In the past two days, an article titled "Special Focus: Hong Kong's Prayer for Blessings" appeared on the website. This article is a false report. First of all, the title is slanderous towards Buddhism. Its content consists of falsehoods in the face of the world, and it should be said that the person who posted this article has undoubtedly seriously damaged the image of the International Buddhist Monastic Association, leading to the chairman of the association, Venerable Longhui, publicly admitting fault. According to Chairman Longhui, "I know the person who posted this article. She has studied the Dharma with me and has been actively engaged in Buddhist activities. This year, I recommended her to pay homage to H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche. I have a responsibility that cannot be shirked. Besides fabricating false information about tens of thousands of people praying for Malaysia Airlines in the article, the other contents of the article are true. Therefore, at that time, I only casually mentioned to her not to post untrue things, but I did not seriously prevent it, resulting in the commission of a sinful act. Therefore, the responsibility lies with me. Therefore, today, I publicly submit a written self-criticism to the board of directors and to all Buddhists, regarding this false report about tens of thousands of people praying for Malaysia Airlines at the H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche Grand Dharma Assembly in Hong Kong. I must take responsibility because as a true Buddhist and practitioner, one should strictly adhere to the precepts and not speak falsehoods or fabricate things out of thin air." Indeed, the prayer for Malaysia Airlines was conducted at the Bodhi Monastery in Los Angeles, not in Hong Kong. The event in Hong Kong was purely the H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche Grand Dharma Assembly and the inaugural meeting of "The True Meaning of the Heart Sutra." It did not involve any extraneous agenda and did not allow any unrelated matters to be mixed in. Chairman Longhui said, "She deeply repents to all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the ten directions. She did not fulfill her own responsibilities and requests forgiveness from H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche and all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas."
The International Buddhist Monastic Association believes that Venerable Longhui has shown a deep understanding and submitted a written self-criticism during the board meeting. In fact, this incident of fabricating falsehoods is not directly related to Venerable Longhui, but rather to another monk, Rinpoche, who violated the precepts and intentionally committed the offense of false speech. H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche expressed concern about this act of speaking falsehoods, saying, "Nowadays, in the Dharma-ending period, things are indeed chaotic. The external living Buddhas speak falsehoods and engage in false speech, which is in line with the phenomenon of fraudsters taking advantage of the holy Dharma in the Dharma-ending period. However, even the Rinpoche certified by your International Buddhist Monastic Association cannot refrain from false speech and speaking falsehoods, which is truly pitiful and disappointing to the Buddhas in the ten directions! A practitioner, wearing the robes of Buddhism, actually fabricates falsehoods and posts them online. How can the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the ten directions accept such a person? Understand that, although I am ashamed and lack the ability, as a Buddha in the ten directions, I should have compassion for all sentient beings. After all, she has published many articles that promote the correct Dharma, and we always allow sentient beings to change their mindset and behavior from evil. If she can eliminate the spread of false rumors and sincerely repent from the bottom of her heart, reform herself, it is also my duty to protect and cherish her. If she continues to retain her bad habits, it can only be said that the karmic connection with the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas has come to an end."
We must now seriously propose that H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche's teachings are profound. This practitioner must erase all the false speech she has written and posted online, and she must reissue accurate and truthful reports. She must become a sincere and honest practitioner because her identity is certified by the International Buddhist Monastic Association. Otherwise, the association will not be able to request forgiveness from H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche and Shakyamuni Buddha.
International Buddhist Monastic Association
April 8, 2014