[Los Angeles News] The World Buddhist Headquarters, Shengji Temple, Huazang Temple, Charity Temple, and Shengge Lecture Hall held a grand Dharma assembly on May 30 (Friday) and May 31 (Saturday) at the Glendale Civic Auditorium in Los Angeles County, California, to celebrate the birthday of the Third World Buddha, Dorje Chang Buddha.
This Dharma assembly not only marks a significant day for Buddhists worldwide to celebrate the birth of the Buddha but also formally releases volumes seven to eleven of the "Collected Works of the Third World Buddha, Dorje Chang Buddha." It is worth mentioning that the English translation of the "Collected Works of the Third World Buddha, Dorje Chang Buddha" is also expected to be published online starting this year, which will attract widespread attention from the global Buddhist community.
At the beginning of the Dharma assembly, the venue was solemn and dignified, with sacred sounds echoing and the resounding sound of horns reverberating through the sky. The Chairman of the World Buddhist Headquarters, Venerable Mo Zhi, held a fragrant offering table, while Venerable Langbo Zhaimang, the director of the Third World Buddha's office, Venerable Zheng Da, the vice-chairman of the World Buddhist Headquarters, and Venerable Ruo Hui, the abbot of Huazang Temple, carried the scriptures and slowly ascended the Dharma platform amidst a procession of monks, celebrating the publication of the sacred texts and offering praises.
The venerable monks carefully presented the newly published "Collected Works" volumes seven "Secret Records of the Third World Buddha's Disciples' Practices," volume eight "Judging Right and Wrong Monks," volume nine "Teachings of the Third World Buddha: Answers to Disciples' Questions," volume ten "Teachings in America," and volume eleven "Holy Sight" one by one on the offering table and respectfully presented khatas to express their profound respect for the transmission of the sacred texts.
Later, Venerable Langbo Zhaimang delivered a speech to the attendees. He first called on Buddhist disciples not to forget that liberation from the worldly realm is the fundamental purpose of learning Buddhism. In this degenerate age, we must learn the true teachings of the Buddha, which must be implemented through practice and cultivation.
This includes strictly observing precepts and having correct views to guide us. The precepts were established by the Buddha, and correct views can only come from the Buddha—today, that is the Dharma sound of the Third World Buddha, Dorje Chang Buddha, which is being published in the "Collected Works of the Third World Buddha, Dorje Chang Buddha."
Secondly, during the practice phase, Buddhists should be "loyal to the Buddha, sincere to the Dharma, enthusiastic towards sentient beings, and honest with themselves." Loyalty to the Buddha allows one to receive teachings, sincerity to the Dharma enables diligent practice, enthusiasm towards sentient beings prevents harm and promotes help, and honesty with oneself leads to genuine practice and the accumulation of merits.
Finally, as long as Buddhist disciples earnestly listen to the Dharma sound of the Third World Buddha, Dorje Chang Buddha, study the "Collected Works of the Third World Buddha, Dorje Chang Buddha," regularly reflect on their actions, repent for their sins, strictly uphold precepts, diligently practice, promote the Buddhist texts of the Third World Buddha, and protect the Dharma of the Third World Buddha and Shakyamuni Buddha, refraining from all evils and practicing all good deeds, they will surely achieve liberation!
The World Buddhist Pope H.H. the Third World Buddha, Dorje Chang Buddha, is recognized as the highest leader in contemporary Buddhism, revered and loved by Buddhists worldwide for his supreme wisdom, compassionate teachings, and remarkable sacred deeds. During the Buddha's lifetime, he continuously taught and wrote, revealing the profound truths of the universe and life, which are accessible and directly point to the hearts of countless sentient beings, guiding them towards liberation.
The "Collected Works of the Third World Buddha, Dorje Chang Buddha" compiles the Buddha's important teachings and writings over the years, serving as a precious guide for studying Buddhism. The recently released volumes seven to eleven contain profound Buddhist principles and guidance for practice, which will inject a pure stream of Dharma into the global Buddhist community.
The assembly then held a "Great Offering before the Buddha," where the attendees joined their palms and chanted, offering their most sincere offerings to the Third World Buddha, Dorje Chang Buddha, and all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the ten directions and three times, as well as the protecting deities.
Afterward, the venerables and Dharma masters sprinkled blessed water on the attendees. As the blessed water was sprinkled on their heads, everyone felt reverence and joy, praying to eliminate karmic obstacles and plant the seeds of enlightenment.
At this Dharma assembly, Venerable Dr. Bodagama Chandima Nayaka Thero, founder of Nāgānanda International Buddhist University in Sri Lanka, who holds the transmission of the Three Vehicles, specially attended the assembly with monks to pay respects and prayers alongside Buddhist groups from around the world. Venerable Dr. Bodagama met the Third World Buddha twenty years ago and received teachings, deeply admiring the Buddha's compassion and wisdom. His special attendance at the Buddha's birthday Dharma assembly expresses his utmost reverence for the Third World Buddha, Dorje Chang Buddha.
Venerable Dr. Bodagama Chandima Nayaka Thero (center) and the monks being interviewed
Nāgānanda International Buddhist University plans to build a stupa for the original Bodhi tree and the Pali Tripitaka in the Sacred Heaven Lake Buddhist City and establish a "Dharma Listening Center" to launch a multilingual translation project of the Dharma sound and collected works of the Third World Buddha, promoting the integration and dissemination of the Buddha's teachings globally.
Interview with Dharma masters and monks from various parts of the United States and local devotees
Respectfully requesting scriptures
Interview with devotees from Canada, Thailand, Malaysia, and other places
From: [Los Angeles News]: The new volume of "Collected Works of the Third World Buddha, Dorje Chang Buddha" is grandly released, and global Buddhists gather in the U.S. to receive the Buddha's grace and welcome the scriptures