Before meeting Master, I was a long way from a vegetarian lifestyle, as I consumed meat and fish, smoked a pack of cigarettes a day and drank liquor and beer. I thought that a person who did not drink sake (Japanese rice wine) or eat sashimi (raw fish) was not truly Japanese. Occasionally, I even went out to drink at restaurants, ate thirty skewers of roast chicken at one sitting and could not give up these habits.

At that time, I weighed nearly a hundred kilograms, was taking increasing amounts of medication for hypertension, and experienced numbness in my head and trembling in my hands. Becoming worried about my condition, I decided to visit a chiropractic school where I had a long term interest. Under the guidance of a teacher there, I began to learn about the Supreme Master Ching Hai.

During this period, I began to give up meat and fish, and through a simple calculation, determined that by eating 300 grams of meat daily I was consuming over 100 kg a year - more than my weight in dead animals! When I realized that my body was comprised of material from dead animals, I stopped eating meat.

I also noticed that I had lost the desire to smoke and so discontinued smoking altogether. I stopped drinking liquor as well because after drinking, instead of getting a hangover the next day, I immediately got a headache. I soon discovered many delicious vegetarian meals, and naturally began to follow a vegetarian diet, but was concerned about whether I could maintain it. As I proceeded with my diet, my understanding of Master's teachings deepened as well.

On November 3, 2001, I was initiated, and at the time was still worried about how long I could adhere to a vegetarian diet and continue practicing spirituality because I felt I lacked sufficient endurance. But now my health has greatly improved, and I am enjoying a deeper spiritual nature. I am anxious to know what my original role and purpose in this life are. These questions push me forward to continue practicing.

In addition, many fellow initiates helped me before my initiation and continue to do so today, giving me feelings of comfort, peace and security with or without words, and I ask myself, "Is this spiritual power?" Now, I drive two hours on the expressway, two or three times a month, to join in group meditation, in order to obtain more of this power.

From now on, I will live as a person who can give encouragement and comfort to others, even if I meet death tomorrow. I am grateful to Supreme Master Ching Hai for arranging my life every day.