104/Special Reports /A Trip to a Holy Land - Supreme Master Ching Hai's Visit to the Republic of Armenia

Special Reports

By brother initiate Anthony Cordova,
Los Angeles, U.S.A. (Originally in English)

Interview

Orphanage in Yerevan

After the live TV broadcast, Master was escorted to the Children's House of Yerevan, where the resident orphans range from one to six years of age. Not only are they without parents, but they also suffer from cancer and other terminal illnesses. Master brought for these adorable children a giant teddy bear along with many other toys. The atmosphere of love and innocence could be felt as Master caressed each child and personally opened the gifts for them. Furthermore, Supreme Master Ching Hai contributed US$10,000 to the orphanage. The director of the Orphanage thanked Master continuously for Her generosity toward the children.


A giant teddy bear and many other toys given as gifts to the children of the Children's House of Yerevan.	Contributing US$10,000 to the Children's House of Yerevan.

Sightseeing in Yerevan

Wishing for Master to have a little rest, Ms. Sarkisian and Mr. Jaghinyan took Her on a short sightseeing trip. They drove Her to the Viewing Square in Victory Park high above the city of Yerevan, where a panoramic view of Mount Ararat can be enjoyed. Master mentioned that this holy mountain reminded Her of the Himalayas. While they were having a pleasant conversation, Mr. Jaghinyan noticed the hot sun shining on Master. He immediately went to purchase an umbrella to shade Her from the sun's rays. His thoughtfulness was further shown by the fact that he especially chose an umbrella that matched Her red floral outfit. After relaxing with some refreshments, they escorted Master back to the city.

Shopping at the Vernisage, an open-air market in Yerevan.

In Yerevan, Mr. Jaghinyan decided to show Master the Vernisage, an open-air market and popular tourist attraction. All sorts of interesting items were sold there, such as antiques, paintings, and handmade jewelry. Master enjoyed conversing with the Armenian people there and had a chance to examine many unique objects. She bought many souvenirs to serve as a remembrance of Her Armenian visit.

During all this time, Ms. Sarkisian, Mr. Jaghinyan and the Sharm assistant director, Mr. Karen Ghazaryan as well as the bodyguards and media crew were able to relax and enjoy a bit of leisure time with Master. They had a chance to joke and converse freely with Her. Her bodyguards came to love Her very much. They asked Her to autograph the "One World... Of Peace Through Music" special edition of News Magazine #100 as a souvenir. Supreme Master Ching Hai, being shy by nature, was embarrassed. She told them that She was not a movie star. However, in the hearts of Her newfound friends, She was more than just a celebrity - She was everything! Indeed, one of them gave Her an Armenian martial arts club T-shirt while Mr. Karen Ghazaryan gave Her several CDs of a famous opera singer along with other souvenir gifts as a token of their love and appreciation.

Although the sightseeing trip was only a thirty-minute break, it was a very sweet and memorable time.

Visit with the Mayor of Yerevan

At 1:00 p.m., Master arrived at the office of the Mayor of Yerevan, Mr. Suren Abrahamyan, who greeted Her genially with flowers. To further show Her his appreciation, he presented Her with a certificate and a silver medal for Her charitable activities. Upon seeing Master, Mr. Abrahamyan stated that he received very gentle and pleasant energy from Her. Master replied that She also felt that he was a very kind and ethical person.

They conversed with each other as if they were long time friends. Master joked affably with him that he should be the next president of Armenia, and said that the people would greatly benefit if they had him as their president. He modestly replied that he did not desire to be in that high post. He added that he was very content to be in the position he was in, and that the only thing he asked from God was to have health and wisdom, so as to better serve his people. In response, Master advised him, "It's very simple, just stop smoking cigarettes, then you'll be okay. Don't bother the "guy" up there for such a small matter!"

The Mayor of Yerevan Mr. Suren Abrahamyan (second from right) presents Master (middle) with a certificate and silver medal for Her charitable activities.
(first from right, Mr. Ruben Jaghinyan, organizer of the Armenia trip and General Director of the Sharm Company; first from left, Sharm assistant director, Mr. Karen Ghazaryan; second from left, Ms. Nadezdha Sarkisian, Congresswoman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia and President of the Hayer Cultural Foundation).

Contributing US$30,000 to the city of Yerevan.

Everyone present, including the Mayor and Master, all laughed heartily in agreement. Immediately, Mayor Abrahamyan put out his cigarette and continued the conversation with Master. Later Mr. Ghazaryan informed Master of the circumstances in Yerevan, where many homes, especially children's homes, needed to be repaired and rebuilt. Upon hearing of this situation, Master asked Mayor Abrahamyan how much he would need to carry out these projects. He replied that whatever donation She made, even the smallest amount, would make him very happy. He expressed that meeting Her was the greatest gift for him.

Touched by his modesty, Master gave him a lighter made of 24K gold and a contribution of US$30,000 for the city. He thanked Master wholeheartedly and said that the contribution would be used for many worthwhile projects, one of which would be to build homes for children. [The cost of living in Armenia is extremely modest. That's why even such a small amount can work "miracles".] Before She left his office, Mayor Abrahamyan asked Master for a hug. They both embraced in God's love, and had their pictures taken together. The Mayor said that he was very glad, and indeed, it had been an honor for him to meet Master.

After departing from the Mayor's office, Supreme Master Ching Hai was invited to visit Holy Etchmiadzin, the first and most famous Armenian Apostolic Church. When they arrived there, like many other visitors to the church who follow the Armenian tradition, Master purchased a dozen yellow candles, anchored them in the sand and silently prayed. She then stood in front of a mosaic of Jesus' crucifixion and continued Her silent prayers. Looking at Jesus Christ and Mother Mary brought back to Her sad memories of the sacrifice that these great Masters and Saints had made for humankind, and this brought tears to Her eyes. From there, Father Aghvan Gasparyan came out to greet Master and toured with Her around the ancient church museum where all the treasures of the Armenian churches were preserved. He personally escorted Master down to the basement where all the secret sacred items were kept. He allowed no one else to join him except Master and Congresswoman Sarkisian.

			Visiting the Holy Etchmiadzin Church, first official Christian church and headquarters of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Father Aghvan Gasparyan, Director of the Etchmiadzin Musueum.

Adhering to Armenian
traditions, Supreme
Master Ching Hai anchors candles in the sand and
prays in silence.

All the media people and bodyguards patiently waited upstairs. When Father Gasparyan escorted Master back up to the main level, streams of tears were still on Her cheeks. She felt the pain and suffering that Jesus had endured for humankind. After conversing with the Father, Master made a contribution of US$20,000 to the church to maintain its hall. Speechless at Her generosity, Father Gasparyan welcomed Master back to Armenia any time as his "Supreme" guest. He repeatedly said that he hoped, under God's will, to receive Master again in the very near future.

Master also agreed with him that it is truly up to God's will. A member of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association gave Father Gasparyan a gift bag containing Master's poetry and musical CDs, which in turn inspired Master to sing one of Her songs, "Love Me," especially for Father Gasparyan. While Master and Father Gasparyan were parting, two small children from the crowd of visitors shyly came up to offer Master bouquets of flowers.

On the way out, Master passed by a water fountain where Mr. Jaghinyan claimed that the water is very pure and sweet. He took a sip of it, exclaimed over its freshness, and asked Master to try the water also. However, the water from the fountain suddenly sprang high into the sky after She took a sip. Everyone was in awe, wondering what had happened. Mr. Jaghinyan asked Master, "You have the power, why don't you make the water go lower?" Master smiled. Looking at the water, She held out Her hand and gestured for it to go lower. As Her hand dropped lower, the water level simultaneously declined. Everyone was in awe, wondering whether or not it was a coincidence. Master just smiled.