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.
How Abraham Lincoln’s words remind us that perseverance begins within.
“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.” — Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln is remembered not only as one of America’s greatest presidents but also as a timeless symbol of perseverance, moral strength, and inner conviction. His life was marked by hardship and failure, yet through every setback, Lincoln never lost sight of his determination to rise above circumstance and serve a higher purpose.
Born in a humble log cabin in Kentucky in 1809, Lincoln’s path was anything but easy. He had little formal education, often studying by firelight after long days of farm work. Throughout his early years, he faced financial difficulties, career failures, and deep personal losses — including the death of his beloved mother and, later, two of his children.
He failed in business, lost several elections, and faced harsh criticism from both supporters and opponents. Yet each time, he stood back up. His perseverance was not fueled by ego or ambition, but by a steadfast belief in purpose — the belief that doing what is right matters more than comfort or success.
Lincoln’s life reminds us that greatness is not born of ease, but of endurance.
“Your Own Resolution Is More Important Than Any Other”
When Lincoln spoke these words, he wasn’t offering mere encouragement — he was revealing a universal truth about the power of inner determination.
In life, we will always face opinions, expectations, and pressures from the world around us. People may doubt us, situations may discourage us, and even our own fears may whisper that we are not enough. But Lincoln reminds us: what truly determines our path is not what others think, but what we resolve to do.
Our resolution — that unwavering inner decision to keep moving forward — becomes the compass that guides us through storms.
It is what pushes a student to keep learning after failing an exam, an artist to keep creating despite rejection, or a parent to keep loving and protecting despite exhaustion. It is what allows ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
In today’s world of instant gratification and constant comparison, Lincoln’s wisdom feels more relevant than ever. We often measure ourselves by the world’s standards — success, wealth, recognition — and forget that true strength comes from within.
When we cultivate resolution, we learn to stand firm in uncertainty. We begin to trust our purpose more than our fears. We stop seeking validation from others, and start building quiet confidence from persistence and integrity.
Lincoln’s life teaches us that no matter how dark the moment, perseverance can bring light. His story shows that success is not defined by how often we win, but by how often we rise after falling.
To live by Lincoln’s words is to live with courage — not the absence of fear, but the determination to act despite it. It means believing in our capacity to grow, to change, and to make a difference, no matter how small our beginnings.
When challenges arise — whether in our work, relationships, or personal goals — we can remind ourselves of Lincoln’s steady faith in resolution. The world may test us, but as long as we hold our own conviction close, we will find a way forward.
Lincoln’s words have always spoken deeply to me. Whenever I face uncertainty or moments of self-doubt, I remind myself of his quiet strength — how he stood tall not because life was kind, but because his heart was steady.
His quote, “Your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other,” reminds me that motivation is not something we wait for — it is something we choose, moment by moment. And in choosing it, we slowly build the courage to move forward again, with hope and purpose.
In 1947, shortly after Japan’s surrender and withdrawal from China, the great Zen Master Xuyun (Empty Cloud) gave a profound speech at a middle school. The nation was still recovering from the devastation of war, and hearts were heavy with both relief and sorrow. With deep compassion, Master Xuyun used the timeless wisdom of the Buddha to explain the law of cause and effect (karma) — reminding people that wars do not arise by chance, but are the result of humanity’s collective actions.
He taught that true peace cannot be achieved through force or politics alone. Only by transforming our hearts and purifying our minds through virtue, compassion, and the practice of Buddhist teachings can we bring real and lasting peace to the world.
War does not arise by chance — it is the collective karma of all beings that brings it forth.
Dear friends, during the years of occupation, we endured immense suffering under the enemy’s oppression — our lives were steeped in water and fire, hardship and pain. Now that our nation has regained its light, we should feel endless gratitude and reflection. We must understand that the outbreak of war is not accidental; it is the result of the shared karma created by all individuals.
The ancient masters said, “If you wish to know the causes of your past lives, look at what you are experiencing in this life. If you wish to know the results of your future lives, look at what you are doing now.” They also said, “Even after hundreds or thousands of eons, the karma one has created will not disappear. When the conditions ripen, the results will be experienced by oneself.”
When people lose their moral compass and commit all kinds of evil, they plant the seeds for calamities such as war, floods, fires, and famine. If we wish to change the will of Heaven and eliminate disasters, we must begin by transforming human hearts — by restoring virtue and morality. When everyone practices the Five Precepts and the Ten Good Deeds, cultivates upright minds and pure conduct, and lives with benevolence, trust, and righteousness, then the hearts of men and the will of Heaven will naturally align.
But if people persist in wrongdoing and refuse to repent, how can hostility and suffering ever be dissolved? The Buddha said, “The sea of suffering has no end, but when one turns around, there is the shore.” This means awakening from delusion and returning to goodness — the essential path to liberation.
We must truly believe in the law of cause and effect. It is not fiction but reality. If everyone understood that good deeds bring good results, and evil deeds bring suffering — that when one plants melons, one harvests melons; when one plants beans, one harvests beans — then no one would dare to act against conscience or break the law. Out of great compassion for all beings, Shakyamuni Buddha renounced his royal life and underwent arduous practice to save the world from ignorance and suffering.
If we understand the principle of cause and effect and wish to avoid future suffering, we must now create good causes. The hardships we experience today are the results of past evil actions. Therefore, we should now sow good seeds, and in time, we will naturally reap good fruits.
The scriptures speak of “Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi,” meaning “unsurpassed perfect enlightenment.” In its essence, it transcends the distinction of self and others — there is no “you” and “me.” But this state must be cultivated from one’s own heart. If our minds remain filled with greed, anger, and ignorance, unable to abandon all evil and practice all good, the barriers of self and ego become like iron mountains, preventing us from reaching the Pure Land or true harmony. This is the most crucial point — one we must all remember well.
The Sanskrit word “Buddha” means “the Awakened One.” Enlightenment has three aspects: awakening oneself, awakening others, and perfecting both understanding and conduct.
To awaken oneself is to realize that all experiences of good and evil, joy and suffering, arise from cause and effect. Once a person truly understands this, delusion fades, the four attachments dissolve, and one becomes enlightened.
To awaken others means recognizing that all living beings — whether born from the womb, from eggs, from moisture, or by transformation — all possess Buddha nature. They are called “sentient beings” only because they are deluded and unaware. We should therefore cherish and respect ourselves, and in keeping with the Buddha’s great vow of compassion and universal salvation, share these truths with others, guiding them out of the sea of suffering.
As stated in the Śūraṅgama Sūtra: “Regard all men as your fathers and all women as your mothers.” If we cultivate such deep reverence and love, especially for widows, orphans, and those who are lonely or destitute, and show them kindness and compassion through giving and aid, we can realize true equality and the ideal of great harmony.
To perfect both understanding and conduct means to live according to the Buddha’s teachings and precepts until one’s virtue and merit are complete. After the Buddha’s passing, he left behind the Three Baskets of Scriptures — Sutra, Vinaya, and Abhidharma — as our priceless raft to cross the sea of suffering. All the rules and precepts should be faithfully practiced. When one fulfills them completely, that is the perfection of wisdom and conduct.
Thus, the Buddha is the awakened one, while sentient beings are the deluded. The distinction between delusion and enlightenment marks the boundary between beings and Buddhas. To turn away from delusion and return to truth — that is awakening, and that is Buddhahood.
To further illustrate the law of karma, there is a story from one of Shakyamuni Buddha’s past lives.
Long ago, in the city of Rajagaha, there was a fishing village with a large pond. One year, a great drought struck, and the pond began to dry up. The villagers caught and ate almost all the fish, until only one giant fish remained, which was finally killed and eaten. Only one eight-year-old boy refused to eat the fish; he simply watched and laughed.
In his later life as the Buddha, King Prasenajit of Kosala, a devoted follower of the Buddha, married a princess of the Shakya clan, and they had a son named King Virudhaka. After ascending the throne, Virudhaka led his army to attack the Shakya capital of Kapilavastu and slaughtered all its inhabitants.
During that time, the Buddha suffered a severe headache for three days. His disciples begged him to use his powers to save the Shakya people, but he refused. Even when Maudgalyayana repeatedly pleaded, the Buddha said no. Maudgalyayana tried to rescue some survivors with his alms bowl, but when he put it down, all he found was a pool of blood.
When the disciples asked why, the Buddha revealed the cause: in a past life, during a great drought in Rajagaha, the villagers had killed and eaten the fish in that pond. The giant fish was reborn as King Virudhaka, and the villagers were reborn as the Shakyas who were killed. The young boy who merely watched and laughed was reborn as Shakyamuni Buddha himself. Because this karma had matured, the outcome was unchangeable.
The Buddha fully understood this karmic connection and taught it to his disciples as a warning. Chan Master Yuan Yun wrote in verse:
“For hundreds of years, the soup in your bowl Is filled with deep hatred, hard to dissolve. If you wish to know why wars arise, Listen to the cries from the butcher’s gate at midnight.”
Reflect on this story and recite the verse, and you will awaken to the true causes of war and violence — and learn to guard your conduct with mindfulness.
If we wish to transform the world and move toward true harmony, everything must begin with our hearts. Students should study diligently, yet never forget the greater mission of saving the world. And the first step to saving the world is saving the heart — correcting one’s own wrong thoughts and firmly believing in the law of cause and effect, avoiding all evil paths.
By cultivating sincerity, righteousness, self-discipline, and harmony within the family, one can extend peace to the nation and the world. If all the people of every country sincerely believe in karma and practice the Eight Virtues and Ten Precepts, then oppression, violence, and wars will cease to arise. True peace, equality, and the Pure Land of Great Harmony will appear, free from the Five Defilements and all suffering.
For the original Chinese speech, please click here. This English translation is by Linda Chang and is provided for reference only.
“There are two things in this world one should never look at directly: the sun, and the human heart.” —Higashino Keigo
I recently came across this story online, and it deeply moved me. It reminded me that trust and kindness are fragile treasures—once broken, they are hard to mend. I would like to share this wisdom with everyone who reads my blog, especially in times when misunderstandings and suspicion can so easily damage the relationships we cherish most.
Once, there was a newly married couple deeply in love, inseparable and affectionate. But the wife began to doubt her husband’s loyalty. Her suspicion grew stronger each day until she asked her best friend to “test” her husband’s faithfulness.
To her shock, the two fell in love with each other. What started as a test ended in betrayal. In the end, the marriage was destroyed—not by infidelity itself, but by mistrust and the reckless act of testing love.
🧬 The Scientist Who Refused to Test
Finsen, the world-renowned Danish medical scientist and Nobel laureate, once chose a young man named Harry as his successor.
Some colleagues worried that Harry might not endure the long, tedious years of research. Finsen’s assistant suggested testing him by having a wealthy friend offer him a high-paying job to see whether Harry would stay or leave.
But Finsen firmly rejected the idea, saying:
“Never stand on a moral high ground to look down on others, and never test human nature. Harry was born in poverty and naturally desires financial security. If we place him between an easy, well-paid job and the hardship of research but expect him to choose sacrifice, we are demanding him to be a saint. That would be unfair.”
Years later, Harry became one of Denmark’s most respected medical scientists. When he learned that Finsen had refused to test him, he wept and said:
“If my mentor had tested my integrity with a lucrative offer, I would likely have failed. At that time, my mother was ill and my younger siblings depended on me for their schooling. If Finsen had set that test for me, there would be no me as I am today.”
🌿 The Truth About Human Nature
Indeed, ordinary people are not saints—everyone has weaknesses. If we constantly test others—our spouse’s loyalty, our friends’ sincerity, or our coworkers’ honesty—we will often end up with disappointment and broken trust.
In the first story, had the wife trusted her husband instead of testing him, the marriage might have survived.
Finsen understood that human nature is fragile. True wisdom lies not in setting traps to measure others’ virtue, but in tolerating uncertainty with compassion.
Testing human nature is like striking a porcelain bowl—it will only reveal its fragility by breaking it. Trust, on the other hand, is like holding that bowl gently in your hands—preserving its wholeness, beauty, and purpose.
In life, love, and friendship, may we learn to trust with kindness and lead with understanding. After all, it is not the test that reveals the truth of a heart, but the grace with which we choose not to test it.
This book by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III was released in Chinese in 2014 but is not yet available in English. It is based on a series of very famous discourses given in China in 1992, using the text, meaning, and principles of the Heart Sutra to transmit Dharma. It clearly explains the relationships between mind, Buddha, and living beings. It tells everyone what the absolute truth of Buddha-dharma and liberation is. Several years ago, His Holiness told a number of Western disciples that this is the only book you need to read to understand emptiness and become enlightened. This text is for acquiring prajna or transcendental wisdom, although it also teaches the importance of cultivating character.
To stress how important this holy book is, we must remember that just before the Buddha left this world His Holiness told us that “. . . 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 Expounding the Absolute Truth Through the Heart Sutra will surely attain liberation. That’s all. I wish all living beings happiness.”
Venerable Master Puguan’s Reflection After Listening to Expounding the Absolute Truth Through the Heart Sutra
Below is the heartfelt reflection of Venerable Master Puguan, the abbot of Kaihua Monastery on Mount Wuzhong—the first site of Southern Transmission Buddhism and the thirteenth-generation patriarch of Mount Emei—after listening to the Dharma discourses of Expounding the Absolute Truth Through the Heart Sutra spoken by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.
Venerable Master Puguan said:
“No matter what words I use today, they cannot fully express the supreme joy and wonder in my heart. My most magnificent and compassionate Buddha Master, the Great Dharma King Yangwo, once visited Mount Wuzhong in person. At that time, my junior Dharma brother, Dharma Master Guozhang, and I were on the third day of a Zen retreat with the four assemblies of disciples when suddenly the Dharma protector came and told me, ‘The greatest holy being has arrived! He is wearing white clothes. Quickly cancel the Chan session and lead everyone to greet Him with full ceremony!’
Dharma Master Guozhang also received the same message—that the highest Holy One had come. We immediately announced to all disciples that the Zen session was to be stopped, and we prepared the ceremonial welcome with drums and bells. Indeed, about ten minutes later, a group of dozens of people arrived at the foot of the mountain—it was my revered Master, the Great Dharma King Yangwo (H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III).
When I supported my Master while walking toward the Bright Moon Pool, He gently took hold of my hand instead and said, ‘I am younger than you; you should not support me. It is I who should support you, the elder.’
At that moment, I felt deeply ashamed. How could a disciple ever deserve to be supported by his Master, the Great Dharma King?
Now, after listening to Expounding the Absolute Truth Through the Heart Sutra, I finally realize that what my Master said back then was the very expression of ultimate truth! We practitioners must rely on our Master’s steadfast guidance, never letting go of His compassionate hand, until we are led to the pure Buddha-land of ultimate Nirvana. How could we ever imagine supporting our Master?
Having repeatedly listened to this Dharma discourse, I can only say that my Master has explained the very essence of all 600 volumes of the Prajnaparamita Sutras and the two essential provisions of precepts and practice. The Dharma He expounded is so profound that the deep will see its depth and the shallow will see its shallowness—it is wondrous beyond description, extraordinary within the ordinary. In truth, it is the supreme teaching of the ultimate truth since the beginning of time.
After listening to this unparalleled Dharma spoken by my Buddha Master, I was instantly and completely awakened—the bottom of the bucket had fallen out! Unfortunately, my age has deprived me of the condition to attain rainbow-body ascension, but I rejoice that I have realized the state of indestructible flesh body. After my parinirvana, this body can serve as evidence to the world that my Great Dharma King, my Buddha Master, is truly the Dharma King who unites all Buddhas of the ten directions.
When I think back on my earlier misunderstandings, I feel deeply ashamed. I once mistakenly believed that only Tibetan Esoteric Buddhism possessed the Great Dharma that enables enlightenment within one lifetime. Now that I have attained realization, I truly understand that the authentic Dharma of the Tathagata transcends all schools and sects.
In fact, the true Buddha Dharma is a wondrous treasure existing independently of any tradition. It is neither exclusive to nor absent from any particular school—because genuine Dharma is not governed by sects but by Buddhas and Bodhisattvas themselves. Wherever a Buddha or Bodhisattva manifests as a teacher, that school naturally possesses the Great Dharma.
When I recall my past cultivation at the Golden Summit of Mount Emei, I can only remain speechless in humility. Today, immersed in the bliss of Dharma joy, I can only pray:
May all Buddhas bless that the great karmic conditions of the Tathagata ripen soon. May all sentient beings swiftly hear the teachings of my Buddha Master—the Mother of All Buddhas’ Dharmas, Expounding the Absolute Truth Through the Heart Sutra— so that their blessings and wisdom may swiftly and perfectly flourish, attaining Bodhi and liberation in this very life, and achieving freedom from life and death!
Namo Amitabha Buddha! Namo Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva!
Note: In 1998, Master Pu Guan passed away while in meditation, having attained mastery over his life and death. Remarkably, even eight years after his passing, his remains rest within a stupa, preserved in the meditation posture without any signs of decay.
The above is the English translation of Venerable Master Pu Guan’s Dharma discourse, rendered into English by Linda Chang. The original Chinese version is provided below.
What’s the first image that comes to mind when you think of Yoga?
It’s not uncommon for this image to consist of individuals contorting their bodies into impossible positions that are more appropriate for the Cirque du Soleil. There is nothing wrong with some of these breathtaking images, and I love looking at them because I’m in awe of the strength, grace, practice, and determination it takes to hold these postures. My issue with these images flooding social media is that these postures are not possible for most individuals (including me) and the models are usually young, white, beautiful, slim women. This makes it hard to connect to Yoga’s rich Indian history or how it is a practice that is for EVERYONE regardless of age, body type or ability.
In the last few decades, Yoga has become a billion-dollar business. When I started attending yoga studios in Toronto in the early 1990s, there were only 2 studios, and now there is a studio every 3 blocks. There are “yoga teacher rock stars” and businesses that make high-end yoga gear. I’m glad that Yoga has become so popular because this beautiful healing practice impacts more people. However, I believe this commercialism and competitiveness have diluted the teachings and appropriates this ancient practice in some situations.
There is evidence that Yoga existed in India as far back as 500 BC with roots in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and other religions. Sanskrit is the sacred language of Hinduism, classical Hindu philosophy, and other historical religious texts. The word ‘Yoga‘ is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Yuj’, meaning ‘to join’ or ‘to yoke’ or ‘to unite-union of mind, body and spirit.
As a yoga teacher and student, I want my students to be familiar with Yoga’s roots and understand that what happens on the mat is more than just stretching and holding postures. This union of mind, body and spirit, happens while practicing the asanas-Sanskrit word for postures. A regular practice will increase flexibility, strength and mobility, and while you are holding the postures, you are practicing pranayama-breath control, meditation, and mindfulness. This holistic practice is how transformation happens and the “union” builds a healthier, more agile body, calms the nervous system, teaches presence, and provides us with tools that we can use off the mat.
Yoga has a rich philosophical history that includes sacred and treasured texts: The Vedas, The Upanishads, The Bhagavad Gita and Pantanjali’s Sutras.
Pantanjali was an Indian sage and thought to be the author of the Yoga Sutras, which is a classical yoga text on yoga theory and practice. According to his teachings, there are 8 components to Yoga:
1. Yamas-attitudes towards environments.
2. Niyamas-attitude towards ourselves
3. Asana-yoga postures
4. Pranayama-breath control and breathing exercises
5. Pratyahar-withdrawal of senses
6. Dharana-concentration
7. Dhyana-meditation
8. Samadi-complete integration
One of the most compelling benefits of Yoga is stress reduction. It’s inspiring to see how it has helped individuals recover from trauma, PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
Enjoy the stretching and postures, and know that you are also calming your mind and relaxing your body. Instead of thinking of Yoga as work out, think of it as a work in.
Peace LiLy 