Returning the papal appointment is something that has never happened in human history, but H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche did just that. In 2018, the "World Peace Prize Awarding Council" and the "World Peace Prize Religious Leaders Honorary Committee" appointed H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche as the World Buddhist Pope, but he returned the appointment. Therefore, on September 24, 2020, the official statement of the two committees was announced by Ms. Suzi Leggett, the chairperson, at the "Sacred Relic Temple" affiliated with the World Buddhist Headquarters in Los Angeles, USA: The appointment of H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche as the World Buddhist Pope is unchangeable, and our organization refuses to return the appointment!
The "World Peace Prize Awarding Council" and the "World Peace Prize Religious Leaders Honorary Committee" made the final decision after two years of joint efforts and extremely strict and meticulous review. On January 31, 2018, they officially issued the appointment and papal token of the World Buddhist Pope to H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche. Since then, H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche has officially ascended to the position of the World Buddhist Pope. However, unexpectedly, H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche frowned and refused to accept the papal appointment. He said, "In the Buddhist community, there are titles such as Buddha, Bodhisattva, Dharma King, Living Buddha, Master, Great Monk, and Holy Virtuous. We do not need a Pope. I am a humble practitioner and cannot bear this heavy responsibility." Helplessly, the World Buddhist Headquarters came forward to accept the appointment and papal token. When Rinpoche saw the image of Shakyamuni Buddha on the token, he immediately took the token and raised it above his head as a sign of respect. However, Rinpoche then returned the appointment and papal token to the "World Peace Prize Awarding Council" and the "World Peace Prize Religious Leaders Honorary Committee". This led to Ms. Suzi Leggett personally going to the Sacred Relic Temple on September 24 to announce that the return of the appointment by Rinpoche was invalid. Chairperson Leggett said, "For decades, our organization has awarded the World Peace Prize to President Reagan, Mahatma Gandhi, Prime Minister Rabin, as well as presidents and prime ministers of many countries, and there has never been a precedent for returning the award. Any decision made by our organization and already implemented is a very serious and conscientious decision that will not be changed. ... The act of H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche returning the papal token and appointment is not valid. The position of the World Buddhist Pope belongs only to H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche, and no one else is allowed to use it. This is an unchangeable conclusion!" However, because H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche still refused to accept, he did not attend the event that day. Chairperson Leggett had to hand over the returned appointment and papal token to the World Buddhist Headquarters again.
Venerable Mo Zhi, representing the World Buddhist Headquarters, accepted the appointment and papal token for H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche. He said, "The World Buddhist Headquarters believes that the decision of the two committees is very correct and wise! Since the manifestation of Shakyamuni Buddha, there has not been a supreme leader of the Buddhist community like the Buddha himself. However, the position of the Pope must be held by a leader qualified to represent the entire Buddhist community, and the only leader who can lead the entire Buddhist community is the Buddha himself. H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche perfectly embodies the teachings of Buddhism, meets the standards recognized by various sects, and conforms to the essence and realization of the Buddha. Only H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche, with his essential qualities, can reach the highest standards. H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche is the only one who can bear the incomparable burden of being the Buddhist Pope and guide the correct path of Buddhist learning. Therefore, on behalf of the Buddhists, the World Buddhist Headquarters is very grateful for the final decision made by the World Peace Prize Awarding Council and the World Peace Prize Religious Leaders Honorary Committee."
Chairperson Leggett read the resolution statement, which stated: The "World Peace Prize Awarding Council" and the "World Peace Prize Religious Leaders Honorary Committee" have carefully and seriously reviewed the appointment of the Buddhist Pope and cannot revoke it without rigorous consideration. This is the decision of the two committees, not something that H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche can decide on his own. The two committees believe that since the Dharma Kings, patriarchs, and great masters of various sects can only lead their own sects and are not qualified to be the leaders of the entire Buddhist community, the only one who can represent the entire Buddhist community is the Buddha himself, just as God guides all of Catholicism and provides guidance on the general principles and doctrines. From the time of Shakyamuni Buddha to the present, there is only one Buddha who has been truly recognized by all major sects in the world, and that is H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche. The certification letters and congratulatory letters written and endorsed by leaders, Dharma Kings, regents, and great living Buddhas from various sects have reached more than a hundred, making it an unprecedented certification feat. Especially with his substantial realization as a Buddha and his perfect mastery of the Five Luminosities, he is the foremost person in the entire Buddhist community, loved and respected for his selfless virtue. His essence and nature as a Buddha are possessed only by H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche, and there is no second great monk in the world who possesses such qualifications. Therefore, the two committees have made the ultimate decision that the act of H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche returning the papal token and appointment is not valid. The position of the World Buddhist Pope belongs only to H.H. the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche, and no one else is allowed to use it. This is an unchangeable conclusion!