Recognitions and Congratulations to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III
When over a hundred great Dharma Kings, Regents, and Rinpoches from various Buddhist traditions throughout the world lawfully recognized, in accordance with Buddhist precepts, that Namo H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is the reincarnation of the ancient Buddha, Buddhist disciples around the globe rejoiced in celebration. The descent of Namo H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III brings to the beings of this Dharma-ending age the correct and unerring True Dharma of the Tathagata that leads to liberation from the cycle of birth and death. How fortunate living beings are to personally hear the teachings of the Buddha — there is now hope for attaining enlightenment in this very lifetime!
Online Slander and Misunderstanding of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III’s Holy State
However, some people on the internet refuse to face the legitimate recognitions, the holy realization, and the perfect mastery of theFive Vidyās and teachings of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III with reason or correct understanding. Instead, they fabricate rumors, spread insults, slander, defamation, and false accusations — maliciously twisting facts, inventing lies, and making baseless claims. They use vulgar words, forge fake documents, false notices, and false statements, and even create distorted images and mocking content — doing everything they can to attack H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. Through their own words and actions, they merely expose their ignorance and lack of virtue.
Some say, “A Buddha or Bodhisattva is realized through practice, not by ‘recognition.’” “Shakyamuni Buddha didn’t need a certificate of recognition.” But their purpose is clear — to stop more people from learning the true Buddha Dharma and attaining liberation!
So, does a Buddha need recognition when descending into the world?
A Practice for the Benefit of Sentient Beings.
A Buddha is one of unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment and complete wisdom. The reason one is a Buddha lies in their realization and enlightenment — not because of any recognition by others. No matter how great a Dharma King, Regent, or Rinpoche may be, their level of realization is far inferior to that of a Buddha; thus, any recognition they offer to a Buddha would be, in essence, just a piece of paper of no value to the Buddha.
However, because sentient beings in this world often lack the wisdom to discern between true and false saints, between genuine Buddha Dharma and false teachings that imitate Buddhism, they may easily be misled by superficial appearances and deviant views. Therefore, for the benefit of sentient beings, by following the Buddhist tradition of formal recognition, those virtuous masters issued such recognitions that help people give rise to faith and thus be saved. This is an act of right knowledge and right view.
The Example of Master Padmasambhava and the Importance of Recognition
Master Padmasambhava
When Master Padmasambhava first went to Tibet to propagate the Dharma, he was not greeted with respectful welcoming crowds. Instead, the Tibetan people were terrified and shouted, “Quick! Drive out this sorcerer who performs strange magic without lineage transmission! Do not let him deceive us with his witchcraft!” They even lifted him up and threw him into a muddy pit. Later, Master Padmasambhava returned to India and asked two renowned masters to write letters of recognition. Only then did Buddhism begin to flourish in Tibet. In fact, those two masters later became Master Padmasambhava’s disciples.
Therefore, when Buddhas or Bodhisattvas reincarnate and manifest again in this world, undergoing recognition according to Buddhist rules is not for their own sake, but for the sake of helping sentient beings generate faith and thereby be liberated.
Indeed, the realization and attainment of a Buddha or Bodhisattva come from their own cultivation and enlightenment. The realization, virtue, and attainment of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are the manifestation of their supreme enlightenment. The pure and flawless conduct of Namo H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, His mastery of both exoteric and esoteric teachings, His perfect command of the Five Vidyās, and His countless acts of liberating sentient beings — all fully demonstrate the enlightenment and realization of a true Buddha!
Therefore, I sincerely advise those who slander: repent sincerely before the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, or karmic retribution will not spare you! At the same time, I compassionately remind all who truly wish to learn and practice Buddhism: we live in the Dharma ending age, when confusion prevails, and the nature of the demonic offspring is to destroy the Dharma and obstruct sentient beings from learning the true path. Kind-hearted beings, please open your eyes of wisdom, discern the true from the false, and do not be deceived by demonic forces — lest you miss the supreme Dharma opportunity that can bring you liberation from birth and death in this very lifetime!
Ven. Junmai Baima Dorje Rinpoche is a nirmanakaya of Vajravarahi. He is the fourth Ven. Baima Dorje Rinpoche. Various auspicious signs manifested at the birth of the rinpoche. When the rinpoche was five years old, the national master of Bhutan, H.H. Dharma King Dilgo Khyentse, personally signed and issued a recognition certificate recognizing the identity of the rinpoche. H.H. Dharma King Penor and H.E. Dharma King Rabjam also personally wrote recognition certificates.
At the age of about three, the child rinpoche used two fingers to transform a small, thick Tibetan knife into the shape of a coil. After passing through many hands, that knife is now at Hua Zang Si in San Francisco, where a special place for that holy object has been established to display it for public worship and veneration. The rinpoche currently resides at the Shechen Monastery. He has received initiations from the esoteric lineage of H.H. the 10 th Panchen Lama and other persons of great holiness and virtue. The rinpoche benefits all living beings by applying the wisdom and realization of a Bodhisattva.
I respectfully honor the Three Bodies and Four Wisdoms of the Dharma King of the Three Spheres, H.H. Yangwo Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu: We were fortunate to be able to read the book about the Buddha Vajradhara Dharma King, A Treasury of True Buddha-Dharma — A Collection of H.H. Yangwo Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu’s Accomplishments Manifesting Complete Proficiency in Exoteric and Esoteric Buddhism and Perfect Mastery of the Five Vidyas . We cannot describe how deeply astonished and moved we were. Those thirty main categories of accomplishments present a splendid sight that includes the cikitsvidya (healing vidya), silpakarmasthanavidya (craftsmanship vidya), sabdavidya (sound vidya), adhyatmavidya (inner realization vidya), and hetuvidya (causality or Buddhist logic vidya) in their holy sense. Such accomplishments have never been seen before in the history of Buddhism. A Treasury of True Buddha- Dharma is the highest Buddha-dharma treasure and manifests H.H. Great Dharma King’s supreme realization and virtue. H.H. Great Dharma King is the first holy being who used true realization to display fully in the dharma realm the teachings of the Buddha! H.H. Great Dharma King is the true Buddha Vajradhara, the teacher of both humans and celestial beings! In this Dharma-Ending Age, we are deeply happy that living beings in the earthly realm have the guidance of H.H. Great Dharma King. May H.H. Great Dharma King forever live in the world and forever teach the dharma!
Most honorable H.H. Yangwo Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu Buddha Vajradhara Dharma King:
First, on behalf of all of the monks in our temple, I convey my warmest congratulations to H.H. Great Dharma King for the publication of A Treasury of True Buddha-Dharma — A Collection of H.H. Yangwo Wan Ko Yisinubu’s Accomplishments Manifesting Complete Proficiency in Exoteric and Esoteric Buddhism and Perfect Mastery of the Five Vidyas!
Since the time the world-honored Sakyamuni taught the dharma, there have been countless great Bodhisattvas and great masters who, having received the Buddha’s teachings, came to this earthly world of birth, aging, sickness, and death in order to expound and propagate the sutras and save living beings. However, a great wish of the Buddha was that accomplishments in the Five Vidyas be shown to living beings in order to lead living beings onto the path of Buddhist self-cultivation. In this regard, H.H. Great Dharma King is the greatest holy being in this earthly realm!
H.H. Great Dharma King possesses perfect compassion and wisdom. His Holiness does not shirk toil or hardship in the pursuit of teaching and edifying living beings. We should take H.H. Great Dharma King as our eternal model, forever propagate the dharma, and pervasively save sentient beings.
Photo Courtesy: Hua Zang Si (Community members unite across California to honor the Life Release Day Designated by Buddha, transforming compassion into action through ceremonies, education, and charitable outreach.)
Buddhist communities across California came together on October 29 to honor “The Life Release Day Designated by Buddha,” a global observance dedicated to compassion, the protection of life, and the collective aspiration for peace.
On the morning of October 29, 2025, the H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Cultural and Art Museum hosted a life release event at the Marina Del Rey harbor, drawing spiritual leaders and community members from across Southern California. The event was led by Venerable Master Ruzun Ruohui, Abbess of Hua Zang Si Temple and Hongfa Temple.
Participants gathered in unity to chant praises and recite the Great Compassion Mantra of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva. Venerable Master Ruzun Ruohui blessed the fish awaiting release with consecrated Dharma water, offering prayers that these sentient beings be freed from suffering and karmic obstructions. Upon release, the fish were returned to the ocean with the hope that they would find safety and live free from harm and predators.
The Life Release Day Designated by Buddha originated on October 29, 2009, when H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III personally led His disciples in a life release ceremony following a significant Buddhist event. He compassionately declared this day as “Life Release Day” to promote the protection of life and the practice of compassion.
The H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Cultural and Art Museum upholds the compassionate teachings of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. The museum urges all sectors of society to transform empathy into action—promoting the safeguarding of life, the cessation of killing, and the daily practices of kindness as a fundamental way of living. Venerable Master Ruzun Ruohui emphasized that life release practices are not confined to specific days or locations. Whenever a life is in danger, we are called to act—to return it to a suitable environment, to grant it freedom, and to relieve it from fear.
On October 29, 2025, San Francisco’s Hua Zang Si Temple also held a life release ceremony at San Rafael. Participants from diverse cultural backgrounds gathered to recite the Heart Sutra and the Great Compassion Mantra before gently releasing fish back to their natural habitat. Organizers emphasized that life release is not only a spiritual practice, but also a call to awaken society’s compassion and deepen our care for the sentient beings.
Photo Courtesy: H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Cultural and Art Museum Venerable Master Ruzun Ruohui blesses fish awaiting release with Dharma water during the Life Release Day ceremony at Marina Del Rey.
Photo Courtesy: H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Cultural and Art Museum Upon release, the fish were returned to the ocean.
To nurture compassion in the next generation, Hua Zang Si Temple held a Buddhist children’s story class on October 19. Through storytelling and interactive learning, the program guided young participants to understand the core values of “equality of all life” and “compassion without harm.” The initiative was warmly received by parents, who expressed deep appreciation for the temple’s commitment to meaningful and values-based education.
On October 26, Macang Monastery in San Francisco held a special “Life Release Day Blessing and Food Donation Ceremony” in honor of the Life Release Day Designated by Buddha. Following collective sutra recitation and prayers by both monastics and lay practitioners, the temple donated food supplies to unhoused individuals and low-income families—embodying the Buddhist spirit of compassion and service to those in need.
This year’s Life Release Day Designated by Buddha brought together Buddhist disciples and compassionate leaders from all walks of life through a range of activities—including life release ceremonies, prayer gatherings, educational outreach, and food donations. Participants were reminded that cultivation is not merely a slogan, but a continuous practice through every kind thought and virtuous deed.
At that moment, I felt as if I were rising from a cold, dark ocean or walking out of a long nightmare tunnel. The light before my eyes was so dazzling that it took me a while to recognize the blurred figures within it. Sitting beside me was my spouse, and standing there smiling was my daughter. As for myself—I was lying on a hospital bed.
My mind was completely blank. It felt as if my memory had been wiped clean; nothing remained but confusion and a faint, awkward sense of unease. I anxiously searched through my thoughts but found only helplessness and fear— until a familiar melody began to echo clearly in my mind — the holy name of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, resonating like a chant from deep within my heart.
Gradually, my terrified heart began to calm. The holy name persisted—unyielding and unwavering—repeating again and again, washing over my pale and fragile memory. I thought to myself, This must be what people call a “near-death experience.”
My spouse and daughter helped piece together the fragments of my missing story.
We live in Shandong. I had come to Shenzhen to help my daughter take care of her child. One day, without any warning, I suddenly collapsed in silence. My family rushed me to the hospital, where I was diagnosed with a cerebral hemorrhage. The surgery was completed successfully. Upon hearing the news, my spouse immediately flew from Shandong to Shenzhen.
They continued to fill in the missing pieces of my story:
I had just taken refuge in May 2016 to become a Buddhist disciple. However, before I could properly begin my Buddhist studies, I went to Shenzhen in June 2017 to help my daughter. Fellow practitioners in Shandong kindly connected me with disciples in Shenzhen and encouraged me not to give up my practice.
Listening to the Dharma Discourses of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III
After arriving in Shenzhen, I actively reached out to my daughter’s neighbors, hoping to introduce them to Buddhism. My daughter and son-in-law supported me wholeheartedly; they even drove me and several neighbors to a Dharma center in Shenzhen to listen to the Dharma discourses of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. Because that place was quite far, a Dharma sister later introduced me to another practitioner’s home nearby where I could listen to the teachings. Though we hadn’t known each other before, we grew close through our shared faith—everyone cared deeply about my practice and my health.
When I regained consciousness, I couldn’t remember anything from before. Strangely, the only thing that remained clear and loud in my mind was the sacred name:
Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III.
In the same hospital ward, other patients with similar conditions were not as fortunate. Many were left partially paralyzed, unable to walk steadily or care for themselves. Life had become fragile—so easily shattered.
Phrases like “Life is impermanent” and “Like a dream, like an illusion” surfaced in my mind. I was deeply afraid that I, too, would become disabled and burden my family. But thankfully, although surgery had taken part of my memory, my mind remained clear enough to hold onto that one holy name:
Like a beam of light, that name illuminated the dark and uncertain path ahead.
Miraculously Blessed by Buddha
That single remaining memory gave me unwavering faith. I believed the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas were blessing me, allowing me to survive and turn a great disaster into something small.
I felt truly blessed to have entered the Buddhist path and firmly believed that the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas would not abandon me. As long as I kept believing and continued to study diligently, I would recover—because I still had much to do. I wanted to help more people enter the Dharma and listen to the true teachings of the Tathāgata. Holding that faith in my heart, I kept reciting the only words I could still remember: Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III — again and again, without pause. Then, a miracle happened. I gradually recovered. About twenty days later, the doctor told me I could be discharged from the hospital.
The doctor said that in all his years of medical practice, he had never seen such a recovery. Patients with my condition almost always had some form of disability—but I could walk freely, with no trace of impairment.
After returning home to Shandong, I could even ride an electric bike to attend Dharma listening sessions and play ball again. My memory of the Dharma I had learned before also came back, and I rejoined my wonderful spiritual family with deep gratitude.
Awakening to Impermanence Through the Teachings of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III
After going through this life-and-death experience, I truly understood the impermanence of life. Now, whenever I listen to the Dharma discourses on Impermanence from my Buddha Master, I feel their truth penetrate deep into my heart. Every compassionate teaching from the Buddha Master is like nectar—healing medicine that saves lives.
Fellow practitioners, when illness strikes, we can only accept our karma; no matter how anxious our loved ones may be, there is little they can do. Yet when our bodies are healthy, we often waste our precious time in confusion, unaware that the chain of impermanence could seize us at any moment.
Do not waste this rare and precious opportunity to encounter the true Dharma of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III!
Cherish your blessings, study the Dharma diligently, and cultivate sincerely.
Liberation from life and death is attainable in this very lifetime!
In 1947, shortly after Japan’s surrender and withdrawal from China, the great Zen Master Xuyun (Empty Cloud) gave a profound speech at a middle school. The nation was still recovering from the devastation of war, and hearts were heavy with both relief and sorrow. With deep compassion, Master Xuyun used the timeless wisdom of the Buddha to explain the law of cause and effect (karma) — reminding people that wars do not arise by chance, but are the result of humanity’s collective actions.
He taught that true peace cannot be achieved through force or politics alone. Only by transforming our hearts and purifying our minds through virtue, compassion, and the practice of Buddhist teachings can we bring real and lasting peace to the world.
War does not arise by chance — it is the collective karma of all beings that brings it forth.
Dear friends, during the years of occupation, we endured immense suffering under the enemy’s oppression — our lives were steeped in water and fire, hardship and pain. Now that our nation has regained its light, we should feel endless gratitude and reflection. We must understand that the outbreak of war is not accidental; it is the result of the shared karma created by all individuals.
The ancient masters said, “If you wish to know the causes of your past lives, look at what you are experiencing in this life. If you wish to know the results of your future lives, look at what you are doing now.” They also said, “Even after hundreds or thousands of eons, the karma one has created will not disappear. When the conditions ripen, the results will be experienced by oneself.”
When people lose their moral compass and commit all kinds of evil, they plant the seeds for calamities such as war, floods, fires, and famine. If we wish to change the will of Heaven and eliminate disasters, we must begin by transforming human hearts — by restoring virtue and morality. When everyone practices the Five Precepts and the Ten Good Deeds, cultivates upright minds and pure conduct, and lives with benevolence, trust, and righteousness, then the hearts of men and the will of Heaven will naturally align.
But if people persist in wrongdoing and refuse to repent, how can hostility and suffering ever be dissolved? The Buddha said, “The sea of suffering has no end, but when one turns around, there is the shore.” This means awakening from delusion and returning to goodness — the essential path to liberation.
We must truly believe in the law of cause and effect. It is not fiction but reality. If everyone understood that good deeds bring good results, and evil deeds bring suffering — that when one plants melons, one harvests melons; when one plants beans, one harvests beans — then no one would dare to act against conscience or break the law. Out of great compassion for all beings, Shakyamuni Buddha renounced his royal life and underwent arduous practice to save the world from ignorance and suffering.
If we understand the principle of cause and effect and wish to avoid future suffering, we must now create good causes. The hardships we experience today are the results of past evil actions. Therefore, we should now sow good seeds, and in time, we will naturally reap good fruits.
The scriptures speak of “Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi,” meaning “unsurpassed perfect enlightenment.” In its essence, it transcends the distinction of self and others — there is no “you” and “me.” But this state must be cultivated from one’s own heart. If our minds remain filled with greed, anger, and ignorance, unable to abandon all evil and practice all good, the barriers of self and ego become like iron mountains, preventing us from reaching the Pure Land or true harmony. This is the most crucial point — one we must all remember well.
The Sanskrit word “Buddha” means “the Awakened One.” Enlightenment has three aspects: awakening oneself, awakening others, and perfecting both understanding and conduct.
To awaken oneself is to realize that all experiences of good and evil, joy and suffering, arise from cause and effect. Once a person truly understands this, delusion fades, the four attachments dissolve, and one becomes enlightened.
To awaken others means recognizing that all living beings — whether born from the womb, from eggs, from moisture, or by transformation — all possess Buddha nature. They are called “sentient beings” only because they are deluded and unaware. We should therefore cherish and respect ourselves, and in keeping with the Buddha’s great vow of compassion and universal salvation, share these truths with others, guiding them out of the sea of suffering.
As stated in the Śūraṅgama Sūtra: “Regard all men as your fathers and all women as your mothers.” If we cultivate such deep reverence and love, especially for widows, orphans, and those who are lonely or destitute, and show them kindness and compassion through giving and aid, we can realize true equality and the ideal of great harmony.
To perfect both understanding and conduct means to live according to the Buddha’s teachings and precepts until one’s virtue and merit are complete. After the Buddha’s passing, he left behind the Three Baskets of Scriptures — Sutra, Vinaya, and Abhidharma — as our priceless raft to cross the sea of suffering. All the rules and precepts should be faithfully practiced. When one fulfills them completely, that is the perfection of wisdom and conduct.
Thus, the Buddha is the awakened one, while sentient beings are the deluded. The distinction between delusion and enlightenment marks the boundary between beings and Buddhas. To turn away from delusion and return to truth — that is awakening, and that is Buddhahood.
To further illustrate the law of karma, there is a story from one of Shakyamuni Buddha’s past lives.
Long ago, in the city of Rajagaha, there was a fishing village with a large pond. One year, a great drought struck, and the pond began to dry up. The villagers caught and ate almost all the fish, until only one giant fish remained, which was finally killed and eaten. Only one eight-year-old boy refused to eat the fish; he simply watched and laughed.
In his later life as the Buddha, King Prasenajit of Kosala, a devoted follower of the Buddha, married a princess of the Shakya clan, and they had a son named King Virudhaka. After ascending the throne, Virudhaka led his army to attack the Shakya capital of Kapilavastu and slaughtered all its inhabitants.
During that time, the Buddha suffered a severe headache for three days. His disciples begged him to use his powers to save the Shakya people, but he refused. Even when Maudgalyayana repeatedly pleaded, the Buddha said no. Maudgalyayana tried to rescue some survivors with his alms bowl, but when he put it down, all he found was a pool of blood.
When the disciples asked why, the Buddha revealed the cause: in a past life, during a great drought in Rajagaha, the villagers had killed and eaten the fish in that pond. The giant fish was reborn as King Virudhaka, and the villagers were reborn as the Shakyas who were killed. The young boy who merely watched and laughed was reborn as Shakyamuni Buddha himself. Because this karma had matured, the outcome was unchangeable.
The Buddha fully understood this karmic connection and taught it to his disciples as a warning. Chan Master Yuan Yun wrote in verse:
“For hundreds of years, the soup in your bowl Is filled with deep hatred, hard to dissolve. If you wish to know why wars arise, Listen to the cries from the butcher’s gate at midnight.”
Reflect on this story and recite the verse, and you will awaken to the true causes of war and violence — and learn to guard your conduct with mindfulness.
If we wish to transform the world and move toward true harmony, everything must begin with our hearts. Students should study diligently, yet never forget the greater mission of saving the world. And the first step to saving the world is saving the heart — correcting one’s own wrong thoughts and firmly believing in the law of cause and effect, avoiding all evil paths.
By cultivating sincerity, righteousness, self-discipline, and harmony within the family, one can extend peace to the nation and the world. If all the people of every country sincerely believe in karma and practice the Eight Virtues and Ten Precepts, then oppression, violence, and wars will cease to arise. True peace, equality, and the Pure Land of Great Harmony will appear, free from the Five Defilements and all suffering.
For the original Chinese speech, please click here. This English translation is by Linda Chang and is provided for reference only.
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.
“A mother’s words can build a child—or break one.”
Recently, while reading a Chinese book on child education, I came across a story that deeply touched my heart. It perfectly illustrates how a mother’s attitude and behavior can influence a child’s entire life. I’d love to share this story with all mothers, as a gentle reminder of the quiet power we hold in shaping our children’s hearts and minds.
🍏 Two Letters, Two Lives
A famous American psychologist once conducted a fascinating study on the lifelong effects of early education. He selected 50 successful people from various fields—leaders, professionals, innovators—and 50 people with criminal records. He wrote to each of them, asking the same question:
“What influence did your mother have on you?”
Two of the replies left a lasting impression on him. One came from a prominent White House official, the other from a prison inmate. Surprisingly, both men spoke about the same childhood memory—their mother dividing apples.
🍎 The Prisoner’s Story: The Day He Learned to Lie
The prisoner wrote:
“When I was a child, my mother once brought home several apples—red, green, big, and small. I immediately wanted the biggest, reddest one. Before I could speak, my little brother shouted, ‘I want the big one!’
My mother frowned and scolded him: ‘A good boy should learn to give the best to others.’
I quickly changed my words and said, ‘Mom, I’ll take the smallest one. Let my brother have the big one.’
My mother smiled proudly, kissed me on the cheek, and rewarded me with the biggest, reddest apple.”
He ended his letter with heartbreakingly honest words:
“That day, I learned that lying could bring rewards. Later, I learned to cheat, to steal, to fight—anything to get what I wanted. Today, I am in prison because of the lesson I learned that day.”
🍏 The White House Official’s Story: The Value of Effort
The second letter came from a White House official:
“When I was young, my mother brought home several apples, all different sizes. My brothers and I argued over who would get the biggest one.
Mother held up the largest apple and said, ‘Everyone wants the best, and that’s normal. So let’s have a little contest: I’ll divide the lawn into three sections. Whoever trims their section the fastest and neatest gets the big apple.’
We raced to finish, and I won the apple.”
He continued:
“From that day on, my mother taught us this simple but powerful truth: If you want the best, you must earn it.
Everything good in our home had to be earned through effort and fairness. She lived by this principle herself. That’s how I learned discipline, persistence, and integrity—lessons that shaped my entire life.”
🌱 A Mother’s Words Are Seeds in a Child’s Heart
Both mothers divided apples. Both children learned a lesson. But one learned deception—while the other learned effort.
A mother’s reaction in a single moment, her tone of voice, or even a casual reward can plant seeds deep in a child’s heart. Those seeds may grow into honesty and strength—or into cunning and selfishness.
Children mirror their mothers. The way a mother faces life—whether with truth or pretense, effort or avoidance—becomes the way her child faces the world.
Education doesn’t always happen in grand lessons or classrooms. Sometimes, it happens in small, everyday choices—like how we divide an apple, handle conflict, or teach fairness.
A wise mother uses love and insight to guide her child to understand that:
Honesty is more precious than cunning,
Effort is more reliable than shortcuts,
Sharing brings deeper joy than possessing.
These values, taught through simple acts, become the foundation of a child’s character.
A mother’s way of teaching doesn’t just shape a child’s childhood—it molds their destiny. Every look, every word, every reaction writes silently into a child’s heart the story of who they will become.
May all mothers guide their children with both love and wisdom, so that the lessons we leave behind are those of kindness, courage, and truth.
Because sometimes, all it takes is one apple—and one mother’s choice—to change a life forever.
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.
Hidden in the quiet county of Yixian in northern China, Fengguo Temple has stood for over a thousand years as a living testament to ancient Chinese wisdom and spiritual devotion. Its magnificent Mahavira Hall, the largest single-story wooden structure of its time, houses seven colossal clay Buddhas that have miraculously survived the centuries. This temple is not only an architectural marvel but also a sacred symbol of harmony, resilience, and faith that continues to inspire all who visit.
A Thousand Years of Faith and Architecture
Beyond the Shanhai Pass, in the northern part of Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province, stands the quiet county of Yixian, home to one of China’s most magnificent ancient temples — Fengguo Temple. This remarkable site, founded over a millennium ago, is not only a masterpiece of Liao Dynasty Buddhist architecture but also a living testament to the extraordinary ingenuity of ancient Chinese builders and the enduring power of faith.
In 2020, Fengguo Temple celebrated its thousandth anniversary. Through a thousand years of wind, snow, wars, and earthquakes, its grand Mahavira Hall still stands tall — a miracle in both architecture and spirituality.
The Majestic Great Hall
The heart of Fengguo Temple is its Mahavira Hall (Great Buddha Hall), one of the Eight Great Structures of the Liao Dynasty. Built in 1020 CE, it measures 49.5 meters wide, 26.6 meters deep, and 19.9 meters high, covering an area of 1,317 square meters. Standing on a 3.2-meter-high platform, the hall is the largest single-story wooden structure of ancient China — magnificent, solemn, and breathtaking.
Ingeniously designed, the hall uses a “reduced-column” method to maximize interior space while maintaining perfect stability. Ancient builders applied advanced techniques known as “side-foot” and “rising beam”, ensuring the building’s balance and graceful proportions. The massive bracket sets under the eaves are bold yet refined, exuding strength and elegance.
Thanks to its precise structural mechanics, the Great Hall has remained perfectly upright for a thousand years, without any sign of warping or tilting — an unparalleled achievement in the history of wooden architecture.
The Seven Buddhas: Eternal Clay Sculptures
Inside the Great Hall, seven colossal clay Buddha statues, each about nine meters tall, sit side by side upon a brick platform. From east to west, they are: Kashyapa Buddha, Krakucchanda Buddha, Sikhin Buddha, Vipashyin Buddha, Visvabhu Buddha, Kanakamuni Buddha, and Shakyamuni Buddha.
These are the “Seven Buddhas of the Past” mentioned in Buddhist scriptures, symbolizing the eternal cycle of enlightenment in our world. Each Buddha exudes solemn dignity, with serene expressions and graceful postures, reflecting the Liao Dynasty’s continuation of Tang-style Buddhist artistry. Two bodhisattvas stand beside each Buddha, adding vitality and compassion to this sacred tableau.
This magnificent ensemble is the oldest and largest group of colored clay Buddha statues in the world. Despite being made of fragile clay, they have miraculously survived for over a thousand years, their colors still soft and luminous. This endurance is nothing short of a miracle — a union of artistic mastery and the blessings of faith.
The Legend of the Buddha Catching a Shell
During the Liaoshen Campaign in the late 1940s, Yixian became a battlefield. Amid the chaos, a shell pierced through the roof of the Great Hall and fell directly into the right hand of the Shakyamuni Buddha statue. Miraculously, the shell did not explode.
Locals still tell this story as “The Buddha Caught the Shell with His Hand.” Whether fact or legend, it adds an aura of mystery and divine protection to the temple’s long history — as if the Buddhas themselves were silently safeguarding their sacred home.
The Flying Devas of Liao
The beams and rafters inside the Great Hall are adorned with over 4,000 square meters of original Liao Dynasty murals. Among them, the heavenly maidens — the Flying Devas — are the most enchanting. With radiant faces and flowing ribbons, they drift gracefully through clouds, offering flowers and fruits to the Seven Buddhas below.
Their movement contrasts beautifully with the Buddhas’ stillness, creating a breathtaking scene of divine harmony and devotion. The surrounding walls also preserve Yuan and Ming dynasty murals depicting ten Buddhas, eight Bodhisattvas, and the Eleven-Faced Avalokiteshvara, adding even more layers of spiritual and artistic richness to this timeless sanctuary.
A Thousand Years of Wonder
Standing before this majestic hall — a wooden structure that has endured a millennium — and gazing upon the clay Buddhas whose serene faces have survived a thousand winters, one cannot help but wonder:
How can a wooden palace withstand ten centuries of storms and wars? How can clay sculptures remain whole and radiant after a thousand years?
Is it the wisdom of the ancients? The strength of art? Or the blessing of the Dharma itself?
Perhaps the answer lies within every beam, every brushstroke, and every tranquil smile of the Buddhas.
May the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas bless all beings with peace, compassion, and happiness. Namo Amitabha.
Peace LiLy 