"To
become an enlightened Saint, we should practice the Quan Yin Method,
and contemplate on this original sound with our wisdom. This sound
creates all things in the universe, and it is the greatest power
and supreme wisdom in the universe. What else can we rely on in
our spiritual practice if not this great power and great wisdom?
Why should we rely on this dark little abdomen (the solar plexus)
or our ephemeral breathing instead? What does it matter if our body
moves slightly in meditation? How could we practice if we stop breathing
when we die?
If
we are practicing spiritually with this great power, it does not
matter if our body moves a little, or is even injured. Since our
own Master has established connection with this sound, Hes has been
liberated and has no relation with the body, and naturally, we can
continue to practice. Hes will continue to take care of our life
and help us to progress. Therefore, we cannot rely on anything else
but this greatest, highest and most original sound. This most primitive
sound existed before we came into being, and before anything in
the universe came into being. And, even after the three realms are
destroyed, it will continue to exist. Only by relying on this eternal
power can we practice spiritually to reach the state of eternal
existence. One can only reach the ephemeral level if one practices
by relying on the ephemeral breathing.
In
the Surangama Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha said that all other ways
of spiritual practice are only temporary methods and not eternal
ones. Only the Quan Yin Method is the eternal, ultimate and most
correct method of spiritual practice. We will agree with Him after
we have practiced the Quan Yin Method.
In
the Bible, it is mentioned that the universe, In the beginning was
the Word (Sound), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Everything was made by Hirm (Sound), and there was nothing made
that was not made by Him (Sound). [John 1:1-4] The 'Tao Te Ching'
also talks about the same. Lao Tzu said: 'The way that can be spoken
of is not the constant Way; the name that can be named is not the
constant Name. The Nameless was the beginning of Heaven and Earth;
the named was the mother of the myriad creatures.' It was when this
'Name that cannot be named' came into being that the universe and
all things were born.
The
Upanishad, the most famous Hindu scripture, also mentions the same
thing. 'In the beginning was the word.' This sound existed when
creation began. When this sound came into being, everything came
into being. This sound is God; this sound is Creation. They all
talk about the same thing, because in the first place, Shakyamuni
Buddha, Lao Tzu, the Bible, Hinduism, and Islam all raise the same
doctrine. After practicing the Quan Yin Method, we can understand
the scriptures when we study them. When we have attained the great
enlightenment, we will know that all scriptures actually talk about
the same thing."
From
"Worldly Sound vs. Supra-worldly Sound"
News 100, Master Says
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai
Taipei, Formosa • March 6, 1986
(originally in Chinese)