(Dear Master, dear fellow initiates, earlier, brother Nhật Ngân returned to Âu Lạc [Vietnam] and carried out Master’s mission of delivering some of Master’s gifts to a number of artists in Âu Lạc [Vietnam].) You’ve said that already. (Yes. I would like to mention it once again. Because there were some people who were very touched, they sent their regards to the Master, such as the composer Phạm Mạnh Cương.) Oh, Phạm Mạnh Cương? (Yes, Master, he sent that magazine to You. I have already presented it to…) Is Phạm Mạnh Cương still alive? (Yes. He has already set [Master’s poetry] to music. And there are a few other artists as well. For example, when he went to Hanoi, Master also mentioned the composer Đặng Thế Phong and the lyricist of “Autumn Raindrops.” Today…) Đặng Thế Phong has already passed away. (Yes.) Đặng Thế Phong is no longer alive. (Yes, his family.) His family? (Yes, we visited his family. Yes, today, “Autumn Raindrops,” a composition by Đặng Thế Phong, is respectfully presented to Master and fellow initiates by a fellow initiate. Here is sister […] with the musical piece “Autumn Raindrops.”)
(Respectful greetings to Master and all brothers and sisters. I am deeply grateful to Master for granting me many inner experiences on many occasions. Before I perform, my artistic expressions always arise from those experiences. Master uses these opportunities to help me on my spiritual path. I only pray that Master will save and liberate me. I no longer wish to remain here. Thank You, Master.)
(On the veranda, the autumn rain is gently falling The somber sky is quiet, desolate clouds cease floating Listening to the wind drifting vaguely in the autumn rain Who is sobbing, who is lamenting! A few fledglings chirp on the branch as though telling the blue sky: Wind, please stop! Rain, why be so gloomy, bringing grief to one’s heart? Autumn’s spirit is here, sowing sadness Hearts forlorn, there’s no bamboo screen to cover from the arriving wind Who is sobbing and lamenting about life? Tears quickly cascade The world is in immense sorrow. One hopes clouds will scatter, bringing back the cool gentle breeze Clouds shall open up to the azure sky Clouds shall open up to the azure sky The rain’s still falling How many more incarnations until this melancholy subsides? The distant wind still arrives The incessant rain still spreads its gloom For how many more years, in the Heavens, Until the Ngâu celestial couple shall stop shedding tears because of autumn?
On the veranda, the autumn rain is gently falling The somber sky is quiet, desolate clouds cease floating Listening to the wind drifting vaguely in the autumn rain Who is sobbing, who is lamenting! A few fledglings chirp on the branch Autumn’s spirit is here, sowing sadness Hearts forlorn, there’s no bamboo screen to cover from the arriving wind) She is holding the lyrics, but singing it all wrong. (Who is sobbing and lamenting about life? Tears quickly cascade The world is in immense sorrow. A few fledglings chirp on the branch The clouds open up to blue sky Perhaps there’s no such happiness The rain’s still falling How many more incarnations until this melancholy subsides? The distant wind still arrives The incessant rain still spreads its gloom For how many more years, in the Heavens, Until the Ngâu celestial couple shall stop shedding tears because of autumn? Until the Ngâu celestial couple shall stop shedding tears because of autumn?) (Thank You, Master. I love You, Master. Thank You, Master!)
(Thank You very much, Master. It is already late at night, yet we are blessed to gather around Master in such a peaceful atmosphere, and receiving Master’s Blessing; we feel deeply blissful. The program will continue on another occasion. Yes, for now, I respectfully pause here and let Master rest.) Are you sleepy yet? (Not yet.) (Stay up until morning.) (Yes, we can stay up all night, no problem. But we should let Master rest, shouldn’t we?) Are you sleepy yet? (Not yet.) (Let’s let Master go back and rest as well.) Want to “be stupid” (word play on “sleep”) yet? (Not yet.) Are you “stupid” (word play on “asleep”) yet? (No.) Do you want to “be stupid” (word play on “sleep”) yet? (No.) (We’re probably not sleepy yet, Master.)
(Or perhaps Master could sing another song. Please sing, Master.) (Yes, dear everyone…) So many people have already sung, what more do you want? (Please try to stay quiet so Master can rest for a while. Let Master go and rest. And we hope that Master will stay with us again in the near future. And that Master will come to be with us another time, perhaps even better, and…) “Better.” (More joyful. Right, everyone?) (Yes.) (It’s OK. Today was fine.) (Thank You very much, Master.) You’re welcome. Thank you. (Yes.) I’m afraid you might be sleepy. Are you very sleepy? (Not yet.) Let’s go home, otherwise someone will be waiting for you at home. (Close the door. It’s cold.) No, it’s not that cold. It’s just normal. You’re sleeping here tonight? (Yes. Inside there.) How is there enough space to sleep? (Out there in the car.) Sleeping in the car? (Yes, in the car.) Be careful, it might be cold sleeping in the car. Alright, that’s it. Thank you, everyone.
(Can I have some [vegan] candy?) (Vegan) candy? Yes, you can have. But in order. I think you wait for the guards to share it for you. Otherwise, you’ll bump into each other and become injured. And your parents will not be very pleased; the next time, you will not be allowed to come again. OK? (Master. I also haven’t got it yet.) What? (Good night, Master.) (Master.) No need for this. Good night. (Yes, thank You, Master. Good night, Master.)
(Master.) (Master, I have a question. Can Master… Is there initiation tomorrow?) Tomorrow? I don’t know. Is there initiation tomorrow? Anyone wants initiation? Tomorrow, will some people want initiation? How many? Do you know? (…), do you know? Who knows? How many people are asking to get initiation tomorrow? (No.) Is there anyone? Yes, someone is asking. How many people want initiation tomorrow? Raise your hand. Because some… Only one person. (Master, because last week I didn’t know that Master…) You didn’t know last week. Forget it then. Maybe wait for the next time. OK? If you can come again tomorrow, maybe they’ll have some programs. OK. Thank you so much. Are you happy? Happy? (Yes.) OK. GOD bless you. (To You too.)
I’m sorry, the programs were lousy. But they have tried their best as usual. And I’m very proud that you are not yawning and you are not sleeping, sleepy. And you are very tolerant. OK. That’s just about it. We are not professionals. Sometimes they make very good programs. It’s just today, I don’t know what happened. So, bear with it. (Sing a song, Master.) What? (Sing a song, Master.) I don’t have any mood. I’ve sung quite enough, let’s let you all show your talents now. Bye-bye. (Yes.)
Earlier (…) said he was going to play something for me, but I haven’t seen anything yet. Which musician is sitting over there? Who is that? Is that Nghiêm Phú Phi? That can’t be. (Yes.) No, it can’t be, right? (Hallo, Master. Hallo.) Why didn’t Hòa introduce him at all? (He probably just arrived.) Just arrived. Who is it? Nghiêm Phú Phi and I couldn’t even recognize him. I can see him… (Is that Nghiêm Phú Phi?) Sitting right here. (Right here.) (Where is he sitting?) Hòa. (Turn around.) Oh my God! Even with four eyes, still couldn’t recognize him. (Goodness! I didn’t see him either. It’s his younger brother.) (Younger brother.) Nghiêm Phú Phi’s younger brother. (Phi’s younger brother.) Nghiêm Phú Phì, is that right? (Yes.) What kind of doctor? (Doctor Phanxi Phú.) Oh, really? (Yes.) Hallo, Doctor! And you can play music too? How talented! (My humble talents, I just want to contribute…) Goodness, how impressive! You can practice medicine and play instruments too! Oh my God!
(“Taking You Across the River,” Master.) “Taking You Across the River”? Is Nhật Ngân here? Alright, let him shine a little, for fun. But I forgot the key. Why is that? Where is Nhật Ngân? “Taking You Across the River” (Yes, Nhật Ngân today couldn’t arrive on time.) Hasn’t arrived on time? (Yes.) A hand cradling with tender care. I don’t know. I don’t really know. Which microphone is better? I’ve forgotten. Is that right, composer? Taking you across the river, an evening of yore when rain was quietly falling for your blue dress to be sodden and your hair drenched. So cold! If it didn’t rain before My voice is too hoarse. That’s it. Let me have some hot water first, then we’ll see. Wait a moment. Because it’s cold and my voice is hoarse. I’ve been shouting all day; I don’t have much voice left. And I’m getting older too. I need enough excuses, or people will complain, right? Taking… Let me try a little. Just plug your ears. I’m just trying.
Taking you across the river, an evening of yore when rain was quietly falling Is it alright, (…)? OK already? (Yes.) OK. This is just a test, backstage. Let’s draw the curtains and redo. Let’s make it sound a bit clearer. This drink is cold, drinking it will make me even colder. Because the musician’s younger brother is here. He looks so much like him, very much like him. This won’t do. I need hot water. Because I’m really cold, and there’s something in my throat. Is there hot water? Is there hot water yet? Taking you… Let’s just sing for fun. If you don’t want to listen, cover your ears. Alright, let’s do it again. No need to clap, we’re just singing for fun. Just a casual performance. Taking you… Is that the right key? (Yes, that key is correct.) OK, let’s redo it. But let’s wait for the hot water – my throat is really dry. Why is it taking so long?
A hand cradling with tender care… This microphone is better, right? (Yes.) Not this one? (Both.) This one or… (Use both. Use both mics.) OK. Hold it like this? Goodness! How cute! Spoil me, huh. Is it OK? Which one sounds better? (Sing with both, Master.) I’ve been asking for hot water forever and still there’s none? (…), check if it’s OK yet. (Go to the kitchen.) ([…] has gone to get it.) Just a cup of hot water, yet it’s taking so long? Hm? (Going to get it.) He’s gone to get it. Thank you. (Yes, here’s Your hot water, Master.) OK. Thank you.
Photo Caption: “The Star of Snowy Garden”
