San Jose's First Video Seminar

[San Jose] At the request of many initiates and non-initiates, the San Jose Center in California, USA, launched its first spiritual video seminar at the Vegetarian House Restaurant of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association on November 16, 2002. The Gallery Room at the restaurant was beautifully graced with Master's exquisite artistic creations, including Celestial Clothes, paintings and lamps, as well as Master's books and photographs. The venue exuded a gentle, serene and comfortable atmosphere, which the attendees found very much to their liking.

On a large projector screen, a video of Master's lecture entitled "Face Life with Courage" given in London in June 1999 was presented to a roomful of audience members. After viewing the entire presentation of Master's precious words with rapt attention, seminar attendees mingled in the relaxed setting of the Vegetarian House, enjoying delicious vegetarian refreshments created from organic ingredients. Afterwards, many eager participants, appearing calm and joyful, asked to learn the Convenient Method.

The afternoon event was a grace-filled, peaceful gathering of local residents touched by Master's wisdom and ready to enter the path to rediscover their Great Inner Self. With such support from the public, San Jose Center initiates look forward to organizing their next video seminar. Thank You, Master, for again bringing Your Message of Truth and Love to San Jose!

An Autumn Concert of Artistic Expression and Spirituality

[San Jose] In the sun-drenched valley that cradles San Jose, California, USA, a mid-September day whispered softly with the voices of the coming autumn. And the autumn twilight created an enchanting tranquility that beckoned the mind and soul back to the inner nature. Such was the setting for a recent concert featuring Supreme Master Ching Hai's poetry, performed through the musical settings of Nhat Ngan (a renowned Aulacese composer).

This event had been long anticipated by those passionate about spirituality in the arts. Inspired by the exquisite poetry of Supreme Master Ching Hai, the concert was a medium through which Nhat Ngan shared his heartfelt respect for Master. With the collaboration of San Jose initiates, the performance took place on September 14, 2002, bringing together magnificent poetry and music, and also friends and families of San Jose initiates, as well as fellow practitioners visiting from Southern California, Texas and Oklahoma.

The program began with a warm welcome to the audience, followed by a dedication to Supreme Master Ching Hai, noting Her contributions in the spiritual domain and also in art, music, poetry and philanthropy. Next came a video presentation documenting Master's humanitarian work, accompanied by Master's recital of Her Aulacese poem, "Buddha's Sadness," as recorded on the CD Traces of a Previous Life III. Master's beautiful voice permeated the hall, and Her loving presence was felt throughout the evening.

Mr. Nhat Ngan performs his own musical adaptation of Master's poetry.

Composer Nhat Ngan and vocal artist Khanh Ngan

Mr. Nhat Ngan then performed three of his own musical compositions. The first was an adaptation of the above-mentioned "Buddha's Sadness," set against a sweeping melody, followed by "Passing by His House" and "Turning Gray." All three renditions were enthusiastically received by the audience. The skillful union of Master's poetry and Mr. Nhat Ngan's music touchingly conveyed the true depth of these soulful poems. Ms. Kieu Loan, a Quan Yin initiate and renowned vocal artist, next treated the audience to a superb recital of Master's poems. Accompanying her moving performance was the 16-string Aulacese zither of initiate and well-known performer Ta Nhu Viet. Mr. Ta also performed a tender solo rendition of "Lend Me Your God." The zither, masterfully played by Mr. Ta, brought a new level of feeling to the narrations of Master's poetry.

In addition, Mr. Nhat Ngan's musical interpretations of Master's "Love Song 1," "Love Song 4," "A Love Withered" and "The Two Phoenixes" were presented by the talented new vocal artist Khanh Ngan, whose sweet voice and luminous stage presence provided an impressive showpiece for the audience to enjoy.

Some of Mr. Nhat Ngan's most memorable songs, produced over the last four decades, were also presented. These classic pieces were sung with sincere passion by fellow practitioners in honor of his artistry and love for Master and the Quan Yin Family.

The evening's finale included an intimate discussion of Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her poetry by Nhat Ngan, who elaborated on Master's impact on his creation of spiritual songs. In particular, Nhat Ngan recalled a 1997 trip, during which he and a group of Quan Yin volunteers brought New Year's gifts from Supreme Master Ching Hai to various Aulacese artists living in Au Lac. The gifts were tokens of fellowship and love for these artists, who had enriched the world through their creativity and dedication. Mr. Nhat Ngan concluded by saying that the evening had provided a time of warm, meaningful exchange, and had nourished an ongoing, cherished relationship between him, Master's poetry and the public.

Nhat Ngan and Khanh Ngan with Quan Yin Family members in a jovial mood after the concert.	Audience members are absorbed in a stirring recital of one of Master's soulful poems.

The program closed with a reception featuring light vegetarian food and refreshments. In the afterglow of such a memorable evening, a profound feeling of harmony and unity arose among the attendees. Much like the changing of seasons from summer to autumn, concertgoers experienced a transition - one of growth and understanding, through the elegant, heartfelt merger of music and poetry.

The initiates who participated in the concert express their profound gratitude to Supreme Master Ching Hai for the magnificent poetry and music with which She has blessed their lives. It is through Her loving guidance and care that they are able to advance along the spiritual path, as the seasons have continued to change throughout eternity.

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