Many people misunderstand the meaning of the New Year and other festivals. On every grand occasion or New Year, we should spend more effort to reflect and introspect on ourselves, how we can serve the world better, contribute more to our relatives and friends or the country. The occasion is not to be used every time as an excuse for making merry, instead we should refine our coarse behaviour and speech. Of course, everyone is aware of this. I just take this opportunity to remind you. You don't have to listen if you have done so. If you have not done this, or have forgotten to do so, then you ought to be reminded!

Develop An Elegant Demeanor

I have said everything before. The important thing is that you have to put the teachings into action, then it will be fine! Of course, we should progress in the new year. Instead of getting "older" every year, we should be "stronger" spiritually and wiser. Then, we deserve to be called "elder", the older the better. For instance, if we did something last year that we or others disliked, then we ought to rectify it in the new year with our best effort! Improve our behaviour and speech, becoming more beautiful.

In real life, it is hard to avoid having some moments when we overreact, but do not let this quality cling to us in ordinary times. Do you understand? Of course, it is different when you have to react. For instance, just now you are angry with that person because he made you mad. Or, there are times when we cannot suppress our temper. At those times other people can forgive you. Aware of our wrong behaviour later, we should apologize or improve ourselves, then we may be forgiven.

However, we must not let this quality develop to the extent that we are using it even at normal times. This is different from speaking harshly when we are angry. We can find out later. Anyway, this is provoked by the situation, and is different from having a rude personality. It is totally another thing if we are rude even when joking or chatting with people, and irritating them. That is our bad quality. If we observe such a quality in ourselves, improve it and do not let people feel uncomfortable each time they think of us. The bad memory will jump into their mind each time they think of our name. Subsequently, we undermine our friendships, the atmosphere at home and our essential business.

The Master is not telling you to speak in a flattering manner wherever you go, for instance, praising others with words not from your heart, or just doing it to win others' feelings or to delight them, when we are thinking the other way at heart. We should speak according to our heart. The oneness of outer actions and inner thoughts is "Zen". Otherwise, we are hypocrites. It is true that we should behave naturally, but politeness and nobleness are also essential. Observing our refined behaviour, even the people with no elegance would feel ashamed of their attitude. A New Person In The New Year

The New Year gives us a chance to become a new person. If we did well last year, we should be even better in the new year. If not, then we improve in the new year, the more the better.

Many people misunderstand the meaning of the New Year and other festivals. On every grand occasion or New Year, we should spend more effort to reflect and introspect on ourselves, how we can serve the world better, contribute more to our relatives and friends or the country. The occasion is not to be used every time as an excuse for making merry, instead we should be refining our coarse behaviour and speech, right? Of course, everyone is aware of this. I just take this opportunity to remind you. You don't have to listen if you have done this. If you have not done this, or have forgotten to do so, then you ought to be reminded!

We have to set a good example for the world in every aspect, including the relief missions, spiritual practice, handling friendships and the relationship between Master and disciples. Only when absolutely necessary, then we use stern methods. Is it not better if we can treat each other in a refined and noble manner? The creation of heaven should start from here!

People in high positions in particular, should care more about their qualities. As an official, one should be honest and upright. A government servant must work diligently for the nation, sacrifice for the well-being of her people. Spiritual practitioners or the liaison persons for Master, etc., should also mind the manner and quality in their acts and speech, sacrifice for others instead of enjoying personal comfort. Parents, they should take care of their children of course, make them comfortable, but not spoil them badly. Children, naturally they should be filial and obedient to their parents and elders.

The teachers should fulfil their responsibilities, provide moral and ethical lessons for the students. The basic A, B, C lessons, that everyone can teach, are not enough. The greatest responsibility of a teacher is to teach the children about ethics, the superior qualities. This also applies to the parents. Just feeding and dressing the children are not enough. If everyone fulfills their responsibilities - the parents protect their children well, the children are filial - the world would be in great peace, beginning with the family. Then, all the natural disasters and war calamities would diminish.

Leading A Nation To Stability

Wars and natural disaster are not always caused by geographical complications, but generated from the atmosphere of the world. When human beings treat each other unjustly and with hostility, an irritating and vicious warlike ambience is generated, and from this many disasters and wars are created.

Of recent, more disasters have been happening on earth. This is a reminder from God that we should go back to our original qualities of truth, virtue and beauty, instead of being intoxicated in negativity. We humans have two kinds of power, one is positive, the other negative. The positive one gives us and others comfort and bliss. This is the quality we should always maintain and develop further. If we were to be stuck in the negative sphere, the world would become more and more chaotic.

Suppose the whole nation becomes vegetarian. Because of the gentle atmosphere, due to no killing karma, naturally, there would be no disasters, and life would be comfortable and healthy, the country would be rich and strong. Being physically healthy, our mental would also be full of energy. Many wise ideas would emerge benefiting the country and the people. If this is the case with all countries, the world would be peaceful. There is virtually no need for all the conferences that consume so much champagne and steak, without rendering much peace to the world. Perhaps, there is peace today, but not tomorrow. Peace is restored here, but war breaks out in another country the next day. Therefore, the world is not to be managed by empty talks. Instead, each person should put into practice the lessons they have learnt.

Until now, Singapore is the only government I know that advocates vegetarianism to her people. Of course, it is rare to find such a government that treats a problem from the root and not the fruit. Perhaps there are other governments advocating the same, but I am not aware. Singapore seems to be the only government being so clever to care about the ethics and health of her people. I hope other governments will follow their example.

Everyone Is Our Teacher

We say that with the guidance of a virtuous and enlightened friend, our life will improve and become more noble. Our fellow practitioners can be that virtuous and enlightened friend, a very good friend. Even the non-initiated people outside can be our teachers sometimes, reminding us of some beautiful things. For instance, observing them doing good deeds or speaking some good things, our heart will become more open. Even if we saw them doing bad deeds, at least we can learn a lesson and refrain from doing the same!

That was why the ancient sages said, "In the company of three people, there will be one who can be my teacher." I would say all three of them are our teachers. Each person living in this world has their particular obligation and mission. If we are close or related to a certain person, definitely he has a mission concerning us. It might be good or bad, but he is responsible for giving us a lesson. So, please keep your eyes and ears open, detect what God is trying to teach us through that person close to us. However, we should use what we have learnt, and not keep reciting it like a parrot or a tape recorder, which is useless of course.

Recently, I have often asked you to help do, or organize disaster relief work. Of course, we are trying to help them because of our compassion, and our uneasiness when seeing others in a suffering condition. However, we are not doing it only for the victims. Participating in the relief work, we are also helping to develop our own compassion, fulfil our obligation, and learn how to respond to a situation.

Distributing the rice is not all there is. In the affected area, you will come across people whose emotions, feelings and urgent living needs are similar to yours. You might have to face the problems they are facing also. After talking to them, you can find out more about the inner needs of the individual. Then, you are tested on how you react and how you comfort them, counsel them, help them overcome the problems in their life. That is your lesson to learn. Without putting it into practice, it is useless listening to my words for years, because you have not experienced it in benefiting others.

Okay, I have said that much, so I won't say any more. I wish everyone a happy and successful new year, achieving early enlightenment and liberation.