Ching Hai

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Supreme Master Ching Hai

Born May 12, 1950 (1950-05-12) (age 58)
Occupation Founder of Quan Yin Method

Supreme Master Ching Hai, or Suma Ching Hai ("Suma" is an abbreviation of the said title), (Traditional Chinese: 清海無上師, Pinyin: Qīnghǎi Wúshàngshī; Vietnamese: Thanh Hải Vô Thượng Sư) (born May 12, 1950) is the founder and spiritual teacher of the Quan Yin Method. She is also a poet, painter, musician, jewelry designer, fashion designer, and writer.[1][2] She is well known for philanthropic and humanitarian work.[3][4][5][6] Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co Ltd, S.M.Celestial Co Ltd and more recently Supreme Master Television are some notable endeavors that are attributed to her. These enterprises and her glamor, however, have led to some criticisms that they were out of line with the traditional concept of monastic life.

Contents

[edit] Official biography

“ I dream that all the world will become peaceful. I dream that everyone becomes Buddha. I dream that all killing will stop. I dream that all the children will walk in peace and harmony. I dream that all the nations shake hands with each other, protect each other, and help each other. I dream that our beautiful planet will continue, but in peace, beauty and love. [7] ”

Ching Hai was born to a well-off family in central Vietnam, the daughter of a naturopath. She was brought up as a Roman Catholic, and learned the basics of Buddhism from her grandmother.

At the age of eighteen Ching Hai moved to England to study, and then later to France and Germany, where she worked for the Red Cross and married a German scientist and doctor. After two years of marriage, with the consent of her husband, she left to pursue a childhood dream of enlightenment. Thus began a time of arduous pilgrimages to different countries.

Finally, according to Ching Hai, she rediscovered the Quan Yin Method and the "Divine Transmission" in the Himalayas and after a period of diligent practice attained complete enlightenment. [8]

[edit] Unofficial version

Internet articles offer other details about Ching Hai, however, they were never verified by Ching Hai herself and have been criticized for not offering solid evidence.[9] [10] According to those reports, she was born as Hue Dang Trinh, to a Vietnamese mother and an ethnic Chinese father, on May 12, 1950 in a small village in the Quang Ngai Province in Vietnam. Afterwards, 19-year-old Trinh moved to Britain, and then to Germany. Presumably alone, she immigrated to India to study different religions, visited a wide variety of spiritual teachers and stayed in their ashrams. Among these teachers was the well-known Thakar Singh. During her stay at his ashram, she became the newest "prize pupil" and from him it is also believed by some that her Quan Yin Method is derived.

In 1984 a Vietnamese Buddhist monk in Taipei Taiwan named Jing-Xing ordained her "Ching Hai", which means "pure ocean" in Mandarin.

[edit] International awards

She has been awarded:

  • Gusi Peace Prize (2006)[11][12]
  • Many other prizes from different governments and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)[13]

[edit] Religious career

In the years after her enlightenment, Ching Hai lived the quiet, unassuming life of a Buddhist nun, until people sincerely sought her instruction and initiation. Starting in 1985,[14] through the insistent requests and efforts of her disciples in Taiwan and the United States, she began lecturing extensively throughout the world in Chinese, English and Vietnamese, and has since initiated many tens of thousands of spiritual aspirants. She continued to dress as a nun until around 1993 when she began wearing her own fashion designs and grew out her hair.[15]

[edit] Teachings

The core of Ching Hai’s teachings is what she calls the "Quan Yin Method", a "Method of Meditation on The Inner Light and Sound" [觀音静坐法門] by which an individual is said to be able to attain the highest level of divine realization.

“ There’s only one religion: the religion of God, of love and of understanding.
There’s only one church, one temple: the temple of Enlightenment.
Come to that temple; then we’ll know all religions of the world. [16][17]		 ”

Role of a Master: Ching Hai teaches that "the main goal of life is continuous spiritual elevation".[18] In this world, we have two ways to live our life. Most people choose the normal way that we accept everything that happens to us as destiny, because we do not know the second way. The other way is knowing God's grace, by which we can live a much happier, smoother and more peaceful life, but most of the time it's hidden from us.[19] Accordingly there are also two classes of universal law; One is the law of absolute love and grace, the other is the law of action and retribution. When we’re in the higher dimensions of the Kingdom, we have only love and grace. But when we’re in the lower scales of the universe such as this physical dimension, we have to abide by the law of cause and effect.[20] Most of us enjoy only this world and do not know Heaven exists. However most of the happiness in this world is short-lived or has side effects. To find the source of all happiness, uncover our inner wisdom and love, and get permanent freedom from suffering, namely enlightenment, we must turn to the great Spirit, the spirit of God, that lies within us.[21] Altogether we can live an easy life in this world, that everything is clear to us. We can choose to gain both material and spiritual success. We can choose whatever we want, but we must know how. To be successful in the spiritual knowledge of God, we must find the right opportunity and associate with the right person, one who knows the spiritual way to God, who can help us remember the way that we’ve forgotten and who can reconnect us with Him.[22][19][23] Many people can get enlightened to some degree by themselves through the teachings of a Teacher, or through their own effort due to their sincerity and longing. But many people can’t. And even if we can get enlightened ourselves, there are many things that still need to be cleared up by a living Teacher who has gone all the way, back and forth because the spiritual road is invisible.[24]So, only through initiation by an authentic living master can a seeker remember his true self and become fully enlightened.[25] [26]

Precepts: If we want to stay in higher dimension, we need to live up to its standards. We need to be noble, compassionate, and loving. We must adhere to five precepts:

  • Refrain from taking the life of sentient beings
  • Refrain from speaking what is not true
  • Refrain from taking what is not offered
  • Refrain from sexual misconduct
  • Refrain from the use of intoxicants

These rules have been passed down to us from the many Masters of ancient times to Master Jesus, Master Buddha, Master Krishna, Master Mohammed and so on, and they continue being passed down to us. We could and should live on vegetarian diet. As long as we don’t give up flesh-eating we are still harming the earth and consequently harming ourselves and our children in the future.[27][28] Therefore one need to be a vegetarian to get initiation.

Initiation: During the initiation, she purportedly will reveal to the new disciple the inner light of god, whether she is physically present or not. The minimum amount of time she recommends to be spent in meditation is two and a half hours a day for her initiated disciples.

Through daily practice of meditation and charitable, noble work, we are coming to know more and more about our godself, and realize that all beings are linked by the invisible force of love.[29] We started to love people more, love the flowers and all the animals more than we loved before, because we see them now with different eyes, with enlightened eyes. We just do it, the more we give, the more love we have, and then the love is all-encompassing again, and we will regain our unconditional love again, 100%.

Selflessness and humility are important tenets of Ching Hai’s teachings. Selflessness means always love; be loving and kind, think about others before oneself. She advises her disciples to train themselves in any selfless act they can. Even if at first one do it with intention, just keep doing it, then it becomes automatic. Humility means one put oneself last. If we realize that we are not really here, that we’re just a shadow in this non-existent planetary world, then how can we worry about ourselves so much? So, we are no one and we don’t need to really consider this “self,” then we always have the bigger Self. But when we only think of this little self here, which is only the body, then we are just stuck there with the little one, and we will never go anywhere else; we will never grow any bigger.[30][31][32]

Ching Hai keeps in contact with her disciples by speaking at meditation retreats that she occasionally puts on for them, as well as by communing inwardly with them when they meditate. Many disciples claimed that they could perceive her omnipresence and help especially when they were in troubles.[33] She says that the real master is not her physical body, but the omnipresent "God Power" that she possesses. Thus, she often tells her disciples that she is always with them, supporting and protecting them, even if her physical body isn't near.[34][35]

[edit] The Quan Yin Method

Main Article: Quan Yin Method[8]

Ching Hai initiates spiritual aspirants into the Quan Yin Method, also called the "Inner Light and Sound meditation." The Quan Yin Method, which exists in various religions under different names, is the "best, easiest, and quickest" way to get enlightenment.[36][37][38] The method involves meditation on the "inner light and the inner sound of God", or the Word that she claims is also referred to in the Bible and said to be acknowledged repeatedly in the literature of all the world's major spiritual traditions. The Quan Yin Method requires two and a half hours of meditation per day and adherence to the five precepts.

As part of their meditation routine, followers of Ching Hai partially cover their heads under a sheet of cloth or blanket while meditating. However, while meditating away from the view of uninitiated people, the meditators do not necessarily use this cloth to cover their heads completely.

[edit] The Convenient Method

For the people who would like to have some experimental experiences, or cease eating animal products gradually, the "Convenient Method" is offered instead as a preliminary to the Quan Yin Method. The practice involves half an hour of meditation a day and adherence to a vegetarian diet for a minimum of ten days per month.

[edit] Bibliography

[edit] Books

[edit] Paintings

Stone Cave was originally named 'The Tunnel' - 1990.
Stone Cave was originally named 'The Tunnel' - 1990.
  • Stone Cave (1990)
  • Harmony (1991)
  • Peaceful Time (1992)
  • Rescued (1993)
  • Desert Flower (1994)
  • Heavens' Gift (2006)

(source: http://www.godsimmediatecontact.us/)

[edit] Criticism

Detractors have thought that Ching Hai may only be teaching these methods for her own profit, thus one news writer giving her the nickname, "Part Buddha, Part Madonna".[10] In the past, she stated that she earned more than former U.S. President Bill Clinton's annual salary of $200,000,[39] which is incongruous with a monastic lifestyle requiring that clergy do not engage in profit or commercial activity. She has opened vegetarian restaurants, held public seminars, and has made millions of dollars as a painter, fashion designer, and jewelry designer. She has also raised eyebrows for her flamboyant dress sense, which is not in line with that of a Buddhist monk or nun. In October 1995 on Ching Hai Day, she wore queenly robes "under orders from God," riding a sedan chair carried by eight bearers to the cheers of "your royal majesty".[1] Through her lectures, Ching Hai explains that her way of dress is a statement to prove that one does not need to dress as a nun or monk to achieve enlightenment through her Quan Yin Method. Criticisms of Ching Hai tend to focus on the fact that her disciples buy much of her artwork, which critics see as indirectly donating to her. One disciple is supposed to have bought her sweat socks because "when the Master leaves the physical world, at least I will have her socks".[9] Followers insist that most of the money she makes is used for helping the poor, providing necessities to refugees, and victims of environmental disasters.

[edit] Teachings

The Quan Yin Method is allegedly similar to the practice of Surat Shabd Yoga from the Sant Mat tradition which also teaches meditation on the light and sound.

However, Ching Hai has said, "It’s not that I invented the Quan Yin Method; I just know it. This method has existed since the beginning of time, when the universe was first formed. And it will always exist. It is not a method; it is like the way of the universe, a universal law that we must follow if we want to get back to the Origin, back to our true Self, back to the Kingdom of God or our Buddha nature. And whoever knows them is only discovering, not inventing. If we discover them and follow them, the result is very precise. The Quan Yin Method is a flawless way. It belongs to God; it belongs to everyone."[40]

Followers of the Quan Yin method contend that a true living master's teachings and methods are fundamentally similar since ancient times. This method depends on the living master and it emerges in every generation at different place.

In the book The Key of Immediate Enlightenment, it is claimed that those who recite her name would become elevated.[41]

[edit] Politics

In 1996 Ching Hai asked her followers to contribute money to the Clinton Presidential Legal Expense Trust after a meeting with Charlie Trie; the donations were eventually returned.[39] The Taiwan government also investigated her organization for "alleged fund-raising improprieties," which includes a $2 million transfer outside of the country.[1] But nothing unlawful was found and the case closed without prosecution.

[edit] Quotes

  • "A Master is one who has the key for you to become a Master... to help you realize that you are also a Master and that you and God are also One. That's all... that's the only role of the Master."[8]
  • "Our path is not a religion. I do not convert anyone to Catholicism or Buddhism, or any other "ism". I simply offer you a way to know yourself; to find out where you come from; to remember your mission here on Earth; to discover the secrets of the universe; to understand why there is so much misery, and see what awaits us after death."[8]
  • "We are separated from God because we are too busy. If someone is talking to you and the telephone keeps ringing, and you are busy cooking or chatting with other people, then no one can get in touch with you. The same thing happens with God. He is calling every day and we have no time for Him and keep hanging up on Him."[8]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Chua-Eoan, Howard. "The Buddhist Martha", Time Magazine, 1997-01-20. 
  2. ^ Hackman, Nichollas. "The Peace Seeker", Los Angeles Times, 1998-12-13. 
  3. ^ Maragay, Fel V.. "Master of charity", Manila Standard Today, 2006-11-20. 
  4. ^ Lan Cao & Himilce Novas. "Everything You Need To Know About Asian-American History", Penguin USA, April 1996, p. 222-223. 
  5. ^ "2006 TAIWAN YEARBOOK: Humanitarian Aid", Government Information Office. 
  6. ^ Borje, Romy. "Love and selflessness is a hallmark in Master Ching Hai's philanthropy", Weekend Balita, April 29–May 2, 2006. 
  7. ^ Supreme Master Ching Hai. "Is God A Being or A Non-Being", Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co Ltd, 1989-10-13. 
  8. ^ a b c d e Supreme Master Ching Hai. "The Key to Immediate Enlightenment", Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co Ltd, 1990-01-09. 
  9. ^ a b Young, Gordon. "God Inc.", SF Weekly, 1996-05-22. 
  10. ^ a b Guzmán, Rafer. "Immaterial Girl", Metro, 1996-03-28. 
  11. ^ "PGMA confers 2006 Gusi Peace Prize to 15 great achievers of the world", Office Of the Press Secretary, Republic of the Philippines, 2006-11-23. 
  12. ^ "PGMA confers 2006 Gusi Peace Prize to 15 great achievers of the world", Positive News Media, 2006-11-24. 
  13. ^ Supreme Master Ching Hai. "A Look Back at Past Years", Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co Ltd, 2007-04-25. 
  14. ^ Supreme Master Ching Hai. "God's Direct Contact", Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co Ltd, December 2002. 
  15. ^ "Love Between Master & Disciples", Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co Ltd, 1992-10-30. 
  16. ^ Supreme Master Ching Hai. "God Is Everything", Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co Ltd, 1990-12-16. 
  17. ^ Supreme Master Ching Hai. "Aphorisms", Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co Ltd, 2007-01-05. 
  18. ^ Supreme Master Ching Hai. "Master's Words: Continuous Spiritual Elevation is the Main Goal of Life", Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co Ltd, 1997-12-23. 
  19. ^ a b Supreme Master Ching Hai. "Master's Words: Knowing God's Grace Is the Heavenly Way of Life", Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co Ltd, 1999-05-09. 
  20. ^ Supreme Master Ching Hai. "Questions and Answers: The Highest Realms Are Ruled with Love and Grace", Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co Ltd, 1999-05-31. 
  21. ^ Supreme Master Ching Hai. "Master’s Words: Turn to Your Inner Wisdom to Get True Answers", Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co Ltd, 1993-11-13. 
  22. ^ Supreme Master Ching Hai. "Master Says: Treasure the Precious Opportunity to Gain Spiritual Success", Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co Ltd, 1999-05-05. 
  23. ^ Supreme Master Ching Hai. "Master Says: To Find God's Love is to Find the Source of All Happiness", Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co Ltd, 1995-08-18. 
  24. ^ Supreme Master Ching Hai. "Master Says: We Have Always been and Will Always be Enlightened", Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co Ltd, 1993-11-27. 
  25. ^ "Inner Peace". 
  26. ^ "Enlightenment". 
  27. ^ Supreme Master Ching Hai. "Master Says: Respect the Life of Animals as Equal to Our Own", Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co Ltd, 2006-12-31. 
  28. ^ Supreme Master Ching Hai. "Master's Words: Living the Teachings Brings Us Naturally Closer to God", Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co Ltd, 1999-09-25. 
  29. ^ Supreme Master Ching Hai. "Selected Questions and Answers: All Beings Are Linked by the Invisible Force of Love", Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co Ltd, 1999-05-31. 
  30. ^ Supreme Master Ching Hai. "Master's Words: The Most Important Spiritual Qualities", Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co Ltd, 2006-12-17. 
  31. ^ Supreme Master Ching Hai. "Master Says: The Qualities of Unconditional Love", Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co Ltd, 2007-05-27. 
  32. ^ Supreme Master Ching Hai. "Master Says: Developing Our Human Quality and Noble Quality", Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co Ltd, 2007-07-01. 
  33. ^ Supreme Master Ching Hai. "Master's Wonders", Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co Ltd, 2002-11-20. 
  34. ^ Supreme Master Ching Hai. "Master Says: Catch Up with the Pace of Universal Development", Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co Ltd, 2005-02-23. 
  35. ^ Supreme Master Ching Hai. "Is God A Being OR A NO-Being", Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co Ltd, 1989-10-13. 
  36. ^ "Soundless Sound - The Tone That Fills The Cosmos", Yoga International Magazine Issue 36, July, 1997. 
  37. ^ Supreme Master Ching Hai. "Quan Yin Method is the Easiest Way to God", Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co Ltd, 1999-11-28. 
  38. ^ Shakyamuni Buddha. "The Surangama Sutra (Part VI)", Buddha Dharma Education Association Inc.. 
  39. ^ a b Jackson, Brooks; John Gilmore. "Religious Leader Felt Sorry For Clinton", CNN's Inside Politics, CNN, 1997-01-09. 
  40. ^ Supreme Master Ching Hai. "Master's Words: The Quan Yin Method is an Eternal Universal Law", Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Publishing Co Ltd, 1998-12-17. 
  41. ^ Chan, Charmaine. "Cult branches spread worldwide", South China Morning Post, 1999-01-03, p. 7. 

[edit] External links

[edit] Official websites

[edit] Other links