Not only in Spirit has our Most Powerful Supreme Master Ching Hai been shielding Her disciples who were refugees at that time, but She has also been working physically to help them since the beginning of the “boat people” crisis in Her youth.
Last week we learned the amazing story of Ms. Nguyện who was guided to safety by a Holy Being during her arduous sea journey as a refugee. She eventually found freedom and a new home in the United States. Years later, she recognized that this Holy Being was none other than our Most Beloved Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan).
Ms. Nguyện was far from the only one who was saved by Master’s Grace. Sandra, another Aulacese (Vietnamese) refugee who was on a boat without food and water for days while pregnant, had her prayer answered as well.
“[…] I looked up to the Heavens and I said to Mother Quan Yin Bodhisattva, “I think it’s time for me to go now, Mother Quan Yin Bodhisattva. I can no longer hold on. I have nothing left.” However, when the ship jerked suddenly, the crowd of people miraculously parted like the Red Sea, revealing a pathway that led straight from the front of the ship to directly where I was sitting. […]
I heard a rolling sound of a metal object that rolled from the front of the ship directly into my lap. Instinctively, I held up the metal object to examine it, and realized it was a thermos! I opened the lid of the thermos, peered inside, and saw the container was full of ginseng tea! I was so parched that I drank the entire thermos in a single gulp. Immediately, I felt instant relief. Four days later, we arrived at the refugee camp on a remote island in Indonesia, both myself and my baby yet to be born, safe and sound. […]”
Not only in Spirit has our Most Powerful Supreme Master Ching Hai been shielding Her disciples who were refugees at that time, but She has also been working physically to help them since the beginning of the “boat people” crisis in Her youth. She did so at the expense of Her own time, finances, energy and even personal happiness.
It was not until recently – four decades later– that Master revealed some of the huge personal sacrifices She made for the cause.
Master: I had a fiancé before my ex-husband. He’s also a doctor. He met me in a restaurant, then after a few times, he invited me to his house, his clinic. And then he wanted to marry me. […]
We were happy until the Aulacese (Vietnamese) refugees’ issues arrived in my life, and I couldn’t just leave them there. There were incidents at night, sick people with no translators. There was a heavily pregnant lady alone, no husband there, no relatives. etc... The night she gave birth was a joy to my heart, I remember kissing her forehead many times, hugging her tight after going through hard labor with her. .... Nobody was there at night – rarely, one or two volunteers came, but they came only for some hours or maybe one day, and then they had their own job and family far away from the camp. So only I was there all day, all night, even when no other staff were there anymore. And of course, a man is a man. A nurse found him. […] I was of course heartbroken, but then I was busy. And he got on with his life, I got on with mine.
Several years later, after Supreme Master Ching Hai attained complete Enlightenment and started to teach the Quan Yin Method of Meditation to people all over the world, She did not forget Her country’s people who were in need.
The United Nations’ 1989 Comprehensive Plan of Action resulted in a “qualification screening” program for “boat people” in certain Southeast Asian countries. Those screened out would lose their refugee status and would be sent back to their home country, facing unthinkable consequences. This program triggered a prolonged crisis among the vulnerable who had already lost everything. Some of the refugees in the Philippine camps took the drastic measure of committing suicide.
Upon learning of the situation, in the middle of a lecture tour, Supreme Master Ching Hai immediately changed Her schedule to visit the desperate refugees, lending comfort and encouragement.
Master: I was truly anxious. I came here because you are my fellow-citizens. […]
Master also went on radio and television to raise public awareness of the plight of the Aulacese (Vietnamese) refugees.
Master: I would like to appeal to the president, to the government, and to the good people of the Philippines, and that since you have been so compassionate and loving, and open your arms to these poor people up till now, I would like you to please consider opening your arms further for some more period of time.
Master met with Philippine government officials to discuss practical solutions that were backed up by Her financial contributions and actionable proposals.
During the early 1990's, many Philippine government officials, including former presidents Fidel Ramos and Corazon Aquino and Madam Marcos and the media were by Supreme Master Ching Hai's side to assist Her in this humanitarian cause.
Senator Alvarez: And then comes Master Ching Hai. She arrives as She was introduced to me. She was so effective. I want to see the President, which means President Ramos. And I told him the work of the Master and how She has worked for these refugees, and the President had to do something.
Presidents Fidel Ramos: Well, the Philippines was seen as the first as well as the last sanctuary of the Aulacese (Vietnamese) refugees. And so those that could not find a new home outside, were allowed to stay in the Philippines and this was one of the, I'd say, most gratifying policies that we promulgated during my time as president.
Senator Alvarez: When (Supreme) Master Ching Hai was moving around in the society of Manila guided by Don Manuel Morato, there were caring hearts, there were compassionate human beings who wanted to give and provided shelter, political shelter to our brother Vietnamese (Aulacese) refugees. The law was passed and President Ramos assisted it all the way. For that, we were able to provide the haven of freedom that many of our brothers wanted to have in Manila.
Master: We thank you, these gentlemen here, for their unconditional kindness in helping the fellow human beings in time of need.
In 1994, upon hearing of the desperate situation of the refugees being forcefully repatriated in Hong Kong, Supreme Master Ching Hai returned to the Whitehead Refugee Center and held an international gathering with over 5,000 Association members from all over the world, who came to pray for peace for the refugees.
Master: We, who cultivate ourselves naturally, prefer peace, developing our wisdom, and helping others. Therefore, matters of humanity also fall within the scope of spiritual practice. Today, we are here from all over the world because we want to save the lives of refugees and to give them what they need. They don’t want material assistance, they don’t want political status; they only want freedom, they only want the same dignity as us.
Through Master’s efforts, at least 5,000 refugees were granted permanent residence by the government of the Philippines.
From 1990 to 1997 alone, Supreme Master Ching Hai contributed over US$690,000 to Aulacese (Vietnamese) refugee camps in different countries, including the Philippines, Taiwan (Formosa), Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, France, Canada and the United States.
Estimated contributions from Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan) for Aulacese (Vietnamese) refugees, from 1990 to 1997: US$690,315.77. Master gave also more and other related expenses not known and/or listed officially. ETC…
The humanitarian efforts of Supreme Master Ching Hai drew tremendous attention from the international community to the refugee crisis and inspired people to act differently. On May 25, 1994, the International Human Rights Conference was held at the Taipei International Convention Center. More than 5,000 dignitaries, media representatives, and human rights advocates from over 20 countries came together to support Her cause and recognize Her efforts.
Dr. Schneider: God in His Mercy and Compassion from time to time sends an enlightened Person to the Earth to personify compassion, and tonight we honor such a Person. The two million listeners of Radio for Peace International and the University of Global Education is proud and pleased and honored to recognize the enormity of the humanitarian effort, the personification of thoughts and feelings and spirit in action in real work, unselfishly, around the world.
And for this tremendous effort and this tremendous demonstration of compassion and caring for all of humanity, regardless of their state or condition, we are proud to present our highest award, the World Citizen Humanitarian Award to Supreme Master Ching Hai.
MC: Chairman of the Asian Pacific Youth Freedom League in the Philippines, Dr. Rene Santos, and his wife, Mrs. Amy Santos, will now present the Humanitarian Paragon Medal to Supreme Master Ching Hai.
At the ceremony, Master expressed Her heartfelt hope for humanity.
Master: I am somewhat comforted today to see that there are still so many good people in Taiwan (Formosa) and that there are still many compassionate people in the world. I had felt so depressed, but today, seeing so many of you, including the dignitaries from Taiwan (Formosa), and those of you who have come from different parts of the world to extend your support to the weak and homeless refugees, I have found hope again.
I hope... I hope that our world will change for the better in the coming 21st century, that people will love and protect each other. No matter how many refugees we have, the problem will be solved if every family opens its door to just one refugee. After a period of time, the refugees will adapt to the new environment and be able to stand on their own feet and make their own living. They will not be a lifelong burden.
Besides, God sometimes tests us by sending suffering people to our doorstep to see whether we follow Hiers teachings, whether we truly have love for others.
Supreme Master Ching Hai’s work for the Aulacese (Vietnamese) refugees reminds us of Queen Esther in the Holy Bible, Who risked Her life to save Her Jewish people from being condemned to death. Like Esther, She also took risks to help the Aulacese (Vietnamese) refugees, and thousands were given Freedom and new citizenship in new loving countries!
Kim Clement: God says, “Listen to me, as the beginning of the restoration, as it begins, there shall be a Woman that shall rise up. A Woman that shall be strong in faith, virtuous. Beautiful in eyes. Her eyes shall be so beautiful. Her eyes shall be round and big. I have crowned Her,” says the Lord, “as I crowned Esther. And the people shall receive Her, for She shall have the oil of gladness, for the pain and the mourning that has taken place.”
The visible and invisible works we presented in our shows are just a fragment of Supreme Master Ching Hai’s Mission over the years that happened to be witnessed by our Association members. Though we cannot fathom how She has been able to accomplish them through such a small physical frame, we feel Her Great Compassion towards all beings, Her unwavering resolve to save lost souls, and Her Divine Power entrusted by God Almighty.
