Today’s Enlightening Entertainment will be presented in Aulacese (Vietnamese), with subtitles in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Mongolian, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Thai.

In Aulacese (Vietnamese) culture, cải lương (modern folk opera) is a popular theater art that dates back about three centuries, when the flourishing South was a new land. Among those who settled in the South at that time were musicians from the royal palace in the ancient capital Huế. Since then, the kind of ceremonial music often heard in the palace became more widely known among the populace.

Eventually, new songs were composed. Many amateur musical groups were formed, adopting music and song as a form of elegant entertainment. From about 1912 to 1915, the artists of these musical groups began to combine gestures to their songs. Since then, a new genre called ca ra bộ was born. Performers conversed; sometimes a song would be used as dialogue. Ca ra bộ continued to develop to create the theatrical art that is now called modern folk opera.

The orchestra for Aulacese modern folk opera usually consists of the six-string guitar, the moon lute, the pear-shaped lute, two-string fiddle, sixteen-string zither, and monochord zither. The themes of Aulacese modern folk opera highlight humanitarian and moral values. The dialogues are profound, the song lyrics and tunes are rhythmic and rich in melody. These are some of the reasons cải lương (modern folk opera) has an enduring place in the hearts of the Aulacese people.

In the Lunar New Year 2007, during an outdoor gathering with our Association members in Formosa (Taiwan), Supreme Master Ching Hai was moved to spontaneously sing a folk opera song “Spiritual Practice is a Source of Blessing” written by Mr. Viễn Châu, which she knew by heart since her youth. We now invite you to listen to an excerpt of this folk opera song through the voice of Supreme Master Ching Hai.

Kneeling down, she sobs in the main hall of worship
As the temple bell sounds the hour of prayer O young devotee, why do you wish to be a nun?
Finding comfort in the scriptures, and acquainting yourself with spiritual practice?
But how can you achieve enlightenment when earthly traces are still evident on your seasoned countenance?
Are you rid of worldly debt or are still entangled?
Did you renounce the world because glory and fame have lost their appeal and life seems like an abyss?
Or was it because of a fleeting moment of jealousy and distress that you intend to hide yourself behind the temple’s gate to bury your grief and forget your sorrow?

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.

The modern folk opera “A Golden Lesson” was adapted from a Buddhist story. “A Golden Lesson” is an invaluable lesson about the law “what you sow, so shall you reap,” to remind people to be prudent and wise in their action, speech and thought, so that they can enjoy peace and happiness in this lifetime and in the future.

We now invite you to enjoy part 1 of the Aulacese modern folk opera “A Golden Lesson” written by the late Venerable Thích Thiện Hoa. This opera will be presented in 4 episodes, with performances Châu Thanh as King Đột Quyết, Phượng Loan as Second Queen Hoàng Hoa, Tâm Tâm as General Thanh Lan, Khánh Tuấn as General Hoàng Cái, Hữu Tài as Eccentric Elder, Hiếu Liêm as Lý Bá, Bích Thủy as Commander’s Wife, Chiêu Linh as Prince Phương Tùng, Thanh Liêm as Commander, Thanh Phong as Young Man, and other artists.

Thank you for joining us on today’s Enlightening Entertainment. Please stay tuned to Supreme Master Television. Words of Wisdom is coming up. Farewell and we’ll see you again.

Who wishes to get rich? Who wishes to be classy? Who wishes his business to go well? Quickly buy this priceless lesson! Who wishes to excel in literature and fine writing? Who wishes to succeed academically to become a mandarin? Who wishes to achieve title and rank? Quickly buy this priceless lesson! Who wants to enjoy a harmonious married life? Who wishes to have a happy family? Who wishes to be loved and respected by neighbors? Quickly buy this priceless lesson! Who wishes to self-cultivate and accumulate merits? Who wishes to enjoy a good life in old age? Quickly buy this priceless lesson! Buy it now! Buy quickly; otherwise, you’ll regret later. Buy quickly!

O Elder! What are you selling?

It’s a priceless lesson that enables people to achieve whatever they want.

Wow! A priceless lesson. How wonderful! Why don’t you use it yourself?

I’ve used it for myself and it has been very effective.

You’ve used it for yourself? How come you’re still penniless?

Because I don’t want to be rich.

Why don’t you attain academic success to be a mandarin?

Because I don't want to be a mandarin.

Why don’t you have a harmonious family with children to rely on?

Because I don’t want to get married.

You don’t want to have anything at all. You really don’t want anything at all?

I want only one thing.

What do you want?

I want to sell this priceless lesson for worldly people to use. I was born to do only this work.

You must be a crazy old man! Who would want to buy your lesson anyway! People buy rice, paddies, gardens, and houses. Who would buy your priceless lesson? Without your lesson, people still eat and drink well all day long. They still indulge in pleasure, build their homes, and enjoy wealth.

But if worldly people have this lesson, I believe that they will enjoy even more happiness and wealth. Buy it quickly or else you’ll regret.

Do you know who I am?

That has nothing to do with me. Whoever you are, I couldn’t care less. Why should we know each other?

You came to do business in this area but you don’t care to know about me, then your life is over. This area is my kingdom. I give the right of doing business to anyone I wish. Otherwise, you’d better leave this place quickly. If you’re making trouble, I’d beat you to death!

Are you the inspector or the tax collector?

That’s just small potatoes, not worth mentioning! I’m the top gangster in this area.

I thought you meant something else. I don’t even fear the 18-eye toad man, much less the top gangster here. If you’re really so, come on in!

This…this…old man is really bold! How dare you get me infuriated! I’ll give you one stroke of my knife and let you reincarnate.

Ouch!

Son! Don’t try your bullying habit because you think I’m an old man. Before taking the priceless lesson out for sale, I already practiced martial arts for self-defense. I’m not so dim and naive to come here to be bullied by you. I’ll forgive you if you ask.

Look! If I count to three and you don’t apologize, I’ll press this cane down. You’ll be flattened, kid! Listen! One! Two!

I beg you to forgive me! I apologize to you, sir. I won’t dare do it anymore. I beg you!

Attention, everyone! The King is on his sight-seeing tour, everyone must yield his way. Whoever you are or whatever you do, all must immediately stay out of the way. Attention, everyone!

A golden lesson! Buy it quickly, or else it’s too late! A golden lesson! It’s a rare chance!

O Elder! Where are you from? Are you aware of the law of Nhục Chi kingdom? When His Majesty is on a sight-seeing tour, no one is allowed to stand in his way.

I lead a homeless life and will die without a burial ground. I’ve traveled everywhere to sell a priceless lesson. But I haven’t met anyone who realizes its value, so my goal isn’t yet fulfilled. I’m getting older every day, so I’m afraid that the lesson will still be unsold when I die. Today, His Majesty is passing by here; I believe this is a rare opportunity for finding a potential buyer, so I forgot the protocol. Please forgive me, Your Excellency.

Where? What lesson? Show me!

It’s in this bag.

It’s not that easy. If you want to buy it, then pay for it. When money is paid, I’ll give it to you.

Tell me how much that lesson is worth.

A thousand taels of gold exactly.

Are you crazy? I’ve served as a general and a mandar in my entire life. I’ve fought invaders from the North and put down the rebels in the East. I’ve defied death countless time, yet I’ve never had a hundred taels of gold at any time. And today I don’t know what’s in that hand-span bag, yet you asked such a high price for it. A thousand taels of gold! You’re too crazy. All right, you should leave now to yield this way to the King.

What’s the matter, Commander Thanh Phong? Why do we stop here all of a sudden? And this elder is...

The man who has a precious item.

Your Majesty, this old man stands in the middle of the road, selling a lesson that he claims to be very valuable!

A valuable lesson? It must be very good, right?

Your Majesty! Good is not quite correct. I must say that this is the most valuable lesson in the world.

Aren’t you exaggerating? But I pardon you, because normally any merchant would claim that his or her goods are the best.

Your Majesty, I’ve never exaggerated anything in my whole life. I regret that no language can convey correctly the noble value of this lesson, therefore I resort to using the term “priceless lesson.”

All right, I’ll assume that it’s priceless. But since it’s priceless, how can I pay you?

Your Majesty, I only ask for a symbolic payment of 1,000 taels of gold.

You call 1,000 taels of gold a symbolic price! So if it’s sold at its real price, His Majesty wouldn’t have enough to pay you, even if he sells this whole country of Nhục Chi.

Your Majesty! Your Excellency! It’s indeed so. And I believe such a price is not at all high because with this lesson, Your Majesty can build 10 more kingdoms.

Is it really so?

Elder Mandarin! May I trouble you to quickly return to the court on horseback and ask the treasury to release 1,000 taels of gold for me? Then come back here right away.

Your Majesty! Do you intend to…

Leave now, would you!

Order obeyed.

Elder, are you married with children?

Your Majesty, I’ve been all alone since birth.

So, what will you do with 1,000 taels of gold? Whom will you leave it to, especially when your days are numbered now? I’m afraid that not only you won’t be able to keep the gold, but you may get yourself in trouble.

I’m grateful to Your Majesty for your thoughtfulness, but I already have a plan to use the gold from the sale. Please do not be concerned, Your Majesty.

How do you treat me? Am I more special than others?

Your Majesty, you’re at the noblest position in my thinking. That’s why today I came here waiting for Your Majesty to pass by, to sell you the lesson. Because I think that besides you, probably no one is capable of buying this lesson. Other than you, no one can create more goodness from the use of it. If Your Majesty applies it, I’m certain that the benefit will be a hundred fold.

But with the price of 1,000 taels of gold, you truly make it difficult for me.

O Your Majesty! I’m aware that kindness and righteousness is like thousands of gold coins, whereas money is like dust. While living, worldly people suffer because of gold. Yet people can’t take it along to Hades upon their death. I may offer Your Majesty the most valuable lesson in the world, as I’m now like a withering tree approaching my evening when life is as fragile as the morning dew. Dew will fall down when swayed by the breeze and my eyes will be closed when my strength wanes and my breath exhausted. But I think that by offering it to you free or at a low price, you may think little of it. There’s a saying “What costs little is of inferior quality.” So, I’m determined to sell it at 1,000 taels of gold. Only when you spend such amount of money will you treasure this lesson.

All right. I agree to pay 1,000 taels of gold for the lesson. But I’ll pay you in advance 500 taels. I’ll pay the remaining 500 taels, if I find the lesson is good and its application effective.

So you’re not wholeheartedly wanting to buy it? Then please let me go to another place to sell it, since it’s getting late already.

Hold it! You have no respect for me at all! Why are you leaving when the bargain isn’t yet settled?

Please pardon me, Your Majesty. I think if as the King, you value 1,000 taels of gold more than my lesson, then in my position, I also feel sorry for my lesson.

All right. I agree to pay you 1,000 taels of gold. Show me the lesson.

Please pardon me, Your Majesty. There’s a saying, “Pay your money and take your porridge.” I’ll present Your Majesty the lesson after I receive 1,000 taels of gold in full.

You’re really difficult! Don’t you trust me?

Before I answer you, may I ask: Does Your Majesty trust me?

Frankly I’m a little skeptical about the value of the lesson you’ve praised.

If Your Majesty doesn’t trust me, then I’m sorry, how can I trust you? People often trust what the King said, but the King doesn’t honor his words. Therefore, the country crumbles. I think that fairness must be ensured between the King and his people or the two sides must trust each other. If we don’t trust the other side, then don’t force the other side to trust us. And if the two sides don’t trust each other, they’d better apply the motto, “Pay your money and take your porridge.”

All right. I’ll do as you wish.

Your Majesty, 1,000 taels of gold are all in the bag. They’re at Your Majesty’s disposal.

Here is 1,000 taels of gold. Do you need me to send guards to protect you on the road?

Thank you, Your Majesty. I need no one’s help. I’ve learned some martial arts since my childhood, so I can carry hundreds of kilograms. Now, I respectfully submit it for your review! I wish to say one last thing before I leave. Please remember, Your Majesty: A lesson, whatever it is, must be applied to be judged of its value.

I can’t open and read the golden lesson here. Commander Thanh Phong, return to the court!

O beloved wife! I died a wrongful death, thus my spirit isn’t liberated. I now come back in bitterness. Your longing for me grieves me greatly. Face to face now, but we’re as if a thousand miles apart.

So the news from the court is indeed true. You died because His Majesty was too merciless.

O beloved wife! Someone with a wicked heart devised an evil plot to accuse me of coveting the golden throne and ordered people to kill me in the dark night. I’d died in jail. What hatred can be greater than this!

Pain pierces my heart as I hear it. The King mercilessly murdered a loyal subject. His name will be stained for thousands of years.

O beloved wife! I still don’t know why the King was so heartless. I devoted almost my entire life for my country, never once committing an offense, never once thinking of seizing the throne. The word loyalty never faded in my heart. Yet I don’t know why after a few sight-seeing days, His Majesty started the rumor that I attempted to usurp the throne. Despite my trying to explain, the King still had me imprisoned and sent people to take away my life.

I’d never expect this to happen to you. You wholeheartedly sacrificed yourself to protect the country. A loyal subject had to endure a tragic death at the end of his life!

Tell Thanh Lan to raise her sword for vengeance.

Your word is obeyed. I’ll tell our daughter Thanh Lan to dispatch troops to the court to make King Đột Quyết pay for his crime.

If so, I’d feel at peace to be liberated. I bid you farewell now. Farewell, beloved wife!

O beloved husband! My husband was right. What resentment can be greater this! Đột Quyết! Someday you will die by the hands of my daughter Thanh Lan.

Karmic ties should be loosened, not tightened. I tell you in advance that the more you tighten it, the more you’re bound by it. Unfastening it is genuine compassion.

Who are you? Where do you come from? And what is your purpose in telling me these things?

I’m a nameless person from the realm of peace, just passing by here. My words weren’t to disturb you, but to advise: An advice more precious than gold and gems.

So what you said earlier was to advise me to forget my resentment, forget the one who killed my husband and still sits comfortably on the throne.

The loser can’t sleep well; the winner creates more hatred. Forsake both losing and wining, one will sleep peacefully.

Are you sent here by King Đột Quyết? (No.) Once again, I want to know who you are.

I’m the one who comes to talk about the law of retribution that led to Commander Thanh Phong’s death in the prison.

What retribution is it that my husband had to endure, causing his family to suffer separation?

Of all things in the world, nothing comes from nothing; nothing happens without a cause. But due to their ignorance, sentient beings have yet to understand thoroughly, thus they blame Buddha and resent Heaven for not being fair. In fact, life and death, happiness and misery, joy and sorrow which we experience are all created by us.

Then let me ask you. What caused my husband to be imprisoned while he was completely innocent? And he was forced to die a tragic death. What retribution is it that caused us wife and husband, daughter and father to suffer separation and shed tears? Tell me! What caused it?

Since his youth until he became a high-ranking official, Thanh Phong probably had jailed and chained people many times. How many people died by his hands in the battle fields? “A tooth for a tooth” to resolve it. We kill, thus we must be killed.

Don’t be offended but your explanation couldn’t convince me.

As I said, I came from the realm of Peace and Bliss, so I know neither anger nor resentment. If there’s anything that you haven’t understood, just tell me, please.

As a general defending the country, how could he not kill the enemies?

Killing the enemies with the intention to sit at the high position with pride and joy at others’ deaths is different from the act of a compassionate general who drives the enemies away to bring peace to the multitude.

You meant my husband’s killing in the battle fields was for his fame and position?

Such is the cause, so came the retribution from it.

Enough! Don’t talk about it anymore. Leave now! Don’t make me resort to the authority of a Commander’s wife to drive you out.

I’ll leave right away. But before I go, there is something I wish to tell you. “Before you do anything, carefully consider its effect.”

Are you lecturing me? Elder!

In broad daylight, I dreamt of my husband coming back to speak to me and of an old man telling me the law of retribution. Oh, how so confused and worried I am!

O mother! I’m home already!

Thanh Lan, my daughter has returned from the frontier. Thanh Lan!

O mother! At the frontier, I learned that my father died in prison. I just come here to say a few words and then I’ll leave. I vow to kill the ruthless King. Only when he dies, will I feel at peace. I’ll never neglect a child’s filial duty.

I’ve heard the painful story. For a young woman to go to the royal court alone to kill a benighted king, it’s difficult to safeguard her life.

Though a young woman, I’ve been to battlefields, exposed to many dangers. Life and death to me is just a trivial thing.

Oh soldiers from the Western frontier post! I, General Thanh Lan, will head to the court to bring the benighted king Đột Quyết to trial. Everyone, follow me! Let’s head to the court!

What happened after the King’s sight-seeing tour? The King ordered the imprisonment of Commander Thanh Phong, then quietly sent someone to force him into death. The Commander died. His daughter Thanh Lan is a woman general stationed at the Western frontier. Thanh Lan will surely bring her troops here to put the King on trial. Great! Heaven must be helping this Second Queen Hoàng Hoa. The King will die by the hands of General Thanh Lan. By then, my son, Prince Phương Tùng, will succeed the throne. My son will be the King of Nhục Chi.

O mother! What you said yesterday is indeed correct. The royal guards just informed people that General Thanh Lan is mobilizing her troops, preparing to go to the court to find and put Royal Father on trial.

Really? Then smile with happiness, my son, because your days of dreaming are about to end.

What dream are you talking about? The reason I tell you this is for you to inform Royal Father right away so that he can scape disaster.

Phương Tùng! You’re so naive. No wonder your Royal Father didn’t consider you as someone who will succeed his throne later.

I won’t be King, but I’ll still have a happy life. What for are you concerned about?

How could I not? If your Royal Father happens to pass away and you’re not concerned about being King, then the court officials will choose someone else to succeed him. Son, even if you regret, it’ll be too late by then.

I think a king must be a man of virtue and talent, not that anyone can be the king if he wants to. But why are you thinking of this today? Right now, you should quickly arrange for my Royal Father to escape disaster.

Dull-witted! Your words make me more furious. The spite of old is intensified. My heart is burning with hatred and resentment, while you’re so indifferent. The situation is changing. General Thanh Lan will bring her troops back to the court soon. Your father has to pay for what he did. No one else but you will sit on the throne.

How come? Why do you plan on unrealistic things? You make me so worried. I have to find my father to inform him.

Phương Tùng, stop! Don’t you want to be a king while living?

Mother, think no more about winning or losing. You’d be scorned by people and future generations. I’m going to inform my father now.

Phương Tùng! O God! Is this some kind of retribution? Twenty-five years ago, I made someone miserable and bitter. Today, 25 years later, I’m miserable and bitter when I have a son who doesn’t walk the same path. That day, due to my ambition to become the nation’s mother, I betrayed someone to be the Second Queen.

Despite a lovelorn soul watching his beloved leaving for the royal palace per King Đột Quyết’s order.

O Lý Bá! You come to me at the right time. You entered by the same secret tunnel, right?

Thank you for providing me a way to revive our past love, even though it’s only in our old age.

If only you knew what would befall me if that secret tunnel is discovered, you probably would not resent me anymore.

The road leading to our love wouldn’t have to be a narrow, dark, and stealthy one like that tunnel, but instead could be wide open and beautiful. I still remember the past. It doesn’t fade in my heart though it’s been 25 years. In a remote countryside, there were two lovers who vowed to unite in matrimony and stay together until their old age. But Heaven and Earth became stormy when the one I love betrayed me. She was mesmerized by the luxurious palace and the title of Second Queen.

Why mention it when all has passed already? After a long separation, we’re now together again.

You’ve deceived the King, claiming me as your relative so that I could serve in the golden palace.

And our love of yore always remains ardent. We’re apart in daytime, but keep each other company at night.

But I keep feeling worried that the secret tunnel might be discovered.

Supreme Master Ching Hai lovingly sent gifts to the artists contributing to the classical theatre opera “What Came From Heaven is Returned to Earth” broadcast on Supreme Master Television. They expressed their gratitude toward Master’s caring concern.

Actor Nguyễn Diêu Trì as Ngô Thiên:
On behalf of the writers and artists, I’d like to send Master my most sincere gratefulness for providing the opportunity to promote Aulacese traditional art to the world. That is an honor for all the writers and artists.

Actor Huỳnh Văn Tân as Lý Địa:
In the opera “What Came From Heaven is Returned to Earth,” I played a role in it, and we all helped to create the play script. I respectfully send Master my regards. The best of wishes to Master.

Opera actress Mỹ Dung as the Fairy:
I’d like to sing in dedication to Supreme Master Ching Hai an excerpt from the opera “Bidding Farewell to Revered Master.” O revered Master, I now bid farewell to you who lives in the Fairyland. Please allow your disciple to return to Earth. O Master, I now return to Earth. O revered Master, I’ve followed you to practice spiritually all this time. The literature, martial arts, and magical powers that you taught, I’m now well-versed. Now you allow me to return to Earth to visit my parents. I’m leaving at this moment, yet I always remember your favor of teaching me. Thank you, Master.

Opera actress Minh Liễu as Guard:
I wish to dedicate to Master a song about Bình Định, Quy Nhơn.

If you visit Quy Nhơn, stop by the Nhơn Hội Bridge over the Bạch Đằng River.
The long bridge takes passengers across the river.
I stand gazing at the emerald water, longing for you.
Moonlight shines upon the river.
Gentle autumn night with cool breeze and bright moon.
O friend, stop by Quy Nhơn, where ocean waves rise and fall adorably .
Roads open along the shore Shady trees, bright flowers
O Quy Nhơn! Cool breeze, bright moon.
O friend, stop by the glorious land. Stop by to visit the tomb of Hàn.
Stop by Tây Sơn, land of the heroes of old.
O friend! Stop by Hầm Hô. Stop by to visit Quy Nhơn.
O Quy Nhơn, such beautiful sceneries!
A view at the Mount Mister will enthrall every heart.
How I long and wait! Praying God to bring you to Quy Nhơn.

I wish to send my regards to Supreme Master Ching Hai. I’m sincerely grateful to Master.

Musician Đặng Nguyễn Trâm Anh:
On behalf of our group’s musicians and artists, I pray that Master be blessed with peace and safety.

We sincerely thank all the artists and professionals who have been helping to preserve the genre of classical theatre, a valuable ancient traditional art of the Aulacese people. We wish you viewers’ love and support always, with much blessing and good fortune in your daily life with loved ones.

Today’s Enlightening Entertainment will be presented in Aulacese (Vietnamese), with subtitles in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Mongolian, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Thai.

In Aulacese (Vietnamese) culture, cải lương (modern folk opera) is a popular theater art that dates back about three centuries, when the flourishing South was a new land. Among those who settled in the South at that time were musicians from the royal palace in the ancient capital Huế. Since then, the kind of ceremonial music often heard in the palace became more widely known among the populace.

Eventually, new songs were composed. Many amateur musical groups were formed, adopting music and song as a form of elegant entertainment. From about 1912 to 1915, the artists of these musical groups began to combine gestures to their songs. Since then, a new genre called ca ra bộ was born. Performers conversed; sometimes a song would be used as dialogue. Ca ra bộ continued to develop to create the theatrical art that is now called modern folk opera.

The orchestra for Aulacese modern folk opera usually consists of the six-string guitar, the moon lute, the pear-shaped lute, two-string fiddle, sixteen-string zither, and monochord zither. The themes of Aulacese modern folk opera highlight humanitarian and moral values. The dialogues are profound, the song lyrics and tunes are rhythmic and rich in melody. These are some of the reasons cải lương (modern folk opera) has an enduring place in the hearts of the Aulacese people.

In the Lunar New Year 2007, during an outdoor gathering with our Association members in Formosa (Taiwan), Supreme Master Ching Hai was moved to spontaneously sing a folk opera song “Spiritual Practice is a Source of Blessing” written by Mr. Viễn Châu, which she knew by heart since her youth. We now invite you to listen to an excerpt of this folk opera song through the voice of Supreme Master Ching Hai.

Kneeling down, she sobs in the main hall of worship
As the temple bell sounds the hour of prayer O young devotee, why do you wish to be a nun?
Finding comfort in the scriptures, and acquainting yourself with spiritual practice?
But how can you achieve enlightenment when earthly traces are still evident on your seasoned countenance?
Are you rid of worldly debt or are still entangled?
Did you renounce the world because glory and fame have lost their appeal and life seems like an abyss?
Or was it because of a fleeting moment of jealousy and distress that you intend to hide yourself behind the temple’s gate to bury your grief and forget your sorrow?

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.

The modern folk opera “A Golden Lesson” was adapted from a Buddhist story. “A Golden Lesson” is an invaluable lesson about the law “what you sow, so shall you reap,” to remind people to be prudent and wise in their action, speech and thought, so that they can enjoy peace and happiness in this lifetime and in the future.

We now invite you to enjoy part 2 of the Aulacese modern folk opera “A Golden Lesson” written by the late Venerable Thích Thiện Hoa,
with performances Châu Thanh as King Đột Quyết, Phượng Loan as Second Queen Hoàng Hoa, Tâm Tâm as General Thanh Lan, Khánh Tuấn as General Hoàng Cái, Hữu Tài as Eccentric Elder, Hiếu Liêm as Lý Bá, Bích Thủy as Commander’s Wife, Chiêu Linh as Prince Phương Tùng, Thanh Liêm as Commander, Thanh Phong as Young Man, and other artists.

An eccentric elder went to various places to sell a lesson which he called valuable. As the King was passing by on his sight-seeing tour, His Majesty agreed to buy this lesson for 1,000 gold taels. When the commander mandarin discovered that the lesson was actually a very ordinary statement, the King was embarrassed and accused the commander of plotting against the throne. He ordered the commander’s arrest, then sent someone to end the mandarin’s life.

Upon learning of her father’s wrongful death, General Thanh Lan brought her troops back to the royal court to question King Đột Quyết. During this time of instability, Second Queen Hoàng Hoa schemed with her paramour Lý Bá to seize the throne for her son, Prince Phương Tùng.

Thank you for joining us on today’s Enlightening Entertainment. Please stay tuned to Supreme Master Television. Words of Wisdom is coming up. Farewell for now.

It’s me who is afraid. But don’t worry, love. Commander Thanh Phong has died by the hands of Đột Quyết. I heard that his daughter, General Thanh Lan, will bring her troops here to make the King pay with his life.

If Đột Quyết dies, the country can’t be without a king. And you hope that Prince Phương Tùng will become King because the First Queen has no son to succeed the throne, right?

If my son is King, I shall be the King’s mother. By that time, you can come to me without the need for that secret tunnel, but by the publicly recognized way.

I’ve also heard that General Thanh Lan is mobilizing her troops in the Western frontier. Through the tunnel, I hurriedly entered this palace to discuss with you a plan for the future.

A plan? Is it a plan to help Phương Tùng safely become the King of Nhục Chi?

You believe that King Đột Quyết will easily die by the hands of Thanh Lan? You only see the present but not the future. It’s not that easy because you’ve overlooked a great general. That great general is Hoàng Cái, stationed at the Southern frontier.

Thanks to your reminder. now I remember and feel uneasy. I’m afraid that there are many storms ahead. O God! I’ve yet to savor my joy, yet now comes the sorrow. How can I manage it?

Hoàng Cái is a talented general. Thanh Lan is far too inferior in martial arts to resist him and will face utter defeat.

My dream is now shattered. My son is not yet fated to be King.

I believe that after saving King Đột Quyết from General Thanh Lan’s deadly pursuit, Hoàng Cái will stay at the royal palace for a while to safeguard the King. It’s then that you must act according to this plan.

Causing division?

When Đột Quyết has no one to protect him, it’s not too late for you to act.

Great! Absolutely great!

“Before you do anything, carefully consider its consequence.” This old man really deserves to die! I wouldn’t expect him to dare trick me. Such a lesson, yet he dared say it’s priceless, demanding 1,000 taels of gold, and even acting like he didn’t care. How arrogant! He dared say it’s a priceless lesson, when it’s only an ordinary phrase for kids. I’m a king. I’m a king who sits on high, with unsurpassed power. I wouldn’t need this lesson.

As a king, I can bestow life. I can order death. I’m likened to Heaven’s son. My will is God’s will. One word of mine can move rivers and fill up the sea. Why should I care about the consequences? I can have any consequence I want. See! I ordered Commander Thanh Phong’s death because he was the only person who knew of this lesson. An invaluable lesson of 1,000 taels of gold, yet on that piece of paper is just a sentence of vague meaning. Thanh Phong loudly declared that I was tricked. Anyone who insults me cannot be forgiven and must die.

A golden lesson! It’s because of you, I ended one human life. And that person happened to be a high-ranking official. “Before you do anything, carefully consider its consequence.” Commander Thanh Phong is dead. What consequence will come to me? That’s right! General Thanh Lan demands my life to pay for her father’s death. She’s taking her troops here from the Western frontier. Nhục Chi’s capital will become tumultuous. It’s all due to my extremely thoughtless and ignorant act. When anger fires, it turns me into a fool. This lesson is taught here already. Yet I didn’t understand it. It’s too late now to repent.

In the other world, forgive me, Elder Official, for I am a king, yet morally inferior to that of an ordinary citizen who is grateful and kind. I’m a king who thinks only of himself and shamelessly killed a high-ranking official. Now I realize that due to my dull, deranged mind, I let bad karma and a vicious heart take over. I forced a loyal subject to die to cover up my mistake. I’m aware of my mistake, when I grasp the meaning of the golden lesson. Is it too late now to wake up from my ignorance? No.

From now till thousands of lifetimes, mindful living is always miraculous. Be mindful to see the causes and effects, to clearly discern good from bad, and black from white. Awakened, I realize now I was wrong. May I live in peace always. May I walk not in the sea of suffering. May I have compassion, understanding, and love always. “Before you do anything, carefully consider its consequence.” It’s indeed a golden lesson. Had I practiced this teaching, I wouldn’t have to live in fear and anxiety now.

Respected Royal Father, please find a way to escape because at the front gate General Thanh Lan’s troops are beating the drums and waving flags

Royal Son! Go inform the royal family to avoid harm.

All palaces of the inner citadel have closed their doors. I’m concerned for your life, so I hastened here to inform you.

How about the officials and soldiers? Doesn’t anyone wield his sword, stopping the rebels to protect the royal family?

Respected Royal Father, Thanh Lan’s troops are heading to the court, yet the court officials all seem to side with the rebels, letting them blow their own trumpet.

I’ve created all this myself.

I hurried here to inform you, Royal Father. Now I shall go out to check on the situation. Please hasten away to escape bloodshed. I take leave now.

The water has come up to my feet. It’s better to bend than be shattered.

Where are you, Đột Quyết? Turn yourself in! Why isn’t there anyone in sight? Has the benighted King escaped already? Could this be Heaven’s will to help me sit on the throne? I’ll be the Queen. I’ll be the Queen.

“Before you do anything, carefully consider its consequence.” The benighted King ran off; how come he still left this behind? He wanted to teach me or what!

If he truly believed in this saying, he should have taught himself first. He wanted to teach me the law of retribution, while he himself didn’t practice that principle. Besides, this lesson isn’t working. While bringing troops here to put him on trial, I thought only of defense. I didn’t dream of the consequence that I’d sit on the throne. I aimed for one thing yet I was led to another. How can one truly predict the consequence? So why bother to ponder about it?

Let not the next cart tumble like the previous one. Noble Lady Thanh Lan, remember that.

So you haven’t time to escape?

To put it correctly, I didn’t want to be a coward, running away from the effect of my action.

You’re worthy of a king. But you killed, so you must pay with your life. Đột Quyết, watch me cut your head off!

General Thanh Lan! Listen to my explanation.

Don’t try to justify. It’s useless! The throne is waiting for me. The officials are ready to take my order. Benighted King, you must die!

What is it? Whose troops are cheering?

O Royal Father! Rebellious subject Thanh Lan, you dare set foot in this inner palace to constrain my Royal Father? You must have heard the soldiers’ cheering just now?

Royal Son, are there reinforcements?

O Royal Father, it’s good news! General Hoàng Cái has brought his troops back to the King’s rescue. The sky is filled with high-rising flags proclaiming the great cause. It’s a reality, not a dream.

Thanh Lan, did you hear it clearly? Hoàng Cái is unbeatable. Drop your sword; I’ll pardon you. Or else, you’ll find it hard to escape death. Look at the golden lesson again!

The lesson teaches: “Before you do anything, carefully consider its consequence.” Don’t you use the teaching to change my mind! Benighted king! Watch my sword of vengeance.

Noble lady, please lessen your wrath and hatred. Don’t act rashly and commit a royal offense.

Prince Phương Tùng, stay out of it. Or else I’ll kill you both.

General Thanh Lan, stop it!

Oh, the savior is here! My Royal Father will probably be safe now. I must go inform my mother. I’m leaving now.

General Hoàng Cái, thank you for not disappointing me by taking the troops back here to my rescue.

Hoàng Cái! I advise you to let me revenge my father.

Please understand, as a subject, I must be loyal to my lord for my entire life.

One should serve a virtuous king, a saintly lord. This benighted king who killed a loyal subject for no reason is not worthy of your sacrifice.

I wish you’d let me explain, Noble Lady.

Enough! All your pleading is just deceitful words to get you out of danger. To revenge my father, I’ll never walk the same path with you.

But how could you forsake the king-subject relationship? Scornful words will remain generations later.

I’m not a coward who clings to life regardless. I really regret the loss of a loyal and kind subject.

No one knew that upon learning of her beloved father’s tragic death in prison, a general like me who had been to battle fields without concern of life and death, would be tearful and overwhelmed with grief for a deep affection. My father was blamed for attempting to take over the throne and sentenced to death. Would anyone believe in such a groundless accusation to an elderly loyal subject? The unjustified killing has created controversy. An unethical person cannot govern people. A tooth for a tooth, only then will I feel contented. I’ll kill the benighted king and rule over the country.

Thanh Lan, your intention is revealed now: “To kill a benighted king to rule over the country.” It’s obvious that you and your father had planned to revolt.

Before I came here, I didn’t think of it, but I do now.

Thanh Lan, remember the golden lesson. “Before you do anything, carefully consider its consequence.”

Listen to me, everyone! The winner is king, losers are bandits. Don’t speak unreal and vague things hoping to sway my heart to change the situation. General Hoàng Cái, I know that you’re a brave general, acclaimed for your exceptional martial arts. But I must fulfill my filial duty. Even death wouldn’t deter me. So benighted King, defend yourself! Swords have always been indifferent.

Thanh Lan! Do you regret what you did?

No. I have nothing to regret. If today I won, tomorrow your place would be the execution ground and my seat would be the high throne. Now that I’m down and out, do unto me what you wish.

Soldiers! Take General Thanh Lan to the execution ground!

Wait! Take Thanh Lan to the guest house to wait for my order.

Your Majesty! A woman rebel who attempts to assassinate her lord for the throne must serve her death sentence. Such a grave sin must be judged at the execution ground. Soldiers, carry out the order!

Wait! I already told you to take her to the guest house without delay. Take her away!

Your Majesty, my rescue duty has been completed. Now, I’d like to return to the frontier post.

Look! Why are you in such a hurry? Stay with me here for a few days. For your favor of saving my life, I have yet to say thank you. Besides, during this time, I need you by my side very much.

For what, Your Majesty? I think the King is as brilliant as the sun; His Majesty’s judgment is never wrong. Who could be more powerful than the King high above? I’m useless as a subject by your side. Please let me return to the frontier post, O Wise King!

Those were words of reproach, weren’t they? I didn’t treat Thanh Lan the way you wanted. Does anyone realize that deep in my soul I regret the loss of a loyal subject?

Your Majesty needs to punish a rebellious subject without mercy. Please do it for the court’s and people’s sake!

For days, I’ve felt great sorrow.

O Your Majesty, treasuring life is an important virtue of a King. But to eliminate a wicked person is to bring peace to people. That action is actually more meritorious. How do we justify the pardoning of Thanh Lan? I’m anxiously waiting for an answer. I really want to bring the rebel to the execution ground, as it is said that to kill the weeds completely, one must totally pull their roots out. Is it advisable to do otherwise? It’d be too late to regret later.

Do you believe that I’m deeply regretful for the wrongful death of a loyal subject?

Do you mean Commander Thanh Phong, Your Majesty?

Yes. He had always been a loyal subject, who never attempted to seize the throne.

So, why did you kill a person without a justified reason to create hatred and cause chaos in the court?

It all began with an eccentric elder coming from afar, who was selling a lesson worth 1,000 taels of gold. That lesson has but a couple lines: “Before you do anything, carefully consider its consequence.”

Is it that simple, Your Majesty?

I paid 1,000 taels of gold just for that. I was embarrassed at being deceived by the eccentric elder. Only the Commander knew this story, so I silenced him by killing him to avoid people’s mockery.

If Commander Thanh Phong was to live, the truth about the lesson might be disclosed, so Your Majesty killed him and announced that he schemed to take over the throne and deserved the death penalty.

Hence came the story of the General Thanh Lan’s revenge for her father and her thought of sitting on the throne.

Your Majesty, now I understand why you spared the life of Commander Thanh Phong’s daughter. In retrospect, General Thanh Lan isn’t different from you, taking action without considering its effect. The eccentric elder’s lesson is indeed priceless. A thousand taels of gold are not yet comparable to it. If this lesson is taught to the multitude, those who apply it will be at peace, the country will be prosperous, happy and peaceful. From now on, we should keep this lesson in mind so as not to make any mistake in our lives.

Kind official, you worry too much. It’s not so difficult to memorize such a short phrase.

Because it’s so simple, we make light of it and do not pay attention.

I think memorizing it alone is not enough. The most important thing is to put it into practice.

Yes. One must practice it. Speech and action must go together to bring good results. Your Majesty, in the beginning, the best way to make the lesson always noticeable by everyone is to have it written on all items.

Great! It’s a great idea! I must order to have it carried out immediately in this royal palace.

Yes, it must be put into practice right away.

I didn’t expect that Hoàng Hoa is so faithful. She quietly had this secret tunnel built so that she and I could revive our love of old. King Đột Quyết almost doesn’t visit her palace anymore, making it so desolate.

Excuse me. May I ask you something?

Who are you? Why are you coming to this royal garden?

You probably know Commander Thanh Phong in the court?

He was a great mandarin, but he already passed away.

I’m his wife. I don’t know what he did that the King had him imprisoned and beheaded. In resentment, my daughter disregarded her role as a woman, brought her troops here for vengeance, but she hasn’t returned home since. I’m worried that she may be harmed.

I thought you’re a stranger, but we’re acquainted. For your peace of mind, Thanh Lan is now safe in the court.

My daughter is safe in the court? How is that so? She has forgotten to take revenge for her father and lives happily with the murderer?

You seem to still nurture hatred in your heart?

I thought my daughter has already fulfilled her father’s wish and her mother’s earnest plea to kill King Đột Quyết by all means.

Obviously, your vengeful spirit is so mountain-high that you defy death to speak your mind even if you’re in the royal court?

I wouldn’t come here if I was afraid of death. And if for some reason, my daughter has been convinced by the King, I wouldn’t give up the revenge.

Could it be God’s will?

Sir! What do you mean by that?

To be honest with you, I’m a confidant of Second Queen Hoàng Hoa, presently residing in the court. Second Queen also harbors the same hatred and is determined to get rid of King Đột Quyết. If you agree to lend a hand, then your vengeance can be soon fulfilled.

It’s probably the Commander’s miraculous spirit that helps arrange our meeting here. So what should I do for my husband’s spirit to be happy and liberated?

Currently, Noble Lady Thanh Lan is put to good use by the King, and she always obeys General Hoàng Cái. You just need to advise Thanh Lan to turn against them, poison Hoàng Cái, and kill the King. The country of Nhục Nhi will be without leaders. By then, you’ll have been avenged and live your whole life in glory.

Where is my daughter now? I need to see her.

All right, I’ll help you.

Upon learning of her father’s tragic death, Thanh Lan courageously mobilized her troops and was determined to take revenge. Now what made her accept to be a dim light obscured by the shining evening star of Đột Quyết?

O Mom! Why don’t you stay home to wait for my return? Instead, you traveled long distance alone, undergoing much hardship to reach the court.

Waiting for your return or waiting for me to languish from anxiety because of no news from you?

I bow to you, Mom! Please forgive my grave sin. I’ve inadvertently let you long for me. But, Mom, it’s all because...

Because of the temporary bit of vain glory that you’ve forgotten your great responsibility: to kill the enemy to please your father. And you were unfilial, causing me to feel heartbroken.

Please let me explain, Mom.

I’ve heard it all already.

You unfilial child!

O Mother!

Thanh Lan! Did I hurt you very much?

No. O Mom, slap me more. I feel no pain at all.

If it doesn’t hurt, why are you shedding tears?

In my childhood, whenever I made a mistake, you spanked me gently, but I felt pain, because you were full of vigor then. Now, you’re getting old, your strength has waned, so you slapped me, yet I felt no pain. O Mom, I love you so much! I realize that someday you’ll leave me forever. Momentarily overcome by sorrow, I shed tears. My tears are for you, not for me.

I pity my daughter who never neglects her filial duty. Yet, I’ve doubted her dutifulness. O Thanh Lan, I’m anxiously waiting. Turn your piety into action. Don’t just talk about it and make me suffer.

Can you forget it, Mom? The past has gone, please don’t bring it back. Is there anyone who doesn’t make a mistake?

So, they have poisoned your mind.

O Mom! It’s not so.

O God! I’m surprised that you’ve changed your heart so quickly. We’re weighed down by a family enmity, yet you have the heart to let me shoulder it all alone.

Pity me, O Mom! I never wanted you to stay awake late at night in sorrow all by yourself. It’s just that I have realized: one cannot avoid retribution, if she still follows the wrong path. I’m still alive, thanks to the King’s practice of the golden lesson. My father had unfortunately passed away. We cannot change his fate. Killing the King wouldn’t bring my father back to life, but you and I will only create more hatred. The golden lesson is indeed priceless, One who practices it enjoys lasting peace and happiness.

Today’s Enlightening Entertainment will be presented in Aulacese (Vietnamese), with subtitles in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Mongolian, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Thai.

In Aulacese (Vietnamese) culture, cải lương (modern folk opera) is a popular theater art that dates back about three centuries, when the flourishing South was a new land. Among those who settled in the South at that time were musicians from the royal palace in the ancient capital Huế. Since then, the kind of ceremonial music often heard in the palace became more widely known among the populace.

Eventually, new songs were composed. Many amateur musical groups were formed, adopting music and song as a form of elegant entertainment. From about 1912 to 1915, the artists of these musical groups began to combine gestures to their songs.

Since then, a new genre called ca ra bộ was born. Performers conversed; sometimes a song would be used as dialogue. Ca ra bộ continued to develop to create the theatrical art that is now called modern folk opera.

The orchestra for Aulacese modern folk opera usually consists of the six-string guitar, the moon lute, the pear-shaped lute, two-string fiddle, sixteen-string zither, and monochord zither. The themes of Aulacese modern folk opera highlight humanitarian and moral values. The dialogues are profound, the song lyrics and tunes are rhythmic and rich in melody. These are some of the reasons cải lương (modern folk opera) has an enduring place in the hearts of the Aulacese people.

In the Lunar New Year 2007, during an outdoor gathering with our Association members in Formosa (Taiwan), Supreme Master Ching Hai was moved to spontaneously sing a folk opera song “Spiritual Practice is a Source of Blessing” written by Mr. Viễn Châu, which she knew by heart since her youth. We now invite you to listen to an excerpt of this folk opera song through the voice of Supreme Master Ching Hai.

Kneeling down, she sobs in the main hall of worship As the temple bell sounds the hour of prayer O young devotee, why do you wish to be a nun? Finding comfort in the scriptures, and acquainting yourself with spiritual practice? But how can you achieve enlightenment when earthly traces are still evident on your seasoned countenance? Are you rid of worldly debt or are still entangled? Did you renounce the world because glory and fame have lost their appeal and life seems like an abyss? Or was it because of a fleeting moment of jealousy and distress that you intend to hide yourself behind the temple’s gate to bury your grief and forget your sorrow?

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.

The modern folk opera “A Golden Lesson” was adapted from a Buddhist story. “A Golden Lesson” is an invaluable lesson about the law “what you sow, so shall you reap,” to remind people to be prudent and wise in their action, speech and thought, so that they can enjoy peace and happiness in this lifetime and in the future.

We now invite you to enjoy part 3 of the Aulacese modern folk opera “A Golden Lesson” written by the late Venerable Thích Thiện Hoa,

with performances Châu Thanh as King Đột Quyết, Phượng Loan as Second Queen Hoàng Hoa, Tâm Tâm as General Thanh Lan, Khánh Tuấn as General Hoàng Cái, Hữu Tài as Eccentric Elder, Hiếu Liêm as Lý Bá, Bích Thủy as Commander’s Wife, Chiêu Linh as Prince Phương Tùng, Thanh Liêm as Commander, Thanh Phong as Young Man, and other artists.

Please join us next Thursday for the conclusion on Supreme Master Television.

An eccentric elder went to various places to sell a lesson which he called valuable. As the King was passing by on his sight-seeing tour, His Majesty agreed to buy this lesson for 1,000 gold taels. When the commander mandarin discovered that the lesson was actually a very ordinary statement, the King was embarrassed and accused the commander of plotting against the throne. He ordered the commander’s arrest, then sent someone to end the mandarin’s life.

Upon learning of her father’s wrongful death, General Thanh Lan brought her troops back to the royal court to question King Đột Quyết. During this time of instability, Second Queen Hoàng Hoa schemed with her paramour Lý Bá to seize the throne for her son, Prince Phương Tùng. Regretting his wrongful action toward the Commander and realizing the value of the golden lesson, the King decided to remain in the royal palace, accepting the consequence before General Thanh Lan.

Fortunately, General Hoàng Cái returned in time to the King’s rescue. The King granted Thanh Lan clemency and ordered to have the lesson engraved everywhere so that all citizens could practice it together.

Thank you for your company on today’s Enlightening Entertainment. Please stay tuned to Supreme Master Television. Coming up is Words of Wisdom. We bid you farewell.

Why do you keep mentioning that lesson? What does it say?

“Before you do anything, carefully consider its consequence.” We can’t run away from the consequence.

I’ve once heard those words in my dream. Should I believe in that lesson? But regardless of the outcome, Thanh Lan, I want you to lend the Second Queen a hand to kill the King and get rid of General Hoàng Cái.

Mother!

If you disobey me, I’ll bite my tongue to end my life.

Don’t, O Mother!

All right. I’ll die right here to please you.

O Mother, I agree.

I already told you. What we can’t accomplish today, we’ll continue tomorrow. Why do you keep arguing with me? It’s almost the third watch, and I have to rest.

Respected Mother, I just need to engrave the golden lesson right here, and that’s it. I need to engrave it here, close to you so that you can see it easily.

It’s just words. Yet the King and General Hoàng Cái over-emphasize it.

It’s done, Mother. Let me tell you this. Not only in your chamber that the golden lesson is engraved on everything, but even in my room and those of the officials in the court and of people all over the country, everywhere must be engraved with this phrase as a reminder.

Those words are lecturing everyone. The more I see them, the more I’m irritated. The egg is never wiser than the duck anyway. What’s the purpose to have that lesson engraved everywhere?

You don’t seem to be happy at all.

And you’re very happy, right?

How could I not, Mother? Thanks to this lesson that Lady Thanh Lan’s life was spared by my father. Thanks to this lesson that the court officials are no longer hating each other. And General Hoàng Cái also agreed to stand side by side with the King to look after national affairs.

On the contrary, those are the things that inadvertently stamp out my heart’s craving in the evening of my life. I want you to be King.

If you can’t put competitiveness out of your mind, I advise you to memorize the lesson which everyone is practicing.

That golden lesson? Due to ignorance, people believe in it, thus the King remains as a king forever. Don’t be blind and foolish to follow the deceitful way.

Desires have blurred your vision from following the bright path, and thus you’ve forgotten about tomorrow.

O foe! You keep going against my will. If you refuse to walk the same path as mine, mother and son would have to part.

O Mother, why talk about separation to rend my heart? “Even birds long for the trees when leaving the forest.” It’s manifold pity for a child to be abandoned by his mother. Disobeying my mother, I’m indeed an unfilial son. But if you taught me to be kind, righteous, loyal, and to abstain from unvirtuous ways, I’d bow my head to adhere and wouldn’t dare sadden and upset you. I can’t just turn a blind eye when you’re wrong without a single word of advice.

Go away! Phương Tùng! Get out quickly! What a foe and ungrateful son! Leave me alone to do my work!

I accept your reprimand, but please leave the court alone in peace, Mother.

Go away! Go back to your room to ponder the golden lesson to continue being an undutiful son. Go! Go now!

The citadel’s drum already sounds the third watch. Why hasn’t Lý Bá shown up yet? Has someone detected the tunnel leading to this chamber from the royal garden?

I’m here.

You made me so worried waiting for you.

I had to wait until the third watch to come near the tunnel entrance.

Why?

Need you ask? I’d be in trouble if someone was watching.

What? Who’s watching you? Has it been discovered?

I’m not sure yet. But we should be cautious of General Hoàng Cái. He seems to be suspicious.

What? General Hoàng Cái knew about it?

I told you that nothing is obvious yet. He’s probably just suspicious.

It’s already dangerous that he feels suspicious. What to do now?

We just have to be cautious. But there’s nothing to panic about.

What do you have to do to protect me? As long as I still live with this secret affair, my life is as if being hung by a thread. I’m like sitting on fire, unable to eat or sleep well. I’m a nervous wreck at any slightest commotion. Why do you look so dumbfounded? We can’t give up, waiting for the disaster to strike, can we?

Of course, we’re going to find a way, and we must escape this blind alley quickly.

But how can I escape it when I’m just a Second Queen? Although leading a life of material comfort in the palace, I’m powerless. I can’t even decide my love life which has been going on stealthily in fear each night.

I’m not any different! There were nights as I sat listening to the night herons’ calling out in distress, I suddenly found myself shedding tears. I cried for myself and for you as well. What a tragedy we must endure!

Every time the northwesterly wind brings chill, I see myself in the mirror with more gray hair and realize that I’m getting old. Springtime comes and goes. Yet my fate is still bound to this luxurious tomb. Even if it’s the most splendid tomb in the world, it’s still a cage of confinement. Alas! It’s just a dream to become the King’s Mother, yet it’s so unreachable.

Once set out, we must follow the course. Deep inside, I’ve never wanted to become someone who deceives his king and betrays his lord.

Lý Bá, what are you talking about? Are you going to abandon me amidst the storm?

O Hoàng Hoa, what could be happier than old love being revived? Yet my worry of our affair being exposed is many thousand times greater, for the termination of our three families would be unavoidable. Knowing that you’re not favored by the King and have been lonely in your chamber, I was heart-broken. In pity for an old flame, I came here only to express my regards. Unexpectedly, I was bound by the thread of love and fell into this dilemma now.

No! We must move forward. Lý Bá, promise me, my love. Once riding a tiger, one cannot dismount.

Realizing that, I’ve planned in advance.

This humble person Thanh Lan would like to present herself to Your Majesty.

Lý Bá, what is this all about?

Respected Queen, King Đột Quyết feigned compassion and granted me pardon. He had me stay in the court for the rewarding feast. I know that it’s just a game of deception. So I still feel pained whenever I think about my aged father dying in prison.

I know that General Thanh Lan hasn’t yet forgotten her resentment. She’s still determined to revenge despite being pardoned. To have someone to join forces with you, I brought Thanh Lan here through the secret tunnel. With her help, the success of your grand plan will definitely be secured.

You two conspire to usurp the throne; aren’t you afraid of getting beheaded as the consequence? Look at the golden lesson: “Before you do anything, carefully consider its consequence.”

Your Majesty, I’ve thought a lot about this lesson which is engraved by the King’s order on all items in the court as well as in the public. It’s just a scheme to protect his throne of power.

I want you to elaborate further.

If everyone is afraid of the consequence of her deeds, no one would dare think of eradicating an obstacle for her own benefit. Hence, the obstacle remains forever.

It’s indeed so. A hypocrite! Hypocrisy it is! But once the obstacle is cleared, the benefit belongs to me or you?

I’m well aware of my status. I can’t compare myself to the Second Queen and Prince Phương Tùng.

Very good! I have high trust in you. Lý Bá, when can we carry out our plan to cause division between General Hoàng Cái and the King?

After we leave, you should do this.

Did you hear knocking on the door?

Yes I did, Your Majesty.

Something is going on. Retreat now by the tunnel!

Who is it? It’s you, General Hoàng Cái?

Your Majesty, please pardon me for disturbing your peace at late night. But I was informed by an intelligence report.

Intelligence report? What kind of report?

The report said that an intruder often appears lurking in the royal garden around the third watch near your palace. For your safety, the King has ordered to protect you strictly. Whatever place looks suspicious, I have the right to search for the intruder.

That’s why you dare to disrespectfully knock on my door and search my palace. You adhere no more to the limit of a subject.

It’s not exactly so. But while on duty, I happened to pass by and heard whispering in here, so I wanted to find out.

That’s right. There was whispering. It’s from me. I often talked to Commander Thanh Phong at night.

But Commander Thanh Phong is dead already.

He came back from the underworld, lamenting distressingly: O people, I had an untimely death! Give me back my life. King Đột Quyết, give me back my life! Oh, how exciting it is! How hilarious to see closely what he engraved everywhere! Look at it! He advised and threatened me at the same time. Follow it to be wiser. Study it! Remember it by heart. Remember to chant it diligently: “Before you do anything, carefully consider its consequence.” Here! He engraved it. It sounds honey-sweet. But I will destroy it all. I’ll destroy it all!

Second Queen, how come you turned like this all of a sudden?

You killed me unjustly, so I’ll return to destroy everything. “Before you do anything, carefully consider its consequence.” Here’s the consequence!

There’s trouble in the Western Palace!

You scream to scare me? I’m already a ghost. Who can do anything to me that I should be afraid of?

There’s trouble? What trouble? Mother! How come my mother is like this?

Your Majesty, I was talking to Second Queen, suddenly she cried and laughed like a mad person, and she broke all items engraved with the golden lesson.

You people visit me? Have a seat on the floor!

Why did you talk in such a way before my Royal Father?

Second Queen is indeed mentally deranged.

Is she really so?

Your Majesty, you can tell by looking at her behavior and her wild eyes.

I’ve broken everything engraved with that terrible lesson. Bring other items here for me to use, but remember not to engrave the lesson on it. I don’t like it.

She’s mentally deranged, yet speaks intelligently like a sane person.

Generally, deranged people can either be foolish or very clever.

A foolish insane person is forgivable. But a lunatic who is smarter than normal people is often very dangerous and must be controlled.

Your Majesty, she should be treated, actually.

You’re Second Queen’s relative. In your opinion, how can she be cured?

Your Majesty, mental illness may stem from different reasons. It may be caused by rising heat in the head or a result of being possessed. Second Queen was a healthy person but suddenly became insane, then she could be pestered by a bad spirit.

I’m Commander Thanh Phong who rides on the wind and enters this body to disturb the King.

Oh god! How did my mother become insane? Please find her a cure, Royal Father.

If she’s ill, there’s a royal doctor to treat her. Don’t worry, Your Highness. She’ll be fine.

What did Second Queen just utter? Which Thanh Phong possesses her?

Have you forgotten already this man’s name?

Are you the Commander?

Give back my life!

Your Majesty, it’s obvious that Second Queen has gone insane from being possessed by the spirit of Commander Thanh Phong.

Can the royal doctors cure this illness?

Your Majesty, it’s all impossible.

So, what should I do?

Your Majesty, before coming to serve in the palace, I learned to cure spirit-possessed illness. To help the royal family, I’d like to take over the task of eradicating the bad spirit.

I accept it.

O spirit of untimely death! I’ve realized that you’re enraged by injustice. You could have burnt up the entire citadel and its palaces. But now that I’m here, I forbid you from wreaking such havoc. You must give up your plan of assassinating the King. All right then. I’ll ask the King to build a shrine for you in the back of the palace where incenses will be burnt day and night. But you must not leave that place to go disturb the palace again, understand? Good.

Whom did you talk to? Why build a shrine to worship Second Queen? She’s still alive here.

Your Majesty, here is the mirror. Please look into this spirit-revealing mirror to know whom I was talking to. This person is not a stranger to you.

What? Commander Thanh Phong. Oh god!

Your Majesty, I now have no place to live, and I’m very miserable. Please help me, Your Majesty!

I’m sorry, Commander. I’ve repented since that day. But I don’t know how to atone for my mistake. Once a person dies, he’s gone forever. You probably understand why I forgave General Thanh Lan. As for you, I promise to build a shrine and a tombstone.

Your Majesty, I hope you would think about this matter thoroughly. Don’t rush to a decision. I’d like to express my thought.

Why don’t you agree with it while everything is so crystal clear, General? My mother has become mentally ill due to a bad spirit.

Hoàng Cái! You want me to be a wandering homeless forever? All right. If you’re still in the royal palace, I’ll destroy the King’s nerves.

Get out!

Prince Phương Tùng, please take Second Queen to her room to rest. I’ve driven the Commander out of her body.

I’d like to take leave, Your Majesty.

This is dangerous! I could very well end up like Second Queen. My good subject, do you know why the Second Queen destroyed all items engraved with the golden lesson?

Your Majesty, she didn’t. It was Commander Thanh Phong who did it.

Why did he do that?

Your Majesty, the Commander resented the golden lesson. It was because of that lesson that he lost his life. Besides, that lesson isn’t so valuable that you treasure it so much.

What did you say, beloved Lý? The lesson is of no value? Why is it so?

Please pardon my straight talk before I dare tell you everything.

Go ahead, tell me.

Your Majesty, the lesson that you bought from the old man at such a high price, is actually a mediocre one. It’s just for children and uneducated people to memorize for fun without true benefit. For the King who sits on high to rule over people, it’s not worthy as the golden standard to be engraved everywhere in the court.

Have you heard that cause and effect are like a person and his shadow? That is recorded, passed on, and taught by the scriptures. Should I believe in and practice it?

Your Majesty, someone who can control the ghosts and demons is unaffected by the law of retribution. Like myself, I’m capable of turning water into fire, rocks into rice, and controlling the wind at will.

Can I learn that magic?

Your Majesty, to help you secure your throne forever, I’m willing to impart the method to you.

From now on, you’re allowed to frequent my palace to teach me this skill.

At your service, Your Majesty.

In this world, if there’s prosperity there’s decline; if there’s union, there’s separation. Auspicious or calamitous events are ephemeral. Good or bad fortune is self-created. Do not be close to those who offer you unstable friendship. Being too close and too long to someone will breed contempt. When the King treats his subjects with courtesy, they respectfully repsond. If the King treats his subjects without regard, they must keep away. I’d like to take my leave now.

Eccentric Elder! Thanks to your golden lesson that Nhục Chi has become prosperous. We’ve met again not for long, why do you leave me? I’m afraid that the country will be in peril.

There are four self-destructive things in the world: First, if a tree bears too many fruits, its branches will snap. Second, a poisonous snake will inflict itself with its own poison. Third, an unvirtuous servant will be harmful to the country. Fourth, one who commits bad deeds will go to Hades after he dies. Thus, Buddha said: A vicious person will eventually harm himself. It’s like iron that forms rust. That rust will in turn destroy the iron itself.

I realize that my thinking is still shallow. My giving credence to fallacious words and slander causes you to leave.

Your Majesty, there are four things a wise person should not believe in: First is the ill-wishing friends. Second is the flattering and disloyal subjects. Third is a wicked wife. Fourth is unfilial and ungrateful children. You shouldn’t use those types of people: Ill-wishing friends always cause harm; corrupted subjects harm the country; a wicked wife often destroys the family; unfilial children always bring sorrow to their parents.

Your teachings are jeweled words. Anyone who hears them would be enlightened. Unable to keep a wise and virtuous person, I can’t be happy and at peace.

There are eight things that bring happiness. I hope that Your Majesty will remember well: First, people love and esteem enlightened monks. Second, teach people to be dutiful children. Third, be humble toward the higher and lower in social ranks. Fourth, learn to be compassionate and gentle. Fifth, help those in need of food and shelter. They’ve met with pressing destitution and are waiting for compassionate hearts. Sixth, forget ourselves and think of the unfortunate. Seventh, impose mild taxes and encourage frugality. Eighth, hatred should be relinquished, not augmented.

Remember by heart these eight pieces of advice. As stated in the scripture, Buddha said: Make good merits; sow good seeds with good thoughts. Help the poor and those in need. Thus, we can enjoy peace and happiness life after life. Meeting you again this time, I have only those words. If we have enough affinity, I’ll see you again. I shall take leave now.

Today’s Enlightening Entertainment will be presented in Aulacese (Vietnamese), with subtitles in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Mongolian, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Thai.

In Aulacese (Vietnamese) culture, cải lương (modern folk opera) is a popular theater art that dates back about three centuries, when the flourishing South was a new land. Among those who settled in the South at that time were musicians from the royal palace in the ancient capital Huế. Since then, the kind of ceremonial music often heard in the palace became more widely known among the populace.

Eventually, new songs were composed. Many amateur musical groups were formed, adopting music and song as a form of elegant entertainment. From about 1912 to 1915, the artists of these musical groups began to combine gestures to their songs. Since then, a new genre called ca ra bộ was born. Performers conversed; sometimes a song would be used as dialogue. Ca ra bộ continued to develop to create the theatrical art that is now called modern folk opera.

The orchestra for Aulacese modern folk opera usually consists of the six-string guitar, the moon lute, the pear-shaped lute, two-string fiddle, sixteen-string zither, and monochord zither. The themes of Aulacese modern folk opera highlight humanitarian and moral values. The dialogues are profound, the song lyrics and tunes are rhythmic and rich in melody. These are some of the reasons cải lương (modern folk opera) has an enduring place in the hearts of the Aulacese people.

In the Lunar New Year 2007, during an outdoor gathering with our Association members in Formosa (Taiwan), Supreme Master Ching Hai was moved to spontaneously sing a folk opera song “Spiritual Practice is a Source of Blessing” written by Mr. Viễn Châu, which she knew by heart since her youth. We now invite you to listen to an excerpt of this folk opera song through the voice of Supreme Master Ching Hai.

Kneeling down, she sobs in the main hall of worship
As the temple bell sounds the hour of prayer O young devotee, why do you wish to be a nun?
Finding comfort in the scriptures, and acquainting yourself with spiritual practice?
But how can you achieve enlightenment when earthly traces are still evident on your seasoned countenance?
Are you rid of worldly debt or are still entangled?
Did you renounce the world because glory and fame have lost their appeal and life seems like an abyss?
Or was it because of a fleeting moment of jealousy and distress that you intend to hide yourself behind the temple’s gate to bury your grief and forget your sorrow?

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.

The modern folk opera “A Golden Lesson” was adapted from a Buddhist story. “A Golden Lesson” is an invaluable lesson about the law “what you sow, so shall you reap,” to remind people to be prudent and wise in their action, speech and thought, so that they can enjoy peace and happiness in this lifetime and in the future.

We now invite you to enjoy the conclusion of the Aulacese modern folk opera “A Golden Lesson” written by the late Venerable Thích Thiện Hoa,
with performances Châu Thanh as King Đột Quyết, Phượng Loan as Second Queen Hoàng Hoa, Tâm Tâm as General Thanh Lan, Khánh Tuấn as General Hoàng Cái, Hữu Tài as Eccentric Elder, Hiếu Liêm as Lý Bá, Bích Thủy as Commander’s Wife, Chiêu Linh as Prince Phương Tùng, Thanh Liêm as Commander, Thanh Phong as Young Man, and other artists.

An eccentric elder went to various places to sell a lesson which he called valuable. As the King was passing by on his sight-seeing tour, His Majesty agreed to buy this lesson for 1,000 gold taels. When the commander mandarin discovered that the lesson was actually a very ordinary statement, the King was embarrassed and accused the commander of plotting against the throne. He ordered the commander’s arrest, then sent someone to end the mandarin’s life.

Upon learning of her father’s wrongful death, General Thanh Lan brought her troops back to the royal court to question King Đột Quyết. During this time of instability, Second Queen Hoàng Hoa schemed with her paramour Lý Bá to seize the throne for her son, Prince Phương Tùng. Regretting his wrongful action toward the Commander and realizing the value of the golden lesson, the King decided to remain in the royal palace, accepting the consequence before General Thanh Lan.

Fortunately, General Hoàng Cái returned in time to the King’s rescue. The King granted Thanh Lan clemency and ordered to have the lesson engraved everywhere so that all citizens could practice it together. Moved by King Đột Quyết’s compassion, Thanh Lan put aside her past enmity to join the court in taking care of national affairs. On the other hand, she secretly followed and served Second Queen Hoàng Hoa. Meanwhile, the Second Queen conspired with Lý Bá to feign insanity in order to be saved by him. Witnessing this, the King asked to learn exorcism spells with Lý Bá. Knowing that the King was on the wrong path, the Eccentric Elder appeared to advise him.

We thank you for your presence on Enlightening Entertainment. Words of Wisdom is coming up next. Please tune in on Supreme Master Television next Thursday for the Aulacese film entitled “A Woman’s Wits” by playwright Nguyễn Đông Thức. Farewell for now.

Eccentric Elder! I’ve just dreamt of Eccentric Elder who sold me the golden lesson. He came to me, then left. He’s taught me many things on dealing with people. Between the Elder’s teaching and Lý Bá’s magic, which should I continue to practice?

Your Majesty.

There you are, Commander’s Lady. How were you able to get in here without my permission?

Your Majesty, knowing that I’m eager to see Your Majesty before returning to my palace, Second Queen told the royal guards to let me in.

So that’s what it is! I thought after a few days visiting Thanh Lan, you already returned to the palace. Do you need to see me for something important? And what are you holding in your hand?

Your Majesty, I haven’t planned to go home until today. Thanks to Your Majesty that my daughter’s life is spared. Your clemency has made me respect and love you even more. May God and Buddha bless the King with longevity to bring prosperity, peace, and happiness to all. And here, with my heartfelt esteem, I wish to present a miracle medicinal herb. It’s a life-enhancing herb passed down by my ancestors which will help Your Majesty gain an optimistic outlook.

Thank you for your thoughtfulness. I’ll always remember this true love, and this miracle herb I’ll take now. Actually, thanks to the lesson taught by the Eccentric Elder that Thanh Lan’s life was spared. I’ve had the golden lesson engraved everywhere. You can see its presence here : “Before you do anything, carefully consider its consequence.” And here, the miracle herb you offer, I’ll take with my respect and gratitude.

Wait! Please stop, Your Majesty. Why?

Because it’s poisoned.

So you...

Your Majesty, this criminal would like to kneel at your feet to say words of repentance. A thoughtless moment darkened my mind with an attempt to kill Your Majesty to revenge. Before, my mind was obscured by a murky cloud. The cloud shrouded my nature of compassion, forgiveness, and love. So I’d always wanted to kill Your Majesty to revenge. I just wanted to alleviate my anger, without thinking of the consequence. Yet when I saw those engraved texts, my heart was suddenly stirred with anxiety. I’m like someone who has awakened from a dream and saved herself from committing a crime.

Royal guards!

Wait! I implore Your Majesty for your great mercy to spare my mother’s life. My father’s death has left my mother in loneliness. Her heart is still aflame with hatred from the loss of her husband which has resulted in this situation. I’ve exhausted my explanation that animosity should be erased. My mother wouldn’t listen and so ended up committing a serious crime. Please forgive her, my Lord. I’ll be deeply grateful to you.

Honestly, all this time, I’ve longed for the day I could set out on the hundred-mile journey to your palace to see you and express my remorse for killing a loyal subject. Now that you’re here, it’s also a good arrangement. Let’s forget our enmity all this time so that hatred won’t keep accumulating and animosity can come to an end.

I’m so happy that Your Majesty has declared the pardon so that mother and daughter can be reunited.

Thanh Lan is indeed a filial daughter, who has advised her mother to return to the righteous path.

O Thanh Lan, I’m thankful to my dutiful daughter. My hatred is now dissolved, my suffering has also dissipated.

The lesson engraved there is very precious. We should practice it wholeheartedly.

Great! Great! I and everyone should wholeheartedly practice it so that this world becomes Paradise. All right, Lady Thanh Lan, see Elder Lady off to her palace, but only for a certain distance, as you must return to the court to help me with many things.

Order obeyed, Your Majesty.

I’d like to take leave, Your Majesty.

What a golden lesson! A few words were enough to make people change their nature. How wonderful it is! So wonderful!

Long live Your Majesty!

Oh dear! We’re not at the court; how come you act so formally, adhering to rituals like that? Now, stand up, beloved subject! It seems you’re not happy; is that right?

Your Majesty, officials have been concerned lately. They know not why you haven’t been to court.

So that’s what it is. I was following the teacher’s instruction to seclude myself to learn exorcising spells. I’ve neglected court meetings, making others worried. I’m fully at fault.

A royal garden caretaker, who once was a poor homeless man brought in by Second Queen to serve in the palace, has suddenly become the King’s teacher.

Beloved subject! Don’t be narrow-minded like that. To someone who shows us beneficial things we should not be concerned of his background and should respect him as teacher. That’s a human virtue.

The world is full of wickedness, and it’s hard to discern black from white. Who’s worthy of being a teacher? Who’s half-witted? If we don’t know for certain, a person’s real identity should be researched carefully. If one believes in corrupt practice, his suffering is due to his mistake, which ruins his life.

You sound so bitter. You seem to be suspicious of something? Tell me so that I can feel at ease.

O Your Majesty, Damamuka Sutra has taught us: Even a bird would seek another branch when the one on which he lands shatters. One should not hold on to a decaying branch. If a person has an unrighteous and muddled mind, ignoring the law of retribution, forsaking good for evil, we shouldn’t follow to serve in order to avoid trouble later. Although our relationship is deeper day by day, I wish to go back to the frontier post so that Your Majesty could learn the lesson not yet understood.

General Hoàng Cái! What’s the matter? What happened? I want you to explain to me thoroughly.

Is it right to neglect the court affairs? Can one be called Wise King if he forsakes the righteous path for evil practice?

Beloved subject! Are you implying Taoist Lý Bá? You yourself witnessed his skills in exorcising spirits. Obviously, Second Queen has been cured of her illness. It’s so clear, and you’re still skeptical?

O Your Majesty, over the past few days, I’ve wondered if I should reveal a plot and expose those who are stirring the calm lake.

Someone is stirring up a calm lake? You make me feel uneasy, hearing this metaphor. Who’s behind this scheme? Is it a plan to usurp the throne? Who is that?

Because of fame and rank, someone dares play with fire, slighting the golden lesson.

Tell me, beloved subject! Who is that “someone?” Who dares play with fire and spurns the golden lesson?

That is Second Queen who commits adultery with Lý Bá. They even plan to sit on the throne.

Hoàng Cái, you shouldn’t tease people for fun. How could Second Queen commit adultery with Lý Bá and scheme against me? Why would a member of the royal family create animosity? You should watch your words; let not our relationship be severed!

If you don’t believe me, order the guards to have four horses pulling apart my body.

Oh god! Can it be true?

To discern black from white, please wait until the third watch tonight. You’ll realize what is real and unreal.

All right, I’ll wait until the third watch.

Let’s continue to have a toast to celebrate a dynasty about to collapse.

Please! After General Thanh Lan eradicates Hoàng Cái, a mighty tiger, I’ll act quickly as I’m close to the King. Without a leader and talented general, the successor of throne is no one else but Prince Phương Tùng.

By then, please don’t forget this miserable servant. I vow to look upon the new king and his royal mother as a haven for the rest of my life.

From now on, you’re considered an official of merits. If this great plan is soon materialized, then the most meritorious person is none other than Thanh Lan, a worthy female general, who knows to change her course at the right time and realizes that Prince Phương Tùng, my son, deserves to be the King of Nhục Chi.

What about your Lý Bá? Doesn’t he deserve to be at the top with you to make up for those days in hardship? He needs but a humble post for his effort in changing history.

But until today, I haven’t yet understood how did you have the spirit-reflecting mirror? How did my father’s image vividly appear on it? You even called the spirit to possess Second Queen’s body.

Our great plan is almost attained, so I’ll disclose it to you. It was just a trivial trick.

This trivial thing was all drawn up by me. I devised the deceitful play.

But the skillful acting belongs to me. You only played a supporting role. And how pitiful for Commander Thanh Phong! He was dead already so couldn’t know anything.

Then who laughed and cried by turns?

Who else but me?

The spirit-reflecting mirror was probably another game of deceit.

That was done by me. I hired someone to draw Commander Thanh Phong’s image on it. I just needed to quickly shout “Appear!” and could easily trick Đột Quyết.

O Commander Mandarin! If your spirit is indeed miraculous, please help me eradicate King Đột Quyết and General Hoàng.

So that you’d be the King’s royal mother, and I will... ... be a lifeless corpse after being executed, for you’ve committed a serious offense by colluding with Second Queen to set up a disgraceful game in the royal palace.

Stop there! O wicked ones, don’t try to escape in my presence!

So, you’ve pretended to follow me and Second Queen in hopes of this day. Oh god! I’ve miscalculated the plan.

It’s you who disclosed the secret tunnel at the Royal Garden. That’s how Hoàng Cái and the King could come here from the back palace. Heaven has ruined me by sending you as an enemy.

I’m indebted to the King who once compassionately spared me the death sentence and helped my mother to become a good person again. Repaying favor and kindness is the morals of a grateful heart.

This is cause and effect. Sowing wicked seeds will reap suffering. Heaven’s net is immense, yet nothing slips through. Even if you regret it now, it’d only enrage people more.

For the crime the Second Queen and that deceitful man committed, they deserve the death sentence at the execution grounds tomorrow.

Your Majesty!

Enough! I don’t want to hear any pleading from a lustful and wicked woman who covets high position and a dishonest man who dares deceive the King with evil tricks. Your words are just sweet talk which sounds tender and kind, but your heart I know now. You’re just the honey-tongued and vicious-hearted ilk. I want to govern with virtue and grace, using the golden lesson as the national tenet. I only want this country to avoid upheaval and suffering. If everyone realizes the law of cause and effect, how can bloodshed be possible? I’ve disseminated the golden words everywhere, why didn’t you practice? If the death of two people wakes up many thousands of people, it certainly is a good admonition. Take these two criminals to the death row awaiting their trial tomorrow! Carry out the order!

Your Majesty!

His Majesty presides over the execution grounds! Bring the two criminals to the execution grounds!

Second Queen! Lý Bá! Before beheading you two to set an example for everyone, I allow you to speak your last words.

If I say anything now, they’re just remorse. I regret that I didn’t realize the value of the golden lesson. Alas! My mind was too obscured by desire for honor and wealth that I forgot the law of retribution.

It wasn’t for wealth and position that I engaged in disgraceful and dangerous acts. If there weren’t a separation in the past, I wouldn’t have tarnished the palace with slander and deceit.

A separation? What separation was it in the distant past?

It was Your Majesty who caused the separation of lovers so that a person at this end longed for his beloved at the other end.

Don’t contrive a nonsensical tale in hopes of a pardon for your serious crime.

No. Those were words buried deep within an embittered heart for the past 20 years. When I was a young girl living in the serene countryside, love blossomed. Lý Bá and I exchanged our vows of faithfulness.

But the two lovers were torn asunder. Per a royal decree, the country girl Hoàng Hoa ascended the palanquin to go to the court.

I understand now the story of an unfulfilled love of which I was the cause. What happened today is result of that. A bad seed was sown, how can the fruit be good?

So the cause of their crime has already taken root since long ago. Lý Bá is a pitiful man. Please reconsider it, Your Majesty.

And the Second Queen’s love being revived was perhaps fated after all.

But for people to not take lightly the golden lesson, I sentence Lý Bá and Second Queen, so that people believe in the law of retribution. Headsman, execute the order!

Wait! Don’t hasten to act, headsman. Please take pity on a member of the royal family, O Father. The world tomorrow will be brighter without the sound of mourning. Please use love to wipe away the tears of sorrow. O Royal Father, let not the stream of love be obstructed.

After several days and nights in the dark cell facing your own shadow, you must have repented. I’ve tried to stop you many times, yet you still secretly committed the crime. Now you probably feel tormented, and I feel extremely disgraced as well.

Tomorrow, the earthly world will become a Paradise; peace and happiness reign everywhere. All are smiling and compassionate because they practice the ten good deeds.

Headsman, how did you know to speak these words? Who are you?

I’m the Eccentric Elder who sold the King the golden lesson not too long ago. I was permitted by the King to enter the forbidden palace. I disguised as the headsman at this place, so that I could say a few words about the Buddha’s teaching. The teaching of Tathagata has always been the Truth since ancient times. Regretfully, worldly people don’t practice it and thus suffer life after life.

Your Majesty, what’s going on?

Somehow, the Eccentric Elder was able to enter my palace. With earnest request, he returned one thousand taels of gold to the royal family and asked to be the headsman at the execution grounds in order to expound the teaching. I accepted his request, and quietly arranged everything. Therefore, this awkward situation is happening now.

O Elder because I belittled your lesson, I now must be beheaded as the consequence.

Though I must die, I’ll always remember that lesson so that it will make me a wiser person in my next life.

If I’m not mistaken, this Eccentric Elder is an enlightened sage. With sincerity, we’re awaiting the teaching from a very wise man.

Apparently, His Majesty and all of you truly believe in the golden lesson now. It means you believe in the law of cause and effect. May I ask Your Majesty to pardon the two criminals so that everyone can sit around me to hear to what I have to say?

Lady Thanh Lan and General Hoàng Cái, please untie Second Queen and Lý Bá.

If this world will be happy and peaceful tomorrow, it’s all because everyone understands and loves one another. Then hatred and killing will exist no longer. So right now, let us turn the execution grounds into a Pure Land. Your Majesty and everyone, please be seated and listen to me.

If there is hatred today it’s because we didn’t practice goodness in the past. We competed for gain and fame, thus now trouble arises as we meet again. Today, cut off all bindings of retribution, forget our hatred from our past lives. As the cause of killing is stopped, tomorrow will certainly brim with peace and joy.

What you mean is that I should pardon Second Queen and Lý Bá?

Everyone fears the sword. All like to live on. Thus, we should put ourselves in another’s shoes. Kill not and ask not others to kill.

Respected Eccentric Elder, but the offense of usurping the throne definitely provokes anger from people.

“That person slanders me, beats me, harms me, and steals from me.” If one harbors such thought, hatred can never subside. “That person slanders me, beats me, harms me, and steals from me.” If one can drop that thought, hatred will be nullified naturally.

Respected Eccentric Elder, I’m only afraid that people with a wicked heart cannot cast it aside.

In this world, hatred can’t erase hatred, only compassion can. That is the law since time immemorial.

The Buddha’s teaching is indeed infinite. From now on, I’d like to learn and practice it.

Royal Father has spared your life.

I not only spare her life, but also allow the boat of yore to return to the olden pier. From now on, Lý Bá and Hoàng Hoa are free to live together, and I consider you both as members of the royal family.

We’re grateful to the Eccentric Elder and Your Majesty a thousand fold.

Buddha’s teaching is miraculous! It has helped the ignorant return to the path of righteousness.

After all, you should remember: Of all things, the mind is the forerunner; the mind is chief. Everything is made by the mind. If we talk or act with an impure mind, suffering will follow us like the wheel following the animal that draws the cart. If we talk or act with a pure mind, happiness follows us like our shadow.

Shakyamuni Buddha be praised! The golden lesson: “Before you do anything, carefully consider its consequence.”

Supreme Master Ching Hai sent gifts and her love to the artists contributing to the modern folk opera “A Golden Lesson,” broadcast on Supreme Master Television. They expressed their appreciation for her caring concern.

Editor Chơn Tâm Tịnh:
Respected Supreme Master Ching Hai, First, I wish Master good health and would like to thank Master for your gift. May Buddha bless you with abundant health on your path of spiritual teaching. Yours truly, Chơn Tâm Tịnh

Bích Thủy as the Commander’s Wife:
I am Bích Thủy. Master’s love for us is boundless. Your gift is a great honor to me. I think that I must have some affinity with Master, so I’m very happy. We have been vegetarian for tens of years. I vowed that under any circumstance, I’d pursue this lifestyle and encourage many people to be vegetarian, to uphold goodness according to Master’s ideal so that they will feel light and carefree in spirit. Being veg is very precious because it reduces the killing sin; it’s beneficial to health and the environment. From the time of their being raised to being killed, animals endure a lot of suffering.

In the past, when my husband, Hữu Tài, had heart disease, his doctor told him to eat less salty meat and fish to curb his illness. He thought, why eat meat, just eat vegetarian, like vegetables and fruits, and probably the illness would subside. And it was indeed so, Master. After eating vegetarian for about a month, he felt very light. Then gradually, he recovered completely. So I became vegetarian as well.

Now, thanks to being veg, I work without feeling tired. In the past, after working all day in the studio, I’d come home, lying down exhausted, although we worked in an air-conditioned studio and didn’t do any hard labor. Now, we’re old but we work till late at night, then we come home, do the laundry, cook, eat and drink, yet we don’t feel tired at all. Seeing the effectiveness of our vegetarian lifestyle, many artists also like to try it. Some people have been vegetarian for a few years. Some try to be vegetarian certain days of the month.

I’m very happy, Master. I pray that everyone will eat vegetarian like Master advises, to reduce suffering in this world. With all sincerity, I respectfully wish Master good health and beauty always. I am Bích Thủy. Respectful greetings to viewers watching Supreme Master Television broadcasting worldwide. Let’s Be Veg, Go Green 2 Save the Planet!

Hiếu Liêm as Lý Bá:
This is a great honor for me in particular and for Thanh Nga theatre company in general that Master from abroad is concerned about us. I would like to thank Master and wish Master abundant health.

We’d like to sincerely thank all the artists and professionals contributing to the modern folk opera “A Golden Lesson,” that our viewers have enjoyed on Supreme Master Television. Due to time limitation, we will continue to send you more warm words of sharing from the artists on next week’s program. We wish you and your family all the best of blessings in the love of Buddha and Heaven.