When I was a child, I heard a folk story that has stayed with me ever since.
One day, King Yama summoned two little spirits and said to them:
“I will let you be reborn as humans. One of you will be someone who always has things to give to others. The other will be someone who often receives things from others. It’s up to you—choose the kind of person you wish to become.”
As soon as Ghost A heard this, he dropped to his knees, clasped his hands, and pleaded earnestly:
“Your Majesty Yama! I beg you—please let me be the one who can receive things from others!”
Ghost B stood quietly for a moment, thinking it over. Finally, he said:
“Since my companion wishes to be the one who receives, I will choose to be the one who gives to others.”
King Yama struck his desk with a resounding clap and pronounced his judgment:
“I decree that Ghost A will be reborn as a beggar, so he may always ask others for help. Ghost B will be reborn into a wealthy family, so he may frequently give and support those in need.”
The two little spirits were stunned into silence.
This story reveals a truth many people overlook: in our world, most would rather take from others, believing that giving is a kind of loss. Yet the modern Buddhist master, Master Hongyi, once said:
“I don’t know exactly what makes a noble person, but I believe someone who is willing to suffer a loss in all things surely is one. I don’t know exactly what makes a petty person, but someone who always seeks an advantage must be one.”
In reality, a person with a grateful heart who is willing to share joy with others will discover even greater joy—because they can find happiness in the happiness of others.
The spirit of Buddhism elevates the practice of giving and receiving to its highest form. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III made this profound vow:
“All karmic offenses and sins created by sentient beings, I will bear. All the virtuous deeds and merits I have cultivated, I will give entirely to you.”
H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III wishes to give all good things to sentient beings and to take upon Himself all their suffering and negativity.
Everything He thinks in His mind, speaks with His mouth, and does with His body is dedicated to one purpose: eradicating selfish attachment, relieving the suffering of all beings, bringing them happiness, and increasing their blessings and wisdom.
May our world be filled with kindness and peace. May all beings everywhere be safe, auspicious, and free from suffering.
A single father had just lost his job. All day, he wandered the streets, clinging to the hope that he might find work. But as the sun set, he returned home empty-handed.
Defeated and exhausted, he stepped into a small tavern, spent his very last coin, and finally stumbled back to his modest home.
That evening, he discovered that his son’s grades had slipped. He didn’t say a word. Instead, he shot the boy a harsh glare before collapsing into bed without another thought.
The next morning, out of habit, he opened his diary and wrote:
March 7, Tuesday. This is the worst day ever. Lost my job, out of money, no work to be found, and my son is a disappointment. A day of utter discouragement.
After his son left for school, he happened to notice the boy’s diary lying open on the table. Curious, he began to read:
March 6, Monday. Today, on my way to school, I helped a blind man cross the street. I was so happy. My grades weren’t good this time. I told Dad, and he didn’t scold me. He looked at me with such deep affection. I felt so encouraged. I’m determined to study hard so I won’t let him down.
Affection? the father thought, bewildered. I was glaring at him in frustration. How could he have seen that as love?
He turned another page:
March 5, Sunday. The old grandpa next door is playing the violin better and better. He’s so old but still practices so diligently. I really want to learn from him.
His heart sank as he flipped to his own entry from that same day:
March 5, Sunday. That annoying old man next door is playing that wretched violin again. On my only day off, he won’t even let me sleep in peace. So hateful—I wish I could smash that stupid instrument.
In that moment, the father felt the weight of shame press him down onto the bed. He was in his fifties, yet his spirit had been broken by hardship—his mindset darker and more defeated than that of his young child.
He realized, with painful clarity, that he had been looking at life through a lens clouded by bitterness. And that lens had distorted everything.
Deeply remorseful, he resolved to learn from his son—to face every trial with acceptance and gratitude instead of resentment. He knew he could no longer wear the mask of anger while searching for work. No matter how difficult life became, he would choose a sunnier disposition.
And when your mindset changes, everything changes.
The very next day, he found a suitable job. He began to meet life’s challenges with a heart full of gratitude.
Life is like a mirror: when you smile at it, it smiles back. When you cry, it weeps with you.
The human heart is also a mirror, reflecting the world within us. It reveals whether we carry kindness or bitterness, whether we live in light or in darkness.
With a single thought, we can create heaven or hell. Everything depends on whether we imprison or liberate our own hearts.
In the end, we are the creators of our own destiny.
The Buddha once taught at the Jeta Grove in Anathapindika’s Park in the kingdom of Shravasti. At that time, there lived a wealthy elder whose fortune was immeasurable. He had five intelligent daughters but no sons. Upon his passing, the law dictated that if no male heir existed, the family estate would be seized by the state. However, the elder’s wife was pregnant. His daughters humbly petitioned the king to delay the confiscation until the child was born.
Not long after, a baby boy was born. Yet to everyone’s shock, the child was severely deformed—he had no eyes, ears, tongue, hands, or feet, only male genitals. Despite this, the king acknowledged him as the rightful heir, saving the family’s wealth. The boy was named Mantuipili.
Puzzled by this karmic outcome, an elder approached the Buddha and asked, “Why would a child be born into such wealth, yet with such tragic physical deformities?”
The Buddha then revealed a powerful story from a distant past:
In a previous life, there were two noble brothers: Dhanavasita, the elder, and Shilavasita, the younger. Dhanavasita was known for his honesty and generosity from a young age. He gave freely to the poor and upheld moral integrity. Because of his character, the king appointed him as a judge, and people trusted his word above all else. At that time, written debt contracts were unnecessary—a judge’s witness sufficed.
One day, a merchant preparing for a sea voyage borrowed a large sum from Shilavasita. Bringing his young son and the money, Shilavasita went to Dhanavasita and asked, “Brother, this merchant has borrowed money. Please bear witness. If anything happens to me, ensure my son receives what is owed.”
Dhanavasita agreed. Soon after, Shilavasita passed away. The merchant’s ship was wrecked in a storm, and he barely survived, returning empty-handed. Out of compassion, Shilavasita’s son decided not to demand repayment while the merchant was destitute.
Years later, the merchant sailed again and returned wealthy. Believing the boy had forgotten or was too kind to collect the debt, the merchant decided to test him. He paraded into the city riding a jeweled horse, dressed in luxurious robes. Seeing this, the boy sent someone to request the repayment.
The merchant, seeking to avoid repayment, schemed to silence the judge. He offered a precious gem worth 100,000 silver coins to Dhanavasita’s wife, asking her to persuade the judge not to testify. She warned, “My husband is a man of virtue, but I’ll try.”
That evening, she told the judge. Dhanavasita was unwavering: “I was made a judge because of my honesty. I cannot speak even a single false word.” She returned the gem.
The merchant returned with a gem worth 200,000 silver coins, and the wife—overcome by greed—accepted. That night, she again tried to persuade her husband. He refused once more, saying, “If I lie, I will lose all honor in this life and suffer in future lives.”
In desperation, the wife threatened, “If you don’t comply, I’ll kill our child and take my own life!” Dhanavasita was heartbroken. He agonized: “If I refuse, I lose my child. If I agree, I lose my integrity and invite endless suffering.”
Overwhelmed, he gave in.
The merchant, emboldened, paraded through the streets again—this time on a jewel-adorned elephant. The boy approached him: “It’s time to repay the debt.”
Feigning confusion, the merchant said, “What debt? Who witnessed this?” The boy replied, “My father and I gave you the money, and my uncle, the judge, was the witness.” The two went before the judge. The boy recounted the event. To his shock, the judge responded, “I know nothing of this matter.” The boy cried out, “Uncle! You saw it with your own eyes and agreed to witness it. How can you deny this?” The judge replied coldly, “That never happened.”
In deep pain, the boy exclaimed, “You were trusted for your integrity and chosen to judge others. If you betray your own nephew, how many others have suffered injustice? The truth will be known in time.”
The Buddha then turned to the elder and said: “Do you know who that judge was? He is now the deformed child, Mantuipili. Because he uttered just one false word, he fell into the great hell realms and endured tremendous suffering. For five hundred lifetimes, he was born with severe deformities. Yet due to his past acts of generosity, he continued to be born into wealthy families.
This is the law of karma. Good and evil never cancel each other out—each brings its own result, no matter how long it takes.
Therefore, practice diligently. Guard your body, speech, and mind. Never create evil karma lightly.”
This profound tale offers a timeless lesson. A single dishonest act can result in unimaginable suffering, even over lifetimes. On the other hand, a heart inclined toward generosity continues to yield blessings, regardless of outer form.
Buddhism teaches us to live with integrity, mindfulness, and compassion—not only for the peace of this life, but for the well-being of lives to come.
H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu Holiest Tathagata is truly a Great Medicine King in this world. I speak not from hearsay, but from my own firsthand experience—His Holiness saved my life twice.
The First Miracle: A Life-Threatening Fall
The first incident occurred in 1994. One afternoon, I went to inspect a construction site. I stepped onto a sturdy board about 7 to 8 meters (23 to 26 feet) above the ground, commonly used for workers carrying heavy materials. As I walked across it, I suddenly felt an unseen force push me—I lost balance and fell.
My vision blurred; stars filled my eyes, and the world spun around me. I couldn’t see clearly and knew something was seriously wrong. In that critical moment, I began to recite the names of my Buddha Master, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, and Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva. I clung to their names with unwavering faith.
Soon, my mind became clearer, and I asked to be taken to my Buddha Master, the only one I believed could save me. When I arrived, I was in unbearable pain and couldn’t straighten my back. The Buddha Master immediately performed a dharma to bless me and then instructed others to take me to the Eighth Orthopedics Hospital.
X-rays revealed a serious fracture: my shoulder blade was broken into two pieces, with a gap the width of a finger. The broken bone was pressing into my lung, making breathing difficult. The doctors said I would need round-the-clock care from 18 people in three shifts for 21 days. Even with that, they warned, I would likely be permanently disabled.
But I had unwavering faith in the power of the Buddha Dharma. I quietly left the hospital without telling the doctors. The next morning, to my amazement, I could raise the injured arm. I immediately went to the Buddha Master’s residence to prostrate in gratitude. His Holiness told me to return to the hospital for another checkup.
The doctors were stunned. They had searched for me the previous night, assuming I had died. But the X-ray told a different story—the two broken pieces of my shoulder blade had fused perfectly, with no visible crack. I only felt a slight discomfort. I attended my company’s annual meeting the very next day and never needed any medication. Within a week, my arm had fully recovered and remains normal to this day.
The Second Miracle: On the Brink of Death
The second life-saving miracle happened on April 22, 2002. That afternoon, I was rushed to the emergency room at Sichuan Medical University Hospital due to a major obstruction in my cerebellum. My blood pressure was over 200, and my blood was so thick that it could barely be drawn.
The doctors believed I wouldn’t survive the night. They didn’t even admit me to a ward, but placed me on a bed in the hallway, fulfilling only a humanitarian gesture. My condition was critical: I had double vision, severe dizziness, and vomiting. I was issued five terminally ill notices. Two other patients in the hallway, both in better condition than me, died within a day.
In that dark hour, I knew only one hope remained—my Buddha Master. I silently and continuously recited His Holiness’s name, praying for his blessings. That night, my fellow disciples informed the Buddha Master, who was across the Pacific Ocean. His Holiness called and said with great compassion, “Don’t worry. I will bless you. I will now teach you a dharma. You will recover in three to five days.”
I followed the practice, and within three days—actually three days minus two hours—a true miracle unfolded. I stood up by myself and walked to the bathroom without assistance. My recovery progressed rapidly, and I was discharged from the hospital in just three weeks.
The doctors were baffled. Other patients whispered in disbelief, “Wasn’t he supposed to die? How is he already up and walking?” A doctoral research team from the university even followed up on my case for over two years. Despite their expertise, they were unable to explain my recovery using medical science. They simply called it a medical miracle.
A Life of Gratitude and Devotion
I have faced death twice—and both times, I was saved by the compassion and dharma power of my beloved Buddha Master, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. His Holiness is not only the incarnation of an ancient Buddha, but truly a Great Medicine King who heals the body, mind, and soul.
As a humble and shame-filled practitioner who cannot even overcome my own karma, I make this vow before the world: I will forever follow my Buddha Master and cultivate the authentic and correct Buddha-dharma He teaches. I will strive to attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death, enlighten myself and others, and do my part to save sentient beings.
The two experiences I’ve shared are entirely true. If I have fabricated even one word, may I descend into Vajra Hell. If what I’ve said is genuine, may all the merit be dedicated to my most honored Buddha Master, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. May His Holiness continue to turn the dharma wheel, remain in this world for countless kalpas, and bring salvation to innumerable living beings.
With deepest gratitude, Buddhist disciple Yihui Hengxing April 28, 2006
When you grow up in a house where voices are always raised and love comes with conditions, where apologies never come and mistakes are blamed on you, it’s hard to understand what gentleness even means. I didn’t grow up with soft words or warm hugs. No one told me it was okay to make mistakes, or that I was still loved even when I failed. What I learned was to keep quiet, to survive, to toughen up.
I protected myself by building walls, not by opening up. I kept my emotions inside because showing them only led to being hurt or ignored. I became harsh with myself because that’s how others treated me. I thought strength meant being cold. I thought love had to hurt. I thought being kind to myself was weakness.
But somewhere inside, a quiet voice kept whispering “maybe there’s another way.”
It took years of breaking down and rebuilding myself. It took crying in silence and slowly learning how to listen to what my heart really needed. It meant letting go of old beliefs, painful habits, and the voices in my head telling me I wasn’t good enough.
I had to teach myself how to speak gently not just to others, but to myself.
I had to unlearn the idea that I deserved pain. I had to remind myself, again and again, that softness isn’t weakness. That it’s okay to be tender with a heart that’s been hurt too many times.
Gentleness became a daily choice—on angry days, broken days, on the days when the world told me to toughen up and stop caring.
I’ve learned that gentleness isn’t about pretending things don’t hurt. It’s about holding pain with care. It’s about choosing peace when your past only taught you chaos. It’s showing up with kindness, even when life hasn’t been kind to you.
Now I am gentle but it took everything — every scar, every sleepless night, every painful memory, every lonely moment. I lost myself. Then I found myself again.
So when others call me calm, kind, or soft, they don’t see the storms I survived. They don’t hear the silent nights or feel the weight I carried.
And that’s okay. I didn’t become gentle for others to understand me. I did it so I could breathe. So I could find peace. So I could love others the way I wish someone had loved me. Most of all, so I could finally love myself.
Nestled in the heart of Xinjiang, the Turpan Basin holds several extraordinary records: it’s the lowest geographical point in China, and during summer, it’s the hottest place in the country. With scorching sunlight, relentless winds, and almost no rainfall, Turpan earns its title as the “Land of Fire.”
In the peak of summer, the surface temperature in the surrounding Gobi Desert can soar to 82.3°C (180.1°F), while the air temperature often exceeds 49°C (120°F). Rain is almost nonexistent—Turpan receives an average of just 16.4 mm of rainfall annually, and in some years, as little as 4.3 mm. Yet, amidst this harsh, parched environment, an ancient miracle has quietly sustained life for over two thousand years: the Karez irrigation system.
A Miracle Beneath the Earth
While nature was unforgiving above ground, it hid a gift below. Meltwater from the distant Tianshan Mountains seeps underground through coarse gravel and sand, eventually blocked by the Flaming Mountains and surfacing as springs. Ingenious local people found a way to capture and guide this underground treasure—thus, the Karez was born.
The Karez system channels water from mountain sources through a network of underground tunnels and vertical shafts, delivering it to the arid land without evaporation loss. Remarkably, this ancient system operates entirely without pumps, relying solely on gravity and terrain.
A complete Karez includes:
Vertical shafts for ventilation and maintenance
Underground tunnels to carry water
Open canals to distribute it
Storage ponds to hold it
Across Turpan’s landscape, you can still see long rows of small mounds—each one marking a shaft, a glimpse into the remarkable infrastructure below.
A Testament to Ingenuity and Endurance
The origins of the Karez can be traced back to the Han Dynasty, over 2,000 years ago. Most of the surviving systems were built during the Qing Dynasty, including during historical moments like Lin Zexu’s fourth inspection of Turpan, when over 300 new Karez channels were added, and Zuo Zongtang’s campaigns, which saw nearly 200 more constructed.
At its peak in the 1950s, there were about 1,700 Karez systems in Turpan, stretching over 3,000 kilometers. Today, about 725 remain, a number slowly dwindling due to modernization, drought, and human impact.
The construction of each Karez was no small feat. Generations of laborers worked in dark, narrow tunnels, often barefoot in icy water, chiseling stone with simple tools and oil lamps. They carried earth and rock out by hand, surviving on dry flatbread and enduring brutal conditions.
A Culture of Water, Wisdom, and Survival
More than just a hydraulic system, the Karez represents a culture—a story of human resilience, harmony with nature, and intergenerational wisdom. In this water-scarce land, the Karez has nurtured lush vineyards, fertile fields, and diverse communities, offering life where none should thrive.
Today, many of these systems are dry or abandoned, relics of a past shaped by necessity and brilliance. But for those who walk among them, they are still very much alive—whispers from the earth, reminding us of what is possible when people respect and work with nature.
If you ever find yourself in Turpan, do not miss the chance to explore the Karez wells. They are more than ancient engineering marvels—they are monuments of perseverance, and living echoes of a civilization that made the desert bloom.
During the Great Depression, a wealthy baker summoned the twenty poorest children in town and said to them, “Until God brings better times, you may each come here every day and take a loaf of bread.”
Every morning, these hungry children would rush forward, crowding around the basket of bread, pushing and shouting, each one trying to grab the biggest loaf. After snatching their bread, they would dash off without even a word of thanks to the kind-hearted baker.
But there was one girl, a poorly dressed little girl named Gretchen, who stood out from the rest. She never pushed or shouted, nor did she fight for the largest loaf. Instead, she quietly waited at the side until all the other children had taken theirs. Then she would humbly pick up the smallest loaf left in the basket. Without fail, she would gently kiss the baker’s hand in gratitude before happily heading home with her bread.
One day, after the others had left, shy little Gretchen received a loaf even smaller than usual. Still, she kissed the baker’s hand and thanked him sincerely as always. When she returned home, her mother cut the bread open—and to their amazement, found several shiny silver coins hidden inside.
Her mother gasped, “Gretchen! Take the money back immediately. The baker must have accidentally dropped it into the dough while kneading. Hurry, return it and give it back to that kind man yourself!”
When Gretchen returned the coins, the baker gently told her, “No, my child, this was no mistake. I placed the coins there on purpose. I wanted to teach you something: Those who are humble and considerate will be blessed by God. May you always keep a peaceful and grateful heart. Go home and tell your mother—this is God’s reward.”
A heart of humility is like the sky above, the sea upon the earth, and the valleys between the mountains— Humble people are vast because they are tolerant, and powerful because they are generous.
Those who are eager to fight will find Heaven itself contending against them. But those who yield and show humility will find that Heaven yields to them.
I’ve always enjoyed exploring new recipes, especially when they’re healthy, simple to prepare, and vegetarian. There’s something deeply satisfying about discovering fresh flavors that not only nourish the body but also bring joy to my family and friends.
Recently, I came across a collection of easy and wholesome recipes on Zhaxi Zhuoma’s website. These dishes are perfect for early summer—light, refreshing, and full of natural goodness. I’m excited to share a few of my favorites with you here. I hope they inspire you to enjoy healthy cooking as much as I do!
Tofu with Gochujang Sauce
I fell in love with gochujang and when I bought my first tub from Amazon, I tried it on everything—ok, I didn’t put it on ice cream, but I considered it. It is complex and good enough to just use by itself with a little oil or butter, maybe cut with miso or doenjang (Korean soybean paste) if it is too spicy. Different varieties vary in sweetness and heat, so go easy with it until you get the Goldilock spot for you. I use gochujang paste which keeps forever and is more concentrated. Sometimes it is sold as a sauce and comes with other ingredients like vinegar and sugar added. It is cheaper and can be used, but adjust the other ingredients you add accordingly.
The following is a wish list—use what you have on hand. I rarely have all the ingredients when I feel an urge for Korean flavors. You can use the sauce alone, too—without the tofu or with beans, chicken breasts, shrimp, hamburger, etc. There are some other options to consider.
GOCHUJANG SAUCE
1/4 cup soy sauce
1-2 tbsp gochujang (may be part Korean doenjang or Japanese miso)
1 tsp-2 tbsp maple syrup, brown sugar, honey, monk’s fruit, molasses
1 tbsp avocado or olive oil
1/2 tsp sesame oil
1 clove of garlic, minced or grated
1 inch ginger, minced or chopped
Lime juice & zest or rice vinegar to taste
1/2 tsp black pepper
Toasted sesame seeds sprinkled in
1-2 scallion chopped, white parts may be sauteed first
TOFU
1 tub firm tofu
Neutral oil for sauteing
TOPPINGS: Green scallions, Sesame seeds, Diced seeded tomatoes, Diced bell peppers, Diced Chili peppers, raw or canned or pickled, Grated cheese, Greek yogurt-whole milk best, Sour cream, Diced Avocados, Fresh raw corn cut off cob, Shredded crisp lettuce or other greens, Finely chopped parsley or cilantro leaves, Finely chopped nuts-walnuts, peanuts, cashews, Fried or poached egg, Baby Shrimp (non-vegetarian), Red onion pickle, etc.
SAUCE OPTIONS: If you can’t find gochujang, ketchup or tomato paste and chili powder is an option, but no substitute; Coconut milk; Fish sauce (non-vegetarian); Anchovies (non-vegetarian); Kimchi (often non-vegetarian); Grated apple or pear for sweetener; Chickpeas or beans.
Directions:
If you want to use grated cheese as a topping, and I do recommend it, try grating it from a brick and avoid the prepackaged grated cheese. I finally understood why—too often the commercial gratings are dusted with something to preserve shelf-life and they do not melt correctly.
TOFU-CRUMBLED or CUBED: If you use crumbled tofu, it is best to leave in tub in freezer overnight or longer. The ice crystals that form when frozen -thaw- and extract the water from within the tofu. You can squeeze the tofu like a sponge and it will expel the majority of the water. It then is very able to absorb whatever sauce you put on it. If you don’t have time to freeze and thaw it, you can still dry or press tofu to remove as much water as possible, then crumble unfrozen tofu with a fork or cut into bite-size cubes. Either way saute tofu until crispy in neutral oil and add sauce.
TOFU-AIRFRY: You may also cut tofu into slabs pressing out as much water as possible and then either just rub or spray slab with oil or first dip in starch/flour or Panko crumbs or egg or combination of these and then airfry at 400F for about 10 minutes on both sides or until golden.
Serve tofu with Gochujang Sauce on rice, noodles, polenta, or pasta with your choice of topping(s) or wrap a piece of tofu in lettuce leaves with topping(s) and eat like tiny tamales with your favorite dipping sauce.
Eggs Florentine-Air Fryer or Oven
Eggs and spinach are always good together. This is just a contemporary version of a classic. I’m using my air fryer again as I am cooking in my cave instead of the temple kitchen. I do that when someone is doing a Solitary Retreat and needs the kitchen. I try to not have any contact with anyone on such a retreat, but I do sometimes forget, especially when the person doing the retreat is so quiet that I even forget they are also living here. Last week I heard someone shaking the screen door leading to the kitchen and I was sure it was our very pregnant Lucy Lentil trying to find a nest inside and I yelled. She had already ripped the screen and managed to get in before. I had forgotten to close the back door when I went to water the herbs and veggies. It was not Momma Lucy, but a very startled and thoughtful person trying her best to observe silence. Embarassed? Yes,very. Sorry.
Ingredients:
3 Cups Fresh or frozen spinach, thawed and drained,
1/4 Kosher salt,
1/2 Cup Ricotta cheese,
2 Tbsp Heavy cream or coconut cream,
2 Garlic cloves, minced (optional),
1/8 tsp Black pepper,
2 tsp Unsalted butter, melted,
3 Tbsp Grated parmesan cheese,
1/2 Cup Panko gluten-free crumbs,
4 Large eggs.
Directions:
Mix spinach, ricotta, cream, garlic (if used), salt & pepper. Also mix butter, cheese, and panko. Set aside. Scoop spinach mixture into individual serving circles on oiled air fryer basket or sheet pan. Set air fryer to AIR ROAST, set temperature to 375F degrees, and set time to 15 minutes select START/PAUSE to begin preheating. When preheated, slide basket or sheet pan into oven. After 8 minutes, press PAUSE and remove the pan. Make an indentation in each spinach serving, crack an egg into the indentation and sprinkle with panko mixture over the surface of the egg.
Return the pan to oven and push START to resume cooking. After 5 minutes, check eggs. Cook longer, if needed.
CONVENTIONAL OVEN: Set temperature at 400F degrees. May need to be cooked a few minutes more at each stage.
Chocolate Waffles
Ingredients
4 Eggs, whisked
1/3 Cup canned coconut milk
2 Tbsp maple syrup or raw honey (some kind of sweetener)
1 1/2 Cups almond meal/flour
2 Tbsp heaping unsweetened cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 Cup dark chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla extract
Sprinkle of cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Toppings
Apple sauce, unsweetened creamy almond butter, Greek Yogurt coconut butter warmed to liquid state raw pecans chopped dark chocolate chopped blueberries
Directions:
Plug in waffle iron. Whisk eggs in a medium-large sized bowl. Add coconut milk and sweetener and whisk together with eggs. Next add almond flour and mix more! Then add cocoa powder, baking soda and mix together.
Lastly, add in your chocolate chips, vanilla, salt and cinnamon. Mix together thoroughly. Pour into waffle iron and cook until cooked through, about 4-5 minutes, until cooked through and crisped up.
4 Servings. I really liked them with the apple sauce toppings and Greek yogurt, but the more traditional maple syrup and butter are great, too. Enjoy!
Dharma Master Yongding was a direct disciple of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, personally taught by His Holiness. A monk of true cultivation and realization, Dharma Master Yongding lived a life of noble deeds and profound spiritual accomplishments. He embodied the virtues of the ancient enlightened monks—pure in conduct, boundless in compassion, and unwavering in his commitment to benefiting all sentient beings.
Before becoming a monk, Dharma Master Yongding was known as Li Xiangchen, a kind-hearted and widely respected man from Dayi County in Sichuan Province. His compassion and moral character were already legendary even in his youth.
During a catastrophic drought, in Li Xiangchen‘s hometown, one the region hadn’t seen in a hundred years—Buddhist and Daoist masters prayed for rain for months, but to no avail. Not a single drop of water could be found.
Then, one night, two villagers had the same dream. A divine being told them that only with the signature of a man named Li Xiangchen could rain be summoned. The two searched everywhere and eventually found him. After they delivered his signed name to the altar and burned the paper, a torrential rain fell instantly, ending the long drought. The event left villagers in awe and firmly established Li Xiangchen’s reputation as a man of virtue and divine affinity.
During China’s devastating three-year famine in the 1960s, emergency food rations were being distributed. When officials asked Li how much his household needed, he replied that his family still had food and didn’t need any. His wife, stunned by this answer, brought the official to their home. There, they found only two catties (a little over two pounds) of rice left.
When asked why he had lied, Li quietly responded,
“So many people are starving. I just can’t bring myself to eat while others go hungry. I only feel at peace if everyone can survive this together.” His selflessness deeply moved everyone who heard his words.
In another act of compassion, while working at the Jin Dongzi Reservoir where laborers received rice rations, Li Xiangchen gave all his rice to his struggling friend Pei Yinchang, who was raising two young children. When Pei noticed that Li was growing increasingly frail, he begged him to keep some rice for himself. Li refused.
Pei later visited the reservoir to learn how Li was surviving. The workers there told him, “Mr. Li survives by digging wild roots and vegetables to make porridge. No one knows what happened to his rice.” Pei was stunned and moved to tears.
Later on, Li Xiangchen began studying Buddhism under a master. He observed the precepts with great discipline and practiced with a heart of sincerity and humility. His compassion became so palpable that even animals responded to it.
One day, while walking down a mountain, a vicious dog leapt at him. Calmly, he said:“Go ahead and bite me. This is a matter of karmic cause and effect.” As the dog neared, just two or three feet away, it suddenly stopped, yelped, tucked its tail, and ran away.
After becoming a Buddhist, Li Xiangchen adopted a vegetarian lifestyle. On one occasion, his master encouraged him to eat a little meat because he appeared thin and weak. But Li simply smiled and ate only plain rice.
When asked later why he didn’t follow his master’s advice, he replied:
“Please tell my master: First, I deeply respect Him, but I carry heavy karmic debts and dare not eat meat. Second, if gaining the Dharma and achieving liberation requires me to disregard the lives of sentient beings, then I would rather not attain liberation—I’d rather fall into hell. Third, I cannot harm others just to benefit myself. If I did, I would no longer be a true practitioner.”
His integrity and compassion deeply touched his master, who later transmitted to him the sacred practice of the Four-Armed Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig). Through dedicated practice, he reached a level of spiritual realization said to rival the great Milarepa himself.
In 1990, when his karmic conditions ripened, Li Xiangchen became a disciple of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III. His Holiness personally expounded to him the profound meaning of Prajna (transcendent wisdom). As a result, he awakened great wisdom and thoroughly realized the state of Prajna.
His attainments became unfathomably profound. He could connect with Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and had deep spiritual communion with heavenly realms.
When the Dayi County government began construction of the Master Yi Yungao (H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III) Museum in 1994, Dharma Master Yongding consulted with the Heavenly Emperor about the upcoming three months of weather. Every day, he wrote forecasts in the worksite dining hall—and for three full months, not a single forecast was wrong.
On another occasion, with a mere wave of his hand, he split a tree trunk a kilometer away. The tree was so thick it would take two people to encircle it. Witnesses were astounded.
Dharma Master Yongding lived by the principle that the Dharma must be obtained through a pure and selfless heart, without the slightest trace of falsehood. He placed the interests of all living beings before his own and upheld the precepts with unwavering resolve.
He was a true practitioner of great compassion, an exemplar of moral discipline, and a living model for all Buddhist disciples. His life reminds us that genuine realization comes not from words, but from the way we live, love, and serve others.
Namo Yuhua Shouzhi Wang Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva!
Namo all Buddhas in the ten directions, Vajra Beings, Bodhisattvas, Sky-goers, and Dharma Protectors!
Buddhist disciples from all over the world have once again gathered here. We give thanks and pay respects to Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III. We learn the “Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III Complete Sutra Collection,” which is the Dharma treasure that Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III bestowed upon humanity. We commemorate the Holy Birthday of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III annually.
During this Dharma ending age, in which true Dharma diminishes, and evil forces prevail, it has been our tremendous good fortune to encounter the magnificent Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III, and learn the true Buddha Dharma that enable us to attain liberation from cyclical birth and death. Whatever questions arise in the course of learning from Buddha and practicing cultivation, we can find all the answers elucidated in the Dharmas expounded by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III. These Dharmas are available in audio recordings and in published books. As a living being with utmost humility, I will share some of my experiences for everyone’s reference.
First: As Buddhist disciples, our goal is not to seek worldly fame or fortune. Our fundamental goal is to attain liberation! At any time and place, we must remember this goal and resolutely not deviate from it.
The Buddha taught us repeatedly that in order to attain liberation, we must start by cultivating our conduct. Practicing cultivation includes strictly abiding by the precepts and maintaining correct knowledge and views. Precepts are stipulated by the Buddhas. Correct knowledge and views can only come from the Buddhas: In the present era, you can only find them in the audio recordings of the Dharmas expounded by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III. These Dharmas have been and will continue to be published in the “Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III Complete Sutra Collection.”
To attain liberation, we must also practice Dharma. Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III transmitted many Dharmas to us. These Dharma treasures are rafts that enable us to attain liberation. We must practice Dharma persistently and effortfully.
Second: As Buddhist disciples, our goal is to become arhats, Bodhisattvas, and eventually attain Buddhahood. Therefore, now that we are in our cultivation stage, we must be “sincere and truthful to Buddha, pious to Buddha Dharma, compassionate to living beings, and honest with ourselves.” It is by being sincere and truthful to Buddha that we can receive teachings. It is by being pious to Buddha Dharma that we can practice persistently and effortfully. It is by being compassionate to living beings that we can help them rather than hurt them. It is by being honest with ourselves that we can truly practice cultivation and accumulate merit.
Third: As Buddhist disciples, we must clearly understand and believe in causality. The Buddha’s descent into this world, and the Buddha’s entering Parinirvana were due to the shared karma and causality of all living beings. The arrival of the Dharma ending age was due to the shared karma and causality of all living beings. Yet our own causality is enabling us to learn from Buddha and practice cultivation to attain accomplishment and liberation!
As long as we respectfully listen to audio recordings of the Dharmas expounded by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III; sincerely study the “Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III Complete Sutra Collection”; reflect upon our own conduct at all times; repent of our own sins; strictly abide by the precepts; matter-of-factly practice cultivation; diligently practice Dharma; propagate the Sutras of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III; uphold and protect the teachings of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III and Namo Shakyamuni Buddha; do all kinds of good deeds; and not do any bad deeds, then we will definitely attain liberation!
Not only are we going to attain liberation, but we must also propagate the magnificent true Buddha Dharma, so that more people may encounter and learn the Dharma expounded by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III, and from which they can achieve perfect good fortune and wisdom, and attain liberation from cyclical birth and death!
Wishing that all congregants here today and all living beings fulfill their beneficent wishes, have good fortune and wisdom, and attain great liberation and accomplishment! Wishing that all countries be strong and prosperous, and all living beings safe and happy! May peace be on earth and may auspiciousness be with all living beings!
Once again, let us pay obeisance!
Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III!
Namo Shakyamuni Buddha!
Namo Yuhua Shouzhi Wang Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva! Namo all Buddhas in the ten directions, Vajra Beings, Bodhisattvas, Sky-goers, and Dharma Protectors!
Peace LiLy 