Explanation of the "Third Generation Dorje Chang Buddha" Buddha Name#
On April 3, 2008, the book "The Third Generation Dorje Chang Buddha" published by the Global Buddhist Publishing House and the World Dharma Sound Publishing House held a solemn and grand launch ceremony at the Library of Congress in the United States. The Library of Congress officially collected this book, and people only then learned that the highly respected Master Yi Yun Gao and Yang E Yi Xinuo Bu Dafa Wang, who have always been respected by everyone, have been recognized by the leaders or regents of the major Buddhist sects and the great living Buddhas of the world's Buddhism. The third generation of Dorje Chang Buddha, the Buddha name is the Third Generation Dorje Chang Buddha. Since then, people have called him "Namo Third Generation Dorje Chang Buddha". This is similar to before Shakyamuni Buddha became a Buddha, his name was Prince Siddhartha, but after Shakyamuni Buddha became a Buddha, he was called "Namo Shakyamuni Buddha". Therefore, we now call him "Namo Third Generation Dorje Chang Buddha". Especially on December 12, 2012, the United States Senate Resolution No. 614 officially named the Third Generation Dorje Chang Buddha as His Holiness (H.H. Third Generation Dorje Chang Buddha). Since then, the title of Namo Third Generation Dorje Chang Buddha has been officially established. Moreover, the Third Generation Dorje Chang Buddha is also the government's legal name, and the previous names of "Yi Yun Gao" and the honorable titles of Master and Supreme Dharma King no longer exist. However, this news was published before the Buddha name of the Third Generation Dorje Chang Buddha was announced, and at that time people did not yet know the true identity of the Buddha. Therefore, in order to respect the truth of history, we still retain the names used before the official naming of the Third Generation Dorje Chang Buddha in the news. But everyone should be clear that except for the name of H.H. Third Generation Dorje Chang Buddha, the previous names no longer exist.
International Buddhist Monastic Association Holds Dharma Teacher Ordination Ceremony#
April 15, 2009 / 00:21
Dharma teachers who passed the Buddhist examination taking a group photo after the ordination ceremony.
San Francisco News
From April 11th to 12th, the International Buddhist Monastic Association held a qualification examination for Dharma teachers who have not yet been ordained at the Mahabodhi Temple in San Francisco. There were more than 300 applicants from around the world. On the morning of the 13th, the Dharma Teacher Ordination Ceremony was held, and the "Dharma Teacher Certificate" and "Dharma Teacher Robe" were awarded to more than 280 candidates who passed the examination, as proof of their qualification as Dharma teachers. During the ordination ceremony, the venerable Achok Lamo Rinpoche, a well-known female living Buddha from Tibet, and the members of the examination committee each presented a "Supreme Secret Empowerment Certificate" to each Dharma teacher who passed the examination. Holding this certificate, the Dharma teacher is guaranteed to receive the great Dharma that can only be received by Dharma teachers and above. The empowerment received is the Supreme Secret Empowerment, which is vastly different from ordinary empowerments. Many Dharma teachers who received this certificate were deeply moved when they saw its contents, as they felt it was an unparalleled blessing and affinity.
↑ Dharma teachers sitting in robes, the venue is extremely solemn.
The "Dharma Teacher Certificate" issued by the International Buddhist Monastic Association is a qualification certificate issued by Buddhist institutions to those who have the ability to benefit sentient beings. It is not a government work-related certificate. Dharma teachers lead sentient beings to listen to the Buddha's teachings, study the scriptures together, practice the ten virtues, cultivate the four immeasurable minds, observe the five precepts, and practice and benefit from the Dharma. They guide others in learning and practicing Buddhism, doing good deeds, learning how to selflessly benefit others, and practicing the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha. They diligently cultivate themselves and benefit others.
During the examination on April 11th and 12th, the examination committee strictly monitored the examination room, and the atmosphere was serious and tense. After the results were announced, the Dharma Teacher Ordination Ceremony was held on the morning of the 13th for those who passed the examination.
↑ The examinees during the Dharma Teacher examination were very serious.
The Dharma Teacher Ordination Ceremony began with the solemn chanting of the Buddha's name. Ten eminent figures, including high-ranking lamas, rinpoches, and great masters, as well as the qualified Dharma teachers and their families, crowded the main hall of the Mahabodhi Temple. The eminent monks and masters who attended this ordination ceremony were: H.E. the Fourth Lutong Zan Rinpoche (the second Dharma King of the Mahabodhi Temple), Achok Lamo Rinpoche (the first female lama and the head lama of the Mahabodhi Temple), Longhui Master Lajin Rinpoche (the chairman of the International Buddhist Monastic Association), Shangri-La Jawa Rinpoche (the dean of the Rocky Mountain Buddhist College), the Second Jueba Rinpoche (the founder of the Buddhist Dharma Center), Master Juehui (the abbot of the Holy Grace Monastery and the Bodhi Monastery), Zaxi Zhuoma Rinpoche (the president of the Dharma Propagation Association), Bodhi Wintu Rinpoche (an elder of the Mahabodhi Temple), Ruohui Master (an elder and deputy abbot of the Mahabodhi Temple), Miaokong Master (an elder of the Mahabodhi Temple), and Zen Master Jerome Peterson.
The ceremony of conferring robes and certificates was solemn and grand. Although the venue was crowded, the order was well-maintained, and the Dharma teachers received their robes and certificates in an orderly manner without any mistakes.
H.E. the Fourth Lutong Zan Rinpoche (the Second Dharma King of the Mahabodhi Temple, as mentioned in the book "The Third Generation Dorje Chang Buddha", he is the Fourth Lutong Zan Rinpoche, who was chosen as a world-class Dharma King and Rinpoche through the golden bottle lottery based on his holy realization) congratulated the Dharma teachers who passed the qualification examination for the Five Precepts, Ten Virtues, and Four Immeasurable Minds, and encouraged them to lead their fellow practitioners and disciples to listen to the Dharma according to the Buddha's teachings. He emphasized that when leading others in listening and practicing the Dharma or paying respects to holy beings, they must wear this robe. Otherwise, it would be an insult to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, because this robe is the manifestation of the true words of the Dharma, a sacred and respectful expression of the sanctity of the Three Jewels. Practicing with this robe requires strict discipline. If one treats this robe lightly, they cannot be considered a Buddhist, but a teacher who has broken their vows. Those who do not comply will have their "Supreme Secret Empowerment Certificate" invalidated.
He explained that being a Dharma teacher is a level of qualification, and no matter from which perspective, one must be a role model for the public. They must walk ahead of ordinary practitioners, cultivate good conduct, observe precepts, face the believers with humility, and welcome the future with pure moral qualities. The cultivation of a Dharma teacher is about moral qualities, not arrogance or pride. Of course, the identity of a Dharma teacher is indeed higher than that of an ordinary practitioner, but humility and caution are virtues, while arrogance and conceit are obstacles.
The International Buddhist Monastic Association stated that the association has established different categories of teacher qualification examinations, and the Dharma Teacher examination is one of them. The association also has examinations for sutras, vinaya, abhidharma, as well as different levels of examinations for Vajra Power, Obstacle-Removing Dharma, Direct Perception of Hidden Treasures, Mani Stones, Holy Water Blessing, and Alms Bowl. Many virtuous practitioners have passed the examinations at different levels and have become rinpoches and acharyas.
The International Buddhist Monastic Association said that the association is preparing to establish the highest-level examination for Mahasattva, which will be assessed by seven masters and ten witnesses on the spot to verify the realization of "building an altar across stones". Those who pass the examination and achieve "building an altar across stones" will be honored with the "Building an Altar across Stones H.H. Great Holy Master Qualification Certificate" signed by the seven masters and ten witnesses. The association adheres to the principle of non-sectarianism and welcomes the arrival of eminent monks and virtuous masters from various Buddhist sects with a compassionate mind. "Building an Altar across Stones" is to reveal the realization of the Dharma as it truly is, and all actions are selfless and compassionate for the benefit of all.
↑ Achok Lamo Rinpoche, a well-known female living Buddha from Tibet, and the members of the examination committee conferring the Supreme Secret Empowerment Certificate to qualified Dharma teachers.
The Mahabodhi Temple was preparing to hold a sacred object offering ceremony during the Divine Transformation Festival, and in the afternoon, it showcased the temple's precious objects, including the sacred tree under which the Third Generation Dorje Chang Buddha sat and the sky rained nectar for forty-eight hours, the lotus pond for the Supreme Secret Bathing of the Buddha, the statue of Prince Siddhartha emitting light after the ceremony, the vine canopy that reveals the impermanent and permanent states under the control of the Third Generation Dorje Chang Buddha, the carved mandala stupa, and the relics of Shakyamuni Buddha.