On September 19, 2018, the "Victorious Fire Offering Ceremony" hosted by the Venerable Jushengde was officially held at the Shengji Temple in the United States. The event was successful and fulfilled its purpose.
There were two types of participants in this rare and auspicious ceremony. The first type consisted of high-ranking monks and abbots of Buddhist temples, as well as leaders of Buddhist organizations, who were directly invited by four respected individuals: Yuzun, Wangzha Shangzun, Mozhi Jiaozun, and Ludongzan Fawang. The second type of participants were those who joined the ceremony by chance.
The Fire Offering Ceremony is a significant practice in Buddhism, especially in Tibetan Buddhism. It is well-known for its ability to dispel disasters, obstacles, and increase blessings. The specific practice of fire offering is also known as the "Victorious Fire Altar Mahamudra Practice." However, it is rare to witness a true "Victorious Fire Offering Mahamudra Practice" as it requires a high level of attainment. Most fire offerings conducted are of a conventional nature. The difference in blessings between a "Victorious Fire Offering Mahamudra Practice" and a conventional fire offering is like the difference between one step and a thousand miles.
Wangzha Shangzun and two other respected individuals shared their personal experiences. They mentioned that in the past century, two renowned masters, Dari Rangjung Khenpo and Dawa Konchok Rinpoche, had practiced this method. One of the respected individuals, who had achieved the second level of realization, said, "I have learned this practice, but I have not been successful in my cultivation. It seems that I lack the necessary spiritual power and effort, so I still need to strive. In recent decades, I have not seen any great masters, great Dharma kings, or great teachers who have successfully completed the Victorious Fire Offering. If the Victorious Fire Offering is not successful, it can only serve as a regular fire offering." So, what is the difference between success and failure? Firstly, in conventional Tibetan fire offerings or East Tantric fire offerings (Chaidui Grand Ceremony), the fire is ignited manually. How can it be compared to the sacred fire ignited by the Buddha? The Victorious Fire Offering is different. It requires the invocation of nine Tathagatas, Vajra Mothers, Prajnaparamita Mothers, and Dharma Protectors, who personally ignite the fire on the altar. This is the true Victorious Fire Offering.
In this Victorious Fire Offering Ceremony, the participants witnessed the entire process up close in the main hall of the temple. Many different ritual objects were used on the fire altar. The fire altar was a newly constructed copper stove without any electrical or mechanical devices. It was placed on a flat table along with all the ritual objects. More than ten volunteers meticulously cleaned the altar and placed it on the table. Inside the altar, wood and sandalwood were placed. The table was then carried near the entrance of the main hall. The Venerable Jushengde conducted the practice from a distance of about fifty meters. His seat was set up according to the proper protocol. The "Guardian of Ignition" was a respected individual who had achieved the first level of realization. He dipped the fire sign into butter and recited mantras as he approached the fire altar, which was about six meters away. Just as he was about to ignite the fire, he suddenly changed his mind and shouted to the sky, "This Victorious Fire Altar Mahamudra Practice is conducted by the Venerable Jushengde. Please let the Vajra Mother ignite the fire. If the Vajra Mother does not ignite the fire, I will do it!" He then bowed deeply. From a distance, Jushengde shouted loudly, "Please let the Vajra Mother ignite the fire to eliminate obstacles and increase blessings for all sentient beings!" As soon as he finished speaking, the Vajra Mother appeared in the sky. I saw the blue Vajra Mother point her finger, and a flash of light ignited the altar. The altar suddenly burst into flames without any prior signs, startling the Guardian of Ignition, who ran and jumped, then turned around and bowed. Everyone present saw the flames suddenly ignite and immediately bowed down in excitement. They were thrilled and began the fire offering ceremony with great devotion.
During the ceremony, a Buddhist devotee placed the Vajra Demon Subduing Bowl used in the Victorious Fire Offering upside down on a small table. According to the ritual, the bowl would absorb the negative karma and evil deeds of all the participants in the fire offering ceremony, subduing them within the bowl. The demons and negative karma attempted to escape from the bowl, causing the bowl to shake violently. At this critical moment, a flash of lightning from the Vajra Mother in the sky reduced the demons and negative karma to dust. The Vajra Mother then took the demon's soul to the Pure Land for strict discipline.
Jushengde did not approach any ritual objects or tables from a distance. He then performed the "Secret Offering to Bodhisattvas" practice. All the participants saw and heard a loud noise as the Vajra Demon Subduing Bowl, which had been tightly sealed on the table, suddenly exploded with fire and light. The bowl was then overturned by the participants, revealing that it was empty. The "Secret Offering to Bodhisattvas" practice was successful! The burnt demon's body emitted an extremely foul smell, worse than any smell in the world. Those who smelled it could not resist its effects, and their senses were distorted. The true nature of the Victorious Fire Offering had been fully accomplished.
It is understood that there has not been a Victorious Fire Offering ceremony in over eighty years. Although there have been discussions and practices, no Buddhas or Bodhisattvas have appeared. Regardless of who has practiced it, there has not been a true Victorious Fire Offering Mahamudra Practice like this. This is only the second time such a remarkable fire offering ceremony has taken place in Tibet, India, and other countries around the world. We had the opportunity to witness the true and supreme Dharma of the Tathagatas.
Furthermore, in addition to its extraordinary nature, the smoke from the fire altar filled the entire main hall, yet the smoke detectors on the ceiling remained silent. This was truly miraculous. In the main hall, if someone were to smoke a cigarette, the alarm would sound and water would be sprayed. The power of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas during the Victorious Fire Offering ceremony was incredibly profound and subtle.
In this way, the Victorious Fire Offering left an indelible mark on the participants. Even the renowned Mozhi Jiaozun lost his composure and became excited. Everyone offered their donations to Jushengde, but he refused to accept any money and asked them to keep it for themselves.
From this day forward, the Shengji Temple has become a true inner sanctuary in the world. Because everyone witnessed the "Secret Offering to Bodhisattvas," Jushengde suggested that it would be best for them to find a great master who has achieved the "Three Strikes of the Vajra" so that they can have physical evidence to demonstrate the establishment of a true inner sanctuary.
I personally participated in this extraordinary Victorious Fire Offering ceremony and deeply felt what Jushengde had said: "Compared to the Victorious Fire Offering, conventional fire offerings are like a drop in the ocean, merely child's play." It is no wonder that one respected teacher said, "The blessings of the Victorious Fire Offering, ignited by the Vajra Mother in person, are thousands of times greater than those of a conventional fire offering ignited by humans."
The fire altar, offering table, and related ritual objects used in this Victorious Fire Offering ceremony will be preserved and displayed at the Shengji Temple for people to admire.
Before concluding, I must mention the most important event. After the completion of the Victorious Fire Offering ceremony on September 19, Jushengde announced in the main hall, "Today, this grand ceremony has been completed. Ludongzan Fawang attended this ceremony, which is his last blessed ceremony." A few days earlier, Ludongzan Fawang had announced in a public statement from the United Nations International Buddhist Headquarters, "After the final ceremony, I will pass away as soon as possible." The two masters advised him to stay and continue spreading the Dharma, but Fawang said, "With the presence of the Buddha as my teacher, what use is my limited realization? Life is like a dream, and sooner or later, we must depart. It is determined by causes and conditions. When the conditions are exhausted, we disperse. Let it be. I will not stay!" He also said, "I have decided my own life and death. I will leave whenever I want. It is different from Zhao Yushengde, who relies on the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to come and receive him at the appointed time." True to his words, on the second day of the ceremony, September 20, Fawang bathed, put on his robe, and placed writing materials on his seat. He wrote a farewell letter to the Third Dajie Qiangfo, saying, "The ink is not yet dry, and I will pass away." He was able to write, "The ink is not yet dry, and I will pass away," which meant that as soon as he finished writing, he passed away.
Translation: