If
one had not seen the event with his own eyes, any news declaring
Supreme Master Ching Hai's ability to attract a huge crowd would
have seemed a gross exaggeration. But after witnessing the unprecedented
river of people drawn into the "Ocean of Love Tour",
describing Her as a crowd pleaser seems an understatement.
An
impressive crowd of people from all walks of life streamed into
the Manila Midtown Hotel on May 3, 2000, to attend the "Ocean
of Love Tour" Lecture. The 3,000 seat Grand Ballroom of
the hotel was jam-packed, with people in every corner. Many
could not find a place, even at the several television monitors
installed in the hotel corridors and lobby. A radio reporter
announced that 6000 to 7000 people were gathered to hear Supreme
Master Ching Hai. An expert in Manila rallies said that, by
his accounting, the number of people attracted to the lecture
tour might reach 10,000.
As
early as 10:00 a.m., hundreds of enthusiasts had braved the
burning mid-summer heat to ensure a free, but prized, seat for
the 7:00 p.m. lecture. And even as late as 9:00 p.m., thousands
were still milling about, waiting for the chance to see and
hear the Supreme Master.
"This is phenomenal," said the Hotel Manager. "This
is the first time that we have experienced a crowd as big as
this," claimed Michelle, a Banquet Officer. "This
is unexpected, considering that the Philippines is a Catholic-dominated
country, and meditation and vegetarianism are not so popular
here", claimed Dr. Rene Santos.
Catholics,
Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, and other religions were represented
at the lecture. Many dignitaries also attended, including Mr.
Manuel L. Morato (Former Chairman of the Philippines Charity
Sweepstakes Office, PCSO), Eva Estrada Kalaw (Former Senator),
Lourdes A. Genato (Secretary of the Philippines National Red
Cross), Mr. Dante Le Jimenez (Chairman of Crusade Against Crime
and Corruption), Mr. and Ms. Joe Lad Santos (Publisher of LEADER
Magazine), and Mr. Nargarito T. Agnino (Chairman of the Board
of LEADER Magazine).
When
Master arrived, a group of students performed before Her, depicting
the country's culture and the Filipino way of welcoming guests.
In Her discourse, Master pointed out that this world is "only
a reflection of our real self", and not the "real
self" itself. This is similar to looking into a mirror.
The mirror is only an image, just a reflection, but because
of the mirror, we can know our self. Similarly, this world is
just an illusion, just a mirror image, just a reflection of
the true world of Godliness. But we need it, so that we do know
what God is like.
Master
went on to say that in life we are the driver, not the car.
We have the power of control to decide where to go, instead
of being controlled by the car, or by other factors.
Master
told us that God is performing miracles every day. However,
since we are accustomed to seeing the world with only our physical
eyes, we fail to behold these miracles with our third eye. After
we realize how beautiful Heaven is, we will not wish to stay
in this world for another second. When we are fully enlightened,
we will attain complete freedom.
Elaborating
on the vegetarian diet, Master said that we do it out of respect
for life, and also to improve our spiritual progress. By eating
meat, we harm animals, because they cannot recover and grow
back to normal, just like a severed finger cannot grow back
again.
Another
message from Master was that Christ is not dead. He has only
changed His physical body. And there is only one God, the same
God. Master cited the word "mother" as an example
of this: though different countries use different words to address
the one who gave us birth, they all actually refer to our mother.
Similarly, we have only one "God", though we call
Hirm by different names.
Humbly,
Master said that God gave Her this job because all the other
jobs had been taken. Since there happened to be this one vacancy,
She had no choice but to take it. She promised to tell people
all that She knows, unreservedly. "What I know, you will
know." She invited everyone to practice this Method, and
to do this job of Enlightened Master together.
Following
the lecture, the audience asked Master many questions. For example:
"What is the happiest thing?" Master replied, "To
know God." In answering many questions, Master pointed
out that "we suffer because we don't know God."
When one questioner asked, "Where does God's kingdom come
from?" She said She could guide people to see God, after
which they can ask God directly.
A person from the audience asked Master why She was wearing
fancy clothes and jewelry. Master said that She liked it. Life
is boring, therefore it is necessary to have a great variety
of things, just like the colorful flowers on the stage.
Master
also mentioned that with the money She earns from fashion and
jewelry designing, She can buy air tickets to visit Her disciples,
and contribute aid to needy people. Not only has She no need
to accept offerings from others, She is even able to contribute
to the needy in many countries, including the Philippines. She
then consulted the audience for their opinion: "Can I continue
with my designing and dressing?" The audience replied loudly,
"Yes!"
After
the question and answer session, everyone rose to their feet
singing Happy Birthday, celebrating Master's birthday in advance.
Some guests, including a clergyman and two nuns, went up onto
the stage to embrace Master and bid Her farewell. After the
lecture, several hundred people received initiation or learned
the Convenient Method. Days after the lecture, with Supreme
Master Ching Hai already gone, a long list of requests were
still flooding into the lecture office in Manila.
Caption:Master's
biographical sketch and Her Ocean of Love Lecture Tour was prominently
reported in the latest issue of LEADER Magazine in the Philippines.
**
Response from the Audience