In September 2015, our Master, wishing to encourage his disciples to respectfully listen to the Dharma discourses of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, establish right understanding and right views, and diligently cultivate themselves so that they might attain accomplishment and liberation at an early date, organized a program called “The Practice of Right Understanding and Right Views.” Participants were required to listen to one Dharma discourse each day for a period of six months. We immediately signed up for the program and also encouraged other Dharma brothers and sisters to participate so that we could support and remind one another to remain diligent in our practice.
On the evening of Friday, September 11, I took my “Dharma-Listening Record Sheet” and went to the home of Dharma Sister Huimin. As I approached the covered walkway in front of her home, I accidentally missed a step and fell. My right knee was injured and bleeding, and I also strained my lower back. Xiangjun’s mother, who was there at the time, immediately helped me up. That evening, I did not feel much physical discomfort. However, the following morning, the pain in my lower back was so severe that I could hardly get up.
After washing up, I was unable to sit on the sofa as I normally did to listen to the Dharma. Instead, I had to sit on the floor and lean against the sofa. After respectfully listening to two Dharma discourses, however, the pain in my lower back unexpectedly disappeared. I was able to stand up naturally, and the wound on my knee had almost vanished as well.
That afternoon, Xiangjun’s mother came to visit me. When she saw my condition, she was amazed and exclaimed, “This is incredible! Then I want to come and listen to the Dharma too.”
I had originally been worried that I would not be able to travel to the Buddhist center in Tainan on Sunday as scheduled to receive a Dharma transmission from my Master. I am deeply grateful for the blessings and protection of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Mahasattvas of the ten directions, and my Master.
Every day, when we listened to the Dharma at seven o’clock in the morning and again in the afternoon, two spotted doves would fly to our balcony and remain there quietly, listening together with us to the Dharma discourses of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. They neither made noise nor caused any disturbance. After the Dharma discourse ended, we would feed them, and over time they became unafraid of people.
Every Tuesday at 3:00 p.m., a number of diligent Dharma brothers and sisters would come regularly to the Jili Dharma-Listening Center, regardless of wind or rain, to respectfully listen to the Dharma discourses. We would also share with one another our experiences, insights, and reflections gained through cultivating ourselves and learning Buddhism.
The Dharma brothers and sisters understood that cultivating bodhi merit includes diligently introducing people to the Dharma and helping guide them to listen to the Dharma, cultivate themselves, and learn Buddhism. Their children, relatives, and friends noticed that after they began listening to the Dharma and cultivating themselves, they had learned to practice patience and forbearance, their complexions had improved, and they had also become healthier. As a result, new people gradually began joining us in listening to the Dharma, cultivating themselves, and learning Buddhism.
Seeing the joy that came from the transformation and growth of these Dharma brothers and sisters made me realize that I should work even harder to sow the seeds of bodhi far and wide, so that more relatives and friends may have the opportunity to hear and learn the true Buddha Dharma.
I feel profoundly fortunate in this lifetime to have the opportunity to hear the magnificent Buddha Dharma of Namo H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and to follow my Master in cultivating myself and learning Buddhism. This has made my life fuller, richer, and more meaningful.
Buddhist Disciple Liyu With palms joined in reverence
Program Broadcast on the China International Education TV– Probe the Fundamental Origin of Propagating True Buddha Dharma
Focus on Pioneers
Cherishing a compassionate mind, bringing peace and harmony to living beings, being ardently respected by humans and heavenly beings alike, and engaging in the undertaking of broadly saving living beings, He is the genuine incarnation of primordial Sambhogakaya Buddha, Dorje Chang Buddha.
He is the first Buddha in the history of Buddhism of several thousand years who does not accept offerings. He imparts the Dharma in common and easy-to-understand language, enabling listeners to achieve awakening of different depths depending on their own background and ability. His accomplishments in the Five Vidyas are the best in the history of Buddhism.
In this session of our program, we will together step onto the journey of discovery to reach the fundamental root of Buddhism, from which true Buddha Dharma is propagated.
Buddhism and Its Role in Human Civilization
Through the ever-flowing long river of human history, what can last long is culture. Within the domain of culture, religious aspiration has the longest, widest, and deepest influence.
Looking through the history of the world since ancient time, you will discover that Buddhism, as a world-wide religion, has not only been an important force for the stability and development of society, but more importantly, also played a pioneering role in cultural development and advancement of civilization.
Xiong Wenli (Professor of Buddhist study, Hua Zang Buddhist Institute):
There are very many philosophical schools and sects in the world, but these philosophical schools and sects basically all start from the individuals’ subjective opinion. That is why, among so many philosophical schools and sects currently in society, there exist very many debates and controversies. This is the reason for such a situation.
However, the world view and methodology of Buddhism are different. They do not start from subjectivity and instead are established on the foundation of reality and the absolute truth of the universe. Therefore, that constitutes the type of the most scientific, the most objective, the most perfect, and the best world view and methodology.
Among the world’s multi-aspect cultural entities, Buddhism, by its unique duality of aspiration of transcending the world and feeling of concern about the world, has been evolving more and more into a spirit of humanity to guide and lead the world’s cultural development and to save the fate of mankind.
Exactly because of this, Buddha Dharma for attaining supreme, equal-minded, and perfect enlightenment is utmost important. Then, the ability to propagate the true Dharma of the Tathagatas is even more so a kind of greatly good karmic condition, a kind of great virtue.
The Dharma Teachings of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III
Dharma Master Shi Ruohui (Abbess of Hua Zang Si):
The coming of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III to this world brings the perfect and complete true Dharma of the Tathagatas. The goal is to help living beings cultivate themselves through learning from Buddha, in order to attain accomplishment and liberation.
For several decades, His Holiness the Buddha worked tirelessly day and night to compassionately edify living beings.
Since His Holiness the Buddha sees the fundamental nature of living beings thoroughly, He uses simple and explicit language to explain loft and profound Buddhist principles clearly in the process of teaching. Therefore, those who listen to the Dharma can understand at different depths based on their current background and enter deeper step by step. Eventually, they will be able to comprehend, realize, and awaken to the precious essence of the Tripitaka.
In addition to expounding the supreme absolute truth of the universe and human life, many teachings of His Holiness the Buddha also apply expedient means, provide guidance to cultivation, emphasize the importance of cultivation as well as its relationship with practicing the Dharma, and give many examples about the truth that the law of cause and effect never errs or ceases.
Whether the listeners are sect leaders, great holy virtuous persons, and great Dharma masters within the Buddhist world or even people of all walks in society, all have received innumerably many benefits after listening to the Dharma. Moreover, they are full of admirations to His Holiness the Buddha.
H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is the genuine incarnation in this world of the primordial Sambhogakaya Buddha, Dorje Chang Buddha.
Within the universe, all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas become Buddhas and Bodhisattvas by learning the Buddha Dharma of Dorje Chang Buddha.
For the first time in the history of Buddhism, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III publicized those erroneous views and evil views, totaling 128. The purpose is to restore the intrinsic essence of Buddha Dharma by emphasizing cultivation as the foundation of attaining accomplishment.
As of now, numerous disciples of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III have attained accomplishment. Moreover, the status of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III as a Buddha was universally recognized and corroborated by leaders of major sects of Buddhism.
Understanding the Concept of a Buddha
Dharma Master Shi Zhengda (Chief Teacher for Correctly Listening to Dharma Discourses, the World Buddhism Association Headquarters):
What is the concept of Buddha?
That is simply the supreme, equal-minded, and perfect enlightenment, or Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. That is, Buddha has completely and thoroughly realized the absolute truth of human life and the universe.
The concept is that Buddha has the same lifespan as the heaven and is united as one entity with the universe. Therefore, I will not be able to describe it completely even if I speak for several days or several years.
To completely, truly, and thoroughly understand the absolute truth of Buddha Dharma, what must we read?
That will be the Buddhist books of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, such as Imparting the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra, the Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation, the Sutra on Understanding the Definitive Truth, Dharma of Cultivation, Precious Essence of Buddha Dharma and others.
There are also recorded audio Dharma discourses expounded by the Buddha Master that are recorded on several thousand audio CDs. These Dharma discourses on several thousand audio CDs are in fact several thousand sutras since they have come to the world with His Holiness the Buddha.
As we can see in today’s world, chaotic situations are rising abundantly within Buddhism. Correct Buddha Dharma and holy virtuous Buddhists are very rare within the Buddhist world.
In order to liberate living beings and correctly restore Buddha Dharma, the beginning-less primordial H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has come to our saha world, bringing pure and complete Buddha Dharma to living beings.
The teachings of the world-honored Shakyamuni, the supreme leader of Buddhism in the saha world, have now been restored.
The Study of Buddhism and Buddha Dharma
Dharma Master Shi Xiangkuizhi (Head, Pagoda Temple, Los Angeles, USA):
I came from Taiwan. While in Taiwan, I founded a Buddhist academy. I also taught in the Buddhist academy, but what I taught was essentially the study of Buddhism.
Only when I entered deeper, did I know that the study of Buddhism was a totally different domain from Buddha Dharma.
That was why as I was teaching at the Buddhist academy, when real issues arose, I did not have any way to deal with them. This was because of the lack of Buddha Dharma.
Therefore, once I learned that a true Buddha is residing in our world, I made a vow. Whatever it may take, I must become the Buddha’s disciple to learn true Buddha Dharma.
Otherwise, how could I help living beings and benefit living beings as a Buddhist monastic? Without Buddha Dharma, one can only have hollow theories.
I have been close to the Buddha Master for nearly 20 years. What I saw and heard while being near the Buddha Master are exactly the states of realization and true Buddha Dharma that I read from the Tripitaka in the past.
Therefore, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III’s coming to our saha world is for correcting the Dharma.
The Five Vidyas
According to Buddhism, all kinds of knowledge within the universe are categorically summarized into five types. A complete mastery of achieving the highest level of a field is called a vidya, or brightness. That is how the Five Vidyas are defined in Buddhism.
Shakyamuni Buddha stipulated that all Bodhisattvas must possess the Five Vidyas. Furthermore, A Buddha is the king of the Five Vidyas.
When you walk into H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Cultural and Art Museum, you will find all the answers from the environment you are personally experiencing.
Dharma Master Shi Zhizhuang:
Throughout the history of Buddhism of several thousand years, the accomplishments of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, who is familiar to and respected by us, in the Five Vidyas are the best and highest.
Then, what is implied in this status of being the best and highest?
It shows that Buddha knows about and have the ability to do all things in the universe and also introduces and transmits such knowledge and morality to Buddhist disciples, to guide and lead them to get onto the path of acquiring morality, education, and knowledge and thereby advance the development of civilization and progress through time in the entire world.
H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III once openly told people that, during a period of five years, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III would answer any and all questions raised by any people and there would be no question that He could not answer.
You can all think, what concept is this?
If not having the ability to include the universe like a small object and hold Mt. Sumeru in a palm, would He be able to say such words?
More importantly, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III brought the complete Buddha Dharma, Buddhist teaching, and the study of Buddhism that are pure, correct, and impartial and corrected the Buddhism that had been mispresented by patriarchs and tainted by heretic practitioners.
Training Buddhists to Propagate the Dharma
However, currently, many Buddhist sites propagating true Buddha Dharma are faced with the reality of lacking qualified Buddhists for propagating the Dharma and having different qualities among Buddhists.
For that, quite a few Buddhist institutes have been established in Los Angeles and San Francisco in the state of California of the United States, to develop and train Buddhist with excellent qualities, to ensure that the perfect and complete Buddhist teachings and Buddha Dharma of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III can be correctly transmitted to the public without deviation.
Dharma Master Shi Longhui (Chairperson, the International Buddhism Sangha Association):
Many people from various places or overseas come to our Buddhist institute to study, learning from the Dharma expounded by His Holiness the Buddha. They all feel that they have received very great benefits. That is why they traveled thousands of miles to come and study.
Since the Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation is the biggest and greatest Dharma that Buddha Master brought to our saha world in this lifetime, everyone has attained one’s own benefits after learning.
I hope that we can all serve the society in good ways and become kind citizens.
His Holiness the Buddha taught us that Buddhist disciples must carefully consider and care about living beings’ interests.
Masters of Dharma-listening sessions take an examination and will then, at where they are, lead those who wish to respectfully listen to the recorded audio Dharma discourses expounded by His Holiness the Buddha, to learn how to become a true Buddhist and how to become a best cultivator.
The Buddhist institutes are international organizations for training and developing people with talent in Buddhism. The goal is to educate those who truly want to learn from Buddha into excellent Buddhist scholars with correct understanding and views and possessing truly cultivated realization.
They will clearly believe in the law of cause and effect, being free of hollow and baseless dogmas and feudal superstition and belief in strange and paranormal phenomena.
Teachings for the Modern World
Ven. Mozhi (Gold Button Grade II Holy Virtuous One):
Not only are the teachings of His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III in complete accordance with Shakyamuni Buddha, but they are even more incisive.
Not only are the teachings the same as Shakyamuni Buddha, but they are also more succinct, understandable, and direct.
His Holiness the Buddha demonstrated the irreplaceable positive role played by Buddhist culture in this new era of perfectly harmonizing the splendid assembly of world culture.
His Holiness the Buddha wholeheartedly focuses on giving and never accepts any offering, providing a propelling force for elevating morality, progress of civilization, and cultural development of whole society.
Henghsing Gyatso Rinpoche:
H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III came to the world with the supreme Buddha Dharma, the Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation.
This is the gospel of good fortune for the entirety of humanity. This is because, if each of us, whether you are a Buddhist or not, whether you have a religious belief or not, can earnestly learn from the Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation, then we will all become the best people of kindness.
Then, as we live in this world, it will be an auspicious, harmonic, thriving, prosperous, stable, and peaceful world.
Buddhism, Inclusiveness, and Harmony
The world’s economic and cultural mode has already entered a modern and international era.
To adapt to the internationalized setting, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III enriched the inner connotation of Buddhist culture, to let it play an important role in reconciling various thoughts, breaking all kinds of closed ideologies, and promoting the development of civilization and advancement of the current era.
His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III has told us we must work to uphold the laws and aspirations of our nations and live together in harmony with others.
I think the other unique and powerful influence of Buddhism is that it is inclusive. It is inclusive of all.
And, that way, we can have influence over other religions and belief systems. But since it doesn’t promote dogma or teach that other belief systems are intrinsically evil, we can live in harmony with many different groups.
Benefiting Living Beings
Through the many years, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III taught and transmitted sacred Buddha Dharma to disciples in person.
By practicing in accordance with the Dharma, not only can the disciples receive perfect benefits and happiness in real life, but many of them were able to attain rebirth in Buddha-land, freedom from birth and death, and even higher states of realization.
H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III wholeheartedly cares about living beings, teaches them by words and deeds, and is always on the path of benefiting living beings.
In Buddhist Cultivation, Never Overlook the “Drizzle” and the Butterfly Effect
(1) A Drizzle Can Soak You Before You Realize It
There was once a young monk cultivating himself at a Buddhist temple. He tended to pay little attention to small details, believing that minor matters were insignificant.
One day, his master asked him, “Which is more likely to get you soaked—a heavy downpour or a light drizzle?”
The disciple replied without hesitation, “Master, of course a heavy downpour is more likely to soak you.”
“But in everyday life,” the master said, “people are often more likely to have their clothes soaked by a drizzle than by a downpour.”
The disciple was puzzled. “A downpour brings much more rain, while a drizzle brings very little. How could a drizzle be more likely to soak our clothes?”
The master explained:
“When a heavy rain suddenly begins, people immediately become alert. Those carrying umbrellas quickly open them, while those without umbrellas hurry beneath the eaves to take shelter.
“But when there is only a light drizzle, people may hardly notice it. Even if they do, they often think nothing of it, believing that such a small amount of rain could never soak their clothes. So they continue walking through the rain as usual. Before they realize it, their clothes are completely wet.”
The master continued:
“Cultivating ourselves and learning Buddhism is much the same. As practitioners, everything in our conduct matters—our words and actions, every gesture and movement, every facial expression, every sentence we speak, and even every thought that arises.
“These things are like a fine drizzle. They may appear insignificant, but if we fail to pay attention and remain vigilant, we may intentionally or unintentionally hurt others or cause them distress and concern. In doing so, we may accumulate negative karma without even realizing it, ultimately preventing ourselves from attaining accomplishment and liberation.”
The disciple finally understood.
The “drizzle” represents our habitual tendencies and the seemingly minor details of our cultivation. Because they appear so small, we often fail to notice them. Yet if we continually neglect them, they can undermine our cultivation, leaving our efforts fruitless and even causing us to accumulate negative karma without realizing it.
(2) The Butterfly Effect
An apparently insignificant action can sometimes trigger a chain of far-reaching consequences. This is commonly known as the “butterfly effect.”
For nearly a century, from 1908 to 2003, British cyclists had won only one Olympic gold medal and had never won the Tour de France. Their results had been so disappointing that even bicycle manufacturers were unwilling to sell bicycles to the British team.
Then, in 2003, the team brought in a new coach.
The new coach asked the athletes to seek a 1% improvement in every aspect of their training.
Some might wonder: What difference could just 1% possibly make?
Yet these seemingly tiny improvements eventually helped transform British cycling.
At the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, British cyclists delivered an extraordinary performance in track and road cycling, winning 60 percent of the available gold medals. During the ten years from 2007 through 2017, British cyclists won 178 world championships, 66 Olympic or Paralympic gold medals, and five Tour de France victories. These achievements came to be widely regarded as one of the most remarkable periods of success in cycling history.
The same principle can be applied to our daily cultivation.
If every day we could correct our habitual tendencies and undesirable habits by just 1%, while increasing our sincerity and devotion toward Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and strengthening our compassion for living beings by 1%, then each day we would be making progress along the path toward liberation. Our learning and cultivation would inevitably bring genuine benefit.
Unfortunately, just as we tend to overlook a light drizzle, we often overlook this seemingly insignificant 1% of diligent effort and improvement.
(3) Great Virtue Is Accomplished Through the Accumulation of Small Virtues
A great wind begins with the faintest stirring of the grass; mighty waves arise from tiny ripples.
As another ancient saying warns:
“A thousand-mile dike can collapse because of an ant hole.”
There is also an ancient Chinese teaching:
“Do not commit an evil deed simply because it seems small, and do not refrain from doing a good deed simply because it seems insignificant.”
In Buddhism, there is a vow:
“I vow to eliminate all evil, leaving no evil uneliminated; I vow to cultivate all goodness, leaving no good uncultivated; I vow to liberate all living beings, leaving no living being unliberated.”
If we do not put an end to small wrongdoings and do not accumulate small acts of goodness, how can we ultimately attain the realization of the holy ones?
Many eminent Buddhist practitioners of the past have set examples for us through the meticulous attention they paid to seemingly minor aspects of their cultivation.
Master Yinguang was exceptionally attentive to details in his daily practice. When he lived at Fayu Temple on Mount Putuo, the basin he used for washing had a cover to prevent mosquitoes and other tiny insects from falling into the water and drowning. The oil lamp before the Buddha also had a protective cover so that moths would not fly into the flame and be burned to death.
Before Master Hongyi sat down on a rattan chair, he would gently shake the chair from side to side several times. He did this to avoid harming tiny insects that might be hiding in the crevices of the chair. By moving the chair first, he was, in effect, giving these small creatures a warning and allowing them time to move away to safety.
When Master Nenghai was at the Vajra Bodhimanda in Shanghai, his student, Master Dao’an, recalled that whenever Master Nenghai had his head shaved, he would not allow the cut hair to fall onto the ground. Instead, all the hair had to fall onto newspapers spread across his lap.
Afterward, the hair would be carefully wrapped in the newspaper and placed beneath roof tiles or into crevices in a wall. He did this simply to prevent strands of hair lying on the ground from injuring tiny insects.
Cultivation must begin with the smallest details.
As the saying goes:
“If one is careless about minor conduct, it will eventually impair one’s great virtue.”
This accords with one of the teachings imparted by Namo H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III in Philosophical Sayings for Worldly Matters:
“Moral excellence is the total addition of small good deeds. Great roads are built when grains of sand are put together. To a person aspiring to become virtuous, nothing that helps is too trivial to claim his attention.”
True cultivation is reflected not only in great vows or major actions, but also in the smallest details of everyday life. A thought, a word, a facial expression, or a seemingly insignificant action may appear no more consequential than a drop of drizzle. Yet when such small causes accumulate, their effects can become profound.
Likewise, every small act of kindness, every habitual tendency we correct, and every increase in compassion may seem insignificant at the moment. But accumulated day after day, these small improvements can gradually transform our conduct and our cultivation.
Great virtue does not arise all at once. It is accomplished through the accumulation of small virtues.
Recognize Your Shortcomings and Strive Forward; Though the Mountain Is Distant, Press On
A few days ago, I came across a saying: “Recognize your shortcomings and strive forward; though the mountain is distant, press on.” I found it deeply thought-provoking.
Taken literally, it means that when we recognize our shortcomings, we should strive to improve ourselves; when we see that the mountain ahead is distant and the path rugged, we should gather our strength and continue moving forward.
This saying also reminds us to look far ahead and establish lofty aspirations and goals. No matter how difficult the road before us may be, we should continue striving toward them.
The rigors of life are what a person wishing to become a worthy member of society has to undergo. This process can be compared to the smelting of rocks to extract the gold they contain. Without being subjected to the heat, rocks will remain just rocks and lie useless in the wilderness. Because the gold requires hard work to extract, it has extra value. That is why one should cherish the fortune he has won the hard way.
The meaning is that we must train and develop ourselves in all beneficial aspects of life. Whether in wisdom, physical ability, spiritual development, or material matters, we need to undergo training and refinement.
During this process, when we encounter difficulties and hardships, we should face them rather than retreat. Only through such training can we enrich our knowledge and wisdom, strengthen ourselves physically, perform our work well, and ultimately become people who are beneficial to society.
It is just like gold ore, which must be refined in a furnace before it can become pure gold. If a piece of gold ore is never placed into the furnace, the gold within it cannot be obtained. If it is simply left in the wilderness, among mountain valleys, cliffs, rocks, and wild vegetation, it appears no different from the ordinary stones around it—unclean, unrefined, and of little use. Put simply, without refinement, it remains nothing more than an ordinary piece of rock.
Likewise, as human beings, we must use various beneficial ways to train and refine ourselves, developing our knowledge and abilities, building successful undertakings, and cherishing the happiness that results from our efforts.
If blessings and happiness could be obtained effortlessly, there would be no need for us to train ourselves or strive for anything. It is precisely because happiness and blessings are often attained through trials and refinement that we should especially cherish what has not come easily. By knowing how to cherish our blessings, we can continue to enjoy the benefits they bring.
From this teaching, we can clearly see that there is no such thing as instant success. Genuine growth and achievement are inseparable from continuous effort and refinement. When confronted with difficulties and hardships, only by facing them courageously and refusing to fear setbacks can we improve ourselves through repeated trials and ultimately achieve genuine transformation.
The Same Is Even More True in Learning Buddhism and Cultivation
What is true of worldly accomplishments is even more true of learning Buddhism and cultivating ourselves.
In the process of transforming from an ordinary being into a holy being, we will inevitably encounter various obstacles, hardships, and trials. If we become afraid of these difficulties and refuse to move forward, we will forever remain ordinary beings. We will not be able to transform from ordinary beings into holy beings, nor will there be hope of transcending the suffering of samsara.
When Patriarch Milarepa sought to learn the Buddha Dharma from Master Marpa, he endured extraordinary hardships that ordinary people could scarcely bear, yet he did so without complaint. Without his determination to seek the Dharma and his perseverance in the face of such severe trials, there could not have been the Milarepa who later became such an accomplished practitioner.
Likewise, before attaining Buddhahood, Namo Shakyamuni Buddha underwent six years of ascetic practice in pursuit of the ultimate truth. Had the World-Honored One not resolved to seek the path in order to liberate living beings from the suffering of birth, aging, sickness, and death, who knows when Buddhism would have arisen in the Saha world?
Therefore, if we who learn Buddhism wish to attain accomplishment and liberation, we must persevere through the trials and hardships we encounter.
No matter how difficult life becomes, we should remain content even in poverty and never covet wealth obtained through unrighteous means. When confronted with ridicule or abusive words, we should remain composed rather than responding with insults or harsh speech. No matter how exhausting our work may be, we should not become lax and should always regard learning Buddhism as our primary undertaking. When we encounter attacks, slander, or isolation, we should remain calm rather than respond with anger, hatred, or retaliation.
In short, we can no longer simply act according to our impulses as we may have done before learning Buddhism. We must discipline ourselves in all circumstances, guard our minds, uphold what is right, and stay away from wrongdoing.
No matter how difficult the adversity we encounter, we must persevere. If we continue persevering, perhaps at the next turning point, good fortune and blessings may arrive when we least expect them.
There is a saying: “No blessing is ever bestowed in vain, and no virtuous action is ever performed in vain.” This is precisely related to the law of cause and effect.
Of course, cultivation progresses through one stage after another. Each stage brings its own trials, and each stage may also bring its own unexpected joys. When joyful circumstances arise, we should not become carried away; when obstacles appear, we should not complain.
If we can always maintain a peaceful yet steadfast mind and refuse to retreat in the face of difficulties, then profound transformation—turning from an ordinary being toward holiness—can ultimately be realized.
May these words serve as mutual encouragement for all those who are striving to better themselves and move forward.
There is a thought-provoking story about a king who wanted to reward a servant for his many years of loyal service. The king gave him a special opportunity, saying, “Run as far as you wish. As long as you make a full circle and return here before sunset, all the land you encircle will be yours.”
Overjoyed, the servant began running forward without stopping, almost like a wild beast driven into a frenzy.
He ran and ran with all his might. Finally, just before the sun went down, he completed a vast circle and returned to where he had started. However, exhausted beyond endurance, he collapsed and died.
With great sorrow, the king buried him. In the end, the only land the servant truly obtained was the small plot of ground needed for his grave.
This story reveals a profound truth: People always hope to gain more, yet in the process of pursuing more, they often lose themselves and may even pay for it with their lives. In modern society, we too are often driven by our desires, constantly pursuing greater achievements, greater wealth, and more possessions. Yet amid this endless pursuit, are we not sometimes like that servant, overlooking the true value and meaning of life?
Namo Shakyamuni Buddha said in the Sutra of the Buddha’s Bequeathed Teachings:
“You should know that those with many desires, because they seek much gain, also suffer much distress. Those with few desires, having little seeking and craving, are free from such troubles.”
Excessive desires often bring endless exhaustion and anxiety, causing us to lose ourselves in the flood of material pursuits. Rather than constantly seeking more external possessions, we should stop and reflect: What is truly important? What is the genuine treasure that we should cherish?
“The most valuable thing in the world is the great Buddha Dharma that can enable you to attain liberation from birth and death! If you can grasp the Buddha Dharma and cultivate yourself in accordance with the Dharma, you will be able to live when you wish to live and die when you wish to die. That is what is truly most valuable.”
Therefore, as long as we have enough food to sustain ourselves and our lives are manageable, we should quickly seize the opportunity to learn the Buddha Dharma well, take worldly matters lightly, cultivate ourselves earnestly, have few desires and be content, never err in matters of cause and effect, and strive to attain liberation from birth and death with certainty in this very lifetime. This is what makes a life truly worthwhile.
Five Key Points about the Buddhist Spiritual Leader
Buddhism is among the largest religions in this world. The original founder of Buddhism and the religion’s highest spiritual leader in the universe is Dorje Chang Buddha. He is worshiped by all major sects and schools of Buddhism as the earliest primordial Buddha.
Buddhists belong to a religious belief that understands the universe’s nature of no-birth and no-annihilation and human beings’ original nature of true such-ness are one and the same. They believe in the cycle of transmigration driven by the law of cause and effect. They believe that after one’s biological death, the spirit or soul will incarnate and be reborn into a new being. In the case of the primordial Buddha, He has now incarnated to this world for the third time as His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III. The highest spiritual leader in Buddhism alive today currently lives in the United States of America.
His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III is not one who seeks publicity. Even when awarded the Presidential Gold Award, the Dr. Martin Luther King Legacy Award for International Service and Leadership, and many other prestigious prizes, He did not attend the award ceremonies to receive the prizes in person. He is well known for loving-kindness and compassion, and has made a vow of only helping others and never accepting any offerings from anyone.
However, His accomplishments and accolades are widely-reported. The following are five of the most interesting things that you may not have known about His Holiness the Buddha:
International Buddhism Sangha Association
1. Buddhism classifies all material and spiritual matters and knowledge in the universe into five aspects. Complete mastery of these five aspects is called having realized the Five Vidyas (vidya is a Sanskrit word meaning brightness). Buddhas and Bodhisattvas must possess the Five Vidyas. The Five Vidyas include: the Vidya of Causality, the Vidya of Healing, the Vidya of Sound, the Vidya of Craftsmanship, and the Vidya of Inner Realization. Looking through the entire history of Buddhism, His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III is the first holy one to perfectly manifest real accomplishments in the Five Vidyas, meeting the highest standard of Buddhism. For this reason and more, His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III is the one and only individual in history to receive recognitions and corroborating recognitions from over 60 of the highest present-day dharma kings and regent dharma kings from various Buddhist sects.
2. His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III was awarded the Top Honor Prize during the World Peace Prize Ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on June 14, 2011. The World Peace Prize is an initiative to promote world peace and understanding between different nations, ethnicities, cultures and religions. His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III was recognized for receiving this Top Honor Prize by the 112th Congress in U.S. Senate Res. 614, commending His Holiness the Buddha for his role in advancing peace, justice and inter-religious collaboration.
3. His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III has long been an internationally renowned artist. His paintings are not limited by subject or themes and are of many types, from water-ink paintings to oil paintings. Specifically, the subject matters include human figures, animals, flowers and birds, mountain and water scenes, fish, insects, and so on. Within the wide range of styles, there is fine brushwork, drawing with lines and strings, splash-ink, bold freehand brushwork, small freehand brushwork, and others. Altogether, He created 16 unique painting styles or schools, representing an unprecedented pioneering achievement in the history of art. His paintings are on permanent exhibition at the International Art Museum of America in San Francisco, the H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Cultural and Art Museum in Los Angeles County, and other art museums. His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III’s paintings are extremely valuable and rare. As early as in 2000, His artworks were sold for more than two million U.S. dollars each. He became the artist whose paintings commanded the highest prices compared to the prices for paintings created by all ancient and modern Chinese artists. Last March, an ink painting of His was sold at the New York Spring Auction for $16.5 million, which was the highest price realized at the 2015 Spring Auction of all artworks by ancient and modern artists worldwide. He is the world’s first inventor to create a class of artworks that cannot be duplicated by anyone or with any method — Yun Sculpture. Only after that, the world now has un-duplicable artworks. Experts predict that His paintings will become increasingly valuable as His Holiness plans to focus solely on Buddhist activities.
4. In 2011, the then Mayor of Washington, D.C., Vincent Gray, proclaimed January 19th as “H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Day.” The mayor called on D.C. residents to join him in saluting “His selfless and exceptional work to spread the word of peace to all those in His presence.” The Unites States Postal Service also issued a commemorative cover in celebration of “His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III Day.”
5. His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha is a Fellow of Britain’s Royal Academy of Arts, making Him the first internationally distinguished artist appointed to a Fellowship in the Academy’s history of more than 200 years. The title of Fellow was awarded by the Academy’s President, Phillip King, at a ceremony in the British Embassy in Washington.
Unless you are an astute follower of Buddhism, you may not have known that His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III has been recognized as the third incarnation of the original Buddha. His accomplishments clearly transcend religion, healing, art, philosophy, and literature. He continues to devote His time to a wide scope of cultural, religious, and various other domains directed at helping people in communities across the globe. His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III has made the following vow: “I will bear all of the karmic offenses committed by living beings, and I will give everyone all of the good karma and merit that I plant.” His Holiness the Buddha has been executing it exactly as is.
Steven Meyers received his bachelor’s degree in Chinese language from Brown University, where he graduated magna cum laude. After graduating, Mr. Meyers spent a year at the Stanford Center in Taiwan furthering his study of the Chinese language. Later, he received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan and is now an attorney licensed to practice law in the state of California. He has been providing legal advice to California non-profit corporations since 1996. His current focus is translating Buddhist material from Chinese into English.
