"The Essence of the Heart Sutra" is truly a supreme and excellent classic. This precious book was first blessed at the Holy Temple in the United States on March 7, 2014. During the ceremony, the classic book "The Essence of the Heart Sutra" was placed on the altar, along with the six major practices and sacred mantras and written documents practiced and recited by the seven practitioners. In front, there were 46 seals prepared for the blessing of the holy water for the first release of "The Essence of the Heart Sutra". His Holiness the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche personally brought the golden copper bowl, which he had personally invited from H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche, to the Holy Temple and placed it on a beautifully crafted and sturdy granite prayer platform. The ceremony was presided over by the venerable Lhundrup Zangpo Rinpoche, the eighty-year-old Kachu Rinpoche, and the twenty-year-old Gongga Rinpoche. After the ceremony, the bowl was handed over to Kachu Rinpoche by Lhundrup Zangpo Rinpoche. After prayers, the bowl was bathed in the holy water and then washed by Gongga Rinpoche in front of everyone. It was then presented on the prayer platform. All the participants in this event were Rinpoche, monks, and Acharyas, and they all devoutly began reciting the Six-Syllable Great Mantra and the Heart Sutra.
About ten minutes after the ceremony began, a sudden gust of wind swept through the air, whistling and roaring. The protectors of the Dharma arrived, but the yellow silk cloth hanging on the curtain wall did not blow away. At this time, the disciples each saw different sacred realms, which were indescribably extraordinary! When the chanting stopped, Gongga Rinpoche was about to pour the six cups of holy water into the central bowl. Suddenly, he saw through the transparent lid of the bowl that there was light inside. He looked closely and found that there was a lot of nectar in the bowl. Overjoyed, he bowed down and immediately the whole venue was filled with joy. Everyone went to the bowl to respectfully observe. Some saw it as colorful, some saw it as purple-red, and some saw it as white. The form was not of this world, and it was wonderfully mysterious! Everyone was amazed and praised. After a while of joy and excitement, the six cups of holy water finally merged into the nectar, becoming the seven holy waters led by the nectar. Lhundrup Zangpo Rinpoche poured the holy water onto the first-release seal and blessed the seal and the stamp. Then he struck the golden copper bowl to spread the Dharma sound throughout the heavens and benefit all sentient beings. Although H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche did not attend the ceremony, the fact that the location of the classic "The Essence of the Heart Sutra" as mentioned by the Buddha was blessed by the immeasurable merit and Buddha power of the precious book, and that it attracted the descent of the Buddha's nectar, completely proved that the Buddha's teachings in "The Essence of the Heart Sutra" as spoken by H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche is the most supreme and perfect Buddhist scripture!
Although H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche did not personally practice the Dharma, when he handed the bowl to Lhundrup Zangpo Rinpoche, he said, "I will not participate in your ceremony, but I believe that the Buddhas of the ten directions will bless your ceremony because 'The Essence of the Heart Sutra' is the most supreme and perfect precious book, and it will attract blessings."
In addition, it is specially announced that this sacred bowl will arrive at the Hong Kong ceremony on March 23, 2014. The ringing sound will pray and bless everyone, and a comparison photo with H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche from 2012, when he returned to good health, will be displayed in the sacred room for everyone to admire the Dharma joy.
International Buddhist Sangha Association
March 8, 2014