Last week, we presented
the conclusion of
"The King & Co."
written and directed
via remote control by
Supreme Master
Ching Hai.
After the premiere of
“The King & Co,”
enthusiastic responses
have arrived from
diverse parts of the globe
via letters, recordings,
YouTube, Facebook,
Twitter, and other means
of social networks.
That was sooooo funny
& educational
at the same time!
I love it!
~Susan
“The King & Co”
includes an important
message:
alcohol, smoking
and addictive drugs
are the main causes
putting the Earth in peril
and we should swiftly
save the Earth from
these harmful substances.
And it highlights
the importance of
the vegan diet
in how to save the Earth,
which is in a dire situation.
It was a touching drama
which renewed
my determination that
we need to respond
promptly.
Once again, I’d like give
my sincere thanks and
respect to the people
who contributed to the
production of this series.
It’s extraordinary
that this amateur
production crew made
such a great drama
with amateur actors
and actresses.
I think their amazing
ability came from
their vegan diet, from
the life-saving movement
to save the planet,
and from their love.
Due to this loving energy,
I believe they gained
heavenly wisdom
and were able to make
this beautiful, great series
“The King & Co.”
I think we have no time
to delay if we want to
save our home, the Earth.
All of us need
to take action promptly.
And the prompt action
must start from
each one of us.
We need to remember
that every piece of cigarette
each one of us smokes,
every glass of wine
each one of us drinks,
every syringe of
addictive drug
each one of us injects,
and every egg and
chunk of meat and cheese
each one of us eats
at every meal, are all
destroying the planet
and driving it into ruin
when we’re supposed
to live in it happily.
Be Veg,
Go Green
2 Save the Planet!
I’m staying at the hotel
of the train station today.
During that time,
I’m glad to have watched
“The King & Co.”
written and directed by
Supreme Master
Ching Hai,
a series which is very
funny and entertaining.
This series presents
the disadvantages of
meat, tobacco, alcohol
and addictive drugs
in an understandable,
fruitful, and mindful way.
I am very satisfied
to understand all this.
I learned that
it would be beneficial
if I tell my children,
friends and relatives
about the harms of
these toxins and not
using these toxins would
help save our planet.
It was perfectly directed.
If people watch
this series written and
directed by
Supreme Master Ching Hai,
they will understand
that the prohibition of
all toxic substances will
contribute considerably
to saving the planet,
as I understood it.
Thank you.
I like the Queen and
the Banana Pudding Lady.
They are so "beautiful"
and "charming."
Wow!
What a surprising creation!
I laughed a lot.
They are really worthy
being mothers
of the subjects.
The King and the Prince
are so "lucky."
Thank you.
~ Hanh
I like Banana Pudding
Lady too ...
She is really charming !
~ Betsy
My name is Ganbaatar
Tsogtmandal.
I work as a director at the
Ulaanbaatar Mongolian
central railroad station.
Our railroad station
has 17,000 workers
and about 80
independent subsidiaries.
It is such as big family.
Ulaanbaatar railroad
station is a golden gate
of Mongolia, all people
coming in and leaving
the country pass by here.
20,000 to 30,000 people
pass through this station
daily.
I’ve just watched
a very nice movie
which was written
and directed by
Supreme Master Ching Hai
via remote control.
I understood many things
while I was watching.
We have several
waiting halls in our station.
There are about 7 or 8 halls;
and passengers
wait for their train there.
There is a television
in each hall.
We also have a hotel
with 50 beds.
We have televisions
there too.
This movie was on
all those TVs.
All guests who have
arrived and
are relaxing here were
watching this drama.
Our workers also watched.
I started supporting
Supreme Master Ching Hai’s
activities
about 2 or 3 years ago.
Now there is a big
public LED display in
our train station outside.
We display all movies
about SOS activities
and events as well as
interviews, discussion
of international scholars
about saving
our green world.
I am opening
a vegetarian restaurant
on the second floor
of the station.
And also I am organizing
a vegetarian party
in the restaurant
downstairs next week.
I am accomplishing
such works.
The reason I am doing
all this is that this recent
“The King & Co.” movie
influenced me a lot.
So, I think I will continue
my cooperation with
Supreme Master TV.
Many workers already
have become vegetarian
in our station.
As I noticed,
if high officials
become vegan,
then their constituents
as well as other people
would also see that and
become vegan to follow
their examples.
Then this would be
very pleasant.
Therefore,
our Mongolian people,
especially high officials,
top civil servants, and
business owners should
become vegan and then
urge their workers to
follow their examples.
I am appealing to
all managers and
high officials to be good
examples of veganism.
Just watched today’s
episode, so well-knit.
Really impressed.
All actors are
professionally cute,
no "amateur."
Director is super!
Good and
creative combination
of editing stuff of various
times in one episode.
The embedded scrolls
of the harmfulness
of meat etc. are extremely
important educationally.
~ Shanna
This TV series provides
an epic portrayal of
the most common
social issues
in the most dramatic
and refreshing ways.
The script is highly literary,
interweaving the story
of the King and his
company with the story
of the Prince and
Miss Golden Ring.
The storyline is focused
on the human tragedies
caused by cigarettes,
liquor, meat and
addictive drugs –
a great reminder
and food for thought
for the viewers.
On top of that,
every episode is
intriguing and funny,
sending a precious
message through
pure entertainment.
It is such a gem.
I am looking forward to
more programs like this
in the future.
Thank you.
Hao Ai-Li
Taipei, Formosa (Taiwan)
Hi there!
Thanks for airing this
comprehensive movie,
“The King & Co.”
I love watching it.
We really get informed
about the harms of meat,
alcohol, addictive drugs
and tobacco.
Hope everybody can heed
the precious and
urgent warnings featured
on this epic saga.
I would also like to thank
the top-notch director
"Madame T.H."
Supreme Master
Ching Hai.
Without her love
and blessing, none of
these would exist.
We must always keep
her unconditional love
in our hearts,
and try our best to
follow her wisest words.
So, now and ever after,
let´s Be Veg,
Go Green
2 Save the Planet!
Peace to all
Theo
from Sao Paulo, Brazil
Oh, that was the end!
Hope there will be
more educational and
entertaining movies
like that for us to watch
on Supreme Master TV
in the future.
~ Vui
Halo, viewers.
I’m very touched.
It’s a very amazing film.
The meaning of
the drama is very deep,
especially it shows
clearly and humorously
how meat, tobacco,
addictive drugs and
alcohol are harmful
to people and bring
so much negativity into
the daily lives of people.
It is a wonderful series.
Thank you very much.
Just finished watching
the final episode of
“The King & Co.”
and absolutely
loved the ending!
The final scenes
were so beautiful
and heartwarming.
Thank you
Supreme Master Ching Hai
for taking us
to the heavenly realms.
~ Lefki
Our sincere appreciation
to worldwide viewers
who shared
thoughtful words and
wonderful support for
“The King & Co.”
We apologize for
many more other viewers'
heartfelt comments,
which cannot be shared
for lack of space and time.
If possible,
we'll try to air them later.
Supreme Master
Ching Hai
sends her gratitude
to all supportive viewers
in the name of the whole
“The King & Co.” group.
Today’s Enlightening
Entertainment
will be presented in
Aulacese (Vietnamese),
with subtitles in Arabic,
Chinese, English,
French, German,
Hungarian, Indonesian,
Japanese, Korean,
Malay, Persian,
Portuguese, Russian,
Spanish, and Thai.
Âu Lạc (Vietnam)
is a nation that has
a long-standing
traditional culture.
Aulacese music
is very rich;
since ancient times,
there have been
many musical instruments
that move the soul with
a wide variety of sounds
like those
of the copper drum,
gong, lithophone,
bamboo xylophone,
cymbals and panpipe.
In 2003, Elegant Music, a
form of Huế royal music,
was recognized
by the United Nations
Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO)
as an intangible cultural
heritage of the world.
Âu Lạc’s music represents
the unique features of
each region, for example,
Quan Họ folksongs
in the North,
Huế tunes in the Central,
and cải lương
(modern folk opera)
in the South.
In addition, there are many
other forms of music,
including hò
(work songs),
lý (village songs),
ceremonial songs,
Aulacese classical opera,
chèo traditional opera,
Hồ Quảng opera,
and so on.
Indeed, music has been
deeply instilled
in the hearts of people
in this beautiful country,
and has been cultivated
until this day.
Northern Âu Lạc
has a folk art
called xẩm singing
that is very popular
in the northern plains
and midland.
This genre, in the old time,
was performed
by minstrel bands.
In a gathering
with a small group of
our Association members
some years past,
Supreme Master Ching Hai
was inspired to
spontaneously compose
and sing in the xẩm style
a poem she had written in
her late 20s in Germany.
The poem was originally
written in English which
the poet herself
translated into Aulacese.
We now invite you
to enjoy an excerpt
of the xẩm singing
“We Don't Live More
Than One Hundred Years!”
composed and sung
by Supreme Master
Ching Hai.
I mean tonight I was nuts!
But so what:
Aren’t the rest of us!...
Otherwise how could we
carry on living,
For life isn’t worth a thing!?
You know that I am still
in love with you!
But that has nothing to do...
I cannot please everybody,
So I will please me!
That doesn’t mean
you are not right;
We all have only one life!
On Enlightening
Entertainment,
Supreme Master
Television is pleased
to introduce different
forms of arts
from Âu Lạc (Vietnam),
as well as from other
countries in the world,
in order to share the beauty
and cultures
of the peoples
on our planet.
Chèo traditional opera
is a folk theater art
which originated
from the regions
near the mountains
and from the plains of
northern Âu Lạc.
There are varied opinions
about the beginning
of chèo traditional opera:
the earliest time
is believed to be
in 4th century BCE
and the most recent
is 14th century, at the end
of the Trần dynasty.
Chèo is a narrative genre
of folk theater,
recounting stories
through a combination of
music, singing and dance.
One of the unique
features of chèo
is a skillful portrayal
of subtle gestures
and movements.
During festivals,
people in the plains of
northern Âu Lạc often
look forward to watching
chèo traditional opera.
The lyrics are infused
with folk poetry and
proverbs; tragedies are
usually counter-balanced
with satires.
Chèo is replete with
the pure simplicity of the
common folk, yet equally
profound in meaning.
“The Third Princess”
is an Aulacese chèo
traditional opera based on
the legend of
the One-thousand-Eye
One-Thousand-Hand
Mother Buddha
in the treasure
of Buddhist folklore.
“The Third Princess”
recounts the merit
and virtue of King
Trang Vương’s
Third Princess,
who exhibited piety,
compassion,
and a boundless spirit
of sacrifice.
This tale is also
a wakening bell about the
dire retribution of actions
that harm virtuous and
true spiritual practitioners.
King Trang Vương
and his queen
had three princesses,
but only Diệu Thiện,
also known as
the Third Princess,
was still single.
On his birthday,
King Trang Vương
decided to marry the
Third Princess to General
Ngưu Mã, a man with
perfect talents in both
literature and martial arts,
in order to have
a successor to the throne.
At the royal court,
the Third Princess
expressed her wish
to become a renunciate,
and if she must be married,
she would like to marry
someone who knew how
to save people's lives,
namely, physician
Triệu Chấn. Enraged,
the King dismissed
Triệu Chấn from his post
and expelled
the Third Princess
from the royal palace.
The Third Princes went
to Bạch Tước Pagoda
to practice spiritually
with the Abbot,
but the King sent
General Ngưu Mã there
to force her to return
to secular life.
We now invite you
to enjoy part 2 of
the Aulacese chèo
traditional opera titled
“The Third Princess” by
playwright Trần Trí Trắc,
with performances
by Ms. Vân Quyền
as Third Princess,
Mr. Hải Điệp as King,
Ms. Hồng Minh as Queen,
Mr. Quốc Anh
as General Ngưu Mã,
Mr. Ngọc Kình
as Physician Triệu Chấn,
Ms. Huyền Thanh
as Princess Diệu Âm,
Ms. Thanh Mạn
as Princess Diệu Thanh,
Mr. Vũ Ngọc as Clown,
Mr. Đoàn Vinh
as First Prince Consort,
Mr. Trần Hải as
Second Prince Consort,
Mr. Xuân Vượng as Abbot,
Ms. Thu Biên as Elder Nun,
and other artists.
Please tune in
for the conclusion
next Thursday
on Supreme Master
Television.
Thank you for watching
today’s
Enlightening Entertainment.
Please stay tuned to
Supreme Master
Television.
Coming up is
Words of Wisdom.
We bid you farewell.
Amitabha Buddha
be praised!
May I see the royal decree,
Your Excellency?
Abbot,
you’re really hardheaded!
All right, I will please you.
All kneel down to receive
the royal decree!
“I, Trang Vương,
ruler of the kingdom,
hereby order
that all be informed:
The youngest princess,
called Third Princess,
evaded her parents
to practice spiritually
at Bạch Tước Pagoda.
She is not to take refuge
in the Buddha
and must return
to the court right away.
If the temple hides her,
have it demolished.”
Amitabha Buddha
be praised!
Bạch Tước Pagoda
is a remote place
in a poor village.
We lead a pure
and simple life of true
spiritual practitioners.
Why should a high-class
young lady come to this
temple for us to hide her?
Soldiers! (Yes.)
Tie up the Abbot!
Buddha be praised!
Amitabha Buddha
be praised!
Please take pity on us
spiritual practitioners
who would never report
falsely.
If he must be put
to the torture
from ill retribution,
let us bear it for him.
We wish to take the
punishment on his behalf.
All brethrens,
please stand up!
I’m guilty, so I alone
must take on the charge.
Why should I get
the renunciates involved?
Buddha taught:
“Saving a person’s life
procures infinite merit.”
I vow to firmly follow
Buddha’s teaching.
So you said,
“Saving a person’s life
is of infinite merit,”
meaning you intend to
hide the Third Princess.
Just give him
a hundred whips,
he’ll tell all.
Soldiers! (Yes.)
Thrash him!
Hold it!
The compassionate
Buddha’s gate won’t
tolerate vicious acts.
O fellow practitioners,
listen to me!
If the Third Princess
indeed comes
to this temple
to practice spiritually,
that’s an honor for
Buddhist renunciates.
Let’s burn the incense,
praying to Buddha:
We live and die
for the Truth.
O fellow practitioners,
use your blood
to cleanse earthly stains.
Are you striving
against me, me, Abbot?
Soldiers! (Yes.)
Set the temple on fire
so the Third Princess has
no more place to hide.
Set it on fire!
We offer a prayer
to Heaven.
We offer ourselves to You.
O Buddha,
I’m choked with tears,
looking at my brethrens.
May Buddha witness
our sincerity.
A body made of dust
will return to dust.
I turn my gaze
toward the infinite realm.
May I depart from
this suffering world.
In calamities,
the noble deeds
of spiritual practitioners
are seen.
May I offer my respect
to immortal souls.
We use our
physical bodies
to repay your kindness.
Amitabha Buddha
be praised!
Amitabha Buddha!
O God!
Bạch Tước Pagoda!
Bạch Tước Pagoda is
immersed in red flames.
Third Princess!
Where are you?
O Third Princess!
Go to the underworld to
find the Third Princess!
Ngưu Mã!
Third Princess!
Third Princess!
My God! How come?
Who burned down
my temple? Who?
Who harmed my
fellow practitioners?
O God!
Master! O Master!
You were ruined
because of me.
In great anguish,
my tears pour.
Master lay here;
your tranquil soul
has left the body,
just like in contemplation
during worship.
Could that be
the honorable Triệu Chấn
over there?
You lay motionless
in an eternal death.
A wound on your body
is still trickling blood.
Amitabha Buddha
be praised!
The world is still
replete with pain.
Mundane dust can’t fill
up the sea of suffering.
O Buddha, I pray to you
to save the renunciates
whose souls are now
confined in the underworld.
Where have their souls
taken refuge
amid the silver cloud?
O Third Princess!
Wickedness spreads
like the dark night,
while goodness still
awaits worldly people.
I’ll take you beyond
the physical realm
to the underworld to
save the souls of those
that met untimely death.
Since we left
the mountain pagoda,
since that tearful,
unjust death,
since the tragedy
that burnt down
Bạch Tước Pagoda,
our spirits of unjust death
departed the physical realm.
How heart-rending
it is already for us
to be in the black cloud
to further endure the torture!
Whose voice is that?
Is that the voice of
my brethrens’ spirits
being tortured in Hades?
O God! Are these they?
Skeletons in the yellow
monk robes.
My brethrens died
because of me.
Oh! I feel as if aloewood
scent is wafting about;
the sounds of
Bạch Tước Pagoda’s bell
and scripture recitals
are reverberating.
This form here,
is it of the pure, upright
and gentle Triệu Chấn?
He’s still serene like a
precious medicinal plant.
O beloved Triệu Chấn!
My heart is still deeply
pained for humankind.
For whom do
sentient beings quietly
bear the ordeals?
Tears of torment shed
in pitying for others.
O high Heaven,
know You not?
Is human existence
nothing but misery?
Palms together, I pray to
the miraculous Buddha.
Where are the souls
of my brethrens?
Listen to the sound
of scripture reciting
for your liberation.
Respectful greetings,
Third Princess!
My respectful greetings,
Warden of Hades!
Please take pity
on the beings
that perished
in wrongful deaths.
It’s my king father’s
unkindness that brought
about the temple’s ruin.
Spirits of the renunciates
are still lost.
Please allow them to
return to the physical world.
O virtuous Third Princess!
The law of Hades
can’t be bypassed easily.
You must take
on the physical torture
for your fellow beings
to be released.
You must endure the
burning of skin and flesh.
O demon officials! (Yes.)
Bring the cauldron of oil
here for me!
Amitabha Buddha
be praised.
In sympathy with
sentient beings suffering
hardship, hunger, poverty
and endless wars,
I, Third Princess, wish to
bear the physical torture
so that the spirits of
wrongful deaths may return
to the blessed realm.
Though I must bear
great pain of crushed
bone and flesh,
I’ll gladly accept it
out of compassion.
If you wish Buddha
to accept your request,
there is the cauldron of oil,
step into it!
Now, step into it!
O Third Princess!
Your great virtue
and great compassion
have moved the heart
of the wise Buddha.
You didn’t mind
the red flames
under your feet.
I, King of Hades,
also admire you deeply.
Respected greetings,
King of Hades.
I now agree for physician
Triệu Chấn to return
to the physical realm
to find cures to
save sentient beings.
Since he’s not a true
spiritual practitioner,
he’ll be transformed
to be a 90-year-old man
living in a remote
thatched hut.
As for your
Buddhist brethrens
who died unjustly,
they’ll return
to their spiritual path.
Buddha be praised.
According to
Buddha’s order,
they’ll stay at
Hương Tích Temple.
I’m grateful to Buddha.
My king suddenly
contracts a serious ailment
and is tormented
by pain day and night.
The throne is deserted,
the palace gloomy,
the royal veranda desolate.
The two daughters
don’t bother to feel sad
but indulge in pleasure
with Ngưu Mã.
They party, sing and
dance morning and night
and even cuckold the
King’s two sons-in-law.
So it is said
in Buddhist scriptures
about the law
of cause and effect.
In this world,
one reaps what one sows.
The King is awake
and senseless by turn,
while in the palace,
some are playing around,
worry-free.
Why am I in so much pain
like this?
Everyone has left me?
Where is the Queen?
Where are my daughters?
Your Majesty!
The court officials are
afraid of getting infected
with your leprosy,
so all hide away.
Only the Queen is
weeping all day long.
Your two princesses
follow General Ngưu Mã
to party all day.
So the officials are scared
of getting infected
with my leprosy.
And the girls are
rejoicing because
their father is soon to die.
Your Majesty! O God!
O Clown! (Yes.)
I only feel sorry
for the Queen.
She has suffered her
entire life because of me.
Oh, no! Your Majesty!
Where are the First and
Second Prince consorts?
Come in here to entertain
His Majesty!
O Clown,
what’s the matter?
What’s going on?
His Majesty is in pain.
Please come in
to entertain him.
Come in! Come!
You don’t want
to come in?
All right, I’ll report
to the princesses.
Wait, wait, Clown!
I’ll come in.
Then come in! Come on!
Respected Royal Father,
we’re always by your side.
My wife is busy
having fun,
so I must come here
on her behalf
to take care of you.
Beloved Royal Father,
so am I.
My wife is
a very filial daughter.
She’s delegated me
the important task
of always staying
by your side and keeping
you in good spirit.
I must always find a way
to entertain you.
And now, Royal Father,
we’ll sing for you a poem
about the woe
of an old goat.
The woe of an old goat.
The young goats
must suck milk
from the old goat.
Wherefrom does the old
goat get the sweet milk to
satisfy the young goats?
After eating,
the young goats
still crave for food.
O goats, after eating,
you still crave for food.
They suck non-stop.
The old goat feels
aches and pains.
How funny
the young goats are!
After eating,
the young goats
still crave for food.
Enough! You didn’t
come to entertain me.
Your wives aren’t
my filial daughters.
Get out!
Respected Royal Father!
Get out, all of you!
Respected Royal Father!
There you are,
sweetheart!
Oh, darling!
Sweetheart,
I’ve demonstrated
all my skills
but our Royal Father
still isn’t pleased.
Darling, I sang
so beautifully but
was still driven away
by our Royal Father.
You just think
you have much talent!
Well,
you two go home now.
Come only when
instructed, you hear?
Going home? (Go!)
Respected Royal Father,
I’ve really done you wrong
I’ve been busy boat
sailing on Kim Lăng.
Forgive me
for returning late.
O Royal Father!
Please take your medicine
to recover quickly.
Any day you’re still ill,
that day we can’t eat
or sleep well.
Get out, both of you!
I’d rather die.
O God! Royal Father!
How come you talked
so strange?
If you pass away,
what for
do we continue living?
Whom will we rely on?
O Royal Father,
please don’t die!
Other people
have children
and grandchildren,
while you gave birth
to only two daughters.
Why don’t you
love and cherish us?
Instead, you have
the heart to abandon us.
O Royal Father!
O Your Majesty!
Try to swallow
the soap nut as if sweet
and stomach
the hot pepper.
Don’t you see at all?
That bamboo leaf-shaped
knife is about
to slit your throat.
Clown! O Royal Father!
O Your Majesty!
Enough!
I’m not dead yet;
why are you wailing
like that?
We love you so much.
Don’t die, Royal Father.
Children,
you love me so much,
how can I have the heart
to leave you?
I just regret
that my gold throne...
I haven’t decided
to whom to pass it on.
I still want to reserve it
for General Ngưu Mã.
I think that’s
very appropriate
because my husband
isn’t worthy of your trust.
Respected Royal Father,
my husband is also
talentless, so he wouldn’t
dare compete
for a powerful position.
It’s the first time I hear
my daughters speaking
from the hearts.
O God! O Your Majesty!
You’re in pain again.
O goodness!
Your Majesty!
O Clown!
Help my Royal Father
to his chamber!
O Clown!
Diệu Thanh!
So our Royal Father
still intends to pass
the throne to Ngưu Mã.
I’m so mad
at our good-for-nothing
husbands!
They couldn’t do a thing
to help us.
O Diệu Thanh,
General Ngưu Mã seems
to like you very much.
I also find that he’s
very interested in you.
Men are greedy, anyhow.
The river will never
have enough water.
Or, perhaps
he likes both of us?
Possibly so!
Oh! Later when
he becomes an emperor,
what else could our fate be?
We sisters shouldn’t be
divided into ranks.
What’s the loss if one is
a little above the other.
Diệu Âm!
Diệu Thanh!
One is short, the other tall.
Let’s make us even
on the scale.
One is short, the other tall.
From now on, power falls
into our hands.
Greetings, Princesses!
What are you
so elated about?
His Majesty
is seriously ill;
don’t you feel any pain?
Your Excellency,
I’m in great anguish.
O General,
I’m so sad.
You’re lying!
You can’t fool my eyes.
Deep inside, you just
wish him dead soon
so that the throne
will go to one of
the Prince Consorts,
your husband.
Am I not right?
What you said
is only half correct.
Why?
Wishing
for the old man’s
early death is true.
As for that throne
how can our two good-
for-nothing husbands
possibly sit on it?
So that means...
That throne only befits
General Ngưu Mã.
Is that true, O Princesses?
Why not?
The King himself said
that just now.
His Majesty still intends
to pass the throne to me?
Oh, the golden throne!
Every night,
I dream of it and
the one and only majestic
emperor’s staff.
What about
the two Prince Consorts,
your husbands?
We’re so fed up
with those two geezers
anyway.
We only wish to humbly
wait by the royal court
to meet
the magnanimous one.
If you will confer on us
noble titles
and protect us, we’ll be
forever indebted to you.
King Trang Vương has
two charming princesses.
The golden palace
is permeated with
hyacinth fragrance.
Should something
go topsy-turvy later,
O Princesses,
depend on me,
the master of fencing.
So what should we do?
Must that be done?
Put poison
in the King’s medicine,
then let the two Prince
Consorts offer it up?
Only then
shall you two be free.
Oh! We’re so scared!
What’s there to fear?
The old man will die
sooner or later.
If those two Prince
Consorts are still here,
they’ll hinder our work.
Well,
think carefully about it.
If you need my protection,
carry out
the clever scheme.
General, please
proceed with your
ingenious scheme.
Look!
Beautiful Princesses!
This time,
the golden palanquin,
purple parasol
and royal palace
are ours to relish.
I’ll have two thrones
on both sides.
In East and West palaces,
you will enjoy
lasting happiness.
Your offspring will be
conferred rank and title.
We’re grateful to you,
dear one.
You know, a flower
so fragrant can’t be left
to wither away!
My life’s dream shines
brilliantly now,
and by my sides
are the two princesses.
That golden throne
is still unoccupied;
as for us, we offer
ourselves to you.
O General!
Princesses!
It’s time to use the potion.
Please go inside to carry
out the wonderful plot.
Go! Go!
O Your Majesty!
I’d never expect this
to happen.
God and Buddha
have punished us.
We can’t pass on to our
offspring any blessing.
O Diệu Thiện, my child!
Your father
has done you wrong.
I wasn’t able to save you.
While you cultivate your
heart and do good deeds
to help the world,
your father committed
sinful acts.
As a result, he suffers
a pitiful plight.
Diệu Thiện, O child!
If you’re still living
and have already attained
full enlightenment,
please come back
to save your father,
a king who
languishes in illness.
The kingdom
is about to collapse.
O God! Your Majesty!
Please stay calm.
Don’t risk your life
like that.
I believe that
our youngest daughter
is still alive.
My child’s charitable
spirit will be able
to save her king father.
Palms together, I pray
to Amitabha Buddha.
I now repent and
turn toward goodness.
Please witness my sincerity.
Oh,
jewel and gold palace!
Oh, splendid and
luxurious castle!
The bell of retribution
still resounds in my ears,
reminding me of
my pain, O child.
Respected Royal Mother,
it’s time for Father
to take medicine.
Please allow
the two Prince Consorts
to personally offer
the medicine to him.
Respected Royal Father
and Mother!
This medicine bowl
contains all 100 types
of ginseng from
two remote islands.
I’ve brought it here
to present it
to Royal Father.
May you quickly recover.
Respected Royal Father!
And this is a bowl of
tonic for a better spleen,
lungs, and all limbs.
I’ve traveled night and day,
crossing forests
and streams
to bring it here for you.
May Royal Father
live long!
May Royal Father
live long!
Your Majesty,
your children
are offering the medicine.
Please take it
to make them happy.
Please take the medicine,
Royal Father!
Hold it! Your Majesty,
don’t hasten to take it!
Why?
The two Prince Consorts
plan to assassinate
the King.
How is such a thing
possible, Mr. Ngưu Mã?
That’s impossible!
Your Majesty!
There’s poison
in the medicine bowls.
Mr. Ngưu Mã,
you have no right
to suspect us like that.
Mr. Ngưu Mã,
you have no right
to suspect us like that.
If you claim
there’s no poison
in the medicine bowls,
will you please drink first?
Respected Royal Father!
O darling!
Why hesitate
to take the ginseng tonic?
Drink, honey!
Your Majesty!
Only then can they prove
the purity in the
King-subject relation.
You may drink.
Yes. For that reason,
we’ll drink it.
O Second Prince Consort,
I’m poisoned!
O First Prince Consort,
we were tricked.
You’re a wicked woman!
Ungrateful betrayer!
O Royal Father,
we’re wrongly accused.
What does this mean?
Children!
You intended to kill me,
didn’t you?
Royal Father!
I understand now.
Deep inside,
you all want me to die
soon so you can freely
indulge in pleasures.
O my young goats!
Soldiers, carry these
two corpses inside!
Your Majesty!
O God! You’ve really
lost your mind!
No. I haven’t.
O General Ngưu Mã,
thank you for stopping
the assassins in time.
O General Ngưu Mã,
I thank you.
Enough!
O old man
sick with leprosy!
Get up!
Stand up and listen
to what I have to say.
From this moment on,
I’ll replace you
to govern the kingdom.
No. When did I pass
the throne over to you?
Then you’re going
to do that now.
Here, the agreement
to pass on the throne.
It just needs
your fingerprint.
Ngưu Mã,
now I know what kind
of person you are.
No. I’ll never pass
the throne to a dishonest
and ruthless person.
No, never.
An old man sick
with leprosy!
What physical strength
and power
do you have left to
dare talk to me like that?
Here, the agreement
to pass the throne.
Sign it with your fingerprint.
No.
Sign it! Sign it here.
Sign here, Father.
Today’s Enlightening
Entertainment
will be presented in
Aulacese (Vietnamese),
with subtitles in Arabic,
Chinese, English,
French, German,
Hungarian, Indonesian,
Japanese, Korean,
Malay, Persian,
Portuguese, Russian,
Spanish, and Thai.
Âu Lạc (Vietnam)
is a nation that has
a long-standing
traditional culture.
Aulacese music
is very rich;
since ancient times,
there have been
many musical instruments
that move the soul with
a wide variety of sounds
like those
of the copper drum,
gong, lithophone,
bamboo xylophone,
cymbals and panpipe.
In 2003, Elegant Music, a
form of Huế royal music,
was recognized
by the United Nations
Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO)
as an intangible cultural
heritage of the world.
Âu Lạc’s music represents
the unique features of
each region, for example,
Quan Họ folksongs
in the North,
Huế tunes in the Central,
and cải lương
(modern folk opera)
in the South.
In addition, there are many
other forms of music,
including hò
(work songs),
lý (village songs),
ceremonial songs,
Aulacese classical opera,
chèo traditional opera,
Hồ Quảng opera,
and so on.
Indeed, music has been
deeply instilled
in the hearts of people
in this beautiful country,
and has been cultivated
until this day.
Northern Âu Lạc
has a folk art
called xẩm singing
that is very popular
in the northern plains
and midland.
This genre, in the old time,
was performed
by minstrel bands.
In a gathering
with a small group of
our Association members
some years past,
Supreme Master Ching Hai
was inspired to
spontaneously compose
and sing in the xẩm style
a poem she had written in
her late 20s in Germany.
The poem was originally
written in English which
the poet herself
translated into Aulacese.
We now invite you
to enjoy an excerpt
of the xẩm singing
“We Don't Live More
Than One Hundred Years!”
composed and sung
by Supreme Master
Ching Hai.
I mean tonight I was nuts!
But so what:
Aren’t the rest of us!...
Otherwise how could we
carry on living,
For life isn’t worth a thing!?
You know that I am still
in love with you!
But that has nothing to do...
I cannot please everybody,
So I will please me!
That doesn’t mean
you are not right;
We all have only one life!
On Enlightening
Entertainment,
Supreme Master
Television is pleased
to introduce different
forms of arts
from Âu Lạc (Vietnam),
as well as from other
countries in the world,
in order to share the beauty
and cultures
of the peoples
on our planet.
Chèo traditional opera
is a folk theater art
which originated
from the regions
near the mountains
and from the plains of
northern Âu Lạc.
There are varied opinions
about the beginning
of chèo traditional opera:
the earliest time
is believed to be
in 4th century BCE
and the most recent
is 14th century, at the end
of the Trần dynasty.
Chèo is a narrative genre
of folk theater,
recounting stories
through a combination of
music, singing and dance.
One of the unique
features of chèo
is a skillful portrayal
of subtle gestures
and movements.
During festivals,
people in the plains of
northern Âu Lạc often
look forward to watching
chèo traditional opera.
The lyrics are infused
with folk poetry and
proverbs; tragedies are
usually counter-balanced
with satires.
Chèo is replete with
the pure simplicity of the
common folk, yet equally
profound in meaning.
“The Third Princess”
is an Aulacese chèo
traditional opera based on
the legend of
the One-thousand-Eye
One-Thousand-Hand
Mother Buddha
in the treasure
of Buddhist folklore.
“The Third Princess”
recounts the merit
and virtue of King
Trang Vương’s
Third Princess,
who exhibited piety,
compassion,
and a boundless spirit
of sacrifice.
This tale is also
a wakening bell about the
dire retribution of actions
that harm virtuous and
true spiritual practitioners.
King Trang Vương
and his queen
had three princesses,
but only Diệu Thiện,
also known as
the Third Princess,
was still single.
On his birthday,
King Trang Vương
decided to marry the
Third Princess to General
Ngưu Mã, a man with
perfect talents in both
literature and martial arts,
in order to have
a successor to the throne.
At the royal court,
the Third Princess
expressed her wish
to become a renunciate,
and if she must be married,
she would like to marry
someone who knew how
to save people's lives,
namely, physician
Triệu Chấn. Enraged,
the King dismissed
Triệu Chấn from his post
and expelled
the Third Princess
from the royal palace.
The Third Princes went
to Bạch Tước Pagoda
to practice spiritually
with the Abbot,
but the King sent
General Ngưu Mã there
to force her to return
to secular life.
We now invite you
to enjoy the conclusion of
the Aulacese chèo
traditional opera titled
“The Third Princess” by
playwright Trần Trí Trắc,
with performances
by Ms. Vân Quyền
as Third Princess,
Mr. Hải Điệp as King,
Ms. Hồng Minh as Queen,
Mr. Quốc Anh
as General Ngưu Mã,
Mr. Ngọc Kình
as Physician Triệu Chấn,
Ms. Huyền Thanh
as Princess Diệu Âm,
Ms. Thanh Mạn
as Princess Diệu Thanh,
Mr. Vũ Ngọc as Clown,
Mr. Đoàn Vinh
as First Prince Consort,
Mr. Trần Hải as
Second Prince Consort,
Mr. Xuân Vượng as Abbot,
Ms. Thu Biên as Elder Nun,
and other artists.
The head monk,
who esteemed and cared
about the Third Princess,
was determined
to protect her; as a result,
he was tortured
and the whole temple
was burnt down.
When the Third Princess
returned, she found out
that the master,
monks and nuns
all passed away unjustly.
The Buddha helped
take the Third Princess
to the underworld, where
she endured punishments
in place of those spirits
suffering from
untimely deaths.
Touched by
the Third Princess’
compassion and sacrifice,
the Buddha allowed
the monks and nuns
as well as physician
Triệu Chấn to return
to the earthly realm.
In the meantime,
at the royal court,
King Trang Vương
suddenly contracted
a serious illness.
General Ngưu Mã colluded
with the two princesses,
forcing the King
to abdicate the throne.
Supreme Master Ching Hai
has caringly
sent gifts to artists
and professionals
who contributed to
the chèo traditional opera
“The Third Princess,”
broadcast on
Supreme Master Television.
They have shared their
thoughts and expressed
their appreciation
for her kindness.
Playwright Bùi Đức Hạnh:
On behalf of the authors
and performing artists
from the chèo company,
I would like to thank
Supreme Master Ching Hai
and viewers of
“The Third Princess”
very much.
I’m very honored,
very touched that
there is a TV channel
broadcasting
chèo traditional operas,
especially when I have
the honor to be one
of the creators of
that opera to receive
Supreme Master Ching Hai’s
attention
and to be introduced
to viewers abroad.
That is such
an encouragement
for us artists.
Supreme Master Ching Hai
has done
a very meaningful deed,
especially
when the opera
has various subtitles,
that’s all the better.
I understand that
Master is a poet,
writer and painter.
She is also a very
talented artist who has
been doing humanitarian
work all her life.
She dedicates her
entire life for humanity.
I hope that Master’s life
will always be good,
and I wish Master health.
Playwright
Dr. Trần Trí Trắc:
Knowing about
Supreme Master Ching Hai,
I think this is an affinity
and I’m very happy.
I think Master
is a wonderful person.
Master has been living
a beautiful earthly life
and spiritual life.
A beautiful life,
that is because Master
doesn’t live only
for humankind but also
for the trees, the plants,
the birds, and the animals.
This entire universe
is like Master’s house.
This universe, including
the sunlight, the breeze,
the clouds, ducks,
chickens, dogs, rabbits,
flowers, and trees,
is like family to Master.
Also, Master is talented,
and has brought all those
talents to help the world.
In this world, only great
people can do that.
Each life has storm
and stress,
but upon meeting
Master Ching Hai,
one suddenly feels
peaceful and doesn’t fear
troubles anymore,
as one lives through
stormy moments with faith.
Thank you, Master.
I hope that Master’s
work will reach its goal.
The Third Princess,
however the difficulties,
however painful, however
her family members
did not believe in her
and love her,
she had overcome
and triumph over
the bad with her goodness.
So I feel close to Master,
not estranged from her.
Master’s goodness,
I can understand
and be touched by it.
Previously, I was
in a medical career.
Then one day, I was
by chance writing a play.
That first play received
an award, so I changed
to write plays for stage.
And it’s due to this path
that today I get to know
about Master Ching Hai.
I wish Master Ching Hai
great health.
Thank you,
Supreme Master Ching Hai,
for this moment
of happiness.
Stage director Bùi Đắc Sử:
On behalf of
“The Third Princess” crew,
today I’d like to thank
Supreme Master Ching Hai
and all viewers.
I must say that
the creative labor of
the artists for the opera
“The Third Princess”
is a wholehearted
creative process.
It wasn’t for money.
We did
“The Third Princess”
with Buddha’s hearts and
devotion to the Buddha.
With our best sincerity,
we thank your channel,
especially the founder,
through whom our opera
“The Third Princess”
can reach all around
the world and be known
by many people.
Actress Nguyễn Thị Thanh,
in the role of
Princess Diệu Thanh:
I’d like to greet
Supreme Master Ching Hai
and viewers.
I wish to talk about
my thoughts when
I accepted the role of
Princess Diệu Thanh in
“The Third Princess.”
That role let people
realize that
as human beings,
we must have kindness,
mercy and compassion
in whatever circumstance.
I’ll follow the example
of Master Ching Hai
and vow to learn
from her example.
Whatever is good for society,
I’ll try to do.
I wish Master
all the goodness, health
and beauty always.
Actress Hồng Minh,
in the role of the Queen:
I’m Trần Thị Hồng Minh.
I’ve been retired
for 5 years.
Thank you so much,
Master Ching Hai.
Master has cared about
our opera and sent us gifts.
With the heart
of someone living
in Âu Lạc (Vietnam),
I would like
to send Master love
and my admiration.
I hope we will meet.
Actress Thu Biên,
in the role of Head Nun:
Greetings,
Supreme Master
Television viewers.
My name is
Nguyễn Thị Biên
with words of thanks to
Master Ching Hai
for her gift.
First, I’d like to thank
Master Ching Hai.
Master is truly someone
who loves animals
like humans.
I myself am like that.
I had a dog before and
I felt very close to him.
I felt like losing a loved one
when I lost him.
He understood my voice.
He understood everything.
For example,
when he came home,
I said, “Oh Toky,
you’re so dirty.
Go take a bath!”
There used to be many
ponds here before.
So he went out
to swim for a while;
then he returned and
shook himself before me
like this, as if showing
that he just came back
after taking a bath.
Master’s love is infinite.
Not everyone
in this world can do that,
especially a woman
who looks beautiful,
kind, and gentle.
To Master, this entire world,
all the trees, plants,
humans and animals
are her friends; all
come to her as friends.
Actor Xuân Vượng,
in the role of Head Monk,
recited the poem
written by
Supreme Master Ching Hai
entitled
“Je Ne Crois Pas!...”
in respectful dedication
to Master.
Staring at your picture,
I could hardly believe,
How far away
it seemed to me!
This man in the photo,
Did I ever hold him before?
Did I ever share with him
my bed?
Did we ever make love,
and more?...
Withered with flowers
in May,
Fell with dried leaves
in August,
Our love yesterday!
Why am I still waiting,
For your footsteps
every night!
It’s not all ended,
I cannot believe!
I have the feeling that
Supreme Master Ching Hai
often feels others’ pain
before them.
People usually say,
“feeling the pain of others.”
People have pain, and
then we feel their pain.
But I have a feeling that
Master feels their pain
first. She knows it first.
Therefore, I have
a feeling that she never
gets to sleep well enough.
In recent years,
Âu Lạc has had a lot of
terrible floods, especially
in the central region.
To avoid floods,
the first thing we should
do is to refrain from
destroying trees
and actively plant trees
and forests.
Secondly, we must
protect all animals.
Because the fact is,
if there’s no more forest,
there’s no place
for animals to live.
I’ve watched the news
recently, and there
have been always
announcements
that some species
were about to be extinct.
Reading her poems,
I find the agony
and compassion.
I read them myself,
but still can’t understand
everything when I recite,
because what
Master wanted to convey
in there is much greater.
However,
in my humble opinion,
I feel that there must be
something very tormenting
in her heart for her to
have written such verses.
First, people have to
treat one another kindly.
Second, we have to
treasure the lives
around us, and we should
co-exist peacefully
with all species; then
this world will be good
and beautiful always.
I had a dog before.
I couldn’t believe that
I was training such
a smart dog.
When I said,
“You’re so dirty!”
he went and jumped into
the pond to take a bath.
After the bath, he shook
himself 2, 3 times
to remove the water.
Then he came presenting
himself in front of me.
When I said it was fine,
he walked away happily.
So I think it's not just dogs,
but all animals
have their own language,
if we take the time
to find out.
If we’re even able
to come to a special
relationship with them,
then we will communicate
with each other.
There is no need for words,
only action,
even just a look.
I would like to recount
another detail.
One day,
I was washing the floor,
and my dog came back
from playing outside.
By habit, he walked in;
he took about 4, 5 steps
and I saw that
his feet were very dirty.
So when he went
inside the house, I said,
“Oh no!”
One of his legs was
in a raised position about
to make the next step
like this, and he stopped.
He was listening to find
out why I said “Oh no!”
Then I said,
“I just finished cleaning
the house.
You walked in like that,
the house got dirty
all over again!”
He did not turn around,
but he walked backward
with the exact number of
steps that he walked in.
When he reached the door,
he jumped back outside.
From that,
I believe Master
understands the animals.
I’m positive that
Master can understand
their language.
We should still our mind
a little.
Do not let ourselves
be carried away by life,
then we’d probably
understand them.
But to understand them
like she does
is very difficult.
We can only sense it.
We wish Master
abounding health and
to able to carry out her
dream and aspiration.
And we also hope very
much for an opportunity
to meet Master.
That will be a great
happiness in our lives.
Artist of Merit Thanh Mạn
as Princess Diệu Âm:
Greetings,
Supreme Master Ching Hai.
My name is
Nguyễn Thị Thanh Mạn,
Artist of Merit.
Respected Master,
we’re very proud of
the fact that although you
live faraway from
our homeland,
you’re so talented.
For those of us who live
in our homeland
doing artistic work,
this is a very shining
example to follow.
We have to learn a lot
from Master.
Master lives faraway
from the homeland and
can speak five languages
and has done so much
charitable work.
We admire that very much.
Respected Master, when
we witness animals being
slaughtered by people
to eat, we feel that
the animals are
very precious, but if
we’ve been doing all that
to them, then it’s very sad.
We only wish that people
no longer do such things.
Neither should
we eat animals, because
they are very noble.
We should not treat
the animals that way.
I’d like to express
my respect and gratitude
to Master
for thinking about us,
about the actors.
We’ve received
very precious gifts
from Master.
We’d like to wish Master
abounding health, peace,
happiness and success
in all your work.
Actress Vân Quyền
as the Third Princess,
and actors Hải Điệp
as the King,
Quốc Anh as
General Ngưu Mã,
Ngọc Kình as
Doctor Triệu Chấn,
Vũ Ngọc as the Clown,
Đoàn Vinh as
First Prince Consort,
Trần Hải as
Second Prince Consort,
all of whom
have contributed to
Supreme Master
Television before, also
received gifts along with
Supreme Master
Ching Hai’s love
and well-wishes.
We sincerely thank
the playwrights,
directors, artists
and professionals who
contributed your talents
and efforts to bring
about valuable chèo
traditional operas.
Thank you
for your endeavors
to preserve chèo,
a performing art
in Aulacese
traditional culture.
We wish you and your
families all the goodness,
upliftment,
and happiness in life.
Thank you for watching
today’s
Enlightening Entertainment.
Coming up is
Words of Wisdom.
Please tune in on
Supreme Master Television
next Thursday
for the Aulacese
modern folk opera
“The Heavenly Lamp”
by playwright Bạch Mai.
So long for now.
Diệu Thanh! Diệu Âm!
I’m truly shocked
that you are so wicked.
You’re not of my blood.
O god!
Why did I give birth
to devil-like children?
Diệu Thiện, my child!
Where are you now?
Come back to see your
sisters killing your father
and driving me away.
Stop it!
Don’t you mention
Diệu Thiện again!
She’s no longer alive
to return to you.
And however
we treat you two,
it’s all due to
the King’s misdeeds.
His Majesty has sat on
the throne long enough.
We must find someone
to replace him
to govern the kingdom.
General Ngưu Mã
was chosen by the King
first thing during
the birthday celebration.
Soldiers! (Yes.)
Sound the drums
and listen to my order!
O court officials!
From this moment on,
His Majesty Trang Vương
has offered me
the throne,
and the two princesses
will be my queens.
For his sin of
burning the temple,
harming the monks
and nuns,
Trang Vương has been
punished by the Buddha
and afflicted with
convulsions, causing
his limbs to contract.
Now I, the King,
order that Trang Vương
be dismissed from
the capital to endure
a wandering life
of hardship and hunger
so as to repent.
Trang Vương’s Queen
may accompany him
but cannot bring with her
any gold and silver.
My god!
How can you be so heartless?
How can a sick old man
and a weak woman
survive without any
valuable possessions?
Soldiers! (Yes.)
Do as ordered!
No. O Your Majesty!
Your Majesty!
My two princesses!
Please have pity on me,
O people!
Please have sympathy
for a beggar.
Once possessing
great wealth,
I’m now empty-handed.
Have pity on me and
a sick old man in
unceasing tears of anguish.
Where is my child
of olden days?
Where is my daughter?
Where am I to find her?
Who knows
where she is now?
So, a king and a queen
now become two beggars.
While the throne
falls into the hands of
an unscrupulous bunch.
Indeed, what you sow,
so shall you reap!
The wicked ones,
the King cherished,
while the good and honest,
he expelled.
As a result,
today the King’s
dragon face is wilting,
while shameless faces
are laughing haughtily.
Your Majesties
the King and Queen!
Is that you, Clown?
It’s the first time
you go begging,
so you don’t know how.
Please learn from me
this song
to make a livelihood.
Here’s the fabric!
Cover your eyes with it
and feign being blind,
then passers-by will be
moved with sympathy.
A couple holds
onto each other:
the husband has convulsions,
the wife is blind.
Everyone will be touched
by that scene.
Now sit down here
and strike the castanets.
Sing after me, all right?
“O child,
ever since the time
I gave birth to you,
I’d never known suffering.
But who could foretell
I’d be blind?
Who could foretell
I’d be blind?
Who’d expect darkness
during daylight?
My husband’s rheumatism
distorts his mouth.
He even has convulsions
all day long.
My daughters,
two pretty women!
I beg you, O passers-by!
My children,
two pretty women,
plotted to sit high
on the throne.
Alas!
I cast away the gold bar,
what am I to rely on
with the lump
of dirt remaining?
This plight, alas,
how pitiful to think of it!”
I cast away the gold bar,
what am I to rely on
with the lump of
dirt remaining?
Don’t prick my heart
with needles and
pour salt on it!
O god! Your Majesty!
You’re in pain again.
O Your Majesty!
Respectful greetings,
Your Majesties
the King and Queen.
I’m heartbroken
witnessing your predicament.
I vow to cure the King
of his illness.
Who are you, Elder?
How do you know me?
I’m a low-ranking
court official whom
you expelled during your
birthday celebration.
What did you say?
I myself dismissed you?
Your Majesty,
did you forget already?
That day, I was not
the only one driven away,
but so was
the Third Princess,
King Trang Vương’s
pitiable youngest daughter.
That’s right.
I remember now.
You’re physician Triệu Chấn.
Yes.
A famed doctor who is
devoted to finding cures
to save people.
You were young then.
Why do you appear
as an elderly man now?
Your Majesty,
I was harmed
by Ngưu Mã
at Bạch Tước Temple,
but was risen from death
by the Buddha.
I accepted the form
of a 90-year-old man
to return to save people
in this world.
O Triệu Chấn,
I understand now.
I’m a king ruling a nation,
yet my virtue is inferior
to that of a low-ranking
mandarin, a physician.
O Triệu Chấn,
I have nothing left.
I’ve lost my children
and my throne.
Now, a king and a queen
become two starving,
wandering beggars.
Don’t sorrow, Your Majesty.
I’ll find a way
to cure your ailment.
Last night, Buddha came
in my dream to inform me:
To cure the King
of his illness, go to
Hương Tích Mountain
for the ingredients to
prepare an effective remedy.
Now, allow me to go
to a Hương Tích cave
to find the precious
medicine. (Yes.)
Quan Yin Bodhisattva
be praised!
Mahasthama Bodhisattva
be praised!
Pure Assembly of
Bodhisattvas be praised!
Pure Assembly of
Bodhisattvas be praised!
As the gold incense
is burnt,
the creation is
suffused with scent,
the Buddhas of all
directions acknowledge,
auspicious clouds
appear everywhere,
the sincere heart
is witnessed,
the Buddhas manifest here.
Cloud Canopy of
Fragrance Bodhisattva,
Mahasattva be praised!
Cloud Canopy of
Fragrance Bodhisattva,
Mahasattva be praised!
A hundred years of
human life is like a flick
of the fingernails
or the setting sun
in the west.
One strikes the stone
hoping for a spark of fire.
Time passes quickly
like the shadow of
a stallion by the window.
The boat has come ashore,
the tree is about to rot.
Light flashes with
a blink of an eye.
Why entangled
by affection still?
What’s there
in a flicker of a flame?
Alas! Why so attached
to romance?
A dry skin bag,
full of treasures!
Amitabha Buddha
be praised!
I’ve finished
reading the scripture.
It comes to the phrase,
“Filial piety
is a child’s duty.”
A mother with child
feels heavy
like the Thái Mountain.
Walking wearily,
she’s restless whether
sitting or standing.
Her life is uncertain
like a lamp in the wind.
A mother endures
hardships to care for
her child day and night.
She lets her child
sleep on the drier spot.
She teaches her child
to stand, walk,
talk and laugh.
A mother’s favor
is infinitely great.
It’s not easy to repay
a mother’s kindness.
A mother’s favor
is infinitely great.
It’s not easy to repay
a mother’s kindness.
Amitabha Buddha
be praised!
Please have pity on me,
O people!
Please have pity on me,
O people!
Please have sympathy
for a beggar.
Once possessing
great wealth,
I’m now empty-handed.
Have pity on me
and a sick old man
in unceasing tears of anguish.
Where is my child
of olden days?
Where is my daughter?
Where am I to find her?
Who knows
where she is now?
O god!
That’s my mother’s
singing voice.
But why does she have to
wander in hunger?
I can see my mother now!
And my father too!
How come he is so frail
and feeble?
O god!
They’re coming this way.
They come to beg
at the Buddha’s gate.
What am I to do now?
Amitabha Buddha
be praised!
Please have pity on us.
We’re blind and sick.
Can the temple spare
these aged people
some rice or porridge
for survival?
Amitabha Buddha
be praised!
Where are your children
that you have to
live alone without
anyone to rely on?
O nun,
since you asked,
I will tell you,
but it’s heart-rending
to talk about it.
We’re so unfortunate
and gave births
to only three daughters.
The two elder daughters
betrayed us, conspiring
with the murderer
of their husbands
to seize the throne.
Their father is epileptic
with ulcers
all over his body.
They threw him out
on the street
without a word of pity.
O god!
My father and mother!
But I still have
the youngest daughter.
Virtuous and kind,
she is called
the Third Princess.
She took refuge in
a temple at an early age,
but her father heartlessly
ended her path
of goodness.
Where is my child?
Is she still alive or dead?
In hunger and thirst,
I’m looking for my child.
O father and mother,
one’s filial duty is
as high as the mountain,
as deep as the sea.
Has any child
been able to requite his
or her mother’s kindness?
O High Heaven
and Buddha above,
witness my heart as I
repay my parents’ favor.
Whose voice is it?
Whose voice is it
that seems to have
miracle power in
alleviating worldly pain?
Is that the Third Princess
calling?
I’ve heard my child’s
tearful voice.
Where is that voice?
Whose voice is it
that sounds so dear?
O Mom!
Although I must suffer
pain for moral causes,
I vow to fulfill
my filial duty.
I’d like to repay the favor
of my parents’ giving
birth and raising me,
and offer my red heart
to save the world
from misery.
Respected nun, are you...
Amitabha Buddha
be praised!
I’m a spiritual practitioner,
a Buddha’s child.
Oh, why am I
in so much pain?
You’re having seizure
again, Your Majesty!
Where is
Doctor Triệu Chấn?
Your Majesty,
Doctor Triệu Chấn
has found the
precious prescription
in Hương Sơn Cave,
but now he is very sad
because he hasn’t found
the wondrous ingredient
to prepare
the effective magic cure.
Is that true,
Doctor Triệu Chấn?
Your Majesties
King and Queen,
I’ve found
the precious remedy
in Hương Sơn Cave,
but now I need
the wondrous ingredient
to make the effective
magic cure.
Respected Doctor,
the ingredient
for the cure is here.
O god!
So it’s exactly
what the deity told me
in my dream.
Are you the...
Respected
Doctor Triệu Chấn,
please invite
the King and Queen
into the inner temple,
then set up the altar
for me to offer
the magic cure
to save sentient beings
from illness.
O fellow
spiritual practitioners!
King Trang Vương
is now seriously ill.
Only a miracle remedy
can cure him.
The precious prescription
is offered
by the famous doctor,
but the ingredients
belong to a true
spiritual practitioner.
Buddha be praised!
The ingredients
are the arms and eyes
of a miraculous nun
with great merit.
As foretold by the deity
in your dream, I’ll offer
my arms and eyes.
O god!
Great master,
you’ve decided to do that?
We shed tears
upon hearing that.
How painful for the body
to shed blood!
We pray that you don’t
have to do that.
O wise Buddha,
please protect a great master!
O brethrens,
please set up the altar.
Light this candle.
I’ll bid farewell
to the world and follow
the Buddha to leave
the ephemeral realm.
Alas!
These eyes were given
by my father.
These arms were formed
in the womb by my mother.
I vow to offer my body
to the world.
Here are my arms and eyes.
Please cut them off
to offer to the doctor.
Oh no!
A spiritual practitioner
dares not commit killing.
Please do not force me
to do such a thing,
great master.
Out of compassion,
I’ll do everything.
I’ll alone endure pain for
the world to be forgiven.
If you dare not do that,
then leave it to me!
O god! Great master!
Great master!
These eyes were given
by my father.
Third Princess, my child!
These arms were formed
in the womb by my mother.
I vow to offer my body
to the world.
Third Princess, my child!
Amitabha Buddha
be praised!
Amitabha Buddha!
Your Majesty,
please go to the inner temple.
I’ll prepare the medicine.
I heard that
the Third Princess
is still alive and dwells
in this temple.
I want to meet her
to verify that rumor.
We want to know
if that report is true.
You nuns won’t talk?
All right, this sword
will make you speak.
Speak!
Third Princess!
I’m getting
the retribution now.
Third Princess!
Oh!
The good and bad
are now clear.
It’s obvious that
“what you sow,
so shall you reap.”
I, King Trang Vương,
didn’t uphold goodness,
thus caused unimaginable
consequences.
Soldiers! (Yes.)
Listen to my order:
Send the two princesses
to the cold pavilion!
O father!
Behead Ngưu Mã
at the execution grounds!
O father!
Have pity on us, father!
Third Princess, O child!
At the gate of goodness,
you’ve attained
full enlightenment.
Of this world,
you’ve fulfilled
your filial obligations.
I shall take you
to the Buddha land.
A true practitioner’s
virtue shines
upon the world eternally.
Tears on a pink lotus
crystalize into a crown.
There was a princess
in a luxurious palace,
who led a life of hardships
and tribulations.
Love unfulfilled,
she wandered
through the world
with a broken heart.
Descending on Earth,
she incarnated as a Buddha,
becoming a precious cure
of a thousand
eyes and arms.
Highlighting
great compassion,
she saved the world.
Vestiges of a Buddha
on the lotus still remain.