▲ The holy saints were respectfully invited into the venue by various lamas from different countries and sects, as well as the venerable elders and disciples.
According to the teachings of the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche, the International Buddhist Monks and Nuns Association held the first-ever "Great Compassionate Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara Altar Ceremony" in the United States at the Hua Zang Temple in San Francisco on the 26th. Following the authentic rituals and prayers, the ceremony prayed for the blessings of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere. The sound of drums and chants filled the air, and the venue was packed with countless people, creating a rare and auspicious occasion. The presence of the venerable monks and the general faithful brought joy and admiration, showcasing the greatness of Buddhism.
In his speech, the President of the International Buddhist Monks and Nuns Association, the 2nd Raja Rinpoche Longhui, expressed concern about the historic drought and tornadoes that the United States has faced this summer, causing losses in some states. The association sought guidance from the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche on how to proceed. The Third Dzogchen Rinpoche instructed the association to hold the "Great Compassionate Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara Altar Ceremony" to pray for the blessings of the Buddha and ensure peace, prosperity, abundance, and harmony in the United States.
This is the first-ever Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara Altar Ceremony held in the history of the United States, receiving great attention from various Buddhist sects. Over 110 representatives, including eminent lamas and venerable elders from different traditions around the world, attended the ceremony. Along with leaders of Buddhist institutions from around the world, disciples, and people from all walks of life, the temple was filled to capacity, with thousands of people in attendance. The crowd consisted of both participants of the ceremony and those who came to pay homage to the sacred objects. The International Buddhist Monks and Nuns Association possesses the largest collection of sacred objects in the world. According to the venerable elder, these sacred objects will be brought to Hong Kong in November for people to worship, receive blessings, and be protected from disasters, thereby accumulating merits.
The International Buddhist Monks and Nuns Association emphasized that Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, with a compassionate and benevolent nature, is the king of great compassion in the universe. Manifesting in various forms, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva saves and benefits sentient beings through compassionate actions. Legends tell of the Bodhisattva appearing as Green Tara, Virgin Mary, Mazu, and many other forms. Among them, the Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva possesses the greatest power and can transform the sea of suffering into a sea of nectar.
On the hot morning of the 26th, as the Dharma drum resounded, a gust of Buddhist energy swept through, causing the entire temple to sway. The heat was instantly dispelled, and the power of blessings was exceptionally profound. As the ceremony concluded, the clouds in the sky disappeared, and the sky turned blue, resembling the body of the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche. At that moment, the sound of dragons resonated in the air, and people eagerly exclaimed, "The nectar has descended!" When reporters arrived at the Hua Zang Temple, they witnessed the nectar falling from the sky, surrounding the sacred tree and fluttering in the air. The area around the temple was filled with the white color of the nectar, and people praised the extraordinary power of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's blessings. The nectar that descended on the 26th was different from previous occasions. Instead of falling straight down, it danced in the air and gently landed on people's faces and hands. Everyone was filled with gratitude and joy, praising the miraculous manifestation of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and expressing gratitude for the successful completion of the ceremony.
The International Buddhist Monks and Nuns Association has always upheld the teachings of the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche and the Buddha, with the aim of benefiting sentient beings with compassion and selflessness, and increasing their happiness. The association has consistently adhered to the correct and flawless teachings of Buddhism, placing great compassion as the foundation and benefiting all sentient beings, tirelessly striving to bring blessings to humanity. It has gained attention and admiration from the Buddhist communities worldwide. Within a short span of three years, the number of members has increased from a few hundred Buddhist temples and organizations to over ten thousand.
The International Buddhist Monks and Nuns Association possesses the largest collection of genuine sacred objects in the world. These include the sacred tree that has produced nectar during several ceremonies, the alms bowl used by the Buddha to receive nectar, the lotus pond used for the auspicious bathing ceremony, the reliquary of Shakyamuni Buddha enshrined in the exquisitely carved mandala created by the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche, the statue of Prince Siddhartha emitting radiant light during the bathing ceremony, and various other items such as the magnetic disc and thermometer used by the venerable masters to measure temperature during the practice of fire meditation.
For centuries, it has been rare to witness individuals with actual accomplishments in the practice of fire meditation. The International Buddhist Monks and Nuns Association possesses genuine sacred objects left behind by highly accomplished monks and masters who have achieved actual results in fire meditation. The magnetic disc is the only one of its kind in the world. It was placed on the abdomen of the venerable master during the practice of fire meditation to produce the magnetic disc used for making Buddhist medicine.
These sacred objects possess immense blessings and have demonstrated their extraordinary power. For example, when the nectar touched a patient, it instantly cured various incurable diseases, including cancer and arteriosclerosis. There have even been cases where people's wounds caused by knives disappeared completely within an hour after devoutly worshiping the nectar.