Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Helsinki, Finland, May 30, 1995
(Originally in English) Videotape No. 663

Q: Many people despise animals and just abuse them or utilize them, exploit them, consider them of less value and torture them. I love animals and I wish You would show in Your speech, if possible, the value of animals.

M: Yes, that's why I advise people to be vegetarian. We do this to extend our love to our lesser brothers and sisters who are more defenseless and weaker than we are. In the Bible, God said, I made all the animals to be your friends and your helpers. Hes did not tell us to eat them.

Q: Can I be happy with God, even if I am not a vegetarian?

M: You know the answer yourself. As you sow, so shall you reap. If we cause suffering to any being in any form, directly or indirectly, we can never feel completely guiltless, and therefore we cannot be completely happy. We can only be happy to some extent.