (This is what I have in mind.) However, we can practice wherever we are. (Yes, yes.) Spiritual practice doesn’t require renunciation. (Yes.) Otherwise, if you can come to Taiwan (Formosa), you can ask people at the Miaoli Ashram if they’d still accept a stranger or not. The life of a renunciate is quite hard. You can’t have a girlfriend. Then it’s troublesome. How old are you? (I’m 27 this year.) Only 27? Wow, so young. What’s your birth zodiac? (Horse.) Horse? (Yes.) Then how can you run after becoming a renunciate? It’s not convenient to run after being a renunciate. (I might run even faster.)
If things go smooth and you can go to Taiwan (Formosa), etc., you can live together with the monks there and see if you like that kind of not-so-free life. You’ll not be able to see me casually; you cannot attend 7-day or 3-day retreats as you wish, and you don’t have money. Only after trained by me will you be able to go outside, abroad, to give initiation, etc. Then you’ll have the opportunity. You can try staying at Miaoli Ashram. What are you studying? Have you graduated? (I have not graduated yet.) What do you study? (Molecular biology. Molecular Biology.) For how long? (One and half years so far.) How much longer to go? (Another 6 months, and then I can immediately…) Half a year? (Because I study…) Only two years? (I am pursuing a master’s degree. A master’s degree, not PhD.) OK. OK. Then wait until you graduate. Why interrupt your studies like that? In the future, if you don’t want a career as a monk, you can’t find a job in society. Wait till you finish your studies. After that, you can go to stay in Miaoli. (OK. Thank You, Master.) If you treat them nicely, they won’t kick you out. (Thank You, Master.)
Next. Who else wants to ask? Raise your hand. No more? Great. Look at me again, then I’ll be going. I’ll then go in there, and everyone can also see me. Is it OK? (OK.) OK. Then let’s go in there together. (OK.) Goodbye. (Goodbye, bye-bye.) This group is more comfortable. (Master is too tired.) This group is more comfortable. I’m not tired. Just they’re making me tired. I’m not tired of looking at people. It’s their habit. (Thank You, Master.) You’re welcome. See you later.
Good evening. (Good evening.) So, here comes again, the old man with a beard. How’s everyone? Feeling better? (Yes.) Now that you can run tomorrow, home, last day. Better? Three days is better than one week. Is that right? (No.) No? Yes? Every good time has to end sometime. You see, we have prepared the lucky red envelopes for all of you. In case, for the foreigners, I mean for the ones who are foreign with this tradition, I’ll explain a little bit. It is according to the Oriental tradition that the first days of the [Lunar] New Year, the elder – elder – should give some kind of a lucky symbol for the younger generation. So in China or in Âu Lạc (Vietnam), we give the children red envelopes with some money inside, just a symbol of luck for the [Lunar] New Year. But since I have too many “children,” the money has to be kind of diminutive. Normally when we give to the children, we give a little bit more, generously for the [Lunar] New Year, but these are all very wise and old “children,” so all they need is wisdom, not the money. But anyhow, because you come here, you pay about over $1,100 for a ticket just to get a $1 lucky envelope, so I will give it to you. Because you expect it. It’s very lucky; exchange $1 for $1,000. Lucky for the airlines or the working members of the hotel. It’s really lucky.
Anyhow, the envelopes maybe will be placed outside and you distribute among yourselves. Each one takes one. OK? Whoever is here, take one. If you take two, the next one might not have it. Of course, you want to take more for your fellow initiates at home or other members and friends, that I understand, but we have too many, so we just have to know what is what, and finish with that. Next time will be their turn, perhaps. See if they want it or not. So, since you are here, you enjoy your luck and your portion. The other ones, don’t bother so much.
Photo Caption: In the Wilderness, Flowers Are So Special!
