native to the coasts of Namibia and South Africa, have been threatened by an annual

hunt for their fur, involving the slaughter of 86,000 baby seals and 6,000 bulls, as well

as family separations and severe disruption of colonies. Concerns have been raised about

the brutality and ecological consequences of this massacre, second in scale only to

the Canadian hunt with a quota of hundreds of thousands of harp and grey seals annually.

But according to a recent heartening report from the South Africa-based major advocate

of the Cape fur seals, Seal Alert-SA, a new seal colony has been discovered quietly growing

in numbers on an island off the Angolan coast. In addition, other groups of seals have been

returning to waters that have become safer in South Africa, where seal hunting has been

suspended since 1990.

For their benevolent life-sparing policy, Supreme Master Ching Hai is honoring South

Africa with the Shining World Compassion Award.

In 2009, Supreme Master Ching Hai had contributed US$200,000 toward Seal Alert-SA's escalated

efforts to save the Cape fur seals. Then, on March 27 this year, in response to some

encouraging updates from founder Mr. Francois Hugo, with all her love and gratefulness,

Supreme Master Ching Hai pledged a further US$50,000 toward Seal Alert-SA's ongoing

noble endeavors, while writing the following reply:

Dear Mr. Hugo,

Thank you so much for your update on the success you have had in protecting the seals. I share

your sorrow and pain, but am so glad to know of the positive developments you've expressed.

It's the compassionate and heroic deeds of people such as you that can save our world

and bring harmony between humankind and all life on Earth.

It was wonderful to hear of Huggie and Nellie's recent historic birth, and that they have

a wonderful loving home at Seal Alert. And news of the government allowing seals back

onto the small islands around Southern Africa is magnificent. It shows that if we just allow

the animals to be free and do as they wish, they would thrive and nature would be restored

in balance. That's why your inspirational work is so valuable. We are sending you another

US$50,000 to humbly share the costs for the seals – with all my love.

God bless you, Sir, so that you may go forward with your noble mission. I pray to Heaven

for the protection of the seals and for your continued success on their behalf. May the

day when there is no more killing of innocent creatures soon arrive, and Mr. Hugo, your

gracious efforts are helping to hasten that day. As the seals say: “One day all species,

both human and animal, will look upon each other as brothers and sisters.” We pray

for that day with all our heart and tears with you.

Thank you, Francois. Words cannot express my gratitude to you and for your incredible

efforts to save the seals that consequently might also save humans and our world.

With Great Honour, Love and Blessings, Supreme Master Ching Hai

VOICE: Upon being informed of Supreme Master Ching Hai's loving donation, Mr. Francois

Hugo of Seal Alert-SA conveyed his appreciation with the following letter:

March 28, 2011

Seal Greetings Supreme Master Ching Hai,

…It is a deep honour to be the recipient of such support. On behalf of all the endangered

seals in Namibia and South Africa, including myself, I deeply, deeply seal thank you. It

is clear you and the seals have been communicating directly with each other, for the timing in

all the universe of such a further grant, could not have come in a more appropriate

time to help legally save them as a species. I am truly shocked beyond words, at your unseen

ability and gift, to speak and see those needing your help.

As you know, Supreme Master Ching Hai's Seal Alert-SA seal center saw the birth of

its first two baby seal pups, a world's first never before seen, one boy and one girl…

The stage is now set thanks to your generous grant for a legal option to be developed to

end the largest slaughter of seals on this planet, and with your generous grant, thoughts

can now be put into actions.

In your honour, I humbly soldier forward in the fight to save the planet's most precious

and loving seals.

Francois Hugo, Seal Alert-SA

VOICE: Our full support and appreciation Mr. Hugo and Seal Alert-SA for persevering to

save this deserving species, the Cape fur seals. We also thank Supreme Master Ching

Hai for bringing attention and assistance to this compassionate cause, as we pray that

one day soon, such unconscionable actions cease so that all beings may live fearlessly

and peacefully with one another.

Interview with Supreme Master Ching Hai Published in The Irish Dog Journal

December 16, 2009 edition

Supreme Master Ching Hai: The seals and the whales emanate an incredible, great power

of divine love, an unconditional love that could be likened to that between a mother

and her child. They anchor and distribute this wave of love across our planet. Because

of humankind's lack of love and kindness, animals like seals and whales have been born

to help fill in this missing void. And it is this love that is sustaining our planet

and keeping it from destruction up to now. So, we should never ever hunt and kill these

noble, gracious helpers of humankind and the planet�