Pilgrimage to Bhutan (Part 2): Over the Dochu La into the Valley of the Cranes

January 30, 2026January 30, 2026 linda changLeave a comment

The highest point of the leg: The Dochu La pass at 3,100 meters

By Gongjue Tuji

With many impressions from Thimphu and a feeling of gratitude, we continued our pilgrimage. Before leaving the busy capital behind for good to drive deeper into the mountains, however, we spent another day in its surroundings. After all, Bhutan is not only defined by its holy temples and deeply rooted Buddhism. The landscape itself also holds enormous power. We were looking forward to traveling to places where the country’s history and the powerful nature form a very special unity.

Semtokha Dzong: The Palace of Secret Mantras

On the third day, our path first led us about six kilometers south of Thimphu to Semtokha Dzong. This place also bears the meaningful name “Sangak Zabdhon Phodrang,” which translates to “Palace of the Profound Meaning of Secret Mantras.”

The massive white walls and typical Bhutanese fortress architecture of the Semthoka Dzong under a bright blue sky. — Semtokha Dzong

Historically, this is a milestone: The Dzong was built between 1629 and 1632 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the legendary unifier of Bhutan. He introduced something completely new here, namely the combination of a monastery and an administrative center under one roof. This innovative concept worked so well that it later became the model for all other major fortresses in the country, such as in Paro or Punakha. This historical significance mixed with a very present joy on the day of our visit. Since the entire country was honoring the fourth King’s birthday, a particularly festive mood could be felt everywhere.

But something else left a deep impression on me. In the temple rooms, the distinct scent of butter lamps hung in the air. It is a very unique smell that we would encounter again and again at other places, and which for me is now inseparably linked to the atmosphere of these holy sites.

Impressions (in order): View into the courtyard, the magnificent entrance area, water bowls as offerings, the corridor with prayer wheels, myself inside, and our group on the entrance stairs.

Takin Preserve: The Creation of Drukpa Kunley

Bhutan is deeply rooted in its spiritual traditions, where the power of the Dharma also manifests in nature. We visited the Royal Preserve to see the national animal: the Takin. It is a fascinating creature, unique to the Himalayas, with an appearance that resembles a cross between a cow and a goat.

Its existence traces directly back to the miraculous activity of Drukpa Kunley, also known as the “Divine Madman.” In the 15th century, people asked him to perform a miracle to prove his realization. He requested to be served a cow and a goat. After consuming both, he placed the goat’s head upon the cow’s skeleton. With his supernatural powers, he brought this new being to life. This event stands as a powerful testament to the Master’s unconventional teaching methods and his ability to act beyond ordinary concepts.

Impressions (in order): The spacious forest area of the preserve, a resting Takin in the shade, and an animal by the stream.

Dochu La: Commemoration at the 108 Chortens

On the fourth day, we left the capital heading towards Punakha. The road led us over the Dochu La, a pass at an altitude of about 3,100 meters. Although a few clouds obscured the view of the very big ice giants of the Himalayas, gaps opened up again and again, through which we could see the snow-covered peaks.

The 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens on the Dochu La Pass set against a dense backdrop of clouds that partly obscures the panoramic view of the Himalayas on this day. — The 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens against the backdrop of the Himalayas

Up on the pass stand the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens. They are an important place of remembrance. They were not built to celebrate a military victory in 2003, but to commemorate the fallen. It is characteristic of the culture here that triumph is not put in the foreground, but rather compassion and remembrance.

Chimi Lhakhang: The Legacy of Drukpa Kunley

In the Punakha district, the legacy of the “Divine Madman,” Drukpa Kunley, is ever-present. Even in the surrounding villages, we noticed the many houses painted with phallic symbols. What may initially seem unusual to foreign eyes is regarded here as a powerful symbol of protection.

Wide panoramic view over the green rice terraces and hills of the Punakha Valley in Bhutan, marked by a tall prayer flag in the foreground. — View into the Punakha Valley

Our next destination was Chimi Lhakhang. The path there leads very picturesquely right through green rice fields. The temple itself stands exactly at the spot where the great master Drukpa Kunley manifested his power to subdue a demon that had taken the form of a dog. He did so with his “flaming thunderbolt of wisdom.” This also explains the paintings on the houses, as they represent this victorious thunderbolt. At the place of this subjugation, a small black stupa still stands today. Also, statues of the master can often be recognized by a dog lying at his feet. Today, the place is mainly known as the Temple of Fertility, to which couples from all over the world make pilgrimages. We used the peaceful atmosphere there to chant together under a large Bodhi tree in front of the temple.

Impressionen (der Reihe nach): Der Chimi Lhakhang Tempel mit der schwarzen Stupa, eine schlafende Tempelkatze, junge Mönche beim Üben der Dharma-Instrumente und unsere Gruppe beim gemeinsamen Chanten unter dem großen Bodhi-Baum.

Punakha Dzong: Palace of Great Bliss

Afterwards, we continued to Punakha Dzong. It is situated very picturesquely right where the Pho Chhu (Father River) and the Mo Chhu (Mother River) meet. Its full name is Pungtang Dechen Photrang Dzong, which translates to “Palace of Great Happiness.” The building is not only huge but also historically of enormous importance. It was built as early as 1637 and for a long time formed the center of the then winter capital Punakha.

The majestic Punakha Dzong (Palace of Great Happiness) sits picturesquely at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu rivers against a green mountain backdrop. — Punakha Dzong

Even today, the monastic community moves here during the cold months. Moreover, it is a historic place for the monarchy, as the first King of Bhutan was crowned here in 1907. Inside rest the mortal remains of the state founder Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. However, this area is strictly protected. Only the King and the Je Khenpo, as well as two guardian lamas, are allowed to enter the room with the relics.

A monk in conversation in front of the white walls and dark roof of an outbuilding within the spacious grounds of the Punakha Dzong.

Impressions (in order): Conversations in front of white walls, roosters on the intricate roof ledge, and the entrance to the sacred temple area (Machen Lhakhang), where the relics of the state founder are kept.

Wangdue Phodrang: Rebuilding a Landmark

In the morning of the next day, we stopped at Wangdue Phodrang Dzong. This place has a moving history. It was founded in 1638 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal under the auspicious name “Palace of the Four Cardinal Directions.” It sits strategically on a ridge that resembles a sleeping elephant and overlooks the confluence of two rivers.

The imposing Wangdue Phodrang Dzong sits majestically on a ridge against a green landscape, while visitors climb the entrance stairs. — Wangdue Phodrang Dzong

For a long time, it was considered the only Dzong that had never fallen victim to a fire in its almost 400-year history. But on June 24, 2012, fate struck: A technical defect triggered a fire in the early morning, and fueled by strong winds, the proud fortress burned out completely within a few hours.

But what we saw was not a place of mourning, but of hope. The reconstruction, which began in 2014, is an impressive testament to Bhutanese unity, but also to the deep friendship with neighboring India. Through close cooperation and generous support from India, this massive project could be realized. It wonderfully shows how modern engineering and cross-border solidarity are used not only to preserve traditional culture but to literally let it rise anew from the ashes.

Impressions (in order): Intricate carvings at the portal, colorful wall murals of guardian deities, the spacious courtyard, a monk at the staircase, and our group photo in front of the Dzong.

Drive through the Black Mountains

With this image of a new beginning in mind, we continued our journey towards the Phobjikha Valley. The drive was scenically very impressive. Our bus wound its way up the Black Mountains curve after curve. We had perfect weather. The sun was shining and allowed us a clear view that reached further with every meter of altitude. The road snaked along the partly steep mountain slopes in tight serpentines until we crossed the pass and finally drove down into the valley.

Phobjikha Valley: Winter Home of the Black-Necked Cranes

The Phobjikha Valley is a very special retreat. It serves as the wintering ground for the rare Black-necked Cranes from Tibet. There is a nice observation about this. When the birds arrive, they circle the local Gangtey Monastery three times. And apparently, they do the same when they leave again. Even the animals seem to have a connection to the Dharma here. We were lucky and some of us saw the first cranes that had already arrived.

Wide panoramic view of the golden-yellow plains of the Phobjikha Valley in Bhutan, framed by green mountains and a blue sky. — Phobjikha-Tal

Our lunch was organized for us in an open field right in front of Khewang Lhakhang. We enjoyed it with a wide view into the valley. Afterwards, we visited the temple itself. Inside are still the original statues, which at a good 500 years old are as ancient as the building itself. One of these statues is particularly well-known, as it is said to have spoken twice already.

Front view of the historic Khewang Lhakhang temple in the Phobjikha Valley featuring traditional windows and a white facade situated on a meadow. — Khewang Lhakhang

I especially remember the story that’s connected to this place: A demon had taken the form of a young woman to deceive a young man. When the man died, the demon wanted to bring the body into the temple. But the Buddha statue spoke and denied him entry. The demon had to move on and was finally defeated by the deceased’s real girlfriend. A small stupa still stands at this spot today. Such events are not just fairy tales here; they are part of the living spiritual landscape.

Gangtey Goenpa: Spiritual Center of the Nyingmapa

The crowning conclusion of this day was Gangtey Goenpa. It sits on a ridge above the valley and is far more than just a beautiful building. It is the largest and most important Nyingmapa monastery in western central Bhutan and is considered the spiritual heart of the entire region.

The history of this place goes back a long way and begins with a vision. The great “Treasure Finder” (Terton) Pema Lingpa visited the valley in the late 15th century. He looked at the ridge and prophesied that one of his descendants would build a monastery there one day. This prophecy was fulfilled in 1613 when his grandson Rigdzin Pema Thinley founded the monastery.

The imposing frontal view of the main temple of Gangtey Goenpa featuring magnificent hand-carved wooden balconies and traditional Bhutanese architecture. — Gangtey Goenpa

Architecturally, it is fascinating. At first glance, it looks like a Dzong, meaning one of the mighty fortresses we had seen before. But if you look closely, you notice a crucial difference. The military elements are missing. There are no arrow slits and no defensive walls. It was designed purely as a place of peace and practice. I was particularly impressed by the elaborate wood carvings visible everywhere, testifying to the high level of craftsmanship.

Impressions (in order): Wall mural of Dharmapala Gyalpo Pehar in the entrance area, the view up to the intricate wooden architecture, and the sunny courtyard.

Today, the monastery is a very lively place and acts as the seat of the Pema Lingpa tradition as well as the seat of the master’s ninth reincarnation. About 140 monks live here. Together with the nearby Shedra, the Buddhist college, they ensure that the teaching is not only preserved here but actively studied and lived.

I had a special experience inside the temple. We had gone in to pay our respects to the Buddhas and chant together. Scarcely had we entered the hall when the power went out and it became pitch dark instantly. In the light of our phones, we looked for a place to sit. For about ten minutes, we chanted in this darkness, illuminated only by the faint flickering of a few butter lamps. That created a very unique mood. Suddenly the light came back on. Only at that moment did I see what was directly on the wall opposite me. My gaze fell on a beautiful mural of the 21 Taras. That was an unexpected and deeply moving moment for me.

Actually, we had a specific hope in our hearts for our return to Thimphu and Paro: We wanted to try to get an audience with the King. But as so often in life, plans do not always go in a straight line. Karmic conditions had intended another encounter for us, which we had not expected in this way.

I will tell you about that and our ascent to the famous Tiger’s Nest in the next part.

About Author: Gongjue Tuji

As a committed Buddhist and initiator of the Xuanfa Dharmazentrum, Gongjue Tuji has made it his mission to help other people integrate the teachings of Buddhism into their daily lives. In this blog, he regularly provides insights into his experiences, current news and highlights fascinating aspects of the Buddha-Dharma.

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2026/01/30/pilgrimage-to-bhutan-part-2-over-the-dochu-la-into-the-valley-of-the-cranes/

4 Unexpected Lessons on Peace from a Monk

January 29, 2026January 29, 2026 linda changLeave a comment

That Challenge Everything We Think We Know

From Chatham Journal Newspaper January 24th 2026

Siler City, NC – On Wednesday evening the “Walk for Peace” monks stopped for the day at Jordan-Matthews High School. This was an opportunity for one of the monks to speak to the crowd gathered at the football here. Below is a summary of the lessons he hoped to teach.

We fight a battle every day, but the enemy isn’t external. It’s the relentless hum of our own minds—the constant wandering to past regrets and future anxieties, the endless scroll of digital distractions, and the crushing pressure to always be doing more. In this unwinnable war for a quiet mind, we often feel like we’re losing ground.

But what if the pursuit of peace wasn’t an epic battle at all? What if it was simply a series of small, counter-intuitive shifts in perspective? In a recent talk, a monk shared a path to peace that doesn’t require struggle, but instead invites awareness and acceptance. This post shares the four most surprising and impactful lessons from that talk—practical wisdom that can be applied to your life, starting right now.

1. To Connect With Your Kids, Stop Trying to Fix Them

As parents, our deepest instinct is to protect and guide. We want the best for our children, so we try to fix their mistakes and teach them the “right” way. But the monk pointed out a painful paradox: the more we try to “fix” or “change” them, the more we inadvertently build a “war” between us, pushing them further away.

His surprising solution was to shift our role entirely: stop trying to teach and start sharing. By approaching a child as a friend, we transform the dynamic from a top-down lecture into a shared conversation. This shift is the key to getting them to listen, and more profoundly, it creates the safety for the ultimate connection. The monk explained that when children see you as a friend, “whenever obstacle when they run into trouble they will come back to you and lean on your shoulder and cry and ask for help… that is when your chance come to teach them.”

unless you make friend with them you see them as your friends not mother not the father but a friend A friends means the different way of talk, different way of teaching, sharing… and that is when they listen.

In a world of high-pressure, achievement-oriented parenting, this advice is a radical act of trust. It asks us to let go of micromanagement and have faith that building a foundation of friendship is the most effective way to stay connected, especially when our kids are more influenced by peers and technology than ever before.

2. The Enemy of Peace Isn’t Chaos—It’s Multitasking

The monk observed that in our modern world, a distracted, wandering mind has become the “normal” condition. Very few people, he noted, can truly focus. He then offered a memorable metaphor for the primary source of this distraction: our smartphones.

And now that we all all have our lovers along with us every single second, you know who is your lover is your cellphone…

His solution is profoundly simple yet radically counter-cultural: stop multitasking. He framed this not as a mere productivity hack, but as the fundamental practice for purifying the mind. Without concentration on a single task, he explained, there can be no real peace.

This advice directly challenges the modern glorification of being busy. We multitask because we treat busyness as a proxy for importance and self-worth. To single-task is therefore an act of rebellion against the “cult of productivity.” It’s a way to reclaim our presence and discover that true effectiveness and inner calm are found not in doing more, but in giving our full attention to one thing at a time. This practice of single-pointed concentration is the very tool we need for the next lesson: dealing with the internal chaos of our own minds.

3. Don’t Fight Your Anxious Thoughts. Just Look at Them.

When we try to find a moment of quiet, the mind inevitably rebels. Thoughts of the past and worries about the future “pop up” and disrupt our focus. But the monk’s wisdom extends beyond just anxious thoughts—it applies to every distraction, internal and external. The itch on your nose, the sound of a distant siren, a sudden memory—our common reaction is to fight these intrusions and scold ourselves for getting distracted.

The monk’s instruction is to do the exact opposite. The goal is not to create a blank, empty mind. The practice is to simply add awareness to your breath, and when any thought, sound, or physical sensation appears, you acknowledge it without judgment. You observe it for a moment, and then gently guide your attention back to your breathing.

When that thought pop up, instead of trying to eliminate or push it away, just acknowledge it, observe that thought and then come back to this breathing.

He warned that this requires immense patience because “we will fail over and over.” This insight is liberating. It reframes “failure” as a completely normal and expected part of the process. Each time you notice your mind has wandered and you gently bring it back, you are succeeding.

4. Learn to Shed Your Leaves Like a Tree

To illustrate the art of letting go, the monk shared a powerful analogy from nature. In the autumn, trees shed their leaves. They don’t do this because they are weak; they do it as a brilliant survival strategy to conserve energy through the winter, preparing for new growth in the spring.

He explained that humans, however, often do the opposite. We spend our lives collecting and holding onto our mental “trash”—bad habits, unhappy memories, stress, and anxiety. We cling to these dead leaves until we are completely overwhelmed by their weight.

We have collected all kind of trash in our mind. Bad habit, unhappy thing, undesirable, all those things happening in our life that we suffered. We collected it so many and we recorded in here and we didn’t know how to let it go. We don’t know how to shut it off just like those trees.

This metaphor recasts “letting go” not as a passive act of giving up, but as an active, wise process of conserving our vital energy. In a world facing an epidemic of burnout, this lesson becomes a crucial survival strategy. It teaches us to release what no longer serves us in order to preserve our strength for what truly matters—for the new growth that awaits.

Peace is a Practice, Not a Destination

The war for a quiet mind ends the moment you stop fighting. As the monk’s lessons reveal, peace is not a distant state you arrive at, but the result of small, conscious actions. It’s found in the choice to single-task, the gentle observation of a thought, and the courage to let go of control—both in our own minds and in our relationships. Becoming a friend to our children and a non-judgmental observer of our thoughts are both practices in releasing the need to fix everything. Single-tasking is the foundation that makes this awareness possible.

He offered a simple starting point: each morning, write down the statement, “Today is going to be my peaceful day,” and live with that intention. But he also added a note of urgency. Many of us say we will do it “later,” but, as he warned, “that later that moment never comes.”

Don’t wait. Peace is a daily practice, and the work begins now. Looking at the “leaves” you’ve been carrying, what is just one you can choose to let go of today?

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2026/01/29/4-unexpected-lessons-on-peace-from-a-monk/

One Lollipop, One Forest, and the Quiet Power of Kindness

January 13, 2026January 13, 2026 linda changLeave a comment

Recently, I watched a short video that stayed with me far longer than I expected.

The scene took place in a small shop in Pakistan. A robber walked in, grabbed money and a phone, and prepared to leave. Sitting beside the shop owner was a little girl. She looked at the robber calmly, without screaming or hiding, and gently offered him the lollipop she was holding.

For a brief moment, everything seemed to stop.

The robber froze. He looked at the child, then slowly put the money and phone back down. Before leaving, he leaned over and kissed her on the forehead.

I don’t know whether the girl acted out of fear, nervousness, or pure instinct. But her simple, innocent gesture touched something deeply human in him. Perhaps, in that fleeting moment, his life took a different turn.

What moved me most was this realization:
Even those who appear hardened or dangerous may still carry a seed of kindness within them.
And sometimes, it only takes the smallest act to awaken it.

A single lollipop opened a door in the human heart.

Lately, I’ve been noticing more and more of these quiet sparks of goodness appearing around the world.

In the United States, a group of Buddhist monks has been walking on foot, praying for peace. Without slogans or confrontation, they offer presence, humility, and sincerity. Their journey has inspired many people to reflect on peace in a deeper way, and countless strangers have stepped forward to support them.

https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/2025/12/23/buddhist-monk-walk-for-peace-passes-through-montgomery/87897028007/

Guided by the teachings of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III, and with deep respect for the great mercy and loving-kindness through which Buddhas and Bodhisattvas benefit all living beings, the World Buddhism Association Headquarters (W.B.A.H.), Holy Miracles Temple (at Pasadena CA) and Sanger Mission sincerely to carry out Charitable Acts to Benefit Our Community Together: 2026 Food and Goods Drive, to collectively plant goodness. All donations will be sent to support local food banks, homeless shelters, and animal shelters in the Los Angeles area.

I also read about Jon Stewart, who announced an extraordinary donation of $116 million to help address homelessness across the United States—providing housing and dignity to people who have long been forgotten by society. It was a reminder that compassion, when paired with courage, can bring real and lasting change.

And then there is the story that expanded my sense of hope even further.

Johan Eliasch, a Swedish billionaire, acquired approximately 400,000 acres of the Amazon rainforest by purchasing the company that held its logging rights. Instead of continuing operations for profit, he immediately halted all logging activities.

Just like that, the chainsaws stopped.

That vast stretch of forest was allowed to remain intact—continuing to absorb carbon, protect biodiversity, and sustain one of the planet’s most vital ecosystems. His action demonstrated something profound: that private ownership, when guided by conscience, can become a powerful force for environmental protection.

This act of kindness may not be immediately seen by everyone, yet it will have a profound impact on the Earth’s ecological balance—and it is, in its own quiet way, safeguarding a future our children and grandchildren will still be able to breathe in.

From a child offering a lollipop…
to a monk walking for peace…
to a philanthropist sheltering the homeless…
to a forest saved from destruction—

These acts may differ in scale, but they arise from the same source:
the human longing to protect, to heal, and to do what is right.

In Buddhist teachings, compassion is not passive emotion—it is action.
It is wisdom expressed through kindness.

As a new year begins, I sincerely hope we will witness more of these compassionate and righteous choices—choices that quietly warm the world.

May we walk together,
letting kindness extinguish the fires of war,
allowing love to dissolve hatred and conflict,
and using compassion to heal sorrow, fear, and pain.

The world does not change all at once.
But every gentle act—no matter how small—adds light.

And sometimes, that light begins with something as simple as a child’s open hand.

Link: https://peacelilysite.com/2026/01/13/one-lollipop-one-forest-and-the-quiet-power-of-kindness/

Kumbum Monastery: The Sacred Birthplace of a Master and the “Three Wonders” of Tibetan Art

December 26, 2025December 26, 2025 linda changLeave a comment

In the southwestern suburbs of Xining, where the air grows thin and the spirit grows light, stands one of the most significant sites in the Buddhist world: Kumbum Monastery.

Known in Tibetan as Kumbum Jampa Ling, meaning “A Supreme Temple of a Hundred Thousand Lion’s Roar Buddha Images,” this sprawling complex is far more than just a collection of buildings. It is a living monument to Lama Tsongkhapa, the revered founder of the Gelug (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

The Legend of the Golden Tree

Unlike many temples built to house statues, Kumbum was built to house a pagoda.

Legend tells us that Tsongkhapa was born here in 1357. When his mother cut his umbilical cord, drops of blood fell to the earth, and from that spot grew a miraculous sandalwood tree—the “Tree of Great Merit.” It is said this tree had 100,000 leaves, each bearing a natural image of the Buddha.

Years later, when Tsongkhapa was studying in Tibet, his mother sent a letter begging him to return. He replied that he could not leave his studies, but sent a self-portrait and a “Lion’s Roar” image, instructing her to build a pagoda over his birthplace. “Seeing this pagoda,” he promised, “is the same as seeing me.” In 1379, the Julian Pagoda was built, forming the sacred heart of what would become Kumbum Monastery.

Kumbum is world-renowned for its harmonious blend of traditional Tibetan and Chinese Han architectural styles.

1. The Eight Pagodas of Buddha Shakyamuni

Greeting visitors in the front square are eight gleaming white pagodas. Built in 1776, they commemorate the eight great merits and virtues of Buddha Shakyamuni. Each stands 6.4 meters tall, decorated with delicate Sanskrit scriptures and guardian lions, serving as a powerful symbol of the monastery’s spiritual authority.

2. The Grand Golden Tiled Hall

This is the soul of the monastery. With its gilded copper roof and emerald glazed-tile walls, the hall radiates a celestial glow. Inside, you will find an 11-meter-tall golden tower wrapped in white sandalwood and encrusted with jewels. At its peak sits a statue of Tsongkhapa. For pilgrims, meeting this tower is considered a direct meeting with the Master himself.

3. The Main Assembly Hall

Spanning nearly 2,000 square meters, this is the center of monastic life. Under a flat roof adorned with gilded bronze bells and “Aquarius” vases, hundreds of monks gather to recite sutras. The interior is a sensory masterpiece of colorful streamers and intricate carvings.

The “Three Artistic Wonders” of Kumbum

Kumbum is celebrated throughout Asia for its “Three Arts,” which represent the peak of Tibetan craftsmanship and devotion.

I. Vivid Yak Butter Sculptures

In the freezing depths of winter, when fresh flowers were unavailable for offerings, monks began carving flowers from yak butter. This evolved into a sophisticated art form. In the Yak Butter Sculpture Hall, you can see entire landscapes, pavilions, and deities crafted with impossible detail. To keep the butter from melting while they work, monks must dip their hands in ice water—a true testament to their endurance and faith.

II. Imaginative Barbola (Embroidered Appliqué)

Barbola is a unique form of 3D silk embroidery. By layering silk and cotton, artists create raised patterns that give the figures of Buddhas and animals a lifelike, three-dimensional appearance. The “Sixteen Disciples of Buddha” housed in the Main Assembly Hall are considered national treasures.

III. Exquisite Murals

The walls of Kumbum are alive with color. Using special mineral pigments that remain vibrant for centuries, these murals depict the life of Shakyamuni and scenes from the sutras. During the Sutra-viewing Festival, a massive 30-meter-long Buddha scroll is unfurled on the hillside, a breathtaking sight known as the “Great Buddha Exhibition.”

Kumbum Monastery hosts four major Dharma assemblies annually, held during the first, fourth, sixth, and ninth months of the lunar calendar. These gatherings are a blend of traditional festivals and grand religious events unique to the monastery. During these times, the temple comes alive with sacred activities, including monastic debates, mask dances, and sutra chanting.

A highlight of these fairs is the Cham Dance, where monks wear ornate masks and vibrant costumes, using dramatic gestures to express profound Buddhist teachings to the rhythm of cymbals and suonas (traditional horns). One of the most awe-inspiring sights is the Giant Thangka Unveiling, where a massive, delicate image of Tsongkhapa is unfurled down the mountainside. For the faithful, witnessing this Thangka is considered a direct and holy encounter with the Master himself.

**Thangka Exhibition during the Buddha Festival**

In July 2006, this sacred temple issued its formal recognition and congratulations to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III

United International World Buddhism Association Headquarters:

Under auspicious circumstances, we were happy to learn of the publication of A Treasury of True Buddha-Dharma—Complete Proficiency in Exoteric and Esoteric Buddhism and Perfect Mastery of the Five Vidyas about the Buddha Vajradhara, H.H. Master Yangwo Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu. His Holiness’s outstanding accomplishments are unprecedented. We respectfully send this letter of congratulations and joyfully offer our praise.

His actions and mind are pure, and His good fortune and wisdom are limitless.
He benefits myriad living beings, and His willpower never tires.
His powerful virtue is widespread, and His appearance is completely dignified.
He truly abides in peace and His accomplishments are perfect!

Qinghai Skuvbum Monastery
An auspicious day in July of 2006

Below is the original copy of the recognition letter in Chinese:

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2025/12/26/kumbum-monastery-the-sacred-birthplace-of-a-master-and-the-three-wonders-of-tibetan-art/

Source: https://www.chinadiscovery.com/qinghai/xining/kumbum-monastery.html

Four Major Buddhist Organizations Jointly Hold Dharma Assembly in Southern California to Celebrate the Holy Birthday of Amitabha Buddha

December 25, 2025December 25, 2025 linda changLeave a comment

PASADENA, CA — Four major Buddhist organizations—the World Buddhism Association Headquarters (W.B.A.H.), Holy Miracles Temple, Hongfa Temple, and Sanger Mission—recently held a joint Dharma Assembly at the Grand Hall of Holy Miracles Temple in Pasadena to celebrate the Holy Birthday of Namo Amitabha Buddha, the Lord of the Western World of Ultimate Bliss.

The assembly was presided over by Venerable Dharma Teacher Zhengda, Vice Chair of the W.B.A.H. and a Holy Virtuous One of Gold Button Grade II. Hundreds of devotees from across California and overseas attended the ceremony.

The assembly officially commenced at 10:00 AM. Inside the Grand Hall, the sounds of bells, drums, and rhythmic chanting filled the air, creating a solemn and serene atmosphere. Led by Venerable Dharma Teacher Zhengda and Venerable Ruohui, Abbot of Hua Zang Si and Hongfa Temple (a Holy Virtuous One of Gold Button Grade I), the monastics and Rinpoches guided the congregation in prostrations and the sincere recitation of the Amitabha Sutra.

Following the recitation, a Grand Offering was performed. Incense, flowers, lamps, fresh fruit, and various offerings were presented before the Buddha. With pure and respectful hearts, the faithful prayed for all sentient beings to be free from suffering and attain happiness. The organizers stated that beyond celebrating the Holy Birthday, the merits of the sutra chanting and offerings were dedicated to world peace, the cessation of war, social harmony, and the longevity, health, and spiritual growth of all beings.

The Compassionate Vows of Amitabha Buddha

According to Buddhist scriptures, Namo Amitabha Buddha is the “Amitabha Buddha of the West” among the Five Dhyani Buddhas and is a disciple of the primordial Buddha, Namo Dorje Chang Buddha. During his past cultivation, Amitabha Buddha made 48 Great Vows to deliver sentient beings from the sea of suffering to the Pure Land. Upon the perfection of his vows and attainment of Buddhahood, he established the pure and majestic Western World of Ultimate Bliss. He is currently the Lord of that realm and the Head of the Lotus Section of the Vajrayana teachings.

During an interview, Venerable Dharma Teacher Zhengda remarked:

“Today, we gathered to recite the Amitabha Sutra and pray for blessings. The devotees showed great sincerity in their chanting and repentance, expressing deep gratitude for Amitabha Buddha’s salvation. We should emulate the vast compassion of Amitabha Buddha and all Buddhas of the ten directions. We pray that Namo H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, Namo Amitabha Buddha, and all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas bless the world with peace and prosperity, protecting all beings from disaster.”

Bhikkhuni Zhengqin of Hongfa Temple shared her reflections on cultivation, noting that after facing many hardships in life, studying the true Buddha Dharma provided her with inner peace. She highlighted the book Learning from Buddha as a “treasured guide” that offers clear direction for practitioners.

Another attendee, Ms. Wu Guangling, shared that over ten years of practice have taught her to face life’s challenges with equanimity. She quoted an ancient virtuous saying to describe her mindset: “Face negative karmic effects with composure, while planting good causes as if treading on thin ice.”

Jon, a first-time attendee, was moved by the experience:

“Seeing everyone chanting so sincerely was impressive. I’ve never chanted with so many people before, and I hope to have the chance to attend such an assembly again.”

As the assembly concluded, the monastics sprinkled holy water over the crowd, blessing them with longevity and wisdom. The organizers noted that the event not only allowed the faithful to draw closer to the Dharma but also united the community in a spirit of goodness. The W.B.A.H. expressed gratitude to all participants and encouraged everyone to integrate the Buddha’s teachings into their daily lives to contribute to social harmony and world peace.

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2025/12/25/four-major-buddhist-organizations-jointly-hold-dharma-assembly-in-southern-california-to-celebrate-the-holy-birthday-of-amitabha-buddha/

Soure:https://www.lvcnn.com/mobile/news.php?id=53336&fbclid=IwY2xjawO6-fVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBLOUppYVFtakJTdTVQZ2lCc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhvg1fwXl2bM0R8XeGCWLQm7es3AZjeWAyKNXi_bwvFPJIFkkusyhiVWMvHU_aem_8XmEedReeBUhmcCtsr1weg

The Real Buddha Master Who Possesses Buddha-Dharma

December 4, 2025December 4, 2025 linda changLeave a comment

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.)

Reposted from《The Treasure Book H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III》 p.172-175

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2025/12/04/the-real-buddha-master-who-possesses-buddha-dharma/

Expounding the Absolute Truth Through the Heart Sutra

October 31, 2025November 3, 2025 linda changLeave a comment

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 following 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.

普觀長老聽《藉心經說真諦》法音感言

下面是峨嵋山第十三代祖師、佛教南傳第一站霧中山開化寺方丈普觀老和尚聽 H.H. 第三世多杰羌佛說法《藉心經說真諦》法音後的感言，老和尚說：

我今天無論說出什麼樣的話，也代表不了我內心的喜悅殊勝，我最偉大的如佛恩師，仰諤大法王聖駕霧中山，當時我和我的師弟果章法師正在與四眾弟子打禪七的第三天，突然護法叫我說：「最偉大的巨聖德駕臨了，祂穿的是白衣服，趕快取消禪七，率領大眾大禮接駕吧！」這時果章師弟對我說，他接到護法的報告，有最大的聖德駕臨；我們當場宣布四眾弟子取消禪七，立刻擺駕擂鼓鳴鐘接駕，果然十分鐘後山下來了一隊幾十人，原來是我的恩師仰諤總持大法王駕到，當我攙扶恩師登上明月池的途中，師父反攙著我的手說：「我年輕，你不要攙扶我，應該我攙著你這位老人。」當時我深感慚愧，弟子怎能有資格讓大法王恩師攙扶呢？現在聽完《藉心經說真諦》以後，恩師說的才是一語道斷的真理哦！我們這些行人，就是要依靠恩師不鬆手地把我們攙扶著到究竟涅槃的佛土，我們哪裡有資格攙扶恩師啊！當我反覆聽到《藉心經說真諦》的開示說法般若心髓，我只能說講透了六百卷般若的心要和行修戒體二資糧，恩師的說法深者見深，淺者見淺，微妙至極，平中見奇，實在說來，是開天闢地第一義諦之無上說法。聽了恩師講說的法音無上大法以後，讓我頓然大徹大悟，桶底脫落，可惜我歲數太大，失掉化虹飛升的條件，但慶幸的是，我證到了肉身不壞的境界，今後圓寂後，可以為世人證明我大法王如佛恩師，才是十方諸佛的總匯法王。回想起當初錯誤的認識，深感羞慚，誤認為只有西藏密宗才有即身成佛的大法，現在我得到了，才真正瞭解如來的正法不是哪一宗有、哪一宗沒有，其實佛法是獨立在世外的妙寶，與密宗、顯宗沒有任何關係，任何一宗都有佛法，也沒有佛法，關鍵在於真正的佛法不是宗在掌管，而是佛菩薩在掌法，佛菩薩化身在哪一宗為師，哪一宗就有大法。想到當初我在峨嵋金頂的修持，只能無言以對，而今天處於法樂中的我，只能祈請諸佛加持，如來大事因緣早日成熟，眾生早日得聞恩師講說出諸佛之母法《藉心經說真諦》，福慧速猛圓滿，今生必證菩提聖道，生死自由！

南無阿彌陀佛！

南無觀世音菩薩！

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2025/10/31/expounding-the-absolute-truth-through-the-heart-sutra/

Source: https://cabuddhists.org/en/expounding-the-absolute-truth-through-the-heart-sutra/buddhist-books/h-h-dorje-chang-buddha-iii-expounding-buddha-dharma/; https://www.wbahq.org/ch/dharma-discourses/sf-jxjszd/

H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III: Teaching People to Attain Wisdom Through Compassion, Especially in These Uncertain Times

October 24, 2025October 24, 2025 linda changLeave a comment

One recognition certificate from a sect can make the status of a rinpoche, while being recognized as the reincarnation of a Buddha requires confirmation from multiple Dharma kings of all different sects.

Generally, when a rinpoche reaches significant status, they are also recognized by more than one of the eminent monastics. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, who has been recognized by over 100 Dharma kings, regent Dharma kings, great rinpoches, and top leaders of various Buddhist sects, is the first person in Buddhist history to receive this many recognitions.

It is the belief of all of these powerful individuals that H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is the true reincarnation of the Primordial Buddha, Dorje Chang Buddha. For over 1,000 years, this system has been used by numerous sects in order to recognize their reincarnated Buddhist practitioners.

Based on Buddhist principles, a “Buddha” has attained the supreme level of wisdom and enlightenment, and there is no one above a Buddha. So it goes without saying that a Buddha is the highest leader in the world when it comes to that religion and culture. That makes H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III the highest leader of Buddhism in today’s world.

Building on the Foundation of Compassion

As H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III works with others and makes his way in the world, he remains unaffected by awards and fame, and by those who would seek to slander him. His goal is only to contribute to the world, and to teach Buddhism to people, so the world can have more peace and happiness in it.

The cultivation of Buddha Dharma is what H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III focuses on, rather than his standing and status as the reincarnation of a Buddha. Buddhist teachings are based on causality, peace, harmony, and compassion, and these are the main tenets that H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III lives by. As he shares his compassion with others, he is able to change lives.

At the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III took the lead, donating equipment and materials for personal protection. This equipment for fighting the pandemic was donated to police departments, hospitals, and other public service institutions. His Holiness the Buddha also told people publicly:

“The emergence of the pandemic is a result from causality. Throughout the history of mankind and society, there have been occurrences of many pandemics of different types and forms. The COVID-19 pandemic is a type of contagious plaque, which is just infection through popular contact.

The symptoms would transform based on the changes in one’s physical conditions and the climate and spread to others. But people will also generate antibodies in response. However, this disease is not going to become extinct. Yet vaccines can provide very significant protecting effects to people.

Therefore, all of you should not be under pressure or become worried. Rather, all should follow the exhortation of the government and obey the government regulations.

Have yourself vaccinated. That will protect yourself and also others. Furthermore, the pandemic will not cause a closure to people. In the end, it will be opened up everywhere because our country will not allow closure to happen, and the world will not allow closure to happen.”

Living simply and focusing on humility rather than material rewards, he has never been concerned with his own well-being. He lives for the service and well-being of others, and to teach them the Buddha Dharma that will bring them enlightenment and liberation.

The more people who have this understanding, the more people will continue to show that understanding to others, to help others and to benefit society. This can cause a ripple effect of peace and harmony, which will spread far and wide through his teachings and the information he passes along to people around the globe.

Celebrated as a Scholar, an Artist, and a Healer

From a very early age, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has been seen as extremely talented in a number of areas of life. Even as a child, he had wisdom beyond his years and talents that were strong and unexpected. Documentaries were made about his artistic abilities, and people came from far and wide to learn Buddha Dharma from him.

That occurred even before he was officially recognized as he is today. It is the belief of Buddhists that H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III holds supreme knowledge of the universe.

Others have spent their entire lives seeking the wisdom and understanding H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has, but it seems as though he was born with it. His Holiness has taught many Buddhist leaders, holy gurus, Buddhist practitioners, and people from every walk of life who seek out his wisdom.

Whether people have questions about Buddhism, need mental or physical healing, or want a deeper understanding of life, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III will not turn them away. As the sutra said that a Buddha is the king of healing, he helped more than 300 people in one day during his time in China.

Born in China, he was quickly recognized there as having abilities well beyond his years. His artwork was exhibited in Taiwan, and he was named to the presidency of The Chinese Painting Research Association in Beijing in 1987. He has met with dignitaries from all over the world, including many in China before he moved to the United States.

When he visited Taiwan in 1995, it was not just dignitaries and important people he met with, but people from all over the area who lined up at his hotel to seek his help and guidance.

All throughout the day and night, the Buddha helped people without resting. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III does not turn any of them away from the help they were seeking and the guidance they wanted and needed from the Buddha.

He has remained selfless and compassionate, helping those who are distressed, elderly, poor, or sick and infirm, as well as any injured or stray animals he finds during his travels. No one and nothing are turned away from the Buddha’s help.

Subjected to Defamation and Injustice

Throughout his life, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has been subjected to injustice, and had his name defamed and slandered. Two years after he came to the United States, the Guangdong Shenzhen Public Security Bureau in China made a case against him and charged him with defrauding someone during a property sale.

But even the person who was named in the case came forward and said that it had not happened. The Buddha also had no record of ever owning the property, or of anyone else transferring it to him.

The case lingered for years, even going so far as getting INTERPOL involved and asking that they issue Red Notices for the arrest of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. After an investigation in China, thirteen legal experts came together and stated that the case was incorrect and fabricated, and that it was not accurate at all. INTERPOL’s investigation showed the same conclusion.

Eventually, China requested INTERPOL to withdraw the Red Notices against the Buddha, and in November 2009 INTERPOL wrote to His Holiness the Buddha that the Red Notices against him had been canceled. But all through the years when he was being defamed and investigated, he never said a word about it.

He made no public statement about the case, nor did he try to clear his name in any way. When he was asked to show the INTERPOL letter he received, he also chose not to do that.

The reason that Shenzhen Public Security Bureau made the case against the Buddha, is because Shenzhen Public Security Bureau illegally took more than 700 paintings from the house the Buddha resided in.

These were paintings that were created by him during past decades. But he never said anything. In order to keep these paintings, the public security agents still tried to slander the Buddha through the internet, and continued to make claims that he was guilty.

If they stated his innocence, they would have to acknowledge their own crimes, including the made-up case and the stolen paintings from the Buddha and his disciple.

Finally, in 2019, due to mounting requests from the Buddhist community and its leaders, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III agreed to make the INTERPOL letter public. The World Buddhism Association Headquarters made the letter public and issued a statement as well.

That allowed those who were faithful to Buddhism all around the world see the truth of the facts in the case, and put their fears and concerns to rest. During the entire time, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III never said anything negative about his accusers.

The Most Dignified Buddha Treats Himself As Humanity’s Servant

Ever since the founding of Buddhism, it has been common practice for Buddhist disciples to make offerings to their teachers and masters. But H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has vowed never to accept offerings, and to do everything out of love and compassion, without any requirements for compensation. He serves people only on a voluntary basis and will never take something in return for his services.

His compassion for the people who have helped him, those who have tried to harm him, and the world in general, seems to be unwavering. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is committed to his teachings, and understands that the care and compassion he displays to the world is what matters.

From the art he creates to the people who come to him for healing, everything and everyone is treated with care. This is the way it has been done for more than 2,500 years, and H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III carries on the tradition.

By focusing on the situations of other people, instead of his own, the Buddha is able to show that he values the world and everyone in it, and that other people should do the same. It is only through serving others and having compassion for them that people can truly reach an enlightened state of joy and happiness.

While not necessarily easy to do in modern society, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has been focused on the value of this accomplishment since he came to this world, and remains committed to it today.

During his life in China, and now that he lives in the United States, he has frequently been offered millions and even tens of millions of dollars in offerings.

He has never taken even a dollar of it, and has always turned it away. Some disciples have written about how they have wanted to give offerings, but that the Buddha would not accept them. Although he is always modest and says that he is humanity’s servant, we know that he is the most dignified Buddha in the world.

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2025/10/24/h-h-dorje-chang-buddha-iii-teaching-people-to-attain-wisdom-through-compassion-especially-in-these-uncertain-times/

source: https://vocal.media/journal/h-h-dorje-chang-buddha-iii-teaching-people-to-attain-wisdom-through-compassion-especially-in-these-uncertain-times

Is H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Truly a Buddha? Recognition, Teachings, and Holy Accomplishments

October 21, 2025October 21, 2025 linda changLeave a comment

Nowadays, some heretical individuals on the internet are spreading slander. They are fabricating lies such as claiming to be a living Buddha in order to exploit followers. Many people may begin to wonder: Is H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III truly a Buddha?

The Purpose of a Buddha’s Appearance in the World

In reality, when a Buddha comes into this world, it is to let sentient beings hear the true dharma. The purpose is to liberate from samsara and attain great accomplishment — not to prove that they are a Buddha! If you believe in Him, He is a Buddha; if you do not believe in Him, He is still a Buddha. This is just like the ignorant people who sought evidence that Namo Shakyamuni Buddha was a Buddha — they spent their whole lives doubting. Meanwhile, Namo Shakyamuni Buddha’s disciples focused on listening to the teachings. They were practicing according to them. Each attained great supernatural powers and liberation. Those burdened with doubts, even until death, were still questioning, “Was He truly a Buddha?”

Universal Recognition Across All Buddhist Sects

The Pope of Buddhism H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III — The Pope of Buddhism H.H. **Dorje Chang Buddha III**

H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is the true incarnation of the Primordial Sambhogakaya Buddha, Dorje Chang Buddha. The status of His Holiness the Buddha is universally recognized by leaders, Dharma Kings, Regent Dharma Kings, and eminent Rinpoches representing all major Tibetan Buddhist sects, through the issuance of official recognition documents. He was unanimously recognized and affirmed as a Buddha, not as belonging exclusively to any single sect. If it were merely a Dharma King or Living Buddha of a particular sect, recognition would be confined to that sect. It would not be endorsed by leaders and regent Dharma Kings across all schools. The recognition of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is equivalent to how Namo Shakyamuni Buddha is venerated by all sects — Namo Shakyamuni Buddha does not belong to any one school but is the Buddha of the entirety of Buddhism.

Recognitions-Congratulations-to-H.H.-Dorje-Chang-Buddha-III.

Humility of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III

Since coming into this world, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has manifested unparalleled Buddha wisdom. Even though H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III knew that He was indeed Dorje Chang Buddha III, He always described Himself as a humble and ashamed person. He never once declared that He was a Buddha. This is evident from the many dharma discourses and audio teachings He has given and spread worldwide over the years. Only after He was formally recognized by the “Three Masters and Ten Witnesses” with written certifications and congratulatory endorsements did H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III acknowledge this identity.

H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III’s Teachings Are No Different from Shakyamuni Buddha’s Dharma

The teachings of Namo Shakyamuni Buddha and the teachings of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III are no different. They are in complete interpenetration without obstruction. Just as Namo Shakyamuni Buddha’s disciples in ancient times attained supernatural powers and great accomplishment, the holy achievements of disciples under H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III are likewise numerous and undeniable.

Holy Accomplishments of Disciples Under H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III

This is also why leaders of many sects have sought profound dharmas from H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, thereby attaining great accomplishment. To name a few well-known accomplished figures:

Elder Puguan of Kaihua Temple at Misty Mountain, the first station of Southern Transmission Buddhism in China, and 13th-generation Patriarch of Golden Summit, Mount Emei — his holy body remained incorrupt.
Elder Zhang Wangtingguo — attained accomplishment of freedom in life and death at age 109; eleven days after parinirvana, fresh blood still flowed from his body like that of a living person.
Elder Yinhai — after passing away, his holy body transformed into a vajra body as hard as stone, an unprecedented holy manifestation in Buddhist history.
Great Master Desi Rinpoche of the Sherpa lineage — attained rainbow body accomplishment.
Dharma Master Tonghui — accomplished the state of Golden Arhat, his holy body remaining incorrupt, now enshrined in gold.
Dharma Master Yongding — possessed vast supernatural powers, traversing freely through the Three Realms.
Elder Wuming — worldly spiritual leader of exoteric Buddhism — holy body remained incorrupt.
Elder Yizhao of Hong Kong’s Zhulin Chan Temple, Dharma heir of the Venerable Master Hsu Yun — also attained great accomplishment.

Additionally, Lobsang Zhenzhu, who mastered the Tripitaka and was champion of the entire Buddhist debate system, achieving the highest Lharampa Geshe degree, also studied dharma under H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.

In conclusion, no amount of slander or doubt can obscure the truth. The dharma teachings of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, together with the undeniable holy accomplishments of His disciples, stand as living testimony to the authenticity of the Buddha-dharma. Just as Namo Shakyamuni Buddha was not confined to any sect but was the Buddha of all Buddhism, so too is H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III universally recognized by Dharma Kings, Regent Dharma Kings, and eminent Rinpoches from every major sect. His Holiness has never sought to prove His own Buddhahood. Instead, He has selflessly devoted His life to guiding sentient beings toward liberation and accomplishment. For those with faith, the truth is luminous and undeniable: H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is indeed a true Buddha, manifesting in this world to bring sentient beings onto the path of liberation and enlightenment.

Source: https://dharma-hhdorjechangbuddhaiii.org/h-h-dorje-chang-buddha-iii-truly-a-buddha-recognition-teachings-and-holy-accomplishments/

Link: https://hhdorjechangbuddhaiiidharma.com/2025/10/19/is-h-h-dorje-chang-buddha-iii-truly-a-buddha-recognition-teachings-and-holy-accomplishments/

#HHDorjeChangBuddhaIII #DorjeChangBuddhaIII #DorjeChangbudda #ShakyamuniBuddhaTeachings #TrueBuddhaRecognition #LivingBuddhaControversy #TibetanBuddhismRecognition #DharmaKingsRecognition #RinpochesRecognition #TrueDharma #HolyAccomplishments #UniversalRecognitionOfBuddha #ShakyamuniBuddhaScriptures #compassion

The Manifestation of the Body of a Saint or Holy Being

September 4, 2025September 4, 2025 linda changLeave a comment

By Zhaxi Zhouma Rinpoche

Over the past ten years I have been indeed fortunate to receive so many empowerments and initiations from H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. I have practiced the dharma of self-cultivation taught me by my Buddha Master so that I do have a modest degree of realization. My life has been dedicated to helping others learn and practice as well. I have seen many miraculous states including seeing my Buddha Master and other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the heavens and watching a vajra pill fly out of my hand in a dazzling red light. I was also able to awaken another vajra pill and hear and see others sing and dance.

But were these signs that I was a holy being? His Holiness had said that I was, but would ordinary people be able to see the transformation? My real concern was, would I be able to help liberate other living beings? Would they believe me and follow the teachings that I had learned from my Buddha Master?

I learned of another magnificent Buddha-dharma from The Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation that can enable one to actually demonstrate that they have the body of a saint or holy being. It is known as the Tien Jie Mandala Ni-Wan Dao-guo Fa or Heavenly Realm Mandala Mud Pill Lamdre Dharma. “Ni-wan” translates literally as “mud pill.” Lamdre is a Tibetan term for “the path and its fruit.” Through this dharma, the “gate to heaven” on the crown of the head can truly be opened. The “mud pill” is also found in the meditative techniques of inner alchemy in Daoism. The Mud Pill crown opening was what was sought to become an immortal. Ancient emperors of China would have given their kingdoms and fortunes to be able to receive this dharma. Ni-wan is also a Daoist term for the place where the consciousness or spirit enters and leaves the body of an immortal. It literally means a point on the top of the head that when open feels like soft mud. A newborn’s brain is like this, which is the reason one has to protect the head of a baby until these openings or fontanelles can grow shut. This point is also known in acupuncture as the Bai Hui or the hundredth meeting point and is connected to the hypothalamus, pineal and pituitary glands—all parts of our anatomy that modern science does not fully understand or appreciate. This is also the Hindu Yogic equivalent of the Crown Chakra. The “ni-wan” also refers to the upper Cinnabar Field in Daoism or the center for intellect and spirituality. In Daoism, one refines one’s essence (jing) into vital energy (qi), refines one’s vital energy into spirit (shen), and refines one’s spirit into emptiness. One unites one’s primordial spirit to become form (an immortal) and dissipates that spirit to become formless vital energy. One is then neither empty nor substantial. That is what is called “non-doing.” In Daoism you are said to also be able to receive cosmic energy through this point as well.

Lest there be confusion, I want to make something perfectly clear. The Mud Pill of Daoism is the place on the crown of the head through which one leaves the body to ascend to heaven. Buddhism also recognizes that the Mud Pill is the place through which one leaves the body to become a celestial being or immortal, which is one type of living being among all of the living beings in the six realms. However, what I am writing about is the Buddha-dharma and not Daoism or any other form of religion. When Buddhism came to China, the Daoists adopted many aspects of Buddhism. Still, Buddhism leads one to become a Buddha or Bodhisattva, and Daoism leads one to become an immortal. People who misunderstand what I am saying might question why I talk of a Daoist practice. This is a result of simply not understanding the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha. Shakyamuni Buddha clearly stated in the sutras that there are six realms into which living beings can reincarnate and that the highest realm is the realm of the immortals. The ten types of immortals are described in general terms in the Surangama Sutra and elsewhere, but they can generally be grouped into three classes: earth bound immortals who continue to live amongst us, heavenly immortals who will go to the heavenly realms only after they leave this earth, and the divine immortals who can go to the heavenly realms now with their earthly bodies as well as after they leave this world. What the Surangama Sutra does not say, but the Buddha explains in other texts, is the fact that those who cultivate themselves according to the teachings of the Buddha can continue their practice in these heavenly realms and go on to become Bodhisattvas. The translation that I have of the Surangama Sutra is not clear on this point and appears to be discussing primarily the earth-bound immortals and not their higher forms.

Although this Buddha-dharma can be transmitted to non-Buddhists as well as Buddhists and help sincere practitioners of other religions to achieve their goals of heavenly rebirth, its purpose for a Buddhist is quite different. Buddhists are also able to take rebirth in the Heavenly Realm and enjoy this paradise, but they do so in order to continue their cultivation and practice of the dharma and be able to eventually become Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. In the Sutra on Loving-Kindness (Metta Sutta), Shakyamuni Buddha tells us that although a non-Buddhist may enjoy a life-span in these heavens, when that life-span ends he must return to the lower realms to repay his karmic debts due to the law of cause and effect. However, one who follows the way of the Buddha can enjoy the pleasures of these realms and also gain liberation through the practice of Buddha-dharma while in these realms, eventually attaining the… “complete extinction of lust, hate and delusion in that same kind of heavenly existence.” But there is another aspect of this dharma that also makes it important. When one becomes accomplished in or achieves the fruit of this dharma, one’s structural body actually changes. One’s bones become different than those of an ordinary being to enable one’s consciousness to ascend to the heavenly realms. In this way one becomes a true holy being or saint.

Why is this important? Only holy beings or saints can liberate other living beings, and our work here as Buddhists is to help others seek liberation from the unhappiness, pain, and suffering of samsara or worldly existence. So, how do we know that someone is a holy being? There are many who claim such status and their disciples support them by calling their master a holy being, but are those who make such a claim really able to demonstrate their holiness?

There are two aspects of holy beings that distinguish them from ordinary beings. The first is that they manifest the Great Compassionate Bodhisattva State. This is a type of mind or level of accomplishment whereby everything they do is done for living beings. No matter what they do, say, or think, it is to help living beings become accomplished in the dharma or liberated. This is the aspect of virtuous conduct. However, this alone is not enough to be designated a holy being, because, generally speaking, it cannot be seen or understood by ordinary people.

The second aspect of a holy being is that their physical body type is different from that of ordinary people and there are ways that this can be demonstrated. This is seen through miraculous events that actually change the structure of the body. The Mud Pill Holy Dharma is a Highest Form of Inner-Tantric State-Practice Initiation contained in The Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation. The Mud Pill Holy Dharma can accomplish this change in the structure of the body, as can accomplishment in the practice of Tummo Dharma that goes beyond the second stage. It is one way to prove that someone actually has the true Buddha-dharma and can help liberate other living beings. The process for becoming a saint in Catholicism is quite similar. A person has to have exhibited a pure, moral, and kind life and demonstrate some sort of miracle. The opening of the crown in the skull without any visible means on the surface of the skull is such a miracle! But scientific tests show that there indeed is such an opening!

As I mentioned earlier, the Mud Pill dharma from The Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation is unique in that such dharma can be practiced by the practitioner of any religion. Although one needs to be a good person with deep roots of kindness, one does not need become a Buddhist to practice it. However, one must be careful in applying this dharma. It can be used to have the consciousness leave and return to the body, and it can be useful at the time of leaving this earth. But if your crown has been so opened, you must strictly abide by the Mud Pill Path Fruit Precepts. If you violate any of those precepts, you must repent that same day. If you repent a day later, your crown will close and you will not attain liberation. But if you abide by the precepts, you will be able to go immediately to the heaven or paradise of your choice after death. You do not need to pass through the bardo. A Christian’s soul would go the Christian Heaven to be with Jesus, while a Hindu would have his consciousness merge with Universal Consciousness (Supreme Cosmic Spirit) in the formless realms or go to the Brahman Heavens of the Form Realm, and so on. In an oral discourse on the dharma, the Buddha Master expounded that our crowns must be opened for us to go to any of the higher realms. What we call consciousness and others refer to as the soul or “spirit” exits the body at the time of death. The means by which it exits determines the next life. The Buddhist sutras also state that if the exit is through the souls of the feet or Yong-Quan gate, one goes to the hell realms; the lower orifices, one becomes an animal; or the navel, one becomes a hungry ghost. The part of the body that determines where the consciousness/soul/spirit of the person goes will remain warm after the rest of the body becomes cold. If one’s heart is warm and the rest of the body is cold, one is reborn to the human realm to be a human. If the throat or the throat gate is hot and the rest of the body is cold, one becomes an Asura. If one’s body is cold and the Mud Pill gate, or fontanelle, is hot, one becomes a deva or a heavenly being. When one is liberated and/or is reborn into a Buddha land, the exit place will be at the Da-Le gate, i.e. the top gate right in the middle of the skull. I remember Dr. Mitchell Levy at Zion, Illinois reporting that after the Sixteenth Karmapa departed this world, to his and the rest of the hospital staff’s amazement, the area around his heart remained warm for a very long time, which would imply that he would be reborn as a human.

The “Mud Pill” dharma does not enable one to become a Bodhisattva. It only enables one to become an immortal and go to the heavenly realms. It can demonstrate that one’s physical body has the qualities of a holy being. However, there are many kinds of holy beings. It does not mean that as long as you have your crown opened it can be said that you are a great holy being. This is true no matter what type of crown opening you receive—either from the Ni-wan Dharma or the Vajra Substitute Body Meditation Dharma. These crown openings belong to the initial stage of a holy being. They are not great holy beings who truly attain the level of perfect liberation. His Holiness has made it very clear that even for the dharma of Vajra Substitute Body Meditation, the opening of the crown should reveal a hole as big as an egg. Moreover, there should be a deep hole in the brain. It does not count if one just has an opening of the scalp or scull bone. His Holiness taught us that using scientific exams alone is not enough to determine the success of a crown opening. In front of the watchful eyes of many people, testing and verification of the crown opening must take place based on Buddha-dharma rules. There is 100% proof that the crown opening was successful when three peacock feathers hanging over the crown of the person tested move about as a result of his consciousness leaving his body or his energy leaving his crown.

MRI scans of those who have received the Mud Pill empowerment show a small opening at the crown. However, the concentration powers of a small portion of those practitioners are not strong. For the sake of their safety, it is best that their openings are closed. At the time of their death, their crowns will naturally open again. There is no need to close the openings of those whose concentration powers are strong. Still, such people must strictly abide by the Mud Pill Path Fruit Precepts. I know of a devout Tibetan whose skull had many such openings from empowerments he had received from various rinpoches. His skull was retrieved from the sky burial field and kept for veneration at a local temple because the lamas knew that he was a true holy being.

So, although I was encouraged to continue my dharm a practice and seek higher states of realization, my Master wanted me to have this empowerment. At the time of my Mud Pill Path Fruit Crown Opening, I wrote a vow of truth that stated the following: “FACING WHAT IS TRUE—Becoming accomplished through the Mud Pill Path-Fruit of The Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation does not require the Master to touch the crown of the head or pour water onto the crown from a precious vase. The Master was on one side of the garden, and I was on the other side. The Buddha Master never came close to the crown of my head. His Holiness used His mind to accomplish this transmission. Right then and there His Holiness caused the Emperor of Heaven to descend and open the crown of my head. I clearly saw a wondrous state appear before me. It was extremely clear. Nobody would believe me. How could this be? I was worried it might have been an illusion, so I had it evaluated by a scientific instrument. That evaluation proved that what had happened was real. This fact proves that I have the qualifications of an immortal. If what I have just stated is false, I will surely descend into hell. Sincerely spoken by Zhaxi Zhuoma.”

I hope that virtuous non-Buddhists with deep roots of kindness will also receive this empowerment.

My own experience in receiving and practicing the Mud Pill Dharma of The Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation was incredible. I find it difficult to describe in any way that can explain what happened in a believable way. Fortunately, I have the MRI photos that can show the success or fruit of my efforts. I truly believe that these pictures are “worth a thousand words” as far as demonstrating the results, but let me try and tell as much as I can about how they came about. As I have mentioned elsewhere, one does not usually talk about the empowerments and holy inner-tantric initiations one has received. In fact, we are prohibited from doing so according to the dharma. This is an inviolable rule especially with respect to State Practice Initiations. However, I will describe what I am permitted to describe in order to provide non-Chinese speaking people with more specific information about the magnificence of the true Buddha-dharma.

First, it was a beautiful, balmy day. The sun was shining brightly with a slight breeze, providing ideal weather. I sat under a large orange tree next to a calm pool. My assistant sat behind me and was some distance away from me. She faced the opposite direction since she could not witness the ceremony. Of course, I cannot give the particulars of the ceremony itself, but what I can tell you is that my magnificent Master was not in any way near me. His Holiness never touched me or my head before, during or after the ceremony. In fact, my Master was on one side of the yard and I on the other during the ceremony. His Holiness used His mind to accomplish this transmission of the Buddha-dharma to me. His Holiness continued to pray for me while I practiced the dharma. His Holiness prayed that I be a most kindhearted person, that I always benefit all living beings, that I always wish my country and its people be at peace, that I always wish all living beings be free from disasters and hardships, and that I always wish all sentient beings be eternally happy. After I received this dharma, I sat and chanted a certain mantra silently. When I experienced a bright, distinct holy state, I began chanting the same mantra loudly to thank the Emperor of Heaven—also known as the Jade Emperor— for receiving me. My place in the celestial realms as an immortal had been insured. Right then and there my practice of the dharma caused the Emperor of Heaven to descend and open the crown of my head. The wondrous state that appeared before me was extremely clear. There was no doubt that something supernatural had happened!

After the ceremony my Master still did not touch my crown, including the entire time from when I received the dharma until year of 2010 at a medical center where I went to have a MRI image made of my head. Even if the Buddha Master had opened the “Gate of Heaven” on my crown by touching my head, such a power would have exceeded that of all of the Buddhist patriarchs throughout the generations. Even without touching my head, the Buddha Master enabled me to experience the supernatural state through mind transmission alone. I still wondered, “Could this just be an illusion?” It was, after all, an incredible accomplishment. I knew that in ancient times many great sages had devoted their entire lives and resources to achieving this to no avail. Why was I able to realize it?

As soon as I returned from the MRI center, I put the CD of the procedure on a computer. I knew from personally witnessing the beautiful holy state that the ceremony had been a success, but what would the MRI scans show? Would modern medical science be able to see this crown opening? Would the photos record that which is not visible to the naked eye? We were not disappointed. The results were phenomenal! The MRI image showed exactly what should appear according to a discourse given by my Master on this subject—that the Emperor of Heaven connected with me and opened my crown with a hole that was at least an inch wide. The bone around the opening even curved downward to allow for the opening. It was as if the bone had been transformed to a soft wax that could easily be shaped into a different form. Some of the images showed the opening from different angles. It was amazing! Who could believe it? Yet when I looked in the mirror, there was no sign of any change on my crown. No scars, no marks, nothing was visible to the ordinary eye. However, the sophisticated scientific instruments at the MRI center clearly showed a large opening in my crown. It went all the way through the bone into the soft tissue of my brain. It was so amazing. To the average person, this was a miracle! To a holy being, this was supernormal! I now had the body of a holy being and could prove it!

After the image was recorded, I deeply understood that my powers were not yet mature enough. Therefore, I decided to temporarily close my crown to prevent my consciousness from leaving my body and not returning or riding the clouds to heaven before my time has come. That way, I can remain in this world for a while longer. If I abide by the Mud Pill Dharma precepts, I will be received by the Emperor of Heaven and the other celestial beings and be able to continue my study and practice of the Buddha-dharma in paradise. If I become accomplished in the Buddha-dharma in this lifetime, my Da-Le gate will automatically open and I will be able to go to the Buddha-lands. Should I be able to go to the Buddha-lands, the celestial beings will come to escort me there. My Buddha Master is magnificent. I sincerely pray that all living beings have the opportunity to receive this blessed dharma. My gratitude to my Buddha Master is without limits.

[Note: This article was taken from the book H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Is Living in America—Zhaxi Zhuoma Visits the Fifty States of America to Propagate the Buddha-Dharma. ]

The International Buddhism Sangha Association (IBSA) published the following concerning a question about the Mud-Pill Fruit Dharma:

“Some people may ask the following question. Since the goal of a cultivator learning Buddhism is for ascending to the Buddha-Land, why should one seek to reincarnate in the heaven realm? There is something that this person did not understand. Although the Mud-Pill Fruit of Accomplishment is truly a dharma for reincarnating in the heaven realm to become a god, because a cultivator is living in a paradise, he or she will have many opportunities and affinities to beseech dharma from Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Thus one can easily and quickly attain through practice the holy realization for ascending to the Buddha-Land. However, the prerequisite for reaping such beneficial reward is that the cultivator must carry out and abide by the ten good deeds and cultivate according to the dharma. Therefore, although crown opening by Mud-Pill Fruit of Accomplishment enables one to reincarnate in the heaven realm, the dharma provides a safeguard to the cultivator at the time of dying and reincarnation so that one does not have to experience the stage of bardo. As a result, there is no suffering caused by the disintegration of the four great elements. Moreover, reincarnating in the heaven realm will make it easier to receive the dharma for ascending to the Buddha-Land.” Click to read the entire article, Announcement #201103.

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2025/09/04/the-manifestation-of-the-body-of-a-saint-or-holy-being/

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Universal Recognition Across All Buddhist Sects

Humility of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III

H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III’s Teachings Are No Different from Shakyamuni Buddha’s Dharma

Holy Accomplishments of Disciples Under H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III

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