(Next, I would like to introduce to Master and all fellow practitioners some kids from the Los Angeles meditation Center who will come up here to perform for Master and everyone.) Everything is… (“I Don’t Want to Grow Up” – they want to stay little forever. So today, since Master is here, the kids will come up and sing a song titled “I Don’t Want To Grow Up.”) Oh, dear! That “I” sounds so grand! (Yes, come up here. Come here and greet Master first.) Bravo. Was this Uncle Hòa’s mischievous idea? (Yes. Greet Master first, then you can sing. One, two, three. Greet Master.) So many of them!
(In the past, when Master was young, Master was very lovely and studied very well. Master set a good example for us, so now we must also follow Master’s example; we should study very well and be as lovely as Master. Right, everyone? Yes. Alright, let’s begin. Two, three.) (Not yet, not yet, Hòa.) (Not yet?) Not yet. (Oh dear, sorry. Let’s adjust the band first, Master.) (In that case...) (This is the band.) (Yes, Master.) This organizer is really hopeless.
(I won’t grow up [I won’t grow up] Do I have to go to school? [Do I have to go to school?] Wake up early every morning [Wake up early every morning] And remember every rule [And remember every rule] If growing up means It would be beneath my dignity to climb a tree, I’ll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up Not me! Uh-uh. No way.
I won’t grow up [I won’t grow up] I don’t want to wear a tie [I don’t want to wear a tie] Or a serious expression [Or a serious expression] Not in the middle of July [In the middle of July] And if it means I must prepare To shoulder burdens with a worried air I’ll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up So there! Never gonna grow up I won’t! Like to see somebody try And make me Anyone who wants to try And make me Catch me if you can
I won’t grow up [I won’t grow up] Do I have to go to school? [Do I have to go to school?] Wake up early every morning [Wake up early every morning] And remember every rule [And remember every rule] If growing up means It would be beneath my dignity to climb a tree I’ll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up Not me! No!
I won’t grow up [I won’t grow up] I don’t want to wear a tie [I don’t want to wear a tie] Or a serious expression [Or a serious expression] In the middle of July [In the middle of July] If growing up means it might be beneath my dignity to climb a tree I’ll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up Not me! Uh-uh! No way. No, sir.
If growing up means It might be beneath my dignity to climb a tree, I’ll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up Not me! No way, José! I’m not gonna do it. Uh-uh-uh-uh. I won’t grow up! [I won’t grow up] I’ll never grow up Not me!)
Like some (vegan) candies? (Candy.) (Hurry up. Quickly, quickly!) It’s OK. There, there, hon. But this should make you grow up for sure. (Thank You, Master.) I won’t count on this. … Alright. Alright. OK. Thank you.
(Thank You very much, Master. Though it’s already late at night and the moonlight has… I don’t know if it’s still there or not. The moonlight is still there, shining upon us. Master is still sitting with us, so we disciples would like to respectfully offer You our heartfelt thanks. And now, I would like to introduce Mr. Minh, who will present a musical setting of a poem by [Supreme Master] Ching Hai titled “Eternal Beloved.” Many new friends told me that this poem carries a certain melancholy about life. And Đinh Hùng also has a poem like… Oh, standing before Master, suddenly I forget. Yes.) Đinh Hùng doesn’t have that poem. (“It’s the end of autumn already…”) Ah, that poem is… not “Eternal Beloved.” (Yes.) “Sending to the One Beneath the Grave.” (Yes, “It’s the end of autumn already – where are you?”) “It’s the end of autumn already – where are you?”
(“Lying in the cold earth, surely you are sorrowful? Autumn! Awaken the ghostly soul So I may come visit the deep grave.” Then the poem of [Supreme Master] Ching Hai also bears a similar title. It’s more beautiful than that of the poem of Đinh Hùng: “I descended to this world, searching for you My eternal beloved, mired in this life of turbulence. Sailing the boat of Perfect Wisdom through the turbid sea, From the gate of birth and death to the purgatory!” So we also have a certain Beloved Whom we are seeking, but by going to the other side, not by staying here. Yes, [Supreme Master] Ching Hai is very wonderful. Yes, today I would like to introduce to Master and fellow initiates the song “Eternal Beloved,” a poem by [Supreme Master] Ching Hai and Mr…) Everybody is turning this piece into a song or what? Professional competition, Hòa? Everyone is composing music all over the place. (Go outside and sing.) Slowly, there will be.
(Ah, just now… I would like to introduce this poem. The poetry of [Supreme Master] Ching Hai has many qualities because) Many qualities of what? (Mr. Viên Linh and a few poet friends also said that the poetry of [Supreme Master] Ching Hai carries some characteristics of Vũ Hoàng Chương and Đinh Hùng. And at the same time it also carries the quality of a Saint. Therefore, as we enter the refined world of sound and poetry of [Supreme Master] Ching Hai, we feel as if we wander into a realm of dreams, a realm of love, a realm of life, and also a realm of the Saints. So you should buy the CDs of poems recited by Kiều Loan, as well as the music version of “Eternal Beloved.” When you listen, you will feel as if we are sitting in a paradise within this Earthly world. Now I would like to give the floor to the friend who set the poem of [Supreme Master] Ching Hai to music. Thank You, Master. Thank you, everyone.)
(Respected Master, respected fellow initiates, Mr. Hòa practices at a very high level, so the spiritual principles he speaks about are very profound. For me, there are only two reasons. The first reason is that they said this was a pocket program. When he came to me, the program was already “in the pocket.” At that time, I didn’t have anything, so I had to try to do something. The second reason is that this piece of music feels very close to me. When I heard the poem recited by Master, it felt like the words of someone very close talking with me. And very coincidentally, when I composed this piece, it went very smoothly from beginning to end without any difficulty at all. So I ask Master’s permission today to borrow Master’s poem to present this piece of music.)
(I descended to this world, searching for you My eternal beloved, mired in this life of turbulence. Sailing the boat of Perfect Wisdom through the turbid sea, From the gate of birth and death to the purgatory! I have searched for you in the land of Hades, Eons have passed to near your traces, The beauty of your essence, purity in the soul In a fleeting moment, disappeared, your whereabouts! Know you not beloved, that I have arrived? A pink lotus blossom is still by my side Waiting for you through countless lifetimes, heart unwavering Remember, my love, you promised to return? I want to lead you beyond the clouds, Where there are brilliant Light, Divine Music, and Lotuses in bloom. Yet you remain lost in the delusional kingdom, Since ancient times in royal citadels, bound to the wheel of rebirth still! Come to me just like in the Old Time When creation was in a quiet rest. Through the vast Cosmos, we’re in rapture In the garden of the Sun and Moon, a promenade among the stars... Come to me just like in the Old Time When creation was in a quiet rest. Through the vast Cosmos, we’re in rapture In the garden of the Sun and Moon, a promenade among the stars... Through the vast Cosmos, we’re in rapture In the garden of the Sun and Moon, a promenade among the stars...)
That’s better… Very good! Bored, child? I agree. The adult world is so boring, huh? They won’t grow up, don’t grow up. (Thank You, Master.) OK.
(Ah, today there is a special guest who, at this same time last year, also played the flute for [Supreme Master] Ching Hai’s recitation. He is a “would-be disciple.” Why call him a “would-be disciple”? When he was in Taiwan [Formosa], he told me that he had met Master and was very happy. He probably asked Master to let him stay for a while so he could follow Her and receive initiation. But now, he not only did not receive initiation but instead brought along another “karmic obstacle.” His girlfriend as well.) Alright, talking about other people’s matters feels inappropriate. (Yes, if I say it, it sounds a bit awkward, Master. But today he came and would like to share a few heartfelt words with Master. Would Master allow him?) What heartfelt words? (Yes, he also brought his flute along.) He already has a girlfriend, so why confide in me? Right? (Yes, here. Respected Master.) Confiding randomly like that? (Yes, respected Master and fellow initiates, I would like to introduce Mr. Ngọc Nôi. His flute playing is very lovely, and at the same time to play for a Buddha reciting poetry – that is a very great blessing. Right, everyone? Yes.) (Wow!) (Yes, I would like to introduce Mr. Ngọc Nôi.) You look very handsome today, Ngọc Nôi. No wonder you failed and couldn’t practice. Too handsome, oh my. Alright, don’t confide nonsense, or when you go home, she’ll pinch you to death.
(Respected Master, respected fellow initiates, Today Ngọc Nôi has a small gift to respectfully offer to Master and fellow initiates, a Southern folk song titled “Black Horse.” I’m sure everyone knows that song.) Yes, OK. This piece is very difficult to play. Very difficult. Wow! (Thanks.) A difficult piece to play, right? (Yes.) When Ngọc Nôi plays [the flute], it makes us think the music of Âu Lạc (Vietnam) is really wonderful. (Yes.) Planning to bring which girl home, Mr. Ngọc Nôi? Huh? Which girl are you bringing home?
Photo Caption: “GOD Has Pleasant Surprises on the Wild-Walk”
