A country that upholds
the values of peace
by abolishing its army…
A president
who rescued thousands
of refugees’ lives…
A former US
vice president who brings
the world’s attention
to global warming…
A celebrity
who advocates
for human rights…
An animal lover
who works tirelessly
for the defenseless…
An international
organization
that provides
humanitarian aid
regardless
of national boundaries…
A worldwide
humanitarian agency
that protects human life
and alleviates suffering
(Red Cross)
These are among some of
the distinguished people,
countries
and organizations
in our present day society
that have made
a positive difference
on our planet through
their noble actions.
For the purpose
of recognizing
these caring actions,
and in response to
the reports about many
positive developments
in the world,
Supreme Master
Ching Hai founded
the Shining World
Leadership Award
in March 2006.
The pure crystal award
represents
the shining noble ideals
of the honored
individuals, nations
and organizations
whose pioneering work
and selfless dedication
have significantly
contributed to
the harmony and beauty
of our planet.
“Thank you
for this award
and most significantly,
thank you
for the work you’ve done
and are doing, and are
encouraging others to do
to awaken humanity
to its responsibility – to
live a compassionate life
and to do so in honoring
the spirit in all beings.”
The founder
of the Shining World
Leadership Award,
Supreme Master
Ching Hai,
is a world- renowned
spiritual leader,
humanitarian and artist,
who herself has brought
immense benefits
to the world through
her inspiring words
and shining example.
Supreme Master
Ching Hai’s
own selfless service
and devotion to all beings
have been highly lauded
by world leaders
and governments.
She also brings love
around the world
where there is hate.
She brings hope where
there is despair, and
she brings understanding
where there is
misunderstanding.
We don't have
enough people
like the Supreme Master.
If we had somebody
like her in every country
in the world, we will
have eternal peace,
eternal love.
For decades,
Supreme Master
Ching Hai
has exemplified
unconditional love
through her worldwide
humanitarian work.
Love
your family members
wholeheartedly;
sacrifice for them
whenever necessary.
And to other members of
mankind just show
your love universally,
and help
whoever needs your help.
That is the way of love.
Supreme Master
Ching Hai’s
wisdom and compassion
have been a source of
inspiration for countless
people worldwide.
And she
further encourages
positive work through
the Shining World
Leadership Award.
Thank you,
Shining World Leaders!
Greetings noble viewers.
The highly admired
Indian pacifist
and vegetarian
Mahatma Gandhi said,
“The greatness of a nation
and its moral progress
can be judged by the way
its animals are treated.”
A lifelong advocate
for the respect
toward all beings,
human and animal,
Supreme Master Ching Hai
revealed in a July 2010
teleconference
in the United States about
the merit earned from
being kind to animals.
If we are kind to any
animals – rescue them
or take care of them
or somehow help them
in their troubled time –
then we will have earned
a lot of merit,
not just this lifetime,
but in the future lifetime.
And we should never
harm any animals at all,
because that retribution
will return double, triple
to us and we will suffer
the way we make
the animals suffer.
One day,
killing animals will
be also a crime, charged
like killing humans,
more or less.
One time in our world,
it will happen.
Today, we will feature
three honored
government recipients
of the Shining World
Leadership Award
that were recognized
for their legislation
to stop animal cruelty
and shield the exploited
from harm.
First, in Canada,
an amendment to
the Province of Manitoba’s
animal cruelty law
took immediate effect
in September 2010.
The new regulations
for the 1996
Animal Care Act established
license requirements
to eliminate puppy mills,
which are places where
dogs are relentlessly bred
in abusive conditions to
produce puppies for sale,
usually in pet stores.
Other measures
were also put in place
to further protect
animal companions,
such as a doubling
of the maximum fine
for animal care offenses.
In addition,
animal protection officers
now have greater authority
to intervene or
take custody of animals
that they believe
have been abandoned
or abused.
For their
conscientious efforts
to ensure the welfare
of animal companions,
Supreme Master Ching Hai
honored the Government
of the Province of Manitoba
with the Shining World
Leadership Award.
The following
is an excerpt from
Supreme Master Ching Hai’s
letter of appreciation:
“That the strong arm
of the law now stands
guardian over innocent
and helpless puppies
and kittens, and
seeks to inject sympathy
into the plight of cattle
on trucks is testament
that your Ministry
is a guiding star
to your people –
leading them to
ever more beautiful ways
of expanding their hearts
to embrace the welfare
of all life.
…we hereby applaud and
celebrate the great deeds
of Manitoba province
and the Honourable
Stan Struthers,
Minister of Agriculture,
Food and Rural Initiatives.
With Great Honour, Love
and Blessings,
Supreme Master Ching Hai”
Next,
in the United Kingdom,
following a series of
temporary bans to protect
the endangered Irish hare,
Northern Ireland’s
Assembly voted
to end hare coursing.
The new permanent ban
of caging, then releasing
and chasing wild hares
was included
in the Wildlife and
Natural Environment Bill,
and was proposed by
Assembly Members
Mr. Roy Beggs
and Tom Elliott.
Commenting
on the new measure,
Assembly Member
Beggs stated,
“Catching a wild animal,
keeping it in a cage and
then releasing it in order
that man can enjoy
the chase of
his greyhound... I am
very uncomfortable with
that use of wild animals."
For this
compassionate decision,
Their Excellencies
Mr. Beggs and Mr. Elliott
of the Northern Ireland
Assembly were honored
with the Shining World
Leadership Award from
Supreme Master Ching Hai.
A part of
the award letter read:
“This Award is presented
in recognition of
the Assembly members’
outstanding
compassionate efforts
to advance humanity,
for your wise leadership
and exemplary vision
paving the way
to a kinder and
more humane world…
With Great Honour,
Love and Blessings,
Supreme Master
Ching Hai”
In July 2010, members
of the Catalán Parliament
of Spain passed a new law
that completely prohibits
the cruel practice
of bullfighting,
which involves
the bulls’ suffering
and agonizing death.
The region’s ban
was the first
on the Spanish mainland.
Audiences had already
been voting with
their actions as
bullfighting events have
declined in popularity,
and Barcelona's
La Monumental
is the only bullring left
operating in the region.
What is your reaction
to the news that they have
managed to ban
bullfighting in Catalonia?
My reaction is positive
because I feel good
that they do not mistreat
animals that are
being raised to suffer.
Bulls are like
any other animals and
seeing them suffering
like that,
I don’t like it, truly.
In recognition of
its humane and
ethical policy,
Supreme Master Ching Hai
honored the Government
of Catalonia
with the Shining World
Leadership Award.
The award was presented
to Catalonian
Parliament Member
Mr. Josep Rull.
Mr. Deputy,
where did the idea to ban
bullfighting come from?
This was a popular
legislative initiative
in the Catalán
parliamentary system.
They have an initiative
to bring laws
to the parliament,
the government,
the parliamentary groups
and citizens.
They need to collect more
than 55,000 signatures,
to ask Parliament
to take a position
in relation to
a modification of a law.
In this case, there weren’t
55,000 people
but 180,000 people who
asked the Parliament
of Catalonia
to amend the law on
the protection of animals,
in the sense of
banning bullfighting
with death of animals.
Before a vote, to the extent
that it is known
what will be the position
of each political party,
we know what is
going to be the outcome,
but not in this case.
There were
the appearances
of the experts on one side
and on the other,
and therefore the debate
took a very long time,
very long, very intense,
very rigorous.
And I believe that
the arguments in favor of
eliminating a practice
that does not conform
to the values
of the 21st century,
were more convincing,
in some way.
Yes,
within the Spanish state,
Catalonia is
an autonomous territory,
it is a nation
within the Spanish state
with its own institutions
of self-governance.
We have had
much sympathy
from the people,
much sympathy
from the people of other
autonomous territories,
from people in Andalusia,
from people from Madrid,
from people in Murcia,
and above all
an incredible support
on an international level.
We never had received
so many emails
from around the world,
from New Zealand,
throughout Latin America,
United States,
the majority of countries
in the European Union.
As a shining example,
Catalonia is also
a pioneer in the protection
of other kinds of animals.
We have one of
the most advanced laws
in the world and there is
an issue that we are
very concerned about,
that is the prohibition
of killing dogs and cats
in kennels.
Very good.
We would like to
hear from you,
Mr. Deputy, if you hope
that Catalonia serves
as an example
for the rest of Spain,
in this measure
which has been adopted.
We would like it if so.
In fact,
in the Madrid community,
there is a group
of citizens who have
initiated a process similar
to that of Catalonia,
in the sense of
collecting signatures
for the parliament of
the Madrid community.
And we know
that in Andalusia,
it would be the cradle
of bullfighting,
they also have a sensitivity
very similar.
The basic topic is
that customs change
and countries evolve,
and that it’s not correct
for the 21st century
to make a public show
based on torture and death
of a living being.
It is a global issue,
it is a matter of sensitivity
of human beings
in relation to those who
share the planet with us.
“Honourable Sir,
It is with great pleasure
and gratitude that
we present to Catalonia
the “Shining World
Leadership Award.”
This Award is presented
in recognition of
your region’s outstanding
humane leadership,
courage and conviction
in banning bullfighting,
mercifully bringing an end
to this cruel
and undignified practice.
With your loving decision
to outlaw bullfighting,
the beautiful people
of Catalonia have shown
the rest of Spain
and the entire world
their compassionate
and noble true selves.
The Catalonian Parliament
has enacted true courage
and strength of character
in this historic decision,
which followed a petition
signed by 180,000
local residents
calling for an end
to such unjust
and barbaric cruelty.
The people have
made themselves heard,
and the leaders
of Catalonia have listened,
interceding on behalf of
the helpless and innocent
animals who cannot
protest or escape
from their situation.
Today, you, and all
the people of Catalonia
are their saviours,
their guardian angels
in their moment of need.
For all the animals, and
for all the peace-loving
people around the world,
we thank you from
the depths of our hearts.
For your compassionate
and merciful leadership
in ending bullfighting
in Catalonia, for your
wisdom and empathy
for the sentiments
of the people,
and for being
a dedicated role model,
we hereby applaud and
celebrate the great deeds
of Catalonia
with special thanks to
Member of Parliament,
The Honourable
Mr. Jose Rull,
loving protector
of the dignified
and graceful bulls.
With Great Honour,
Love and Blessings,
Supreme Master
Ching Hai”
Well, is a real privilege,
to receive this recognition,
and my appreciation.
This is not an issue for me
but for which it represents,
that is an important
group of deputies and
the parliament of a nation
that has decided to be
a little more dignified,
a little more civilized.
(Thank you very much.)
Many thanks to the Master!
And we are going to
give you the plaque.
It is very…
really it is impressive.
I’m very, very excited for
this collective recognition
which represents
this nation.
Thank you very much!
In addition to the award,
gifts were presented
for the Parliamentary
dignitaries involved,
including
Supreme Master Ching Hai’s
lecture DVDs and #1
international bestsellers,
“The Noble Wilds,
“The Dogs in My Life,”
and
“The Birds in My Life.”
We are going to
look at them so much,
and we are going to read
and also we are going to
share with
the other deputies
that have participated
in the elaboration
of this law.
We respectfully laud
the efforts
of the governments
of Catalonia, Spain;
Northern Ireland,
United Kingdom;
and Manitoba, Canada,
on behalf of
the vulnerable species
you have chosen to protect,
as well as for the sake
of our own
species’ humaneness.
Blessed be all such
legislation in protecting
cherished co-inhabitants
so they may continue
to grace our Earth
with their presence in freedom.
Caring viewers, thank you
for your company
on today’s program.
Please keep your dial
tuned to Supreme Master
Television for
Words of Wisdom,
up next after
Noteworthy News.
May we all be nations
of gentle
animal-respecting citizens.