Today’s Enlightening
Entertainment
will be presented in
Aulacese (Vietnamese),
with subtitles in Arabic,
Chinese, English,
French, German,
Hungarian, Indonesian,
Japanese, Korean,
Malay, Persian,
Portuguese, Russian,
Spanish, and Thai.
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,
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 Thumbelina
in the Bamboo Tube”
is based on an Aulacese
folk tale about
the tender affinity
between a prince and
a country young woman.
This opera is a reminder
that marriage and status
in this world are in
accordance to God’s will
and that only kindness
and mercy can change
people’s hearts,
resolve calamities,
and bring happiness and
peace for the multitude.
We now invite you
to enjoy the conclusion of
the modern folk opera
“A Thumbelina
in the Bamboo Tube”
by playwright Bạch Mai,
with performances by
Thanh Thanh Tâm as
Little Thumbelina,
Vũ Linh as the Third Prince,
Thoại Mỹ as
Princess Ngọc Lan,
Minh Tiến as
the First Prince,
Vân Hà as
First Princess Consort,
Chí Linh as
the Second Prince,
Hồng Nhung as
Second Princess Consort,
Đức Lợi as King,
Bạch Mai as Queen,
Hồng Tơ as Eunuch 1,
Bạch Long as Eunuch 2,
Bạch Lan as Fairy,
Hữu Huê as General Tạ,
Ngọc Lan Hương as
Divine Mother,
Châu Thanh Hoàng as
Heavenly Senior Lord,
Hoài Linh as Minister,
Đức Vinh as
General Commander,
Huyền Nga and Hoa Mỹ
as Princesses,
Hiếu Cảnh and Thái Sơn
as Sở’s Generals,
and other artists.
The modern folk opera
“A Thumbelina
in the Bamboo Tube”
was recorded
many years ago; hence
the audio-visual quality
is not as perfect
as the original.
Please accept
our sincere apologies.
In previous episodes,
Kim Đồng and
Ngọc Nữ transgressed
against heavenly laws;
thus the Divine Mother
exiled them to Earth.
Fairy Ngọc Nữ
was born into a poor
farming family,
with a diminutive stature
and deformed appearance.
Kim Đồng reincarnated
as the Third Prince
of the Minh nation.
When the King held
an assembly to select
a wife for his son,
the Third Prince was not
pleased with anyone
and in turn enraged
Princess Ngọc Lan of Sở.
The King decreed
that within one year
the Third Prince
must find a spouse,
who would be promised
the title of First-rank
Princess Consort.
The First Prince
and Second Prince,
together with their wives,
plotted to help the Princess
marry the Third Prince;
in exchange,
they hoped to gain
half of the Sở’s territory.
As for the Third Prince,
in a dream he met
a beautiful young woman
by the name of
Little Thumbelina.
Upon waking,
he decided to find
the beloved in his dream.
On the long journey,
he stopped
to have some watermelon
to quench his thirst.
When the Prince
wanted to reimburse
the owner of the garden,
he looked around
but couldn’t see anyone.
He could only hear
instead the clear voice
of a young woman.
That was
Little Thumbelina,
the melon garden’s owner.
Due to their
predestined affinity,
the Third Prince became
immediately enamored
with her.
He brought her back
to the palace to present
to his father the King.
Keeping his promise,
the King conferred
Little Thumbelina
as First-rank
Princess Consort.
However,
the two Princess Consorts
implored the King
to allow culinary
and sewing contests
to determine the winner
worthy of His Majesty’s
conferment.
Little Thumbelina
sincerely prayed
to the Divine and finally
received assistance.
We sincerely thank
all the artists and
professionals who
contributed to the opera
“A Thumbelina
in the Bamboo Tube,”
broadcast on
Supreme Master Television.
Due to time limitation,
we will continue with
their cherished words
of sharing
on next week’s program.
Traditional musician
Lâm Nghĩa will specially
perform solo on
the zither the song
“Drums in the Night,
Missing the Beloved”
in dedication to
Supreme Master Ching Hai.
This is the first of
Aulacese folk opera
songs, composed by
Mr. Cao Văn Lầu
in 1919.
We wish you and
your family peace
and blessing in the love
of Buddha and Heaven.
May the precious
modern folk opera genre
keep developing
to exalt noble values in
the hearts of all people.
Thank you for watching
today’s Enlightening
Entertainment.
Please stay tuned
to Supreme Master
Television
next Thursday
for the Aulacese film
entitled “The Eyes
of Prince Kunala,” based
on a Buddhist legend,
by playwright Kim Thoa.
Coming up is
Words of Wisdom.
Farewell for now.
The robes
by the Third Prince
are beautiful!
His Majesty and
the Queen arrive.
How beautiful!
The royal robes
are exquisite.
No one at the Minh court
could sew that well.
Third Prince’s wife
is worthy of
the conferment.
What else do my
daughters-in-law wish to say?
Your Majesty,
Third Princess Consort
will indeed deserve
the title if she also
possesses elegant beauty.
Please call
for a beauty contest.
I’ll happily yield to the
one perfect in all skills.
Just kill me instead of
plotting troubles.
Good God,
a beauty contest!
Don’t torment me anymore!
Third Prince, son!
It’s about time
your wife shows herself.
What makes you worried?
Her humble origin
is excused,
but the First-rank
Princess Consort must
let everyone look at her.
Looking at her,
goodness!
That’s not all.
Royal Father and Mother,
I’ve received news
from the frontier.
Sở’s King has just
declared war.
They’ve dispatched
troops to Minh state
to engage in fighting.
Let me see it!
Woe to us!
Princess of Sở accompanies
her powerful army
and generals to Minh
state to wage war,
demanding us to turn
Third Prince in to her.
No! I’d rather lose the
kingdom than my son.
How can we have
the heart to risk
Third Prince’s life?
I already knew
he’d get in trouble by
rejecting the princesses.
What do we do now
to save Minh state
from calamity?
How heart-rending!
How anguishing!
My people suffer
because of me.
I’d rather die
to repay all favors.
It’s because
you were so picky.
Now the vassal state
is attacking us.
Third Prince must be sent
to the border.
No!
I can’t let Third Prince
head to the battlefield,
when he’s never
ridden horses
or handled swords.
You three are
of the same parents.
How can you think of
such a risky plan to
sever your brotherhood?
Don’t you feel tormented?
Is that out of love for
the nation and people,
or rivalry for the royal title?
I’m still here, yet
you siblings are at war.
Brothers destroy
one another because of
selfishness and greed.
To fight off aggressors,
there are martial mandarins.
Enjoying
the King’s merits,
they have a duty
to protect the country.
Why submit your brother
to be a target
for bloodshed?
You should feel ashamed
to your country and
unworthy of being human.
Please lessen your anger,
Royal Father.
It’s Sở state that asks
for Third Prince, not I.
I’m also saddened
for my brother.
But who knows?
Sở may withdraw its
troops upon seeing him.
Will they withdraw troops
or Minh’s empire
beget disaster if
Third Prince refuses
to requite the love of
a vassal state’s princess?
Will Third Prince
end the war or Minh state
grieve his death?
A tree grows three branches.
If the branches fall off,
so do the leaves
and flower.
Can you two be happy
when brothers
are separated?
What are you scheming
by proffering him?
Siblings who
don’t love one another
are worse than animals.
As learned people,
how can you
neglect familial bond?
Your words are
golden rules imprinted
in a wrongdoer’s heart.
We vow to be filial
and righteous.
As a woman, I dare not
decide on a warfare issue.
Royal Father and Mother,
I’m very grateful
for your understanding
of my plight.
Second brother worries
for our nation’s well-being.
I didn’t take care
of my marital status,
so Minh state is in trouble,
as Sở hastens
to dispatch troops here.
May I go alone to
the border, using virtue,
talent and kindness
to make peace?
I can’t let you
risk your life.
Don’t let a bamboo
mourn its shoot.
If you don’t accept
my plea,
I’d rather take my life
to fulfill my duty
to my country.
Third Prince!
If you’re determined,
I’d have to give in.
I’ll provide you
one hundred thousand
soldiers.
That is a waste of our
troops, Royal Father.
I’m a literary man
not used to
commanding an army.
My wife and I
will use kindness
to persuade them.
Who knows?
With God’s mercy,
we can end the war.
Third Prince, son!
I wish you safety
at the frontier.
How I pity my child
as he endures
much bitterness!
I’m tormented,
thinking of your fate.
I love you for being
selfless and loyal.
I wish you luck
and victory.
May people live in peace.
I wish you success
and a return
to our loving family.
I now take leave for the
frontier to make peace.
To the battlefield
for a talent match.
A hero flinches not
from danger to cleanse
his disgrace of old.
I travel a thousand
leagues on horseback.
Belittled by Minh state,
I’ll give them a lesson.
We’ll duel at the
battlefield with swords.
Our troops have arrived.
Quickly tell Third Prince
to surrender.
Soldiers! (Yes.)
Besiege four citadel gates!
Whoever the gate guard is,
call Third Prince out to
face Princess Ngọc Lan
and General Tạ.
I thought it was
someone else, but it’s
Princess Ngọc Lan
and General Tạ.
What animosity
causes you to invade
the great Minh state?
It’s a life and death matter,
yet you still try
to be clever.
You’re indifferent
to the princesses
and choose a lowly
person as your wife.
I consider that disgrace
your debt to me,
so I led the army here
to ask for a settlement.
If you’re talented,
come out here.
Otherwise, give yourself up.
What is your title
in Sở, Sir?
I’m Grand General
Tạ of Sở.
I’ve heard of you.
Your fighting skill
is unmatched.
But Sở and Minh have
never had any animosity.
Why then wage war,
bringing only misery
and death to the people?
I appreciate
your righteous words,
but as a loyal subject,
I’m determined
to bring back victory
for my country.
Talk no more of gratitude
and upset further a victim
of ungratefulness.
Infatuated with
a country girl,
you turned down the
vassal state’s princess.
This disgrace
I’ll never forget.
I now take revenge.
Surrender quickly,
Third Prince!
May I have a few words
of advice.
Have compassion,
Princess of Sở;
withdraw your troops
for people’s safety.
I heard
a young woman’s voice.
Is that
Third Prince’s spouse?
Gently speaking,
you try to persuade Sở.
If you wish no bloodshed,
meet my two conditions.
First, you must
defeat General Tạ.
Second, I’ll deploy troops
in a battle formation.
If you wish for peace,
disrupt my combat
disposition,
then I’ll accept defeat.
May I confirm,
Your Highness?
If I fulfill your conditions,
you’ll keep your words.
An upright person won’t
go back on her words.
Thank you! I’d like to
speak to General Tạ.
I’m here!
What have you to say?
I’ve heard that
General Tạ is not only
highly talented,
but also unmatched
as a strong eater.
You’ve heard of
my reputation,
what’s your plan?
I have just a small rice pot.
If Your Excellency
can finish it,
we’ll accept to be
your vassal state,
and give Third Prince up
to Princess of Sở.
Yours will be
the great nation.
Bring the rice here now,
and I will show you.
Today, Sở will become
a great empire.
Meeting me,
you’ll lose badly.
Soldiers!
Take the rice pot
to General Tạ.
This tiny rice pot!
She’s indeed showing off
her axe before
a master carpenter!
Please enjoy,
Your Excellency!
Fine, leave it to me!
How come the rice
is still there, General?
Don’t worry, Princess.
It’ll be empty eventually.
Let me eat.
How do you feel,
General?
I’m so full! Devil’s
magic is at work here.
Quickly!
Deploy the troops,
Princess!
Soldiers! Form
a combat disposition.
Third Prince, use the
gold hairpin to nullify
her combat formation!
The warriors see death
everywhere.
Separated from family,
they sorrow greatly.
Do you have the heart
to kill?
Alas! How heart-rending!
Change your mind.
Go back quickly
to reunite with family!
At home, your parents
are missing their sons,
your wife and children
awaiting you.
Let your blood not spill
in a foreign land.
Feel for your wife
and children
if parted from you.
O God, I’ve been
to many perilous battles
and never flinched
from spears or arrows.
Yet now I must painfully
accept defeat,
and drop my swords.
Obviously, fairy’s magic
can’t be underestimated.
Kill me then!
I’m at the end of my rope.
Sở will be ruined
and filled with tears.
Such a talent like you
shouldn’t go to waste.
The two nations
will be allies.
We will be good friends.
Your noble words
make me feel ashamed.
I blame the two
princess consorts for
not being kind to family.
Please explain
what you just said.
What did my sisters-in-law
scheme to do?
I’m worried that
the court is in trouble.
The Princes and
Princess Consorts
are self-centered.
This is the contract that
says I’ll divide my nation
in half
if Little Thumbelina’s
life is ruined,
as they said
she’s a demon
disturbing the palace.
Now that I have met you
and understood,
I’d like to present
Third Prince
this signed agreement.
I didn’t expect my
siblings to be wicked.
I’m grateful
to Your Highness for
revealing this treachery.
Our Royal Father
will judge this matter.
May I ask Princess
to help revive General Tạ
and the soldiers?
Your Highness,
how is the battle?
General Tạ,
Third Prince and
Princess Consort
are highly talented,
and also mercifully
set us free.
In that case, great Minh
country and ours
will be at peace;
we’ll be your lesser state.
We now withdraw troops
and forever remember
your favor.
We’ll sign
a surrender letter and
make a yearly offering.
May you have a safe trip
home. Let us
uphold righteousness
and wait for
our mutual relations.
The two countries now
rejoice in an alliance.
Never to worry.
We loath to part and wish
to exchange our thoughts.
Our nations
and people are in peace.
May the two countries
never compete
for supremacy again.
Great heroes
don’t deceive each other.
Your kindness, my
people will remember,
and I’ll never forget.
We bid farewell;
may we meet again.
Neighboring states
will be in harmony.
Royal Father and Mother!
Thanks to your grace,
victory is achieved.
I hereby present
Sở’s surrender letter.
Let me see! My Queen!
Really?
Third Prince, son! (Yes.)
You’ve never learned
combat skills.
How can you achieve
such a feat of arms?
That feat of arms
doesn’t belong to me,
as I am incompetent,
but to Little Thumbelina.
Who is
Little Thumbelina?
She’s the country girl
whom I married.
She’ll present herself
to you today.
All right!
General Commander!
Convey my instruction:
Invite
the princess consorts
to the beauty contest.
Yes, Your Majesty.
First and Second
Princess Consorts,
please present yourselves.
We respectfully greet
Royal Father and Mother.
Be at ease.
First and Second
Princess Consorts
are very beautiful.
Third Prince,
you should bring
Little Thumbelina here.
Yes, Royal Mother.
O Little One!
Our sisters
are so beautiful.
I don’t know what to do.
Royal Father and Mother
told you to come in.
I’m worried and clueless,
Little One.
My love,
did you forget already?
The fairy gave us
instructions: Pour this
nectar water on me,
and you’ll witness
something incredible.
Ah! I almost forgot.
Let me loosen
my sleeves,
and you can step out.
I’ll use the magic water
to change you.
Slowly or I will tumble.
O Little One!
I now sprinkle
the nectar water on you.
If it doesn’t change you,
we’ll die together.
O Little Thumbelina!
Miss, why are you here
in my palace?
Sweetheart Thumbelina,
where are you?
My beloved Prince,
I’m Little Thumbelina.
Rejoice
at our happy marriage.
Our difficult time is over.
Sweetheart,
come with me.
Your daughter-in-law
respectfully greets
Royal Father and Mother.
Please forgive my
being hidden for so long.
This is Little Thumbelina
from the humble village,
whom I married.
She’s like a fairy
from Heaven!
Lovely, charming,
and elegant!
I’m elated to have a
virtuous daughter-in-law.
Today, Little Thumbelina,
Third Prince’s wife
is present.
Let me hear the result
of the beauty contest.
Royal Father and Mother,
Little Thumbelina
is truly lovely
like the Moon Goddess.
To this beauty, even
fairies must give way.
She’s worthy to be
First-rank Princess Consort.
I’ll make a judgment
based on your words.
Third Prince’s wife is
First-rank Princess Consort.
I prostrate in gratitude.
Long live Royal
Father and Mother!
The contest is completed.
I now will judge
the disloyal subjects.
First and Second Princes!
Two Princess Consorts!
How dare you collude
with Princess of Sở
to heartlessly
turn over Third Prince
to procure
half of Sở state?
Royal Father and Mother,
what proof is there to
indict me for disloyalty?
Who is so heartless
and selfish as to
falsely accuse us?
I’ve already lost
shamefully three times.
Now we’re even accused
of turning Third Prince
over to our enemy.
Quiet!
Look at the proof here!
Woe to us!
Here’s my judgment:
First offense: colluding
with Princess of Sở
is an act of high treason.
Second offense: signing
an agreement to turn over
your brother
to procure half of Sở
is an immoral act.
Third offense: proffering
your brother to war
to be killed by Sở
is an inhumane act.
Three offenses are now
exposed.
Have all four of them
chastised by the law!
Father, please!
Have great mercy
and forgive
my brothers’ mistake.
We’ve been together
all this time.
It’s painful to be separated.
I’ll be in agony seeing
my brothers’ blood shed.
Please have pity to spare
the lives of our brothers
and their wives.
I won’t forgive them,
As their hearts are wicked.
Please allow me
to take their place.
Let us die together.
Listening to your
righteous appeal for us,
I feel overcome
by brotherly love.
Due to greed,
narrow-mindedness,
and wrongful desires,
I bring disaster
upon myself.
My sin is mountain-high,
unpardonable
by the nation’s law.
I beg Royal Father and
Mother to forgive us.
Being unfilial,
I make you sorrowful.
Even if I must die, I dare
not utter a complaint.
O Third Prince,
it’s too late
for me to repent.
Selfish and greedy,
I’ve fallen morally.
Forgive me,
my younger brother.
I’ll pay for my sin.
O Second brother,
let it all pass.
Father and Mother,
please grant the pardon.
What happened
didn’t harm our country
but helped
unite our family.
Such a kind heart makes
a shining example.
I feel ashamed as a woman
in the royal family.
Wealth will change,
but love lasts forever.
I must reap the fruit
of my action.
Righteousness and
goodness are reserved
for the kind-hearted.
Pondering over
my shameful deeds,
I blame no one,
but wish only to repent.
Please be generous
to forgive us,
Father and Mother.
Please forget
what just happened,
younger brother and sister.
In tears, I respectfully
beg Royal Father
to keep our family intact.
Royal Mother,
please pity me
as I will be sorrowful,
if I can’t repay a great favor.
My two brothers
and sisters
have already repented.
Mother, sever not
our family bond.
My plea has reached
the heavens.
Even a tiger does not eat
her cubs.
Your Majesty,
have compassion
and not sentence them.
A King’s words
are resolute.
Court officials also
witnessed their offenses.
We kneel in front
of Your Majesty,
to beseech you
to pardon them all.
Since all court officials
plead for you,
I’ll spare you
the death sentence.
We’re grateful,
Royal Father.
But you must go
to the royal shrine to light
incense for three months
to redeem your mistake.
Order obeyed.
The Third Prince is
both virtuous and wise;
he’ll succeed my throne
to preside over the court.
Royal Father!
You and Little Thumbelina
will rule with kindness
and loyalty
to save our people.
My Queen!
Be at their side
to give advice,
so I can peacefully retreat
to the temple.
Royal Father!
Your Majesty! (My Queen!)
Let me go with you
to the mountain
to practice spiritually,
and sow good seeds
for the future.
Our young children
need your help.
Family attachment only
begets more sorrow.
My heart is torn to pieces
seeing you leaving.
The palace
will feel desolate.
I’m in tears to part
with my loving father.
I’ll follow the virtuous way
and help my brother
take care of our country
and people.
And share the burden.
We’ve already repented;
why part now?
I thought we could enjoy
Father’s love forever.
Alas! The palace will be
devoid of your sight.
I care not for
glory and wealth,
and will find joy in the
sound of the wooden bell.
Royal Father!
My Queen!
Your Majesty!
Royal Father!
Supreme Master Ching Hai
sent gifts and her love to
the artists and professionals
contributing to
the modern folk opera
“A Thumbelina
in the Bamboo Tube,”
aired on Supreme Master
Television.
They have expressed
their gratitude
for Master’s kindness.
Playwright Bạch Mai
of “A Thumbelina
in the Bamboo Tube”
shared as follows:
Amitabha Buddha
be praised!
I’m Bạch Mai,
the playwright
of “A Thumbelina
in the Bamboo Tube,”
which Master
has commended.
I’ve received
Master’s gifts.
I sincerely and
respectfully thank Master.
I’d also like to say
that I have researched
extensively on the subject
of Buddhas, saints
and sages.
If Master has any topic
relating to Buddhism,
please kindly send and
I’ll write the screenplays,
then ask the artists
to perform and record
for Master to share
the Truth teachings
to Buddhists.
I respectfully wish Master
abounding health
and eternal longevity;
it’d be our blessing.
I respectfully wish
the practitioners
a favorable and
happy spiritual journey.
I’m sincerely
very thankful to Master.
Amitabha Buddha
be praised!
I’m artist, director
and playwright Bạch Mai
on Supreme Master
Television.
I respectfully ask
that all Buddhists
“Be Veg,
Go Green,
Save the Planet.”
Actress Thanh Thanh Tâm
in the role of
Little Thumbelina:
My name is
Thanh Thanh Tâm.
I was awarded
the title Outstanding Artist
in 1997.
I now work for
the Theater Association
in Sài Gòn.
Supreme Master Ching Hai
has thought of me.
I couldn’t have imagined
nor expected
today’s meeting
and the honor of
being cared for
and loved by Master.
It’s my greatest happiness
when I received Master’s
love and gifts today.
I was thinking,
in that opera
my acting was
so inexperienced and
my singing wasn’t good,
but why is it that Master
pays attention to it?
That means, in that opera,
I was able to bring out
perhaps something
spiritual, so that
when Master watches it,
she sees some kind
of connection.
Therefore, right now,
I still like to eat vegetarian.
Before when I was young,
I thought I ate vegetarian
because I was very sad;
I didn’t think of
anything else.
But gradually, I understand
that eating vegetarian
also has a very sacred
meaning in our thoughts
and spirituality.
Slowly I understood,
then I began to feel that
I must eat vegetarian.
Why?
First, every time
I eat vegetarian,
I feel very light.
Second, I don’t feel upset
about much.
I can overlook everything,
and when I can do that,
my mind is at ease.
I know for sure
I will reach the point
where I feel compassion...
Like now, people say,
for example, a balut
(fertilized duck egg)
is very delicious.
Sometimes, I like
to eat that very much,
but if I eat it, I’d say
“Woe to me!
I feel so sorry for it!”
then I dare not eat.
I think that it all comes
from the heart.
Therefore, sometimes
I eat vegetarian
20 days a month, sometimes
15 days a month,
sometimes 10 days,
sometimes 7 days.
Whenever it’s convenient,
then I eat, but
I will try to eat vegetarian
as much as possible.
I respect Master.
I really am grateful
to Master.
Thanks to Master
that viewers worldwide
could see the opera
“A Thumbelina
in the Bamboo Tube.”
The things
that Master does,
I’m determined to follow,
and I respectfully wish
Master be forever young
and beautiful,
because I think
Master is very beautiful.
And I also want to be
young and beautiful
always like Master.
I respectfully wish
Master much good health.
Only with good health,
can Master rescue
all beings.
I respectfully wish that
Master will live very long
so that other
spiritual people and I
can follow Master’s path.
Revered Master,
I’d like to sing the song
“Drum in the Night,
Missing the Beloved”
to respectfully dedicate
to you.
“Since my husband
departed with
his precious sword,
I’m anxiously waiting
for him.
I long for him in my dream.
Oh, how heart-rending!
The road may be full of
bees and butterflies
Please forget not
our marital affection
I yearn for my beloved
at night
And languish from pining
in daytime
Like a husband-waiting stone
Betray not
my faithful heart
Know you not
Reclining at night,
how I sorrow
Reminiscing
our togetherness before
May our tender bond
never fade
I pray for your well-being
Hasten home, O beloved
for the love birds
to reunite.
(Wonderful!) Hi,
I’m Thanh Thanh Tâm.
Greetings,
Supreme Master
Television viewers.
This book is very beautiful.
I like it very much.
I feel something
that touches me deeply
when I read
Master’s words and poems.
When I return to the city,
I will pass this book around
to other artists
so they can also read it
and feel the love that
Master put in this book.
Actor Minh Tiến,
in the role of First Prince:
Respected
Supreme Master Ching Hai.
I’m actor Minh Tiến.
I was fortunate to
participate in the opera
that Master watched and
helped promote an opera
about humans’ moral values
to global viewers
so that people realize
that loving one another
is the noblest thing.
I also received
Master’s gifts
for myself and my family.
I wish Master good health,
and may you reach
everywhere in the world
to talk about human
compassion and mercy.
Actor Chí Linh,
in the role of
Second Prince,
and his wife, Vân Hà,
in the role of
First Princess Consort:
We’re Chí Linh
and Vân Hà.
We’d like to greet Master.
Today,
we’re very surprised
to receive Master’s gifts.
We’re very elated
and happy.
There’s only one regret
that we haven’t met Master;
we hope one day
we will meet Master
in Âu Lạc (Vietnam).
And if there is opportunity,
we will participate
in programs that have
spiritual significance
and call on humanity
to love one another.
And now, my wife, Vân Hà,
would like to say
a few words to Master.
I’m Vân Hà.
I’m very touched.
These gifts are very precious
and come to me and
my husband unexpectedly.
I wish some day
we will meet Master
to have the affinity
to work for anything
that might need us,
that is beneficial to
everyone and the society.
I wish Master good health.
Respected Master,
I’m actress Hồng Nhung.
I also contributed
to the opera
“A Thumbelina
in the Bamboo Tube.”
Master’s heart
is magnanimous,
and Master thinks of us,
the artists.
I thank Master very much.
I also wish
Master Ching Hai
great health.
I’m opera actress
Hồng Nhung.
You’re watching
Supreme Master Television.
Be Veg,
Go Green,
Save the Planet.
Actor Hiếu Cảnh,
in the role of Sở’s General:
Amitabha Buddha
be praised!
I’d like to thank
Master Ching Hai.
The opera
“A Thumbelina
in the Bamboo Tube”
was made
a very long time ago, but
today Master remembers
and gives me
these very valuable gifts.
My best wishes
to Master Ching Hai
in sharing with everyone
about Buddhism
so that they know
what is good or bad karma.
I’d like to wish Master
good health to
promote Truth teachings
to the whole world.
I’m actor Hữu Cảnh
on Supreme Master
Television.
I recommend
that everyone be veg
to save the planet and
avoid the coming disaster
on Earth.
We must do something;
first stop killing
so the animals can live
as we do.
If something happens,
we will suffer
just like the animals.
I hope
that everyone watches
Supreme Master
Television,
so that we do what we can.
Actor Thái Sơn,
in the role of Sở’s General:
Respected
Master Ching Hai,
I’m a long-time actor
in Hồ Quảng
modern folk opera.
I also belong to a family
of Hồ Quảng artists,
Thanh Bạch and Bạch Mai.
Master loves us
and gives us gifts for the
lunar New Year occasion.
That is
from Master’s loving care
for the artists.
I’d like to thank
Master Ching Hai.
I treasure it very much
and I’m very happy.
I promise to try to
improve in this art.
I wish Master great peace,
wish fulfillment, and
abounding health always.
Actor Hồng Tơ,
in the role of Eunuch 1:
Respected Master.
Today, I unexpectedly
received Master’s gifts
for the role I acted
in the modern folk opera
“A Thumbelina
in the Bamboo Tube,”
a long time ago.
Master has high regard
for us artists in Âu Lạc,
as well as
all other artists.
I’ve heard that Master
is world-renowned, and
I’m very happy today.
I’m very grateful to Master
and wish that Master has
good health always
and achieves all the best
of what Master hopes
to bring to everyone.
I also heard
that Master is calling on
all humanity to switch
to a vegetarian diet
to save this planet.
Green organizations
are calling on us
to help make the planet
return to its
original normal state,
because now, the planet
is getting warmer.
Right now, we’re living
in an environment that
has so many problems
such as wastes
and substances that
are harmful to people.
Master calls upon everyone
to be vegetarian
to reduce the production
of animals because
if that can be done,
it’d be very wonderful.
I also wish very much
that Master’s call
will receive
satisfactory responses.
Once again,
I respectfully wish Master
abounding health always,
and I promise
to find good acting roles
that remind others
of humanity’s
moral principles.
Greetings, viewers.
I’m opera actor Hồng Tơ.
You’re watching
Supreme Master
Television.
I’d like to ask viewers
to begin right now
to Be Veg,
Go Green,
Save the Planet.
I’d like to introduce
to you three books
written by
Supreme Master Ching Hai,
which are now #1
international best-sellers.
The first book is
“The Noble Wilds,”
the second book is
“The Birds in My Life,”
and the third book is
“The Dogs in My Life.”
Actor Hữu Huệ,
in the role of
General Tạ Hầu Đôn:
I’m actor Hữu Huệ
of Huỳnh Long
Folk Opera Company.
I’d like to thank
Master Ching Hai
for the gifts to my family.
I thank Master
for your heartfelt concern
for the artists in Âu Lạc.
I must say that the artists
are very much grateful.
My family and I wish
Master all fulfillment.
I’m opera actor Hữu Huệ.
You’re watching
Supreme Master
Television.
Director Phượng Hoàng
and actor Vũ Linh
who performed
the role of Third Prince
also received
Master’s loving gifts
and best wishes.
We’d like to sincerely
thank all the artists
and professionals
contributing to
the modern folk opera
“A Thumbelina
in the Bamboo Tube”
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.
Traditional musician
Lâm Nghĩa
will specially perform solo
on a zither the song
“Drum in the Night,
Missing the Beloved”
to respectfully dedicate to
Supreme Master Ching Hai
the first vọng cổ
(nostalgic song)
in Âu Lạc,
written by composer
Cao Văn Lầu in 1919.
We wish you
and your family
all the best of blessings
in the love of Buddha
and Heaven.
May the precious art
of modern folk opera
continue to develop so as
to elevate noble values
in the hearts of all people.