Comrades, have you been doing so much manual labor that you’ve gotten this dirty? Why are you all covered in dust? Have you been doing manual labor? (Yes.) Did you automatically start doing manual labor when you got here? But over there, when the comrades tell you to do manual labor, you complain nonstop. But why is it that when you come here, you automatically do it? So? How are you comrades doing? Are you comrades doing well? (Yes.) Any improvements? What plans do you have coming over here? (To see Master.) To see me? (Yes.) Alright then, that’s good. Here and there, exactly the same. Alright, that’s it. So tiring! These technical things are really exhausting.
Auntie, you’re still alive? What is this called? (“Desert hero.”) Ah, “the old desert hero.” I see her every single time. Oh, my goodness! You live long, like Peng Zu, Auntie? You practice the Quan Yin Method and end up living on forever, huh? You’re getting more and more beautiful every day, so odd! So, any man or not? Say it secretly, let me know. Just speak quietly. Is there one or not, just say it. You’re always putting on an act. Two or three, right? Not just one, is it? You are still really good-looking, you know? Look at those willow-leaf eyebrows. And your teeth are still perfectly intact. Or are those dentures? Come on, say it. (Real teeth.) Really real teeth? Oh, my goodness! She’s even better than the neighbor ladies. See that? Even the neighbor ladies are still young, yet they all have dentures. And she’s already 74, yet her teeth are still so beautiful. (Yes, Master, this year I’m already 77.) Seventy-seven already? Don’t even say it. Old and still foolish. We’re trying to find ways to cover things up and protect it, but you just blurt everything out, every last bit of it. After a woman reaches 40, she’ll forget her own birthday. Auntie, do you understand? But here you are already “74” and you still remember it so clearly. That’s not acceptable. I’ve already told you, but you just won’t listen at all. You forget it as soon as I said it, how odd. I’m only telling you because we’re “family.”
You guys came here, eat Chinese food, did you get fat? (Yes, we got fat.) (Yes.) In two days, how many kilos have you gained? Which comrades here are from Âu Lạc (Vietnam)? Raise your hand, let me see. Make a “revolution” within yourself, is that it? (Yes.) Yes, that’s the right way. (Yes.) When we make a revolution within ourselves, everything changes. (Yes.) In the old days, the Buddha was a king, and He gave up everything – His ministers, His officials, and even the hundreds of beautiful queens and consorts. We only have one wife, that’s nothing. He gave up the throne and an entire kingdom; we are nothing in comparison. Revolution this, revolution that, why bother. (Yes.) Right? (Yes.) Keep struggling like that and you’ll lose your life. Just tell them to accept their lot and go make a living. Or come here and dig the ground and grow sweet potatoes. Sooner or later it should work. Gradually explain to the government. (Yes.) Then they’ll accept it. See that? There’s nothing Buddhist about that at all.
Our Buddha, He abandoned an entire kingdom: He gave up the throne, gave up His wife and child, gave up all those beautiful women. So, who are we to worry so much about these things? (Yes.) It’s the same everywhere. (Yes.) Well, three meals a day is enough. If there aren’t three meals… If you can’t manage three meals a day, then have two. If you can’t even have two, then have one. (Yes.) Even the Buddha ate just one meal a day. You’re not going to die! (Yes.) Sooner or later, everyone dies anyway. Do you think eating all the time will make you live forever? What’s there to be afraid of, right? (Yes.) So there’s nothing to be afraid of at all. (Yes.) No need to worry, the government takes care of us. So foolish! Why make yourself exhausted and worn out, causing me to worry and suffer, losing sleep day and night? (Yes.) Alright, go home now and dig the soil to plant sweet potatoes. Try to make a living to support yourself, accept your lot, right? (Yes.)
Actually, the government or anyone else, they’re just human, just human. (Yes.) Stay humble and do your work sincerely, keeping to a simple, content life. See, it’s been a long time since anyone said anything about us. (Yes.) And if they talk, let them talk. They talk, they’re the ones listening to it. We just don’t have to listen. What’s the problem, right? (Yes.) Because we listen to Quan Yin (inner Heavenly Sound). (Yes.) They have their own chanting, and we have ours. After they “chant” for a while, they’ll get tired too. (Yes.) If no one responds at all, they get tired as well, they’ll just go home and sleep. (Yes.) We go ahead and do our Quan Yin (meditation on the inner Heavenly Sound). (Yes.) What’s there to fear? Nothing to be afraid of. (Yes.) Those who practice the Quan Yin Method become braver and gradually become gentler. (Yes.) We’re OK in any situation. (Yes.) In Aulacese (Vietnamese), it says “all right.” Right?
Now, those people from Âu Lạc (Vietnam) that fled to the U.S., they long to return to Âu lạc (Vietnam). And when they go back to Âu Lạc (Vietnam), no one understands what they say. Especially those who left with their parents when they were still babies. (Yes.) Or were born after moving to the U.S. (Yes.) When they go back home and speak, it’s half cassava, half sweet potato. Neither the grandmother on the mother’s side nor the father’s side understands a thing. And the old ladies now are skilled too. They speak a hundred English words like the wind. They go home and say, “I was born in water Âu Lạc (Vietnam).” Water in English means “country” [in Aulacese (Vietnamese)], you know? She just throws it all together.
“Nước” means both country and water, so any country is still “water.” “Nước” means both country and water, why bother distinguishing one kind from another and tire yourself out? She just says, “I was born in water Âu Lạc (Vietnam),” and that’s it. Whoever understands, fine; if not, also fine. She doesn’t want to trouble herself. “If you don’t understand, that’s your problem.” (Yes.) “Why exhaust myself with worry? I am already old; what need is there to worry?” Like you, our “desert hero.” The older you get, the better you look. You’re 77 already, aren’t you? We told you not to say anything but once you’ve said it, that’s it. Might as well make it public and be done with it. I asked her and reminded her to just say 74, but she’s old and forgot. I told her yesterday, but today she completely forgot. But how can she forget and yet still remember 77 so clearly, strange. Looks like it’s pretty fun over here. (Yes.)
How are things back in our homeland now? (Yes, very happy.) Happy now? (Yes.) (It’s better now.) Comrades or whatever are also working together now? (Yes.) When there’s money and there are jobs, the country prospers and the people grow strong. That’s all there is to it. (Yes.) (A change in the mindset.) Has it changed a lot already? (Yes.) Well then, maybe someday I’ll come back and see for myself. (Yes!) I’m just saying “someday,” that’s all. Sometimes tomorrow never comes. The day after tomorrow is even harder to find. It’s “tomorrow,” not today. Then tomorrow, if someone asks, we’ll just say “tomorrow” again. It’s postponing a debt.
Never mind. We’ll see if the land of Âu Lạc (Vietnam) still has any karmic affinity with me. (Yes.) It’s not like you can just pack up and go. (Yes.) This time the luggage is really heavy; clothes, jewelry, all sorts of things. Carry over a dozen packages. I’m tired now. This time there are a lot of tools. (Yes.) A lot of spiritual “tools.” Earrings, rings, are all spiritual “tools.” Pants, clothes; every time I go somewhere, I carry more than ten packages. (Yes.) But for you all, the longer you practice, the simpler you become. When you go somewhere, you just carry one bag. (Yes.) Just a sleeping bag, right? (Yes.) And two or three outfits only. (Yes.) One set to wear, one to change into, and one extra. In case someone grabs it by mistake. These days, people who practice all sort of look alike. More or less thin, more or less plump, something like that. And even the scent is somewhat similar. Just the scent of meditation. So, you take someone’s clothes and you think they’re your own. And quite often you end up tidying up other people’s clothes for them. Because the neighbor’s tent is nearby, and the clothes are hung close together. Sitting in meditation, eyes half-closed, you just grab something. All pants are clothes, there’s no need to differentiate.
We’re practitioners, why would we discriminate? So many women end up wearing clothes that look very much like men’s. And some of the men, at times, even grab a few “steamed buns” by mistake. Putting it on and taking it off, back and forth, how did it get so short? “How strange! I’ve only been here practicing for a few days; how did I suddenly grow so tall? The level must be so high that the clothes become short?” So next time, when you practice self-cultivation, at least open your eyes to see properly. Don’t just grab someone else’s clothes and put them on, it looks very odd. You don’t look like yourself at all. Practicing cultivation seems pretty fun. (Yes.) Whatever you do, it’s all joyful. (Yes.)
This time, was it easy to come over, comrades? (Yes, it was easy.) Huh? (Yes, it was easy.) Easy, really? (Yes.) Then why was it difficult last time? (Because there were too many people traveling together before, Master.) Too many people? (Yes. This time, only the city came.) This time, only the city? (Yes.) Easier for the city, huh? (Yes.) Alright then, let’s take turns, draw lots. (Yes.) Whoever attains Buddhahood first will go first. (Yes.) When it comes to drawing lots, everyone prays that the Master inside will help them. (Yes.) Everyone is praying; who should I help? Alright then. Take it slowly and be patient, everything will work out in time. (Yes.)
Photo Caption: “Promised Bright Future Is Certain”
