Today’s A Journey through Aesthetic Realms will be presented in Aulacese (Vietnamese), with subtitles in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Hungarian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, (Slovenian,) Spanish and Thai.

Âu Lạc (Vietnam) is a nation with a long-standing traditional culture. Aulacese musical heritage is bountiful; since ancient times, many soul-stirring musical instruments have been created with diverse sounds like those of the copper drum, gong, lithophone, bamboo xylophone, cymbals, and panpipe.

In 2003, Elegant Music, a style of Huế royal court music, was recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an intangible cultural heritage of the world. Âu Lạc’s music represents the unique features of each region, for example, Quan Họ folksongs in the north, Huế tunes in the central, and modern folk opera in the south.

In addition, there are many other forms of music, including hò, lý, ceremonial songs, Aulacese classical theatre, chèo traditional opera, hồ quảng opera, and so on. Indeed, the essence of musics imbued in the hearts of people in this beautiful country, and has been cultivated until this day.

In today’s program, we’re pleased to introduce some of the folk songs and musical genres representative of southern Âu Lạc. Among the songs that fully convey the homey and carefree characteristics of simple rural life in the abounding rice fields of the southern region is the song “My Daddy My Mommy.” It was written in the 1950s by composer Văn Lương of Tân Bửu village, Long An province.

A song that is known by heart by the majority of Aulacese people, from young to old, it was sung by Supreme Master Ching Hai and our Association members during an international outdoor gathering in South Korea on May 14, 1998. We now invite you to enjoy the cheerful tune of a southern Aulacese folk song with all the love from Supreme Master Ching Hai.

My mommy goes plowing at dawn My daddy goes plowing at dawn My mommy is a farmer My daddy is a farmer too We all live on a vast wide field

On those nights when the moon is round Thousands of trees rustle in the breeze We come and gather for fun We come and gather for fun Under the shimmering ivory moon

Vè is a genre of folk literature with many diverse forms such as four-word, five-word, or six-eight poetry. Vè describes daily activities of the simple country folks and often has been orally passed down through many generations.

The nation of Âu Lạc is graced by Heaven with a wide variety of vegetables; all are delicious and rich sources of nutrition for healthy and compassionate living.

We now invite you to find out about a number of popular vegetables and herbs in Âu Lạc through conversations among farmers in the song “Vè on Vegetables,” a genre of Southern vè presented by our Association members.

Brother Tươi!

What is it, Út?

Do you see Miss Mận and Miss Thắm of the next hamlet watering vegetables over there?

Yeah. But why?

Do you remember the village festival night last month?

Sure. That day, our village’s young men all had to yield to the two ladies’ quick-witted answer to riddles. I just regret that I haven’t had a chance to compete with them.

Then what are you waiting for? Let’s go over there.

O Miss Mận! Miss Thắm!

Where are you going so early, brother Út and brother Ba?

We’re here to check out the cucumber and bitter melon vines. Wow! Miss Thắm’s vegetables are growing so well!

Look, brother Ba! The water morning glory, climbing spinach, and lettuce all lush and fresh – irresistibly delicious!

You two overpraised!

But are you here for something?

Go ahead, brother Ba!

We heard that you two are knowledgeable about vegetables; we’d like to ask a few questions.

Are you willing to answer?

We dare not refuse. Speaking about the different types of vegetables, we know them like the back of our palm. We’re glad to answer your questions.

They’re ready, brother Ba! Say the riddles.

Here they come, sisters! Listen to the riddle about the herbs and vegetables. What does sour soup need?

What sour soup needs is the rice paddy herb.

Which herb gives scent?

That’s peppermint without doubt.

Very good! Let me ask you two. Helping with blood flow, that’s our friend – sweet leaf.

Blackening hair and cooling skin?

Blackening hair and cooling skin is the easily grown sweet potato leaves.

How come they know every vegetable?

I think they’ve lost, sister Thắm!

Continue, brother Ba!

How about: The monks eat from it. What vegetable is that? Tell us.

“The monks eat from it” – what kind of vegetable is that, Mận?

Accept defeat, sisters!

Not yet! Listen to sister Thắm’s answer.

Now, brothers! The monks eat from ivy gourd, good for making soup.

Is that correct, brother Ba?

Sister Thắm’s answer wasn’t wrong. But how about: Sheltering us from sun and rain?

Sheltering us from sun and rain is the green edible chrysanthemum.

A slimy soup pot.

A slimy soup pot is cooked with climbing spinach.

You two give up?

Woe to us this time, Út!

Let’s call it a tie, brother Ba!

O sisters! I think so far, we are equal in skill. Let’s call it an even game! What do you think, sisters Thắm and Mận?

No, it can’t be. All this time, only you two gave us the riddles. Now it’s our turn. Is that right, sister Thắm?

If you two win then...

Then what, sister Thắm?

Then we’ll go weed your field for one day free of charge.

What if we lose?

If you lose, then there are the pails of water. Just carry water to soak this whole patch of vegetables for us.

What? Watering all these vegetables? My God!

What’s the matter, Út? I’m here. Don’t you worry!

We agree. Pose the riddles, sisters!

All right, listen, brothers. What kind of vegetable has a father and mother, brothers Ba and Út?

What vegetable has parents, brother Ba?

Let me! Having father and mother (má) is the pennywort (rau má) by the pond.

Crawling on the rice field is the beach morning glory.

Very pungent in taste?

I know this one.

What is that, Út? Very pungent in taste is the fragrant knotweed.

Well done! More to come, brothers. Shy in nature is the water mimosa.

Nourishing the blood is amaranth, the vegetable one needs.

Unbridling and galloping…

Unbridling and galloping, what vegetable is it?

I know, brother Ba. Listen, sisters! Unbridling and galloping is plantain, the vegetable name.

So? Do you give up?

Not yet. Sister Thắm!

Let me. Going to the temple to worship Buddha!

Going to the temple to worship Buddha are the scallions, what else?

How I appreciate the farmers for enduring the sun and dew to cultivate the vegetables!

Fresh greens are growing lush due to love and kindness after many days of nurturing care.

One may talk till late evening yet won’t exhaust the list. The vegetables are still there. The riddle on vegetables is still waiting.

Waiting for what, brothers Ba and Út?

Waiting until the village festival next year.

I was busy talking and forgot. The sun is high already; we have to water the vegetables. Well, let’s call it a tie, all right?

A tie, brother Ba!

Since sisters Thắm and Mận said so, let’s end the game in a peaceful draw. We’ll demonstrate our vè skill again in the village festival next year, all right?

We agree.

Let us help you finish watering this patch of vegetables.

And we’ll also go over to help you weed.

Consider that as “being kind and good to our neighbors.”

You two are perfectly right.

Hand us the pails. We’ll carry the water for you.

Borrowing the familiar images in the countryside like the rice paddy, the river, or flowers and plants, the rural people express their feelings:

“We love one another deeply and faithfully, like water hyacinth attached to the river on alluvial soil carpeted with fresh golden rice flowers.” The song “Confiding in the Flowers” by composer Trương Quang Tuấn, an adaptation from the verses of poet Kim Tuấn, will be presented by singer Khánh Duy. Please enjoy.

Missing you, I sing the song of flowers, feeling like the river rising and ebbing.

I pine for you, feeling like blazing mid-day sun. A myna bird crosses the river and never returns. Feeling lovesick, a myna crosses the river.

Waiting for you, I sing the song of flowers, wafting homeland scent of rice blossoms.

I wait for you by the riverbank A myna bird crosses the river and never returns. Escaping its cage, a myna crosses the river.

We love each other but are unable to stay together. We love each other deeply and faithfully, like water hyacinth attached to the river on alluvial soil carpeted with fresh golden rice flowers. If you miss me, why didn’t you come? Saddened, I sing the song of flowers.

Missing you, I sing the song of flowers, feeling like the river rising and ebbing.

I pine for you, feeling like blazing mid-day sun. A myna bird crosses the river and never returns. Feeling lovesick, a myna crosses the river.

Waiting for you, I sing the song of flowers, wafting homeland scent of rice blossoms.

I wait for you by the riverbank A myna bird crosses the river and never returns. Escaping its cage, a myna crosses the river.

We love each other but are unable to stay together. We love each other deeply and faithfully, like water hyacinth attached to the river on alluvial soil carpeted with fresh golden rice flowers. If you miss me, why didn’t you come? Saddened, I sing the song of flowers.

We love each other but are unable to stay together. We love each other deeply and faithfully, like water hyacinth attached to the river on alluvial soil carpeted with fresh golden rice flowers. If you miss me, why didn’t you come? Saddened, I sing the song of flowers. Saddened, I sing the song of flowers.

In Aulacese traditional folk music, lý is a singing genre that is mostly based on folk poetry in the form of six-eight couplets. The rhythm varies between fast and slow in a recital style, so lý singing genre has hundreds of different tunes. Through simple lyrics, lý songs often describe images and feelings as experienced in life. Enhanced by tender melodies, lý is very accessible and therefore quite popular.

The crow is a type of bird known to be highly intelligent and creative. The Aulacese believe that the crow’s calling may foretell a loved one’s return from afar, family reunion, or that someone will bring good news, including a guest who comes to ask for a young woman’s hand in marriage. “Crow’s Calling” is a southern Aulacese folk song based on the following folk verses:

“A crow’s calling: A man visits a lady at her chamber. Unrelated, why do they love each other?” We invite you to enjoy this song with vocal performance by singer Đào Đức.

A crow’s calling: A man visits a lady at her chamber. Unrelated, why do they love each other?

A crow’s calling: A man visits a lady at her chamber. Unrelated, they must have amorous intention. Off today, he’s back with her tomorrow. Shy during the day, yet he forgets to leave at night. Going home, he misses and loves her so. Going home, he misses and loves her so.

A crow’s calling: A man visits a lady at her chamber. Unrelated, they must have amorous intention. Off today, he’s back with her tomorrow. Shy during the day, yet he forgets to leave at night. Going home, he misses and loves her so. Going home, he misses and loves her so.

A crow’s calling: A man visits a lady at her chamber. Unrelated, they must have amorous intention. Off today, he’s back with her tomorrow. Shy during the day, yet he forgets to leave at night. Going home, he misses and loves her so. Going home, he misses and loves her so.

A crow’s calling: A man visits a lady at her chamber. Unrelated, they must have amorous intention. Off today, he’s back with her tomorrow. Shy during the day, yet he forgets to leave at night. Going home, he misses and loves her so. Going home, he misses and loves her so.

A crow’s calling: A man visits a lady at her chamber. Unrelated, they must have amorous intention. Off today, he’s back with her tomorrow. Shy during the day, yet he forgets to leave at night. Going home, he misses and loves her so. Going home, he misses and loves her so. Going home, he misses and loves her so. Going home, he misses and loves her so.

Supreme Master Ching Hai has fondly sent gifts to artists participating in the Aulacese traditional folk music program on Supreme Master Television. Singer Khánh Duy, who performed the song “Confiding in the Flowers,” expressed his gratitude towards Master’s loving care.

I’d like to send all Supreme Master Television viewers around the world my wish for good health and most respectful greeting. It’s a joy and honor today as it’s the first time I am able to participate in a program about Âu Lạc. When singing country songs, I feel very close to the world around me. There are trees, fruits, the levee, river, parents’ affection and much love among humans and love for the earth. I feel that country music is like the Aulacese people; it’s very calm and filled with love for one’s homeland and country.

Not just Âu Lạc, but we can say that the whole world, is supporting nature and the climate. I think eating vegetarian is very good. Vegetarian food comprises of vegetables and products made from soybean, which are many. Soybean, scientifically speaking, can prevent cancer. If the ladies want to be beautiful, a vegetarian diet can give you a well-proportioned figure.

Morally speaking, I think a vegetarian diet will be better for our spiritual life as well as social life. So you can see that the vegetarian monks have good skin and are healthy. A pure vegetarian diet is good for our spirit. In such a time like this, eating vegetarian certainly will help you a lot in life. Respected Master Ching Hai, I have received from Master a very precious gift.

I would like to thank Master Ching Hai very much, with all my heart. Thank you, Master, for bringing Aulacese culture to everyone in the world, so that they may understand more about Âu Lạc’s culture and people. The gifts make me very happy. I’m grateful for the love Master has for the artists performing country music.

I can feel Master’s devotion and sacrifice. I respectfully wish Master good health and happiness. My respectful greetings to viewers of Supreme Master Television broadcasting worldwide. Please join me to be veg, go green, save the planet.

Respected viewers, I also wish to introduce the books written by Master Ching Hai. First is “The Dogs in My Life,” second is “The Birds in My Life,” and the third is “The Noble Wilds.” Through these three books, Master wishes to send to all of you, brothers and sisters and friends all over the world – these books are very cute and adorable;

there are lots of pictures – and Master also wishes to send us a message: Love one another. Not just loving people alone, but we also must love the animals and nature. I hope that you will find these books through Amazon.com, and I hope that you will join me and have these books written by Master Ching Hai.

Singer Đào Đức, who performed the song “Crow’s Calling,” has participated previously on Supreme Master Television. He also received gifts and well wishes from Supreme Master Ching Hai.

Thank you for watching today’s program about traditional folk music from southern Âu Lạc. Please tune in to Supreme Master Television for more Aulacese folk music in future broadcasts.

Coming up is Vegetarianism: The Noble Way of Living, after Noteworthy News. So long for now.