In this lecture Supreme Master Ching Hai discusses the turbulent refugee situation in Europe. The Supreme Master says that she offered financial assistance to the countries that accepted refugees, and also speaks of specific ways in which the public can help. Master says that she wishes people will pray for those affected, and applauds the countries that demonstrated love for their neighbors by accepting refugees. She adds that the citizens of these nations are true Christians, Buddhists or Muslims, who adhere to the teachings of the Masters and Prophet by helping the helpless, and acting in the true spirit of religion as examples of brotherhood. These countries will gain immense merit. Their people will be prosperous, peaceful, and happy to no end for many generations to come, and the countries as a whole will benefit as well.
Then the Supreme Master tells the Buddhist story, "A Man Named Copper Tooth." Copper Tooth was an executioner who put thousands of people to death, but in his later years he heard Sariputra, one of Buddha’s chief disciples, teach the Dharma. His sincere offerings to this great and good spiritual counsel caused Copper Tooth to be reborn in a high spiritual realm after he died. This story reminds us that we cannot tell whether a person's inner self is good or bad. Some people are forced to take cruel jobs because they can't do other types of work or are poor, but their inner selves can recognize good from bad, just as Copper Tooth did. As long as they have repentance and reverence for a real practitioner, they will be saved by the unsurpassed power of the Buddha. The Supreme Master also urges Association members to strive for enlightenment through diligent practice to gain greater understanding. If we’re only enlightened through the grace of a Master, we’ll know less or almost nothing. But if we have faith and follow the Master's teachings, we’ll still go to Heaven.
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