Front Line

Observing that vegetarianism is growing in Thailand, fellow practitioners living in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand (a Buddhist country), wanted to do something for their fellow Thai people. They wanted to spread the concept of healthy eating. This suggestion was submitted to Master and received Her agreement and blessing immediately. With the support of brothers and sisters from various countries, a vegetarian "Tasting party" was joyfully organized.

It was a Monday as usual and the city of Bangkok was still full of traffic. However, Central Plaza looked a bit different. Among the crowds of shoppers, there were some smiling people in elegant dresses. Were they having a kind of gala? " Natural, Healthy, Celestial Food "? A large variety of food were displayed on the table and the working people said they were all pure vegetarian with no egg or alcohol. The lighting and the flowers on the stage were waiting. Every floor of the Plaza was full of curious people, standing and waiting for a great show...

Guests with invitations started entering their seats. The heroes of the mass media also hurried to the site and were busy in manipulating their cameras for the best shot. Then there was the clapping of hands and the most honored guest of the day, Supreme Master Ching Hai, was invited to open the ceremony. Supreme Master Ching Hai was wearing a violet Thai evening dress and cheerfully went up the stage to greet everyone. Central Plaza had especially used a super-big screen to show this talk so that all the people present could see it. Supreme Master Ching Hai's lighthearted and humorous speech caught everyone's attention. Even the people eating in the fast food restaurants nearby stopped eating to see who was the elegant lady giving such an interesting talk. There was instant Thai translation, relating accurately Supreme Master Ching Hai's recommendation of vegetarianism to the audience. The message was well received. After a lively and short introduction, Supreme Master Ching Hai declared the opening of the " Tasting party " and invited the guests to fully enjoy the feast. The guests couldn't wait to start!

Mr. Chamlong (ex-Lord Major of Bangkok) had started promoting vegetarianism enthusiastically when he was in office; and Madame Chamlong (Mrs. Sirilaksa) had come in person to this great occasion. Supreme Master Ching Hai graciously invited Madame Chamlong to come up on the stage to address the audience. The Chamlong couple have been well known in Thailand for promoting vegetarianism. Seeing such a good friend with the same ideal, all fellow practitioners present applauded enthusiastically to express their respect and support.

The feast was really very much like a feast cascading from heaven. There were more than a hundred kinds of exquisite delicacies in both Eastern and Western styles. The superb skill, craftsmanship and carving of the main chef could easily be seen. When one tasted them, they were marvelous. What was truly special was their creative ideas. To call this lovely group of kitchen staff as heavenly cooks was most appropriate. Using their expertise to create such a beautiful scene with the audience seeming to be intoxicated in heaven, wasn't it wonderful? Besides, there were also " Fairies " sincerely doing the serving! What an enjoyment! The pure Thai people had also played the part of honored guests. Their spirit of support was most obvious and the heavenly feast was cheerful and lively from the beginning to the end. One has to mention the gentleness of the Thai people. Although it was very crowded, there were no chaos. Everything was in order, warm and natural.

Furthermore, the sister playing the role of master of ceremony was an experienced performer. With her lively introduction, several beautiful Thai dances gave the audience another kind of visual enjoyment. The main chef of Mr. Chamlong had frequently asked the master of ceremony about the menu and wanted very much to exchange experiences cooking. Upon request, the main chef who was busy working in the kitchen was invited to go up the stage to speak in person and recommended a few simple and practical vegetarian menu. Besides, there were also some enthusiastic guests going up the stage to applaud the good taste of vegetarian food.

By the hard work of everyone, this successful promotion of vegetarianism had given the Thai brothers and sisters a beautiful and unforgettable night. It was only hope that everyone could be eating more healthy, and live with more dignity. This was the humble wish of all the working people. It was also the sincere wish of Supreme Master Ching Hai.¡¹

Our food today is all free of charge. Anyone can just walk in, eat, and walk out. I have to thank the Thai fellow brothers and sisters for putting in a lot of effort to organize this special event. They have prepared over a thousand portions of food, for every interested person. The food is international. There is Thai food, Au Lac food, Chinese food, French food, what else? I mean, a lot more. And the chefs who cooked the food for you today are also from different countries. They flew in specially for you. Later I think we will have the opportunity to taste this kind of delicious meal again in Thailand in different parts of the country.

Thailand is a Buddhist country, so I think vegetarianism is very suitable, because the Buddha always emphasized a peaceful way of life like ahimsa, means non killing, not harming other sentient beings. So, a vegetarian diet is a Buddhist way of life and it will bring more peace, more prosperity, more harmony into this great kingdom of Asia. Thailand is my favorite country. I told you many times already. I just wish the country even more and more prosperous, more and more peaceful in many aspects of life. The Buddha always emphasized that we should love all sentient beings as our brothers and sisters, as our relatives and friends. Vegetarianism is the way to show this love. The Thai people are famous for being loving and hospitable to the whole world. So, if we move one step further, like being a vegetarian, I think, we would attract even more. We'd attract devas, the Bodhisattvas, and the Buddhas in all the directions to come to our country.

Of course, the Buddha also said that if we didn't have anything to eat, we could have a kind of convenient meal, like if the meat has already been killed, or if the animal has already died, then we could eat the meat. But the Buddha said that if we have vegetarian food available, then we should follow the vegetarian diet. Nowadays the vegetable, vegetarian food is easily available to everyone, especially in Thailand, because Thailand is rich in many aspects, everything grows in abundance in Thailand. So, there is a good reason for us to return to the natural diet and the more loving kindness way of life like the vegetarian food and the non-killing diet.

I'm not going to take very long, because we wish you to enjoy the food, that we have prepared for you with our love and our sincerity. You will see for yourself that vegetarian foods are really delicious and nutritious. I can say even more nutritious and more delicious than the meat diet; and it's bloodless. When we eat vegetarian food, afterwards we feel very light, no conscience, no burden of guilt. We feel like we are full of life and full of vitality again, to do anything we want.

I think a lot of Thai people, especially the Bangkokians, already are very familiar with the vegetarian diet. Because one of your governors, one of the most famous, Kun Chamlong was vegetarian. I think, we also have to thank Mr. Chamlong for bringing this healthy and loving way of life into the Thai society. I'm not his fan, I don't know him personally. But sometimes I buy food from his restaurants. Everyone who is a vegetarian is also my special friend.

Many other people also have made an effort to bring this healthy and loving kind of way of life into Thai society. But I think Mr. Chamlong was one of the pioneers and the most enthusiastic and ardent believer in the vegetarian diet. I'm not here to advertise for him, since he already lost his campaign for governor. I just want to thank him, purely from a vegetarianism standpoint; because, many years ago, when I first came to Thailand, I had nowhere to go for vegetarian food. These few years, when I've come back to Thailand, everywhere I can eat vegetarian food. This is due to Mr. Chamlong, one of the pioneers in introducing vegetarianism into Thailand. That's why I especially thank him and anyone else I don't know today. I think, if more people were vegetarians, our society would be less violent, more peaceful and more loving. And people would learn to live a simple, natural, healthy and more Buddhist way of life.

I think you can read more information about the vegetarian diet and the short introduction in the menu that we have given to you. Anymore questions I think you could contact our people or Mr. Chamlong's people. We are not together, so don't misunderstand! It doesn't matter, you can ask. If you have more interest or more questions about vegetarian food, we are willing to help you or anyone, any society, Thai vegetarian society, which is also very big, in Thailand, in Bangkok, you may contact them, contact us, contact Chamlong-society, whoever you prefer, to inquire more about vegetarian food and to taste, to sample what is nutritious and delicious -- a way of life without any killing, without any blood, without any burdened conscience.

I'm not going to talk a lot, because maybe you like to eat better than to hear. Let's serve the food and go on with your program. Thank you. There is a lot of food, enough for everyone. Kopkunkaa ('thank you' in Thai).

I didn't know she was here. Madame Chamlong. It's beautiful that she came. It's good that I said something good about Mr. Chamlong, I didn't say anything bad. We'll ask her to say something to us. Please. (Madame Chamlong speaks.) Kopkunkaa. It's the first time I have the honor to know Madame Chamlong. I'm very happy and honored. (Madame Chamlong: Thank you very much.) I hope next time I'll know your husband too. Say hello to him.¡¹

Spoken By Madame Chamlong (the Lady of ex-Lord Major of Bangkok)
At The Food Tasting Banquet,
January 20, 1997 in Bangkok, Thailand
(Originally In Thai And Translated Into English)

Dear Master and all the honored members.

I'm very pleased that Master has come to introduce healthy and beautiful food which Mr. Chamlong and I have propagated since 1982. It has already been over 10 years. Now, more and more people are interested in eating vegetarian food. It's very pleasing that Master is among one of those who spreads the message about vegetarianism. Just now, I have stolen a glance at the food. Everything looks very delicious.

I started eating vegetarian in 1979. Mr. Chamlong started five years earlier. During that period, there wasn't any delicious vegetarian food like now. We had only tofu and a vegetarian protein which had an unpleasant smell. But we were determined to eat in order to keep the first rule of the precepts more clearly. Since we don't eat animal flesh, we also are not the cause of animal killing. Because of this, I, who normally have the most difficulty eating food, was determined to eat vegetarian in order to keep this first rule of the precepts more and more pure and not having to harm any of the creatures in the world.

All the animals love their lives and fear death. If you go to slaughter houses, you will see that the animals, especially the cows and water-buffaloes, will shed tears. There have been many cows and other animals bought rescued from the slaughter houses by people; and they have asked Mr. Chamlong to raise those animals. If anyone would like to see those animals, you are welcome to visit them at Poo Nam School in Kanchanaburi.

At present, Mr. Chamlong is doing "poisonless " agriculture. " Poisonless " means not using any chemicals, pesticides as well as chemical fertilizers. We grow vegetables in a natural way which will enhance our energy naturally. If we eat raw vegetables and food cooked from these vegetables, we will be more healthy and stronger. Nowadays, everyone knows that pesticides and pollution are the major cause of cancer. If we decrease the use of pesticides, cancer will also be diminished. Besides, it will better the environment, the soil, the air, the food and everyone will be healthier.

I would like to thank Master for jointly trying to encourage people to be vegetarian along with us so that people will be more compassionate and live more and more peacefully. Thank you.¡¹