Before the Lunar New Year, Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan) took precious time to express heartfelt concern for Her dedicated team members before group meditation. The following day, amidst an atmosphere of joy and enthusiasm, the esteemed dignitaries from the Philippines were warmly welcomed: Former President of the Gusi Peace Prize Foundation, Mr. Manuel Morato; former Politician, His Excellency Heherson Alvarez; former Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia, His Excellency Thelmo Cunanan, and other honorable guests.
Hey! Hi! (Master.) Alright. Retreat will start tomorrow. I happened to come back earlier, so I came down to say hallo. How’s everybody? (Good.) Are you tired from work? (No.) (Happy.) Huh? (Happy.) Happy, OK. Thank you all for coming earlier to help. Nothing to do at home, huh? Yes. You want to make some sacrifice, right? Is it a big sacrifice for you? Wow, if I sit down, nobody can see me.
Is there a good place to stay? Pitch a tent? OK? (OK.) Is it OK? (OK.) Wow, we have roofs now. Just symbolic. Some people stay inside and some outside, and some people are halfway in between. Thank you. Thank you for coming to help with work. (Thank You, Master.) Just by the way, also, to see Master earlier, huh?
Actually, it’s not enough, however busy we are. Because there are many places in the world that need help. And then people in the world sometimes are a little slow, too slow. They have done many things, but it’s too slow for me. Is it fast enough for you? Are people in the world doing things fast or not? (Not fast.) Not fast. What do you do? (Fast.) Really? Fast? Fast, but sometimes too fast.
We have to be fast in some things and be slow in other things. For example, on our mountain, the land is like this. The land is steep. If you haven’t planted anything, it’s better if you want to cut the grass to just cut, don’t pull out the roots. Just cut it a little bit to make it look good, no need to pull it out. Or there will be no protection. The grass is there to protect the land. You pull it all out and think it’s beautiful that way. It may look beautiful, but it doesn’t work. When you do things, you’ve got to think clearly. Don’t just do things blindly. Some people are too fast; as soon as they go up there to work, they just grab everything. It’s not correct. (OK.) You must use your wisdom. OK? (OK.)
But I still thank everybody for coming here to work hard. They all look beautiful. Some places are more beautiful than before. Wow, the trees have grown so big. Now they grow so dense. (Yes.) We don’t need that roof at all, right? OK, I came down to thank everyone. Then, see you tomorrow, OK? (OK.) (Thank You, Master.)
Everyone, take a rest. Is there any place for you to rest? (Yes.) Have you set up the tents? (Yes.) Are they far away from here? (Not far.) It’s OK, huh? OK. Let’s organize further, so that you have more time to climb up the mountain. Not bad. Not bad. It looks good. OK, thank you. It’s alright. You can see me these few days. OK? (OK.) Hey! Hallo! Thank you. Thank you. Can’t see very well because it’s too dark, right? It’s alright, can see another day. (OK. OK.) Thank you.
