A Good Daughter-in-law,
Good Wife and Good Mother

Narrated by Fellow Initiate Wang, Taipei, Formosa
Recorded by Fellow Initiate Shih, Taipei, Formosa

Since sister Wang was initiated, not only have both her father and mother-in-law become sympathetic towards her spiritual practice, but her husband has also now become an initiate. Her children like Master, too. How did she achieve all this?

Through the words and actions of Supreme Master Ching Hai, sister Wang understands that the true meaning of love is to serve others selflessly and to give sincerely. Therefore, she decided to always put her best efforts into being a good daughter-in-law, a good wife and a good mother. Whatever she does, she always tries her best so that her family members will be happy and will not complain. She feels that as long as she continues to give, she will be rewarded one day because human beings are very sentimental. Of course, all her efforts are backed-up by boundless love, patience and wisdom.

For example, sister Wang's parents-in-law are old and they are used to eating non-vegetarian food. Although she does not like to cook non-vegetarian food, sister Wang continues to cook for them because she respects their wishes and doesn't want them to think that she is forcing them to eat vegetarian meals. At the same time, she prays for Master's blessing.

Furthermore, although she knows it is better to pray to one's true inner nature than to pray to a wooden Buddha statue or the tablets of dead ancestors, in order not to upset her in-laws, she continues to participate in the prayer rituals with them. Now, however, during the rituals she offers only vegetarian food, plays Supreme Master Ching Hai's Buddha chanting tapes, and prays in silence for Master's blessing. She told her in-laws that Supreme Master Ching Hai will take their dead ancestors to a higher dimension, therefore, they placed Master's photos on the altar as a gesture of gratitude.

Observing that she is so sincere, sister Wang's in-laws have gradually come to believe in Master, and now, they also offer only vegetarian food when they do their prayers. Moreover, sister Wang's father-in-law recently began entertaining guests with vegetarian meals.

In daily life, sister Wang carries out her housework dutifully. Whenever she goes to a retreat, she ensures that the needs of her family are still met in her absence, makes sure that all household chores are taken care of, and prepares delicious meals to last for a few days. She packs the food in the fridge so that her husband and children need not worry about their meals when they come home tired.

There is also another important point to this story: sister Wang consults her husband first before deciding to go to a retreat. Sometimes, when she has difficulty convincing him, she invites fellow initiates home for a chat. She believes that everyone's affinity with one another varies, and that there is bound to be an initiate who can communicate well with her husband and act as a mediator.

Sister Wang's husband observed the changes in her after she began practicing. She became more filial, did not go against the elders, took care of her family well, and in turn, the family is more harmonious. Therefore, he did not object to her spiritual practice. Indeed, soon after, he too followed her on the same path.

Supreme Master Ching Hai has said: "Spiritual practice should be free, and let others feel free too."

Sister Wang has never forced her family members to do anything that they did not want to do. Conversely, she tolerated things that displeased her and decided to be a good example instead. Her persistent giving has gradually changed her family members' attitudes.

The love, wisdom and flexibility derived from her practice have made her family even more harmonious and have paved the way for them to tread the same spiritual path. These positive results serve to confirm her own level of practice and enlightenment.