(To respond to the affection of Master and the fellow initiates, I will continue to perform another piece, “Rice Drum.”) Wow! (A Quan Họ Bắc Ninh folk song.)
(Next, I would like to introduce to Master and all fellow practitioners Sister […], who will present the musical piece “Passing by Someone’s House,” a six-line vọng cổ [Aulacese folk opera] piece composed by her, which is very beautiful. At the same time, to change the atmosphere a little, I would like to invite Sister […] to respectfully perform for Master and fellow practitioners the vọng cổ [Aulacese folk opera] song “Passing by Someone’s House.” Please give her a round of applause.)
(Respectful greetings to Master and fellow initiates. Today, I have a poem written by Master, which I have adapted into a vọng cổ [Aulacese folk opera] composition myself. I would like to respectfully offer it to Master and all fellow practitioners.)
(Passing by this way, The view reminds me of you. Snow drapes everywhere, the sky in gloom! A hundred years concluded in one second. Some people are gone, while others still remain. Life is such a meaningless, poignant dream! I came by your house, The shadow falling under evening lights, Autumn rain drenched the rosy clouds. I wanted to come in, but feared the stone-cold heart; Disappeared in an instant was our eternal love. Half a lifetime, searching in illusory dreams, For an image precious as gold and gems Lovelorn through the long months and years Adorning you on the velvet pedestal of love. Then awakened suddenly, one glorious dawn, Rays of life illuminated the dark recesses of my soul. The fruit of sadness had ripened, falling away. But then night came, clutching a blanket, I feel lonely! I’ve had enough of life’s bittersweet; Hanging up the oars, I care not to cross the river anymore. But in the evening, on a quiet harbor, My wistful heart longs for the waves of yore. On this eve I wandered toward the old path; The flickering lamp stood ever so lonely. I wanted to come in, but feared the stone-cold heart; Our eternal love died long ago already!?) (Thank You, Master.)
(Nowadays, people are thoroughly making use of Master’s poems.) Do anything with it. (From modern music to traditional opera. Now, I would like to once again introduce to Master and fellow initiates Mr. Ngọc Nôi and Ngọc Nôi’s future wife. They will come here to recite the poem “Eternal Beloved ” for Master and all fellow initiates. Fellow initiates, please give them a round of applause. I would also like to respectfully mention to Master and fellow practitioners.) A poem turned into vọng cổ (Aulacese folk opera) is really wonderful. You can do anything with it. (Many people have set Master’s poems to music.) Then they recite it in Southern, Huế, Northern accents, all kinds of styles. (This poetry collection is from Âu Lạc [Vietnam]. When fellow practitioners bring it back, Hoàng Giác is also setting Master’s poems to music. Nguyễn Văn Tý, the composer of the song “Du Am,” and many other composers as well, not convenient to mention here. In the future, if Master permits, I may produce a CD in which the most renowned composers of Âu Lạc [Vietnam] will set Master’s poems to music. It will be presented to Master and also released to fellow initiates. If Master permits, we will do it. May I ask for Master’s permission...) No need to ask, (Yes.) everyone has already turned it into vọng cổ (Aulacese folk opera) anyway. (Yes, now...) OK. The author does not keep the copyright. It’s OK. (Yes.) Anyone who wants to set it to music or do anything with it may do so. (Yes.)
(Dear Master and fellow initiates! Before us is a truly talented Lady whose name is known throughout the world. Today is the second time having the honor of meeting Master. Please give that talented Lady a round of applause.) It’s for you. (With the poetry of [Supreme] Master Ching Hai, I would like to present the poem “Eternal Beloved” which a musician has just set to music earlier, accompanied by the magical flute of Mr. Ngọc Nôi.) Wow! No wonder he left me to follow her, see? Praise like that and it’s over, Ngọc Nôi. You two match so well. One recites poetry, the other plays the flute. Wow! So poetic. (Yes, one recites poetry and the other plays the flute, and it is also the poetry of [Supreme Master] Ching Hai.) You’re very good. Very good. When you get married, invite us. (Yes.) If not, then come here. Come here and have the wedding, we’ll have a (vegan) barbecue. (Yes.) Free, free. (Yes.) Earlier Hòa said some nonsense, Loan, don’t be upset. (Yes, Master, it is nothing at all.) Hòa specializes in talking nonsense.
(Please join in listening to the calling voice of Master, [Supreme Master] Ching Hai, who is also a supreme poet.)
(I descended to this world, searching for you My eternal beloved, mired in this life of turbulence. Sailing the boat of Perfect Wisdom through the turbid sea, From the gate of birth and death to the purgatory! I have searched for you in the land of Hades, Eons have passed to near your traces, The beauty of your essence, purity in the soul In a fleeting moment, disappeared, your whereabouts! Where have you gone amidst the tangle of trails? Do you remember a glorious incarnation beckoning? An instant of illusory thoughts, thousands of affinities arise With this physical shell, all solemn promises buried. Flesh and bone immersed in the mist of the tainted dock, The soul bewildered in this earthly realm Each step astray in life’s labyrinth, The road back to the Sacred Land is farther each day! Know you not beloved, that I have arrived? A pink lotus blossom is still by my side Waiting for you through countless lifetimes, heart unwavering, Remember, my love, you promised to return? I want to lead you beyond the clouds, Where there are brilliant Light, Divine Music, and Lotuses in bloom. Yet you remain lost in the delusional kingdom, Since ancient times in royal citadels, bound to the wheel of rebirth still! Come to me just like in the Old Time When creation was in a quiet rest. Through the vast Cosmos, we’re in rapture In the garden of the Sun and Moon, a promenade among the stars...)
(Greetings, Master and everyone.) (Thank You, Master. Thank you, everyone.) Thank you, both of you. You always go through the trouble of coming all this way and even reciting poetry. Is your voice a bit hoarse today or something? Did you argue with him? (Yes, Master. We just finished work and came straight here.) Just came straight from work. Oh dear, why didn’t Ngọc Nôi let Loan rest for a bit? Only after giving her a back massage, then… (We heard that Master would be here today, so we came right away.) OK. Thank you. Thank you, both of you. Thank you very much!
Photo Caption: “The Wild-Nature Color That Makes Worldly Paint Feel Shy!”
