Today’s Enlightening Entertainment will be presented in Aulacese (Vietnamese), with subtitles in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Hungarian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean Malay, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Thai.

In Aulacese (Vietnamese) culture, cải lương (modern folk opera) is a popular theater art that dates back about three centuries, when the flourishing South was a new land. Among those who settled in the South at that time were musicians from the royal palace in the ancient capital Huế. Since then, the kind of ceremonial music often heard in the palace became more widely known among the populace.

Eventually, new songs were composed. Many amateur musical groups were formed, adopting music and song as a form of elegant entertainment. From about 1912 to 1915, the artists of these musical groups began to combine gestures to their songs. Since then, a new genre called ca ra bộ was born. Performers conversed; sometimes a song would be used as dialogue. Ca ra bộ continued to develop to create the theatrical art that is now called modern folk opera.

The orchestra for Aulacese modern folk opera usually consists of the six-string guitar, the moon lute, the pear-shaped lute, two-string fiddle, sixteen-string zither, and monochord zither. The themes of Aulacese modern folk opera highlight humanitarian and moral values. The dialogues are profound, the song lyrics and tunes are rhythmic and rich in melody. These are some of the reasons cải lương (modern folk opera) has an enduring place in the hearts of the Aulacese people.

In the Lunar New Year 2007, during an outdoor gathering with our Association members in Formosa (Taiwan), Supreme Master Ching Hai was moved to spontaneously sing a folk opera song “Spiritual Practice is a Source of Blessing” written by Mr. Viễn Châu, which she knew by heart since her youth. We now invite you to listen to an excerpt of this folk opera song through the voice of Supreme Master Ching Hai.

Kneeling down, she sobs in the main hall of worship
As the temple bell sounds the hour of prayer
O young devotee, why do you wish to be a nun?
Finding comfort in the scriptures, and acquainting yourself with spiritual practice?
But how can you achieve enlightenment when earthly traces are still evident on your seasoned countenance?
Are you rid of worldly debt or are still entangled?
Did you renounce the world because glory and fame have lost their appeal and life seems like an abyss?
Or was it because of a fleeting moment of jealousy and distress that you intend to hide yourself behind the temple’s gate to bury your grief and forget your sorrow?

On Enlightening Entertainment, Supreme Master Television is pleased to introduce different forms of arts from Âu Lạc (Vietnam), as well as from other countries in the world, in order to share the beauty and cultures of the peoples on our planet.

Respected viewers, this week, we are honored to present the conclusion of the world premiere of the Aulacese (Vietnamese) modern folk opera “A Tale of Karma (Retribution),” specially based on the poem “Words of a Piglet” written by Supreme Master Ching Hai in her late 20s, through the adaptation of musician Thái An and playwright Hoàng Song Việt.

A vegetarian since her youth, Supreme Master Ching Hai highly values the life of all beings, be they family pets or birds in the wild, humble tiny insects or powerful animals like elephants, bears and others who unfortunately have been captured for human entertainment. Supreme Master Ching Hai has always felt much sorrow for the plight of animals facing heartless treatments. Therefore, since her youth, she has written poems reflecting sentiments of our animal co-habitants, such as “A Puppy’s Heart,” “Words of a Hen,” and “Words of a Piglet.”

Furthermore, Supreme Master Ching Hai is also the author of three #1 international bestsellers. “The Dogs in My Life,” “The Birds in My Life,” and “The Noble Wilds,” originally written in English, have been translated into several languages such as Aulacese (Vietnamese), Polish, Korean, German, Mongolian, Indonesian, Russian, Japanese, French, Spanish, and Chinese.

Her dedicated efforts are reminders to human beings of the noble qualities and love of our animal friends, who always sacrifice themselves, offer loyalty and forgiveness, and bring wonderful gifts into our lives.

Unfortunately, the current fate of our animal friends on Earth is full of miseries. Every year, 140 billion animal co-habitants are killed to supply the meat, egg and dairy industries all over the world. In the United States alone, more than 100 million pig friends are slaughtered each year. That is not to mention the millions of animal friends being killed in laboratories every year; millions of dogs and cats killed in shelters for stray animals; and many animal friends who die from being tortured for “entertainment” in the circus, bull fighting, cock fighting, horse racing, dog racing, and so on.

In past decades, during her lectures around the world Supreme Master Ching Hai has always advised Earth citizens to return to the path of love and to stop the killing. In recent years, due to the urgency of climate change, she has compassionately responded to requests to speak in many videoconferences and answer questions from the public about the most effective solution for now and the future.

Her message, simple yet profound and accurate in every aspect, from science, economy, health, to spirituality, has become a slogan enthusiastically supported by distinguished organizations and individuals in society including scientists, government officials, medical professionals, artists, athletes, and celebrities: “Be Veg, Go Green, 2 Save the Planet!”

During the launch of the Aulacese (Vietnamese) edition of “The Birds in My Life” in Pathumthani, Thailand on October 11, 2008, Supreme Master Ching Hai, as author and guest of honor, addressed via videoconference questions from the audience including Aulacese scientists, physicians, professors, and artists about the importance of animal friends on Earth.

Because these helpless animals, they don’t do anything to harm us, but only bring joy to beautify the life of humanity. To take it a step further, they also show us unconditional love.

One should not commit acts of cruelty, like confining animals in such anguishing and miserable conditions. But humans haven’t yet understood, thus, they continue to do those things. So, we hope that one day the whole world will awaken and love and care for one another, including all the innocent animals so that Heaven and Earth have mercy on us and spare our lives, as well as the lives of our children, so that the planet can survive for everyone to enjoy. Indeed, saving the planet is considered humanity’s top priority today.

In early June 2010, the United Nations Environment Program called upon the world to switch to a vegan diet to save the Earth. Mr. Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program, explained the disastrous consequences of livestock farming. He said,

“Two broad areas are currently having a disproportionately high impact on people and the planet’s life support systems - these are energy in the form of fossil fuels and agriculture, especially the raising of livestock for meat and dairy products.” In the report titled “Assessing the Environmental Impacts of Production and Consumption,” researchers clearly stated,

“A substantial reduction of impacts would only be possible with a substantial worldwide diet change, away from animal products.” The fact that a United Nations agency urgently requests humankind to implement “a substantial worldwide diet change, away from animal products” reflects the ultimate goal of saving this planet from self destruction.

Right from the beginning, animals were never meant to be food for humans. In addition, animals also have their own thoughts and overflowing feelings. Please now join us to listen to heartfelt sentiments of an animal friend very close in our lives through the verses of Supreme Master Ching Hai in the poem “Words of a Piglet.”

The day I met you first Was the day of my birth Pink and round, me oh so plump With Mom I gaily frolicked.

Lovingly you looked at me Praising, “Oh, so round, what a cutie!” Every day you came by to visit Bringing cool water and delicious veggie treats.

Mommy and I were so touched Your kindness worth more than gold I lived a peaceful life Under your care and protection Growing more plump with each passing day Just eat, rest and play…

So lovely was this early morn As clouds were drifting across the sky Cuddling together, Mommy and I Unaware of the befalling tragedy!

Two brawny young men Strong like tigers and elephants Squashed my tiny body Flat into a cage of horror! There was no way to escape! O God, what purgatory was this?

I wailed in fear and terror Mom, oh Mom, please save me! Oh caretaker, please come protect me quickly! Rescue my life, I’m still at a tender age!

Mom was crying out in sorrow Tears of desperation filling her eyes The immense Heavens cannot contain This horrendous emotional pain!

My caretaker turned away Hands busy counting a stack of money Haplessly I rolled around in the car trunk Breaking heart more painful than bodily misery!

The two young men bantered: “This piglet will be so tasty! Tomorrow we’ll slaughter him To celebrate the birth of the wife’s newborn baby!!”

Oh, how ironic this life My soul is shattered Tears flow in my heart Like blood running in rivulets.

I thought you loved me Nurturing me to maturity But all this was a sham For you, it’s just profit and gain!

Tomorrow my body will be cut to pieces My flesh and bones turned to sheer torture Just so people can laugh in merriment At their happy feast and gathering.

To your children and others’ too I wish them all long lives So the family can stay together Not endure the same fate as mine…

I pray the whole family lives nobly To be human in many lifetimes And never be reborn as pigs Paying forever karmic debts!

Alas, good-bye life… I ache for my gentle suffering mother In tears I am overcome… Oh, Mommy! Mom…Mom…

You have listened to the poem “Words of a Piglet,” written by Supreme Master Ching Hai in her late 20s. These moving verses have been adapted into an Aulacese (Vietnamese) modern folk opera titled “A Tale of Karma ##(Retribution)” by musician Thái An and playwright Hoàng Song Việt, and directed by Mr. Lê Lộc.

We now invite you to enjoy the conclusion of the modern folk opera titled “A Tale of Karma (Retribution),”performed by Artist of Merit Mr. Tấn Giao as Nam, Ms. Như Quỳnh as Giao, Mr. Tiểu Bảo Quốc as Tự, Ms. Thy Phương as Gia, Mr. Hữu Tài as the Elder Fairy, Ms. Hồng Thủy as the Mother Pig, and Ms. Yến Nhung as the Pig Caretaker.

Thank you for your company on today’s Enlightening Entertainment. Words of Wisdom is coming up. Please tune in on Supreme Master Television next Thursday for the Aulacese chèo traditional opera entitled “The Third Princess” by playwright Trần Trí Trắc. May your life be filled with peace, happiness and noble love. We bid you farewell for now.

Last week, we learned about a married couple, Nam and Giao, who lived happily together in a thatched house by the woods. However, ever since Giao brought home a piglet who lost his mother and took care of him, her husband has been displeased. One day, in his frustration, he was determined to catch the piglet and give it away.

In his pursuit of the piglet, he perchance encountered an elder, the manifestation of a fairy, who offered him a cup of tea that made him fall asleep. In a strange dream, Nam saw that in his last life, he was a piglet living in the loving protection of his mother and his caretaker. But when the piglet and his mother found out that the caretaker only raised the piglet just to sell for money, they felt deep suffering.

What were you doing? Why did you get mad all of a sudden and pinch me in front of a stranger?

What do you mean “all of sudden”? Nothing happens “all of sudden,” you hear? I almost forgot about it already. I already let it lie buried in the grave of the past. It’s you who re-ignited the flame of fury in my heart. You plan to be “a horse accustomed to the old way”?

You can’t label a man a horse like you do a woman.

Be quiet! You argue?

Look, you got jealous for no reason. This is just business, work for food.

Sure. Who works without food, right?

It’s a waste to lose this deal. You keep bringing up the old tales.

Who brought it up? Who? Wasn’t it your mouth which brought it up?

Right. Because I just remembered.

What did you remember? What? Me, I already forgot it. I tried to forget your wrongdoings so we could live in harmony and work together for our future. (I know.) And you... (What?) Maybe you still wait for an opportunity to escape my notice and repeat the past?

You’re always jealous and picking on me. That was a long time ago and you make it sound like new.

Those things were of the past but this is happening just now.

What just now?

If I wasn’t firm to stop you, you’d commit it again easily.

I’m mad at you. (What?) In the future, when you go do business, just go by yourself. Why bring me along and get all jealous?

I want to, I like to. So what? If I leave you at home, you wouldn’t make trouble somehow? It happens even when I’m right next to you, much less when I leave you home alone! Let me tell you. Sáu’s wife from the upper hamlet, Hai Thàng’s wife by the Uncle Shrine, and Tư Đắng’s wife from Narrow Ditch, you allegedly helped them raise pigs as an excuse. You said you visited them to pass on your experience. What experience? Raising pigs’ experience or hanky-panky experience?

Just those people. You know I stopped already.

What about those I don’t know?

Then I keep. (You keep?) No, no. I quit.

So there are others, right? Who? Where? (No, no more.) Speak! Are you going to tell me?

Take it easy. You scare me out of my wits. Don’t yell; I have a weak heart.

What heart? Speak!

What’s wrong with you? You asked trick questions, making me answer in confusion, then you get jealous. There’s no one else. Now you’re always with me everywhere I go. You’re right next to my skin, how can I do anything to make you jealous? I’m so tired of this!

Let me forewarn you. If you repeat this time, we’ll go separate ways. I’ll have nothing to do with you anymore.

What are you doing?

Oh God! How wonderful!

How dare you talk like that! Woe to you! (Ouch!) Woe to you!

Wife, wife! It hurts! I’m just kidding. We just joke for fun once in a while. All right, forgive me. I wouldn’t dare again. From now on, if I’m involved with anyone else, you can divorce me.

Remember what you said.

Of course.

Let’s go home!

So lovely was this early morn As clouds were drifting across the sky Cuddling together, Mommy and I Unaware of the befalling tragedy!

See that? The piglet has grown up now. He looks so chubby and delicious.

Delicious!

Keeping my promise with you two, I didn’t sell to anyone else. Yesterday, a dealer came asking, but I didn’t sell to him. I’m intent on reserving the pig for you.

You should save it for me!

I know you’re someone who keeps her word. My husband wanted to buy the big ones in the other village. He already put down the deposit, but I didn’t agree. You’re our friend, so I give you priority.

But it’s unfortunate for you. In the past few days, pigs’ prices have dropped sharply.

It’s dropped a lot, sister.

We merchants just manage to keep our trade, because lately we’ve made no profits. No profit at all. On our luckiest days, we’d just break even.

My husband was telling the truth, sister. These days, pigs’ price dropped severely. It’s right during a vegetarian month; no one cares for meat. If you can hang on till next month, you probably will get a better deal. How sad!

What do you think?

What do you think?

I feel so sorry for you.

Yes, very pitiful!

We’re trying to buy.

What now, sister?

Please understand my situation. I’m desperate for money lately. I bought bran on credit. Now people know my pig has matured. They pressure me to pay my debt. Last night, I calculated very carefully. This time, I’m in for a big loss.

I know your difficulty, that’s why my husband was thinking of buying the pigs from the upper hamlet. How about this? You give me some discount. Then I’ll weigh the pig immediately to send him to the storehouse this morning. How’s that?

Oh, no! (What?) Please reconsider. I’ll be in trouble to sell at that price. Don’t you see? From the upper to lower village, where can you find such a fat, round, fleshy pig? You bring this pig home and wait until your baby’s first birthday, then cut him up, offer to the altar and celebrate with the neighbors. After this, you’ll receive a lot of praise.

Actually, I already thought about that, but unfortunately pigs’ price has dropped so low. I dare not take a risk; my wife will scold me.

What an unpalatable thing you said! I’ve always been a gentle person. Oh God!

What you said may make her think that I stand in the way. If you think it’s profitable, then go ahead and buy, but don’t be quick to blame me. I’ll do as you say; profit or loss, it’s your problem.

See that? Because I pity your situation, so my wife and I end up fighting. But if I leave you, I also regret. (What?) I mean, we have no heart. But if we buy at that price, poor us!

Because you wanted to help me, you two got into an argument. To be honest, I feel so uneasy. Fine. Go ahead and weigh the pig.

Weigh?

That’s the way to go! Let’s do that.

Weigh, honey!

All right, let’s weigh him.

What did you say?

You see? (What?) Thanks to me, you got a low price. We’re in for a big profit this time. (Hey, hey!) What?

Keep your voice down. If she hears us, she’ll change her mind.

I forgot.

Let me call my assistant waiting outside to come in and help my husband to catch the pig.

Let him do it.

O Tám! Come help me catch the pig.

You’re here to catch a pig but so slow like a turtle. Quick!

Hurry, son!

Good pig! Sweet pig! Get into the cage to go home with me, and I’ll reward you a pot of boiling water. I mean, a pot of bran.

Two brawny young men Strong like tigers and elephants Squashed my tiny body Flat into a cage of horror! There was no way to escape! O God, what purgatory was this? O God, what purgatory was this?

Be understanding, all right? Now you must go to another place. Don’t be mad at me. Ouch! Oh God! You betraying pig! How dare you bite me! I’ll beat you dead. I’ll beat you dead.

Stop it! Stop it! Don’t beat him. He’s mine now. Tám! Go wait for me outside.

What a betraying pig! He dared to bite me. I must beat him. You pig! I’ll beat you.

Enough! Enough, sister. He’s my pig now. You can’t just do whatever you want. I already paid for him. You’re holding my money, can’t you see?

The deal is already finalized. If you accidentally kill the pig, what are we to do?

That’s right. My husband is correct. The pig is ours now. If you overdid it, and the pig died, you have to compensate ten times his value. Where do you get the money to pay me?

I’ve worked so hard to raise this pig. I’ve lost skin and bone to be able to sell him to you.

I wouldn’t expect that everything changed right after payment. How frustrating for me, a pig farmer who works hard all her life! The money I made was nothing compared to my labor. On top of that, I’m scorned by people. The animal I raised also settled his debt. I’m going to quit raising pigs from now on. Oh God! It hurts so much! His bite hurts so much!

Don’t cry, honey! Be good, love!

I mean, I feel so sorry for you.

Go dab on some medicated oil, sister. The pig just bit you a little. What’s the big deal? (Big deal.) “The rich getting a finger cut is like a beggar having his body split.”

Well, it’s getting late already. Who has time for all the whining? Carry the pig to the storehouse. Go!

I’m leaving now.

What?

Remember to save the next pig for me.

Hurry up! Let’s go.

Okay.

Well, we’re going home.

I wailed in fear and terror Mom, oh Mom, please save me! Oh caretaker, please come protect me quickly! Rescue my life, I’m still at a tender age!

Mom was crying out in sorrow Tears of desperation filling her eyes The immense Heavens cannot contain This horrendous emotional pain!

My caretaker turned away Hands busy counting a stack of money Haplessly I rolled around in the car trunk Breaking heart more painful than bodily misery!

The two young men bantered: “This piglet will be so tasty! Tomorrow we’ll slaughter him To celebrate the birth of the wife’s newborn baby!!”

I told you many times already. Just ignore what farmers say. They worked hard to raise the pigs and had to sell dirt cheap. Who wouldn’t feel heartbroken? If it were you, I’m sure you would scold and throw people out of the house.

What? I hate how she’s sticky like malt, bargaining back and forth like a kid. She’s lucky that I bought her pig. If it were other pig dealers, she’d be buried alive.

I know that. We buy fast and at lower prices than others. That’s the important thing. They can say whatever they want. We do whatever is profitable for us.

Of course!

You argued with them for every word. It’s the way of women and children, indeed!

Well, we’ve won big time. Why talk anymore about it? Now, what do you plan to do with this pig? This pig here.

What is there to discuss? The knife is sharpened and ready over there.

I really regret losing him. Can you re-think this? We’ll make a lot of money selling him.

What money? I already invited all the pig dealers. We can’t go back on them.

But I feel it’s a real waste. You just want to please your palate. Your wife and children must endure the loss of money. You’re always like that. I’m tired of it!

It’s our child’s first birthday, and you even calculate gain and loss. I’ve craved for this pig for a very long time. Look at his legs! Goodness! They are firm just like yours. Oh legs! Look, how adorable! I’m intent on making blood pudding. I haven’t had a drink with friends for a few days already. My arms and legs are too shaky to do anything. I take care of this family’s income all by myself. I need to enjoy, do you understand? Don’t treat me like a servant. You haven’t gone to the market for two weeks. Soon I’ll become a hungry ghost, you know?

How can you say that? If I save money, it’s for your children. In case we won’t be in business later, or it’s hard to make a profit, where’s the money to buy you food?

You always find all kinds of excuses about the family to be stingy with me. (That’s right.) Today’s party isn’t just for me to enjoy alone, but to celebrate our child’s first birthday.

No matter what I say, you still want to slaughter this pig soon. Fine, fine. Do what you want. If I keep talking, you’ll say I’m against your wishes. I’m too tired!

There! How adorable you are! All these years I’ve lived with you, this is the first time I’ve heard something pleasant from you. Why don’t you go check if the water is boiling yet? What are you standing there for? If the water has boiled, then bring it here for me. Watching this delicious-looking pig, I’m drooling. I can’t stand it!

Troublesome! Wait a bit!

Don’t! Don’t do that. Please don’t kill me! I don’t want to die. I don’t want to die. I was born only to be your friend. Don’t boil the water, and don’t sharpen the knife. I don’t want to die. I really don’t want to die. Though my look is different than yours, though you can’t understand my speech, though I don’t have pretty clothes to cover a wicked heart nor do I know how to make money and devise inhumane schemes, please give me your love and let me live out my entire life in this borrowed form. Let me pay my debt in this suffering existence to return to a human form. Who’d understand my words? Though in an animal form, I think and feel like a human. Please don’t end my life unjustly!

My God! What a loud pig! You’ll die soon; why are you screaming so much? You’re shouting your last words? Shouting your last words? Screaming? Near death and still wailing! What an unlikeable face!

Where are you? Wife! (Yes.) Bring the boiling water out quickly for me.

Hurry up! The fire is probably going out.

Easy! What’s the rush? My hands are getting burned here.

I just asked you that much. What burning? Just for that, you’re so slow. How come you’re so quick at putting money in your pocket?

Who wouldn’t?

I speak your mind, so you stand there laughing. Look at you laughing, goodness! Hold this pig for me, will you?

All right, here!

Hold him a little bit. Hold him down!

He struggles so much. How can I...

Goodbye, pig! Come back as a human next life, son.

Yeah. Be a human next life, son.

Oh, how ironic this life My soul is shattered Tears flow in my heart Like blood running in rivulets.

I thought you loved me Nurturing me to maturity But all this was a sham For you, it’s just profit and gain!

Tomorrow my body will be cut to pieces My flesh and bones turned to sheer torture Just so people can laugh in merriment At their happy feast and gathering.

To your children and others’ too I wish them all long lives So the family can stay together Not endure the same fate as mine…

I pray the whole family lives nobly To be human in many lifetimes And never be reborn as pigs Paying forever karmic debts!

Alas, good-bye life… I ache for my gentle suffering mother In tears I am overcome… Oh, Mommy! Mom…Mom… Oh, Mommy! Mom…Mom…

Don’t! Don’t kill me! I don’t want to die! I don’t want to die!

Nam! Nam! O honey! Wake up, honey.

There you are! Where are you going, looking panicked?

You’ve been sleeping here, but I kept searching for you. I thought you were mad at me about the piglet and left me. I’m so happy to find you here.

We’ve been together for a few years as a poor couple. In times of sickness or hardships, we never left each other’s side. How could I leave you just because of such a trivial matter?

O honey! How come you are perspiring all over? Do you have a cold? Let me take you home and give you a steam bath of herbs.

O honey, I had a dream. That miraculous dream revealed to me my past life. It’s like the miraculous light that illuminates my ignorant mind. I know clearly who I was in a previous life. O, how amazing! It’s the most beautiful dream in my life. I understand I’m really not this physical body. In a very distant past life, I was an animal. After a tragic lifetime, I reincarnated as a human.

What you said sounds so strange to me. How complicated and pitiful is a human’s life! I don’t fully understand it. Please explain to me thoroughly. Is it because you’re falling ill so your dream was full of illusions? Well, listen to me and go home soon. I’ll prepare medicine for you.

No. In a deep dream, I went back to a past life when I was a piglet suckling my mother’s milk and still heard the human voices. I lived fully a non-human life, experiencing the joy of animals and the agony of having my flesh cut and my skin split. After a life full of vicissitudes, I understood clearly the animals’ sad plight. And my dream today has let me realize the truth, so I learn to cherish more the lives of all beings.

If what you said is the truth, it’s also a miracle remedy helping me become a more benevolent person.

That dream has allowed me to grasp what is happening. I feel sorry for my life and for the piglet that I have rejected and driven away.

Your words make me happier than being offered gold and silver. I love the piglet like my own flesh and blood. Those days when you got angry, scolded and dismissed him, I was pained like my own child was rejected. I pity him being an orphan, having no parents. In chilly windy nights, he has but a ragged cloth to cover himself. Hearing his wailing like a child crying, I feel tormented as if he’s a small child in our family.

From now on, I promise you that we’ll take care of him together because he isn’t simply a non-sentient species but a living being as well.

Thank you for understanding and sharing with me. From now on, under our poor thatched roof, we husband and wife will find happiness.

What’s the young couple so happy about? May this old man share some of it?

O elder, I’ve realized a great and wonderful truth today. I cherish life more. I love my wife more and I love the piglet too.

Earlier this morning, you still chased after him. Why do you change now all of a sudden?

O elder, I was wrong in my way of looking at the animals. After my dream, for the first time in my life I feel that the piglet should be loved instead of rejected and driven away. Within that tiny physical form lies the trace of a human’s past life. I hope that humanity soon awakens to respect the life of all beings around us.

Unfortunately, not everyone in this world is blessed with a miraculous dream like you. So people continue to be immersed in the sea of sin and ignorance. Their speech, their actions, and their meals are all tainted with sin. Yet they think they are practicing spiritually, purifying themselves, and doing virtuous deeds in Heaven. Because of this, the transmigration goes on to bitter retribution. My thinking is simple. If we do good deeds, we’ll reap good consequences. If we sow bad karma (retribution), we’ll surely receive unfavorable results. What we sow, so shall we reap. That is the law of cause and effect. But once we fully grasp the law of cause and effect, our deeds will become more benevolent and in the next life we’ll reap all the goodness.

Thank you for helping me understand more about the law of cause and effect. I now know how to avoid suffering in future life.

If you can think like that, you’ve already grasped the root of retribution. I’m sure that from now on your life will be better. I wish the two of you live happily and be able to fulfill your wishes.

We’re very grateful to you. Thank you, sir.

All right, I’m going home.

Let’s go, honey.

Yes, love. Wait, my piglet is over there. Let’s go home, my little piglet.

O piglet! Let’s go home.

Supreme Master Ching Hai has sent gifts, her love and well-wishes to the artists and professionals contributing to the modern folk opera “A Tale of Karma (Retribution),” broadcast on Supreme Master Television. They expressed their appreciation for Master’s caring concern.

Playwright Hoàng Song Việt:

First, I like to extend my respectful greetings to all viewers. Regarding the opera “A Tale of Karma (Retribution)” which I wrote, I think it’s a very normal thing in our lives. Whatever we do will bring us some consequences. The difference is that we know how to discern right from wrong, good from bad to conduct ourselves in life. Right understanding, right judgment, and right action will bring us good results.

Wrong understanding, wrong action, and wrong conduct will bring us bad consequences. According to Buddhism, it is called retribution. That's what the opera “A Tale of Karma (Retribution)” wants to remind those of us living in this present life. Examine ourselves and find for ourselves the path to a good, righteous and honest life. Regarding vegetarianism, aside from avoiding killing as Buddhists often remind one another, people who eat vegetarian may have other purposes, such as to protect their health, to purify the body, or to avoid eating too much protein.

Not only people but animals, pets, birds, as well as nature around us, all have their own souls. Therefore, when we do something which affects others around us, we immediately need to think whether our action is helpful or harmful. I was very surprised to receive a gift from Supreme Master Ching Hai who thinks of the humble effort I contributed to this opera.

I’m deeply touched by this. I would like to convey to Supreme Master Ching Hai my most sincere gratitude. And hopefully, if affinity allows, I’m very willing to collaborate with Master on other operas. I respectfully send Master my gratefulness and best wishes for Master’s health.

Artist of Merit Tấn Giao, in the role of Nam:

Amitabha Buddha be praised! First, I would like to send my best regards to Supreme Master Ching Hai. I’m very happy to talk to Master. I would like to wish Master good health and wish Master good luck always in life, as well as abounding happiness.

“A Tale of Karma (Retribution)” was based on the poem “Words of a Piglet.” I played the main character in the opera, and I was very touched. In my opinion, I think an animal also has thoughts and feelings. I feel it’s similar just like us humans. When I played that role, to be honest, I was very moved. My feeling seemed to blend in with that of the artistic staff and filming crew. I felt close like we were family. When the program editors invited me to join, I was very glad and immediately accepted the role without any thought.

I found that this opera is very good. And I was determined to convey it in such a way that would help viewers realize very clearly that if we do bad things, we will receive bad consequences. I think in this world, the law of cause and effect is very close. An animal is just like a human. We should not reject them, eat their flesh, or whatever. I think if we do cruel things, we will get back cruelty in return. I also hope that this opera will be a success with the public, a total, wonderful success. I thank you very much.

Due to limited time, in next week’s program we’ll continue with genuine words from actor Tiểu Bảo Quốc, actress Yến Nhung, painter Phương Tần, and studio secretary Nguyễn Đình Trực, as well as the artists’ call for “Be Veg, Go Green 2 Save the Planet!”

We gratefully appreciate all artists and professionals who contributed in the modern folk opera “A Tale of Karma (Retribution),” which conveys a message of peace, bringing numerous benefits to the multitude. We wish you and your family abundant blessings in Divine grace. May the field of modern folk opera as well as other traditional arts continue to thrive to illuminate noble qualities within each of us.