Tag: liberation

Breaking Free from the Shackles of Aging, Illness, and Death: How True Buddha Dharma Brings the Miracle of Liberation

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Four stages of life showing a baby in a lotus flower, a young adventurer, an elderly person in bed with visitors, and a cloaked figure walking towards a mystical portal

In this life, none of us can escape the torments of birth, aging, illness, and death. As the old saying goes, “Even the strongest man fears the toll of disease.” When our physical bodies face the pain of a terminal illness and our minds plunge into the fear of death, we often feel incredibly small and hopeless. However, the true, orthodox Tathagata Dharma possesses the magnificent power to enable sentient beings to completely sever the cycle of dark karma, achieve liberation in this very lifetime, and attain freedom over life and death.

This article is compiled from an actual radio interview with Ruzun Ruohui, the Abbot of Hua Zang Si in San Francisco. By sharing a profoundly moving example of a Buddhist disciple’s spiritual realization, Ruzun Ruohui reveals to the public how, under the guidance of our Buddha Master, one can transition from the agonizing pain of a terminal illness to passing away peacefully with palms pressed together—manifesting holy signs of liberation. This account serves as a bright highway to liberation for all sentient beings currently struggling in delusion and illness.

In the eyes of the mundane world, a severe illness—especially late-stage cancer—frequently brings excruciating physical and mental torment. However, Ruzun Ruohui explicitly points out that the fundamental purpose of our Buddhist practice is precisely to free ourselves from the suffering of birth, aging, illness, and death.

Yet, can one truly realize freedom over life and death and achieve holy fruits in this lifetime? Aside from using one’s own practice as a foundation, the most critical factor is that one must learn and practice “True Buddha Dharma.” Among the disciples of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, instances of liberation and accomplishment are too numerous to count. This is exactly because they each received the transmission of sublime, corresponding Tathagata Dharma from their Buddha Master. Even when someone is afflicted with a fatal illness and on the brink of death, they can reverse their negative karmic retributions and achieve liberation in a very short period of time.

Among these, the real-life holy feat of the great accomplished practitioner, Layperson Zhao Yusheng in 2017, serves as a shocking, firsthand testimony to the world.

Layperson Zhao Yusheng’s path to liberation was not without obstacles; he had previously experienced an unfortunate detour into delusion.

He had followed an evil teacher and joined a cult. In his confusion, he carried out its wicked rules, helping the evil teacher promote falsehoods, deceive people, and conceal fabrications. These misdeeds, which harmed the public and society to protect the evil teacher’s private interests, left him heavily laden with dark karma. Because the law of cause and effect never fails, the retribution of his dark karma manifested: he was diagnosed with late-stage cancer. Tormented by the agonizing pain of his illness, he became lucidly aware that he had been utterly ruined by that evil teacher.

On June 27, 2017, suffering from terminal cancer, Layperson Zhao Yusheng mustered his last ounce of strength and flew to Los Angeles. There, he finally met the supreme H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. Before the Buddha Master, he offered his most devout and deeply painful repentance.

Facing this lost soul who was covered in dark karma and racked with pain, the great Buddha Master manifested boundless compassion. The Buddha Master told him:

“Whether you repent or not is not what is important. What matters is that you practice well from now on, truly change from evil to good, and benefit society and all sentient beings.”

This teaching reflected ultimate benevolence and compassion, looking past a sentient being’s historical mistakes and focusing entirely on their current self-renewal. Layperson Zhao Yusheng immediately made a great vow, swearing that he would never associate with the cult again, even if it meant “dying right then and there.” His sole wish for this life was to ascend to the Buddha Lands. This unreserved, absolute sincerity moved heaven and earth.

The Yidam Personally Descends: A Holy, Inner-Tantric Initiation Beyond Imagination

Seeing Layperson Zhao Yusheng’s sincerity and that his causal conditions had matured, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III compassionately took him refuge and immediately transmitted a supreme Great Dharma to him, invoking the Yidam, Amitabha Buddha!

At the site of the initiation and Dharma transmission, a sacred miracle manifested: Layperson Zhao Yusheng saw with his own eyes Amitabha Buddha descending into the sky, displaying the incomparably magnificent Thirty-Two Major Marks. The Buddha’s entire body emitted boundless golden light as He slowly descended onto the mandala. Overwhelmed with emotion, Zhao prostrated to the Buddha Master, and Amitabha Buddha personally touched his head to bestow the Dharma. The Buddha also pointed toward the West, allowing him to see with his own eyes the radiant, golden gates of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. The light streaming from within those gates was ten million times brighter than the sun!

Amitabha Buddha personally told him that at the end of his life, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva (Guan Yin) would be sent to receive and guide him to be reborn into the Middle Grade of the Middle Class of the Western Pure Land.

At that moment, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III said to him, “You have succeeded; your Yidam, Amitabha Buddha, has accepted you.” For over thirty years, Layperson Zhao Yusheng had chanted the Buddha’s name but never felt certain whether he could achieve rebirth. Now, he finally received a personal guarantee from the mouth of the Buddha.

Upon returning to San Francisco, he treated this transmission like an invaluable treasure, diligently practicing his daily cultivation. Originally, his fingernails had completely dried up and split due to late-stage cancer; however, after practicing the Dharma, they miraculously regrew into smooth, pink, healthy nails, and the cracking completely disappeared. This demonstrated that the blessings of the Buddha Dharma had permeated the very cells of his physical body.

A Sacred Moment of Simultaneous Resonance: Freedom Over Life and Death, Manifesting Auspicious Signs

On August 24, 2017, at approximately 2:15 PM, a moment arrived that all Buddhist disciples will remember for the rest of their lives.

At that exact time, in a mandala over 800 kilometers away, Rinpoches and Dharma Masters were requesting H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III to expound the Dharma. In the middle of the discourse, the Buddha Master suddenly stopped without any prior sign and announced:

“Stop, I will not speak further. The grand causal condition has arrived; it has appeared. Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva has escorted Zhao Yusheng away, and the people beside him have witnessed it too.”

Less than two minutes after the Buddha Master spoke these words, a Dharma Master’s phone at the scene rang. On the other end of the line was Mao Meimei, the Buddhist disciple responsible for caring for Layperson Zhao Yusheng. Trembling with immense excitement, she reported to the Buddha: Layperson Zhao Yusheng had achieved freedom over life and death, and Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva had personally descended to escort him away!

It turned out that just two minutes prior, Layperson Zhao Yusheng had peacefully instructed his caregivers and his daughter from his sickbed, saying that he was about to leave. Using his remaining strength, he declared in a resonant voice:

“I will now use my freedom over life and death to perform a Dharma demonstration, proving that the Buddha Dharma of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is the most supreme and holy! That evil teacher is a demon, a monster! A false teacher, a massive fraud, and a sinner! The true, orthodox Tathagata Dharma resides right here with our great Buddha Master, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. Alright, alright, I will say no more—Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva has come to receive me.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a breathtaking holy feat occurred: Layperson Zhao Yusheng’s entire body emitted an extraordinary radiance. The people present clearly saw an immensely tall Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva standing directly above his head, radiating intense white light, surrounded by beautiful five-colored auspicious halos—a scene of ultimate magnificence!

Following this, Layperson Zhao Yusheng’s consciousness burst forth from the crown of his head, transforming into a radiant holy being dressed in white garments. Stepping onto auspicious clouds, his consciousness rushed toward Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, ascending into the sky and departing. This astonishing sight was even witnessed by a 92-year-old Malaysian neighbor living across the street! Everyone rushed out into the courtyard and saw the entire sky filled with a dazzling, brilliant light. Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva led the way, guiding the holy being Zhao Yusheng as he ascended to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, gradually fading into the depths of the sky.

Layperson Zhao Yusheng transformed from a terminally ill patient—deceived by an evil teacher and burdened with dark karma—into a liberated practitioner who received the true Dharma from H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. Within a mere two months, he realized a miracle of liberation: breaking free from the shackles of illness, gaining freedom over life and death, being personally received by Guan Yin, and leaving a sign witnessed by the entire neighborhood. This is not a myth; it is a holy manifestation of Buddha Dharma presented right before our eyes.

He departed with absolute freedom and ease. Before his passing, he courageously demonstrated the Dharma through the reality of freedom over life and death, exposing the false teacher and denouncing the demon, thereby using his compassionate heart to awaken deluded sentient beings.

Upon receiving the news, the Dharma Masters, monastic community, and laypersons at Hua Zang Si were filled with joy and comfort. This holy feat manifests clearly to the world: the true, orthodox Tathagata Dharma resides right here with H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III! May all sentient beings who are still lost and struggling in the mundane world, on the brink of illness and death, encounter this causal condition. May they quickly stay away from false teachers and frauds, draw close to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III to study the true orthodox Tathagata Dharma, and step onto the path of genuine liberation and happiness!

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2026/06/18/breaking-free-from-the-shackles-of-aging-illness-and-death-how-true-buddha-dharma-brings-the-miracle-of-liberation/

Light Across the Ocean: A Miracle at the Bathing Buddha Festival and the True Dharma of Liberation

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The eighth day of the Fourth month of the Chinese lunar calendar is the holy birthday of Sakyamuni Buddha. Before the Buddha renounced and reached enlightenment, he was known as Prince Siddhartha. According to Buddhist sutras, right after the Prince was born, He said, with one hand pointing to the sky and the other pointing to the ground, “From heaven to earth, I alone am the world-honored one.” Nine dragons in the sky then poured streams of fragrant water from their mouths to bathe the prince’s body. Ever since, Buddhists hold the Bathing the Buddha Dharma Assembly to celebrate the holy birth of the Buddha.

Today, I want to share an extraordinary, documented event from 2004 that shook the Buddhist world. It is more than just a story of a miraculous, glowing statue—it is a powerful testament to the supreme realization of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, and the authentic, life-altering Dharma that grants sentient beings true mastery over life and death.

At the Hua Zang Si Temple in San Francisco, California, over a dozen rare and sacred Buddhist relics are enshrined. Among them is a bronze statue of the Prince (the young Shakyamuni Buddha) clad in a red robe, a sight that naturally commands reverence from all who visit.

The story takes us back to May 23, 2004. At the conclusion of that year’s Bathing Buddha Festival, in front of a crowd of eyewitnesses, this bronze statue suddenly began to radiate an incredibly brilliant, dazzling golden light! This sacred illumination did not fade quickly; it lasted for two and a half hours before slowly dissipating.

In over two thousand years of Buddhist history, countless Bathing Buddha ceremonies have been held, yet it is almost unheard of for a physical statue to manifest such prolonged, independent radiance. What was the cause behind this breathtaking miracle?

The answer lies across the Pacific Ocean, tied to the merits of an 81-year-old lay Buddhist named Madame Cheng-E Fen.

Madame Cheng-E Fen lived in Sichuan, China. She was a close relative of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III (known at the time as the Supreme Vaja Dharma King Master Yi Xi Nuo Bu) and devoutly practiced the Guan Yin (Avalokiteshvara) Dharma under His guidance.

In the spring of 2004, at age 81, Madame Cheng-E Fen began showing signs of physical failure due to advanced illness. However, her subsequent medical examinations at the Chengdu General Hospital left the medical community completely baffled.

Her X-ray films revealed a complete absence of lung imagery—just total, blank space. Doctors confirmed that her lungs had completely stopped functioning. She had no respiratory capability whatsoever; she could neither inhale nor exhale.

By all laws of medical science, a person without respiration is a deceased person.

Yet, despite having no breath, Madame Cheng-E Fen remained completely alive, clear-minded, and conversational for over a month! Witnesses even placed a light feather right in front of her nose and mouth; they watched it for over ten minutes, and it never stirred a fraction of an inch.

This phenomenon, entirely impossible by medical standards, was a direct manifestation of her deep spiritual realization—a profound transformation achieved through the true, authentic Dharma transmitted to her by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.

Knowing her time was near, Madame Cheng-E Fen had calmly made her final arrangements, changed into her burial robes, and waited for the pure land’s welcoming. On two separate occasions in her hospital room, she pressed her palms together and told those around her, “Guan Yin Bodhisattva has arrived.” At those exact moments, everyone in the room noticed a sudden, exquisite fragrance, and the sound of heavenly music echoing from the void.

Yet, both times, she did not depart. She explained to the onlookers: Her holy teacher in the United States—H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III—had requested Guan Yin Bodhisattva to delay her departure.

Goddess in blue robe sitting on a lotus flower surrounded by lotus pond and traditional Asian pagodas at dusk

She marveled, saying, “I saw the blue robes of Guan Yin Bodhisattva. Oh, the Western Pure Land is so beautiful! So many pavilions, so many flowers.”

To be in perfect spiritual communion with the Bodhisattvas, and to successfully request a delay in a disciple’s passing to reschedule their ascension—this represents an inconceivable, supreme holy realization. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III requested this delay so that her ultimate transition could align perfectly with a major spiritual event in the West, using this undeniable reality to awaken faith in a skeptical world.

On May 22, 2004, at 11:00 PM California time (which was 2:00 PM on May 23 in China), H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III called Venerable Shi Long Hui, the Chairwoman of the International Buddhism Sangha Association, to His presence. He prophesied: Madame Cheng-E Fen will pass away today in China, and Guan Yin Bodhisattva will escort her to the Western Pure Land.

The Buddha Master instructed Long Hui to publicly announce this news at the Bathing Buddha Festival in Los Angeles the following day, and to dedicate the immense merits of the ceremony to the elderly lady. He added: “Tomorrow’s festival carries extraordinarily powerful merit. I can no longer ask Guan Yin Bodhisattva to delay her departure. After I finish practicing Dharma tonight, Guan Yin Bodhisattva will come to take her tomorrow.”

Sure enough, at 7:00 AM the next morning in Los Angeles, word arrived from Sichuan: Madame Cheng-E Fen had peacefully and mindfully ascended with Guan Yin Bodhisattva exactly twenty minutes prior.

At that exact moment during the American festival, as the assembly united their hearts to dedicate the merits of the Bathing Buddha ceremony to her—the Prince statue at the temple erupted into a brilliant golden glow that lasted for two and a half hours. This profound convergence across the Pacific Ocean was the ultimate, undeniable confirmation from the heavens that the True Dharma is real and absolute.

The Search for Authentic Liberation

Witnessing this miracle in Sichuan, an earnest practitioner expressed what so many spiritual seekers feel today:

“For years, I have been searching, visiting many famous teachers and high lamas, yet I never felt I was learning the path to true liberation. Deep down, I knew I was still bound by my flaws, and I feared what would happen when I faced death.

Seeing the holy realization of Madame Cheng-E Fen, I know the Buddhas have answered my prayers. We must do everything we can to find the Master who taught her. He is the true Holy One. Only He can help us solve the ultimate problem of life and death!”

Remarkably, Madame Cheng-E Fen’s husband had also been a disciple of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III years prior, and he too achieved absolute freedom over his passing, leaving the world while meditating in a seated posture. For both husband and wife to achieve such monumental liberation is a rare and beautiful chapter in Buddhist history.

Life is fleeting, and impermanence arrives without warning. The miraculous ascension of Madame Cheng-E Fen and the radiant light of the Bathing Buddha Festival serve as a beacon of hope in our modern age.

The realization held by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is the authentic, primordial Dharma that allows everyday people to truly conquer death and attain liberation in this very lifetime. May all who read this find right mindfulness, connect with true spiritual paths, and reach the shore of ultimate freedom.

(This article is adapted from an interview with Venerable Abbess Ruo Hui. For the core teachings of Buddhism, please always refer to the original recorded discourses and published books of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.)

Link：https://peacelilysite.com/2026/05/22/light-across-the-ocean-a-miracle-at-the-bathing-buddha-festival-and-the-true-dharma-of-liberation/

The Last Night Before Liberation: A Tale of Dharma and Destiny

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During the time of the Buddha, King Fugasya and King Bimbisāra of Magadha were close friends. One day, King Fugasya gifted King Bimbisāra a magnificent flower crafted from seven kinds of treasures—gold, silver, and glazed tiles among them. Realizing that King Fugasya had never encountered the Buddha’s teachings, King Bimbisāra decided to offer the exquisite flower to the Buddha instead.

He said to the Buddha, “My good friend, King Fugasya, gave me this precious flower. I now offer it to the World-Honored One, wishing that the merit from this offering may help open his heart. May he let go of his attachments, come to revere the Three Jewels, and seek the Dharma. However, I am unsure what I can offer him in return.”

The Buddha replied,
“Write down the Sutra of the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination and give it to him. Once he receives this sutra, he will surely begin to develop faith and understanding.”

King Bimbisāra immediately copied the sutra and sent it to King Fugasya with a message:
“You have given me a priceless flower of treasures; I now return a flower of Dharma. If you contemplate its meaning, you will understand the truth of dependent origination and karmic consequences. I hope you will recite it sincerely, and experience the taste of the Dharma.”

Upon receiving the sutra, King Fugasya read it repeatedly and deeply contemplated its meaning. The teachings resonated with him. He exclaimed,
“This Dharma is truly subtle and profound! It calms the mind and brings peace to the nation. Wealth, desire, fame, food, and sleep—these worldly pursuits are the root of suffering. For countless lifetimes I have been lost in delusion, but now I finally see the true nature of existence. There is nothing in this world worth clinging to.”

With this realization, King Fugasya gathered his ministers, announced his abdication, and passed the throne to the crown prince. Then he shaved his head, donned robes, and left the worldly life behind.

He set out on foot to seek the Buddha in Rājagṛha, determined to receive the precepts and deepen his cultivation. When he arrived at the outskirts of the city in the evening, he decided to rest overnight at a potter’s house. The next morning, he planned to go on alms-round and visit the monastery.

However, the Buddha, with His all-seeing wisdom, knew that King Fugasya’s life would end the next day—he would not live to meet the Buddha or hear the Dharma in the conventional way. Out of great compassion, the Buddha manifested as an ordinary monk and went to the potter’s house seeking shelter.

The potter said,
“There’s already a monk here tonight. He’s resting in the kiln cave—you may stay with him.”

The Buddha took some dry grass, entered the kiln cave, and sat in a corner. He gently asked the monk,
“Where are you from? Who is your teacher? What brought you to the monastic path? Have you ever seen the Buddha?”

King Fugasya replied,
“I have never seen the Buddha. I only read the Sutra of the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination. It inspired me to renounce the world and seek the path. Tomorrow, I plan to go into the city for alms, then visit the monastery to meet the Buddha and request the precepts.”

The Buddha responded with heartfelt words:
“Human life is fragile—impermanence arrives without warning. This body is made of the four elements—earth, water, fire, and wind—and when death comes, they simply return to their natural state. There is no need to fear. Keep your mind clear, let go of deluded thoughts, and place your trust in the Three Jewels. Practice generosity and maintain pure precepts with sincerity. If you understand the truth of impermanence in this way, it is as if you have already seen the Buddha. Do not cling to the idea of seeing Him tomorrow, for true benefit lies in your present awareness.”

Then, the Buddha expounded the profound truths of suffering, emptiness, and impermanence. King Fugasya listened with deep concentration, entered meditative absorption, and swiftly attained the Anāgāmi (Non-returner) stage. Recognizing his realization, the Buddha revealed His true, radiant form.

Overwhelmed with joy and reverence, King Fugasya prostrated and received a final teaching:
“When impermanence comes, do not be afraid.”

He vowed to uphold the Dharma faithfully.

The next morning, while going into the city for alms, King Fugasya was fatally gored by a mother cow protecting her newborn calf. Because he had already attained realization, his rebirth was in the Anāgāmi Heaven.

The Buddha, upon hearing of his passing, instructed the disciples to cremate his body and build a stupa in his honor. He then solemnly reminded them:
“Be ever mindful, for the root of all karmic offenses lies in carelessness.”

This world of samsara is full of the inevitable sufferings of birth, aging, sickness, and death. For those attached to fleeting worldly pleasures, this story is a powerful reminder to awaken.

By placing faith in the Dharma, recognizing our inherent pure Buddha-nature, contemplating impermanence, practicing wholesome deeds, and accumulating both merit and wisdom, we can transcend the pain of impermanence and attain lasting peace and happiness.

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2025/04/25/the-last-night-before-liberation-a-tale-of-dharma-and-destiny/

The Power Of The Holy Vajra Needle

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My name is Guang-Fen Fu. Since I was young, I have been physically weak and often ill. When I became an adult, my mother told me, “Daughter! You have had a weak constitution since you were young. Go and learn medicine. This will be good for your health, and you will not become weary through exerting too much physical strength.”

        In 1958, I began following a teacher to learn traditional Chinese medicine. Because my illnesses resulted from the power of karma accumulated through many lifetimes and eons, my illnesses did not decrease as my knowledge of medicine and my experience in practicing medicine grew. Disease constantly followed me wherever I went.

        In 1978 and the following few years, I suffered from a gastric ulcer in which most of my stomach hemorrhaged. During that time, I also discharged blood when going to the bathroom and vomited blood. In 1981, I had no choice but to undergo surgery to cut out most of my stomach. My health was even worse after the surgery. My food intake lessened, my face became pale, I spoke without any vigor, my spirit was weak, my movements were slow, and I often could not go to work.

        As a result of the care and assistance given to me by a friend, in 1987, I met my respected Buddha Master, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu Holiest Tathagata. When His Holiness learned of my suffering from illness and my strained financial circumstances, His Holiness showed immense compassion and concern. His Holiness treated me with the holy vajra needle. H.H. Buddha Master asked me to show His Holiness the acupuncture point on my foot called Zu San Li. My respected Buddha Master then squatted down and applied that needle to me. After the needle was applied, my respected Buddha Master then said, “Pay attention! I will now apply my dharma power.”

        When my respected Buddha Master put his hands into a mudra before me, I immediately began to feel numbness, swelling, and pain. My whole body emitted heat, and I was slightly perspiring. When my respected Buddha Master heard me repeatedly scream in pain, His Holiness released his hands from that mudra. I instantly felt that the numbness, swelling, and pain I had just experienced had disappeared. The only thing I felt was a relaxed and comfortable feeling that my body had never before experienced. My respected Buddha Master then said, “This needle was used to open your energy channels and chakras. You are too anemic.”

        I had not yet become a Buddhist or learned Buddhism at that time. My respected Buddha Master treated me and all other living beings as his own family members, equally lending them a helping hand out of great compassion. In 1988, I knew that I wanted to convert to and learn Buddhism in order to leave suffering, attain happiness, and walk the path leading to accomplishment in the dharma and liberation from the cycle of reincarnation.

        After following H.H. Buddha Master, my health has improved day by day; my complexion is ruddy, my spirit is clear, my voice is resonant, and I walk with vigor. I gradually understood just how magnificent H.H. Buddha Master is. I also came to comprehend the realness of Buddha Dharma gradually. Those who see me now say, “You have totally changed in the last two years. You don’t look so frail as you did before.” What they found most difficult to believe is that I returned from my trip to the plateaus of Tibet and Qinghai, which are places that lack oxygen without any adverse health effects.

        Because I received H.H. Buddha Master’s teachings and empowerment, I advanced in the area of medicine. I took a countywide test and was the first to receive a certificate of qualification as a traditional Chinese medicine doctor. I took provincial and municipal tests and obtained certificates qualifying me as a “doctor-in-charge” who practices traditional Chinese medicine. The hospital put a sign up for me that read “expert outpatient service.” My patients have increased day by day. I have cured patients near and far of their difficult and complicated illnesses. As a result, I have a bit of fame in the local area where I live. Everything that I have is due to the teachings and empowerment that the Buddha Master bestowed upon me after I began learning Buddhism. The kindness and grace H.H. Buddha Master conferred upon me are as enormous as a mountain. Each and every bit of his kindness and grace is indelibly etched in my heart.

        I remember one day around the year 1989. Zi-Fang Liu, a disciple of my respected Buddha Master, went to the home of my respected Buddha Master in the Nanxin District of Xindu. She beseeched my respected Buddha Master to save her. She said that her illness had lasted many years, was acutely painful, and was about to collapse. She had been to all of the major hospitals in China and had spent a lot of money, all to no avail. I saw that her complexion was unnaturally dark and that her whole body was rigid. She constantly complained about her unbearable pain.

        Then, she suddenly fell to the ground and did not get up. She looked ghastly pale. My respected Buddha Master immediately treated her with the holy vajra needle in order to empower her. Because she was in a state of shock, she did not have any reaction when the needle was applied. After a short while, Sister Liu regained consciousness, stood up, and stated she was no longer in pain.

        Every time I saw the wonders of my respected Buddha Master’s holy vajra needle, I had an even greater desire to learn how to apply that holy needle. One day I said to my respected Buddha Master, “Respected Buddha Master, teach me how to apply that amazing needle so that I may cure more patients.” My respected Buddha Master said in a soft voice, “Guang-Fen, your powers are insufficient. Let’s put that matter aside for the time being.” One time I saw Hsi Jao Ken Ten Rinpoche, who is from Taiwan, also ask my respected Buddha Master to teach him how to apply that amazing needle. My respected Buddha Master replied, “Your powers are insufficient. Let’s put that matter aside for the time being.”

        I later learned that the source of the effectiveness of the holy vajra needle is my respected Buddha Master’s state of realization and virtue and the power of his merit. With a holy mind of enlightenment and great compassion, His Holiness assists living beings with physical illnesses, psychological illnesses, and living beings suffering due to the power of karma. Furthermore, His Holiness constantly and compassionately empowers living beings through his teachings, thereby enabling them to extricate themselves from suffering and find the key to curing and preventing disease.

        I have followed H.H. Buddha Master for more than ten years. I, Guang-Fen, have evolved from a person who did not understand anything about learning Buddhism and self-cultivation to a Buddhist disciple striving to integrate wisdom, compassion, and skillful means and a person striving to be selfless. Based upon empowerment from my respected Master’s practice and from the lineage of great masters throughout generations, a type of merit of the fruit of Buddhahood exerts its influence, causing Buddhist disciples to walk the path toward liberation and accomplishment in the dharma. With the incomparable kindness and empowerment of my respected Buddha Master, Buddhist disciples give rise to bodhicitta and strive to enlighten themselves and others. The compassion, care, and protection my respected Buddha Master bestows upon his disciples and all living beings cannot be described in words. To know what I am saying, you have to experience it yourself.

        I sincerely feel that the kindness and grace shown to me by my Buddha Master are difficult to repay. All I can do is resolve to be a disciple of the Buddha in all my future lives and devoutly and respectfully turn to and rely upon the eternal Buddha Master. Only a Buddha Master can lead Buddhist disciples out of the bitter sea of reincarnation and lead them toward liberation, accomplishment in the dharma, ending of the cycle of birth and death, becoming a Buddha, saving other living beings, undertaking the cause of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and repaying the kindness of the Buddhas.

        This year I have passed sixty-five years of age. What I have written above is my own true personal experience. I have not lied. If what I wrote above contains lies, I am willing to descend into the Avici Hell (hell of uninterrupted suffering). If what I wrote above is true, I offer the merit of this writing to my magnificent Buddha Master, who is like my father and mother. I also dedicate such merit to all of my vajra Brothers and Sisters so that they attain enlightenment soon and to all sentient beings on the six paths of reincarnation. Amitabha!

Written and respectfully submitted by a Buddhist disciple,
Guang-Fen Fu

April 16, 2006

(This is a complete translation of the Chinese text that was initially written and signed by Guang-Fen Fu.)

Embracing Life’s Impermanence: A Call to Seek Liberation Through Buddhism

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Life is fleeting, a truth echoed by philosophers across history. Human existence is undeniably intertwined with suffering. To counterbalance this suffering, people often seek meaning through achievements or temporary relief in material pleasures. When conflicts arise, modern psychology offers positive thinking strategies to ease distress, yet it seldom explores the deeper essence of life, offering only superficial comfort rather than lasting resolution.

A lifetime passes in the blink of an eye. Pause for a moment and reflect: If you were to gather all the joyful moments of your life, how many days would they truly account for? And how many days were instead consumed by pain, worry, resentment, frustration, or helplessness? For most, the latter dominates.

Everything in this world is impermanent. Our loved ones, our wealth, the children we raise, and even our own bodies—none can remain with us forever. Eventually, all things return to dust. Life is like a passing guest, reminding us that the most vital truth is to seize the present moment while we can.

The ancient Greek philosopher Epictetus taught: “For things beyond our control, we should remain optimistic and confident. For things within our control, we should stay cautious and restrained.” Anxiety and fear cannot alter tomorrow’s outcomes, but they can ruin today. True wisdom lies in accepting what we cannot change and acting mindfully where we can.

Life’s path is unpredictable. No one knows what the next moment holds. Beyond treasuring the present, we can only strive to be our best selves. Do not wait until happiness slips away to feel regret. Treasure each effort and every connection, for what is lost may never return.

Nature’s cycles remind us of renewal—flowers bloom after withering, grass sprouts anew with the seasons. Yet human life is different. We are not like flowers or grass; our lives come but once. Once this life ends, it will not return. This truth makes it even more crucial to cherish each moment and live with purpose.

A beautiful Russian poem reminds us of life’s brevity:

“A day is short, so brief that before you can embrace the morning, dusk has already arrived. A year is short, so fleeting that before you can savor the vibrant reds and greens of spring, autumn frost is already setting in. A lifetime is short, so brief that before you can fully enjoy your youthful days, old age has already arrived.”

Among the most precious blessings in life is not what we have lost or seek to gain but the ability to treasure the present. As taught in Buddhism:

“The human body is rare and difficult to obtain, yet we have attained it. The Dharma is difficult to encounter, yet we have heard it. If we do not seek liberation in this lifetime, in which lifetime shall we seek it?”

In this rare and precious life, we have not only obtained a human body but also the extraordinary opportunity to encounter the true Buddha — H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and hear the sacred teachings. The Buddha’s Dharma voice purifies the heart, and when we apply these teachings in our daily conduct, it is like donning armor that shields us from suffering and empowers us with boundless blessings and wisdom.

For those beginning their spiritual journey, the safest and most effective path to rapid growth is to purify and fortify the mind with the authentic teachings of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. His words offer a beacon of guidance, cleansing karmic obstacles and illuminating the path to liberation.

When this precious human life ends, if we remain trapped in the endless cycle of reincarnation, where will we seek the path to liberation? The opportunity is now. As Buddhist disciples, we must cherish this rare blessing, dedicating our lives to listening to the Dharma, studying the sacred teachings, and aligning our actions with the truths taught by the Buddha.

To cherish the H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III‘s Dharma voice is, ultimately, to cherish our own lives. Let us not delay but strive for liberation in this very lifetime.

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2025/01/09/embracing-lifes-impermanence-a-call-to-seek-liberation-through-buddhism/

The Old Boat and the Journey Within: Lessons from the Buddha on Cultivation and Liberation

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During the Buddha’s lifetime, there was a time when he was teaching on the far side of a river. Eager to hear his wisdom, many monks wished to cross the river, but there was only one boat available. The boatman warned them, “My boat is very old, and with so many of you on board, it could be dangerous!” Yet, in their eagerness to reach the Buddha, the monks ignored the boatman’s caution and all climbed aboard. Reluctantly, the boatman set sail.

As they reached the middle of the river, the monks noticed water seeping into the bottom of the boat, and panic began to spread. The boatman calmly said, “I told you this boat is old, but you didn’t listen. Now, if you can’t stay calm, the boat will sink even faster.”

Upon hearing this, the monks stilled themselves and did not dare move. Thankfully, the boatman’s experience guided them safely to the other shore.

When the monks arrived and recounted the incident to the Buddha, he offered this teaching: “When you were in the boat, you feared for your safety. But in daily life, you fail to realize that danger is ever-present. Many people worry about the uncertainty of the future, yet neglect the most important thing — being mindful of the present moment. Focus on this life, this moment. Pay attention to your thoughts and purify your mind of the five poisons: greed, anger, ignorance, pride, and doubt.”

The Buddha continued, “Our bodies are like that old, leaky boat. We must reduce its burden, and the heaviest load is the weight of greed, anger, ignorance, pride, and doubt. Just like in the boat, if we don’t repair our minds and lighten our burdens, we risk sinking. Only by addressing these burdens can we safely reach the other shore.”

“Do not be preoccupied with the thought of being reborn in the Western Pure Land in your next life. Instead, focus on your present condition. Are you free from afflictions in this very moment? Do you act with an open heart? Can you humble yourself in the eyes of others? These are the true questions we must face in life.”

The contemporary Buddha H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III  has also imparted timeless wisdom on cultivation. His Holiness teaches that true cultivation stems from the depths of your heart, from your bodhicitta — the awakened mind of compassion. Be genuinely friendly and loving to your spouse, your brothers, and your sisters. Foster harmony with your friends, act cooperatively with others, and extend care and help to all sentient beings. Apply the Four Limitless States of Mind — loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity — and cultivate bodhicitta in every action. Constantly reflect on yourself: How do you treat others with your words? With your thoughts? With your actions?

The conduct of Buddhas and great Bodhisattvas is marked by complete disregard for personal gain. When interests conflict, they give way to others, willingly taking fewer benefits or even none. You must remind yourself, “When others harm or slander me, I will not be disturbed. Even to those who harm me, I will wish them well, sincerely hoping for their happiness. Furthermore, I will take practical steps to help them, even offering financial aid — without letting them know that I am doing so.”

By living in accordance with these teachings, we become holy ones at the causal stage. Without a doubt, such cultivation leads to the perfection of wisdom and virtue. Achieving liberation and accomplishment becomes as simple as turning over one’s hand!

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2024/09/19/the-old-boat-and-the-journey-within-lessons-from-the-buddha-on-cultivation-and-liberation/

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