We are deeply grateful to Supreme Master Ching Hai for allowing this precious new poetry collection to be shared with readers around the world. Through these deeply resonating verses of universal love, may hearts be moved and souls elevated.

Preface

With a spirit of oneness and eternal light of Truth, Supreme Master Ching Hai deeply feels sorrow for the suffering people in our world, as Her heart merges with each vicissitude of this illusory human life.

In such an ephemeral sphere, life is at times like silent footsteps and forlorn as a boat on the high sea, longing for a return to shore to find the loving home of yore. Yet the beloved is forever like the silhouette of a bird that has flown far away from Eden. What remains is an inconsolable yearning:

“Last night, I dreamt
Of restful sheets and pillows
As fragrant sandalwood wafting through the air
Heartfelt was the time
When we were still together
When our love was still forever.”
(Dream in the Night)

The Love of Centuries is a poetry collection featuring 46 exquisite poems composed by Supreme Master Ching Hai. It conveys love, reminiscence, and the resonance of a soul sympathetic with human lives and the fates of all humble, fragile co-inhabitants. With abounding changes in life, whether lofty or worldly, no one can escape from the transmigratory wheel of birth and death. In this uncertain river of life, Supreme Master Ching Hai feels a deep concern for humans’ plight. Thus, Her verses are imbued with anguish and compassion:

“Tears dried up and I’m wordless
Weeping in sympathy for the tormented!”
(Please Wake Up!)

Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poetry harmoniously weaves words and emotions, spirituality and everyday life. Her poetic expression is gentle, profound, and flowing like the moonlight shining on each soul’s hidden corners. At times Her verse is like a lonely boat carrying wishes of love across the river of misery to the shore of happiness, at times it is pure like the summer rain, refreshing our spirits in all the paths of this fleeting world. The Poet earnestly prays for humanity to soon awaken to the True Self, to the benevolent and noble lifestyle, and to face the reality and henceforth transform our planet into Heaven on Earth, where humans and all co-inhabitants can live in peace and harmony:

“O brother, wake up at once
Proudly walk on great seas and rivers
Look straight at the flaming sun
And vow sacrifice to save all beings.”
(Please Wake Up!)

We invite poetry lovers to enjoy the verses in The Love of Centuries and to experience an unwavering love and a realm of enlightenment so a longing “to reunite with the beloved” in the heart of the one away from Home shall endure evermore.

We are grateful to Supreme Master Ching Hai for gifting our world an everlasting source of love and hope through Her magnificent poetic verses:

“To the luminous land of bliss, we shall return
Heavenly winds echoing ubiquitous ocean sounds.”
(When Shall We Meet Again?)