The Meaning of a Good Leader

Governance

Excerpt from a lecture by Supreme Master Ching Hai (Vegan)

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​“Let God Serve through Us”, Video #356
United Nations Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland – April 20, 1993

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SM: Since ancient times, the great kings were always those who had deep insight and those who practiced a meditation method in order to be connected with Heaven and to know the will of Heaven before they are able to govern the earth’s affairs. ​

​That’s why since ancient times, the great kings of wisdom, they always ruled with compassion and wise systems. And their names always stay forever in the hearts of the people. And they never have to use violence or armed force to conquer, but they use love and wisdom.

People Need True, Strong and Wise Leaders, Part 3 of 3
August 16, 2021 (BMD1431)


​Q: What advice can Master give for the governments of the world?

SM: In general, you must rule people with heart, with caring intention, with true, really loving dedication to your country and your people. Then people will feel it.

Even if you might make mistakes sometimes, like every human, but people would feel that you are genuinely caring for them. Then they would forgive you, and then you can start anew or make repairment for that mistake. 

We All Have a Duty to Protect Ourselves and Others, Part 4 of 6
October 26, 2020


SM: As the leader of a country or governmental body, you should know everything that is good or bad for your citizens, and decide it for them. That’s what means leaders. Leader means you make out a plan and everybody else follows because you are a leader! [...]
 
The leader, like a president, prime minister, queens, kings, princes, princesses, are not a job.

​It’s not an occupation. It is a trusted mission.

It is a really noble engagement to help all you can, under your leadership. Otherwise, this is meaningless if you sit there in the chair of the leadership but doing nothing really essential or substantial for your citizens and or for the world. In that case, you fail your mission, and you should just resign and go back, do whatever little things that you want to do, just for yourself, for your own pleasure. Instead of sitting there in the chair of leadership just to gain fame, to gain praise, and to gain money. It’s really below your dignity, I’m telling you.
 
The leaders, you have the duty to care of people who trust you. And then Heaven will bless you and you can do more, continuously, if you do the right thing.

Surrey, UK, June 12, 2008, 
Video 835


SM: To be a leader is to be endowed with bravery, compassion and nobility. That’s why you are a leader. It’s not easy, of course, to be in the position of leader. That’s why leaders are few. You see in a nation, there’s only one king, one queen, some princess, some prince, one president, one prime minister.

Very few leaders, compared to the multitude of this world. But fewer even still are brave leaders, courageous leaders, righteous leaders and wise leaders. To such wise and courageous ones, we offer full support and respect. We pray that Heaven give them more strength, more wisdom to carry out their noble duty.

Excerpt from a lecture by Supreme Master Ching Hai (Vegan)
​Sorcery Contest, Part 4 of 12
​Hsihu, Taiwan (Formsa) - Aug 11, 1991


SM: It seems that I have deep affinities with the Chinese. I’ve been in China many times.

One time I was an emperor. It was not fun being an emperor. It was most pathetic. However, some emperors are very enlightened. They were wise emperors. They were loyal to the country and took good care of the people. They were selfless and sacrificed for their people. They truly cared.

Some Chinese emperors were truly like that. Yes or no? (Yes.)
 
Like the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. He was good, wasn’t he? I know little about others, only him. He had a dignified presence and was both strong and intellectual. He was elegant, kind and loving. He did nothing wrong. He did everything right. Other emperors had both merits and shortcomings. Is that right? But he seemed to have only merits. He had just one weakness when it came to beautiful women. But that’s like every man, isn’t it?

Nevertheless, his feelings were pure. He just liked to look at them and chat with them. He didn’t do anything to them, did he? It was nothing.

He was just making friends and offering them help. Because he was attracted to their beauty, he was able to learn about their grievances. And he helped them by the way. He left after helping them. It was OK. It was good.

​The Best Way To Grow In Wisdom
Surabaya, Indonesia, Video# 221
 

We don't pacify the world with swords, arrows or guns. Domination over people through waging wars and using force and violence can never last long. 

We all know that, and there are many examples in Chinese history.

Except during the times of emperors like Yao, Shun, King Zhouwen and Emperor Hanwu. Is that correct Chinese? Right, Emperor Hanwu.

In such times, since the emperors were wise, sensible and perhaps enlightened, the country was in peace. People admired and respected the emperor and they cooperated with each other and made the country peaceful.

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​“Let God Serve through Us”, Video #356
United Nations Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland – April 20, 1993


​SP: Từ thời xưa, những vị minh quân luôn là những người có sự hiểu biết sâu xa và là những người tu thiền để câu thông với Thượng giới và hiểu được Thiên ý trước khi họ có thể cai trị những việc thế gian. ​

​Thành ra từ thời cổ xưa những vị minh quân đầy trí huệ luôn luôn trị quốc bằng tình thương và chính sách thông thái. Tên của họ mãi mãi được ghi khắc trong lòng người dân. Họ không bao giờ phải dùng đến bạo lực hoặc vũ khí để chinh phục, mà dùng tình thương và trí huệ.