By zfellow Initiate Huynh
Every citizen in the world is entitled to the basic right of freedom, yet the Au Lac refugees
The people who are experiencing the most pain and who are the most unfortunate in this world are the Au Lac people. Before, when they were tormented thoroughly under the rule of the atrocious communist regime, they risked their lives by taking to the sea, deserting their homeland and all their relatives to find a place of freedom so they could live the latter half of their lives. The most regrettable thing is that the reality of life is too cruel and too heartless. After reaching the threshold of the free world, the treatment awaiting these unfortunate people has been even more miserable. Not only do they not receive the material and spiritual love, protection and care, but they are even locked up in iron cages and treated no differently than the Filipino serious offenders. Once again their human dignity has been trampled upon. The treatment they received is even far more painful than that under the Au Lac communist regime which they had tried their best to escape! They are locked up in a place where they can not receive any visitors, any consolation and with no one to share their pains. They are living in gloom and in total despair.
Working for Master, besides praying, I do not know what else I can do. Through Master's love they received consolation and are able to share a little of their pains; when the need arises, they get help materially so that they can live on. The most important thing is to encourage them spiritually, urging them not to commit suicide, to destroy this precious human body given by God Almighty, due to the pain and despair.
They live like animals in cages, truly pitiful. In these painful and poverty-stricken days, they are ashamed of the hometowns being ruled by the communist. But they are even more disappointed to see that the free world is not any better, because they have repeatedly pleaded for help and have called out to let the world know that all they need is freedom. Yet no one listens. The free world turns its head away and completely forgets these unfortunate Au Lac boat people.
They do not come in search of a better livelihood or a luxurious life. They have a pair of hands to work for a living. The saddest thing of all is that they have paid too high a price - just because they long for peace and freedom, they have not hesitated and have buried their lives in the raging sea. In the refugee camps they do not wish to see their compatriots lying in blood but they themselves have fallen with their blood flowing onto the land of freedom. Every citizen in the world is entitled to the basic right of freedom, yet the Au Lac refugees must use their blood and tears in exchange for it. Where is the justice?
Because of the love and sympathy of God Almighty I have had the opportunity to meet them. When I visit them they are very happy because they know that there is still someone in this world who is concerned about them. I have nothing to give them except Master's books, video tapes, pictures and some food. All of these are full of Master's love. The compassionate Master Ching Hai, with boundless love, leading the International Meditation Associations, constantly cares and helps these people in their desperate situation.
After personally experiencing these sad situations I feel very distraught. As a human being we all have a heart to love our fellow beings, not to mention the compassionate God Almighty. He of course would not just sit tight and watch His own sons and daughters being tortured by the ignorant beings. Thus He has sent a life buoy to the Au Lac refugees so that they could extend their last breath and continue to float in the turbulent and raging sea of the free world which has already engulfed a countless number of the Au Lac refugees. Master Ching Hai is the last life buoy which the Au Lac refugees are depending upon to save their lives.
The world is stepping into the 21st century - an era which should have no wars, just love and peace. Yet people still lack a loving heart and protection for their own kind. It really makes people sigh with regret. In fact, the skin colors, languages, cultures and customs are only superficial differences. The precious Buddha nature inside all of us is the same. The Kingdom of God within us is really precious. Just like light bulbs, even though the appearance, size, color and shape are different, the electricity flowing inside is the same. Thus the Lord said, Love your neighbor just like you love yourself. Because the Lord knows that all creation are one, all are brothers and sisters. Yet when the Au Lac refugees are pleading for a place to live, the free world, cruelly and mercilessly, locks them in cages. We have already betrayed the compassionate wish of Jesus Christ, who in saving the people of the world, was nailed on the cross. How can one say that the free world possesses a long religious history?!
My heart, full of grief and sympathy, is constantly praying to the Supreme force of the universe, Master and the past, present and future Buddhas of the ten directions to bless and care for these unfortunate Au Lac refugees. Hoping that these people of the world, suffering the most pain, would have a good and bright tomorrow so that they would be able to breathe the longed-for air of freedom.
must use their blood and tears in exchange for it. Where is the
justice?