While on the Path

How The Quan Yin Method Changed Me

By brother Initiate Yang Guang, Mainland China

        Before practicing the Quan Yin Method, I expended all my energy in fulfilling my desire for fame and gain. I watched for every opportunity to advertise myself or to be "a cut above the rest." For small gains in my work or outer life, I would ingratiate myself with people in high places just for the sake of standing out and of bringing honor to my ancestors. However, racking my brain every day in pursuit of success made life a burden for me. Besides, I was addicted to women. Since my youth I had been fond of looking at beautiful women and indulging in romantic fantasies. Sometimes my imagination would run wild and I could not stop it. I knew it was not good and was a threat to peace in my family, but I simply could not control myself.

        Once, when I went home to visit my family, my parents told me that there was a Master called Ching Hai who taught a supreme method that could liberate people and eventually bring them to sainthood. This news surprised me. Due to the early influence of my parents, I had read some of the Buddhist sutras and practiced various types of Qi Gong. But I had never heard of a method entitled "Supreme," let alone a Master called "Supreme".

        With my limited knowledge, I argued with my parents. Though unconvinced and unbelieving, I was curious and began to read "The Key of Immediate Enlightenment" because I wanted to know what Supreme Master Ching Hai had to say in Her books. Once I began reading the book, I could not bear to put it down, as Her teachings began to enlighten me in all aspects. I finally realized that, regardless of how high a position we have or how much wealth we possess, only our bones will be left in our graves after we die. After a fleeting life, we do not even know who we really are, why we came here, or where we will go. We invest our whole life and energy in finding ways to achieve fame and wealth, or to stand out among our colleagues, and in the end, we find that we have wasted our lives on something that does not last or never even existed. In fact, the main purpose of life is to find the way to the eternal, to experience the world of divine Truth, and to be liberated.

        Supreme Master Ching Hai's teachings enlightened me, Her wisdom convinced me, and I decided to practice the Quan Yin Method. But I hesitated at first because the precepts stated that one had to be a vegetarian in order to be initiated. I worried that being a vegetarian would make it difficult for me to socialize with other people and cause me to lose opportunities for wealth and higher positions. So you can imagine how I struggled! However, this conflict within me diminished more and more. Finally, I made up my mind to become a vegetarian for life and to practice the Quan Yin Method.

        Since receiving initiation into the Quan Yin Method, I have become a completely new person. The man who craved fame and wealth is gone. My previous desire to advertise myself and to be above others has disappeared. My addiction to women has been greatly relieved, which has stabilized my marriage and brought peace to my family. At first, these changes surprised me. What power was affecting me so deeply? The transformations in my character were very dramatic, yet natural. I know now that they were due to Master's Power and the true Love of God. Only through practicing the Quan Yin Method and connecting with the great power of God can one's weak personality and bad habits be changed for the best.

        More importantly, the Quan Yin Method can free us from the cycle of mortal existence and give us the highest wisdom. Nothing - be it fame, wealth or the opposite sex - is a substitute for the feelings of satisfaction, bliss and peace brought about by practicing the Quan Yin Method. The greatest reward I have ever received in my life is coming to know The Supreme Master Ching Hai and practicing the Quan Yin Method. My life is now meaningful instead of wasted. There is a saying, "You can change mountains and rivers but not a person's nature." But by practicing the Quan Yin Method, one's nature can truly change. Furthermore, it is through this method that one can achieve enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of life and death. It is a never-ending treasure house.