Host: You know, Master Ching Hai, there is something when people read Your literature — and not many people in Santa Barbara are acquainted with You and Your work as in other parts of the country. They say we study the Quan Yin Method, which You teach; and You have the key to immediate enlightenment. And that is one of my main questions for You: Is that possible? What does that mean — the key to immediate enlightenment?

Master: It’s possible. Everything is possible as long as we find out the correct way. It’s just like any other science, if we find out the correct combination of certain chemicals, then we find the right reaction to certain things, to create certain substances. Similarly, there is enlightenment already within ourselves. As we all know, we carne from the Kingdom of God and God is the only one that created the world and ourselves. So if we find out where we can contact this God-power or the Kingdom of God within ourselves, or what we call Buddha nature, whatever you may name it, then it is immediate because we already have it there. It’s just like in our pocket.

H: So in your estimation, enlightenment is not reserved for the few people who have been sort of practicing Zen or been monks in Christian monasteries forever. You feel that anyone — the man and woman in the street — can gain instant enlightenment.

M: Can. Everyone can provided they sincerely want it, want to find out who they are.

H: How is that done?

M: It’s just like you know how to operate a radio station. You know which button to turn on so that you can introduce your program to people. And the people at home who know how to tune into your radio program, then can receive. Very easy!

H: So you feel the Quan Yin Method of mediation opens the key to enlightenment for people?

M: Yes, the key of enlightenment is within us. It’s just that we forget how to use it. And now if the so-called teacher or the spiritual friend show us how, then it happens instantly.

H: What is the Quan Yin Method?

M: I started in Formosa and people ask me about the method. I just didn’t know what to tell them, because the method is a kind of abstract thing, is God-power, is not something that we can put into words. So, I just depend on the outcome of the so-called method; I tell them it’s Quan Yin. Quan Yin in Chinese means contemplating on the inner God’s word, or God’s vibration, or God’s power, or God’s energy because it vibrates within all of us. And especially human beings are able to receive that by their so-called super-sensory sense.

H: You know, there is a very beautiful eleventh century Bodhisattva from China here in the Santa Barbara Museum, which is the “Quan Yin Bodhisattva”. She is the largest figure in the museum. Is that related to the Quan Yin Method in that she is the Goddess of Mercy?

M: It’s not directly related right now; but it is also, because she is the one who practiced this so-called “Quan Yin Method” to become an enlightened being. And therefore she can even hear all the sounds of the universe, all the suffering sounds of the people, and help them. That’s how she got the name “Quan Yin”, because of contemplating on the sound. When we contemplate the same thing, we can reach the same power as she has, sooner or later. But, we do have a little bit to begin with immediately; that’s why we call it immediate enlightenment.

From “Spiritual Moment Together”
News 45, Spot Light
Supreme Master Ching Hai was invited to
a live telephone interview by KQSB Radio Station
California, USA • March 17, 1995
(originally in English)