HOST: On Wednesday, March 3, 2021, our Beloved Supreme Master Ching Hai generously set aside some time from Her ongoing meditation retreat for the world, to call the Supreme Master Television team and graciously read stories from “A Treasury of Jewish Folklore” compiled by Nguyễn Ước, as well as to answer questions on a variety of topics including recent events in the United States.
(Master, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has been in office since 2011, is embroiled in numerous scandals lately. It has been revealed that he did not disclose the true number of deaths in state nursing homes, 13,000-plus, and that a state attorney general report says that his administration undercounted the deaths by 50%-plus. Master, do You know why the first number was so low and then suddenly became so high?)
Well, I’m not there. I am not there in America. So, I don’t have any proof for you. But things do happen. It’s not necessarily that people tried to hide. (Oh…) It was really utmost tragic for the families of the deceased. I cried a lot feeling what they feel!!
You must know also in that situation or in that position, people are so shocked. In the beginning of the COVID, they probably have all kinds of different information that they don’t know how to deal with. Understand? (Yes.) So, they did what they think is the best. In the beginning, the symptoms were not clearly differentiated between this COVID and others such as a normal headache, or just a cold or seasonal flu, etc. They are not medical experts! And even the top experts gave many confusing and damaging advice. Told you already. You know!
But for what I am thinking, is they did not try really to hide it or maybe just mismatching or misinformation, or too busy with many other things, so just didn’t know how to deal with the situation. So, being a governor, he never has to deal with these things. So maybe he just tells his subordinate, “OK, do what you think best, to protect people.” So the court has to decide then, according to the information and the details and evidence.
This is karma of all the people, of the world people. You cannot blame the Governor alone. (Yes, Master.) Many countries, they took all kinds of measures, still, people are getting sick and dying. It could have been worse. Heaven’s helping a lot. Otherwise, many more people would have died. OK? (Yes, Master.) Right. What’s the other question? (Yes, Master.)
(Furthermore, he has been accused of inappropriate behavior by three women occurring between 2016 and 2020. Two were former aides. An independent review will be launched. NY Attorney General Letitia James is choosing the investigation team instead of Judge Barbara Jones. Master, are You aware of these events and what are Your thoughts? Or if You were the judge, what would You have to say?)
I don’t say anything because I am not the judge. But I will answer you because you asked me. Otherwise, you will sleep with it and then you will toss and turn with nightmares. By the way… Oh yes, I read the news, so I came across it. I came across these things. And I don’t know if it’s a big deal.
They accuse him of like sexual harassment, is that correct? (Yes, Master.) Because inappropriate, improper behavior has so many levels, so you have to say it correctly. (Yes, Master.) That’s what I read. All right. What I think is, I don’t know what to think. Because I am not a governor, I am not the women, that he has been accused by, or that accused him. But I’m thinking, if it’s just like, so-called harassment, I don’t know what kind of harassment he measured out to his staff or to these women, but men, they like beautiful women, don’t they? Yes? (Yes, Master.) (Yes.) And, is he single? Or married? Or widowed? (Currently he’s single, Master.) Single? (Yes.) So, single man is looking for single woman. Is something wrong with that? (No, Master.) Just because they are his staff, it’s easier. Every day they work together. (Yes, Master.) And the staff tendency is always being of course very friendly, very coordinated, very respectful toward him, as their boss. (Yes, Master.) So, because of that, he feels that they are so, more, more lovely. More to his manly liking. No? (Yes, Master.) This is the problem. When they work together with a woman and he’s a single, then things could happen.
But he didn’t… according to the report I read, he didn’t like, excuse me, molest them, or force them to do anything. Did he? According to reports, yes or no? (I’m not aware of the specific allegations,) No. (but, I don’t think so, Master.) No. So, OK, maybe he said something or he liked to do something with them. Maybe he’s in love with them in the span of four years, right? (Yes, between 2016 and 2020.) Four years, only three women, that’s very sparesome already for a man his age and his position. And because he doesn’t go out, he’s too busy, so his staff is all he has. So, maybe he said something maybe he shouldn’t say, like… I saw one photo, he asked the woman if he… “Can I kiss you?” Can he kiss her. (Yes, Master.) So that is not like molestation or anything. (No, Master, that is not.)
I think they blow it out of proportion. If that’s all there was and nothing more than that, then it’s just maybe misbehavior. But it’s not much to make a big deal out of it. I mean, it’s nothing worse than many of the stories of the Catholic Church priests. They molested children. More than ten thousands over the years in France alone, according to reports and confession archives. The little children. The altar boys and other children. And nobody said anything. They do say something but very little. I mean what’s the use of all these laws to protect children, to prosecute those children traffickers or children abusers when there are revered, trusted priests who are doing it, doing the same thing. The law turns a blind eye to the helpless, innocent children victims?? And here we are, chasing a single lay person governor for taking the courage to confess to a girl that he likes her! Think about it! (Yes.)
I think if we talk about the law, we should talk about the Church law first. It’s more restricted. If you are a monk, you don’t molest children. Even if you are normal people and you molest children, people bring you to court and bring you to jail. No? (Yes, Master.) So, he’s a governor, he just asked if he can kiss her or if he can, even if he asked to go to bed with her, she can always say no. They are adults. No? (Yes, Master.) They’re grown up or not? (Correct, Master.) (Yes.) A man has the right or has… not a right, but he can ask what he wants. And all you do is to say, just to say, “No, sir.” Right? (Yes, Master.) Why make a big deal and accusing him of whatever they do accuse him, if that’s all there was. He did not molest anybody. He did not force anyone into like a physical, sexual relationship or anything. (Yes, Master.) Just because now people… some people don’t like the Democrats and then he’s a Democrat so they’re trying to make it more big things. Or just to show that they care, but this is not… It’s not too fair. (Yes, Master.)
But the thing is like this, I’m thinking. In my own experience in life, men have a tendency to misread the signal from a woman. Because sometimes I had no intention or anything. I’m just respectful and friendly, and they think I like them. (Yes, Master.) Many situations like that, including my own vet doctor for my dogs before. But I did not accuse him or sue him for sexual harassment. Nothing. Even he put a hand on my knee. (Oh.) We went to see movies together with my staff also. And he insisted to sit next to me and I didn’t think anything. And then he put his hand on my knee. You know… So I just moved. That’s all. And he knew. You see what I’m saying? (Yes, Master.) Later, I scolded my staff. I say what you think, why you let him sit next to me? And they also said they didn’t think anything. And that man, vet doctor, was married, even. (Oh.)
Later, because of an injured opossum with kids, I had to talk to him as my other vet refused to help. It was after midnight, so I said to him first, “I forgive you. But don’t do it again.” All my staff knew about this and they are still alive! Including the vet. (Oh.) So this governor, he’s single. He’s lonely. He’s pressurized with his job and he probably needs company. Maybe he likes the girl. Maybe if they’re dating for a while, maybe she likes him also. Then maybe they’re married later. Who knows? (Yes, Master.) Maybe he’s in love with them. But that doesn’t mean he’s a sexual predator.
Well, according to my opinion, because men, they misread. Very, very likely to misread the woman’s signal. (Yes, Master.) Because the staff, they of course, they are respectful and friendly to their boss. No? (Yes.) (Yes, Master.) And of course, every man likes this kind of sweetness, gentleness, and respectful manner. So, of course, maybe he thinks he could try. But that doesn’t mean anything. She could always say no. (Yes, Master.) Why didn’t she say no until now? Why wait so long? I feel sorry for the woman also; we are in trouble all the time. Because if we are friendly, then we’re misunderstood. (Yeah, yeah.) If we are so stern and strict, then I don’t know, what else. They think we are … they call us a, something else. (Yeah.)
They say she’s a bitch or something like that but it’s humans’ quality and manner, sometimes very difficult to live with. (Yes, Master.) And I never had anything to do with Mr. Cu-m, Cu-mo Cuomo. (Cuomo.) Yeah. But it’s just to be fair and just. That’s what I think. All right? (Yes, Master.) And if I get into trouble, then it’s your fault. (OK.) But I don’t care whatever, I say whatever I think and always truthful. (Yes, Master.) So, then they have to get more evidence but if he’s just flirting or ask if he can kiss her, that is not like a bombshell or stunning picture or something like that. I think we should not just exaggerate. We have to wait for the judge or the court to find evidence and affidavits before they can make a decision and make a judgment. (Yes, Master.)
That’s why in Canada they have the law that when somebody is like a criminal suspect, yes, they don’t let the newspapers know about it. (Oh.) Yes. Because they worry that there will be like prejudice (Yes, Master.) from the readers and from the public en masse and that will be not fair judgment on the criminal. (Wow.) And I agree with that. Because sometimes you can really misjudge somebody, by just his character or his personality. (Yes.)
Because I have been misjudged many times during my life. So, it’s very difficult to immediately jump to conclusions to judge somebody. (Yes, Master.) Unless I really know from inside. But I don’t take care much of these government officials. So, I don’t look inside so much. I just look outside, all evidence according to the newspapers. I think it’s not a big deal. They are both adults. (Yes, Master.) And it’s nothing wrong for a man to like a woman, even if that’s his staff. Nothing wrong. She doesn’t have to like him. But that’s not harassment. (No, Master.) No. Well, it could be a different story. Like, if he’s younger or more of their type, then she or one of them would have liked him, then it would be a love story. Otherwise, it’d be labelled as harassment. Ha! Bad luck.
When I was working in the Red Cross, I told you already before, there was one of my bigger bosses, he saw me outside in the corridor one time when I went to the restroom. And since then he kept coming to my office during the coffee break. He just sat there reading newspapers in front of me. He asked my smaller boss, who normally sits in front of me. Not same table, but the two tables together and she sits in front so I don’t know how he asked her to go away and then he came and sat there (Wow.) often. But I never went out and sued him like sexual harassment or anything. He sat there and I sat there. I worked. I did my work. He read his newspapers. Even though one time, a couple of times he told me that, he said something, very complimentary like, “Oh we never see such a beautiful woman like you working in here.” Something like that. (Wow.) But that is not harassment. Even if he so obviously came and sat in front of me all the time.
Well, luckily I quit anyway. After a while, I went somewhere else. Because my ex-husband had to move to work elsewhere. (Yes, Master.) So we moved. So I don’t know what is a happy ending to tell you. It’s not the first time and he’s not the only one, but men they like women so if they express some desire towards you, and if you don’t like him, you just do something to let him know that just you’re not interested. (Yes.) I showed him my wedding ring.
There is no need to sue a man just for that, my God. He probably is lonely, just work, work, work. And the staff is all he knows and he goes out nowhere. He should have gone to the bar and get chatting or something. But maybe it’s not his style. (Yes, Master.) If he didn’t do anything more than that, I think it’s decent enough of him. Being single and in his position and he’s just asking if he can kiss her. (Yes, Master.) Nowadays he should not ask, because of COVID. People, they are even writing in the newspaper. They say, don’t kiss. Even they say couples should not kiss. Maybe they should have worn masks inside the office. Then that question won’t come up, no? Ah well. My God. What a gossip. OK, it’s good.
HOST: Master also kindly answered a question regarding gender-neutral terms coming into use in the United States and the United Kingdom.
(Master, there has been some news recently about gender identity and the use of gender-neutral terms. In the US, the House of Representatives unveiled new internal rules removing gender pronouns and family relationship terms. Terms such as mother, father, sister and brother have been replaced with parent, sibling, child etc… Also in the UK, some hospitals are changing regulations to move away from female gender terms in the maternity department, and now breastfeeding is to be called “chestfeeding,” and breast milk to be chest milk, and so on. Master, what do You think about these new policies coming into effect?)
Ah! Chests don’t have milk, breast does. We all know that! Nowadays, many things you read, many things you hear, you could not believe your eyes or your ears. It’s like people, like even the government wants to pass into law to change the gender into all to become like trans, become like neutral gender. But how can you be neutral? You are just the way you are. But to please them, the government or many people suggest or pass into law or already passed into law to change the gender. Like, cannot call “mother” anymore or “woman” anymore. If you say mother, you have to say “birthing bodies” or “uterus holder” or “chestfeeder.” All this is really seriously so ridiculous. It’s a laughing stock that they spend so much time doing such silly things.
I mean if you are a woman, you should be proud to be a woman, if you are man, you are proud to be a man. If you are gay, you should be proud to be a gay, because nowadays, gay people can marry another gay. So what’s the problem anymore? If you are a lesbian, you’re proud to be a lesbian. God made you that way. Just be proud, be yourself.
Also, this kind of gender terms change is degrading, very degrading to motherhood, and to the dignity of women, of womanhood. That in my opinion, is a no-no-no-no. A mother, a woman, is a sacred being, is not a thing like “children bearer machine” or a “uterus holder,” etc., etc. Now, how would they want to address Mary, The Mother of Lord Jesus? Or The Mother of The Buddha? As well as many Woman Saints and Sages who are revered as Holy Mothers??? This is terrible, this is really unacceptable.
HOST: Master also addressed some reports in the media about different side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as the cause of the Spanish Flu and other zoonotic diseases. She then expressed Her deep concern about our world.
I’m telling you, right now I’m worried about something very much more serious. Everybody should worry because if, after all, if I fail to negotiate, if humans continue their barbarous ways, things could happen to the whole world, and sudden. Nobody has time to prepare. Just like the pandemic. You got that? (Yes, Master.) Because when the big karma comes, collective karma, that karma will not spare anyone. I really lost sleep over that. I’m trying my best, of course. So, all we have to do is just be good, be compassionate, don’t kill people, don’t kill animals to eat anymore, then everything will calm down.
HOST: Most Benevolent Master, Your tireless, loving efforts to sustain this world and all beings in it is a forever guiding Light for all of us. Your immeasurable, unconditional Love and sacrifices will always be our utmost inspiration and reason to pray and believe that very soon this magnificent planet will reach a state of lasting peace and harmony, where all people embrace their innate compassionate nature. May Master be always in good health and protected in the Divine assistance of all glorious Ihôs Kư Godses.
For the full broadcast of this conference with Supreme Master Ching Hai, please tune in to Between Master and Disciples at a later date.
