On September 7, Golden Year 6 (2009), in Master’s infinite love, Supreme Master Television celebrated its 3rd anniversary of constructive television with a special multi-cultural concert entitled “Rejoicing in Our Green Planet and Peaceful Life.”

As Guest of Honor, our beloved Master graced the event with Her beautiful and serene presence via videoconference. Also featured in this special program were: legendary American actress, Ms. Debbie Reynolds, as guest speaker; diverse international dances; as well as newly created songs adapted from Supreme Master Ching Hai’s elegant poetry by eminent composers and many other accomplished performers. The masters of ceremony for the event were vegetarian actress, Debra Skelton, of MADtv and vegan actor and animal rights advocate, Chris DeRose. Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker and vegan Lionel Friedberg, Oscar-nominated filmmakers Stuart and Julia Sender, Emmy Award-winning producer-director and vegan Cary Brown, and Australian model and vegan actress Joanne Rose were also distinguished guest presenters for the show.

Due to scheduling, the Honorable Antonio R. Villaraigosa, Mayor of Los Angeles, was unable to attend, but he offered his best wishes for a wonderful event and sent a representative to present his letter of commendation. Mr. Ricardo Hong, Harbor Area Director and Mayor Villaraigosa's representative, expressed on stage, “The Mayor would loved to have been here. He believes in the causes that Master Ching Hai believes in, the environmental causes that she pushes for, the human rights and also the investment during the times of crisis throughout the countries that are suffering from emergency situations. The Mayor believes in all those things. But we’d like to say, ‘Thank you, Master Ching Hai, for being who you are, for encouraging all of us and inspiring all of us, for doing what you’re doing.’”

Hollywood icon Ms. Debbie Reynolds dazzled everyone with her charm and humor. She has received numerous accolades for her performances in film, theatre, and television including nominations for the Academy Award, Tony Award, Emmy Award, Golden Globe Award, and three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Wearing the exquisite jewelry set “The Ancient Beauty” designed by Supreme Master Ching Hai, she said, “I have to say I feel like a real princess today.” Ms. Reynolds recounted her memories from the benefit concert “One World…of Peace through Music” at the Shrine Auditorium, which was organized by the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association 11 years ago. She recalled, “I was certainly curious to meet Her in person after learning of Her multi-talents and how a multitude of people around the globe respect Her. After much anticipation, Supreme Master Ching Hai came on stage and her first words were, “Hi, it’s me.” I instantly adored Her. She was so down to earth and exuded such a humble nature, and how beautiful She is.”

As guest speaker, Ms. Reynolds introduced Master and Her television channel, Supreme Master Television, to the audience, “Supreme Master Ching Hai is the guiding light of the channel and Her wise leadership brings continued evolvement for the benefit of all beings… Today, we are here to celebrate Supreme Master Television’s third anniversary. I offer my heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to Supreme Master Ching Hai and Supreme Master Television for your efforts towards a more peaceful world—a dream that we all share, a reality that will definitely be manifested through everyone’s dedication.”

Thereafter, Ms. Reynolds invited Master to speak. Master’s words of thanks and humility deeply touched the attendees. She said, “Thank you all the honorable guests, that you have taken your precious time to come here and to encourage the staff at the Supreme Master Television quarters. We are doing our humble job in the urgent time of our planetary need. We never imagined that we could have so much support from all directions like this, especially the celebrities and famous people like you are, in the audience and on the stage. It’s good to know that our work and our message are approved by a number of people, including the famous, the smart, the beautiful, and the intelligent.” Master also expressed Her admiration for the United States of America for upholding democracy and freedom to the highest standard in the world. She said, “I always hold America dear in my heart….I just love you, thank you so much. Thank you America, thank you Americans. God bless you so much. God bless America.”

A most touching moment occurred when Master gave everyone a “remote control” hug from afar; and starting with Ms. Reynolds, everyone present responded with a show of love for Master by sending a warm hug back.

The highlight of the evening was the adaptation of Master’s elegant poems to song by

Oscar-Emmy Award-winning composer and 19-time Academy Award Music Director Bill Conti, Al Jardine of the beloved original Beach Boys, 5-time Grammy nominee David Benoit, Emmy Award-winning Don Davis, Grammy Award-winning Robert Kulick, and the multi-talented Kerry Walsh.

At the time of our invitation, when Master discovered that most of the concert songs were based on her poetry, she was very shy about this arrangement and expressed her reservation. Upon being informed that each of the composers felt genuine inspiration to set Her moving verses to music, the poet finally acquiesced, saying “They win!” Thanks to Master’s generosity of heart and the artists’ soulful connection, the result was a world premiere of exquisite compositions by some of the most talented musicians in our modern times.

“Praised Be the Providence” is a special poem Master had written for Supreme Master TV, and composed by Bill Conti. Mr. Conti’s deep sincerity towards Master was felt through a touching surprise as he creatively wove in Master’s actual reading of the poem in the middle of the song. Grammy Award winner Clark Germain orchestrated the music, and international soprano Giorgia Fumanti performed the magnificent piece. As a vegetarian herself, Ms. Fumanti looked radiant wearing Master’s jewelry creation, “The Hermit.” 

One of the founding members of the Beach Boys, Al Jardine, is an American music icon. Based on Master’s poem, he wrote the song “The Eternal Ballad” and sang it with his two sons, Matt and Adam. Mr. Jardine said, “When we performed ‘The Eternal Ballad,’ which was written by the Supreme Master, it felt like the Beach Boys’ harmonies were right there for me. It was very much like that, that beginning of the harmonies that we started—very pure and very innocent.”

Also inspired by Master’s poetry, composer David Benoit created music for two of Her poems, “The Two Phoenixes” and “Since I’ve Loved You.” The songs were performed by vegan vocalist Arnold McCuller, who has toured extensively with James Taylor, Philip Collins, Melissa Manchester, and Lyle Lovett. On stage, Mr. Benoit said, “It is, of course, my huge honor to be here today to perform for the Supreme Master Ching Hai. I would love to write more music to more poems by Supreme Master Ching Hai because She has so much passion and love and beauty. It was very easy for me to write the music; it just came out. And so this is a really, really unexpected pleasure for me to be able to do this very unique performance for Supreme Master Ching Hai, and thank you for allowing me to have this opportunity.”

After his performance, Mr. McCuller shared, “The poetry and the music—I loved it, I really loved it. And I am inspired. I am so honored to be here. I’ve had a lot of experiences in my life with raising my own consciousness, and this today gives me another chance, to just lift it a little higher. I am vegan as well.”

Through his work with the band Kiss and Diana Ross, Robert Kulick has earned a total of 11 Platinum and Gold records. He has also collaborated with Michael Bolton, Billy Idol, and Steve Stevens, among many others. After reading Master’s poem, “Our Time,” he was moved to set it to music, which was performed by singer Shari Belgeau. Mr. Kulick expressed, “A few months ago, I was very lucky in that I could compose a song which would be based upon one of Supreme Master’s great poems.”

Master had replied, “Wow. This is actually a surprise. I knew nothing about it. It’s the first time I heard of this poem being adapted into music. Thank you.”

The acclaimed composer of the Matrix films, Donald Davis, also beautifully set to music one of Master’s poems, “Equality of Love.” It was performed by the multi-talented soprano Kerry Walsh. Ms. Walsh, who is a vegetarian, was also inspired by one of Master’s poems, “Acceptance,” and created a wonderful piece of music for it. Ms. Walsh emotionally revealed to the audience how her baby was blessed by Master 10 years ago when she performed in the concert at the Shrine Auditorium. She said, “Supreme Master blessed him with Her love and a kiss that I think has enhanced his nature as a spiritual being and a child that I am very proud of. I just wanted to share that with you because it’s more than just being onstage for me.” She also explained about Mr. Davis’ commitment to an eco-friendly lifestyle through his vegetarian diet. She said of Mr. Davis, “The fact that he took the time to write that song shows his great respect and care for Supreme Master. (Master: Thank you.) So I thank him and I am very touched about it.”

“Tell Me,” written by Master in Her youth was set to music by noted composer Huỳnh Anh and performed by famed Aulacese singers Mr. Vũ Khanh and Ms. Thanh Hà. Vũ Khanh also sang a solo for the song “It Is Not So, My Love,” adapted from Master’s poetry and set to music by Kông Thanh Bích. During a conference with Supreme Master Television staff at a later date, Master expressed Her appreciation for Vũ Khanh’s sincere heart and how She liked Thanh Hà’s voice, which is like chiming bells and clear like stream water.

In an interview after the concert, Vũ Khanh expressed, “The song I performed today is quite different from the other songs I’ve performed before. I have been singing for 25 years, and today I sang a song that made me  feel like the first time I sang.”

Interspersed among Master’s poetry adaptations were brilliant performances that took the audience on a journey across the world to Japan, with TAIKOPROJECT which has been performed in several films and at the 2009 Academy Awards; India, with the world renowned Shakti Dance Company; Korea, with the Kim Eung Hwa Korean Dance Company; Egypt, with the Adam Basma Dance Company; China, with the Los Angeles Chinese Orchestra; Russia, with the Russian Souvenir Dance Company; and The Green Children from Europe. The finale of the concert was a skit entitled “Off to Greener Pastures,” performed by vegetarian and vegan actor friends of our Association: Debra Skelton, Billy McNamara, Will Ryan, and Joanne Rose.

Through light-hearted humor, the short skit raised awareness on the urgent issue of global warming while highlighting the veg solution.

The acclaimed performers and honored guests were treated to a vegan feast of colorful and delicious compassionate cuisine catered by restaurants operated by our Association members, Loving Hut, and One World Vegetarian Cuisine.

Janice Belson, Executive Director of Medicines Global and a vegan, shared her thoughts after watching the program, “First of all, I want to send my love to you, Supreme Master. I have photographed many, many live performances, and this was absolutely one of the most brilliant, creative displays of genius from around the world to celebrate your absolutely important Supreme Master TV. Your poetry being set to music was absolutely divine. It was genius from you, and then the composers and the musicians—I could feel it in my soul.”

As the guests departed, having just been immersed in Master’s love and the joyful atmosphere, they were radiant with inner fulfillment and brilliant smiles. We sincerely thank Master for gracing the event with Her presence via videoconference. Through Her omnipresent love, She touched all hearts and left the audience with indelibly sweet memories. We are truly blessed to have Master’s infinite wisdom guiding every step of Supreme Master Television’s journey in its service to the world. Beloved Master, as You continue Your mission of elevating humanity and saving the planet, may the Heavens keep You safe and in the best of health!