Golden Snail King

　In one of the previous incarnations, the Supreme Supreme Master Ching Hai was supposed to be a Golden Snail. One day, just before the Golden Snail died, many of the silver-snail disciples came around Her Majesty, the Golden Snail's death bed just to praise Her, to say good-bye, and to pay their last respects. So, many of the silver-snail disciples made a lot of praises just like, "We have never seen such a beautiful, glorious snail before!" The other ones said, "Right, right, right!" All the snails clapped their hands. Another one made a more glorious statement like, "Wow! We have never had such a merciful snail before in our lives!" All the snails clapped their hands. The other ones said, "Yes, yes, yes." Another one made a more glorious statement like, "Wow! Such a compassionate snail we can never find in this world." The other snails said, "Yes, yes, yes. Of course, only the Supreme Golden Snail could be so compassionate!" Then another one said, "Wow! You know what? I think our Supreme Snail is the only one that can get in touch with God in one lifetime, and even give us the opportunity to do so." So, everyone applauded, hurrahed, and everything like that sort!...

　The Golden Snail, the Supreme Master Ching Hai incarnated last time (supposed to be,) was agitated and felt kind of restless. So, the assistant snail, which was the color between silver and golden and had two horns a little bit shorter than the horns of the so-called Golden Supreme Snail, she asked, "Master, what is it that is making you feel so agitated. I feel that you are not so restful. Didn't you hear the praises of your disciples, the snails?" [(Master speaking on the aside: Well, I think it is suitable for us because we go at such a slow pace. So, if I called you snails, it's all right, huh? But by the way, I didn't call you. It was the one supposed to be from the previous lifetime (Master and audience laugh) when we had not developed sufficiently.)]

　So, the attendant snail asked the Golden Master Snail, "Why is it that Master is so agitated?" Because she knows that the Master Golden Snail loves to hear praises, applause and things like that. So, the Master kept silent for a while. Then the snail kept pressing further, the attendant, "Master, didn't you hear the praises of your disciples? They said that you are compassionate, you are wise, you are intelligent, you are beautiful, you are glorious, you are God-realized, you are the one and only in the whole world of snails. That's great!" So, the Master Snail said, "How about my humility? They didn't even mention it!" (Laughter and applause)