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.
“Filial Loquat-Leaf
Medicine”
extols the greatly pious
Dương Cẩn, a dedicated
son to his elderly mother.
Willing to undertake
any sacrifice for
his beloved parent,
Dương Cẩn moved
Heaven and touched
the hearts of many
by his righteous
and filial devotion.
Thus, he was helped
and blessed.
We now invite you
to enjoy part 1 of
the modern folk opera
“Filial Loquat-Leaf
Medicine,” written by
playwright Bửu Truyện.
This opera will be
presented in four episodes,
with performances
by Kim Tử Long
as Dương Cẩn,
Tài Linh as Hồng Cúc,
Linh Tâm as District Chief,
Út Bạch Lan
as Trần Thái,
Bửu Truyện
as Diệp Thiên Sĩ,
Trinh Trinh as Tiểu Thúy,
Phước Sang as Cam Thảo,
Bạch Long as Táo Tàu,
Xuân Yến as Thục Địa,
Công Minh
as Fortune Teller,
Hồng Thắm as the Mother,
Thành Phương
as Herbalist Nhẫn Nhục,
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 for now, and
we’ll see you next time.
A mother waits heart-weary
at the door
The child in hunger
cries for its softened rice
I feed your mother,
serving as her son,
and like a father
teach our child to read.
Pitying her fatherless child,
her heartbroken tears
shed through the night.
For years, her son
devoted to his studies.
Without a word of lament,
she’d endured
all hardships, hoping
that her young son would
achieve academic success.
The Dương family now
had someone
to burn incense
for the ancestors.
Mother, you’ve walked me
a long way already.
Please return in peace.
I still feel fine.
It’s all right to
walk a few more miles.
Mother!
You’ve seen him off for
a long distance already.
I’m afraid
that you’re feeble and
may collapse on the way.
As a man,
I’m weighed down with
the three main duties.
You’ve waited years
to repay the favor
of upbringing.
Every night,
I pray to the high Heaven
that your name will be
on the honored list.
I’ll greet you
with my embrace
upon your return in glory.
O son, grow up quickly
to help the world
like your father did.
You and Mother have
walked me far enough.
Take Mom home
before it rains.
It’s all right.
I still feel fine.
When the ferry comes to
take you across the river,
I’ll go back at ease.
The weather has changed
these few days.
I worry that you’ll fall ill,
partly due to
your longing for me on
a thousand-mile journey
to the far capital city.
Whom can you rely on
for news of your son?
You’ll be waiting
one full moon
after another.
I feel tormented
thinking of your plight.
O Cẩn, although
it pains my heart,
I must see you off
to the capital, in hope
that you’ll achieve
academic success.
How I pity that
you’re restlessly anxious!
Tears of sorrow
keep rolling down.
Your longing for him
is indescribable.
I’m concerned about your
long-distance journey
all alone.
I’m not knowledgeable
about the situation
at the examination.
I pity you for being
concerned about everything.
I pray that
my son attains his dream.
Love and respect
your father always.
How I love you, Mother!
You’ve braved
all kinds of hardships
to provide for my study.
When food was scarce,
you gave up your meal
for me, regardless of
your languishing form.
You saved
every grain of rice
and every sweet potato
for simple meals
to pass the day.
I’ve always been
by your side
to care for you,
winters and summers.
Now that I must
leave you, I’m tearful.
It rends my heart
to hear your words
of deep affection.
Try hard to score highest
on your exam.
Heaven wouldn’t betray
the righteous.
May your name be
on the roll of honor.
Your return in glory will
bring joy to the villagers.
Please protect
my aged mother from
the elements in my stead.
Don’t over-worry;
be at ease.
I only ask that
you forget not the village,
the river,
the bamboo grove,
and small boats.
Now that I must part
with you, my sorrow
is indescribable.
I long for the day
of our reunion.
O Mother,
even the Great Mountain
is incomparable
to a father’s love.
Even the Long River
isn’t equal
to a mother’s kindness.
Such is a lonely feeling
to be away
from my homeland,
but images of
our village’s rice fields
are deeply imprinted
in my mind.
Ma’am,
the boat has arrived!
Really?
Hand your master
his belongings! (Yes.)
Dương Cẩn. (Yes.)
Have a safe journey, son.
I bow to you
and depart now.
Cam Thảo, dear!
My aged mother’s life
is full of hardships.
I rely on you
to take good care of her.
I’ll keep in mind
what you said.
Mother!
Here at the ferry,
the sun is overlooking
your shoulder.
Seeing you off,
I long for the day you
attain academic honors.
I look forward to the ferry
back on the Long River.
My return in glory
will make up
for your time of waiting.
Now, I bid farewell,
Mother!
Let not your form languish
in longing for me.
Wait for my returning day.
Be determined to
overcome all hardships,
and your future
will be very bright.
We’ll reunite in happiness
upon your return.
I’ll pray to high Heaven
every night that
you have a safe journey.
As a man, I aspire high,
hoping to attain
rank and fame
to repay my parents
the favor of raising me.
Farewell, Mom!
Summer sun passes,
comes autumn rain.
Longing for my son,
I’m tired and restless.
My heart is weeping tears
of sorrow.
Pitying my son
in a faraway land
makes me uneasy.
Ma’am, please try
to sit up to take this bowl
of medicine, so
you may recover quickly.
Take it, please.
I feel so sorry for you.
You’ve endured hardships
because of me.
How do you feel?
If you love me,
please don’t let
your health deteriorate.
Young master
will be heartbroken to
see you in this condition
upon his return.
Rain drips, wind blows
through the leaves.
I miss you so much,
Dương Cẩn.
Where are you, son?
Who’d expect our family
to go through
topsy-turvy time?
Time works great
changes so swiftly.
O Ma’am, our homeland
and village of old, alas!
I feel tormented thinking
of my son’s wandering life
in the far land.
When night herons call,
you gaze at the distant sky,
yearning for
the faraway son.
The sky is obscured
by rainstorms,
know you not how I feel?
O Ma’am!
Do you not hear your
mother’s loving words,
Dương Cẩn?
Villagers welcome
the new mandarin Dương
in his homecoming.
Relatives on both sides
offer him
their congratulations.
Villagers welcome
the new mandarin Dương
in his homecoming.
Relatives on both sides
offer him
their congratulations.
Who’d expect
that the world changed
in this manner?
One now has
both rank and wealth,
yet his mother languished
from tearful longing
for her son.
Congratulations,
First Laureate,
on your glorious return.
May I welcome you
to my palace.
I appreciate your offer.
But I’d like to return
to Thùy Dương Hamlet
to inquire on my gentle
mother’s well-being.
If so,
allow me to send people
back to the palace
to prepare a banquet
in advance for you.
Thank you. Guards!
Head to
Thùy Dương Hamlet now!
Order obeyed!
Everyone stops here;
let me go in
to present myself
to my mother.
Order obeyed!
Mom,
your son is back now!
O Thảo, where are you?
Where is my mother?
Oh God!
What has happened
to my mother?
Thảo! Mom!
My heart is broken.
Know you not,
O high Heaven?
Who devised this separation
of mother and son?
O Mom, where are you?
Oh, so dispirited,
I feel chilled all over.
I didn’t covet rank to
leave you in loneliness.
You saw me off,
expecting my return.
A homecoming in glory
would honor my family
and please my kind mother.
Now that I don
a mandarin’s cape,
you lead a wandering life.
What good is it to live and
be scorned by the world?
First Laureate,
please lessen your grief.
You should summon
all village elders to find out
what happened in detail.
Please help me,
District Chief.
Just give your order,
I’ll do everything.
Servants? (Yes.)
Summon all elders here
right away!
We, villagers,
wish to congratulate
First Laureate.
Be at ease!
Please stand up, Elders!
Respected Elders,
please explain clearly,
so His Excellency
understands everything.
Where does
Mrs. Trần Thái dwell now?
And why is this house...
Your Excellency,
this house
was sold long ago.
Who bought it?
Mr. Tương Tào
who lives 10 houses
away from here.
Summon him here!
I’ve been here all this time.
I paid money
to buy this house.
Please clarify the situation.
I bought it to help her
when she was racked
by her illness.
She ran out of money
for a herbalist.
So she had to
sell the house for
her medical treatment.
I felt sorry for her facing
a threatening situation.
And then?
Your Excellency,
she handed over
her house and land.
Cam Thảo helped her
walk about the village.
Oh God!
I’m a mandarin
who let my mother
wander about!
How could Heaven
forgive the sin
of filial impiety?
First Laureate.
Mother,
where are you now?
The mandarin robe
will be tarnished
with bad reputation.
What a disgrace! I fail
to fulfill my filial duty.
I’ve sent people out to try
to find her everywhere.
Please try
to suppress your grief.
What good is
rank and honor,
if one fails
to fulfill his moral duty
and becomes a mockery
for life.
O Mother,
I have no desire for wealth
when you wander
in hardship and poverty.
I just wish to
care for my kind mother
until her last day.
My mother
isn’t any different
than a withering tree with
bare branches amidst
a snowy winter evening.
Though rivers and seas
are vast, I can’t be
like a bird freely soaring
with the wind.
I have no right to
abandon an old tree and
dream a life of my own.
Autumn passed,
winter comes.
Why must Heaven
send much bitterness
and misery to the poor?
Have some porridge
in place of rice
to alleviate hunger.
Try to swallow it or else
your health will deteriorate.
Last night,
I saw the angel of death;
I chased him away
from here.
You should take
this bowl of medicine;
Try to wait for my master
who will come back
sooner or later.
O Dương Cẩn,
where are you now?
Where is my mother?
Rank and honor are
but illusion.
Without you, Mother,
my life will be miserable.
O wind, don’t blow
and chill my heart.
O leaves, why fall
to sadden the ground?
O Mother!
Your Excellency,
there’s a country girl
who claims to know
Lady Trần’s whereabout.
Where is that person?
Let me see her right away!
Guards? (Yes.)
Summon that young lady
here!
I’m Tiểu Thúy.
I bow to congratulate
Your Excellency.
No need for protocol.
Where is my mother now?
Tell me quickly!
She dwells behind
Bửu Sơn Temple
in Ân Thọ Village.
Bửu Sơn Temple
in Ân Thọ Village?
Follow me there, everyone!
Mom, I’m coming to you.
O Mom! I’m back, Mom.
Oh God!
It’s young master’s voice.
Master!
Where is my mother?
She’s bedridden.
Come in, master.
Mom! Oh God!
What’s happened
to my mom?
Mom, I let you suffer
for an entire long year.
How brazen-faced
I am to carry on living?
Please forgive me, Mom.
Who is it?
It’s your son, Mother.
Oh God! My dear son!
I let you suffer
for nearly a year.
While I lived in luxury,
you led a destitute life.
Laden with sin,
I don’t even come close
to the trees and plants.
I have never blamed you.
It’s all fated by Heaven.
If I can see you today,
it’s thanks to Cam Thảo’s
complete devotion.
O Thảo, because of me,
you’ve endured hardship
for nearly a year,
taking care of
my aged mother
in her late years.
O young master,
I’m like someone who
has just had a nightmare.
I cherish life greatly.
Though poor,
I vow to repay the favor
of my upbringing.
How had I the heart to
abandon your aged mother?
Oh, such sincere
and noble words!
I vow to remember
your kindness for life.
You get to see
your mother already,
why are you still sad?
I bow to you, Mom,
as I’ve failed
to fulfill my filial duty.
I’m so happy
to see you again.
Your return in glory
and brocade robe
honors your parents.
I’m fortunate
to have this young lady to
help me with my illness.
I’m deeply indebted to her.
I’m grateful to you.
I’ll never forget this favor.
Never mind!
Loving others
is loving yourself.
There is saying:
“The whole leaves
protect the torn ones.”
By loving me,
she got herself into trouble.
Her father scolded her
repeatedly without pity.
In love, one is willing
to cross the mountain,
river, and pass.
It’s touching to see
how this young couple
bonds in love.
Feeling sorry for myself,
I was sleepless
many nights.
With your blessing,
the cinnamon and
japonica tree thrive lush.
If it is so, I’m satisfied.
Be at ease, Mom,
I will take care.
Now, please go with me
to the palace.
This is a token of my love
and esteem for you.
Please drink
this cup of affection.
Soon, I’ll have to
return to the capital city.
Please be so kind
as I’ll rely on your help
for everything.
Please have no concern.
I promise
to help wholeheartedly.
Please!
Please!
Only 3 more days
and I must return
to the capital city.
I’m due to be back
at the court and so must
part with my loved one.
I feel uneasy to be away
from my mother,
but I dare not
neglect national affairs.
I’m in agony,
not being able to care
for my mother as a son.
Please have pity
and help me during
this time of distress.
There’s nothing to worry,
younger brother Mandarin.
Once I promised,
I will always remember.
I’ll take good care of
your mother back here.
Hasten back to the capital
in peace of mind.
It’s trouble, O master!
What happened?
Her lady... she... she...
What’s the matter
with my mother?
She’s having
breathing difficulty.
What?
Summon all the doctors
immediately.
What to do?
How can I save my mom?
I feel tormented,
looking at you, Mom.
Your eyes are motionless,
your breath weakens.
I have no heart
to let you pass away.
O high Heaven, please
understand a son’s plight.
I have yet to requite
a mother’s favor.
Oh high Heaven,
how have I the heart
to leave my mother?
Mother, what should I do?
Gentle brother,
you need to stay calm!
Don’t act hastily.
It’s heart-breaking
to look at my mother.
O brother,
who wouldn’t feel painful
at the time of separation?
What is the meaning
of my life if you’re gone?
What am I to do, Mom?
O high Heaven!
Can you understand
the feeling of a loving son?
What can I say?
It’s heart-breaking
to look at her.
Alas, what can I do
when the lamp is dry
and its wick dying out?
How I cherish
my aged mother!
What can we do
to help her escape death?
Mother!
You need to live
to take care of her
till her ripe old age.
It’s hard for my
gentle mother to escape.
Ah! I remember now.
There is a very good
doctor called Nhẫn Nhục
in Hoài Âm Village.
Who knows?
He may have a skilful hand.
Then go there right away,
Miss. Servants? (Yes!)
Take her there quickly.
Respected doctor,
please tell me clearly
my mother’s condition.
She’s gravely ill,
partly because of
wrong treatments, so
her condition becomes
more serious every day.
It’s hopeless. It’s all right.
Prepare this prescription
for her.
But this will just
prolong her life;
it’s not a cure.
All right!
While there is life,
there is hope.
Prepare the medicine
quickly, Thảo!