With diverse flora and fauna, magnificent natural landscapes, and an ecological biosphere that supports life, this wondrous planet is our earthly home. From our animal co-inhabitants to the lush rainforests and life-giving soil, we cherish all these as gifts from the Creator. It is a common theme in the world’s major faiths that during our temporary stay here, we should be good stewards of Mother Earth.

Throughout the years, Supreme Master Ching Hai has shared the message of leading a balanced life while following a spiritual path. Not only must we nourish our spirits, but we share the responsibility to care for nature and our fellow beings. In light of recent scientific evidence which pinpoint the raising of livestock as the number one contributor to climate change, Supreme Master Ching Hai affirms the important message she has noted for over the past two decades: we must be vegan and practice sustainable living. Today we present to you a compilation of excerpts from Supreme Master Ching Hai’s lectures titled “Bees and Their Contribution to the Ecosphere.”

We appreciate your company for today’s episode of Between Master and Disciples here on Supreme Master Television. Join us again tomorrow for part 2 of “Bees and Their Contribution to the Ecosphere.” And now, Animal World: Our Co-Inhabitants is coming up next, right after Noteworthy News. Please stay tuned.

We wish you a safe and blessed weekend. Thank you, enlightened viewers, for your company for today’s episode of Between Master and Disciples.

Up next is Animal World: Our Co-Inhabitants right after Noteworthy News here on Supreme Master Television. Please stay tuned. With God’s blessings, may our planet flourish with peace and loving kindness.

I am reading some report. Oh my God, poor people. So much disasters nowadays. Is it much more frequently now, right? Yes. More and more. It’s more frequent and more hard. More severe. Terrible. Poor people. Jesus! I don’t like all this. It is very bad. Poor people. I wish I could give them more than that, but this is just for temporary, for emergency, and then they survive, until bigger help comes from your country.

My God! Now the continued decline of bees has affected the food now. This is nothing new, but they keep reporting it’s getting worse all the time. Because if there are no bees there is no pollination, and then some food, some fruits and some vegetable depend on the pollination to bear fruit. And now a lot of bees have died; the whole colony sometimes collapsed. They call it “the collapsing of the colony.” So now, maybe we don’t have food soon, not to talk about climate change or anything yet. We might have no food because of no pollination.

So you guys maybe just start planting something at home, something that doesn’t need the bees. Well, anything we can survive, but this is terrible, this is such a disaster, and they are not quick enough. All the bees die because of the poisonous gas. They cannot bear it. We are big so maybe we don’t feel much the effect, and the big animals, some don’t feel much the effect, but some small insects and bees, they die because they cannot bear it. It’s too much for them! And so many whales and dolphins, they wash up ashore and die.

There are so many dead zones in the ocean. The same with them, they cannot bear it. It’s suffocating them, so they have to swim out of it – you understand me? – swim out of the water where it’s full of poison in there, poisonous gas that has been released. So they cannot bear it, they cannot breathe, so they have to get out of it. Just like if the house is engulfed with gas, you cannot breathe and you open the door and you come out, no? The same with them. For them, life is in the water, but if the water is full of poison, of course they come out, but when they come out, they die, too, because they have no water. They stay in the ocean, they die, they come out, they die. There is no choice for them. This is the worst of all cruelty, that the people don’t take care of the environment and let all beings keep dying like this.

Just to be vegetarian, how difficult can it be? Is it difficult? Even if it is, this is the only choice we have to survive. Then why not? Even the dolphins have to swim out of the ocean, because they think like that they can survive, even risking their lives, so why not we can just change to vegetarian diet?

The animals come to this planet with a special role. Many of them are able to bring down divine power from Heaven, or love, just through their presence, because they are very connected with the Divine at all times. Some, like horses and rabbits, can protect their human caregivers from negative influences, or boost them with good health, good luck, even material fortune, joy, or spiritual upliftment. They watch out for us quietly and humbly send blessings our way. Some of them are from higher levels of consciousness; they only came down in animal form to help humankind or other beings on Earth.

Of course, animals also have very noble, vital roles in the physical realm. In the oceans, fish play an important role in quickly recycling nutrients in the ecosystem, which helps to sustain all the marine life. Some animals, like zebras, monkeys, and wild parrots, help to disperse the seeds, while bees and other insects help to pollinate crops and other plants, and others maintain the health of the forests and oceans. Animals directly help humans as well. We notice that dogs are extremely altruistic and courageous.

They are the heroic rescuers who dive into rubble to free the victims, keep an injured person warm and alive in the snow until help arrives, or patiently serve the blind. They also provide comfort to prison inmates even, as well as happiness and therapeutic effects for the elderly and hospital patients. These are all well-known facts. Similarly, in the wild, we can gauge the Noble Qualities of other animals, such as geese, the squirrels, the ducks, etc., even, also by observing how they treat their own kind and others with dignity and respect for life. Actually, some experienced animal telepathic communicators have given us messages from the animals. For example, the seals have conveyed that it is important for them to be allowed to stay on Earth – not for themselves, but so that they can continue doing their job, which is to keep the Earth in balance with love.

You see, the seals and the whales emanate an incredible, great power of divine love, an unconditional love that could be likened to that between a mother and her child. They anchor and distribute this wave of love across our planet. Because of humankind’s lack of love and kindness, animals like seals and whales have been born to help fill in this missing void, and it is this love that is sustaining our planet and keeping it from destruction up to now. So we should never ever hunt and kill these noble, gracious helpers of humankind and the planet. We also were informed about the message from the livestock animals who are so miserably trapped in the factory farms. Well, there was no clear message, but more of a feeling of constant terror and panic and oppression, because such dreadful conditions are enough to make them forget their original mission in coming to Earth.

It would be enough to make us forget anything as well, if we were in their place. It’s very sad how humans deny not only their life and every natural instinct, but also their beneficial purpose of existence. It is we who lose terribly by seeing these great creatures as mere objects, and flesh to be eaten. Through meditation I have discovered that the Noble Quality (or NQ) of different species can be measured as a percentage to show how they embody the qualities of compassion and selflessness. Dogs and pigs, for example, each have an impressive NQ of 30%. Cows have an NQ of 40%. In contrast, animals with more violent or flesh-eating tendencies have lower NQs.

Lions, for example, have an NQ of 3% and tigers, 4%. And as for humans, while some of us have – you know, general break down – some of us have NQs of 10%, many of us have just a 3% Noble Quality. Humans can learn from these examples of Noble Quality in our co-inhabitants. We can develop our own NQ at any time, basically by never harming any living beings, always doing good to others in any situation, and by keeping the loving veg diet. With these simple steps, we can even help elevate the people and animals we come in contact with, just as the noble animals assist in uplifting us and our world. That is the privilege of being human. See, we can change. We can be greater. Animals, although they have great NQ, Noble Quality, they often stay that way. For example, if they have 30% NQ they often stay that way. But we, even if we have like 3%, 4% NQ, we have a chance and opportunities to develop way past that of animals even.

My greetings to you, Master. Respected Supreme Master Ching Hai, what is the role of our co-inhabitant friends in regards to the environment as well as human life? Hallo, Ms. Nguyễn.

It is almost too much to try to convey the importance of each and every inhabitant friend to the environment as a whole. Scientists find out new things every day about the intrinsic role of different animals and their contributions to the ecosphere. And just because we don’t know the purpose of a particular co-inhabitant, we cannot assume that they have no function. Every single being in creation has a purpose that aids another being or assists in some way. Their help may even be invisible to us humans, but it is still very real. However, of just the few things we do know, we can be amazed at the versatility and uniqueness of all forms of life on our planet.

The earthworm, even so tiny as that, for example, helps enrich the soil we depend on for our food. Fish that we don’t even see help offset climate change and stabilize the habitat of their fellow marine inhabitants by maintaining the pH balance of the ocean water, and the tiny bees contribute to pollination that we could not replace, not only for flowers but vital food crops. We cannot replace their work even, as a human. In the Bible, God gave the animals to be humans’ helpers, but this does not mean they are subservient for us to exploit. If we humans live in wonder of the animals’ existence, we also would stop thinking about eating them. Because if we cherish their irreplaceable talents and manifold gifts, we also cherish their lives. So, I thank you for your good reminder, Mr. Nguyễn. Let's all help the animals, so they can help us, so they can continue to help us and the whole planet. God bless you. Thank you, Master. God bless our animal friends.

Supreme Master, in order for us to have fruits and vegetables, the plants, crops and flowers must be pollinated. Without bees, 80% of fruits and vegetables will disappear. Recently, the bee population has been reduced dramatically across the US and Europe. What do you think is the cause of this and what can we do to keep our bee population alive and healthy? By using organic farming and eating organic food, we will help the bee population.

It’s reported that there are several causes for the bee’s decline, like genetically modified crops, chemical pesticides, and other spray substances for plants. Climate changes also affects the environmentally sensitive and fragile bees. References can be found from the recent German journal Der Spiegel. Also, there’s a report by Dr. Ricarda Steinbrecher, the scientist of Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific and the director of EcoNexus UK, or from the Soil Association, UK. The pesticide neonicotinoids are banned by some EU countries and may be banned throughout the EU in the near future by vote to protect public safety and wildlife from these dangerous chemicals, as Peter Melchett, director of the Soil Association stated.

Hi, Master. Hi. Last year, bee colonies around the world collapsed, and the news is saying that now over 60% have disappeared just since last year. They say if it happens again this year, we could end up with no more fruits and vegetables within two years. Is eating organic enough for us to reverse this? or what else can we do to help pollinating insects?

It’s not just one thing. Of course, organic farming is the best. It’s the ideal for health and the planet. When I say “planet,” I mean for all the inhabitants, the bees and insects and animals alike. Because if we’re using chemicals, then of course they’re going to die out, sooner or later, big and small. That’s why the bees are disappearing. I don’t know what else to pollinate the fruits and vegetables except what nature has already provided to us, and we have been destroying this ecosystem. It’s a very sad affair.

Now, again, the government has to employ another kind of farming technique. Farming policy has to change, from inside out, from up to down, and every farmer must know about it. Otherwise, not just bee colonies’ collapse, many other insects, many other useful insects and helpful animals, they will be dying out. They’re dying out every day now, a lot of them, and I am just as sad as you are and as frustrated. We’ve got to pray for Heaven’s help. And if you can, tell the farmers, tell the government to change it. We use only beneficial products for agriculture; otherwise we will have nothing left, as you said.

I agree with Supreme Master Ching Hai’s words that all humans should change to a vegetarian diet to prevent global warming. I am confident that organic farming is eco-friendly and life-saving, and the most suitable farming method that can prevent climate change, but many people still do not realize how important it is. After changing to organic farming, I feel much more at peace mentally. I feel the soil, living beings, and crops all reviving healthily, and feel respect towards all lives. If we eat organic agricultural products that save all living beings, it will offer peace and coexistence; therefore, this is the farming method and diet style for our future. I would appreciate it if you could share your words on the inner or spiritual aspects that organic farming has to offer to us. SM: Good question. Good question, Mr. Kim. Thank you.

Good question. Thank you so much for this thoughtful question. When you speak about organic farming and the Earth, your love for living beings is very clear and evident. So you have already conveyed some of the inner spiritual aspect of organic farming through your deep care. That really is the most important principle: the love for all beings. But we can talk about it to, perhaps, clarify a little bit more. Of course, when we say “organic farming,” we are talking about vegan – fruits, vegetables, legumes and other plants only – no animal products, because this clearly already indicates a spiritual, high level of living standards.

When we live and let live, when we love all beings as if we love ourselves, then that is already very highly spiritual, and of course, that is in line with all the greatest religions on Earth. That will be very pleasing to Heaven. This allows us more to completely extend our respect and care to all life, and that’s why you feel more peaceful, you see? You feel more connected with the surroundings around you because they all pulsate with life. The Earth is pulsating with love and life – the trees, the plants, they are pulsating all this love for life, and life. When we sit under a tree, we feel this protective love from the tree. When we enjoy a delicious fruit, we feel the connectedness of this unconditional love from the tree to offer us nutrition and a pleasing taste.

If we are in the organic vegan trend or planting organic vegan farming method, then you will feel that more and more – the love from nature, the love from the planet Earth, the love from the trees, the love from even a blade of grass, from flowers. We will feel so much love in the air that we breathe. We feel so much love from the earth that we walk on. This we cannot even explain in human language; we must feel it. I always feel it, but I can’t transmit this spiritual message to other people. Everyone must experience it for himself. Once we turn to a compassionate Heaven-intended lifestyle of a vegan diet, then we will feel more and more love, more and more connected all the time, just like the way you feel. So you have your own experience to speak of and to tell people.

The way you describe organic farming, Mr. Kim, sounds quite like a spiritual principle known as “ahimsa,” or non-violence. Ahimsa means not harming any sentient beings, beginning with a vegan diet. Organic vegan diet is the best. “As we sow, so shall we reap.” If we sow these benevolent seeds on the Earth, as well as in our heart, as a vegan, we avoid all animal products. For example, most of the milk production causes suffering, first of all because the babies of the mother cows are taken away at birth. Not many people know that, including myself before. And these baby cows will soon be killed. Deprived from mother’s milk and mother’s love, they’ll be killed as soon as they’re taken away. Then the mother is forcefully hooked up to a machine that can cause tormenting pain along with illness, just so that humans can take her milk.

Another example of a practice causing harm to both animals and Earth is the use of chemical pesticides. If you can imagine, over 5 billion pounds of pesticides are used throughout the world each year! And only about 10% – 10%! – of these chemicals even reach the areas where they are intended for. ##So the rest, what happens? They go into the air and water where they have been linked to everything from cancer of humans and animals to oceanic dead zones. In Europe, one pesticide was found to be the reason for billions of bees dying across the continent, while others are known to make the eggshells of birds become thinner, resulting in the death of their babies because the shells crack and break before the baby is ready to “be born.”

Since organic vegan farming does not use pesticides and does not have anything to do with livestock raising, milk production, or any such harmful activity, it could be called a practice of compassion, in line with Heaven, with values that are echoed in many spiritual paths and religious teachings, such as the followers of Buddhism and Confucianism, and as written in their scriptures. Like the Dhammapada Sutra states: “A man is not noble because he injures living creatures. He is called noble because he does not injure any living beings.” And from the noble teachings of Confucianism: How does a saintly king treat animals? It’s stated: “He would like to see them live and cannot bear to see them die. Hearing their wails, he cannot eat their flesh for he does not have the heart to do so.”

I’m just referring to two of the great religions in our world. And many other religions say the same, Now, organic vegan farming also brings positive benefit to our own karma. “Karma” means the “retribution,” bad or good. So karma follows the law of the universe that says: for every action there is an equal consequence. So, if we injure or kill others, we could be injured or killed in return, sooner or later – not “could be,” ##but “surely will be.” Organic vegan farming, with its approach of causing the least harm to others, offers the least burden of bad karma (retribution). And we can even go a step further, only harvesting from plants that bear fruit, or harvest in such a way that the plant continues to grow. It is thus much better to grow our own food as you do, Mr. Kim, so that we can, for example, pick the outer leaves of the lettuce instead of killing the entire plant. In fact, some practitioners of one religion, called Jainism, don’t even eat root vegetables because they wish to avoid unintentional harm to the beings living in the soil, such as earthworms, which are beneficial to our farming. They are there to fertilize the soil, to air the soil so that our plants grow better, our harvest will be more abundant. They risk their lives to save ours. We should even consider their lives and spare their lives and be protective of their lives. The benefit of organic farming is immense, including great advantages to both human health and the environment. Organic farming actually restores the topsoil and cleans the air and water supplies even. It is so much more beneficial that we could not list them all in a few minutes. It is even good for animals, all beings on this planet, including even trees and land, in part because it does not use chemical fertilizer or pesticides, many of which are considered by the United States Environment Protection Agency and the European Union to be potentially cancer-causing, and also depleting of our bees’ colonies and killing many other animals that we cannot even all name here. One of the US studies indicates that if the United States’ 8 million acres of produce farms went organic, then the risk of consuming dietary pesticides would be reduced by 97%. Can you imagine? Chemical fertilizer and pesticide runoffs are also known to contribute to the ocean dead zones. We are killing our planet by pesticides and chemical fertilizer. Now, scientific studies have found that organic farming not only reduces energy usage and produces less CO2, which helps lower greenhouse gases, but it actually allows the soil to absorb even 40% of presently-in-the-air CO2 emission. Before we even invent any technology to reduce CO2, or before we even reduce all the cars and transportations, if we go organic we reduce 40% of the current CO2 in the air already, and the daily emission. And, furthermore, organic produce is free of genetically modified organisms, and its nutrient content is actually higher than that of conventional-grown fruit and vegetables. It is for these reasons that we in our group use as much organic produce as much as possible. First, to encourage the organic farming to develop and progress and prosper more into a better trend for everyone to enjoy. Second, of course, is for our planet, and third, for our health and all that on this planet. I wish that all the governments in the world would encourage organic farming to save our world. Give them subsidies, give them all the facilitated means in order for the farmers to continue their organic farming method because it’s not only helping them, it’s helping the planet and all the people. I am sure if the governments support organic farming, it will be a trend in no time. If the governments lead the way with the message that this is how to be green and how to protect the planet, then the farmers would be happy to grow more vegan food. To spread the practice of organic farming would help in so many ways. The benefit of organic farming for human livelihood, for human health, and for animals’ health, natural resources and protection of our planet – all these benefits we cannot even estimate all in here. Organic farming not only helps to protect the planet, it will even help to eliminate hunger. So, I just suggest vegan organic, or organic vegan.