Subject:

The Key of Immediate Enlightenment--
The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association

How attractive it is if someone says we can get enlightenment immediately! Throughout human history, numerous truth-seekers have been eager to gain enlightenment, but only a few have done so, even though they had to go through all kinds of suffering and hardship. So generally it is thought that getting enlightenment is very rare and difficult to attain, and it is only possible after we go through many hardships. We ordinary people usually think that getting enlightenment is an issue that is 'far apart' from our lives. But Supreme Master Ching Hai insists that we can meet our real Self simply by closing our eyes, and can get enlightenment immediately through a simple and universal meditation method.

 

Worldly Life and Spiritual Practice
Need Not Be Separated

Since 1992 Supreme Master Ching Hai has been well-known in Korea. Moreover, since 1993, through Her lectures in Seoul and Pusan, the number of Koreans who practice the Quan Yin Method and maintain a vegetarian diet has increased dramatically. The current number of practitioners in Korea is in the thousands. There are meditation centers in 11 major Korean cities and initiates and initiates-to-be gather each Sunday to meditate together. However, no one is forced to give money or change their religion to practice the Quan Yin Method. In order to help people begin a vegetarian diet, The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association's Seoul Center runs the 'SM Vegetarian Buffet Restaurant' and the 'VegeLove' bakery in Poi-Dong, Seoul.

 

Interview with brother Choi (a VegeLove worker)
from The Supreme Master Ching Hai
International Association

Realization of Universal Love

Q: When did you get initiated?

A: Five years ago. From then on, I have been maintaining a strict vegetarian diet and practicing meditation for three hours a day. I keep practicing in the middle of daily life because we don't believe that spiritual practice and worldly life are separate.

 

Q: What difference have you noticed in your life before and after initiation?

A: My personality and values about life have changed. Before, I used to be passive in interpersonal relationships, and sometimes became depressed. But through meditation practice, I have begun to feel compassion towards everything and my understanding towards my neighbors has widened. I've gained the power to look at the world brightly and to love universally.

 

Q: Tell me about the Vegetarian bakery 'VegeLove'

A: There are only a few vegetarian bakeries like 'VegeLove' in Korea. We deal in almost all kinds of vegetarian products in Korea to help people easily access the vegetarian diet. We sell vegetarian meats and ham, and eggs made of wheat gluten, and make vegetarian hamburgers, sandwiches, pizza, and so on. We promote all kinds of products that do not include animal ingredients. We deliver the products free of charge if the total cost of the order is over fifty thousand won.

 

Q: Share your thoughts about Supreme Master Ching Hai

A: I feel comfortable with Her, like breathing air.

Q: What do you want to do in the future?

A: I believe practice involves finding one's own way by oneself. I would like to try organic agricultural methods as a part of my practice and as a way to benefit the public.