November
22nd marked the opening of the World Convention on Reverence
For All Life convened by the Sadhu Vaswani Mission in Pune,
India. This Mission is headed by their spiritual leader, Dada
J.P. Vaswani, who is revered as one of the seven great saints
in India today. Among the invited participants, including
many dignitaries, doctors and spiritual leaders from around
the world, was Supreme Master Ching Hai who was asked to address
the delegates.
Wearing
a brilliant golden colored traditional Indian sari, Supreme
Master Ching Hai arrived at the venue escorted by four deva-like
guards. Before the people in the venue realized that She is
a great Master, they were already dazzled by Her infinite
radiance. One thing worth mentioning was that, Master looked
so dignified and exquisite in Her sari that no native Indian
ladies present could match Her. When Dada J.P. Vaswani met
with Master on the VIP stage, they started an intimate conversation
for over ten minutes. Though it was the first time they had
ever met, they were like old friends or kin reunited.
Indulged
in their heart to heart and wisdom to wisdom dialogue, they
were oblivious of the hundreds of people present. Finally,
they both got up holding hands and walked to the front of
the stage to address the VIPs. Before leaving the stage, Master
humbly bowed to Dada J.P. Vaswani, who reacted promptly and
knelt down to Master. Disciples of the Sadhu Vaswani Mission
quickly came forward and lifted both of them from the floor.
Everyone present was stunned by this unexpected scene, and
they were deeply touched by the humbleness and truthfulness
of these two great saints.
After
this thrilling encounter, the ambiance in the venue completely
changed. Everyone became very respectful toward Master and
even playfully nicknamed Her the "Sweet Master". Wherever
She went, Master was always surrounded by a huge crowd, asking
to talk to Her or take photos with Her. As a result, she had
no chance to eat or rest at lunch time, not even at the tea
breaks.
On
the second day of the Convention, Master wore another beautiful
and graceful sari, purple in color. When she spoke, everyone
was delighted by Her humorous words, which differed to the
serious way other speakers delivered their talk.
Incidentally,
She and Dada J.P. Vaswani were the only two who addressed
the audience whilst sitting, other speakers gave their speeches
standing. That afternoon, having been invited by the convenor,
Master presented awards to each of the distinguished speakers,
which included many doctors.
As
Dada J.P. Vaswani, had repeatedly sent gifts and invitations
to Master asking to see Her again, Master went to visit him
at their Center that evening. Dada J.P. Vaswani sent his attendant
to pick Her up at the hotel. At their Center, they had especially
arranged a group of lovely children to sing and dance to welcome
Master. On this second meeting, the two saints again held
each other's hands and looked at each other's wisdom eye in
deep silence.
In
a very natural manner, Master gave him a set of Celestial
Jewelry, which will be auctioned for cancerpatients' treatment
in a nearby hospital, and donated US$12,000 to the hospital
established by Dada J.P. Vaswani that provides free medical
service to the poor and needy. In return Dada J.P. Vaswani
gave Master a watch, some Indian spices and a lucky charm.
This touching rendezvous lasted over an hour.
The
Chairman of the Convention kept urging Master to attend a
cultural show that evening, (the show was performed by a group
that was not on the convenor's original list. Master didn't
stay to watch.) Dada J.P. Vaswani earnestly hoped to see Master
the next day, commemorating the birthday of their founder,
Sadhu Vaswani. He even invited Master to be the chief guest
of the event and to give a discourse. (Master left a videotape
in Her absence.)
On
the third day, thought Master was no longer present at the
Convention, Dada J.P. Vaswani asked one of his disciples to
deliver a speech paying tribute to Her, stressing that the
most precious result of this Convention was the presence and
blessings of Supreme Master Ching Hai.
View
The Color Pages
|