One day, after watching Supreme Master Ching Hai's lecture on Channel 4, my cousin called me. She knew that I had been practicing meditation with Master so we arranged a day that we could visit Hsihu Center together.

My cousin's boyfriend drove us and everyone was in high spirits. When we were half-way there, my cousin asked us if her boyfriend could smoke, to which neither my sister nor I objected. But just as my cousin was passing a cigarette to her boyfriend, Master's voice from the tape that was being played in the car said: "Don't smoke. Try to quit it gradually." My cousin was surprised and in embarassment she withdrew her hand, which was passing the cigarette.

On the way back, we played Master's tapes once again. My cousin, who lost her mother a year ago and was still grieving, heard Master say: "If your mother passes away, don't grieve too much. Instead, be happy for her. After initiation, all your five generations are liberated, so don't feel too bad. All right?" Upon hearing that, tears streamed down my cousin's face and all her accumulated grief was released.

Merciful Master, Your timely, loving words always bring comfort to the souls of numerous sentient beings.