The Irish Independent is the most widely read daily newspaper in Ireland, and is available in all shops, newspaper stands and airports throughout Ireland and the United Kingdom. After receiving enthusiastic responses from readers for the previous interviews with Supreme Master Ching Hai (please refer to News #197 and #199 for detailed reports), on November 21, Golden Year 5 (2008), journalist Andrea Bonnie invited Master for a third interview, with the resulting article published in the “Earth” segment of the Irish Independent on December 17.

The interview took place via videoconference and covered a broad range of topics, from organic farming to vegan health studies to the spiritual significance of animals. It also delved into issues related to implementing the vegetarian solution to global warming. The following is the article from the December 17 issue of the Irish Independent newspaper.

Since 2006, Supreme Master Television has broadcast a message of peace, hope and enlightenment to millions of viewers worldwide. We speak to the woman behind it all, spiritual leader and humanitarian Supreme Master Ching Hai, about how veganism can benefit our world.

Supreme Master Ching Hai, what in your opinion is the most effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

One of the most effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to go vegan - that is, adopt a vegetarian diet without any animal products. Avoiding all animal products means that we live a more compassionate lifestyle that is easy, simple, economical and ecologically sound. Anyone from children to the elderly can do it, and it's 100 percent healthy.

How does a vegan diet affect people with diabetes?

There is much research proving the effectiveness of a vegan diet in reversing, controlling and even curing diabetes. In the US, there are at least three doctors who have developed plant-based approaches suiting different needs and dietary preferences.

Are there any benefits to eating a vegan diet during pregnancy?

According to much of the research we have, a vegan diet protects the mother from pre-eclampsia, which is pregnancy-caused hypertension and is potentially fatal. A vegan diet also lowers or eliminates morning sickness. Many vegan women have reported little or no morning sickness at all. Studies have found that meat is a trigger for greater morning sickness. The more vegetables a mother eats, the less morning sickness she will experience.

Many people are reluctant to eat vegan, saying that they like the taste of meat and cheese too much. What would you say to them?

If we have to choose between life and taste, then we should choose life. Besides, veggie meats and vegan dairy are delicious and available in health food stores everywhere nowadays. Just try a new lifestyle. Why not? Meet vegetarian and vegan friends in your neighborhood or online. After a week or so, anyone can get used to the new taste. Nowadays, there is so much variety within a vegetarian diet.

Some people say that they've tried eating a vegetarian or vegan diet for a while but that they went back to eating meat again, saying that they felt better. Do you think there are some people for whom eating meat is necessary?

Meat is never necessary for anyone. However, vegans must take care to have a properly balanced diet. Make sure that meals include essential nutrients like fatty acids, iron and protein. Then there shouldn’t be a problem. We have to include in our diet what is necessary for our personal needs. There is plenty of nutritional value and protein available in a plant-based diet.

What would you recommend people eat for a vegan or a vegetarian Christmas?

A wholesome and delicious vegan ham, vegan turkey or vegan chicken. There is a whole range of tasty, nutritious vegan products. Go to health food stores, go online and search for what you'd like to prepare for a vegan feast. A compassionate heart for all beings and the planet is all we need, then we will know what to cook.

Is there anything else we can do to help the environment, particularly at this time of year?

“The more vegetables a mother eats, the less morning sickness she will experience,” according to Supreme Master

We can do many things to save the planet and save lives on Earth. Encourage your friends and family to go green and become vegetarians. Instead of using normal light bulbs, use LED Christmas lights to save energy. Use artificial Christmas trees to save the forests. Take care of the needy people around you, the people who need love, some financial help or even just a hot meal, like the homeless.

For more on Supreme Master, go to www.SupremeMasterTV.com.

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