A. Introduction

For more than a decade, the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association (SMCHIA)has been performing voluntary humanitarian work, rendering aid in many areas of the world, and its efforts have been appreciated by the governments and citizens of many countries. The Association's high efficiency in mobilizing relief workers and materials is especially remarkable. In this article, we will explore the SMCHIA's convictions behind its humanitarian work, its efficiency in mobilization, and other topics. The following might be useful as a reference for others involved in voluntary humanitarian work as well.

B. The Convictions behind the SMCHIA's volunteer social service activities.

The SMCHIA is a spiritual group founded by international disciples of the world famous spiritual master--Supreme Master Ching Hai (Note 1). For many years, the SMCHIA has been doing its best to help disaster victims and needy people around the world. The Association's development of highly efficient voluntary social service methods is closely related to its convictions.

1. Belief and Realization that "All beings are one"

Members of The SMCHIA are all Quan Yin Method (Note 2) practitioners. Through the practice of meditation, they realize that every being is an integral part of the Universe. Based on this conviction and the realization that "All beings are one," the group's spiritual practitioners naturally become concerned about all the beings around them. When parts of the "one" are suffering, spiritual practitioners help them immediately, just as when part of one's body is injured, one tries to heal it immediately. In this way, the voluntary services of the SMCHIA arise naturally.

Supreme Master Ching Hai so teaches Her disciples: "Since we have been in this world we have owed much to this world for the food we eat and the clothes we wear. Of course, everything comes from God and God is the only person we should be grateful to. Nevertheless, God has used many instruments, and should these instruments become somehow damaged or out of order, we also have the obligation to repair them. So there is no need to say, 'Everything comes from God and I need not worry about anything. I have no obligation.' We do. So when we help other people, like the poor or refugees, we actually repay, we actually just do our duty. There's nothing to talk about or no excuse not to do it." "We provide for the people and God will provide for us. That is the way of working in the universe. If everyone works like that, the system of the world will run very smoothly, and no one will ever lack anything. But because we do not work this way, the world is in such a state of wanting." (Note 3)

2. The Conviction about "Effective Service"

Meditation is the most important daily lesson for the practitioners of the SMCHIA, helping them to offer more effective service to society, because their inner wisdom and love develop continuously through meditation. Supreme Master Ching Hai teaches her disciples: "We meditate because we want to do service better, and we want to be clearer in what we do. Therefore, we become more efficient in our work and give greater service to others. Without meditation, sometimes we have the very best intentions and we are willing to serve people, but we don't know what is the best way. Therefore, meditation is a helping factor with respect to true selfless service." (Note 4)

This conviction clears up the general misunderstanding that "Spiritual Practice" means practicing in seclusion at home or in a temple, severed from the mundane world. On the contrary, spiritual practitioners are more inclined to give a helping hand to needy people, because spiritual cultivation lets them truly feel others' misery as their own.

3. Give without Giving and Do without Doing

The attitude of The SMCHIA toward voluntary social service is "do it naturally," and "do without doing." Supreme Master Ching Hai reminds Her disciples, "When we render a service, we have no idea that it is "I" who is doing charity, or whether it is beneficial to "me". We do it completely out of a natural attitude that springs forth from our inner being. If we give to people on one hand, but expect blessed reward in return, this kind of charity is of very little meaning." (Note 5)

The Supreme Master Ching Hai further explains, "We are born without anything, and yet we have many things, such as food, drink, and clothing, and as we grow up, we breathe in oxygen, and take a lot from society. Therefore, it is not a big deal if we give or offer something; this is only a cycle of natural exchange." "It is just like we are returning things from God to God." (Note 6) "All things in the Universe are for everyone to use; no one is giving things to others." (Note 7)

The Supreme Master Ching Hai especially warns Her disciples: Even if almsgiving gains merit, if you help one person and then tell another person intentionally, the merit is neutralized; and if you again deliberately tell one more person, then you owe a merit instead. Therefore, our intentions must be pure when giving alms.

4. Respect the Recipients

The SMCHIA emphasizes the importance of "respecting the feelings of the recipients of help and their dignity". Association members avoid making recipients feel like they are being helped, or are inferior to others. On the contrary, help-givers naturally have a grateful attitude toward recipients, because their situation has given them a good chance to learn how to love. "Some of them (recipients) are saints. Some have practiced very well, to a very high level. They have sacrificed their attained position and descended as refugees in order to help the world." (Note 8) This kind of profound spiritual reflection is the driving force behind the "respect the recipients" service attitude of spiritual practitioners.

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