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Master Ching Hai initiates sincere people longing to know the Truth, into the Quan Yin Method. The Chinese characters "Quan Yin" mean contemplation of the sound vibration. The Method includes meditation on both the Inner Light and the Inner Sound. These inner experiences have been repeatedly described in the spiritual literature of all the world's religions since ancient times.
The Inner Light, the Light of God, is the same light referred to in the word "enlightenment." Its intensity can range from a subtle glow to the brilliance of many millions of suns. It is through the Inner Light and Sound that we come to know God.
The initiation into the Quan Yin Method is not an esoteric ritual or a ceremony for entering a new religion. During the initiation, specific instruction in meditation on the Inner Light and Inner Sound is given, and Master Ching Hai provides the "spiritual transmission." This first taste of Divine Presence is given in silence. Master Ching Hai need not be physically present in order to open this door for you. This transmission is an essential part of the Method. The techniques themselves will bring little benefit without the Grace of the Master.
Because you may hear the Inner Sound and see the Inner Light immediately upon initiation, this event is sometimes referred to as "sudden" or "immediate enlightenment."
Master Ching Hai accepts people from all backgrounds and religious affiliations for initiation. You do not have to change your present religion or system of beliefs. You will not be asked to join any organization, or participate in any way that does not suit your current life style.
However, you will be asked to become a vegetarian. A lifetime commitment to the vegetarian diet is a necessary prerequisite for receiving initiation.
The initiation is offered free of charge.
Daily practice of the Quan Yin Method of meditation, and the keeping of the "Five Precepts" are your only requirements after initiation. The Precepts are guidelines that help you to neither harm yourself nor any other living being. These practices will deepen and strengthen your initial enlightenment experience, and allow you to eventually attain the highest levels of Awakening or Buddhahood for yourself. Without daily practice, you will almost certainly forget your enlightenment and return to a normal level of consciousness.
Master Ching Hai's goal is to teach us to be self sufficient. Therefore, She teaches a Method that can be practiced by everyone, by themselves, without props or paraphernalia of any kind. She is not looking for followers, worshippers, or disciples, or establishing an organization with a dues paying membership. She will not accept money, prostrations, or gifts from you, so you do not need to offer these to Her.
She will accept your sincerity in daily life and meditational practice to progress yourself to sainthood.
Also a Convenient Method of the Quan Yin Method of meditation is available. The qualifications for the Convenient Method is as follows:
| 1. |
Only those who are 16 years of age or older may learn the Convenient Method. |
| 2. |
You must maintain a pure vegetarian diet for at least ten days per month or more. You are encouraged to be vegetarian for as long as possible. |
| 3. |
You may meditate for no more than half an hour a day. |
| 4. |
You should understand Master Ching Hai's teachings. |
The Convenient Method is not exactly like the Quan Yin Method, but it offers you a taste of enlightenment. And you can continue to practice that every day without such a strict regulation as a pure vegetarian diet or two and a half hours a day. You can meditate half an hour everyday, or twenty minutes now, ten minutest later, whatever you like, and eat the vegetarian diet as conveniently as your position or your situation allows. So that's why we call it "Convenient Method." And you also have enlightenment. But, it's a small kind of vehicle, you can only liberate yourself alone. And the Quan Yin Method will liberate many of your relatives and friends, up to seven or even nine generations, the people you don't even know, your ancestors, etc., and your next generation, your grand, grandchildren not yet born, etc.. Because of the blood link, they will also be free.
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