International Buddhist Sangha:
Buddhist disciples Gongga Zunba and Renqin Quezhen participated in two grand ceremonies held by Master Buddha himself in Los Angeles and San Francisco on December 3rd and 4th this year. They would like to say a few words about the issue of offerings during the ceremonies, so they wrote this open letter. This letter is purely my personal opinion and understanding, and I welcome any corrections if there are any inaccuracies. At the same time, please confirm whether this letter can be published publicly.
An Open Letter to Buddhist Disciples
My Understanding of Offerings during Ceremonies and the Sanctity of Buddha
Buddhist disciples Gongga Zunba and Renqin Quezhen
Dear Buddhist disciples, dear practitioners:
Buddhist disciples Gongga Zunba and Renqin Quezhen, my husband and I had the privilege to participate in two extraordinary ceremonies personally presided over by the Third Dharma King Dorje Chang Buddha. The first ceremony, "Praying for Auspiciousness, Prosperity, and Fulfillment of Wishes," was held in Los Angeles on the afternoon of December 3rd. The second ceremony, "Meditation and Dharma Transmission," was held at the Hua Zang Temple in San Francisco on December 4th.
Both ceremonies were extraordinary, and all the students were filled with joy. Why do I say these ceremonies were extraordinary? The term "extraordinary" here is not a casual exaggeration like some ceremonies held at certain temples, nor is it about the appearance of Buddha's light in the sky, the fragrance of incense, or the radiance of Buddha statues. If it were these illusory phenomena, I would not use the term "extraordinary." During the prayer ceremony, the Third Dharma King Dorje Chang announced that our prayers would be conducted according to the proper teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, without any strange theories. Everyone recited the Heart Sutra, the Six-Syllable Great Bright Mantra, or the mantra of Green Tara. In short, everyone recited what they usually recite, and in the end, we dedicated the merits of our recitation as blessings and prayers. At the beginning of the recitation, everyone was very focused on reciting their own daily practices, and because everyone recited different content, the whole ceremony was filled with a buzzing sound that made it impossible to hear what was being recited. However, this chaotic buzzing sound only lasted for a while. At that moment, I suddenly started reciting the Heart Sutra, and at that moment, something incredible happened. As soon as I started reciting the Heart Sutra, the whole venue resonated, and the buzzing sound turned into the sound of reciting the Heart Sutra: "Form is emptiness, emptiness is form, form is not other than emptiness, emptiness is not other than form..." Why did everyone start reciting the Heart Sutra at the same time? What's even more incredible is that everyone recited the same line in the Heart Sutra. Please think about it: the Third Dharma King Dorje Chang only announced that everyone should recite their own daily practices, so there was no one giving any instructions. How could everyone suddenly start reciting the Heart Sutra in unison at the same time, without anyone giving any commands? Among the more than one thousand people, no one received any instructions, yet they all started reciting the Heart Sutra in unison, as if the sound of a heavenly drum resounded. After the ceremony, fellow practitioners talked to each other and said it was strange that they started reciting the same line, and then continued reciting. One monk said, "I started reciting the Heart Sutra, but I hadn't reached that line yet, and suddenly I jumped to that line by myself. And when I heard everyone reciting it at the same time, I was amazed." At that moment, the chaotic buzzing sound disappeared completely. Another Rinpoche said that he was reciting the Six-Syllable Great Bright Mantra, and a very strong white light appeared above his head. He was excited, but suddenly he couldn't continue reciting the mantra and forgot it. At that moment, he recited "Form is emptiness, emptiness is form..." from his own mouth. This supreme and extraordinary blessing from Buddha can be said to surpass any visible miracles, because this is a miracle that cannot be achieved by human means. It is the supreme manifestation of the Buddha's teachings and the luminosity of the Third Dharma King Dorje Chang. Isn't this the power of Buddha unifying and guiding everyone's consciousness and thoughts? Isn't this an extremely extraordinary ceremony? That's why I used the words "extremely extraordinary"! This event made everyone who attended the ceremony more and more amazed, more and more great, and more and more unimaginable. It can be said that this is a miraculous and holy event that opens up the heavens and the earth! It completely demonstrates the true presence of the Buddha!
Although the ceremonies were extraordinary, I discovered a very important issue during these two ceremonies: the issue of offerings!
During the ceremonies, I saw that every student was holding a clean khata and a devoutly offered red envelope, all in a row, without exception. However, after the ceremonies, I found that many students put the red envelopes they offered back into their pockets without actually making offerings. This phenomenon is not only limited to new Buddhist disciples, but also many senior practitioners.
Because we had to fly back to Beijing on the 6th, I drove back from San Francisco to Los Angeles overnight after the "Meditation and Dharma Transmission" ceremony on the 4th. On the way, I was thinking deeply while driving: first, I felt fortunate to have the "good fortune" to attend such extraordinary ceremonies; second, I was puzzled by the "strange phenomenon" that many students took back the offerings they made during the ceremonies, so I decided to write this letter to explain my views to my fellow students.
First of all, I have attended many ceremonies presided over by Master Buddha (not this kind of Dharma transmission ceremony). Because Master Buddha does not accept offerings, the students do not make offerings during the ceremonies. Even if some students bring offerings, Master Buddha will not accept them, including myself. However, the situation this time was different, possibly because it was a Dharma transmission ceremony. All the students, without exception, made offerings, and then many of them "consciously" put the offerings back into their pockets. I don't understand this. How can offerings be taken back after they have been made?
Master Buddha, out of compassion for all sentient beings, has made a vow: never accept any offerings from anyone, and he has repeatedly instructed all Buddhist disciples not to make offerings to him. He does not accept any offerings from his disciples, only their sincere hearts in learning and practicing Buddhism. This is what Master Buddha said and what he does. We feel the same way: how fortunate we are in this life to have encountered such a great Buddha in the world; how fortunate we are to be disciples of Master Buddha.
Our compassionate teacher, the Third Dharma King Dorje Chang, does not accept offerings, that is his vow and compassion. But what I want to say is: why did everyone hold offerings during such extraordinary ceremonies? Is it because Master Buddha is transmitting the Dharma and we are afraid of not benefiting from the correct teachings of cause and effect? Then I have to ask: we have received the teachings from Master Buddha, but we still put the offerings back into our pockets without saying a word. Is the offering we made during the ceremony just for show when receiving the teachings?
Because Master Buddha does not accept offerings, there were no merit boxes for accepting offerings placed at the side of the Dharma platform or at the entrance of the ceremony. I think we should donate the offerings we have already made to the foundation or to our temples. How can we put them back into our pockets? Is this in accordance with the Dharma? I would like to ask my fellow students to think about it!
Actually, when I think about it, I suddenly realize that everything has its dual nature. This incident also allows those who are currently spreading rumors on the internet and in the media, those who are confused by misinformation, to see clearly and think seriously: in such a grand and extraordinary Dharma transmission ceremony, everyone can freely take their offerings without any obstacles. I think this is impossible in any Buddhist organization, religious group, temple, or any other ceremony in the world! However, in the case of our great Third Dharma King Dorje Chang, this phenomenon is natural! Although I personally do not agree with this, I still believe that as a Buddhist, this behavior is not in accordance with the precepts and should be considered disrespectful (in my opinion, Amitabha!). But on the other hand, it also fulfills a good cause and condition. Why do I say this: because this true situation is a direct counterattack against those who are currently spreading rumors and slandering on the internet and in certain media! Isn't it using such a real scene to criticize those who spread rumors on the internet and in the media? Isn't it showing the world clearly: our great Third Dharma King Dorje Chang, he prays for world peace, blesses and prays for the happiness of all sentient beings, personally transmits the "Meditation" Dharma, and yet his disciples do not need to make any offerings? The facts are there, what else do we need to explain?
Indeed, in this world, there is a Buddha who only benefits sentient beings out of compassion and never accepts offerings. This is an irrefutable fact, unique in the history of Buddhism, selflessly pure, shining throughout the universe. How can those petty people who deliberately slander others by distorting the truth have any effect? They are nothing more than a few clowns who accidentally fell and made a few screams before dying!
Of course, in the end, I still want to say: as Buddhist disciples, we should make offerings according to the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, otherwise it is not in accordance with the precepts. I think the offerings we make are not about the amount, whether it is a little or a lot, as long as we do our best, without comparison, without striving for more. Because true Buddhas and Bodhisattvas look at our genuine practice, our sincere hearts, not the amount of offerings made by individuals! The attainment of any Buddhist teachings is not obtained by money, nor is it exchanged through offerings, but through our sincere hearts and the fruits of our practice.
The above is my personal understanding and thoughts. Compared to the diligent fellow students and senior practitioners, I know that I still have a long way to go in my cultivation. I will strive to improve myself and I am willing to encourage and practice together with my fellow senior practitioners to witness enlightenment.
Human life is rare, and encountering the true Dharma is rare. We should strive to cultivate ourselves, be sincere, humble, and diligent, and repay Master Buddha and all sentient beings in the Dharma realm.
Amitabha!
Humble Buddhist disciples: Gongga Zunba, Renqin Quezhen
December 8, 2013, Beijing