Reply to Consultation:
The "Victorious Dharma Fire Offering" and the "Ordinary Dharma Fire Offering" have a huge difference in their blessings. It's like the difference between a mountain and a rock. The "Victorious Dharma Fire Offering" is extremely rare. The Great Sage Wangzha and the two great holy beings mentioned their personal experiences. In the past hundred years, there were famous masters in Tibet, such as Pobangka and Khasar Rinpoche, who have practiced this method. One of the two great holy beings, who had achieved the second level of realization, said that he learned this method but did not succeed in practicing it. It seems that his spiritual power and effort were lacking, and he still needs to work hard. In the past twenty years, no great holy being, great dharma king, or great dharma master has successfully practiced the Victorious Dharma Fire Offering.
In addition to the Vajra Subduing Demons Fire Altar, there is also a Vajra Subduing Demons Bowl in the Victorious Dharma Fire Offering. The bowl has three uses: first, to suppress the negative karma and sins of sentient beings; second, to subdue wicked demons; third, to secretly present an offering to the bodhisattvas. First, it imprisons the heavy sins of sentient beings in the bowl; second, it also captures the wicked demons; third, it will secretly present an offering to the bodhisattvas. At this time, the flames of the fire altar will instantly turn their demonic bodies and negative karma into ashes. All sins and obstacles will be eliminated. The burning of the heavy sins and the bodies of the demons will produce an extremely foul smell. The souls of the demons will be taken by the bodhisattvas who secretly present offerings and brought to the Pure Land for nurturing and cultivation, achieving positive results. At that time, the participants of the fire offering will smell the extremely foul smell of the burned demon bodies in the bowl, which is unbearable. The Victorious Subduing Demons Fire Offering is the most powerful method among all dharmas, except for the Buddha's descent of the nectar, for subduing demons and eliminating the negative karma and sins of sentient beings. This dharma is classified as an advanced dharma and can subdue all demons and eliminate the five heavy sins. It is on the same level as the "Secretly Presenting Offerings to Bodhisattvas" and the "Karmic Connection with the Main Deity". It is not comparable to the conventional fire offering as the inquirer believes.
The most fortunate thing is that this year, the Third Dharma King Dorje Chang has agreed to the request of the holy beings to perform a Subduing Demons Fire Offering. Dorje Chang said, "I know that I am an ordinary person, a humble person. You have all requested it repeatedly, but I can only recite and practice according to the ancient rituals and do my best. If I fail, I hope you can understand."
Regarding your inquiry about the Venerable Lutongzan Dharma King: a few years ago, he wrote a letter to Taiwan's Jue Xing Temple, stating that he would not be their abbot because he couldn't wait for them to build the temple. This year, he once again stated that he cannot participate in the foundation ceremony of the Ancient Buddha Temple because he is about to enter parinirvana. We asked when Venerable Lutongzan Dharma King will enter parinirvana. Today, two directors from the headquarters went to consult the Dharma King. Someone asked the Dharma King when he will enter parinirvana. Venerable Lutongzan Dharma King said that he has achieved liberation through the practice of the Third Dharma King Dorje Chang's main deity dharma, and he will complete his final dharma practice as soon as possible. He will enter parinirvana after writing the decision to enter parinirvana, without delaying the timing. One director asked him what he will write in the decision to enter parinirvana. The Dharma King smiled and said, "What do you think? Does it still have any meaning when it's all said and done?" Both directors advised him to stay and propagate the dharma to benefit sentient beings. The Dharma King said, "With the presence of the Buddha Master, what use is there for someone like me with limited realization? Life is like a dream, and we all have to leave sooner or later. It's all about conditions coming together and dispersing. When the conditions are exhausted, everything will disperse. Forget it, I won't stay! Dharma masters, please study diligently with the Buddha Master!" Venerable Lutongzan Dharma King also said, "I have the freedom to decide my own life and death. I will leave whenever I want to. It's different from Zhao Yusheng Holy Being, who relies on the Buddha and Bodhisattvas to come and take him at a fixed time."
World Buddhist Headquarters Consultation Center
September 14, 2018