On a morning in late March 1991, during a lecture tour in the United States at the time, Supreme Master Ching Hai accepted the Most Venerable Thich Man Giac's gracious invitation to visit an Aulacese temple in Los Angeles, USA. The Most Venerable Thich Man Giac and Supreme Master Ching Hai had the affinity to have known each other in earlier times. On this occasion, they conversed with each other like close friends since time immemorial. Their exchange was filled with laughter, as if Heaven and Earth joined in the festivities; thus the essence of Zen seemed to permeate throughout the worldly realm.

The Most Venerable Thich Man Giac, also a distinguished poet, was the abbot of the Aulacese Buddhist Temple until his passing on October 13, Golden Year 3 (2006). Moved by news of his passing, Supreme Master Ching Hai has composed the poems "Golden Lotus" and "Sayonara" in dedication to him. As the current abbot, Truong Vi, mentioned in a recent interview at the temple, it was clear that the respect between Supreme Master Ching Hai and the Most Venerable Thich Man Giac was mutual.

On February 21, Golden Year 4 (2007), some fellow initiates visited the Aulacese Buddhist Temple to present Supreme Master Ching Hai's gift of US$7,000 to the temple. Upon receiving this gift, Abbot Truong Vi was deeply moved and speechless. He offered a book of the Most Venerable Thich Man Giac's and wrote:

Respectfully to
Bodhisattva Manifestation
Supreme Master Ching Hai

Thich Nhu Minh
Vietnamese Buddhist Temple
Los Angeles, California Spring,
Year of the Pig 2007

A note from Abbot Truong Vi, dedicating the Most Venerable Thich Man Giac's book to Supreme Master Ching Hai.

* Supreme Master Ching Hai has respected the Most Venerable Thich Man Giac's poetry and recited his poems in the traditional Aulacese style. These are recorded in the collection titled "The Golden Lotus," on DVD-770 and CD-M035.

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