Xiaoxitian, originally known as Qianfo’an (The Hermitage of a Thousand Buddhas), was founded in the second year of the Chongzhen reign of the Ming Dynasty (1629). It stands atop Phoenix Mountain, about one kilometer west of Xixian County in Linfen, Shanxi Province.
Built entirely in harmony with the mountain, the temple unfolds in layers, as if it had grown naturally from the slope itself. Stone steps lead visitors upward, passing through courtyards divided by arched cave-like gateways. The upper, middle, and front courtyards are connected yet distinct, creating a spatial rhythm that is winding, intimate, and quietly profound. As one walks through the complex, footsteps instinctively slow, and time itself seems to soften.
The architecture of Xiaoxitian is restrained rather than ostentatious, yet its mastery reveals itself everywhere. Painted beams are elegant and dignified, and many of the halls are ingeniously built as two-story structures, creating a rich sense of vertical space within the limited mountain terrain. The bell and drum towers stand in stillness, inviting the imagination to wander back to an age when morning bells and evening drums echoed through the valley.
Stepping into the Mahavira Hall is a moment of sudden awe. Nearly the entire interior is filled with suspended polychrome sculptures—more than 1,900 figures, layered from floor to ceiling. From towering Buddhas over three meters high to figures no larger than a thumb, the sculptures are densely arranged yet never chaotic, solemn yet vibrantly alive. In that instant, one understands why Xiaoxitian is revered as the “Museum of Chinese Hanging Sculpture Art.”
Unlike many Buddhist temples that draw attention primarily to their principal Buddhas, the Mahavira Hall at Xiaoxitian is celebrated for the immersive world it creates as a whole. At its core stand the Medicine Buddha, Amitabha, Shakyamuni, Vairocana, and Maitreya, but surrounding them unfolds an entire celestial realm: the Ten Great Disciples, six young novices, the Ten Wisdom Kings, the Six Desire Heavens, and countless heavenly musicians dancing through the air.
Most unforgettable are the celestial musicians suspended within the tiered “sky pavilions” above the altars. Their figures are light and graceful, sleeves flowing as if caught in an eternal breeze, frozen in a moment of unending heavenly music. Some play the pipa, others hold flutes, while some seem to dance midair. One pipa-playing figure, leaning slightly forward with fingers poised on the strings, radiates such focus and elegance that one can almost hear the melody drifting across centuries.
Looking up toward the roof, the tri-colored glazed chiwen ornaments—yellow, green, and blue—gleam softly in the light. Their refined brilliance reflects the unmistakable aesthetic of the Ming Dynasty. Here, architecture, sculpture, and color merge seamlessly, and one forgets that this is a mountain temple at all. It feels instead like stepping into a floating Buddha realm, suspended between earth and sky.
That these sculptures have survived nearly four hundred years in such vivid detail inspires deep reverence. They represent not only the pinnacle of craftsmanship, but also a profound devotion—to faith, to beauty, and to a harmonious vision of the cosmos.
Perhaps what truly moves the heart at Xiaoxitian is not only the astonishing number of its hanging sculptures or the rare Ming Yongle Northern Buddhist Canon once preserved here, but something more enduring: a spiritual presence that has remained vibrant across centuries. It quietly reminds us that beyond the noise of the modern world, there still exists a place of serenity and dignity—carefully upheld by time itself.
A Buddha Truly Recognized as Such in Accordance with the Dharma
The people on both sides of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III on this page are the highest present-day dharma kings and regent dharma kings from various Buddhist sects or are famous rinpoches. It is they who wrote recognitions, corroborations, or congratulations to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.
H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is the first Buddha on earth to have received such a large number of recognitions, corroborations, and congratulations and to have been recognized as having the highest status! No other Rinpoche on earth has ever received even one third of the number of recognitions, corroborations, and congratulations from great dharma kings, regent dharma kings, etc. that H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has received. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has singlehandedly manifested accomplishments in thirty large categories involving all of the Five Vidyas, thereby establishing the highest record of accomplishment in the history of Buddhism in this world.
Certain evil people have slandered H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III as having conferred upon Himself the status of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, and they have thereby guided Buddhist practitioners toward evil. In order to protect the wisdom roots of living beings, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III makes the following vow of truth: “If those recognitions, corroborations, and congratulations that follow did not come from the dharma kings, regent dharma kings, and rinpoches whose photographs appear on this page of from their temples and/ or are not copies of the original texts but rather are my fabrications with forged signatures – if even one such case exists – then i should descend into hell without the possibility of ever leaving hell. If those recognitions, corroborations, and congratulations were written or typed by them as well as signed and/ or stamped by them, the merit of this truth will bring to everyone wonderful blessings and wisdom! Vow Maker- Dorje Chang Buddha III“
FATHER OF MEDICINE, FERRYBOATS, BRIDGES, AND OPERAS IN TIBET IN A PREVIOUS LIFE: H.E. DHARMA KING TANGTONG GYALPO
H.E. Tangtong Gyalpo is a greatly accomplished person within Tibetan esoteric Buddhism who attained the rainbow body. In a prior life in Tibet, he was the supreme dharma king of the four main sects esoteric Buddhism. He is a great Bodhisattva known and respected by one and all in Tibet. He is also a person of great holiness who has made huge contributions to the Tibetan people. It was this great Bodhisattva who was the father of medicine, ferryboats, bridges, and operas in Tibet. To this day, Tibetan temples and families continue to worship H.E. Tangtong Gyalpo Bodhisattva.
H.E. the 16th Tangtong Gyalpo Bodhisattva (Thangtrul Rinpoche) took birth in Bhutan. His physical appearance resembles that of Guru Padmasambhava. Even when he sleeps, his eyes remain open. During a Dharma Assembly that took place in 2005 at Hua Zang Si in San Francisco, he entered a supernatural state of samadhi in which he saw H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha. H.E. Tangtong Gyalpo said to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III that he had received teachings directly from Guru Padmasambhava. He also said that he specially came to formally acknowledge H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III as his Master and to request the highest dharma in order to save living beings. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III immediately accepted H.E. Tangtong Gyalpo as one of his disciples who is on the level of a great venerable one and performed an initiation for him. H.E. Tangtong Gyalpo organized many rinpoches to practice the Kuan Yin Dharma one billion times as an offering to the treasure book about H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. He also sent his written congratulations stating that the magnificence of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is supreme and that no other holy being in history can compare with this master of the Buddhas.
H.E. Dharma King Tangtong Gyalpo, the Father of Medicine, Ferryboats, Bridges, and Operas in Tibet in a previous life, acknowledged H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III (H.H. Dharma King Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu) as his Master, who is unanimously recognized by great holy beings as the true incarnation of Dorje Chang Buddha, the Master of the Five Buddhas, having manifested complete mastery of exoteric and esoteric Buddhism and the Five Vidyas.
During a Dharma Assembly held by the International Buddhism Sangha Association at the Hua Zang Si temple in San Francisco, I saw the awe-inspiring and peerless powers and realization of the Master. Bodhi nectar went through the walls of the bowl unhindered as it left and entered the bowl. That nectar can make a person’s body change involuntarily in an instant. H.H. Dharma King Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu bestowed upon me that holy bowl. H.H. Dharma King Sakya Trizin; Dharma King Omniscience Jamyang Lungdok Gyaltsen; Lama palchug Ugyen Sherab; Dharma King Renzeng Nima; the Eastern Tibetan Dharma King of the Nyingma sect, Renqing Rongbo Barongbo Rinpoche; the Green Jewel Crown karmapa, Dharma King Jiezong; and other great, holy and virtuous beings who are on the levels of Buddhas and Mahasattvas unanimously acknowledge that H.H. Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu is the true incarnation of Dorje Chang Buddha, the Master of the Five Buddhas, and has for the first time in the history of Buddhism in the human realm truly manifested complete proficiency in exoteric and esoteric Buddhism and perfect mastery of the Five Vidyas. This is a goal of Buddhism that all other Buddhists have not been able to achieve. This goal has finally been achieved by H.H. Master Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu. This is an honor to Buddhism and a blessing to living beings.
May the seven types of Buddhist disciples hear the true dharma taught by H.H. Great Dharma King Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu, and may they soon realize enlightenment!
She was eight years old when her father gambled her away in a card game. Her older sister had three hours to win her back before the debt collector came.
Deadwood, Dakota Territory. 1877. A place where law came slow, danger came fast, and survival belonged to the ruthless.
Thomas Garrett had lost everything—his mining stake, his wages, his self-respect—and now, in a drunken haze at the Gem Saloon, he’d lost something far worse:
his daughter.
The man who won her was Bullock— not the sheriff, but a labor trafficker who “supplied” children to mining camps. Kids as young as six spent twelve-hour days sorting ore until their lungs failed or their fingers gave out. Most didn’t live past fourteen.
Thomas signed the paper without hesitation. Bullock would collect little Emma at noon.
When fifteen-year-old Sarah came home from the laundry and learned what her father had done, she didn’t cry. Didn’t scream. Didn’t fall apart.
She simply asked, “When?”
“Tomorrow. Noon.”
Three hours until dawn. Three hours to save her sister.
And Sarah had something her father never had:
clarity.
She knew Bullock.
Everyone did. A cruel man who hid behind paperwork and respectability.
He’d made her father sign a contract— which meant it could be challenged.
And Deadwood had something else:
A new federal judge who’d publicly declared that parents could not use their children to pay debts.
Sarah didn’t sleep. She didn’t blink.
At dawn she was already standing in the courthouse, breathless, determined.
The clerk tried to dismiss her— fifteen-year-old girls didn’t talk law.
But Sarah did.
Because before drink ruined him, her father had been a clerk… and she’d read every law book he left lying around.
She laid out the case with the precision of a trained lawyer:
The contract violated territorial labor laws.
It constituted debt bondage of a minor.
Thomas Garrett was legally incapacitated due to intoxication.
The clerk stared. Then nodded.
He woke the judge.
Judge Isaac Parker—who would one day be known as the “Hanging Judge”—read the contract, listened to Sarah, and did something extraordinary:
He issued an emergency injunction, blocking the transfer and summoning both Bullock and Thomas Garrett to court that afternoon.
When Bullock arrived at the Garrett cabin at noon, two men at his back, he found Sarah waiting on the porch.
Not shaking.
Not pleading.
Holding a federal court order in her hand.
Bullock turned red with fury but wasn’t stupid enough to defy a judge.
At the hearing, Judge Parker didn’t hesitate.
He voided the contract. Declared it an illegal attempt to traffic a minor. Warned Bullock that any further attempt to collect “payment” would end with him in chains.
Then he turned to Thomas Garrett.
A father who gambled his children away forfeits the right to be a father.
Parker stripped him of parental rights and— in a move that shocked the entire Dakota Territory— appointed fifteen-year-old Sarah as her sister’s legal guardian.
But victory didn’t fill their stomachs.
Sarah now had an eight-year-old to raise, no money, no home, and only her laundry work to survive.
What she did next became legend.
She went to five different businesswomen in Deadwood— laundry owners, seamstresses, boarding house keepers— and proposed a deal:
“I’ll work for reduced wages. You house and feed my sister and me. I’ll take the hardest jobs and the longest hours.”
Four said no.
The fifth— a widow named Martha Bullock (no relation to the trafficker)— said yes.
For the next three years, Sarah worked sixteen-hour days. Emma went to school— Sarah insisted on it.
She saved every coin.
By 1880, she’d saved enough to lease a small building and open her own laundry.
By 1882, she owned it.
She employed six women. Paid fair wages. Offered housing to those in need.
Emma, thirteen, kept the books.
When Emma turned eighteen, Sarah paid— entirely from her business profits— for her to attend normal school and become a teacher.
Emma later became a school principal and one of the fiercest advocates for child labor reform in the state.
Sarah never married.
“I raised one child already,” she’d say with a half-smile. “Did a better job than most with half the resources.”
She ran her business until 1910, providing work for over a hundred women across three decades.
Emma retired as the first female superintendent in her county.
When Sarah died in 1923, her obituary mentioned her “successful business career.”
Emma told the real story:
A fifteen-year-old girl who had three hours, a law book, and the unwavering conviction that her sister’s life was not for sale.
Judge Parker later said:
“Justice isn’t only about punishing the guilty. Sometimes it’s about recognizing competence where no one else looks for it.”
The line between tragedy and triumph is thin. Sometimes it’s nothing more than a teenage girl who refuses to accept that her sister can be traded like poker chips—
and who’s smart enough to find the one legal lever that can stop it.
Sarah Garrett didn’t have money. Didn’t have weapons. Didn’t have allies.
She had time running out. A mind trained by desperation. And love hard enough to fight the world.
The moment I heard that I would be going with Venerable Dharma Teacher Long Hui to Los Angeles, unspeakable joy arose in my heart. On the way to Los Angeles, a rainbow suddenly emerged from the drizzling sky, emitting beautiful lights of various colors. A white celestial crane seen in the distance flew near and landed at the side of the freeway gazing at us, as if paying us respect. All of these signs expressed auspicious blessings. I strongly sensed that what I had wished for so long was about to come true.
A notice arrived in the afternoon of December 28th. From Venerable Dharma Teacher Long Hui’s somewhat tense facial expression, I could tell this must be the time for me to pay my respects and visit the Buddha Master. Just as expected, when we stepped into the mandala, I saw H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu Holiest Tathagata sitting upright on the dharma platform. His Holiness appeared so dignified and had an expression of loving-kindness. As I sincerely prostrated myself to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, all I heard was the cordial voice of His Holiness telling everyone to come sit toward the front. I sat beside Venerable Dharma Teacher Long Hui. Dharma Teacher Jue Hui and Dharma Teacher Ruo Hui also sat with us.
Venerable Dharma Teacher Long Hui reported to the Buddha Master regarding the Buddhist chanting work that had taken place at Hua Zang Si over the past two months. Next, the Buddha Master called my name: “Fa Hai, proceed with what you want to say.” Without knowing why, my mind went totally blank. I felt that my entire body was soaking in a kind of freshness. I remained kneeling with a very straight back, as if I had entered a state of meditation. At this time, I only heard the Buddha Master say, “It is all right. Just speak directly!” Yet, I still could not speak and was silent for another eight or nine minutes. I could sense that the Buddha Master was patiently waiting. Finally, a sound floated out of my mouth: “My karmic affinity with the Buddha Master should have begun ten years ago. Because I could not come to America, I was not able to visit His Holiness. I finally got a visa last year. Only this year did I have the opportunity to visit Hua Zang Si, where I respectfully listened to recorded dharma teachings of the Buddha Master. For more than one straight month, I have listened to the recorded dharma discourses without the slightest sense of tiredness.
This has been the most beneficial and rewarding time of my entire life. The beneficial effects I have experienced can never be expressed in words. I bring my body, speech, and mind to respectfully visit the Buddha Master at this time. Today, I would like to specially request a great dharma from H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. I would not hesitate to leap into boiling water or walk on fire in order to obtain this great dharma. I am willing to undergo any test in order to obtain such dharma. I am even willing to sacrifice my own life. It might sound like I am exaggerating, but I truly can do such things.”
Perhaps because I was too nervous or focused, I unexpectedly was not able to express exactly what I meant to say. However, I silently told myself that the Buddha Master definitely understands what I am trying to express and what dharma I am requesting. I still remember that I fasted for a full 21 days in the Philippines in order to obtain this great dharma. This is because I am very aware that in this world only H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III can accomplish this task and announce to the world this great dharma in order to demonstrate the brightness of Buddha and enable the correct dharma to exist in this world forever.
At first, the Buddha Master did not answer my request directly but gave us a profound and important discourse. Only afterward did I realize that this discourse was actually the beginning of His Holiness’s response to my question. His Holiness specifically pointed out the various kinds of confusion and mistakes that have appeared within Buddhism in this current Dharma Ending Age. Some Buddhist sutras contain serious mistakes. What is even more serious is that there are some so-called eminent monks and great virtuous beings who, due to their erroneous understanding and views, seriously misguide others when giving discourses on the dharma. What is even sadder is that believers who do not understand the truth still fanatically follow them and prostrate to them in worship. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III does all He can to correct these heretical ideas and views. However, being limited by the karma of living beings, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III feels that it is very difficult to change the current situation despite His wish to do so. The Buddha Master gave some examples of these heretical ways within both esoteric Buddhism and exoteric Buddhism. These very worrisome examples left me not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
After finishing the discourse, the Buddha Master said to me directly, “Fa Hai, you did not say what great dharma you want to request. Let me say it for you. The dharma you want to request is to film a movie of the Buddha. There really is no one else besides me who can do this because I completely understand the teachings of the Buddha. I can write the script. This movie must be filmed. The only thing is that the karmic conditions this year are not quite mature enough because the script needs to be written and actors need to be found, especially actors who are qualified. As for funding, as long as there is a script, there will be people who will sponsor and invest. Besides, the movie of the Buddha will not be filmed as one undivided whole but will be divided into a series of 100 parts or episodes. Perhaps this is really the right channel. After all, the influence of a book is limited as it reaches fewer people than a movie, which has much more of an international impact. In addition, when we do this, many problems might be solved. We might even be able to build several temples this way!” At this moment, I understood that the discourse just given by H.H. Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu Holiest Tathagata on the current chaotic situation within Buddhism illustrated that it is impossible for anyone else to write in a script the authentic doctrines of the Buddha.
Listening to this point, I was really shocked in my heart. I used to pay respect and visit many eminent monks and great virtuous beings. I requested from them great dharma. None of them knew what this great dharma in my mind was that I wanted to request. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is truly magnificent. I did not reveal in the slightest what great dharma I wanted to request. Nonetheless, what His Holiness stated was the exact great dharma in my mind that I wanted to request.
His Holiness then said, “Fa Hai, when you come back from mainland China, I will transmit to you dharma according to the formal rituals of Tibetan esoteric Buddhism. You still have some negative karma. At that time, I will perform an initiation for you and eliminate your karmic hindrances. You will see.” I was totally engulfed in the joy of the dharma. The Buddha Master further said, “On your way here, the rainbow and the celestial crane you saw augured that your future undertakings will be bright. However, behind the brightness lurks darkness, and there are twists and turns on the path. We will soon face some attacks and slander, although those who commit the slander will all end up losing. When A Treasury of True Buddha-Dharma is published, no force can obstruct or destroy us because what is in that book are facts.” The Buddha Master finished by saying, “The movie of the Buddha definitely has to be filmed. You see, Fa Hai, your wishes have all been fulfilled. How fortunate you are!”
Actually, there are no words that can express my happiness. There are also no words that can express my gratitude toward H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.
I only want to respectfully offer to the Dorje Chang Buddha III my most beautiful spirit, my most beautiful melody, my most beautiful singing voice, and my best wishes. May all those who hear this beautiful melody and singing voice be happy.
I would like to express my special thanks to an anonymous person who ten years ago sent me an express mail package in which a yellow silk scarf was wrapped around the book The Fruits of Pious Devotion and CD’s that had a picture of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III on their covers. It is because of this present that seeds planted ten years ago have borne fruit in the form of my taking refuge in the His Holiness as my Buddha Master and in the form of my witnessing the magnificence of the Buddha-dharma.
Everything I described above is true. I am a Buddhist nun. I accept the karmic responsibility for my words. If what I have stated is false, I will descend into the Vajra Hell. If what I have stated is true, I would like to dedicate the resulting merit to all living beings in the dharma realm so that they will soon realize enlightenment.
Respectfully written by disciple Fa Hai Shi December 30, 2006
The above account was written by Fa Hai Shi. We three humble Buddhist nuns provide the following testimonials.
Encountering an Unusual Occurrence
Basically, whenever people pay their respects and visit H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu Holiest Tathagata, they make good use of their short meeting time by posing prepared questions or by requesting the transmission of dharma. Some groups have really made the best use of their time by requesting answers to problems that have arisen.
From left to right: Ruo Hui Shih, Long Hui Shih, and Jue Hui Shih
However, there was one particular occasion in the afternoon of December 28, 2006 when a dharma teacher from the Philippines, Fa Hai, came to the mandala from thousands of miles away. This was the first time she was granted an audience with H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. When H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III asked her what question she had, I saw that Buddhist nun take a deep breath. She then unexpectedly remained silent as she stared at the Buddha Master with open eyes, sometimes lowering her head. Perhaps all of this was due to nervousness or other factors. At this time, the Buddha Master also did not speak. Seconds and then minutes passed by in silence. Then, that dharma teacher sighed once more and straightened her back, still looking at the Great Dharma King without uttering a sound. Strangely, Dorje Chang Buddha III also remained silent. A moment later, she sighed for the third time but still did not reply to the Buddha Master. The duration of this silence lasted more than eight minutes. This kind of situation had never happened before.
Finally, the dharma teacher spoke. She said she had come with a wish to request a great dharma. If her wish to obtain this great dharma were fulfilled, she said she would dedicate her life to the Buddha-dharma and living beings, even if it meant sacrificing her life. After uttering such words, she again fell into silence without mentioning what dharma she wished to request.
At this time, Dorje Chang Buddha III said, “Do not say anymore. I will give you a discourse.” The Buddha Master pointed out what request was in the mind of this Buddhist nun. That discourse not only enabled us disciples who were there to once again witness the supernatural powers of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, it also enabled us to understand precious dharma principles.
Because I took Dharma Teacher Fa Hai to pay her respects to H.H. Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu Holiest Tathagata, I was there and personally witnessed everything that happened. Everything I described above is true. If what I have stated above contains false words, may I never become accomplished in the dharma. If what I have stated above is true, I dedicate the resulting merit to all living beings so that they may soon hear the correct dharma and soon attain liberation and accomplishment.
Buddhist disciple Long Hui Shih
I was present at the time. I hereby confirm that what is stated above is true. If what is stated above is false, I am willing to descend into hell and experience negative karmic retribution. If everything stated above is true, I dedicate the resulting merit to all living beings so that they may soon hear the correct dharma and soon realize enlightenment.
Buddhist disciple, Jue Hui Shih
Everything stated above is true. If what is stated above contains false words, I will not become accomplished in the dharma and will become impoverished and miserable. If what is stated above is true, I wish to dedicate the resulting merit to all living beings so that they may always see Buddha and attain liberation.
Buddhist disciple, Ruo Hui Shih
(This is a complete translation of the Chinese text that follows originally written and signed by Fa Hai Shih, Long Hui Shih, Jue Hui Shih, and Ruo Hui Shih.)
The Medicine Buddha is a great teacher who purifies all obstacles and brings healing to the world. When the Medicine Buddha was practicing the Bodhisattva path in past lives, he made twelve great vows to relieve the suffering of sentient beings and bring them happiness including curing physical disabilities, relieving poverty, providing material needs, guiding those astray, and liberating prisoners. He is associated with a pure land in the East called Vaiḍūryanirbhāsa, or “Pure Lapis Lazuli”.
On the 29th day of the ninth lunar month, Buddhist disciples worldwide honor the birthday of Bhaisajyaguru Buddha, known as the Medicine Buddha or the Great Medicine King. He is also referred to as the Buddha of Twelve Great Vows, embodying deep compassion and healing. Presiding over the Pure Land of Lapis Lazuli Light in the East, the Medicine Buddha has inspired countless practitioners with his transformative teachings and boundless compassion.
Hua Zang Si, a Buddhist temple in the Mission District of San Francisco, California, held a Namo Medicine Buddha Holy Birthday Dharma Assembly on November 16, 2025. The next scheduled Dharma assembly will be the Namo Amitabha Buddha Dharma Assembly to be held on December 28, 9:30 am.
In recent years, I’ve often found myself reflecting on the pace of our modern world. Everywhere we look, technology advances with breathtaking speed—AI systems that learn in seconds, devices that connect continents instantly, and scientific breakthroughs that would have been unimaginable a generation ago.
And yet, despite all this progress, people still feel anxious, divided, and spiritually adrift. It was during one of these reflections that I came across a profound message from French philosopher Henri Bergson, winner of the 1927 Nobel Prize in Literature. His words, spoken nearly a century ago, resonated deeply with me:
“An increase in the material means at the disposal of humanity may even present dangers unless it is accompanied by a corresponding spiritual effort.”
This single sentence contains a timeless truth.
The Wisdom of Henri Bergson: Progress Requires Balance
When Bergson delivered his Nobel Prize banquet speech in 1928, he had witnessed the sweeping transformations brought by steam power, electricity, and industrialization. Many believed that these innovations would naturally lead to a better, more harmonious world.
But Bergson saw with clarity that outer progress alone is not enough. Without cultivating our inner world—our morality, our compassion, our spiritual understanding—technology can deepen misunderstandings and widen divisions.
How true this remains today.
The Modern Paradox: Hyper-Connection, Inner Disconnection
We live in a time of extraordinary access and convenience:
We can video chat across the planet, yet many feel more isolated than ever.
We scroll endlessly through social media, yet our hearts grow restless and overwhelmed.
We generate more data in a day than ancient civilizations produced in centuries, yet wisdom feels increasingly rare.
Technology connects our devices, but only spiritual cultivation connects our hearts.
Why Spiritual Effort Is Essential Today
1. It grounds us amid the noise.
With information constantly flooding our minds, spiritual practice helps us regain clarity and stay anchored in truth.
2. It builds our inner resilience.
Life will always bring challenges. Meditation, reflection, and ethical living strengthen the mind and heart to navigate them with wisdom.
3. It cultivates compassion in a divided world.
True peace comes not from advanced systems but from understanding, patience, and kindness—qualities only nurtured through spiritual effort.
4. It reminds us of our shared purpose.
Spiritual insight dissolves boundaries, allowing us to see one another not as competitors but as fellow travelers on the path of life.
Bergson’s warning pierces straight into the heart of our time:
If humanity’s material power grows faster than its moral and spiritual maturity, danger follows. But when the two rise together, society finds harmony.
This is not just a philosophical idea—it is a blueprint for a peaceful, sustainable future. Whether through meditation, prayer, study, service, or simple acts of kindness, each of us has the power to elevate our inner life.
Our modern world celebrates speed, innovation, and efficiency. But the deeper question is: Do these advances help us become better human beings?
If spiritual cultivation becomes the guiding compass of our progress, then technology becomes a tool for upliftment rather than turmoil.
As we look toward the future, may we remember:
Our machines may evolve, but our hearts must evolve too.
Our knowledge may expand, but our wisdom must deepen.
Our world may grow louder, but our inner clarity must grow stronger.
Only then can humanity advance not just outwardly, but inwardly—toward peace, wisdom, and true connection.
In the Tang Dynasty, there lived a monk named Jian Kong (Venerable “Mirror-of-Emptiness”), who in his previous life had been a diligent spiritual practitioner. Yet after reincarnating, he was born not as a monk, but as a poor scholar—one who, despite twenty long years of effort, could not pass the imperial examinations. He had no money, no connections, and often struggled even to find a simple meal. Hunger followed him like a shadow.
One day, after days of near-starvation, he set out toward a nearby temple, hoping to find something—anything—to eat. But halfway there, by the side of a river, his strength gave out completely. Weighed down by exhaustion and despair, he collapsed on the riverbank and began to cry. He was already around forty-five years old, and life felt unbearably harsh.
As he wept, a Brahmin monk suddenly appeared before him, radiant and calm.
“Venerable Dharma Master,” the monk said, “are you satisfied with the taste of wandering through worldly life?”
The scholar was startled. “Satisfied? It has been nothing but suffering! But I am a layman—why do you call me “Dharma Master”? That title doesn’t belong to me.”
The Brahmin monk smiled gently. “You are starving and confused now, so you’ve forgotten everything.”
He reached into his bag and took out a large, fist-sized date. “This is a special fruit from my homeland. Eat it. Then you’ll understand.”
The scholar ate the date. Sleepiness washed over him at once, and he lay down beside the river. When he awoke, something astonishing had occurred— his entire past life came flooding back.
He remembered that he, the Brahmin monk standing before him, and three others had all been fellow practitioners in their previous lives. Filled with emotion, he asked:
“What about Monk Zhen? How is he doing in this life?”
The Brahmin monk replied, “In his past life he had not yet cut off worldly attachments, nor had he achieved realization. In this life, he has become a monk again in Sichuan. He has now completely severed his desire for fame and fortune. He will attain accomplishment in this very life.”
The scholar asked about another of their five companions. “And Master Shen? What about him?” “His wishes remain unfulfilled,” the monk answered.
Then he asked about the third companion, Master Wu. The monk sighed gently: “You know him. In our past life, he once joked before a stone Buddha statue: ‘If I cannot attain supreme enlightenment, then at least let me become a mighty nobleman.’ Well, his vow has come true. Just yesterday, I heard he was appointed a general. He has completely forgotten he was once a monk.*”
Finally, the Brahmin monk turned to him and said:
“Among the five of us, I alone have attained liberation. And you—of all of us—you alone have fallen to such a state that you cannot even find enough food to fill your stomach.”
The scholar was bewildered. “In my past life,” he said, “for decades I ate only one meal a day and wore one tattered robe for over thirty years. I practiced diligently and lectured on the Dharma tirelessly. I was a well-known Dharma Master. How could my karma now be so miserable?”
The Brahmin monk answered with unmistakable compassion:
“Yes, you cultivated hard. But when you taught the Dharma, you often mixed in ideas from Daoist and other non-Buddhist teachings. This confused your listeners. You also held back special teachings out of stinginess, unwilling to share them openly. And although you kept the precepts, you broke them in many subtle ways. Given all this, your current life’s hardship is already a fortunate result.”
Hearing this, the scholar felt deep remorse and sadness. But instead of despair, a new resolve arose within him.
He vowed to renounce worldly life and become a monk once more.
Seeing his sincerity, the Brahmin monk took out a mystical mirror from his bag. In it, the scholar saw with clarity:
his own past lives,
the karmic results of all beings’ actions,
even the future rise and fall of the Dharma.
The mirror was said to be like the Seven-Jewel Trees of the Pure Land, which reveal the karmic truths of the universe with perfect brightness.
With this profound vision, his conviction became unshakable. He immediately entered monastic life, practiced with genuine diligence, and in time became a highly respected and accomplished master.
Recognitions and Congratulations to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III
When over a hundred great Dharma Kings, Regents, and Rinpoches from various Buddhist traditions throughout the world lawfully recognized, in accordance with Buddhist precepts, that Namo H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is the reincarnation of the ancient Buddha, Buddhist disciples around the globe rejoiced in celebration. The descent of Namo H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III brings to the beings of this Dharma-ending age the correct and unerring True Dharma of the Tathagata that leads to liberation from the cycle of birth and death. How fortunate living beings are to personally hear the teachings of the Buddha — there is now hope for attaining enlightenment in this very lifetime!
Online Slander and Misunderstanding of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III’s Holy State
However, some people on the internet refuse to face the legitimate recognitions, the holy realization, and the perfect mastery of theFive Vidyās and teachings of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III with reason or correct understanding. Instead, they fabricate rumors, spread insults, slander, defamation, and false accusations — maliciously twisting facts, inventing lies, and making baseless claims. They use vulgar words, forge fake documents, false notices, and false statements, and even create distorted images and mocking content — doing everything they can to attack H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. Through their own words and actions, they merely expose their ignorance and lack of virtue.
Some say, “A Buddha or Bodhisattva is realized through practice, not by ‘recognition.’” “Shakyamuni Buddha didn’t need a certificate of recognition.” But their purpose is clear — to stop more people from learning the true Buddha Dharma and attaining liberation!
So, does a Buddha need recognition when descending into the world?
A Practice for the Benefit of Sentient Beings.
A Buddha is one of unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment and complete wisdom. The reason one is a Buddha lies in their realization and enlightenment — not because of any recognition by others. No matter how great a Dharma King, Regent, or Rinpoche may be, their level of realization is far inferior to that of a Buddha; thus, any recognition they offer to a Buddha would be, in essence, just a piece of paper of no value to the Buddha.
However, because sentient beings in this world often lack the wisdom to discern between true and false saints, between genuine Buddha Dharma and false teachings that imitate Buddhism, they may easily be misled by superficial appearances and deviant views. Therefore, for the benefit of sentient beings, by following the Buddhist tradition of formal recognition, those virtuous masters issued such recognitions that help people give rise to faith and thus be saved. This is an act of right knowledge and right view.
The Example of Master Padmasambhava and the Importance of Recognition
Master Padmasambhava
When Master Padmasambhava first went to Tibet to propagate the Dharma, he was not greeted with respectful welcoming crowds. Instead, the Tibetan people were terrified and shouted, “Quick! Drive out this sorcerer who performs strange magic without lineage transmission! Do not let him deceive us with his witchcraft!” They even lifted him up and threw him into a muddy pit. Later, Master Padmasambhava returned to India and asked two renowned masters to write letters of recognition. Only then did Buddhism begin to flourish in Tibet. In fact, those two masters later became Master Padmasambhava’s disciples.
Therefore, when Buddhas or Bodhisattvas reincarnate and manifest again in this world, undergoing recognition according to Buddhist rules is not for their own sake, but for the sake of helping sentient beings generate faith and thereby be liberated.
Indeed, the realization and attainment of a Buddha or Bodhisattva come from their own cultivation and enlightenment. The realization, virtue, and attainment of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are the manifestation of their supreme enlightenment. The pure and flawless conduct of Namo H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, His mastery of both exoteric and esoteric teachings, His perfect command of the Five Vidyās, and His countless acts of liberating sentient beings — all fully demonstrate the enlightenment and realization of a true Buddha!
Therefore, I sincerely advise those who slander: repent sincerely before the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, or karmic retribution will not spare you! At the same time, I compassionately remind all who truly wish to learn and practice Buddhism: we live in the Dharma ending age, when confusion prevails, and the nature of the demonic offspring is to destroy the Dharma and obstruct sentient beings from learning the true path. Kind-hearted beings, please open your eyes of wisdom, discern the true from the false, and do not be deceived by demonic forces — lest you miss the supreme Dharma opportunity that can bring you liberation from birth and death in this very lifetime!
Ven. Junmai Baima Dorje Rinpoche is a nirmanakaya of Vajravarahi. He is the fourth Ven. Baima Dorje Rinpoche. Various auspicious signs manifested at the birth of the rinpoche. When the rinpoche was five years old, the national master of Bhutan, H.H. Dharma King Dilgo Khyentse, personally signed and issued a recognition certificate recognizing the identity of the rinpoche. H.H. Dharma King Penor and H.E. Dharma King Rabjam also personally wrote recognition certificates.
At the age of about three, the child rinpoche used two fingers to transform a small, thick Tibetan knife into the shape of a coil. After passing through many hands, that knife is now at Hua Zang Si in San Francisco, where a special place for that holy object has been established to display it for public worship and veneration. The rinpoche currently resides at the Shechen Monastery. He has received initiations from the esoteric lineage of H.H. the 10 th Panchen Lama and other persons of great holiness and virtue. The rinpoche benefits all living beings by applying the wisdom and realization of a Bodhisattva.
I respectfully honor the Three Bodies and Four Wisdoms of the Dharma King of the Three Spheres, H.H. Yangwo Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu: We were fortunate to be able to read the book about the Buddha Vajradhara Dharma King, A Treasury of True Buddha-Dharma — A Collection of H.H. Yangwo Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu’s Accomplishments Manifesting Complete Proficiency in Exoteric and Esoteric Buddhism and Perfect Mastery of the Five Vidyas . We cannot describe how deeply astonished and moved we were. Those thirty main categories of accomplishments present a splendid sight that includes the cikitsvidya (healing vidya), silpakarmasthanavidya (craftsmanship vidya), sabdavidya (sound vidya), adhyatmavidya (inner realization vidya), and hetuvidya (causality or Buddhist logic vidya) in their holy sense. Such accomplishments have never been seen before in the history of Buddhism. A Treasury of True Buddha- Dharma is the highest Buddha-dharma treasure and manifests H.H. Great Dharma King’s supreme realization and virtue. H.H. Great Dharma King is the first holy being who used true realization to display fully in the dharma realm the teachings of the Buddha! H.H. Great Dharma King is the true Buddha Vajradhara, the teacher of both humans and celestial beings! In this Dharma-Ending Age, we are deeply happy that living beings in the earthly realm have the guidance of H.H. Great Dharma King. May H.H. Great Dharma King forever live in the world and forever teach the dharma!
Among China’s many vibrant ethnic cultures, few festivals shine as brilliantly as the Miao New Year — the most important and joyous celebration of the Miao people. It marks the end of a year’s hard work and the beginning of a season filled with gratitude, reunion, and hope.
Since ancient times, the Miao people have followed their own lunar calendar, considering the tenth month of the traditional Chinese lunar year as the beginning of a new year. In Leishan County of Guizhou Province, the Miao New Year usually falls on the Mao Day during the first half of the tenth lunar month, which is roughly equivalent to Chinese New Year’s Eve. The festivities typically last from three to nine days, turning the Miao villages into a sea of song, dance, and laughter.
The Miao New Year carries deep layers of meaning. It is not only a celebration of the harvest but also a time to honor their ancestors and deities, and to commemorate Chi You, the legendary ancestor of the Miao people who perished in tribal wars over five thousand years ago. Through ceremonies and offerings to nature — sacred trees, bamboo groves, rocks, and wells — the Miao express their respect and gratitude toward the forces that sustain life.
In the valleys of the Qingshui River and Duliu River in Guizhou, the Miao New Year is the highlight of the year. The Miao calendar differs from the Han Chinese lunar calendar, and the beginning of the Miao year is determined through communal discussions so that different villages celebrate at different times. This ensures that every year, one village becomes the center of a grand regional celebration, while neighboring communities come to join in.
After the autumn harvest and the completion of farm work, the Miao New Year marks both an ending and a joyful beginning. During the festival, villagers visit relatives and friends, slaughter pigs, make sticky rice cakes, worship their ancestors, share reunion feasts, and exchange cups of homemade rice wine.
Traditional activities include bullfighting, bird fighting, and singing contests, each bringing a unique charm to the celebration. One village’s festivities flow seamlessly into another’s, creating a continuous wave of joy that sometimes lasts until the early spring “Drum-Turning Festival” in February.
The Grand Parade and Thrilling Bullfights
The opening day of the Miao New Year is marked by a spectacular parade. People from the eight main Miao branches put on their most elaborate traditional attire — shimmering silver headdresses, embroidered costumes, and ornaments that glisten in the sun. Through music and dance, they showcase their unique local traditions and the living heritage of Miao culture, offering visitors from across China and beyond an unforgettable feast of color and rhythm.
Among the most popular events is the bullfighting competition, a traditional custom symbolizing courage and vitality. Two strong water buffaloes face off, locking horns in a contest of strength and spirit. Thousands gather around the arena to cheer, and the air is electric with excitement. With generous prizes for the winners, the event attracts participants and spectators from far and wide, adding a thrilling edge to the festive atmosphere.
The Long Table Banquet: Sharing Joy, Building Connection
If there’s one experience that perfectly embodies the hospitality of the Miao people, it’s the Long Table Banquet. This grand feast, dating back to ancient times, is more than just a meal — it’s a powerful symbol of unity, friendship, and celebration.
In Danzhai County’s Wanda Town, whenever guests arrive from afar, locals line the streets with long tables stretching as far as the eye can see. Each table is filled with Miao specialties such as smoked pork, sour fish soup, and sticky rice. Hundreds of people sit together, strangers becoming friends over shared food, laughter, and conversation.
The air fills with the tangy aroma of sour soup and the joyful clinking of cups. Everyone, regardless of origin or language, becomes part of one big family — a living expression of the Miao New Year’s spirit: warmth, generosity, and togetherness.
The Miao New Year is far more than a festive occasion — it is a heartfelt tribute to life, nature, and ancestry. Through its rituals, music, and communal joy, it reflects the Miao people’s enduring gratitude for the land, their reverence for their roots, and their love of harmony.
As the lush hills echo with the sound of lusheng flutes and the silver ornaments sparkle under the sun, one realizes that the Miao New Year is not only the celebration of a people — it is a celebration of humanity itself, reminding us all of the beauty of connection, gratitude, and joy.
Peace LiLy 