Category: Dorje Chang Buddha III

Steps to Follow on the Quick Path to Enlightenment

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Steps to Follow on the Quick Path to Enlightenment

The following is a list that most practitioners follow on the “Quick Path to Enlightenment.” These steps include:

PHASE I: Find and become a disciple of an authentic, competent vajra master whether it be a monk or nun, a virtuous layperson, a lama, a rinpoche, or a dharma king.

PHASE II: Read, listen to, understand, and practice  “What Is Cultivation?” and develop eight fundamental right views. This will enable you to have sufficient merit to receive esoteric teachings. You continue to practice these eight after you receive the esoteric teachings of tantra.

The first three consists of understanding the reasons for practicing any form of Buddhism and need to be understood prior to taking refuge.

1-Realize and fear impermanence (death and reincarnation)

2-Develop firm belief in the suffering of samsara.

3-Develop renunciation (mind to leave samsara).

4-Take refuge in either the three-jewels or four jewels.  Make true vows.

5-Maintain diligence, study the exoteric or open teachings of the Buddha as taught in the Tripitaka and in the books and discourses by H. H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and practice the Four Unlimited States of Mind, the Ten Virtues or Good Characteristics, the Six Paramitas, and the Four All-Embracing Bodhisattva Virtues cutting off the bad karma of greed, hatred, and ignorance.

6-Obey all the precepts. If you violate the sacred precepts, you cannot become enlightened in this lifetime.

7-Develop concentration by maintaining steadfastness and immovability, not being attached to either joy or sorrow or any other emotional states (eight winds), and building dharma wisdom. Wisdom, per se, cannot be taught. It is the result of keeping the precepts as well as developing concentration and cultivation to eliminate karmic obstacles.

8- Generate bodhichitta.

If during your practice you have wrong behavior, you will have problems. You must check yourself as you cultivate yourself. The Buddha said that you need to retain “beginner’s mind” throughout your practice. No one else will check you. You must develop a conscience that monitors your own behavior. You need to regain the ability to hear that inner voice that tells you what to do. Your progress on this path and your “accomplishments” will be your proof of correct cultivation. No accomplishments only means you don’t have it right. This is not something that you can blame on anyone else—not your parents, your guru, some higher power, etc. You have to accept responsibility for your evolution, knowing that there are higher beings who will help you, if you are moving in the proper direction. How do you know what the proper direction is? You listen to discourses and read books by genuine dharma kings and great rinpoches and observe the cause and effect of your actions.

PHASE III: Perform necessary “Preliminary Practices” of esoteric Buddhism, study and avoid the “128 Evil and Erroneous Views” and other required esoteric texts as determined by your vajra master. You may also receive certain initiations and empowerments to eliminate negative karmic obstructions and plant the karmic seeds to accelerate your progression.

PHASE IV: Request and receive initiation and empowerment to practice tantra to become enlightened and liberated from the cycle of birth and death. Normally a vajra master will observe a disciple for six to twelve years before teaching tantra in order to determine the disciple’s karmic affinity to receive the dharma—his or her level of cultivation, devotion, determination, and loyalty as well as where the disciple puts benefiting living beings. The generation of bodhichitta is absolutely essential to be able to successfully practice tantra. Most practitioners follow the above program step by step. There are special cases where this approach does not apply. Some people may have learned these lessons and perfected these practices in a previous life or they may have received a special dispensation from their vajra master due to special karmic conditions. The guru can only give this dispensation if he or she has the permission of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and that can only happen through the inner tantric initiation process.

Link: https://wisdomtea.org/2023/08/24/steps-to-follow-on-the-quick-path-to-enlightenment/

Purification

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Purification

Even though we are cultivating ourselves, it is hard to overcome many, many lifetimes of evil behavior accumulated over eons of time, both as humans and as non-humans. However, we can stop negative actions from ripening by purifying them. His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III said it is like building a wall of good karma to protect us from the bad. Our bad karma cannot be eliminated–only by becoming enlightened can we escape the laws of cause and effect. The sutras say that “there can be no fault so serious that it cannot be purified by the four powers or four opponent forces.” Even Milarepa and Angulimala, who were both mass-murderers, were able to purify their negative karma and become enlightened in a single lifetime, but they both were able to do this by following enlightened masters and using these powers. These four opponent powers that are essential for successful purification are:

1) The power of regret: One begins by reflecting on regret; the awareness that actions we have committed bring suffering to ourselves and others. This is not the same as guilt, which implies a negative and helpless state of mind and is not useful, but a sort of “intelligent regret,” which is a very positive and creative mental state aimed at correcting the mistake so we won’t repeat it.

2) The power of reliance: To correct our mistakes or negative actions directed toward either the Four Jewels or other sentient beings, we take refuge and generate bodhichitta. We rely on the Buddha who is our role model, the dharma that is the teachings of the Buddha, and the sangha.

3) The power of remedy (the antidote): These are positive actions of body, speech, and mind that we do to purify the negativity. This is “building the wall” of good karma. This can include kind deeds, chanting mantras, meditation, etc. and the dedication of the merit of what we have done to help anyone we may have harmed.

4) The power of resolve: This is our ongoing determination to never repeat the negative action and then not doing it again.

Of course there are dharmas that can be learned to help elicit the support of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, but they all depend on these four powers.

Link: https://wordpress.com/post/wisdomtea.org/1266

A Holy Feat: H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Gave a Proof of True Buddha-Dharma

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A Holy Feat: H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Gave a Proof of True Buddha-Dharma

(Translated from a report in Chinese published in Las Vegas Chinese Newspaper on June 3, 2014)

(Reported from Los Angeles) The H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Cultural and Art Museum is the first cultural museum named after H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III in this earthly world with the mission of demonstrating His Holiness the Buddha’s enlightenment and accomplishments in the Five Vidyas. The museum is scheduled for its grand opening on June 7, 2014. Before this grand opening, an extremely holy feat happened to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. While H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III was traveling on a tour, a flock of birds flew within the view of His Holiness the Buddha at a distance of about 100 meters. Then they jumped on a water surface to splash the water and presented a group dance. The dance was also accompanied by a storm.

This event occurred on May 19, 2014. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III was visiting Mexico at the time, accompanied by an entourage of more than 20 people. It was shortly after five o’clock in the afternoon. On the way back after visiting an ancient Maya site near the city of Merida, the Mexican tour guide led them to visit the Temozon Resort Hotel, which is a high-class resort hotel built from a manor farm. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and two top-notch holy virtuous ones were sitting at a table near the window inside a coffee shop. Right in front of the window at a distance of about 100 meters (328 feet) was a rectangular-shaped swimming pool. At that time, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III called His entourage together and made an announcement:

“You came on this trip with me and saw many eye-opening scenes. However, today you all will soon see an amazing dance that you have never seen before. In a short while, many birds will fly to this swimming pool to perform a ‘Dragonfly Stepping on Water’ dance. The birds will dive down, shuttling above and treading on the surface of the water. They will step on the water and then soaring upward into the sky. This is also the dance of ‘Spiritual Birds Stepping on Water.’ They will also continue to perform after the rain starts.”

At that time, people within the entourage all looked outside the window but did not see even one bird. However, since H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III had called them over and told them that a world-astounding miracle would occur soon, they were confident that it would definitely happen. Still some of them raised a doubt, “Can a bird fly up after touching the water? Wouldn’t it plunge into the water and drown?”

H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III then asked them, “Do you see birds now?” The disciples replied, “No, there isn’t a bird, not even a bird’s shadow.” H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III said, “If you suspect that they will not come, or they will plunge into the water and drown, just wait and see what happens. Anyway, I will just tell you this. If there are no birds dancing above the swimming pool, the dharma I expounded would be evil views. If they do show up, that means I am truly Dorje Chang Buddha III, representing all Buddhas in the ten directions and, on the other hand, those dharma kings, rinpoches, venerable ones, and great dharma masters who slandered me are either evil masters or swindlers. The fact will be shown when the birds come. You just wait and see. Moreover, in a sudden moment, celestial deities will cast a heavy rainstorm within one or two seconds, providing an accompanying performance to the dance. However, the birds will not be driven away or stop due to the rain. You will soon see, whether Dorje Chang Buddha III expounded true Buddha-dharma or evil dharma and whether those who engaged in slandering and defamation are demonic persons, evil masters, and swindlers or not.”

After only one minute or so, many birds did fly to the sky above the swimming pool. There were no birds at any other place. They were circling and flipping very fast above the swimming pool. Some began dashing downward. Shortly afterwards, just as H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III had predicted a few minutes ago, the birds dived down from the sky and had their feet stepping on the water, and then flew upward back to the sky. The dance repeated this way over and over again.

Then, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III said, “It is going rain heavily right away.” Everyone started to count silently, one, two, …… Exactly as told, in less than two seconds, a heavy downpour suddenly started. The bird did not stop or leave, and continued to dance within the rainstorm. Every detail of the prediction made ahead of time by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III came true completely, proving that H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III’s Buddha-dharma is the true dharma and that those who slandered His Holiness the Buddha are all demonic persons, evil masters, and swindlers.

To provide witnesses to this absolutely true holy scene, the disciples who accompanied His Holiness the Buddha on the trip and saw with their own eyes this extremely magnificent holy feat recorded in writing the situation at the time and signed their names. They also took oaths against severe consequences to guarantee what they wrote are ironclad facts. If what they wrote were an untrue fabricated story rather than their own experience, they not only would not become accomplished in this lifetime but also would devolve into the hell of uninterrupted suffering to undergo all kinds of sufferings. On the other hand, if what they stated is true, they will be certain to attain liberation and accomplishment in the current lifetime. They wished that all living beings can learn the true Buddha-dharma from H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.

The whole process at that time was recorded by video. This live video recording included many world-astounding scenes one after another that proved His Holiness the Buddha’s realization of enlightenment and will be dedicated as a present to the H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Cultural and Art Museum. The video will be shown to the public at the museum’s grand opening ceremony and will be distributed to people of all walks.

The written testimony was signed by thirteen witnesses of the entourage who took oaths against severe consequences, including Xuan Hui, Wenli, Baima Dorje Cuomu, Hengsheng, Long Zhi, Kuan, Jiawei Dianba, Cideji, Cirong Zhuoma, Gesang Quzeng, Renqing Quezan, Dunzhu, and Tongchang. Their testimony stated:

“This event seems to be plain simple. However, after careful thinking, we can realize that:”

  • “First, this place is quite far off. Except the Mexican tour guide, none of us on the tour has been here. Neither did we know the location, the setting, or anything about this place. We did not know this place had birds either.
  • Secondly, when H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III made the announcement, we all clearly saw that there was not even one bird above the swimming pool and the higher sky above it.
  • Thirdly, birds are of course not human. They have no way to speak to us or communicate with us in other ways. We human are not able to give notice or direction to the birds either to let them tread and dance on the water surface, not to say that they were more than 100 meters (328 feet) away from us.”

“With all these facts, then how was H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III able to inform all of us two or three minutes ahead of time that many birds would fly to the sky above the swimming pool and state definitively that the birds would perform a world-astounding miraculous dance? What was even more astounding is announcing that celestial deities would produce a heavy downpour within 1-2 seconds and the birds would not be driven away by the rain and would continue to dance. Exactly as forecasted, such a world-astounding scene did take place, proving the truthfulness of the announcement made by His Holiness the Buddha. This is not an issue of prediction. Rather, it represents the ultimate truth and Buddha-dharma that is millions of times more powerful than a prediction!!!! This fact fully proved that the world of Buddhas is completely different from living beings’ world, that the truth of Buddha-dharma that the Buddha expounded to living beings is absolutely true without anything untrue, and that living beings must cultivate in accord with the Buddha’s teaching, in order to become accomplished and truly enter the world of Buddha-dharma. This is because His Holiness the Buddha is the sole highest extremely great holy virtuous one. We simply are unable to know all truths and facts that H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is aware of. Therefore, we cultivate in accord with the His Holiness Buddha’s teaching. Only then can we turn the state of an ordinary being into the state of a Buddha and enter the world of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas!”

“You should not believe literally H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III’s description of this event. His Holiness the Buddha said that He is a humble one, He does not have the ability of telling the birds to present a dance on top of the water or telling celestial deities to rain a heavy downpour as an accompanying performance to the dance, this holy occurrence was a coincidence due to the karmic conditions of all who were present, and He does not have such a power of realization. Rather, you should realize that these statements reflected the supreme virtue of selflessness of a true Buddha. You should think carefully about this situation. Which dharma king, rinpoche, dharma master, or holy one can announce ahead of time when there is no bird seen that many birds will come to perform a dance of treading water? Moreover, within only three minutes, many birds did show up and dance on the water, making many splashes of water.”

“Maybe we can just say that this is not amazing. However, such a statement of announcing the arrival of many birds to perform a dance of treading water cannot be baselessly made by a person with the status of a Buddha when a live video recording was on and there was no bird around. How would the situation end if there weren’t many birds showing up afterwards? Moreover, the announcement said that celestial deities were to pour a heavy rain in two seconds. Two seconds after the sentence ended, a heavy downpour started immediately, manifesting an accompanying performance to the birds’ dance. This is something far more than being amazing. It is truly a holy feat made by His Holiness the Buddha. No other holy one can do so, because he does not have such supreme realization of Buddha-dharma. We know that no eminent monk, dharma king, or rinpoche in history has ever done so. In real life, we do not see any great dharma king, great rinpoche, or great dharma master making such accomplishment either! Looking at the last several thousand years, only H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has the true dharma of the Tathagata to manifest such inspiration and virtuous realization. In another instance, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III reversed an aged appearance to that of a youth after only a little over ten minutes. Can any great patriarch master, great dharma king, great rinpoche, or great dharma master make an accomplishment that bears a remote resemblance to this?”c

“Now we know that a true Buddha came to our world. Why don’t you seize this opportunity to follow the Buddha to cultivate and learn the dharma to end the cycle of birth and death? Also, it is certain that you will die soon and you will not be able to escape the death!!! That time will soon come, when your breath will stop and you will die. Your soul, which is the spiritual consciousness you have now, will not have anything that you once possessed in the human world. You will be penniless regardless of how much money you once had. At that time, there will be no food, no house, and nothing. While you are at the stage of bardo, you can see your family members but they can’t hear you talking to them. You will only have loneness, extreme suffering, hunger, and fear. There is no hotel on your way to the afterworld. You don’t know where you can stay for the night. This is not to scare you. That day will come very soon! This is an obvious fact. You are certain to experience the loneness, fear, and the coming together of all kinds of sufferings that never end. The only way to avoid this consequence is to learn the true dharma of the Tathagata right now. Only by doing so can you become accomplished and break away from the fear of death. You should look for the Buddha immediately to learn the dharma. There will be no second chance if you waste this lifetime!!! Then only loneness and suffering with no possibility of being rescued are waiting for your soul.”

Link: https://wisdomtea.org/2023/05/11/a-holy-feat-h-h-dorje-chang-buddha-iii-gave-a-proof-of-true-buddha-dharma/

True Events Seen at the Side of a Buddha

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True Events Seen at the Side of a Buddha

by Jue Hui Shih

Every time we mention holy occurrences related to H.H. Dorje Chang III Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu Holiest Tathagata, our discussions never ends. Such are the facts. Wherever H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III goes, mysterious and unexpected phenomena nearly always appear. It seems abnormal for holy phenomena not to appear.

For example, there was one time when H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III practiced the Torma Offering Dharma in which food was offered to the Buddhas and then given to living beings. The most excellent and precious food offered to the Buddhas that time was nectar pills made from mixing real nectar bestowed by the Buddhas at the invocation of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III together with flour and butter. Those nectar pills were hand-made the night before by rinpoches, dharma teachers, and others. Many holy phenomena occurred at that dharma assembly during the course of making offerings to the Buddhas.

First of all, an image of Sakyamuni Buddha was in the middle of the mandala that day. An image of Dorje Chang Buddha, the primordial sambhogakaya Buddha, was above the image of Sakyamuni Buddha. To the right of the image of Sakyamuni Buddha were holy relics of the Buddha. To the left of the image of Sakyamuni Buddha was an image of Guru Padmasambhava. A bright-colored array of fresh flowers, rare fruit, various types of food made from Tibetan roasted barley flour, fragrant cheese, and other offerings dazzled the eyes and filled three offering tables. The nectar pills were placed in the middle of the offering tables.

Before offerings were made to the Buddhas, the nectar pills were placed inside a jade bowl. At that time, the nectar pills were level with the lower edge of the brim of the bowl. Those nectar pills were piled up evenly and filled the entire bowl. The Buddha Master later empowered the fifty-nine attendees of that dharma assembly by giving each of them some of those nectar pills. As a result, the nectar pills that remained in the jade bowl were lower than the lower edge of the brim of the bowl by about 1.5 centimeters. We saw that the nectar pills neither lessened nor increased from 7:03 p.m. when the practice of the dharma began until around 8:10 p.m. when the offerings of the three karmas to the Buddhas was completed. At that time, a holy event nobody ever imagined suddenly took place. In an instant, the nectar pills grew in number. Not only did the pile of nectar pills rise more than 1.5 centimeters filling the entire bowl, its top part formed a dome that rose high above the brim. Everyone was ecstatic at the sight of that holy occurrence.

Nectar pills before they miraculously increased in number.

Furthermore, the nectar pills were moist and soft right after they were made. Everyone decided to use a microwave oven to dry the nectar pills so that they would become dry and hard as soon as possible. A few dharma teachers placed four nectar pills inside the microwave oven as a test to determine the appropriate microwave time. Shortly after those nectar pills were placed inside, to everyone’s surprise the microwave oven began emitting smoke and a burning scent. Everyone quickly took out those pills only to discover that two of them were burning and had become like black coal, while the other two were still their original bright red without any sign of being burned.

The Buddha Master decided to mix the two nectar pills that were burned black and the two that were still bright red into the jade bowl that contained nectar pills to be offered to the Buddhas. A few minutes after this was done, the two nectar pills that were burned black surprisingly disappeared in the bowl. Everyone had no choice but to spill the nectar pills onto a large platter and carefully look for those two nectar pills. However, no matter how meticulously all of us looked, no trace of those two black nectar pills could be found. At this time, Venerable Xirao Jiebu said, “How could there be any differentiation in the Buddha-dharma tathata (true-suchness) of the Buddha Master? None of you will ever find those two pills. How could there be the concepts of burned black and not burned black with respect to true nectar that is Buddha nature? How could there be differentiation of colors?”

Second, the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and dharma protecting deities bid farewell to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III when that dharma assembly to make offerings to the Buddhas ended. At that time, the starry and cloudless sky suddenly rumbled with thunder four consecutive times. All of the people there heard this. Of course, that was the laughter of the dharma protecting deities. It was the height of summer in the Los Angeles area. It had not rained for a few months, and the sky was full of stars. How could there be thunder under such circumstances?

What I have just described is merely one example from among the many feats of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. Actually, we at the International Buddhism Sangha Association often receive emergency phone calls. In the vast majority of those phone calls, the caller beseeches H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III to save his or her life or the life of another person. Of course, without exception, those close to death take a turn for the better and are out of danger after being empowered by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. We then receive their calls expressing gratitude toward H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. Thus, in our eyes H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III truly acts as an emergency treatment center that relieves the sufferings of all living beings.

At times like those, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III often promptly gives a discourse to everyone about how the law of cause and effect, or karma, never fails or about how living beings must cultivate themselves in order to change or postpone karmic retribution. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has told us that it is useless to rely on empowerment alone. Although empowerment has the effect of temporarily blocking one’s karmic hindrances, one will ultimately still experience karmic retribution if one does not cultivate oneself.

One day we learned that a layperson with the surname Yan had contracted cancer of the nose and pharynx (nasopharyngeal carcinoma). For seven days and seven nights, he only ate a few spoonfuls of thin rice gruel. He was in the final throes of late-stage cancer with only a few hours left to live. There being no alternative, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III was asked to
save him. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III told him that his situation was the manifestation of karma, or cause and effect, and that there was no way to save him. However, being unable to withstand the strenuous and sorrowful supplications of layman Yan’s family, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III went to layman Yan and gave him a nectar pill. Unexpectedly, after this person who was on the brink of death ate that nectar pill, he regained a clear state of mind that very evening. In less than a half month, his cancer disappeared, and he became completely well. He even taught people the martial arts. His entire family was tremendously grateful to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. However, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III simply said, “What I did is of no use if he does not cultivate himself. He will still pass away.” Given these words of His Holiness, what happened to him five years later was indeed expected. Although his cancer had completely disappeared, his mouth ulcerated as a result of his previous late-stage cancer. He was no longer able to speak clearly. One day he suddenly came up with a strange idea. He decided to use the flesh on his body to fill the gap in his mouth caused by the ulcer. Layman Yan died in the hospital as a result of that operation.

Thus, I would like to sincerely offer the following advice. We should not hope that H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III will completely eliminate our karmic forces simply because H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is alive in our world today. First of all, do you have the karmic affinity to meet His Holiness? Even if you meet the Buddha Master, will the Buddha Master accept you as a disciple? Even if you are accepted as a disciple, do you practice virtue such that you are qualified to learn the Buddha-dharma? Even if you learn dharma transmitted by the Buddha Master, can you practice that dharma with your three karmas perfectly corresponding with the teachings of the Buddha Master? We should avail ourselves of the time this Buddha is in our world to follow the correct course of cultivation shown to us by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and practice the highest Buddha-dharma that His Holiness has taught us. This applies to our daily lives and daily meditation. We will then be able to truly attain good fortune, wisdom, accomplishment in the dharma, and liberation!

Link: https://wisdomtea.org/2023/04/27/true-events-seen-at-the-side-of-a-buddha/

The Incarnation of Dorje Chang Buddha

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The Incarnation of Dorje Chang Buddha

by the International Buddhism Sangha Association from the book H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III

Dorje Chang Buddha is Buddha Vajradhara. Dorje Chang Buddha is not “Vajradhara.” In English, people often use the word vajradhara to refer to a “Practitioner [or holder] of the Vajra.” Actually a vajradhara is a master or guru. Buddha Vajradhara is a Buddha. Moreover, Buddha Vajradhara is the primordial sambhogakaya Buddha whose sambhogakaya manifested out of the dharmakaya of Adharma Buddha (Adi Buddha, or Samantabhadra Tathagata). All of the Buddha-dharma of Buddha Vajradhara originated from the tathata (true suchness) of Samantabhadra Tathagata. With respect to the dharmakaya of Samantabhadra Tathagata, there is no past and no future. Without form yet not empty, He neither comes nor goes. There are no Buddhas above Him to become. There are no living beings below Him to be saved. Such is His absolute truth. Thus, the dharma-body state of Samantabhadra Tathagata is without signs or characteristics, without speech, and without form. As such, there is no subject or being who could expound the dharma. Without such a subject or being, the multitudinous living beings could not be saved.

Because of such karmic conditions, the formless dharmakaya Buddha generated the first sambhogakaya Buddha with form. This sambhogakaya Buddha with form transformed into Vajrasattva and other nirmanakayas. In order to make a distinction between those three, the dharmakaya Buddha was named Adharma Buddha; the sambhogakaya Buddha was named Dorje Chang Buddha; the nirmanakaya was named Vajrasattva. Actually, all three are Samantabhadra Tathagata, all three are Adharma Buddha, and all three are Dorje Chang Buddha. In truth, there are not two Buddhas. These distinctions are due to the dharmakaya, sambhogakaya, and nirmanakaya aspects. Based on this, Samantabhadra Tathagata did not directly incarnate. Even the ancient Buddha Dipankara and Vajrasattva were the nirmankayas of Dorje Chang Buddha.
Dorje Chang Buddha is also called Buddha Vajradhara or Ruler of the Vajra Beings. In the entire universe, Dorje Chang Buddha is the first Buddha with form and is the highest Buddha. That is, the highest leader of Buddhism in the entire universe came into being in the form of Dorje Chang Buddha. It was Dorje Chang Buddha who began transmitting dharma and saving living beings in the dharmadhatu. As a result, Buddhism was born and the Buddha-dharma began spreading.
However, many sects and lineages list Samantabhadra Tathagata as the first Buddha who began all the lineages in the dharmadhatu. This way of thinking is actually correct as well. That is because although Samantabhadra Tathagata is a dharmakaya without form and has no way of speaking, the origin lies with this dharmakaya from which the sambhogakaya Dorje Chang Buddha manifested. This sambhogakaya Buddha was the first one to spread the Buddha-dharma in the dharmadhatu. That sambhogakaya Buddha also transformed into Vajrasattva and other nirmanakayas who spread the dharma in the triloka (three spheres). Because of the birth of Dorje Chang Buddha, living beings were thus able to become holy beings in accordance with His dharma teachings.

We often see in dharma books a blue image of Adharma Buddha. Actually, this image is a symbol. Such a symbolic form is necessary since the tathata emptiness of Adharma Buddha is invisible and cannot be depicted in a thangka. There is no way to draw the shape of emptiness. The dharmakaya has no features that can be pictorially depicted. In fact, the concept of dharmakaya is the absolute truth of the universe that is not born and does not perish. The sambhogakaya Buddha (Buddha Vajradhara) manifested out of this concept of not being born and not perishing.
Dorje Chang Buddha is the ancient, primordial sambhogakaya Buddha. He has the unsurpassed virtuous appearance that all of the Buddhas in the ten directions have. He was the first in the dharmadhatu and triloka (three spheres) to express the dharma. Therefore, Buddha Vajradhara, or Dorje Chang Buddha, is actually the greatest leader of Buddhism in the entire dharmadhatu. He is the original ancestor of Buddhism.
However, many Buddhists misinterpret Dorje Chang Buddha, or Buddha Vajradhara, as being a or Practitioner [Holder] of the Vajra (i.e. vajradhara). This is a mistake in a matter of principle that carries with it a karmic offence. Buddha Vajradhara has the meaning of one who is in charge of and has supervision over all of the vajra beings. Thus, He is the Ruler of the Vajra Beings, the one who has dominion over the vajra beings. On the other hand, the Practitioner of the Vajra (i.e. vajradhara), is one who learns the dharma and teaches others. Such a person enlightens himself and others. The term Practitioner of the Vajra, connotes Vajra Master. There is a world of difference between a Practitioner of the Vajra on the one hand and a Ruler of the Vajra Beings on the other hand.

Buddha Vajradhara has passed down dharma to all of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, who received such dharma. All of the Buddha-dharma of both exoteric and esoteric Buddhism was originally transmitted by this Ruler of the Vajra Beings. The 84,000 dharma methods that Sakyamuni Buddha taught were transmitted to Sakyamuni Buddha by the ancient Buddha Dipankara, who was a nirmanakaya of Dorje Chang Buddha. Tibetan esoteric Buddhism, which contains all of the dharma of the Nyingma, Sakya, Jonang, Kagyu, and Geluk sects, including the Kalachakra Vajra Dharma transmitted by Sakyamuni Buddha; Japanese esoteric Buddhism; and esoteric Buddhism taught by Sakyamuni Buddha contained in the Tripitakaall come from the lineage of which Dorje Chang Buddha is the original ancestor or from the lineage of His nirmanakaya, Vajrasattva. Buddha Vajradhara or Ruler of the Vajra Beings is the supreme leader of Buddhism in the dharmadhatu. He is not a Vajra Master who is a Practitioner of the Vajra (i.e.vajradhara).

When disciples find a qualified master, they should visualize their Vajra Master as being a Buddha. This is done out of respect for the dharma and respect for one’s lineage. However, no matter what type of master he may be, if his identity or status has not been recognized as a Buddha by rinpoches of great holiness in accordance with the dharma, then he is not a Buddha. Still, the disciple must visualize Him as a Buddha. Even the holy and venerable Vimalakirti, who as the second Buddha Vajradhara, was affirmed as a Tathagata (Buddha) through an announcement of Sakyamuni Buddha.
The incarnation of Dorje Chang Buddha is different from the nirmanakayas of any other Buddha. Such an incarnation is a primordial manifestation of the existence of Buddha-dharma. In each world of living beings, there can be at any one time only one incarnation of Dorje Chang Buddha, who manifests or expresses the existence of the true dharma. There will not be a second incarnation of Dorje Chang Buddha in the same age or era. Only after the first incarnation of Dorje Chang Buddha leaves the world can the second incarnation be born based on karmic conditions relating to the good fortune of living beings. For example, the holy and venerable Vimalakirti, who was the second Dorje Chang Buddha, took birth in this earthly realm in the past. The third Dorje Chang Buddha, H.H. Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu, took birth in this earthly realm more than one thousand years after Vimalakirti left it and only when karmic conditions relating to the good fortune of living beings had matured.

Nobody can get away with falsely claiming to be the incarnation of Dorje Chang Buddha. In order to protect the dignity of the Buddha-dharma in the dharmadhatu and prevent demons from falsely claiming to be Buddha Vajradhara or the Ruler of the Vajra Beings, Buddha Vajradhara must be born with His own dharma and realization so that He may manifest or express the dharma. No other Buddha is able to manifest realization equal to the realization of Dorje Chang Buddha. That is because in order to protect the true dharma, the Buddhas do not manifest realization powers at the same holy level as the realization of Dorje Chang Buddha. Conversely, all demons lack the power to manifest such realization and therefore cannot manifest such realization.

When Sakyamuni Buddha lived in this world, Dorje Chang Buddha took birth as the holy and venerable Vimalakirti, who helped Sakyamuni Buddha teach the 500 monks and 8,000 Bodhisattvas. The holy and venerable Vimalakirti, who was the second incarnation of Dorje Chang Buddha, had the highest wisdom and the greatest ability to manifest supernatural powers as an expression of dharma. No other holy being could match Him.

H.H. Mahavairocana Tathagata formally pronounced that the third incarnation of Dorje Chang Buddha, H.H. Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu, must meet five conditions: He must successfully invoke the Buddhas to bestow nectar. He must be able to perform the Golden Vase Selection of Karmic Affinity and predict the results of that ceremony beforehand. He must be able to eliminate the karmic obstructions of disciples. He must be able to take mist, place it inside a hollowed out sculpted boulder, and have the mist stay there. He must be able to carve wondrous multicolored sculptures.
The formal pronouncement stated that no other holy being could achieve those five types of accomplishments. It also stated that if any other person of great holiness achieved those five types of accomplishments, then Mahavairocana Tathagata’s recognition that H.H. Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu is Dorje Chang Buddha is false, and the pronouncement has deceived the public in order to build up a false reputation.

The facts have proven that in this world there is no being of great holiness and virtue or even an expert who is able to match the accomplishments of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu. Furthermore, great dharma kings on the level of a Buddha or Bodhisattva have unanimously recognized the identity of H.H. Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu through recognition certificates. This thoroughly proves that no one can get away with falsely claiming the identity or status of Dorje Chang Buddha.

In order to prevent demons from wreaking havoc by falsely claiming to be the incarnation of Dorje Chang Buddha, the required number of many holy beings must recognize the incarnation of Dorje Chang Buddha. Furthermore, many additional holy beings must bear witness to the veracity of the recognition and respectfully offer congratulations. The many holy beings who recognize the incarnation of Dorje Chang Buddha must be Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, or great dharma kings. Those who bear witness to the veracity of the recognition and respectfully offer congratulations must be extremely holy and virtuous Bodhisattvas. All of those who recognize, bear witness, and respectfully offer congratulations must be famous leaders within Buddhism and great rinpoches. If the identity of the person was not recognized by those on such a holy level, if congratulations were not respectfully offered to him by those on such a holy level, and if he does not have legitimate recognition certificates, then his claims that he is a holy being are false.

People say, “So-and-so rinpoche is universally recognized as the incarnation of Buddha Vajradhara.” This way of speaking is based on heretical and erroneous understanding. It is not in accord with the rules of true Buddhism. Where is the realization of this rinpoche that an incarnation of Buddha Vajradhara would have? Does this rinpoche have complete proficiency in both exoteric and esoteric Buddhism? Does he have full mastery of the Five Vidyas? Which five dharma kings have recognized his identity as being Buddha Vajradhara and which ten dharma kings or rinpoches have certified that recognition? Can he show others a recognition certificate showing he is the third Buddha Vajradhara? Which several famous people of holy virtue respectfully offered congratulations to him for being recognized? No matter how high a certain monastic may be, if he does not have true realization and the required written recognitions and congratulations stating he is the third incarnation of Buddha Vajradhara, then all claims by others that he is Buddha Vajradhara are flattery, exaggeration, and rumors.

Hence, one must understand that Buddha Vajradhara is  a Buddha. On the other hand, a  vajradhara is a lama (master). Anyone who misinterprets a lama as being a Buddha Vajradhara is undoubtedly placing the status of a mere vajra master over that of Amitabha Buddha and other Buddhas. Such conduct is a terrible offense because according to the sutras and esoteric scriptures Buddha Vajradhara is Dorje Chang Buddha, the Master of the Five Buddhas and other Buddhas.

Link: https://wisdomtea.org/2023/04/06/the-incarnation-of-dorje-chang-buddha/

Interview with Elder Monk Yi Zhao After June 2000 Buddhas Bestowing Nectar Dharma Assembly

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Interview with Elder Monk Yi Zhao After June 2000 Buddhas Bestowing Nectar Dharma Assembly

By Zhaxi Zhuoma

The following is an interview with Elder Monk Yi Zhao who is the successor of the Dharma lineage of the Elder Monk Xu Yun. Yi Zhao is the 44th great master of the Lin Chi sect within Zen Buddhism. He is the highest master within Zen Buddhism in the world today. This interview is transcribed from the video tape of the Nectar Dharma Assembly conducted by Dharma King Yangwo Yisinubu.

QUESTION: Could you please briefly describe the wonderful occurrences that took place during the Buddhas Bestowing Nectar Dharma Assembly that you attended? 

ANSWER: We first saw the Dharma King. We then saw the Dharma King practice the Dharma to raise the consciousness of certain beings to higher realms of existence. We took a look and there were only a few wasps (yellow-jackets). After the Dharma King practiced the Dharma for a period of time, he said that he had already summoned many beings, such as solitary spirits, Kinnaras, etc. in order to raise their consciousness. When we went to take another look, we saw that there were many wasps. I do not know the exact number, but there must have been over ten thousand of them. During another period of time the Dharma King said that the raising of their consciousness is almost complete. Those wasps were specially benefited. Why were there all of those wasps? Certain solitary spirits, certain kinnaras and other beings took on the physical form of wasps, arrived at the scene and received the consciousness raising Dharma. What is receiving the consciousness raising Dharma?

We human beings must eat and drink in order to survive and grow. However, after those solitary spirits received the consciousness raising Dharma, they were able to take birth in a heavenly realm in the Western Paradise or in another buddha realm. We went over and took another look. We noticed that all of the wasps had departed. Why did none of them remain? They received the consciousness raising Dharma and were raised. Therefore, none of them remained, because they were liberated. This is what we first saw at the dharma assembly. The next part of the assembly was the “Buddhas Bestowing Nectar.” There were five or six of us. There were about a dozen monks and nuns. It was not only Chinese people who participated in this part of the assembly. There were even non-Chinese people there! At this time, a bowl was placed about 30 feet away from the Dharma King. What type of bowl was this? It was a crystal bowl. The crystal bowl was placed on the ground. The bowl was in the middle of two opposite lines of people. The bowl was not far from the two lines of people. Everyone sat on the ground and looked at the bowl. This crystal bowl had a lid and was a bit smaller than a washbowl.

There was another bowl that was small. Elder Wu Ming was asked to wash that small bowl with water. After he washed it, he was asked to wipe it dry. He wiped the inside of the bowl so well that not one drop of water remained. This bowl was then placed back inside of the crystal bowl. The Dharma King then told everybody to stare at the bowl. He said that our vision must remain fixed on the bowl. All of us began to stare at the bowl. After awhile, what did the bowl appear to contain? A meteor. Of course, it was not a real meteor. It seemed as if rain had fallen. What exactly was in the bowl? It was white. It descended with flashes of light. It took a while for it to descend. The Dharma King then told us to open the bowl and look inside. The small bowl was inside the crystal bowl, yet flashes of light could be seen within the crystal bowl. This interior bowl slowly became filled. What color was the substance that filled the bowl? It seemed to be white. It was not pure white. It looked like milk, but it was not milk. It was like that of the finest cream. It was a a very savory taste with a bit of sweetness. The Dharma King personally fed it to all of us during the Dharma Assembly. Rays of red light descended. Flashes of red light descended. The strange thing was that each person’s perception of the color of this light was different.

Why? Since each person’s level of cultivation and state of realization are different, there were differences in the supernormal states they perceived. I followed Elder Monk Xu Yun ever since I was young. I also met Master Tai Xu. The two of them practiced different dharma methods and therefore had different states of realization. I have met many practitioners of Buddhism such as those who practice the dharma of the Pure Land School, those who practice Zen meditation, etc. However, I have never seen the supernormal state of nectar descending from the sky. What about this time? This time, I personally saw it. I truly saw it. This is a very rare occurrence. I obtained a certain insight from this experience. Of course, people have different levels of realization. What did the Great Dharma King rely upon in his Tantric visualization? He relied upon our original nature in his visualization. The usefulness arose from the prajna of true emptiness. This even includes nectar bestowed from the sky. The light of the Tathagata descended out of emptiness. This was the wonderful effect of the Dharma King’s application of prajna.

What is Prajna? It is realization that all phenomena are empty. Things arise from true emptiness. Emptiness can bring about wonderful effects. Wonderful effects arise from prajna. All realities thus arise. All phenomena thus arise. Over the past several decades of my life, that was the only time when I actually saw the supernormal state of nectar descending from the sky. I have followed many great elderly monks when they practice the dharma in private. I could not see any effects. However, this time at the Dharma Assembly, I truly saw certain effects. Today I am describing to everybody the facts concerning nectar that descended from the sky. So that everybody will understand, I am not talking about exoteric Buddhism or esoteric Buddhism. I am saying that the wonderful effects of the buddha dharma are beyond logic and reason. If we cultivate ourselves sincerely, we certainly will experience these wonderful effects. Of course, if you meet a good teacher, your cultivation will progress rapidly. If you do not meet up with a good teacher, yet you still diligently cultivate yourself on your own, you will naturally encounter a good teacher in the future. These are my personal insights. Today I have briefly described nectar descending from the sky, which I personally saw. It truly occurred.

QUESTION: With respect to the effects of the nectar on you, after you ate the nectar, was there any great change in your state of realization?

ANSWER: After eating nectar one’s physical strength naturally increases and one’s internal practices are benefited. It helps one’s cultivation, no matter what method of cultivation one practices. Of course, this is something incredible. Whenever a thought arises in my mind, no matter what type of thought it may be, I will introspect upon it. I will immediately become vigilant. I will immediately introspect. If my mind has even just a little greed or anger, I will get rid of it. I feel better physically. Although I am now over 70 years old, my physical condition is not bad. It is a little better than before. I think that each person will experience different effects from having eaten nectar. Why? Each person’s karma is different and each person’s insights into life are different.

For example, fish see the ocean water as something to live in. Human beings view the ocean water as a means of eating, yet celestial beings see this body of water as colored glaze. Each person’s insights are different. Each person will experience different effects from having eaten nectar. Although the effects are different, the nectar will plant a certain seed within the person. Take for example, those who recite Amitabha Buddha’s name. Even though they continually recite Amitabha Buddha’s name, who knows when they will be able to obtain Buddhahood. However, some people recite Amitabha Buddha’s name only a few times or ten times, yet they are able to be reborn in the Western paradise. This is because the underlying karmic conditions of each person are different. Therefore, each person will experience different effects from having eaten nectar. Nevertheless, the nectar will provide each of them with benefits to further their liberation. These are my opinions, understandings, and feelings.

QUESTION: Did the lecture of the Great Dharma King provide you with any insight or great benefit?

ANSWER: What did the Great Dharma King speak about: Emptiness and prajna. Each sentence that he spoke contained prajna wisdom. It was not a general lecture. If it had been, then the words would have been simple. However, all of his words reflected prajna wisdom. That is, all phenomena arise out of emptiness. All of our thoughts of greed, hatred, ignorance, conceit, and doubt arise out of attachment to the concept of self or out of attachment to the concept that the things of the world are real. When these two attachments spur our thoughts, then the various afflictions arise. What type of affliction arises? Pleasure and suffering. From the perspective of our pure, original nature, pleasure and suffering are born of ignorance. Why? To do evil is suffering. One does evil due to the obscuration of ignorance. We can turn this around and speak of pleasure. There is an impure way of doing good. For example, when we do good, we might do so in order to be benefited in a future life. This is an impure way of doing good which leads to more suffering within cyclic existence.

This way of doing good is tainted. Why? When we do a good deed we must not have any attachment in our minds. If we have any attachment in our mind then we will not obtain liberation. Therefore, the Dharma King said that all phenomena are empty. Prajna is the most important thing in the nature of everything. We, if we can understand the Dharma King’s words that all phenomena are empty, then we can simply see the objective truth without giving rise to thoughts of suffering, pleasure, goodness, and evil. Everything arises from the coming together of the four great elements. We should realize prajna through understanding that true emptiness is the true nature of all phenomena. Wonderful effects are produced from true emptiness.

We should understand that all phenomena must go through the process of arising, existing, changing (deteriorating), and passing away. Living beings go through the process of birth, aging, sickness, and death. From where does this process originate? It originates from true emptiness. Using the prajna that has penetrated the empty nature of phenomena we can see the four great elements of earth, water, fire, and wind come together due to the maturing of certain conditions. The four great elements disperse when these conditions end. However, why do we become attached to the worldly phenomenon so as to give rise to all afflictions and all hindrances? We must rely upon the contemplation of prajna to eliminate all ignorance. we must use the flames of wisdom to burn away all negative karma created out of ignorance. every sentence spoken by the Dharma King was permeated with prajna. We will be tremendously benefited from reflecting upon his words. These are my impressions. In the future all one has to do is read just one of the Dharma King’s works and that will be enough. It will be sufficient to only focus on one method. Even if you only assimilate one sentence of the Dharma King’s words, the beneficial effects could last for your entire life or even last for an infinite amount of time in the future.

The original nature of all phenomena is emptiness. Out minds should not dwell on the past, present, or future. Our minds should not dwell on any phenomena or anything that exists in the external world. When we do not dwell on anything, what type of mind do we have? A pure mind. Our various views emanate from our consciousness and form the external environment. These views are based on ignorance. If based upon a pure mind, we are able to contemplate phenomena, yet not become attached to phenomena; abide in emptiness, yet not become attached to emptiness. If we are able to practice the total detachment of the Middle Way, then we can obtain liberation. Each sentence that the Dharma King spoke truly went to the heart of prajna. Each sentence has the potential to break our cycles of birth and death and totally eliminate our ignorance.

Link: https://wisdomtea.org/2023/03/23/interview-with-elder-monk-yi-zhao-after-june-2000-buddhas-bestowing-nectar-dharma-assembly/

CONTROL OVER LIFE AND DEATH

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CONTROL OVER LIFE AND DEATH

The primary purpose in practicing Buddhism is to gain control over your life and death. That is true liberation and true happiness! Disciples of His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III have exhibited extraordinary feats at the time of their death. There have also been supernormal phenomena manifest at the time of or after their death. Disciples have even returned from the “Pure Land” to report on their new home to their families and to urge them to follow the teachings of His Holiness.

His Holiness has disciples who are eminent monastics and enlightened laypersons who if they want to live, they live. If they want to die, they die. Many have passed on while sitting in the cross-legged meditation position after they announced that they were leaving. They reached a level where they were liberated from the cycle of reincarnation. Many have left behind shariras or firm relics as evidence of their achievement. They have also left behind their body of flesh that does not rot.

Even non-Buddhist relatives of the Buddha Master’s disciples were able to make the transition to the Pure Land after they received the Buddha Master’s instructions and blessings. In all of these examples, the time of transition was an extremely joyous event. Friends and family were able to know that their loved one was making a peaceful transition to a wonderful existence..

TYPES OF LIBERATION FROM THE CYCLE OF BIRTH & DEATH: Regarding liberation from the cycle of birth and death, His Holiness has told us that there are several ways to obtain it. Roughly speaking, it is divided very crudely into four types. There is a dharma that will lead one to have the lifespan as long as heaven which was called the “immortal body”. This is what Guru Padmasambhava achieved. This is the highest dharma which can not be learned by ordinary people. Then, there is the dharma of the rainbow body transformation, which one achieves by transforming one’s entire fleshy body into a rainbow body. Another type is passing away in a sitting position and freeing oneself from the cycle of birth and death. The other type is passing away and being reborn in the Western Paradise of Ultimate Bliss. These are the four types of achievement. Other than that, without achieving liberation or enlightenment, it is descending to reincarnation and death.

The rainbow immortal body is also referred to as the body of supreme transformation or the rainbow body attainment of All-Surpassing Realization. In this higher form the rainbow body transmutes all psychophysical components into the light of buddhahood, so that no outward change is visible. This is why Padmasambhava, Vimalamitra, Vairocana and the like can pass into other buddha-lands in the same forms they enjoyed in our world. The lower rainbow body attainment transmutes consciousness, feeling, perception, and habitual tendencies into the light of buddhahood, but the component of form shrinks in size until only fingernails, tooth-enamel, hair, or relics remain, some time as a “vajra sharira” or “human body sharira.”

Link: https://wisdomtea.org/2023/03/09/control-over-life-and-death/

The Piousness of the Husband and Wife Moved the Buddha to Invoke a Bodhisattva to Manifest in Reality

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The Piousness of the Husband and Wife Moved the Buddha

to Invoke a Bodhisattva to Manifest in Reality

Buddhism appears to be very dominant in some countries in Southeast Asia. However, many Buddhists there always regard “Arhat” as the highest status of accomplishment in Buddhism. To them, Bodhisattvas who are often mentioned in Mahayana sutras such as Manjushri Bodhisattva and Kuan Yin Bodhisattva are simply not comparable to Arhats. That is why during the past thousands of years Mahayana Buddhism has never been able to propagate and spread widely in those regions. Of course, such a situation is due to karmic conditions of the living beings.

I am going to talk about a couple living in Thailand with family roots there for generations. The husband’s last name is Deng and the wife’s last name is Wang. Due to their hard working, honesty, and leading a plain and simple family life, they have long become well-known people with prominent fame in the business circle in Thailand. Meanwhile, they respectfully worship the Three Jewels, support the sangha, and engage in charities. Therefore, they are also praised by everyone as great and kind benefactors in the community. Though they possess deep root of kindness, due to the influence from some deviated views in the tradition of the Lessor Vehicle, they were unable to elevate their level of cultivation to enter deeply into the essence of the dharma principles contained in Mahayana. It was only until one day in 2004 when the karmic condition of their good fortune became mature. On that day, they were introduced by their friend to an opportunity of listening respectfully to the recorded dharma discourses expounded by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. Only at that time, did they greatly awaken to the fact that true Buddha-dharma is so extensive, broad, precious, and profound.

The dharma expounded by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is perfect and unimpeded, presenting the wonderful truth of true-suchness openly and widely. Mr. and Mrs. Deng admired wholeheartedly. They also deeply realized that the innumerable eminent monks and great virtuous ones that they had visited and consulted before in Thailand and Burma were so tiny, low, and insignificant with their shortcomings easily seen in comparison to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. Though he was very busy in his business undertaking, Mr. Deng still flew across the Pacific Ocean often to beseech teachings from H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and spared no effort in the actions of propagating and spreading the true dharma of the Tathagata. However, deep in the couples’ mind through so many years, there was always an untied knot which was, “Are there really Bodhisattvas?”

One day, the couples finally summed up their courage and begged H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III while kneeling on the ground, “Great Buddha Master, are there really Bodhisattvas? Can we ask for seeing Bodhisattvas?”

H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III said expressionlessly, “When the karmic condition is mature, I will satisfy your wish.”

Time elapsed day by day. Long after that, they figured that H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III had forgotten what they had asked for long ago and thus dared not mention it again. Furthermore, what if Bodhisattvas did not come even when invited?

Later, they had a chat with several fellow brothers who are rinpoches one day. Only then did they learn that the house that H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III was living in was badly out of repair. Even the office space was just a small space next to a restroom and narrow stairs. Furthermore, the office desk was actually a very small table! They were greatly astounded after hearing the brothers’ descriptions! What was even more implausible to them was the fact that H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III worked with His own hands to create artworks, not only to make the living but also help His disciples with their resources of cultivation as well as contribute to disaster relief efforts and benefit people.

The couples were deeply moved. They immediately made a decision to present a stock holding valued at 2.5 million US dollars as an offering to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. However, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III said, “I have already said that I will only benefit living beings and will not accept any offerings. Therefore, I will not accept your offering.”

Although they begged very hard and repeatedly, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III was not persuaded at all and firmly refused to accept even a penny from that offering. Without any other choice, they could only transfer that stock holding entirely to the World Buddhism Association Headquarters.

H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III was to determine their karmic conditions. Observing their piousness toward their Master, diligent cultivation and practice, and selflessly benefiting living beings, they truly have established undeniable merit of Bodhi. Therefore, His Holiness the Buddha decided to fulfill the wish they had for many years.

On the magnificent and auspicious day when His Holiness the Buddha was going to transmit the inner-tantric initiation, Laypersons Mr. and Mrs. Deng came to the open-air mandala at the holy site. The sky was completely clear without any cloud on that day. With beautiful green lawn, breeze blowing from time to time, singing and winging of bees and birds in the background, varieties of flowers contesting for beauty, and charming and attractive branches and shoots in the trees, the whole court was covered with splendid colors in addition to jade green.

Sitting on the Vajra dharma throne, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III said to the human and non-human disciples in the mandala, “I practice the dharma this time to invite and invoke a Bodhisattva for these two laypersons with their last names being Deng and Wang respectively. I do not have confidence! If it accidentally turns out to be successful, that would be due to the merit of Disciple Deng and Disciple Wang. However, you must absolutely pray and beseech with the most pious heart.”

Shortly after the discourse, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III immediately practiced the dharma. In less than 20 minutes, suddenly a beam of golden light flashed in the sky above. Next, countless light rays were emitted. A Vajra Bodhisattva with a height of about 16 feet suddenly appeared. The Bodhisattva was adorned with pearls necklace and looked extremely solemn and majestic, stepping on a lotus flower shape auspicious clouds of rainbow colors. In a few strides, the Bodhisattva descended into the mandala, standing in front of Mr. Deng and Mrs. Wang with a smile.

While they two were still stunned and astounded, the Bodhisattva took out the holy substance to empower them. With a finger snap, a five-colored light ray flew into the mouth of each of them. The taste was utmost delicious without comparison. They both felt relaxed and uninhibited throughout the body. An auspicious state manifested over the entire mandala at the holy site. Only then did the Vajra Bodhisattva merge into the brightness in the sky and disappear.

While everyone was still deeply enjoying the dharma joy and calming lightness occurring just moments ago, Mr. and Mrs. Deng excitedly described the personal feelings and experience that just happened to them, with hand gestures as they spoke. They two were extremely moved and bowed repeatedly to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.

They saw a Bodhisattva! They truly saw a real Bodhisattva descending before them to meet with them! This is not a dream state and much less an illusory image. Though several years have passed, what really made us awaken is: Then, who is the Master who is living right before us and whom we follow closely to learn from? Good heavens! Have you forgotten? He is the supreme teacher of Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas in the ten directions and even of all Buddhas! He is really the genuine incarnation of the holiest ancient Buddha in the dharma realm – Dorje Chang Buddha!

How fortunate living beings in the current dharma-ending era are to be able to meet this opportunity of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III descending to this earthly world. This is the great matter indicating the maturing of good fortune stemming from the karmic conditions since the beginning-less time. I sincerely, wholeheartedly, and eagerly hope that sentient beings in the six realms of the three spheres can all hear the dharma expounded by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, to attain in the current lifetime perfect good fortune and wisdom, freedom from birth and death, holy status of liberation, and realization of great enlightenment!

Link: https://wisdomtea.org/2023/02/02/the-piousness-of-the-husband-and-wife-moved-the-buddha-to-invoke-a-bodhisattva-to-manifest-in-reality/

H.H. Master Wan Ko Yee Honored with Museum Dedicated in His Honor

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H.H. Master Wan Ko Yee Honored with Museum Dedicated in His Honor

The government of the People’s Republic of China built a palace-like museum to house the many awards and honors received by H.H. Master Wan Ko Yee along with examples of his paintings, calligraphy and books on logic and Buddhist philosophy. This was the only such museum constructed while the honoree was still living. The buildings and gardens are in the classic Chinese Imperial style and consist of seven separate pavilions or “halls.”

Master Wan Ko Yee Museum in Sichuan, China

Entrance to the Master Wan Ko Yee Museum-China

The Hall of Knowledges at Master Wan Ko Yee Museum in Sichuan, China

At a ceremony held at the museum to honor H.H. Master Wan Ko Yee, the building began to drip nectar. For three years the 5,612 experts and scholars of the World Poets and Culture Congress, from 48 member countries and territories, undertook an exhaustive review in the comprehensive research and merits of H.H. Master Wan Ko Yee with respect to Buddhism, the Humanities, Chinese painting and calligraphy and ethical morality. Based on the assessment of their findings, the Fourth Session of the World Congress bestowed upon H.H. Master Wan Ko Yee the title “International Master: of the “Preeminently Distinguished” literary rank, or “Preeminent Distinguished International Master” in full. H.H. Master Wan Ko Yee was presented with a mortar, robe and the inscribed gold medallion of the “Preeminent Distinguished International Master.” This award was announced in Hungary with a congratulatory awards ceremony held in Sichuan Province in China at the Master Wan Ko Yee Museum. During that presentation the perfectly dry museum dripped nectar and auspicious clouds and a dragon appeared in the bright blue sky.

link: https://wisdomtea.org/2023/01/05/h-h-master-wan-ko-yee-honored-with-museum-dedicated-in-his-honor/

Receiving Dharma

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Receiving Dharma

You can receive the dharma from many sources. You can listen to discourses given by dharma kings, rinpoches, lamas, or great dharma teachers or read their writings. You can also read the exoteric and esoteric texts as well, along with the classic commentaries on these texts by fully-realized masters. But how can you tell if these are authentic teachings?  How do you know if the master or teacher is a true master and, even if they are, how do you know if the translations you receive are correct if the original source was not in English? This is even true with the holy sutras and tantras which come to us from various traditions, cultures, and translations. You must remember that it took centuries and the power and resources of kings and emperors for these translations to be completed in China, Japan, Tibet, and other Buddhist countries and the subsequent testing of their correctness by greatly accomplished holy ones. They can only be considered correct if they work.

Does following them result in becoming a fully enlightened being? How do you tell if someone is an accomplished one? They will exhibit complete mastery of the sutras and tantras and manifest great proficiency in all five of the vidyas. You need to quickly develop your wisdom to ascertain what you can use and what you cannot and who is a true dharma king or rinpoche and who is not. You need to listen to the discourses and read the books of His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III. His Holiness teaches the correct Buddha-dharma and has exhibited His mastery of all five vidyas. You can rely on His discourses.

Master Mipam Gyatso (1846-1912) of the Nyingma Sect also warned us that “…as sutras and tantras prophesy, there are many who, having abandoned the profound meaning through dry analysis seems so plentiful and so good, distribute quasi-doctrine for material gain, leading those of low merit and small intelligence on a perverse path at this time of the end of the era (Dharma-Ending Age).”

His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III told us that the real words of dharma will enlighten people and make people’s fortune increase and get rid of their disasters and help them enter the bodhi state. The Buddha further said that the dharma must be taught according to the Buddha’s Tripitaka and other commentaries of those who have realized enlightenment (saints). It does not matter how high a person is who gives the words of dharma or whether he or she is a lay person or a monastic, if the teachings are not according to the Tripitaka or the tantras and if they are not according to bodhichitta and given out of compassion then they will contain some problems. The dharma must tell us how to attain happiness and how to walk the correct path to achieve liberation and freedom from the cycle of reincarnation or it is of no value.

The Buddha has also said that it is very precious to have the necessary affinity to be able to listen to the dharma in our cultivation. Listening to the true dharma for a day may achieve what you can’t get from ten years or even decades of practicing and meditation by yourself…In reality, listening to the dharma is a reward for the merit you have accumulated. Otherwise you would not even have the opportunity to do so. It is not easy to get such an opportunity… This is because it is a matter of karmic conditions related to good fortune.

If you do not understand the many principles of Buddhism, your cultivation will be wasted because you will practice based upon a confused understanding of the teachings. It is necessary to listen to discourses by His Holiness and read genuine Buddhist books to know how to cultivate yourself properly.

How you listen to dharma is also important. The analogy of the three pots is often given in this regard. A pot can have three faults: it can be upside down, it can be dirty, or it can be full of holes. It is useless for holding water if it has any of these faults since 1) the water cannot go in, 2) if it goes in, it will be contaminated by filth, or 3) if it does go in and it is pure, it will not remain. Similarly, even if you have the good fortune to hear the dharma, it will not help you if you 1) do not pay attention, 2) though paying attention, misunderstand what is heard or listen with a bad motivation, or 3) do not remember what was said.

Modern people may lack the incredible capacity for memorization possessed by those in ancient India and Tibet, but we do have the advantage of electronic recordings and the printed word. We should repeatedly listen to and reread the teachings until we thoroughly understand the principles being expounded and practice them daily–that is real understanding.

We also have the “Seven Dharma System” of listening to Dharma Discourses given to us by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III that provides a simple method for listening to, understanding, and using or applying the dharma to our daily lives. The Xuanfa Five Vidya Institute (XFVU) has developed a series of seminar/courses that uses this method to help us become accomplished.

It is not enough to just listen to or read or even memorize the words of dharma. You must understand the dharma and apply it to your daily life. All of the teachings of the Buddha were intended to be put into practice and not just serve as the basis for intellectual discussion or study. Your actions, speech and thoughts must be consistent with the dharma. Dorje Pa Mu’s book Dharma That Every Buddhist Must Follow is an excellent guide as are all of her and H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha’s books and regular discourses. However, this is just one part. You must read the book H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III to be able to understand where the true Buddha-dharma is in the world today.

The sutras teach that when attending a dharma lecture or listening to any dharma teacher or lama, a practitioner should concentrate on listening and learning the dharma. He should avoid personal reactions to the teacher, such as, the teacher 1) has/has not violated the precepts; 2) comes from a poor/wealthy background; 3) has a pleasant/unpleasant physical appearance; 4) has good diction/a speech impediment; or 5) has a melodious/harsh voice. Furthermore you should heed the advice of the Buddha who gave us four guidelines in the Catuhpratisarana and the Samdhinirmocana Sutras:

Rely upon the teaching, not the teacher.
Rely upon the meaning, not the text.
Rely upon the definitive meaning, not the provisional meaning.
Rely upon prajna (wisdom), not consciousness.
You should become familiar with the Tripitaka and tantras so that you can evaluate the authenticity of any teaching and then practice those teachings and see if they really work. You should also rely on the “128 Evil and Erroneous Views” contained in the Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation to evaluate the validity of what you are reading.

link: https://wisdomtea.org/2022/12/29/receiving-dharma/