After 80 years, the authentic “Holy Fire-Offering Homa Dharma” was performed again to eliminates disasters, staves off hardships, removes hindrances and increases good fortune. The Vajra Maternal Buddha arrived in the sky and personally lit the fire.
(Reported by Nangqiong Nuosang) On September 19, 2018, one of tremendously holy virtue conducted a “Holy Fire-Offering Dharma Assembly” that was officially held at the Holy Miracles Temple in the United States. The dharma assembly took place at the Grand Hall of the Buddhas and the courtyard right outside the hall. It was a complete success.
The attendees of this dharma assembly, which is extremely rare and almost impossible to come by, attended under two types of karmic conditions. Under the first type of condition, there were direct attendees who are persons of holy virtue, eminent monastics, abbots of Buddhist temples, and leaders of Buddhist organizations. Their attendance was determined by a Yu-Zun, Wang Zha Shang-Zun, Mozhi Jiao-Zun, or Dharma King Gar Tongstan. Under the second type of condition, there were attendees whose attendance accorded with karmic conditions. They encountered the occasion by happenstance and hence attended the dharma assembly.
Fire-offering dharma is a great dharma in Buddhism. In Tibetan Buddhism, fire-offering is especially of significant importance. In places such as Tibet and India, even common people are almost all highly familiar with this well-known great dharma that eliminates disasters, staves off hardships, removes hindrances and increases good fortune. This Buddha-dharma is also known as the “Holy Fire-Offering Homa Dharma.” However, the authentic “Holy Fire-Offering Homa Dharma” is hardly performed even once in a hundred years. What people often attended were just regular fire-offering dharma assemblies. The empowerment produced from “Holy Fire-Offering Homa Dharma” and that produced from a regular fire-offering is as different as heaven and earth, as different as one step versus ten thousand miles.
When Wang Zha Shang-Zun and two great holy virtuous ones spoke about what they personally experienced, they said that in the last 100 years, the famous Master Pabongka, also known as the Great Sun Tathagata, and Kangsa Rinpoche, also known as the Great Moon Tathagata, had both performed this dharma. A great holy virtuous person of Gold Button Grade 2 said, “I have learned this dharma but have not succeeded in the practice of it. It appears that I am still lacking in dharma powers and abilities and that I still have to make efforts. In the last several decades, I have yet to see any great holy virtuous person, great dharma king, or great dharma master successfully practice a holy fire-offering dharma. If a holy fire-offering is not successfully performed, it can only have the effect of a regular fire-offering.”
What are the differences between a successful practice and an unsuccessful practice? First, people claim that the regular fire-offering dharma from the Tibetan tradition and the fire-offerings from the lineage of Eastern esoteric Buddhism (woodpile grand dharma assemblies) are so extraordinary. After looking into it, it turns out that the fire in these dharmas are lit by people. How could such empowerment be remotely compared to the empowerment from a fire ignited by Buddhas or holy deities? A holy fire-offering is different. It requires beseeching nine Tathagatas, Vajra Maternal Buddha, Prajna Maternal Buddha, and the holy assembly of dharma-protectors to personally arrive at the fire-mandala. It is an authentic holy fire-offering only when the Vajra Maternal Buddha arrives in the sky and personally lights the fire.
During this holy fire-offering dharma assembly, good and faithful Buddhists sat on both sides of the Grand Hall of the Buddhas. With watchful eyes, they personally witnessed in close proximity the whole process of that dharma assembly. The fire-offering mandala involves the use of numerous different dharma instruments. A cauldron was newly made for the fire-offering mandala just in time for the dharma assembly. It was a clean cauldron made of pure copper, with no electrical or ignition device inside. A flat table and all the dharma instruments, including the fire cauldron, were wiped thoroughly clean from top to bottom by more than ten volunteers on site. The fire cauldron was placed on that flat table. Pieces of sandalwood were put inside the cauldron. The table was then moved closer to the door of the Grand Hall.
The one of tremendously holy virtue who conducted the dharma performed the rituals in accordance with the dharma. The dharma seat of the one of tremendously holy virtue was about fifty meters away from the fire cauldron. Bodi Wentu Ru-Zun, a person of holy virtue at the level of Gold Button Grade 1, served as the “Fire-Ignition Guardian.” He soaked the fire stick with butter oil, then walked toward the fire cauldron. With each step he took, he chanted one mantra character. He originally intended to light the fire, but when he was about six meters away from the cauldron, he suddenly changed his mind. He stood still, looked up and said loudly, “This Holy Fire-Mandala Homa Dharma is being performed by the Namo One of Tremendously Holy Virtue. Would Vajra Maternal Buddha please ignite the fire. If Vajra Maternal Buddha does not ignite the fire, I, disciple Bodi Wentu, will ignite the fire.” He then made a deep bow. Standing at a place a distance away, the one of tremendously holy virtue then said loudly, “Would Vajra Maternal Buddha please ignite the homa fire to eliminate hindrances for living beings and increase their good fortune!” As soon as those words were spoken, Vajra Maternal Buddha suddenly appeared in the sky. I saw Vajra Maternal Buddha flick her finger sending forth a flash of light. The fire inside the cauldron then ignited. Initially, there was no trace of fire inside the cauldron; then, suddenly, the cauldron was ablaze with raging fire. Bodi Wentu was so taken aback that he quickly moved away. He then immediately turned around and began to prostrate. When everyone there saw from close proximity the sudden ignition of the flames, they instantly knelt on the ground and kowtowed. Everyone was extremely excited. Subsequently, in accordance with the rituals, the attendees began to pray and burn homa-offerings.
A Buddhist disciple took the initiative to place the vajra demon-subduing bowl, which is used in a holy fire-offering, upside down on a small flat table. According to the meaning of the dharma, demons and evil karma from everyone attending the fire-offering are collected and subdued inside the bowl. The demons tried in vain to escape from the bowl, using all of their strength to shake the bowl. At this critical moment, a sound of “Hong” was heard! Vajra Maternal Buddha launched a flash of lightning, turning all the malicious demons and black karma inside the bowl into pulverized powder. The souls of the demons were brought to a Buddha-land by Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to be edified under rigorous discipline.
All these times, the one of tremendously holy virtue remained at a distance and did not come close to any dharma instruments or dharma tables. Subsequently, the great dharma of “Secretly Sending a Petition to a Bodhisattva” was performed. All attendees on site heard the inverted vajra demon-subduing bowl that they were viewing, with its opening completely sealed by the flat surface of the table, emit a loud sound of “Hong.” A flame resembling lightning swirled around the edge of bowl, then vanished. Thereafter, attendees of the assembly turned the bowl over and saw that there was nothing either under or inside the bowl. The “petition” secretly sent to the Bodhisattva had already been taken away. Under the watchful eyes of the assembly, the petition simply disappeared without a trace. The dharma of “Secretly Sending a Petition to a Bodhisattva” was successfully performed! Meanwhile, the burned demonic corpses emitted an extremely foul odor, much worse than any kind of stinky odor in the world. All those who sniffed the bowl found the foul odor so unbearable that their facial expressions looked distorted. The true state of the holy fire-offering dharma had been performed to perfection.
According to my understanding, the holy fire-offering dharma had not been successfully performed in more than eighty years. Everyone talked about it in theory, but Buddhas and Bodhisattvas did not appear. Regardless of who performed the dharma, there was not one holy homa dharma assembly that manifested the true state of the dharma like this one. That is to say, within the territory of Tibet, India, and other countries in the world, such a magnificent fire-offering dharma assembly did happen more than eighty years ago. Now is the second time it has happened, enabling us to personally witness and experience right then and there the supreme magnificence of the true dharma of the Tathagatas.
During this holy fire-offering dharma assembly, there were manifestations of unprecedented holy states and boundless mighty power. What is more magnificent is that the smoke from the fire-offering mandala rose up inside the grand hall, densely spreading over all of the top of the hall, yet the smoke detectors on the ceiling did not sound any alarm. That was so miraculous. Normally, when one is halfway through smoking a cigarette inside that grand hall, the alarm would sound, and water would sprinkle down. The power demonstrated by the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in that holy dharma assembly was so marvelous and subtle.
Such were the extremely wonderful holy miracles from the holy homa fire-offering. The good and faithful Buddhists attendees were very moved. Even the well-known Mozhi Jiao-Zun lost his calm. He was so excited that his facial expression looked twisted. Everyone did their utmost to present offerings to the one of tremendously holy virtue, but the one of tremendously holy virtue did not accept even one cent, and simply told everyone to keep their offerings.
In this world, the Holy Miracles Temple has now established an authentic inner-tantric mandala because everyone on site personally witnessed the “Secretly Sending a Petition to a Bodhisattva.” However, the one of tremendously holy virtue said, “It would be best if you yourselves found one of greatly holy virtue to perform ‘Lifting the Three Vajra Phurbas.’ In this way, a real object can be placed there for worship to demonstrate that an inner-tantric mandala has truly been established.”
I personally attended that assembly in which the great dharma of the real holy fire-offering was performed. It made me deeply feel that what a great holy virtuous person said is correct: “A regular fire-offering in comparison to a holy fire-offering is like one hair in comparison to the hairs of nine oxen. It is just like child’s play.” No wonder a Jiao-Zun said, “The merit from a holy fire-offering in which Vajra Maternal Buddha appears in the sky to ignite the fire is several thousand times greater than the merit from a regular fire-offering in which a person ignites the fire.”
The fire cauldron, offering tables, and related dharma instruments used in that holy fire-offering will all be placed for worship at the Holy Miracles Temple.
At this point, I would also like to mention a very important matter. On September 19th after the holy fire-offering dharma assembly was successfully completed, the Namo one of tremendously holy virtue announced right then and there in the Grand Hall of the Buddhas: “Today’s great dharma assembly has already been conducted. Dharma King Gar Tongstan has been waiting for this dharma assembly. This is the last dharma assembly from which he receives empowerment.”
In an announcement issued by the World Buddhism Association Headquarters just a few days ago, Dharma King Gar Tongstan said that once a last dharma assembly is conducted, he would pass away as soon as possible in a state of liberation. Two dharma masters urged him to stay for the sake of propagating dharma to save living beings. The Dharma King said, “With the Buddha Master living in the world, my level of realization would not be of much use! Life is a dream. Sooner or later, one has to leave. When causes and conditions come together, there is illusory existence. With the ending of those conditions, such existence breaks down. That’s it. I won’t stay!” He also said, “I have control over my birth and death. I can leave at whatever time I want to leave. My situation is different from that of Zhao Yusheng, a person of holy virtue, who relied on Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to receive him at a set time.”
Dharma King Gar Tongstan truly fulfilled his words regarding his control over his own birth and death. On September 20th, the day after the dharma assembly, he took a bath, put on his dharma robe, and laid out stationary before his dharma seat. He wrote a farewell letter to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III ( 多杰羌佛 )in which he stated that he will “pass away in a state of liberation before the ink dries.” Having stated that in writing, once he put down his brush, he indeed instantly passed away in a state of liberation. Only someone who has attained freedom from birth and death can have such a state of accomplishment!
On January 1, 2022, His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III imparted a Dharma for living beings in His Vajra Mandala in Las Vegas on “Greed Can Destroy One’s Realizations,” also titled “Greed is the Foremost Culprit in Destroying One’s Realization.” After Namo Dorje Chang Buddha IIIimparted Dharma, Fomu, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva, saw the flowers offered by disciples in the Mandala, then gave a short Discourse: When offering flowers, we must do so with utmost sincerity. There are four main types of flowers for offering to Buddhas: peony, orchid, sunflower, and lotus. Many other flowers, such as Chinese peony 芍藥, should not be offered to Buddhas. After Fomu, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva, gave the Discourse, She blessed each disciple in the Mandala with a Vajra pill, then announced that she will bear dark karma for living beings.
On the evening of January 4, His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III summoned four types of disciples and told them: “Now being the Dharma Ending Era, living beings’ dark karmic forces are too heavy and getting worse. Fomu cannot bear them on Her own. This time, I am going to bear the dark karma together with Fomu for living beings. Therefore, starting tomorrow, I will go into seclusion to perform Dharma. During this period, I will no longer see you! As long as each of you cultivate yourself in accordance with the Dharma, you will attain liberation.”
After some days, when the disciple Tsemeng 翟芒 rushed to Las Vegas to see if His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III was well, the Buddha said to him: “Tsemeng, in the Dharma Ending Age, the dark karmic forces of living beings are too heavy. When I said I would bear dark karma for living beings, those were not empty words. To bear dark karma is not to enter dhyāna, but rather, truly and continuously practice shifting the mind-consciousness to suffer on behalf of living beings. What Fomu and I said is what we do. At all times,we must think about bringing auspiciousness, serenity, happiness, and peace to living beings and to the world,to the extent of giving our all and even our lives. I have already brought true Buddha Dharma to this world. Everyone who practices in accordance with The Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation and Imparting the Absolute Truth Through the Heart Sutra will surely attain liberation. That’s all. I wish all living beings happiness.”
From then on, other than giving instructions to Dharma King Jinba 金巴法王 and Dharma King Mohe 摩訶法王, Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III did not impart Dharma openly. After almost a month of bearing dark karma for living beings, Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III and Fomu, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva, looked very sick. In the past few decades, His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III had often borne dark karma for living beings, sometimes for a month or two, during which He looked seriously ill. Yet once His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III had completed that particular deed of bearing dark karma, Hewould immediately be full of energy as usual.One second, Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III was a gravely ill patient, the next second, He would be strong and healthy without any sickness. That’s why the close disciples have gotten used to that. However, this time, Buddhist disciples did not see His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III or Fomu, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva, return to the human world. Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III and Fomu, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva, have peacefully entered parinirvana and returned to the Sambhogakaya Buddha Land.
His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III, the supreme Primordial Sambhogakaya Buddha and the foremost master in the Dharma realm, came to this world to benefit living beings, and has now left this world as a result of benefitting living beings. All that His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III did have always been for the sole purpose of benefitting living beings. His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III is always of holy purity! Always altruistic! Always selfless! All of us Buddhist disciples must be grateful to the supremely great compassion and empathy of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III and Fomu, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva. We must truly repent our sins and beseech Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III and Fomu to return to this world!
Among all Buddhas in the Dharma realm, Dorje Chang Buddha is the Primordial Buddha, the first Buddha with form, and the only Supreme Lord of Buddhism throughout the entire universe. Dorje Chang Buddha propagated Dharma throughout the universe, hence, all other Buddhas and Great Mahasattvas learned Dorje Chang Buddha’s Dharma and cultivation to attain holy state and liberation, and eventually became Buddhas and Great Bodhisattvas. Dorje Chang Buddha is the primordial ancestor of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Samantabhadra, the Dharmakaya from which Dorje Chang Buddha perfectly manifested, is the Tathagata that has no form at all. The words and deeds of Dorje Chang Buddha are the compass and guiding principles of cultivation for all ordinary and holy beings in the universe.
To help Shakyamuni Buddha, Namo Dorje Chang Buddha II —Venerable Virmalakirti—applied His supreme wisdom and limitless supernormal power to edify Hinayana Arhats who then advanced themselves and eventually became Mahayana Bodhisattvas who helped living beings attain liberation. And, innumerable living beings attained liberationby learning the teachings of Venerable Virmalakirti.
After coming to the sahā world with the Buddha level enlightenment of the Primordial Sambhogakaya Buddha, His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III established countless number one records in the world, every one of which was for the sake of benefiting living beings. At a very young age, He saved others without any regard to His own life and was honored with the title “Young Hero.” As He grew older, His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III applied His inherent Healing Vidya to heal the sick, purely on a voluntary basis. More than 500 patients used to seek His help every day. His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III never accepted one penny from them. Plaques and pennants with words of gratitude sent by the recovered piled up in the Buddha’s house.
As His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III continued to benefit living beings on a larger scale, the Central Newsreels and Documentary Studio of China produced a documentary, “One Who Is Dedicated to Advance Himself,” about His life and work. The film was shown nationwide.
In 1987, the highly respected young His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III was named Chairman of the Chinese Painting Research Association of the National Commission of China for UNESCO. Honorary chairpersons of the Association included Liao Jingdan 廖井丹, Li Wenqing 李文清, Lü Ji 呂驥, Yuan Xiaoyuan 袁曉園, Wu Zhangshu 吳丈蜀, Qian Juntao 錢君匋, Xie Zhiliu 謝稚柳, and others. Advisors to the Association included Luo Zhanglong 羅章龍, Zhang Kejia 臧克家, and so forth.
In 1992, His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III was accorded the “Art Maestro of the East” title. In 1994, during the fourth conference of the World Poets and Culture Congress held in Hungary, 5,612 experts and scholars unanimously voted to confer the “Preeminent Distinguished International Master” title, which was a Head of State level honor, to His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III. The conferment certificate was signed by Juan Antonio Samaranch, the then President of the International Olympic Committee. In the same year, the Museum of Master Yi Yungao officially opened in Dayi 大邑, the hometown of His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III in Sichuan. That was the first memorial museum in China, or even in the world, being built by a government for a living person.
In 1995, when His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III went from Mainland China to visit Taiwan for the first time, Taiwanese people spontaneously gave His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III an overwhelmingly ceremonious welcome. More than 20,000 people went to the airport to greet and pay respect to His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III. A motorcade of more than 1,700 cars followed the lead of police motorcycles to escort His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III from the airport to the hotel. That became the largest welcoming event in human history. Within the short three weeks that His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III stayed in Taiwan, General Chiang Wei-kuo 蔣緯國, former Secretary-General of the Taiwan National Security Council, and many other high level government officials formally requested to become disciples of His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III. They expressed that they wanted to truly emulate the noble morality, humanistic ethics, thoughts, and deeds of His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III.
After His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III moved to the United States, His noble morality and unparalleled achievements won the love and admiration of the American people from all walks of life. In 2002, His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III was presented with the “Presidential Gold Medal” by the Commissioner to the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, on behalf of President Bush.
In 2003, the Organization of American States, composing of 34 countries including the United States, Canada, and Mexico,organized the Master Wan Ko Yee Yun Sculpture Exhibition in Washington D.C. at the Capitol of the United States. The Master Wan Ko Yee Yun Sculpture Exhibition was also held at the Congressional Office Building. That was the first time the U.S. Congress held an art exhibition in their Congressional Office Building. Visitors expressed their praises in the guest book, exclaiming that the exhibition was “unprecedented,” and that the artworks were “treasures brought to the human realm by God.”
In 2004, His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III was named “Fellow” of the Royal Academy of Arts in the U.K.. Professor Phillip King, President of the Royal Academicians of the Royal Academy of Arts, presented the certificate to His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III at the British Embassy in Washington D.C., capital of the United States. The Cultural Attaché of the British Embassy personally attended the ceremony. Professor Phillip King stated that His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III was the first artist ever accorded this title in their renowned academy’s more than 200-year history.
The mayor of the U.S. capital Washington D.C.pronounced January 19, 2011 as “His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III Day” and called on people to salute to His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III.
His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III was also accorded the “King Legacy Award for International Service & Leadership” by An International Salute to The Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. Dozens of great honors have also been presented to His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III by U.S. senators, members of the House of Representatives, governors, and governments of all levels.
More remarkably exceptional, Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III was awarded the 2010 World Peace Prize Top Honor Prize, presented to Him at the United States Congress on June 14, 2011 at the U.S. Capitol. On occasions of the holy birthday of His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III, the U.S. Congress has held ceremonies to raise the national flag to celebrate, and President Trump and President Biden have sent personal congratulations.
In 2018, the World Peace Prize Awarding Council and the World Peace Prize Religious Leader Title Awarding Council resolved that His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III was the Pope of Buddhism of this world and decided to present the Pope of Buddhism Scepter to Him. Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III, however, did not accept the Scepter, but returned it instead. In September 2020, the World Peace Prize Awarding Council and the World Peace Prize Religious Leader Title Awarding Council made a joint resolution that solemnly stated, “The title, status, and authority of the Pope of Buddhism belong only to His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III and cannot be exercised by anyone else. This is a permanent and unalterable determination!” The two Councils also entrusted the World Buddhism Association Headquarters to present the Pope of Buddhism Scepter on their behalf to His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III.
Upon coming to this world, His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III immediately started teaching and saving living beings. He has always called Himself a “nameless cultivator.” His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III voluntarily served living beings and did not accept any offerings. One incident clearly shows how Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III taught and saved living beings selflessly. At the Heart Sutra Mandala on Xinhua West Road, Chengdu, Dharma Master Guozhang 果章法師 once recounted to some people that when he received initiation from His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III on Paoma Mountain 跑馬山, His Holiness the Buddha was only two and a half years old! After the identity of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III being the true incarnation of the Primordial Buddha was formally recognized by Dharma kings, regent Dharma kings, and great rinpoches of major Buddhist sects in written congratulations and corroboration letters, His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III continued, as always, to teach and save living beings solely on a voluntary basis, and whole-heartedly devoted Himself to serving living beings. Whenever people made offerings to His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III, whether they were big or small offerings, in amounts as little as one dollar or as large as a few million US dollars, in the form of 37 acres of land in the city of San Francisco, or even a planeload or a shipload of gold, Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III categorically refused to accept. His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III was whole-heartedly dedicated to serving living beings voluntarily.
In the many years that His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III was propagating Dharma to save living beings, He imparted more than 2,000 Dharma Discourses in response to living beings’ levels and karmic conditions. Those Dharma Discourses were audio-recorded, and some of which such as What Is Cultivation 什麽叫修行, Sutra on Understanding and Realizing Definitive Truth 了義經, Imparting the Absolute Truth Through the Heart Sutra 藉心經說真諦, and Learning from Buddha 學佛, have been published into books. Not only did His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III reveal the truth about humanity and the universe, He also elucidated the truths relevant to various stages of practices, from elementaryto profound accomplishment levels.
In restoring Buddhist texts to their original meaning, His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III pointed out that the morning and evening chants used in Buddhist temples nowadays had been tampered with by the descendants of Mara, and those texts are filled with evil views and fallacies. Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III has corrected many errors made by patriarchs and translators in their interpretations of Dharma principles, and directly revealed the chaotic phenomena in Buddhism during this Dharma Ending Era. His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III pointed out the path that everyone who wants to attain liberation must take: That is to build our foundation on practicing cultivation. After cultivating ourselves well, we can then learn Dharma, and naturally attain liberation and accomplishment. The correct truths and Dharmas imparted by His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III enable listeners to develop their wisdom and good fortune, to help each other, care about each other, and be compassionate to all living beings.
In different countries, Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III has performed great Dharmas including Holy Amrita Bestowed by Buddhas 佛降甘露, Xianliang Great Perfection 現量大圓滿, Holy Fire Offering 勝義火供, Vajra Faman Determination by Holy Selection 金剛法曼擇決, Hayagrīva Raja Water Mandala Bead Divination 馬頭明王水壇珠卦, Determination by Holy Selection on the Regression or Progression on the Bodhi Path 菩提道損減增益法, Guaranteed Delivery to Buddha Land Dharma 保送法, Vajra Array 金剛陣, and Eight Wind Array 八風陣, all of which manifested authentic holy states, enabling living beings to see with their own eyes that Buddha Dharmas are scientific, have veritable power, and absolutely are not just empty talk or theory. More importantly, Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III has brought The Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation to living beings in the sahā world, showing humanity the shortcut to attaining liberation. The Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation is the highest Dharma that Dorje Chang Buddha transmitted to Amitabha Buddha as well as Buddhas and Great Bodhisattvas in the ten directions during their cultivation stage.
In The Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation, His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III has made the biggest and highest vow in the entire Dharma realm, “I bear all the sinful karma for living beings, I give living beings all the good karma and merit that I have planted.” Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III has actualized the greatest and holiest vow, sacrificed His life to save the lives of numerous living beings, and returned to the Sambhogakaya Buddha Land!
The unprecedented records established by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III in this world:
Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III was, historically, the first Buddha to have received the largest, unprecedented number of status-recognition and congratulatory letters by top level great Dharma kings and rinpoches.
Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III was recognized with the highest status in history: an Ancient Buddha.
Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III is the first Ancient Buddha who manifested perfect mastery in Exoteric and Esoteric Buddhism, and perfection of the Five Vidyas. No one else has been able to accomplish the same in the past few thousand years.
Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III manifested Buddha-level wisdom in the creation of Yun Sculpture, which nobody has been able to replicate. Historically, this is the first art form that cannot be replicated.
Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III is the first Ancient Buddha throughout history who only benefited others but did not accept any offerings.
Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III is, historically, the first Ancient Buddha who manifested the most holy miracles.
Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III is, historically, the only Buddha who could offer the kind of Buddha Dharma that enables disciples to attain liberation within two hours: Xianliang Great Perfection, the quickest path to successfully enter the Buddha Land.
Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III had the largest number of disciples who attained accomplishments; for example: Dharma King Daxila of the Tsalpa Kagyu Sect attained the rainbow body; respected layperson Wang Lingze 王靈澤 and Dharma King Gar Tongstan attained freedom from death and rebirth and passed away in a sitting meditative pose; Dharma Master Puguan 普觀法師 and Elder Monk Wuming 悟明長老 attained incorruptible flesh bodies; the Elder Monk Yizhao 意昭老和尚 vowed to return to the sahā world to save living beings; and many others.
Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III has transmitted Dharma to disciples and invoked Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva to come at a specific time to take the disciple to the Buddha Land; even non-Buddhists saw with their own eyes when the disciple Zhao Yusheng 趙玉勝 was taken away by Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva. Some disciples, such as Hou Yushan 侯欲善 and Lin Liu Hui-Hsiu 林劉惠秀, were able to visit the World of Ultimate Bliss, then return to the human world before ascending at a specific time to the Buddha Land. The above listed are just a few examples of the numerous Buddhist disciples who followed Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III and attained liberation.
Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III possessed Buddha-level physical constitution and physical strength that are unmatched in the world. Just about a little more than a month ago, on December 23, 2021, at the Holy Miracles Temple, His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III lifted the Supreme Holy Vajra Pestle that weighs 437.2 pounds, by using just four fingers to hook on to the Pestle, lifted it up, and held it for more than 13 seconds, surpassing His own base weight standard by 72 levels. Taizun Poshan Waxiang 破山瓦象太尊 asserted: “In this world, from the ancient past up to now, and even before Maitreya Bodhisattva attain Buddhahood, no ordinary or holy being will be able to lift the Buddha Pestle that Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III lifted, surpassing His own base weigh standard by 72 levels!”
The morality of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III is so noble, His accomplishments so great, and the holy miracles He performed so numerous that it is impossible for us to list them all. What was listed above was just a drop in the ocean. If we were to tell you about all the magnificent feats of His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III, it would take more than ten days and ten nights. The magnificent greatness of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III is not limited to His well-respected humanistic ethics, His noble personality and morality, His erudition, His distinguished accomplishments, His selfless compassion toward humanity and all living beings, and His passion in teaching and actualizing the practice of Buddha Dharma.Through altruistic endeavors, His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III truthfully, sincerely, and persistently actualized the principle of compassion, and He diligently worked toward the development of world peace. Many people are moved and motivated by His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III. Many people in this world aspire to Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III as their model, referencing His state of morality as their standard, and using His teachings as guidance to elevate their own morality and to benefit living beings. In doing so, not only have they fulfilled happiness in their lives, but many of them have ascended to the Buddha Land, attained freedom from death and rebirth, or attained even higher states of realization and accomplishments.
More importantly, Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III pointed out a bright path for humanity to stay far away from violence, a path that leads to benevolence and loving kindness, successful endeavors, happy families, peace in humanity, and prosperity in societies. Throughout different countries and regions in the world, more and more people of different ethnicities and cultures are actively learning and following the teachings of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III to cultivate themselves and benefit living beings. Consequently, they have greatly elevated the level of morality in society, advanced human civilization, motivating more and more people in this world to become good, kind, and ethical people, and enabling the world to become an auspicious and green planet. These are the tremendous and inexhaustible contributions that Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III has brought to all human and other sentient beings in this world, so they may increase their happiness.
Fomu, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva, Professor Yuhua Shouzhi Wang, was profoundly erudite. She was a top world-class art master who had been officially conferred with the “International First Class Artist” title and certificate. Professor Yuhua Shouzhi Wang was the Lifetime Honorary Chairwoman of the International Art Museum of America, and an all-rounded painter whose versatility has never been seen before in history. Fomu, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva, stands at the summit of world-class artistry in both Western oil painting and Eastern ink painting and founded the Imagery-Naturalism painting style. The paintings of Fomu, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva, have been exhibited in the Gold Room at the United States Congress, in Shenzhen, Shanghai, Bangkok, as well as at the Palais du Louvre in Paris. Every one of Her exhibitions was overwhelmingly well received, sending shockwaves throughout the art world. Art critics and renowned painters from Europe and Asia acclaimed that every one of her paintings is the apex of art, at the Class of Ease, and an inspiration to future generations. The accomplishments in her water lily and lotus paintings “have never been attained by anyone before and will inspire generations to come.” In August 2021, the Art Who’s Who Museum of Paintings in Dialogue organized theshow “Claude Monet and Yuhua Shouzhi Wang: An Exhibition of Water Lily Paintings in Dialogue” in Southern California. Visitors were overwhelmingly enthusiastic; art collectors and critics acclaimed that Professor Yuhua Shouzhi Wang was indeed an International First Class Artist whose artistry is at the same level as great masters such as Da Vinci, Gauguin, Van Gogh, and Monet.
Fomu is a Great Mahasattva who is the perfect embodiment of great wisdom and compassion, noble morality, kindness, altruism, and selflessness. She always considers other people’s well-being and is humble and very approachable. The compassion and kindness of Fomu, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva, are pure and flawless. For example, in 2015, someone sneaked into the International Art Museum of America in San Francisco and tried to steal an artwork that had been acclaimed by the World Federation of UNESCO (WFUCA). This person was arrested by the police on site and subsequently detained. Since the artwork that he tried to steal was one of Fomu’s masterpieces, the court repeatedly requested Fomu to provide a valuation of the artwork, so that they could use her valuation to determinethe term for sentencing. When Fomu, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva, knew about this person’s distress, She provided a statement saying that the artwork was rather ordinary and had no value. The court had no way of sentencing the person to any term and had to release him.
Another time, Fomu, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva, saved a butterfly that had fallen into the water. Worried about the butterfly’s safety, Fomu brought it home and kept it for a few days to make sure the butterfly is well-recovered before letting it fly away. Fomu relentlessly led disciples to conduct life-releases. She went every week to woodlands to feed ducks and birds and never missed a week. She paid for it with Her own money and never accepted offerings from Buddhist disciples. Fomu, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva, is well known for Her diligence and thriftiness. For many decades, the noble Fomu, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva, always cooked Her own meals and washed Her own clothes. She never entrusted others to do Her chores. She would save the food that She could not finish eating and finish it the next day or two. She was never wasteful. Usually, Fomu, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva, would even save the water that She did not finish drinking, the water used for washing vegetables or hands, or wastewater from the filter and use it for irrigating flowers or flushing toilet. Through Her deeds, the Great Fomu, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva, was teaching us how to start with the small things, cherish our good fortune, and actualize our cultivation practices.It is impossible to recount all the numerous exemplary deeds of Fomu.
Wherever Fomu, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva, went, dragon Dharma protectors were present, and holy miracles manifested. When Fomu performed initiation and transmitted Dharma, holy states were manifested. For example, at the Antelope Valley, Fomu’s hat turned into a black garuda. In New Jersey, the hair of Fomu, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva, suddenly went up and wrapped around a tall building in Manhattan on the opposite shore. In San Francisco, a twin Buddha light suddenly appeared, centered around where Fomu stood. All cultivators are touched by the compassion and morality of Fomu, Holy Mother the Great Mahasatva.
Now, for the sake of saving our lives and our happiness, Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III and Fomu, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva, have sacrificed themselves and went to the Sambhogakaya Buddha Land. Great Holy Gurus have said: “When learning from Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III and Fomu, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva, we must not do any bad deeds, and do all kinds of good deeds. We must respectfully listen to the audio-recorded Dharma Discourses imparted by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III and use the teachings of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III to examine our every word and deed. We must actualize the teachings of His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III by sincerely carrying them out in our practice. Only in this way can we become a good person of noble morality who compassionately benefits others. From there, we can then advance ourselves to become holy beings with attainment of liberation from death and rebirth. More importantly, we must pass on the teachings of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III from one generation to another, so that humanity in the sahā world can learn the Buddha Dharma taught by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III to serve other people, attain liberation, and eventually, everyone will attain liberation!
Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III, our Fundamental Guru!
Namo Shakyamuni Buddha, Lord of Buddhism of the Sahā World!
Namo All Buddhas in the Ten Directions!
Office of His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III February 6, 2022
Mar 19, 2019 – Los Angeles, eyewitness report by Yang Huijun
Wangzha Shangzun is a Great Holy Guru who has attained the level of Gold Button Grade 3 and the state of a non-retrograde Bodhisattva. The Shangzun rarely comes into contact with ordinary people. Finally, He met with a thousand Buddhists at Holy Miracles Temple in Pasadena, Los Angeles. On March 6, 2019, the temple was crowded with a large and orderly congregation of Buddhists. Their sole purpose was to meet Wangzha Shangzun.
On the Dharma throne in front of the statue of the World Honored Shakyamuni Buddha, His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III imparted Dharma for the congregation. His Holiness the Buddha mentioned that only a few people have attained the state of a Shangzun in this Saha world. Anyone without inner realization power is not able to lift the 1,000-jin (approximately 1,100 pounds) Vajra scepter placed in front of the entrance of the Grand Hall of Shakyamuni Buddha. The Shangzun is a preeminent great Dharma king. According to Dharma rules, He must manifest Vajra power. Any person who has not completely opened up their nadis (energy channels) and chakras (bright focal point) is not able to lift a 1,000-jin Vajra scepter. Since it is not possible to find a 1,000-jin Vajra scepter, a weight set was used instead as the hall-blocking Vajra scepter. The Shangzun used the 1000-jin weight bar to perform Dharma and to bless the congregation.
How heavy are 1,000 jin? At the airport, the maximum weight for one piece of checked baggage is 32 kilos, which is the maximum weight for an average person to handle. Exceeding that weight limit will hurt the baggage handlers. One thousand jins are equal to 500 kilos. Lifting 1,000 jins of weight is equivalent to lifting 16 pieces of heavy baggage at the same time by one person. There is no weight lifter who can do that. The congregation was amazed by the incredible possibility that the 1,000-jin Vajra scepter could be lifted. Amidst the gasps of astonishment from the crowd, a monastic announced: “Wangzha Shangzun has arrived!”
Nearly 1,000 faithful Buddhists held khatas with both hands and kneeled along both sides of the aisle to respectfully welcome the Shangzun. The Shangzun truly looks like a Vajra being. He is tall and burly, with a long beard, and a very dignified appearance. Upon arrival, He walked toward the Grand Hall of the Holy Miracles Temple. Before entering the Hall, the Shangzun bent over and reached the 1,000-jin Vajra scepter that had more than a dozen enormous weight plates at each end. He moved it slightly but did not pick it up. With a deep inhalation, He quickly lifted the 1,000-jin Vajra scepter with both hands, then dropped it down on the floor. A loud sound could be heard when the metal hit the ground. The congregation was astonished! They were joyful and full of praise!
Wangzha Shangzun entered the Grand Hall through the center door and prostrated to His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III four times. With His back bent, He came in front of His Holiness the Buddha. His Holiness the Buddha blessed the Shangzun by placing His hand on the Shangzun’s head. The Shangzun then took His seat at the lower left side of His Holiness the Buddha. In front of the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, the Shangzun addressed the congregation in perfect English: “Buddhist disciples, I’m very happy to see you here today. I’m happy because you have the karmic affinity in this lifetime to meet Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III. Thus, you’ll be able to learn the authentic Buddha Dharma, the unaltered and pristine Dharma. Because of this, you will be able to attain accomplishment within this lifetime. So of course, I’m very happy.” When His Holiness the Buddha was about to leave, Wangzha Shangzun stood up with his back bent and head bowed. With both palms facing upwards, He respectfully bid farewell to His Holiness the Buddha. Afterwards, the Shangzun returned to His seat and blessed everyone in the congregation by placing His hands on each of their heads.
Faithful Buddhists who received blessings from Wangzha Shangzun included Dharma Master Zhengda who attained the level of Gold Button Grade 1, Jianhui Ruzun, and Akou Lamo Rinpoche, all of whom have attained high and deep realization powers. There are also rinpoches at the level of Blue Button Grade 3; other rinpoches, Dharma masters, and abbots from various temples at the levels of Blue Button Grade 2 and 1; as well as monastics and laypersons who attended the Dharma assembly. Some people felt a patch of coolness on the top of their head when they were blessed by Wangzha Shangzun. Some felt as if a thousand pound of weight was pressing on them when Wangzha Shangzun’s hands touched their heads. Some felt trembling throughout their bodies as if getting an electric shock. Everyone felt tremendously wonderful. After Wangzha Shangzun finished blessings everyone, the temple openly welcomed members of the congregation to sign up and take turn to try lifting the 1,000-jin scepter. More than a dozen monastic and laypersons tried but the 1,000-jin scepter did not move a bit.
The Holy Miracles Temple is a holy site where three Buddhas once appeared in the sky and bestowed holy amrita through three layers of obstacles into a bowl. Wangzha Shangzun has formally established an authentic Inner-tantric Mandala in this holy site in accord with Dharma rules. This is also the only Inner-tantric Mandala in the world at the present time. In the future, Great Holy Gurus who possess the Inner-tantric Initiation Guru Qualifications can hold Inner-tantric Initiations for those Buddhist disciples who have been qualified through Determination by Holy Selection.
Even People with Supernormal Powers Cannot Uncover Terma with Direct Verification
On March 7, 2019, the day after the Venerable King of Extraordinary Strength Kanqian Wangzha Shangzun manifested power to lift a 1,000-jin hall-blocking Vajra scepter at the Holy Miracle Temple, a Yuzun of even higher status came to the Holy Miracles Temple. She manifested Dharma power to uncover a terma with direct verification in front of nearly 200 people!
Tibetan esoteric Dharmas are classified into two major categories. One category of the Dharmas consists of those translated from sutras or Dharma manuals, which is called Gama. The other category of Dharmas are uncovered terma called Daima. Daima is further classified into Southern Tibetan and Northern Tibetan. The Dharmas of uncovered terma mean these Dharmas are obtained by uncovering the terma and they are generally called Terma Dharma. A Terma Dharma can be further categorized as Uncovering Terma with Direct Verification or Uncovering Terma without Direct Verification. The word terton, meaning a master who performs the Dharma of uncovering a terma, is commonly used in Tibetan Esoteric Buddhism. Almost all followers of Tibetan Esoteric Buddhism know about it.
Uncovering Terma without Direct Verification means the Buddha or the Patriarchs of previous generations, such as Shakyamuni Buddha or Guru Padmasambhava, hid the manuals of certain Buddha Dharmas or Dharma objects which were not suited to be transmitted to the world at that time, either due to immature karmic conditions or demons could be induced to cause damage. When the karmic conditions ripen at a later time, the terma will be uncovered by patriarchs of later generations so that the Dharma can be transmitted to people. There are two types of terma: the Upper Division Terma and the Lower Division Terma. Together they are called the Southern Tibetan Terma. Later on, Zenguo Jideng Qujian of Back Tibet inscribed and printed new terma manuals called the Northern Tibetan Terma. None of these is important. They are only about hiding sutras and holy objects. It is the uncovering of the terma that requires holy realization powers.
However, holy realization power is not absolutely necessary for Uncovering Terma without Direct Verification. Sometimes, one can find a terma either by following written records, or by clues left by patriarchs. It has been a long time since the terma were hidden, and during this Dharma-ending era, there are various kinds of strange and low-level swindlers pretending to be holy people. It is hard to tell whether the terma were truly hidden by Gurus of the past, or if swindlers plotted to hide and uncover such things all by themselves. Therefore, to guard against these evil swindling masters who pretend to be holy people, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas stipulate that the person uncovering the terma must conduct direct verification to validate the authenticity of the treasure they uncovered.
During the process of Uncovering the Terma with Direct Verification, no clues are permitted. The ritual is performed with caution and rigor. Ten people responsible for hiding the terma are selected among hundreds, thousands or tens of thousands of people by drawing lots. They are monitored by the congregation when they hide the terma. The Great Holy Guru who is confined at another place will uncover the terma in public. There is not any chance for foul play. In Buddhist history, those who have the realization power to uncover terma with direct verification include Guru Padmasambhava who retrieved the sutra imparted by the Buddha. There were also Patriarch Tsongkhapa, Patriarch Marpa Lotsawa, Matriarch Nairatmya and Dharma King Düsum Khyenpa.
Even the Venerable Atisha failed twice in practicing the Dharma of Uncovering Terma with Direct Verification. You can imagine how high one’s realization power need to be in order to practice this Dharma. It is not something that just anyone with any level of holy realization power can achieve. A Shangzun of Gold Button Grade 3 can uncover a terma without direct verification, but it is almost impossible for a Shangzun to uncover a terma with direct verification. Great Bodhisattvas between the Eighth and Tenth Stage also do not have a one-hundred-percent certainty to uncover a terma with direct verification. Only a Great Mahasattva can uncover a terma and directly verify the terma with certainty and accuracy. Anyone who can uncover a terma with direct verification means that the Buddha Dharma or Dharma objects uncovered by such a great terton are authentic without any doubt. Therefore, Dharmas that have not been confirmed by direct verification cannot be considered as authentic. They are generally called mundane Buddha Dharma. A mundane Buddha Dharma must go through the Determination by Holy Selection to verify that it is a genuine uncovered terma of holy Buddha Dharma, or a holy Dharma object. The Determination by Holy Selection can only be performed by a Great Mahasattva or a Bodhisattva of Equal or Marvelous Enlightenment.
Ten items of Dharma manuals or Dharma objects are used in Uncovering Terma with Direct Verification, not just one. There are ten individual items of which one of them is a genuine Dharma manual or Dharma object. The authentic item is mixed with the other items that look identical. Under the watchful eyes of the entire congregation, ten people responsible for hiding the terma are selected by drawing lots. They will go to a secluded room where the Tremendously Great Holy Guru uncovering the terma cannot see them wrapping and concealing the Dharma objects. After the Dharma objects are wrapped, they will be brought out and then hidden. Subsequently, the Tremendously Great Holy Guru uncovering the terma will immediately point out where the one holy object is.
On the day of March 7, the female Tremendously Great Holy Guru, the Yuzun, came to the Grand Hall of Shakyamuni Buddha at the Holy Miracles Temple. She declined offerings from the more than 170 Dharma kings, rinpoches, great Dharma masters, and people in the congregation. Throughout the Dharma assembly from beginning to end, the Yuzun did not say a word. She is indifferent to fame or fortune. She did not reveal Her holy appearance. She came here with the sole purpose of manifesting true Buddha Dharma to universally benefit living beings by uncovering the terma. The Yuzun is at the level of Gold Button Grade 4 and she has incredibly profound realization and accomplishment.
In this event, the holy object used for Uncovering Terma with Direct Verification was a “demon-detecting mirror.” Even people who have supernormal powers have no way to uncover this terma with direct verification. When the Yuzun began performing the Dharma, the demon-detecting mirror was mixed with nine other ordinary small mirrors that looked identical. The ten people, who were selected by drawing lots to hide the terma, were confined inside the Hall of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva located on the other side of the temple. They had absolutely no contact with anyone outside. The door was tightly guarded by people. The Yuzun and more than 100 people were somewhere completely separated from these ten people. There was no way for the Yuzun to communicate with the ten people.
Inside the Hall of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, the ten people used ten identical white khatas to wrap up the ten small mirrors individually. They then placed all the wrapped mirrors into a black cloth bag. Naturally, since the ten objects appeared indistinguishable, even the people responsible for concealing the terma could not tell which one was the demon-detecting mirror because they all looked exactly the same. After the mirrors were wrapped with khatas and placed inside the black cloth bag, they were all mixed up and no longer identifiable.
Subsequently, these ten people randomly took out the wrapped mirrors and placed them at separate locations to hide the terma. Afterwards, they immediately returned to the Hall of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva and the door was closed. Even these ten people did not know where the demon-detecting mirror was hidden. Throughout the entire process, the Yuzun was nowhere near or in any contact with the mirrors or these ten people. While remaining in a separate tent, the Yuzun quickly held up a sign to announce where the hidden demon-detecting mirror was. At this time, the Buddhist disciples who hid the terma came out from the Hall of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva. As per the Dharma decree and the prediction by the Yuzun, the ten people proceeded to reveal the terma for verification. When the uncovered mirror was placed in front of an oil lamp in the center of the Grand Hall of Shakyamuni Buddha, the ten people were astounded. That truly was the demon-detecting mirror!
More than 100 Buddhist disciples rushed forward in a disorderly manner to surround the small, palm-sized mirror. What was reflected from the demon-detecting mirror was not something a common mirror could show. One by one, people shouted loudly inside the Grand Hall of Shakyamuni Buddha: “Three lamps!” “I see five!” “Four!” “Eight!” Several people saw evil visages from the mirror!
Yet, from the other nine identical mirrors, everyone could only see the reflection of one lamp. Nobody saw any evil visages. There were two rounds of hiding and uncovering the terma. In both rounds, the Yuzun effortlessly predicted the location of the real demon-detecting mirror by raising a sign to point out where the terma was!
I am one of the persons who hid the objects. I must say, this is beyond incredible! With our eyes wide open, the ten of us tried and failed to tell which one was the demon-detecting mirror before the oil lamp was used for verification! The ten mirrors looked exactly the same, and they were all mercury mirrors. We could not even tell which one was the demon-detecting mirror when they were all laid out in front of us, not to mention uncovering a terma. The Yuzun did not even come close to the mirror, but She was able to tell exactly where it was. She truly is a Tremendously Great Holy being who has descended from the Buddha-land to the human world.
We specifically beseeched H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III to impart Dharma regarding this. His Holiness the Buddha said, “What demon-detecting mirror! That is worthless! That has nothing to do with anyone’s accomplishment. That is only symbolic and does not mean anything. What is important is to learn from Buddha and cultivate yourself!”
We remembered the teachings of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. The most important thing is to learn from Buddha and cultivate ourselves. Who cares if it is a demon-detecting mirror or not! It will not enable anyone to attain accomplishment. The significance of uncovering a terma with direct verification is not about the demon-detecting mirror, but about the fact that the Yuzun was able to correctly raise the sign to openly announce where the holy object was located among all ten identical mercury mirrors. With the eyes of an ordinary person, we saw that all these mirrors looked exactly the same. Even though the terma was hidden, it had no way to hide from the Yuzun’s realization power.
Raising the sign to announce the location of the terma is no small feat. Just imagine, if it were another great Dharma king, or if it were you or me, would we dare make such an announcement? Would we dare take a blind guess? It has to be revealed in front of the congregation for the truth to be verified! This cannot be done by speaking falsehoods, giving a discourse, or bluffing! If what was uncovered was not the holy object, how would you face the public? You would be completely ruined from then on! Therefore, the difference between a Tremendously Great Holy Guru and a holy virtuous person can be seen the moment the sign is raised and the truth is revealed with definitive result. Even for holy people who possess the supernormal power to see through walls, rocks and mountains, they would only see that all the mirrors looked alike. They would not be able to distinguish which one was the demon-detecting mirror. How could an ordinary person possibly possess any realization power that is remotely comparable to that used in uncovering a terma with direct verification?
After the Dharma was performed, the making of the extremely rare Greatly Precious Pills was also completed. These Greatly Precious Pills blessed by Buddhas are required for performing the Dharma of Uncovering Terma with Direct Verification. Everyone in the congregation was very moved, and they were determined to do their best to make offerings to the Yuzun who is a Great Mahasattva. The Yuzun, however, did not say a word or accept any offerings. She left without a trace. What remained was the sigh of Buddhist disciples: “There are so many people with the titles of great Dharma king, great Dharma master, holy person or great Bodhisattva. Some of them are so famous. They have written so many books and given so many empty discourses. Yet they have no realization power, and in whatever they do, all they want is to accept offerings. Not only do they not have true Buddha Dharma, they have not even seen it performed! Which one of those famous figures has ever manifested the same kind of Dharma realization power as the Yuzun? Can they perform the Dharma to uncover a terma with direct verification for those living beings who are so eager to seek Buddha Dharma to see? Can they do that to verify the lineages they hold are that of true Buddha Dharma? You cannot find even one of them who is authentic! This is something for everyone to give some serious thought!
Wangzha Shangzun Manifested Vajra Power by Lifting a 1,000-Jin Hall-Blocking Vajra Scepter at the Holy Miracles Temple
Mar 19, 2019 – Los Angeles, eyewitness report by Yang Huijun
Wangzha Shangzun is a Great Holy Guru who has attained the level of Gold Button Grade 3 and the state of a non-retrograde Bodhisattva. The Shangzun rarely comes into contact with ordinary people. Finally, He met with a thousand Buddhists at Holy Miracles Temple in Pasadena, Los Angeles. On March 6, 2019, the temple was crowded with a large and orderly congregation of Buddhists. Their sole purpose was to meet Wangzha Shangzun.
On the Dharma throne in front of the statue of the World Honored Shakyamuni Buddha, His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III imparted Dharma for the congregation. His Holiness the Buddha mentioned that only a few people have attained the state of a Shangzun in this Saha world. Anyone without inner realization power is not able to lift the 1,000-jin (approximately 1,100 pounds) Vajra scepter placed in front of the entrance of the Grand Hall of Shakyamuni Buddha. The Shangzun is a preeminent great Dharma king. According to Dharma rules, He must manifest Vajra power. Any person who has not completely opened up their nadis (energy channels) and chakras (bright focal point) is not able to lift a 1,000-jin Vajra scepter. Since it is not possible to find a 1,000-jin Vajra scepter, a weight set was used instead as the hall-blocking Vajra scepter. The Shangzun used the 1000-jin weight bar to perform Dharma and to bless the congregation.
How heavy are 1,000 jin? At the airport, the maximum weight for one piece of checked baggage is 32 kilos, which is the maximum weight for an average person to handle. Exceeding that weight limit will hurt the baggage handlers. One thousand jins are equal to 500 kilos. Lifting 1,000 jins of weight is equivalent to lifting 16 pieces of heavy baggage at the same time by one person. There is no weight lifter who can do that. The congregation was amazed by the incredible possibility that the 1,000-jin Vajra scepter could be lifted. Amidst the gasps of astonishment from the crowd, a monastic announced: “Wangzha Shangzun has arrived!”
Nearly 1,000 faithful Buddhists held khatas with both hands and kneeled along both sides of the aisle to respectfully welcome the Shangzun. The Shangzun truly looks like a Vajra being. He is tall and burly, with a long beard, and a very dignified appearance. Upon arrival, He walked toward the Grand Hall of the Holy Miracles Temple. Before entering the Hall, the Shangzun bent over and reached the 1,000-jin Vajra scepter that had more than a dozen enormous weight plates at each end. He moved it slightly but did not pick it up. With a deep inhalation, He quickly lifted the 1,000-jin Vajra scepter with both hands, then dropped it down on the floor. A loud sound could be heard when the metal hit the ground. The congregation was astonished! They were joyful and full of praise!
Wangzha Shangzun entered the Grand Hall through the center door and prostrated to His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III four times. With His back bent, He came in front of His Holiness the Buddha. His Holiness the Buddha blessed the Shangzun by placing His hand on the Shangzun’s head. The Shangzun then took His seat at the lower left side of His Holiness the Buddha. In front of the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, the Shangzun addressed the congregation in perfect English: “Buddhist disciples, I’m very happy to see you here today. I’m happy because you have the karmic affinity in this lifetime to meet Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III. Thus, you’ll be able to learn the authentic Buddha Dharma, the unaltered and pristine Dharma. Because of this, you will be able to attain accomplishment within this lifetime. So of course, I’m very happy.” When His Holiness the Buddha was about to leave, Wangzha Shangzun stood up with his back bent and head bowed. With both palms facing upwards, He respectfully bid farewell to His Holiness the Buddha. Afterwards, the Shangzun returned to His seat and blessed everyone in the congregation by placing His hands on each of their heads.
Faithful Buddhists who received blessings from Wangzha Shangzun included Dharma Master Zhengda who attained the level of Gold Button Grade 1, Jianhui Ruzun, and Akou Lamo Rinpoche, all of whom have attained high and deep realization powers. There are also rinpoches at the level of Blue Button Grade 3; other rinpoches, Dharma masters, and abbots from various temples at the levels of Blue Button Grade 2 and 1; as well as monastics and laypersons who attended the Dharma assembly. Some people felt a patch of coolness on the top of their head when they were blessed by Wangzha Shangzun. Some felt as if a thousand pound of weight was pressing on them when Wangzha Shangzun’s hands touched their heads. Some felt trembling throughout their bodies as if getting an electric shock. Everyone felt tremendously wonderful. After Wangzha Shangzun finished blessings everyone, the temple openly welcomed members of the congregation to sign up and take turn to try lifting the 1,000-jin scepter. More than a dozen monastic and laypersons tried but the 1,000-jin scepter did not move a bit.
The Holy Miracles Temple is a holy site where three Buddhas once appeared in the sky and bestowed holy amrita through three layers of obstacles into a bowl. Wangzha Shangzun has formally established an authentic Inner-tantric Mandala in this holy site in accord with Dharma rules. This is also the only Inner-tantric Mandala in the world at the present time. In the future, Great Holy Gurus who possess the Inner-tantric Initiation Guru Qualifications can hold Inner-tantric Initiations for those Buddhist disciples who have been qualified through Determination by Holy Selection.
Even People with Supernormal Powers Cannot Uncover Terma with Direct Verification
On March 7, 2019, the day after the Venerable King of Extraordinary Strength Kanqian Wangzha Shangzun manifested power to lift a 1,000-jin hall-blocking Vajra scepter at the Holy Miracle Temple, a Yuzun of even higher status came to the Holy Miracles Temple. She manifested Dharma power to uncover a terma with direct verification in front of nearly 200 people!
Tibetan esoteric Dharmas are classified into two major categories. One category of the Dharmas consists of those translated from sutras or Dharma manuals, which is called Gama. The other category of Dharmas are uncovered terma called Daima. Daima is further classified into Southern Tibetan and Northern Tibetan. The Dharmas of uncovered terma mean these Dharmas are obtained by uncovering the terma and they are generally called Terma Dharma. A Terma Dharma can be further categorized as Uncovering Terma with Direct Verification or Uncovering Terma without Direct Verification. The word terton, meaning a master who performs the Dharma of uncovering a terma, is commonly used in Tibetan Esoteric Buddhism. Almost all followers of Tibetan Esoteric Buddhism know about it.
Uncovering Terma without Direct Verification means the Buddha or the Patriarchs of previous generations, such as Shakyamuni Buddha or Guru Padmasambhava, hid the manuals of certain Buddha Dharmas or Dharma objects which were not suited to be transmitted to the world at that time, either due to immature karmic conditions or demons could be induced to cause damage. When the karmic conditions ripen at a later time, the terma will be uncovered by patriarchs of later generations so that the Dharma can be transmitted to people. There are two types of terma: the Upper Division Terma and the Lower Division Terma. Together they are called the Southern Tibetan Terma. Later on, Zenguo Jideng Qujian of Back Tibet inscribed and printed new terma manuals called the Northern Tibetan Terma. None of these is important. They are only about hiding sutras and holy objects. It is the uncovering of the terma that requires holy realization powers.
However, holy realization power is not absolutely necessary for Uncovering Terma without Direct Verification. Sometimes, one can find a terma either by following written records, or by clues left by patriarchs. It has been a long time since the terma were hidden, and during this Dharma-ending era, there are various kinds of strange and low-level swindlers pretending to be holy people. It is hard to tell whether the terma were truly hidden by Gurus of the past, or if swindlers plotted to hide and uncover such things all by themselves. Therefore, to guard against these evil swindling masters who pretend to be holy people, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas stipulate that the person uncovering the terma must conduct direct verification to validate the authenticity of the treasure they uncovered.
During the process of Uncovering the Terma with Direct Verification, no clues are permitted. The ritual is performed with caution and rigor. Ten people responsible for hiding the terma are selected among hundreds, thousands or tens of thousands of people by drawing lots. They are monitored by the congregation when they hide the terma. The Great Holy Guru who is confined at another place will uncover the terma in public. There is not any chance for foul play. In Buddhist history, those who have the realization power to uncover terma with direct verification include Guru Padmasambhava who retrieved the sutra imparted by the Buddha. There were also Patriarch Tsongkhapa, Patriarch Marpa Lotsawa, Matriarch Nairatmya and Dharma King Düsum Khyenpa.
Even the Venerable Atisha failed twice in practicing the Dharma of Uncovering Terma with Direct Verification. You can imagine how high one’s realization power need to be in order to practice this Dharma. It is not something that just anyone with any level of holy realization power can achieve. A Shangzun of Gold Button Grade 3 can uncover a terma without direct verification, but it is almost impossible for a Shangzun to uncover a terma with direct verification. Great Bodhisattvas between the Eighth and Tenth Stage also do not have a one-hundred-percent certainty to uncover a terma with direct verification. Only a Great Mahasattva can uncover a terma and directly verify the terma with certainty and accuracy. Anyone who can uncover a terma with direct verification means that the Buddha Dharma or Dharma objects uncovered by such a great terton are authentic without any doubt. Therefore, Dharmas that have not been confirmed by direct verification cannot be considered as authentic. They are generally called mundane Buddha Dharma. A mundane Buddha Dharma must go through the Determination by Holy Selection to verify that it is a genuine uncovered terma of holy Buddha Dharma, or a holy Dharma object. The Determination by Holy Selection can only be performed by a Great Mahasattva or a Bodhisattva of Equal or Marvelous Enlightenment.
Ten items of Dharma manuals or Dharma objects are used in Uncovering Terma with Direct Verification, not just one. There are ten individual items of which one of them is a genuine Dharma manual or Dharma object. The authentic item is mixed with the other items that look identical. Under the watchful eyes of the entire congregation, ten people responsible for hiding the terma are selected by drawing lots. They will go to a secluded room where the Tremendously Great Holy Guru uncovering the terma cannot see them wrapping and concealing the Dharma objects. After the Dharma objects are wrapped, they will be brought out and then hidden. Subsequently, the Tremendously Great Holy Guru uncovering the terma will immediately point out where the one holy object is.
On the day of March 7, the female Tremendously Great Holy Guru, the Yuzun, came to the Grand Hall of Shakyamuni Buddha at the Holy Miracles Temple. She declined offerings from the more than 170 Dharma kings, rinpoches, great Dharma masters, and people in the congregation. Throughout the Dharma assembly from beginning to end, the Yuzun did not say a word. She is indifferent to fame or fortune. She did not reveal Her holy appearance. She came here with the sole purpose of manifesting true Buddha Dharma to universally benefit living beings by uncovering the terma. The Yuzun is at the level of Gold Button Grade 4 and she has incredibly profound realization and accomplishment.
In this event, the holy object used for Uncovering Terma with Direct Verification was a “demon-detecting mirror.” Even people who have supernormal powers have no way to uncover this terma with direct verification. When the Yuzun began performing the Dharma, the demon-detecting mirror was mixed with nine other ordinary small mirrors that looked identical. The ten people, who were selected by drawing lots to hide the terma, were confined inside the Hall of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva located on the other side of the temple. They had absolutely no contact with anyone outside. The door was tightly guarded by people. The Yuzun and more than 100 people were somewhere completely separated from these ten people. There was no way for the Yuzun to communicate with the ten people.
Inside the Hall of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, the ten people used ten identical white khatas to wrap up the ten small mirrors individually. They then placed all the wrapped mirrors into a black cloth bag. Naturally, since the ten objects appeared indistinguishable, even the people responsible for concealing the terma could not tell which one was the demon-detecting mirror because they all looked exactly the same. After the mirrors were wrapped with khatas and placed inside the black cloth bag, they were all mixed up and no longer identifiable.
Subsequently, these ten people randomly took out the wrapped mirrors and placed them at separate locations to hide the terma. Afterwards, they immediately returned to the Hall of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva and the door was closed. Even these ten people did not know where the demon-detecting mirror was hidden. Throughout the entire process, the Yuzun was nowhere near or in any contact with the mirrors or these ten people. While remaining in a separate tent, the Yuzun quickly held up a sign to announce where the hidden demon-detecting mirror was. At this time, the Buddhist disciples who hid the terma came out from the Hall of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva. As per the Dharma decree and the prediction by the Yuzun, the ten people proceeded to reveal the terma for verification. When the uncovered mirror was placed in front of an oil lamp in the center of the Grand Hall of Shakyamuni Buddha, the ten people were astounded. That truly was the demon-detecting mirror!
More than 100 Buddhist disciples rushed forward in a disorderly manner to surround the small, palm-sized mirror. What was reflected from the demon-detecting mirror was not something a common mirror could show. One by one, people shouted loudly inside the Grand Hall of Shakyamuni Buddha: “Three lamps!” “I see five!” “Four!” “Eight!” Several people saw evil visages from the mirror!
Yet, from the other nine identical mirrors, everyone could only see the reflection of one lamp. Nobody saw any evil visages. There were two rounds of hiding and uncovering the terma. In both rounds, the Yuzun effortlessly predicted the location of the real demon-detecting mirror by raising a sign to point out where the terma was!
I am one of the persons who hid the objects. I must say, this is beyond incredible! With our eyes wide open, the ten of us tried and failed to tell which one was the demon-detecting mirror before the oil lamp was used for verification! The ten mirrors looked exactly the same, and they were all mercury mirrors. We could not even tell which one was the demon-detecting mirror when they were all laid out in front of us, not to mention uncovering a terma. The Yuzun did not even come close to the mirror, but She was able to tell exactly where it was. She truly is a Tremendously Great Holy being who has descended from the Buddha-land to the human world.
We specifically beseeched H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III to impart Dharma regarding this. His Holiness the Buddha said, “What demon-detecting mirror! That is worthless! That has nothing to do with anyone’s accomplishment. That is only symbolic and does not mean anything. What is important is to learn from Buddha and cultivate yourself!”
We remembered the teachings of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. The most important thing is to learn from Buddha and cultivate ourselves. Who cares if it is a demon-detecting mirror or not! It will not enable anyone to attain accomplishment. The significance of uncovering a terma with direct verification is not about the demon-detecting mirror, but about the fact that the Yuzun was able to correctly raise the sign to openly announce where the holy object was located among all ten identical mercury mirrors. With the eyes of an ordinary person, we saw that all these mirrors looked exactly the same. Even though the terma was hidden, it had no way to hide from the Yuzun’s realization power.
Raising the sign to announce the location of the terma is no small feat. Just imagine, if it were another great Dharma king, or if it were you or me, would we dare make such an announcement? Would we dare take a blind guess? It has to be revealed in front of the congregation for the truth to be verified! This cannot be done by speaking falsehoods, giving a discourse, or bluffing! If what was uncovered was not the holy object, how would you face the public? You would be completely ruined from then on! Therefore, the difference between a Tremendously Great Holy Guru and a holy virtuous person can be seen the moment the sign is raised and the truth is revealed with definitive result. Even for holy people who possess the supernormal power to see through walls, rocks and mountains, they would only see that all the mirrors looked alike. They would not be able to distinguish which one was the demon-detecting mirror. How could an ordinary person possibly possess any realization power that is remotely comparable to that used in uncovering a terma with direct verification?
After the Dharma was performed, the making of the extremely rare Greatly Precious Pills was also completed. These Greatly Precious Pills blessed by Buddhas are required for performing the Dharma of Uncovering Terma with Direct Verification. Everyone in the congregation was very moved, and they were determined to do their best to make offerings to the Yuzun who is a Great Mahasattva. The Yuzun, however, did not say a word or accept any offerings. She left without a trace. What remained was the sigh of Buddhist disciples: “There are so many people with the titles of great Dharma king, great Dharma master, holy person or great Bodhisattva. Some of them are so famous. They have written so many books and given so many empty discourses. Yet they have no realization power, and in whatever they do, all they want is to accept offerings. Not only do they not have true Buddha Dharma, they have not even seen it performed! Which one of those famous figures has ever manifested the same kind of Dharma realization power as the Yuzun? Can they perform the Dharma to uncover a terma with direct verification for those living beings who are so eager to seek Buddha Dharma to see? Can they do that to verify the lineages they hold are that of true Buddha Dharma? You cannot find even one of them who is authentic! This is something for everyone to give some serious thought!
THE DHARMA OF CULTIVATION TRANSMITTED BY H.H. DORJE CHANG BUDDHA III
An oral discourse on the dharma given by His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu Holiest Tathagata to rinpoches and other disciples:
WHAT IS CULTIVATION?
Today you, who are a rinpoche, respectfully requested a discourse on the dharma relating to the question “What is cultivation?” This is a very fundamental lesson; indeed, the first lesson. Nonetheless, this is an important matter that many cultivators, including those who have practiced cultivation over many years, do not understand and are confused about. It is difficult to incarnate as a human being. It is even more difficult to incarnate as a human being with the opportunity to encounter the true Buddha-dharma. Thus, today I will enlighten everyone on dharma relating to the question “What is cultivation?”
The essence of learning Buddhism lies with carrying out what we learn in our cultivation. We use good and bad causes and conditions as objects of cognition. Therefore, we must first understand what cultivation is. Cultivation is cultivating the increase of good karma and cultivating the avoidance of bad karma. It is increasing good karmic conditions, planting good causes, and reaping good effects. It is avoiding the increase of bad karmic conditions, not planting bad causes, and avoiding the reaping of bad effects. But the term cultivation has a rather broad meaning. We must first understand what cultivation is.
There must be that upon which the cultivator can rely. Without that which can be relied upon, your cultivation can easily become erroneous, non-Buddhist cultivation. For example, the cultivation of demonism entails cultivating the behavior of demons. The cultivation of Buddhism entails cultivating the behavior of Buddhas. Therefore, there must be that upon which the cultivator can rely. There must be models that the cultivator can reflect and rely upon.
All other religions espouse eliminating evil, promoting good, restraining selfishness, and benefiting others. The cultivator cannot rely upon this alone, for this is cultivation without understanding the purpose of Buddhism. This alone is not the practice of true Buddhism. Thus, in our cultivation, that which we rely upon is the Buddha. The perfect enlightenment of the Buddha is the model for our cultivation. We use our three karmas of bodily actions, speech, and thoughts to emulate everything about the Buddha. We thereby keep ourselves far away from all impure karma based on delusion and all evil conduct. We thereby constantly stay far away from that which is evil or bad. By not being involved with that which is evil or bad, our three karmas do not increase bad causes. Rather, we must carry out all good karma. Even one kind thought is something we should increase and never decrease. We should increase our good karmic affinity, good causes, and good karma every day. Simply put, we must always avoid that which is evil or bad and accumulate that which is good.
Why can it be said that we must stay far away from evil or bad karma but it cannot be said that we must eliminate evil or bad karma? Within the truth of Buddhism, there is the doctrine that the law of cause and effect can never be denied. Cause and effect cannot be eliminated. To say that it can is to take a nihilistic point of view. Hence, we can only build a wall of good karma, which is like building a retaining wall. This wall of good karma has the effect of blocking us from our evil karma.
Thus, only through learning from the Buddha, cultivating the conduct of the Buddha, and ultimately becoming a Buddha can we thoroughly liberate ourselves from the karma (cause and effect) that binds us to the cycle of reincarnation. Cause and effect still exists when one becomes a Buddha. However, cause and effect can not affect a Buddha. For example, the Buddha saw mountains of swords and seas of fire in the hell realm. The mountains of swords and seas of fire continued to exist as extremely painful means by which living beings undergo karmic retribution. When the Buddha suddenly jumped into the mountains of swords and seas of fire in order to undergo suffering on behalf of other living beings, the mountains and seas immediately transformed into a lotus pond of nectar. They transformed into a wonderful state. With respect to a Buddha, all bad or evil karmic conditions turn into the manifestation of good karma. Not only is there no suffering, there is instead a manifestation of great happiness.
Cultivation is to leave the cycle of reincarnation, liberate yourself from all suffering, become a holy being, and persevere until you become a Buddha. To leave the cycle of reincarnation, we must establish a mind of renunciation (a mind determined to leave the cycle of reincarnation), a mind of firm belief, a mind with immovable vows, a mind of diligence, and mahayana bodhicitta. All real states emanating from these minds rely upon and are based upon right view. Without right view, all states of mind will be inverted and confused. In other words, you will not experience any beneficial effects from cultivation that lacks right view.
For example, if you want to practice bodhicitta first, you will not be successful. It will result in an empty and illusory bodhicitta, a deluded and false state of mind. That is because bodhicitta must be based upon a mind of renunciation. That is, you must have a mind that is truly determined to attain liberation, to attain accomplishment in the dharma, and leave all of the sufferings of reincarnation. You must deeply understand that the cycle of reincarnation is indescribably painful. Not only are you yourself suffering, but all living beings in the six realms of reincarnation, each of whom we regard as our father or mother, are likewise suffering in the painful state of impermanence. Only if you want to extricate yourself from suffering do you truly cultivate yourself. Only then do you engage in Bodhisattva conduct that benefits yourself and others. Only then can bodhicitta arise.
However, it would be a mistake if you begin by cultivating a mind of renunciation. That would not accord with the proper order of cultivation. That would result in a non-substantive, theoretical type of desire to leave reincarnation and a self-deluded and self-confused state of mind. In such case, you would not be able to establish the true state of mind that is determined to leave the cycle of reincarnation.
Thus, if you want to have this true state of mind that is determined to leave the cycle of reincarnation, you must first understand impermanence. The second step is to have a mind of firm belief. You must firmly believe in the sufferings of reincarnation, which has as its source impermanence. Only with such a mind of firm belief will you fear the sufferings caused by impermanence and successfully attain a state of mind that truly fears impermanence. Having attained a state of mind that truly fears impermanence, your state of mind that is determined to leave the cycle of reincarnation will grow stronger day by day. Naturally, your state of mind that is determined to leave the cycle of reincarnation will enter a real state that truly fears impermanence. If living beings do not understand that all conditional dharmas in the universe are impermanent, if they do not understand the sufferings connected with reincarnation and impermanence, then they cannot establish a firm mind that gives rise to thoughts of leaving the cycle of reincarnation. If you have never thought about leaving the cycle of reincarnation, you will not cultivate at all, and you will not want to learn Buddhism. Those who do not learn Buddhism have no desire to leave the cycle of reincarnation. How could one who does not learn Buddhism have a mind determined to leave the cycle of reincarnation? Thus, you cannot first cultivate a mind determined to leave the cycle of reincarnation. As for the first step, you will not enter Buddhism without having a mind of impermanence. (Truly giving rise to feelings of fear of impermanence and truly giving rise to a state that fears impermanence.) Even if you become Buddhist, you will not be able to attain a deep level of correct cultivation.
To understand what cultivation is, you must understand the eight fundamental right views relating to learning Buddhism and cultivation.
The first one is a mind of impermanence. The second is a mind with firm belief. The third is a mind of renunciation (a mind determined to leave the cycle of reincarnation). The fourth is a mind with true vows. The fifth is a mind of diligence. The sixth is the precepts. The seventh is dhyana and samadhi. The eighth is bodhicitta. Recognizing these eight dharmas and carrying them out with right views is correct practice of Buddha-dharma. These eight fundamental right views, which are indispensable for cultivators, must not be taken out of order. All the fruits resulting from a mind of impermanence are causes of cultivation. All of the fruits resulting from a mind with firm belief are causes of steadfastness that does not change. All of the fruits resulting from a mind of renunciation are causes of liberation. All of the fruits resulting from a mind with true vows are causes of action. All of the fruits resulting from a mind of diligence are causes of persistent advancement. All of the fruits resulting from the precepts are causes of correct direction of cultivation. All of the fruits resulting from dhyana and samadhi are causes of wisdom. All of the fruits resulting from bodhicitta are causes leading to becoming a Bodhisattva.
These eight fundamental right views are the foundation of cultivation, liberation, and accomplishment in the dharma. If the root is not right, cultivation will not be established. Therefore, cultivation cannot be disorderly. Thus, practicing the eight fundamentals of cultivation must be guided by right views. That is, guided by right understanding and right view, you correctly develop your cultivation by going through these eight fundamentals in their proper order. That is cultivation. In your cultivation, you must constantly put into practice bodhicitta. That is because bodhicitta is the foundation for becoming a Bodhisattva.
According to the Buddha’s exposition of the dharma, the true meaning of bodhicitta is that it is the cause that will inevitably lead to becoming a Bodhisattva. Whoever walks the path of bodhi will ultimately reap the fruit of bodhi. The broad meaning of bodhicitta includes all of the mahayana dharma having to do with saving living beings out of great compassion and the causes leading to attaining the stages of enlightenment of a Bodhisattva.
However, because of the insufficient good fortune of living beings, some of the originally complete meaning of the Buddha-dharma has been lost as it was handed down from generation to generation. Especially in this current Dharma-Ending Age in which the karma of living beings in the three spheres (worlds) of the universe is like a sea of surging waves, it is as difficult for living beings to encounter the true Buddha-dharma as it is for a blind turtle swimming in the ocean to stick its neck through a tiny knothole in a floating and bobbing board. Thus, it is now extremely difficult to obtain the perfect Buddha-dharma. As a result, the meaning of bodhi has shrunk. It has gradually shrunk from its broad meaning to the narrow meaning of bodhicitta dharma.
There are two types of bodhicitta. There is bodhicitta in the holy sense and bodhicitta in the worldly sense. Bodhicitta in the worldly sense can be roughly divided into “vow bodhicitta” and “action bodhicitta.” The practice of vow and action bodhicitta includes a myriad of dharma methods, such as those relating to sentient beings, non-sentient things, the four great elements, one’s own six elements, as well as breathing, the ear base, the eye base and other bases, inner and outer mandalas, and ritualistic chanting. Whether it is bodhicitta in the worldly sense or the holy sense, if you are guided by the two sets of seven branches of bodhicitta, that is the highest, most excellent, and most complete form of bodhicitta.
Each living being in the six realms of reincarnation within the three spheres of existence has the right to cultivate bodhicitta. However, most living beings do not have the karmic affinity. Thus, they practice a fragmented and shrunken version of bodhicitta dharma. As a result, they frequently harbor the misconceptions that only those with an enlightened mind can practice bodhicitta or bodhicitta is the dharmakaya state of enlightenment. Of course, we do not deny these are existing parts of bodhicitta. However, these conceptions omit the practice of bodhicitta dharma by those living beings who do not have an enlightened mind. More importantly, bodhicitta is not dependant upon an enlightened mind or an unenlightened mind. Bodhicitta is the power of vows made out of great compassion by those living beings who learn Buddhism in any of the six realms of reincarnation within the three spheres of the universe as well as the power of vows made out of great compassion by all holy beings in the dharma realm. Bodhicitta is actual conduct based upon great compassion that aids living beings in becoming Buddhas or Bodhisattvas. It is the mind of love in the holy sense that the enlightened and the unenlightened or the holy and the ordinary both have.
With respect to bodhicitta, those who are enlightened use their enlightened state of virtue and realization, correct practices, and propagation of the true dharma to teach and enlighten living beings so that those living beings will become Buddhas. With respect to bodhicitta, those who are not yet enlightened vow out of great compassion that living beings and themselves shall together attain accomplishment in the dharma and liberation. They help other people enter the path of the true dharma of the Buddha, vowing that they will become Bodhisattvas and Buddhas. To such persons, bodhicitta dharma is the virtue of aiding others to become accomplished in the dharma. Because they benefit others, they receive merit. They thereby increase the causes leading to their becoming Bodhisattvas.
The manifestation of bodhicitta is expressed through actual practice involving the three karmas, which practice reflects great compassion. Any true cultivator, no matter whether he or she is ordinary or holy, has the right to arouse bodhicitta and should arouse bodhicitta. That is because bodhicitta is not an enlightened mind possessed only by holy people. Rather, it is conduct based upon great compassion. It is the planting of causes based upon a vow that oneself and others become enlightened. Bodhicitta does not only include the ten good characteristics, the four limitless states of mind (the four immeasurables), the six paramitas (perfections), and the four all-embracing Bodhisattva virtues (four methods that Bodhisattvas employ to approach and save living beings). Rather, it includes the entireTripitaka, the esoteric scriptures, and all dharma transmitted orally, through the ears, or telepathically that engenders conduct that is greatly compassionate, is in accord with the dharma, and benefits and saves living beings.
Thus, the bodhicitta is ultimate truth in a broad sense. With respect to the Buddha, bodhicitta is the three bodies, the perfect wisdom of Buddha that is summarized in four truths, and the mind of anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. With respect to a Bodhisattva, bodhicitta is propagating the dharma and benefiting and saving living beings out of great compassion. With respect to an enlightened being, bodhicitta is not being attached to the characteristics or distinctive features of things and not engaging in intellectual frivolity or conceptual elaborations. This is his or her original nature. The true emptiness of original nature is wonderful existence. It is the ultimate truth of all conditional dharmas. This truth neither arises nor ceases. With respect to an ordinary person, bodhicitta is compassionately helping other people and vowing that they learn Buddhism and attain liberation.
You must first have the perspective of impermanence before you can arouse bodhicitta. You must understand the impermanence and suffering relating to yourself and other living beings revolving in the cycle of reincarnation and thereby generate a perspective of awareness, a mind of impermanence. You will then vow to leave the cycle of reincarnation. As a result, you will then establish a mind that is determined to leave the cycle of reincarnation. You will say, “I resolve to leave.” You also want all living beings in the six realms, who are like your father or mother, to leave. You understand that the cycle of reincarnation is like a bitter sea, is difficult to endure, and is extremely painful. Because of this resolute perspective, you will generate a strong and pressing fear. You will constantly seek to be liberated at this very moment. But you understand that only by having the conduct of a Bodhisattva can you quickly attain liberation from the cycle of reincarnation. You thus vow to become a Bodhisattva. You seek to quickly enlighten yourself and others. Naturally, you then generate a mind of great compassion. As a result, the seeds of enlightenment are disseminated. The arousal of bodhicitta is based upon a mind of great compassion. Thus the Buddha said, “The water of great compassion irrigates the seeds of bodhi. As a result, the bodhi trees will have lush foliage and the fruits will be plentiful.” Hence, bodhicitta will naturally be established. Bodhicitta is the cause leading to becoming a mahayana Bodhisattva. You will attain pure and correct views and understanding of cultivation. Based upon these right views, you should deeply enter the emptiness bhuta-tathata (true suchness) and the practice of the state of emptiness. At this time, you transform worldy bodhicitta into a state in which you realize that “the three entities are inherently empty.” That is you transform everything in existence into bodhicitta in a holy sense. With bodhicitta, you cultivate the conduct of bodhi and enter the stage of a Bodhisattva.
Cultivation of bodhicitta requires implementation. Cultivation of bodhicitta is not a matter of just ritualistic chanting, making empty vows, or engaging in visualization. In the cultivation of bodhicitta, the most important aspect is deeply pondering the following concerning yourself: “My body is impermanent, is changing every nanosecond, and is moving toward decline, old age, and death. I compare why my face has aged over a ten-year period, over a forty-year period, or over a seventy-year period. The degree of agedness of my skin has changed. I will soon enter old age, sickness, and death and continue revolving in the cycle of reincarnation, where I will experience suffering. I also contemplate that joyfully innocent, newborn, fresh, and lively look I had when I was a small child. I contemplate how I no longer have that childlike appearance. My face and skin have aged. My energy has declined. I often fall ill. That quality of youth is gone. The power of impermanence will end my life. My relatives and old friends will all die one after another. Like a dream, it will soon be all over. My mind generates great fear. With a resolute mind, I act in accord with the precepts, practice in accord with the dharma, and enter bodhicitta by practicing the two sets of seven branch bodhicitta dharma: the Dharma of Great Compassion for All Living Beings as My Mother Bodhicitta and the Dharma of Bodhisattva Correspondence Bodhicitta.”
When practicing the Great Compassion for My Mother Bodhicitta, you arouse great compassion and cultivate the following: understanding who my mother is, bearing in mind kindness, repaying kindness, loving-kindness, compassion, renouncing greed, and eliminating attachment. When practicing this cultivation, everyone should carry out the following for themselves:
Understanding who my mother is: I deeply understand that all living beings in the six realms of reincarnation within the three spheres of the universe have been since beginning-less time my fathers and mothers in the revolving cycle of reincarnation.
Bearing in mind kindness: I should deeply bear in mind that all of my parents (i.e. all living beings) that now exist in the cycle of reincarnation have since beginning-less time given birth to me, reared me, loved me, and became tired and ill for me. Their kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain. I should bear in mind their kindness. I will then regard the sufferings of my parents (i.e. all living beings) as my own suffering.
Repaying kindness: I understand that my parents (i.e. all living beings) have offered me everything. They are now revolving and wandering in the six realms of reincarnation experiencing endless suffering. I resolve to take action to enlighten myself and others, to save and liberate my parents (i.e. all living beings) in order to repay their kindness to me.
Loving-kindness: At all times, through the actions of my three karmas, I am loving and kind toward all living beings, who have been my parents. I wish them a long life without illness, good fortune, good luck, and a happy life.
Compassion: Day and night, I constantly beseech all of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to empower all of my parents (i.e. all living beings) so that they may extricate themselves from all forms of suffering, encounter and practice the Buddha-dharma, and liberate themselves from the sufferings of cyclic existence.
Renouncing greed: I hold no attachment in my mind to anything that I do to benefit any living beings, who have been my parents. I cultivate non-attachment to all of my good actions of body, speech, and mind. Thus, my good actions become natural and spontaneous, as my original nature is good. I do not do good purposefully. I do good and then forget about it.
Eliminating attachment: In my practice, as I cultivate all forms of goodness and benefit my parents (i.e. all living beings), I should not become attached to any dharma. I should eliminate all attachment to self. Realizing a state of emptiness, I am aware and I experience wonderful happiness that comes from samadhi. While practicing the dharma, I am not attached to the dharma. I do not intentionally get rid of deluded thoughts. I do not intentionally seek the truth. Not coming and not going, blissful, clear, and without thought, I am as calm as tranquil water. Everything, including myself, is inherently empty.
The supporting conditions for putting bodhicitta into practice must be based upon right view. We contribute to living beings in their performance of good deeds, but we do not contribute or help living beings in their performance of bad deeds. We rectify their behavior so that they perform good deeds. Thus, we do all good deeds that benefit living beings. We plant all good causes that lead to benefiting living beings. In that way, we carry out the seven branches of the Dharma of Bodhisattva Correspondence Bodhicitta. We help living beings in their performing good deeds and help increase their good causes. We help living beings reduce their accumulation of bad karma and help them stay far away from bad causes. The seven branches of the Dharma of Bodhisattva Correspondence Bodhicitta are as follows. The first branch is “self and others are equal” bodhicitta. The second branch is “exchange between self and others” bodhicitta. The third branch is “benefit others before self” bodhicitta. The fourth branch is “dedicating merit” bodhicitta. The fifth branch is “fearlessly protect the dharma” bodhicitta. The sixth branch is “effectively lead others to correct practice” bodhicitta. The seventh branch is “renouncing myself to help others build good karma” bodhicitta. When practicing this cultivation, everyone should carry out the following themselves:
Self and others are equal bodhicitta: When there is a conflict of interest between myself and others, I will rid myself of hatred, antipathy, greed, and arrogant, disparaging mentality. I must not emphasize benefiting myself. I should treat myself and others equally.
Exchange between self and others bodhicitta: I want to bear the sufferings of all living beings. I give to others all of my happiness and good luck so that they may leave suffering and obtain happiness.
Benefit others before self bodhicitta: When other living beings and I are suffering, I want others to extricate themselves from suffering before I do. When other living beings and I are happy, I want others to be happier than I am.
Dedicating merit bodhicitta: I dedicate to all living beings all of the merit and accomplishments from my cultivation in the hope that they will leave suffering and attain liberation.
Fearlessly protect the dharma bodhicitta: When any evil spirits or demons harm the Buddha-dharma, lead living beings to break the precepts, and harm living beings resulting in the suffering of living beings, I will maintain right view, will not fear the evil powers of those demons, and will step forward to protect the Buddha-dharma and the wisdom whereby living beings will become liberated.
Effectively lead others to correct practice bodhicitta: Because living beings are burdened with the power of karma that has accumulated since beginning-less time, because they are ignorant and have created all kinds of negative karma, there will be times when they will not repent or change their ways despite my constructive exhortations. In such case, I will use powerful rectifying dharma methods to lead such people onto the path of true dharma and beneficial and good conduct.
Renouncing myself to help others build good karma bodhicitta: When the realization of other people is higher than mine or their ability to save living beings is better than mine, I will yield to other people so that living beings will be benefited more. At such time, without any hesitation, I yield to them. This furthers the great undertaking of goodness.
Bodhicitta, as part of cultivation, is the source of accomplishment in the dharma and is very important. I will now give an example involving a rinpoche and a dharma master. This rinpoche cultivated himself for more than thirty years. He received more than one thousand esoteric dharma initiations. He mainly practiced the Great Perfection Dharma (Dzogchen) of the Nyingma sect. He was able to expound the Buddha-dharma of the Tripitaka very well. However, he did not have any real dharma powers. The other person, a dharma master, had been a monk for more than twenty years. He strictly abided by the precepts and rules of discipline. He was well versed in the sutras, the vinaya (precepts and rules of discipline), and the commentaries. He practiced important and great dharmas of the Tibetan esoteric school of Buddhism and was the abbot of a famous temple. Like the rinpoche, he was famous in expounding the dharma. However, he also was unable to manifest any actual realization.
I told them that no matter what great dharma of the esoteric school they may practice, it is all like building a tower on quicksand. Such a tower could not be built. I told them that even if they temporarily had some success in their practice, it would quickly vanish. I had them practice letting go of their own knowledge or habituated way of knowing because these are hindrances. I had them practice “What Is Cultivation?” After they practiced such dharma for about eight months, I had them add to their practice the Great Perfection (Dzogchen) and other dharmas. A miracle then happened. During a test of his progress, the rinpoche applied the Vajra Fist Powerful Thunder True Dharma Palm and manifested great powers. Actual realization was shown. However, the dharma master did not manifest any powers. He continued to practice this cultivation dharma. Under my careful pointing out of his shortcomings, he finally understood the importance of true cultivation and how true cultivation requires devoting time and energy on the actual carrying out of the three karmas. He finally understood that there is no room whatsoever for any slippage or compromise in this regard. He continued his practice for three months. In a test to measure his ability to manifest realization, his powers were thoroughly exhibited.
Thus, whoever can cultivate in such manner and carry out his practice according to the dharma will be able to obtain the true Buddha-dharma. Naturally, he will develop wisdom. He will not become involved with empty theories regarding the Five Vidyas. Rather, he will manifest actual states of accomplishment in the true Five Vidyas. Such a person will realize “manifestation of wonderful existence (supernatural power),” attain the fruit of bodhi, and enter the stage of a Bodhisattva.
The practitioners of all Buddhist sects should comply with these rules of cultivation and should practice bodhicitta. If you do not follow such dharma of cultivation in its proper order, then you will easily become confused and lose your way. Such dharma is the key to the methods of practicing cultivation.
Learning the methods of practicing dharma is another matter. All beneficial effects derived from learning the dharma are based upon cultivation. When your practice is in strict conformity with the dharma, you will naturally realize virtue and will successfully reach the true state. If you do not have the correct rules concerning cultivation, the dharma that you learn will become dharma based on erroneous view or even the evil dharma of demons. If you are complying with the dharma of cultivation as stated in this discourse, the dharma that you have learned is good dharma, and you are engaged in practicing Buddha-dharma. Cultivation also involves the ten good characteristics, the four limitless states of mind (the four immeasurables), the six paramitas (perfections), the four all-embracing Bodhisattva virtues (the four methods that Bodhisattvas employ to approach and save living beings), etc.
Some disciples will think that they know all of the important dharma I expounded today on cultivation. They will therefore not carefully ponder and fully incorporate into their thinking the cultivation of which I spoke. Rather, the wish they harbor in their hearts is to learn a great dharma whereby they will become a Buddha in this very lifetime.
Anyone with such a mentality has only superficial knowledge, has fallen into confusion, and has lost his way. Such a person will not learn the true Buddha-dharma. Even if he is practicing great dharma, such as the Great Perfection (Dzogchen) of the Nyingma sect, the Mind Within Mind of the Kagyu sect, the Great Perfection of Wonderful Wisdom of the Sakya sect, the Kalachakra Vajra of the Geluk sect, Zen meditation of the Zen sect of exoteric Buddhism, reciting a Buddha’s name of the Pure Land sect, the dharma of the Consciousness-Only sect, or samatha and vipasyana of the hinayana school, he will not obtain any fruits from his practice and will not be able to transform his consciousness into wisdom. Thus, he will continue to go round and round in the state of an ordinary person. He will not be able to manifest any realization, the source of which is the wisdom of exoteric and esoteric Buddhism. He will not be able to exhibit any actual accomplishments in the Five Vidyas. He will only be able to manifest that which an ordinary person manifests. He may even be quite stupid such that he is only able to memorize theories in books and speak of empty theories, totally incapable of putting those theories into actual practice. Such a person cannot actually do anything. Even if he can do a few things, he cannot exceed those people in the world who are experts in those few things.
Think about it. Does such a person embody the Buddha-dharma? Is the wisdom derived from the Buddha-dharma so inferior? How can one who has not yet developed holy wisdom and still has the consciousness of an ordinary person possess the true dharma to enlighten himself and others? However, if you enter the practice of the dharma according to these rules of cultivation, then you can receive the true Buddha-dharma, can become truly proficient in exoteric and esoteric Buddhism, and can manifest accomplishments in the Five Vidyas. We should therefore understand that cultivation is the foundation for learning dharma, the cause of liberation, and the source of realizing the state of holiness.
Today I spoke briefly on the subject of what cultivation is. I expounded the subject of the correct practice of bodhicitta, which is part of cultivation. I did not speak of other dharma. There is so much more to teach. However, if I casually discussed those other teachings in this book, it would not be in accord with the rules of discipline and could easily create the negative karma of disrespect. Thus, I hope that all of you who learn Buddhism will deeply immerse yourselves in the Tripitaka and esoteric scriptures or will listen to my recorded discourses on the dharma. If you attentively listen to those discourses on the dharma with all your heart, within ten days you can attain a certain degree of joy or the wonderful joy of great enlightenment. If the causes and conditions mature, you will experience beneficial effects for your entire life or even attain great accomplishment, liberation, and Buddhahood.
Now that you have learned this dharma of cultivation, do you want to practice it? Anyone who engages in true cultivation can become accomplished in the dharma and attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Thus, we must clearly understand something. Although you have read “What is Cultivation” and although you have read the eight fundamentals of cultivation and two sets of seven branches based upon right view, that is called “reading words relating to practice.” That is not cultivation. If you understand the principles relating to cultivation, that is called “understanding the theories of practice.” This is also not cultivation. If you begin to implement this dharma of cultivation according to its content, that is also not cultivation. That is called “entering the process of cultivation.” If you have done your utmost to apply great compassion in accordance with this dharma of cultivation, that is called “coarse cultivation.” It is not true and correct cultivation. If you do not need to do your utmost to apply great compassion, if you naturally, effortlessly and perfectly carry out the eight fundamentals of cultivation and two sets of seven branches according to the dharma, that is called “cultivation.”
Why is it that doing your utmost in cultivation is not called “cultivation” but rather is called “coarse cultivation”? It is because since beginning-less time, the power of karma and the hindrances of ignorance have obstructed practitioners. Hence, they cannot let go of greed (selfish desire), hatred (anger or antipathy), and ignorance (delusion). They cannot let go of their attachment to self. This produces the hindrances that are based on the defilements (afflictions). This also produces the hindrances that emanate from their own knowledge or habituated way of knowing. These karmic hindrances devour all of the right mindfulness (right thought) of these practitioners. As a result, the process of implementing each of these rules of cultivation is difficult for these practitioners. Precisely because of this difficulty, they choose the method of using their utmost effort to practice cultivation. Using one’s utmost efforts in this manner is like a pebble that is coarse on the inside and out rather than a shining precious stone that has been carved and polished. Practicing part of the eight fundamentals of cultivation and the two sets of seven branches and not practicing the remaining parts is also not called true cultivation. That is why it is called “coarse cultivation” or “incomplete cultivation.”
Thoroughly understanding the rules of cultivation, not forcefully implementing them, and naturally carrying out the eight fundamentals of cultivation and two sets of seven branches according to the dharma is true cultivation that is without attachment to self and that has overcome the hindrances. This is the path of bodhi. Thus, every day practitioners should introspect upon Great Compassion for All Living Beings as My Mother Bodhicitta and Bodhisattva Correspondence Bodhicitta. They should reflect upon those two sets of seven branches, asking themselves whether they have practiced them according to the dharma. If you were unable to practice these rules according to the dharma contained in this discourse, it shows that you have entered the state of “coarse cultivation.” If you did not fully implement these rules, then your cultivation is incomplete cultivation. You will not become accomplished in the dharma and liberated from the cycle of reincarnation through such incomplete cultivation. Even if you have some minor accomplishments, it will be impossible for you to attain great fortune and wisdom, supernatural powers, and realization in the Five Vidyas.
If you introspect every day upon these two sets of seven branches, are not forceful in implementing them, are greatly compassionate, follow goodness in a natural way, and carry out the two sets of seven branches naturally and according to the dharma, that would be true cultivation and complete practice. You will thereby easily be able to attain liberation, become a holy being, and obtain good fortune and wisdom. You will accordingly have realization in the Five Vidyas. You will certainly reach the stage of a Bodhisattva. Thus, you should understand that “reading words relating to practice,” “understanding the theories of practice,” “entering the process of cultivation,” and “incomplete cultivation” is easy. To practice the two sets of seven branches perfectly and without attachment is difficult. Actually, when you let go of attachment to self, you immediately enter correct and true cultivation. How could this be difficult? Everyone can do that!
When you do your daily introspection, besides using thoughts to contemplate and visualize, it is more important that you must use as objects of introspection fellow disciples with whom you are familiar, people with whom you get along, people who are not good to you, negative karmic conditions, any conditions or people that make you unhappy, or people you find hard to get along with, to whom who do not speak, or who do not speak to you. You must use them as objects of your practice, asking yourself, “Today did I act in accordance with the two sets of seven branches and on my own initiative show goodwill to these people? When I approached that person on my own initiative and he attacked me with abusive words, did I forbear those insults with patience and continue to approach him in order to show goodwill?” You must not bear any grudge due to abusive words, abusive conduct, and insults. If, every day, you practice your bodhicitta without relenting, carry out the two sets of seven branches through your three karmas of physical action, speech, and thoughts, actually cultivate yourself according to the dharma in a real and concrete way, and realize “the thing itself is empty,” then it will be very easy for you to learn the supreme Buddha-dharma. In such case, bodhicitta and the stage of a Bodhisattva will naturally be yours. That is cultivation.
I have finished expounding the dharma of cultivation that benefits living beings. However, there is a certain type of matter harmful to living beings that occurs all the time. I am referring to the matter of using my name to harm the interests of living beings. I would now like to call attention again to a problem that is especially important and that everyone should take seriously.
In this world, there currently are some dharma kings, venerable ones, rinpoches, dharma teachers, and even laypersons who claim that they are my trusted followers. They may claim to represent me in handling a certain matter. They may claim to convey a certain message from me. Or, they may claim that what they say are my own words. Actually, I have disciples in exoteric and esoteric Buddhism and in each of the main sects. No matter what the status of any greatly virtuous person making such a claim may be, nobody can represent me. This applies to even very small matters!
Only when a person has a special-purpose document that I gave him or her clearly indicating he or she represents me in handling a certain matter, that document contains my signature and fingerprint, and that document is accompanied by a corresponding videotape can he or she represent me in handling the matter specified in that document. Otherwise, no matter how high the status of a dharma king, venerable one, rinpoche, or dharma teacher may be, his or her views, discourses, and explanations of dharma do not represent my views and do not serve as the standard of correct understanding and correct views. I know that my own oral discourses and writings are the true dharma without any bias. That is because my oral discourses and writings truly benefit and liberate living beings. Furthermore, nobody may use any method to make additions, deletions, or revisions to my writings or discourses on the dharma given orally. Anyone who violates what is stated above is certainly one with wrong views or one who has fallen into demonic ways, no matter how high the status of that person is.
Thus, the only time someone can represent me is when everyone personally sees a document containing my fingerprint and there is accompanying proof in the form of an integral sound recording or videotape that corresponds to the document and in which I personally speak. Otherwise, no matter who the Buddhist disciple may be, including those disciples of holy virtue who have been at my side for a long period of time, everything that they think, do, say, or write is their own conduct and absolutely does not represent me!
DREAM HOUSE 