Vegetarian Era
National Television Network Premiere
of “The
Real Heroes”
Reported by Entertainment Team, Los Angeles Center, USA
(Originally in English)
“So be a hero, be a vegetarian!” ~Supreme Master Ching Hai
In recent years, the United States has been experiencing a higher number of natural disasters that have caused greater destruction than in the past. In the fall of 2004, four hurricanes of extraordinary strength tore through Florida, leaving behind billions of dollars worth of damage. More recently, on June 14, 2005, an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale shook the seabed off the northern California coast. Seismologists predicted a powerful tsunami would hit San Francisco, burying it under water along with other cities off the coast of California, including those as far north as Oregon. Government officials issued alerts for residents in the possibly affected cities to evacuate for their safety. However, miraculously, with God’s grace, no tsunami hit this highly populated and popular city.
Not only have there been more occurrences of natural disasters around the country, but on June 25, 2005, it was reported in the Los Angeles Times that the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the first native born cow on American soil that had contracted bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as mad cow disease. Consumption of contaminated meat is linked to a human form of BSE known as variant Creutzfeldt- Jakob disease. The disease in humans has no treatment and is always fatal. This shocking news completely shattered the illusion that U.S. meat is safe to consume. In 2004, Americans spent about $71 billion on beef, eating more than 66 pounds per capita.
With all these natural and manmade disasters, it was truly the greatest blessing for America when our beloved Supreme Master Ching Hai granted permission for “The Real Heroes,” a very special episode of the television program “A Journey through Aesthetic Realms,” to be aired across the nation on i: Independent Television (formerly known as PAX). This program would feature Supreme Master Ching Hai’s lecture in which She reveals the intriguing truth about spiritual matters and the importance of the vegetarian diet. For the first time ever, the nation received such a great blessing with people simultaneously watching Master’s lecture in all 50 states.
As one of the major broadcast networks in the United States, i: Independent Television reaches over 95 million households across the U.S. via nationwide over-the-air broadcast television, cable and satellite distribution systems. This station’s programming focuses on wholesome family entertainment as well as shows featuring religious and spiritual themes. Their target audience includes those who are more spiritually inclined and would be a perfect match for Truth seekers who have affinity with Supreme Master Ching Hai.
Upon receiving the wonderful news, brothers and sisters from centers in various states united with sincerity and enthusiasm to do God’s work. They began fervently working to share this historic event with the public, and Master’s love quickly spread from city to city. Newspaper annoucements with Master’s picture were placed in all of the most prestigious papers across America such as The New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, The Dallas Morning News, The Oregonian, The Boston Globe and many more. Promotional campaigns were also run on the national Chinese and Aulacese media such as World Journal, Chinese Daily News, Nguoi Viet Daily News, and Viet Bao Daily News. In Southern California, there were radio promotions on KOST 103.5 FM, reaching out to millions of listeners.
In addition, brothers and sisters everywhere personally passed out thousands of flyers. Through the technical computer expertise of fellow initiates, the announcement for the premiere of “The Real Heroes” was also posted on our Association’s websites as well as related newsgroups and vegetarian websites, including actress Linda Blair’s fan web listings and www.happycow.org, a leading online source of information for vegetarians. Our Association’s radio and cable shows also promoted the show’s premiere on their programming. Fueled by Master’s love, all brothers and sisters were working with one heart and one mind and with only Master in their thoughts.
As soon as the first announcements were released, callers were already phoning in, enthusiastically sharing that they couldn’t wait for the program to air. A woman cut out the announcement in The Chicago Tribune and placed it on the refrigerator so that she and her husband would remember to watch the show on Sunday. Another lady from Wisconsin said her husband had seen the announcement for the program, so he saved it for her since she was interested in vegetarianism. With Wisconsin being more of a rural state, it was hard for her to learn more about the vegetarian diet, so she was very interested in watching the show and asked for a copy as well. People were contacting their families and friends in different states to watch the show. Some programmed their VCRs to record “The Real Heroes.” A businessman traveling out of state saw the announcement in USA Today and called back home to his wife in Santa Barbara, California to make sure she taped the show for him.
On Sunday, June 26, 2005, the day finally came for the national television premiere of “The Real Heroes.” Never before on a major network had the topic of vegetarianism and meditation been covered in such detail, clarity and truth until now. Perhaps it was God’s will for the program to be broadcast on this date since the revelation of the mad cow case had been just revealed the previous day, and this horrific news was still fresh in the public’s mind.
Minutes prior to the broadcast, many excited viewers from all over the nation began calling, saying that they had seen announcements and wanted to make sure they had the correct channel and time for Supreme Master Ching Hai’s lecture.
Finally, the moment came: The SM logo appeared, and thus commenced the debut of “The Real Heroes.” For one whole uninterrupted hour, Master’s image, voice and love was broadcast over a major US television network. Master’s presence was definitely felt as Her positive energy vibrated in the atmosphere to bless each of the 295 million people in America. Within this time span, Master’s message of peace and love simultaneously reached everyone in the public at large.
Aside from the main feature of Master’s lecture in “The Real Heroes,” the program also debuted the exclusive interview with award-winning actress and animal rights advocate Ms. Linda Blair. She shared her heartfelt admiration for Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her work during the interview. (Please refer to the special interview with Linda Blair in The Supreme Master Ching Hai News #160.)
As soon as the program ended, people began calling in, earnestly requesting more information about the Supreme Master that they had just seen. Many of the callers said that they never called in for any television show, but they felt they had to this time because they were so impressed with Supreme Master Ching Hai and wanted to know more about Her. This seemed to be a common sentiment shared by all the callers. Following are some of their heartfelt responses after viewing Master’s lecture.
One man asked, “Who is the Lady I just saw on TV?” He didn’t normally watch TV, but he happened to turn it on and caught the last several minutes of the show where there were pictures of Master holding Her beloved pets. After the Association member explained that he had just seen Supreme Master Ching Hai, an enlightened Master, the man revealed that he had seen a halo of brilliant light emanating from Master’s image on his television screen. He immediately requested to have more of Master’s teachings sent to him.
A vegetarian woman from the Bronx in New York called and announced, “America needs something positive like this show. There’s way too much violence nowadays. This needs to be a series.”
A viewer by the name of Rick Simmons said that he reads a lot of literature, but has never seen anyone say it the way Master does. He said that the information and Bible interpretations were very interesting and logical, and it made sense to him when Master said that meat-eating animals are more ferocious than vegetarian animals. It got him to think about how meat consumption would affect humans. He shared, “I felt good listening to Her.” Other callers also agreed. Master’s explanations really opened their minds to a new way of thinking in regards to the vegetarian diet, compassion for animals, and spirituality.
Texas is a state well known for its cattle ranchers and beef production, so it was a pleasant surprise to hear from Al Jones, living in Texas. He said, “I have never seen anyone put something together so nicely like that before.” When he first saw Master’s image, he said, “I don’t know how else to say it, but I was in love with Her! She was so peaceful, serene and genuine.” After learning about the dangers of meat-eating, he got interested in the vegetarian diet. With an extensive background in production, he asserted that Master’s program was very good.
Another caller from Texas called to say that after her nine-year-old son saw the program, he announced, “I’m going to be a vegetarian now!” Several days later, committed to his new compassionate diet, when his father invited him to go to dinner at a meat restaurant, he refused the offer, saying that he didn’t want to eat the flesh of animals anymore.
Mike Mullally, who identified himself as an Irish Catholic living in Florida, was very impressed with Master and how She was so relaxed and natural. He liked the way She incorporated all religions and faiths. Jane, a Jewish caller from Maryland, also said, “It was a beautiful video. It stresses all religions.” She said that there are a lot of Jewish vegetarians.
An elderly woman from a nursing home named Denise Neal said that she could feel Master’s power while she watched the program. Afterwards, she went online and saw Master’s pictures in different outfits and various hairstyles, and she exclaimed, “This is cool! She’s very modern and not frumpily dressed at all!” Master truly sacrifices Her own comfort and preferences to do whatever is necessary to awaken the consciousness of those having affinity with Her.
Most people have the conception that Jesus will return appearing as He did two thousand years ago. However, one caller was fascinated with the possibility of Jesus coming back in a female form. He exclaimed, “It could very well be possible!” Coincidentally, at the end of the lecture, Master answered his question when She said, “Jesus can come to anyone who is perceptive enough, who opens the right door to let Him in. Then at that moment, Jesus comes back again. He comes through any Master Who is capable to house Him, to house His mighty power. That person is also Jesus. Different hairstyle perhaps, maybe high-heeled, but He is still Jesus.” The caller was extremely happy that someone addressed this issue and was very satisfied by Master’s answer.
Two weeks after the show, people were still calling in, writing letters and emailing requests for information about Master’s teachings. One memorable caller was an older woman named Mary Max from New York. When she called, she sounded a bit stern, “Is this PAX? Is this where I give comments?” Our Association member, a bit startled by her voice and apprehensive of what Mary was going to say next, answered, “Yes, this is where you may share your comments regarding ‘The Real Heroes’ program and Supreme Master Ching Hai’s teachings.” Mary continued in a serious tone, “Good, because I want to give my comments.” Our fellow initiate was holding her breath, not knowing what to expect. Mary then said, “I’ve never called in to comment on a show before, but this show was so-o-o FABULOUS! It should be re-aired millions of times for everyone to see!” She continued praising Master and the program, exclaiming that it was extremely informative.
Chicago, once known as the meat-processing center of the world, also showed positive change toward vegetarianism. An Association member who owns a vegetarian restaurant in the city said that after the show aired, customers dramatically increased. He said, “Now sales on regular days match those of the busiest Saturdays!”
Feeling Master’s power through Her inner connection with God, an Asian lady from Iowa immediately requested initiation. After the program, she logged onto the Association’s websites to learn more of Master’s teachings. She had been a vegetarian for over 20 years and practiced another kind of meditation, but now feels that only through Master can her wisdom eye be opened.
Surprisingly, some viewers living outside of the United States, namely Canada, were able to watch the show on their satellite system. People from as far away as Mongolia, Venezuela and Mexico emailed and inquired whether they could watch the program online.
Most of the viewers asked if there was going to be an “encore” program and requested copies of the show. They also asked if this program was part of a series and if it would broadcast the following week as well. Everyone repeatedly expressed their appreciation and gratitude for the broadcasting of Master’s lecture so that they may have this rare chance to know Her teachings. Across the expanse of space and time, Master’s love penetrated through all boundaries of race, religion, cultures and preconceived ideas to reach Truth aspirants, even in the more remote corners of the US.
We are eternally grateful to Master for Her guidance and for giving us this precious opportunity to be part of such an uplifting event to grow spiritually and expand our love. It was a wonderful experience to work with brothers and sisters across the U.S. and in Formosa in such harmony and oneness to do God’s work. Through the Quan Yin Method and Supreme Master Ching Hai’s teachings, She has taught us how we can all be “real heroes.”
During Her time as a householder, Master had written the following verses in Her poem, “Buddha’s Sadness”:
Saving the world is a difficult mission.
I kneel, wishing to believe in God,
And beg Hirm to repair Hiers creation.
As the children of God, we now have the greatest fortune to witness Master Herself repairing creation with Her boundless love so that we may all greet the Golden Era in God’s grace. We sincerely thank Master for Her infinite mercy and compassion for all beings.
Post script:
After the initial broadcast of “The Real Heroes,” within just one hour of Master’s teachings reaching the general public through the television media, innumerable people became vegetarian across the United States. From there, they have influenced millions more family members and friends, liberating tens of millions of animals from an agonizing death. With Master’s grace, may many more sentient beings become elevated through Her teachings and blessings.
“The Real Heroes”
can now be viewed online at
http://www.GodsDirectContact.org
http://www.PeaceThruMusic.com
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