Supreme Master Television

Cult television's a hard thing to create. Nobody can really predict what will suddenly click with an audience, because it usually happens for unexpected and unplanned reasons. Who could have imagined that when cable and satellite TV really took off in the UK in the nineties, we'd end up with an entire generation of stoned clubbers giggling at the extended sales pitches on QVC, or staring goggle-eyed at the colour schemes in Teletubbies? (On that topic, I'd like to propose that the equivalent on British TV today is A Dreamy Journey, showing nightly on BabyFirst [Sky channel 624] between 7pm and midnight. It's the trippiest damn thing you can imagine.)

The point is, cult television just happens, it can't be manufactured. But a channel dedicated entirely to the life and works of someone calling herself Supreme Master? Yeah, I think we can safely call that a cult.

Somewhere between the Pub Channel and the audio programme guide lies Sky channel 887, the home of Supreme Master Television. (Be warned that their homepage has a live feed of the channel embedded in it.) It broadcasts twenty-four hours a day - well, six hours of original programming repeated three times - showing a combination of relentlessly positive news stories and environmental propaganda, all driven by the philosophy of its founder Supreme Master Ching Hai (who's always referred to as Supreme Master Ching Hai without any abbreviation). It's become my idling channel of choice whenever I'm vegging out for a few minutes in front of The Belated Birthday Girl's Sky TV system, because it's fascinatingly tricky to get a handle on. Having burnt off a DVD of an entire day's programming and watched it over a weekend, I think I'm a little clearer about its aims now.

The main thing that sets Supreme Master apart from the other religious channels on telly is that in small doses, it's terribly difficult to find anything objectionable about it. It's geared towards accentuating positives rather than harping on about negatives: its green campaigning has its heart in the right place: and it isn't as focussed as other God Telly on separating its followers from their money. The one slightly worrying thing about it is the name of its founder. If you're lucky, you may get to catch a brief biography of Supreme Master Ching Hai as part of the regular programming. Originally from Vietnam (although she's one of the few people on the internet who insists on calling it by its ancient name of Au Lac), she spent the early eighties married to a German guy before dumping him and running off to the Himalayas to find herself. She returned a master of Quan Yin meditation, and has been spreading the word ever since.

Supreme Master TV is her way of targeting the entire planet with her message, which is what gives the channel its unique look. That screen shot at the top of the page showing 24 simultaneous sets of subtitles is an unusual occurrence, but most shows are subtitled in at least a dozen, meaning that all their material has to be shot with the assumption that between a half and three quarters of the screen will be covered in text at any given time. The keystone of their programming is Noteworthy News, in which stories of good deeds and planet-saving inventions are reported to the exclusion of everything else. It's quite fun to watch the stories being hammered into a standard format: they all end with a statement of thanks to the story's subject, and a blessing suitably tailored to their country of origin.

The more didactic sections of their programming focus heavily on Supreme Master Ching Hai's environmental agenda: Go Veg, Be Green is the oft-repeated slogan. So we get Animal World: Our Co-Inhabitants, which interviews key vegan activists: a series of anti-global warming promos that resemble nothing so much as the Earth Song video without the undertones of child molestation: and Vegetarian Elite, which profiles some of the most famous vegetarians in history. It's because of this angle that The BBG, as a non-carnivore herself, grudgingly accepts that it's not all about culty brainwashing. Nevertheless, Vegetarian Elite's inclusion of Jesus Christ on their list of top veggies did make her wonder how He coped with having to serve fish to five thousand people. (In another example of Supreme Master TV trying to bend Christianity to fit their worldview, they've also broadcast a half hour reading of quotes from the world's holy books on the prohibition of alcohol, which curiously steered clear of the wedding at Cana.)

Inevitably, every so often we get appearances by Supreme Master Ching Hai herself: and curiously, these are the least interesting bits in the schedule. Despite the attempt to build a personality cult around her (virtually every photo in her personal albums appears to have been mined for inter-programme filler), when we finally get to hear her speak in Between Master And Disciples she seems surprisingly uncharismatic. Her lectures ramble on without any discernable point, and there's no sense of her really connecting with an audience. And for a preacher, she's rubbish at telling stories: which is a pity, given the existence of her regular Joke Of The Day slot.

Still, as a cynic I'd assume that one of the main functions of a religious TV station is to cadge money from its viewers, and Supreme Master TV seems comparatively reluctant to do that. The message of positivity and saving the planet appears to be priority one, and there's no more than one slot an hour when you're directed to their merchandising websites. The Quan Yin meditation method is passed on via the needlessly messianic URL godsdirectcontact.org: while on a more down-to-earth level, Supreme Master Ching Hai's art and design work can be purchased from The Celestial Shop, and her books and DVDs can be bought through SMCH Books. (Amusingly, the ad for her bestseller The Birds In My Life shamelessly quotes a series of five star reviews left by her disciples on Amazon. Still, if it's really that popular, no harm in putting a purchase link at the bottom of this page to see if I can make a few bob myself...)

To be fair, it wasn't until I watched a full day's worth of programming that I realised there was any attempt at raising money from viewers at all. So I'd still say that if you just dip into Supreme Master TV now and again (either by satellite or by the website stream), there's definitely something charming about its full-throttle optimism and desire to do good in the world. And you can't really argue with that. You can be suspicious, but you can't argue with it.

Comments

[SpankTM]

Hello to everyone visiting from San Francisco.

http://sfcitizen.com/blog/2008/07/06/supreme-master-television-is-going-global/

[Scotty]

Supreme Master Ching Hai is super awesome and I love her channel. :)

[fm]

I like the talking dogs telling us to go vegan.

[Truitt]

Hey. Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities. Truth isn't. Help me! It has to find sites on the: Japanese stock market. I found only this - depression Stock market crash. I think youre going to be very surprised by the result. That means the top listed companies have increased in market value by almost billion since march. Waiting for a reply :rolleyes:, Truitt from Belarus, who bums dogs.

[Delu]

Sorry. With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion. Help me! It has to find sites on the: Comcast basic cable cost. I found only this - Comcast cable co. I had two supervisors tell me that no one could come to my home tomorrow because they were booked, despite the fact that I met every requirement of meeting my appointment. As you sit on one of the carefully laid benches and relish the views, you can see. With love :-), Delu from Verde, who bums dogs with his mate Truitt.

[Tony]

Thank you for showing that the SMCH channel isn't out to get your money. I also appreciate you being fair in noticing that they do alot to focus on being positive. I don't blame you for being suspicious. With all the fake people out their ready to get your money, why wouldn't you be. lol.

With Master's Love :)

[Tan Seaw Kim]

At least you are being fair by spending time & effort to watch the whole cycle & find out yourself that this TV channel is not out to get the viewers' money. What loss can it be by listening to positive & constructive news & programs ?

[veg4life]

It is the BEST and Most POSITIVE TV channel we ever have. There is no violence and aggression. Master Ching Hai treats everyone of us including animals with the same unconditional love and compassion. Her charitable deeds have not gone unnoticed by many countries. She always gives and gives and gives, and expect nothing in return.

[Dr. Vince Le]

Suma ChingHai is one of the best teachers of our time.

http://www.einpresswire.com/article/52972-humanity-s-leap-to-the-golden-era-washington-dc-climate-change-conference
Date/Location November 8, 2009 at The Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington DC
FEATURED SPEAKERS
:
Dr. Stephen Schneider: Stanford University Professor of Environmental Biology and Global Change,
Ms. Maneka Gandhi: India's Member of Parliament and former Minister of Environment and Forests,
Dr. Noam Mohr: Adjunct Professor of Physics at New York University,
Dr. Michael Greger: Director of Public Health & Animal Agriculture for the Humane Society of the US,
Dr. Ruby Lathon: Nutrition Policy Manager Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine,
Dr. Peter Carter: Director Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment,
Supreme Master Ching Hai: World renowned humanitarian, spiritual teacher, artist, and international bestselling author
.
The conference will be followed by a live concert and dance performance and a grand banquet.
Admission is free to the public, but pre-registration is highly recommended due to vast public demand.
The event will be broadcast live worldwide on fourteen satellite platforms and dozens of cable channels on Supreme Master Television, a constructive global television channel with subtitles in more than 40 different languages
The station also streams its broadcast online at www.SupremeMasterTV.com

[June]

When you are right, the whole world is right; when you are wrong, the whole world is also wrong; and when you are negative, everything looks negative.

It's a pity you wasted so much of your precious time and effort writing a long article that spread negative energy around you, affecting yourself and your readers, and who benefits from your writing ? I wonder. Why not writing something more meaningful, more positive and constructive ?

[SpankTM]

June: As you seem to have based your negative response on a selective reading of (at most) three sentences in the above article, I'm going to just concentrate on the bit of your comment that says "you are right." Thanks!

[Long Tran]

'when we finally get to hear her speak in Between Master And Disciples she seems surprisingly uncharismatic. Her lectures ramble on without any discernable point, and there's no sense of her really connecting with an audience'
It may seem that way to most people but to her disciple there is a lot of information.
It is like talking to a baker, if you are not one, you won't understand all that is said. It's not coded in any way, it's that you may not have the inside knowledge.

[generic viagra]

I like read information about this, I would like get more information about TV's technology!

[Omnivorous Smoker]

I've watched her quite a bit..., I've also done A LOT of Research on the Global political Situation......, originally She Had me Totally Fooled..... it took me a while to catch on to her agenda...,

and I have come to the Conclusion that Ching Hai.... is a Globalist Propagandist.., and from a Religious Standpoint a FALSE PROPHET/ False Christ...

Her Goals are obviously Stated - ONE WORLD GOVT, End of the US Constitution in America..., Ban Guns, Ban Meat, Ban Tobacco, Push the Carbon Tax Global Warming Fraud .... etc etc....

Her whole show is a 6 hour long repetitive bombardment of Globalist Propaganda Geared towards WELL MEANING people..., The desired result is to trick a bunch of people into strongly supporting Global Govt..., As well as Getting them to abandon their Religious beliefs and Pray to a False Prophet, somewhat of a metaphorical Golden Calf ....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39E2GREvspo&feature=related

[Supreme Master Debater]

Great article. What is worrying about the Supreme Master cult channel recently is it's showing of lots of programmes about the supposed practice of 'breatharianism' i.e. people claiming to live on air without food and water. One of their features on a known fraud Jasmuheen. She was exposed on Australian tv many years ago. No animal including humans can live without food and water. Why are they promoting this nonsense? The Supreme Master has gone from mad to bad.

[Positive Thinking]

You know, this is a really great article, I'm really touched by the way you sought out the negative and sort of came up empty handed, then were really fair with that and gave the Supreme Master TV Channel sort of "Thumb's Somewhat Up" . . .

I work at this place called: "Monalle: The Positive Thinking Playground" (you can check it out here: http://www.monalle.com )and over there we focus on all sorts of stuff that's just pure positive... Sort of like Supreme Master TV, except we're a lot goofier and more light hearted about it with no clear message or messiah... We just try to pump out pure positivity and let people do what they will with good vibes in tow...

Which gets me to my point, I've met and get to interact with folks from good ole Supreme Master TV... Producers, camera people, on camera talent, etc... (since we're doing similar things in different ways, I've had the chance to meet them, eat with them, relax and enjoy their company on many occasions)...

...and from that place of perspective I wanted to offer my take on the staffers... I don't have a tv, so I've only seen the channel in very small doses via friends, but i can comment on the staffers; So here's my experience of them: "Absolutely Genuine, Kind, Compassionate, Caring and Giving people."

I've known some of them for a while now and I've never felt any hidden agenda, any "join our cult" nothing like that, just pure hearted good people who sincerely want the best for everyone around them and have dedicated their lives to spreading that as far and as wide as possible...

So for me, it was really nice to read your article, and see that what I consider "sincere" is coming across in their efforts! Thanks for the taking the time to share such a genuine piece of writing, it was nice to read it...

Elly

[ugg outlet]

Your blog is so funny that I can not help to finish it front and back. It is of help during my boring work.

[retro jordan 8]

Wow! You are so good at figuring things out. I love it. It would be really neat if you did creamy carimal and the map lightly on the background of the inside and then stamped the info in black over it. I love it.

[Karin]

A Supreme Master crew came to my house to film a couple of days ago. They even brought my dog a vegan treat. Long live the Master!

[Ann, acne no more specialist]

I've recently just started to read your blog and I have to say that it's great that there are still a lot of people who are taking care of the environment. A lot of bad things have been happening lately, floods, earthquakes, snow storms, etc. And it's all because we took nature for granted and now it's taking its toll on us. We have to start taking care of our environment before it's too late. More power to you guys.

[click here]

It's a form of a birth of a certain technology.

[SpankTM]

It's gone!

http://www.suprememastertv.com/notice/?wr_id=79

[Ravindra S rao]

The SupremeMaster Television should not be judged by the contents. Please go deeper and you will find a message. A message of how to live a life that will make you --- LOVE YOURSELF. IT IS SAID IF YOU KEEP DOING WHAT YOU LIKE YOU WILL SOON GET A LIFE WHICH YOU WILL NOT LIKE. Presently the life you live is based on what advertisements you see on other television channels. Supreme Master Television never persuades to do anything which is bad for YOURSELF. All channels are funded & backed by sources of doubtful integrity. Supreme Master Television is backed by upright people.

[Algernon! Non! NON!]

SMCH tv is one if the oddest channels i have ever watched- i particularly like the fixed,almost manic grins of the newsreaders as they spread joyous stories to the rest of the world. Also when ching hai is chatting to her audience,thats a giggle. And how many parrots does one woman need? As a cult leader she leaves me cold,she needs to engage more and get some new writers. CHSM has to be the worlds only Unpersonality Cult leader.

[Felix Ng]

Ever try to find a meditation technique that really works?
Try the QUAN YIN method. From the Supreme Master CHing Hai.
Absolutely the highest technique.