Teachings of the Ancient Masters

Light and Sound Meditation
in World Religions

Through the ages, all the world’s great religions have spoken of meditation on the inner Sound and Light, the Quan Yin Method, as the ultimate means for gaining access to our true Self, our true Abode, the Kingdom of God. This Method is named differently in various scriptures, but the practice remains the same.

The spiritual teachers who inspired these religions, such as Moses, Jesus Christ, Shakyamuni Buddha, Prophet Muhammad, Guru Nanak and Bahá'u'lláh all practiced the Method and taught it to their followers in order to advance the evolution of human consciousness and uplift the planet. As Supreme Master Ching Hai explains, “Since ancient times, all great Masters have emphasized the importance of the Quan Yin Method. I just follow in their footsteps and repeat their wisdom. It’s fine if you don’t believe me, but you should believe these great spiritual practitioners of the olden times. Jesus Christ talked about the Quan Yin Method, Shakyamuni Buddha talked about the Quan Yin Method, Lao Tzu talked about the Quan Yin Method, other masters such as Master Xuanzang and Master Huineng who was the Sixth Patriarch of Zen Buddhism, all talked about the Quan Yin Method. Therefore, what method should we practice? Only by practicing the Quan Yin Method can one attain the highest level.”

For our readers’ reference, the following are some selections from the scriptures of various spiritual traditions that discuss this topic. However, merely reading about the Method is not enough, because its transmission does not occur through language, but from Heart to Heart. Thus, being initiated by a living Master and practicing the Quan Yin Method is the highest form of grace one can achieve in this life.


THE BAHÁ'I FAITH

If the faculty of meditation is BATHED IN THE INNER LIGHT and characterized with divine attributes, the results will be confirmed.

~ Paris Talks, Page 176


BUDDHISM

As the Buddha now asks about the best means of perfection, my method which consists in regulating THE ORGAN OF HEARING SO AS TO QUIET THE MIND FOR ITS ENTRY INTO THE STREAM OF MEDITATION LEADING TO THE STATE OF SAMADHI AND ATTAINMENT OF ENLIGHTENMENT IS THE BEST.
Samadhi means the internal state of imperturbability
achieved through meditation.

~ The Surangama Sutra (Speech by Avalokitesvara  Bodhisattva)

Ananda and all you who listen here SHOULD INWARD TURN YOUR FACULTY OF HEARING TO HEAR YOUR OWN NATURE WHICH ALONE ACHIEVES SUPREME BODHI. That is how enlightenment is won.

Bodhi means awakening.
~ The Surangama Sutra (Speech by Manjusri Bodhisattva)


CHRISTIANITY

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the word was God.

~ John 1:1, Holy Bible

IN HIM WAS LIFE, AND THAT LIFE WAS THE LIGHT OF MEN. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

~ John 1:4-5, Holy Bible


GNOSTICISM

Lighting, then, our torch at the source of that light, by the passionate desire which has it for its object, and striving as much as possible to be assimilated to it, we become men full of light.

~ Theodotus: Excerpta Ex Theodoto

AND LIGHT DAWNED FROM THE WORD THAT WAS BEFORE TIME IN HIM.

~ The Odes of Solomon, Ode 41:14


HINDUISM

They (i.e. the knowers of Brahman) SEE EVERYWHERE THE SUPREME LIGHT, which shines in Brahman, which is all-pervading like the light of day and which belongs to the primeval Seed. Perceiving the higher light in the sun – which is above the darkness of ignorance – as the higher light in the heart, PERCEIVING THE SUPREME LIGHT WHICH IS HIGHER THAN ALL LIGHTS, WE HAVE REACHED THE HIGHEST LIGHT, THE SUN, THE MOST LUMINOUS AMONG THE GODS, yea, we have reached the Highest Light, the Sun, the most luminous among the gods.

Brahman means Supreme Self.
~ Chhandogya Upanishad, Part 3, Chapter 17


INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY
of KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS

But, you are not able to see Me with your physical eye; therefore, I GIVE YOU THE DIVINE EYE TO SEE MY MAJESTIC POWER AND GLORY.

~ The Bhagavad Gita 11.08


ISLAM

O Allah I place light in my heart, light in my tongue, place light in my hearing, place light in my eyesight, place light behind me, and light in front of me, and place light above me, and light below me. O Allah! Grant me light.

~ Hadith, Sahih Muslim, Book 4, #1682


JAINISM

The characteristic of Soul is knowledge, faith, conduct, austerities, energy, and realization (of its development). The characteristic of matter is sound, darkness, luster (of jewels, etc.), light, shade, sunshine; color, taste, smell, and touch….. He who verily believes the true teaching of the….. fundamental truths, possesses righteousness.

~ Uttaradhyayana, Twenty-Eight Lecture:
The Road to Final Deliverance


JUDAISM

HE HAS OPENED THEIR EYES TO SEE HIS WAYS AND THEIR EARS TO HEAR HIS TEACHING.

~ The Dead Sea Scrolls, In Praise of God's Grace
(Barki Nafshi)

[May you receive the blessing of] the greatest of all gods forever, and MAY HE SHINE HIS LIGHT UPON YOU, AND TELL YOU HIS GREAT NAME SO THAT YOU MAY TRULY KNOW HIM. For he is the God of the ages, and Lord of everything that is done, and ruler of all people, doing with them whatever he pleases.

~ The Dead Sea Scrolls, The Last Words of Kohath,
4Q542 Col. 1


SIKHISM

THROUGH THE WORD OF THE GURU'S SHABAD, the mind is conquered, and ONE ATTAINS THE STATE OF LIBERATION IN ONE'S OWN HOME.

~ Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Page 26

O Nanak, the One Light has two forms; through the Shabad, union is attained.

~ Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Page 30

Through the Shabad, the Word of the Perfect Guru, WE MEDITATE ON THE LORD. Serving the Shabad, PEACE IS FOUND.

~ Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Page 33


SWEDENBORGIANISM

Once when I was MEDITATING ABOUT THE LORD'S SECOND COMING, there suddenly appeared A FLASH OF LIGHT which forcibly struck my eyes; and I therefore looked up, and lo, the whole heaven above me appeared luminous, and there from the east to the west in a continuous strain a Glorification was heard…

~ True Christian Religion, by Emanuel Swedenborg


THEOSOPHY

He who would HEAR THE VOICE OF NADA, “THE SOUNDLESS SOUND,” and comprehend it, he has to learn the nature of Dharana. Having become indifferent to objects of perception, the pupil must seek out the rajah of the senses, the Thought-Producer, he who awakes illusion.

Dharana means unbending concentration of mind.
Rajah means king.
~ The Voice of the Silence


TIBETAN BUDDHISM

Have you prepared and lit your lamp? Should it not be ready, MEDITATE ON THE “GREAT LIGHT”.

~ Sixty Songs of Milarepa, The Four Renunciations


ZOROASTRIANISM

It is noted in the good religion that because of the purity of the soul (men) acquire a body in INWARD COMMUNION WITH THE ORIGINAL SOURCE (i.e. Spenamino) and because of this communion the soul becomes immortal and adorned with the ample LIGHT OF ETERNITY IN THE SECOND LIFE.

~ Denkard (Acts of Religion), Book 3, Chapter 362