Master Tells Stories

Higher Than Master

Spoken By Suma Ching Hai At 7-Day Retreat, Cambodia

May 16, 1996 (Originally In English, Unabridged)

There was one practitioner, maybe the Quan Yin practitioner, the disciple of the Supreme Golden Snail, who kept praying to God to grant him the master status. One day, the supreme disciple of the Supreme Master Snail asked God persistently for masterhood. He kept on saying, "Oh, God, look here! You are almighty. There's nothing you can not do. Just give me mastership, a master degree in spirituality. I have practiced for long years already. I have been on a vegetarian diet and I have always prayed. I get up at half past four everyday. I meditate until half past seven. Then at night as soon as I come home I eat, bathe, and meditate immediately again from nine to twelve. Then I go to bed. I get up again at half past four and blah, blah, blah, go to work, then come back again, and meditate again and again."

God said, "I'm already tired of hearing about your diligence. (Laughter) Now, what do you want? I'm sorry, but this does not entitle you to be a master, not yet. Why don't you keep on trying. See a different way."

God wouldn't tell him because it's suppose to be a secret of the universe and you have to find it yourself. Anyhow, the guy was exasperated after pestering Hirm for many weeks and Hes didn't move. So, anyhow, one day, he kept on pressing God again to give him at least a probation of masterhood, six months probation. Because every time on earth, if you take any job, you have to have a probation, no? At least six months, three months, then both parties would understand whether that person was suitable or not.

But God said, "Oh, no, no, no. I have something better for you. Why don't you just announce to the world that I have given you masterhood, but you just refused." (Laughter and applause)

That is more noble. God is clever, Hes doesn't want to hurt the man but then Hes gives him something even better. So, why don't you all imitate this. Anytime people ask you whether you have reached Buddhahood or not, tell them you have reached but then dropped it. (Laughter and applause)