Supreme Master Ching Hai's Birthday Party In Monaco

Each year in May, fellow practitioners all over the world dream of the glory of holding the birthday celebration for Supreme Master Ching Hai. This year, the French fellow practitioners received this honor. In Monaco, near the southeast of France, a romantic and fantastic dance party was held in the outdoor dance hall at the famous Jimmy's Club!

The legend goes that we can see the countenance of the Buddha on the full moon each year in May. This beautiful legend proved to be true on that warm and enchanting full moon night!

Master's unique inspiration was behind the decoration of the venue. The main emphasis was the bright and luxurious Mediterranean charm with all types of fruit. The drinks counter was covered with flowers and fruit, and adorned with assorted candies as bottles of non-alcoholic champagne sat idly in several ice buckets. Three gigantic vegetarian birthday cakes, and a banner proclaiming "Bon Anniversaire!" (Happy Birthday in French) clearly set the tone of the evening.

At around midnight, accompanied by several guests, the hostess of the party -- Supreme Master Ching Hai appeared. Amid the warm applause of fellow practitioners, the noble Master arrived gracefully like a princess, dressed in a light-coloured traditional Au Lac styled costume.

After Supreme Master Ching Hai sat down, She treated the manager and staff of the nightclub with alcoholic champagne. Then She raised Her glass and said: "Today is Mother's Day. I am grateful that you are all here to celebrate this happy occasion. Please toast, as a blessing, to all mothers, including the mothers here, and my mother." Fellow practitioners responded by singing "Happy Birthday to You."

When the music began a few fellow practitioners ventured onto the dance floor, but it was obvious that they were very shy. Master then took their hands and led them in a circle while She constantly changed dance styles. Gradually, the fellow practitioners began dancing naturally and joyfully.

Master takes care of everyone all the time. Sometimes, She applauded those dancing while at other times She invited the others to join the dancing. Even when She was tired and resting, Master still chatted in Her humorous and cheerful manner. Encouraged by Supreme Master Ching Hai, there were no bystanders that evening. Even a grandmother over eighty-years old was seen moving her arms up and down happily like an innocent child.

Some of the fellow practitioners expressed their feelings:

"I have yearned so long to dance with Master, and it has finally happened this time!"

"My health is so bad that my husband will not let me do the housework at home, not to mention dancing. However, I do not feel tired dancing with Master tonight!"

"I have been like a tightly sealed bottle for a very long time. Now that it has been opened, the feeling is really great!"

"Strangely, I feel very enlightened in this world famous, luxurious nightclub. Although I am dancing dynamically, my heart is very calm."

At two o'clock in the morning, the party entered another phase. All the people dancing inside were automatically drawn to the party outside to see Master. When the fellow practitioners guided them to the drinks counter and handed them the glasses filled with champagne, they smiled happily. They gathered around Madame Supreme Master Ching Hai and toasted Her generous and cordial gesture. Master shook hands and chatted warmly with each guest, accepting their warm welcome.

Surrounded by a huge crowd, Master went to the drinks counter and cut the vegetarian birthday cakes amid a chorus of "Happy Birthday to You." There was a thunderous applause. The club staff then continued to cut the birthday cakes and distribute pieces to the guests and fellow practitioners as the festive mood reached another high point. A guest said: "I am a native here, and I often come here, however, I have never seen anyone so generous and magnanimous."

As more and more guests came, bottle after bottle of champagne was opened. Among the guests was a woman carrying a basket of flowers for sale. When the fellow practitioners told her, a "noble lady" had invited her to share Her happy birthday, the woman was touched and thanked Master. Master greeted her warmly, and bought all the flowers in her basket to share with all the ladies.

The guests were totally charmed by the elegant, cheerful yet innocent demeanour of Supreme Master Ching Hai. They gathered around Her and invited Her to dance with them. She accommodated each of them with Her graceful and natural dance movements.

Early in the morning of May 14, Supreme Master Ching Hai finally stopped dancing and bid farewell to those near Her. She left the venue just as She came, accompanied by Her attendants and several guests without interrupting the others who were still partying.

The hundreds of guests who attended the occasion were of all ages and from all walks of life. When the party ended each of them departed with their own fond memories. However, there was one notable thing which was shared by almost everyone: When they noticed Supreme Master Ching Hai had left, a melancholy feeling naturally emerged from their hearts as if something precious was missing.

Perhaps, this is exactly the message that Supreme Master Ching Hai wishes to convey to people at large: Even the best moment will eventually forsake us, so we had better wake up and look for eternity!