资料库

The Office of the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche received an inquiry today (attached below) regarding the certification, Rinpoche, Buddha, Guru, and disciple of the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche. The Office of the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche will provide a brief response.

1. Is the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche self-proclaimed as a Buddha? Anyone who reads the book "The Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche" can know the truth. Since coming to this world, the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche has demonstrated unparalleled Buddha wisdom. Although the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche knows that he is the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche, he has never claimed to be a Buddha. This is evident from the teachings and Dharma propagated by the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche over the years. It was only after the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche was certified and congratulated by the Third Karmapa and the ten certified masters that he revealed this identity.

In fact, if the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche is self-proclaimed, then all the Rinpoche in the world are self-proclaimed. On the other hand, even if all the Rinpoche in the world are self-proclaimed, the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche is not. Not only is the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche a genuine Buddha with the diploma of the three masters and ten certifications, but no other Rinpoche in the world has received as solid and numerous certifications and congratulations as the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche. It can be said that he is the first person in the history of Buddhism.

In terms of actual achievements, none of those who claim to be Buddhas, those who make false statements, so-called Dharma kings, Rinpoche, or Buddhas, have achievements comparable to the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche. They don't even have one-third of the achievements of the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche. If you don't believe it, can you find an example? Some people can't even achieve a "Blue Platform Certification," and no holy person or disciple has certified or congratulated them. Yet they claim to be Buddhas. What else can they be if not deceivers who deceive sentient beings?

Everyone understands a simple truth: is the wisdom of a Buddha higher or the wisdom of ordinary beings and demons higher? Is the ability of a Buddha greater or the ability of ordinary beings and demons greater? Is it the ordinary beings and demons who are selfless, desireless, do not accept offerings, and only benefit sentient beings, or is it the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas who speak wrongly, lack compassion, and deceive sentient beings for offerings?

In fact, the identity of the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche does not come from anyone's certification or congratulations, nor does it come from the certification power of the Buddha Name Stone. It comes from the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche's actual wisdom and achievements demonstrated in this world. Whether it is before or after the certification and congratulations of the Dharma kings and holy masters, the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche is a true Buddha because no saint in the history of civilization for thousands of years has achieved more than the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche. The subsequent certifications and congratulations from the great masters are just an additional confirmation!

As for the discovery of the Buddha Name Stone by Dodrupchen Rinpoche, this is a fact. However, according to the Dharma, all Dharma instruments, discoveries, and mantras do not represent the true realization of a Buddha. They are just Dharma instruments. If they are taken naturally, they will be claimed by the evil forces of the three realms. Therefore, they cannot be used as a basis for determining whether someone is a Buddha. The real basis has three points: First, in terms of the power of compassion and aspiration, there is no difference between the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche and Shakyamuni Buddha. Second, in terms of the manifestation of profound wisdom, his achievements are unparalleled. Third, in terms of the play of samadhi, he must welcome the Buddha to descend from the sky and rain nectar in front of everyone. Apart from these three, everything else is just the words of ordinary saints or beings. That is why Dodrupchen Rinpoche said that the Buddha Name Stone cannot represent the true realization and status of a Buddha. That is why the Buddha Name Stone was not given to the International Buddhist Sangha Association and was not used in the book "The Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche." This also shows that no Dharma instrument or discovery can serve as proof of the reappearance of a Buddha.

2. The teachings of the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche have spread throughout the world and benefited the masses. In the book "The Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche," there is a statement by the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche titled "Who can represent me in accepting disciples, giving empowerments, transmitting teachings, giving teachings, and liberating beings?" Anyone who contradicts this statement is not expressing the true intentions of the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche.

3. Those who have heard the teachings of the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche know that the meaning and transmission of the teachings are exactly the same as those of Shakyamuni Buddha. The Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche said, "There are 84,000 Dharma doors, but there is only one Buddha Dharma, which must be practiced according to the teachings and cannot be changed." Tibetans, Han Chinese, black people, white people, are all sentient beings and must follow the laws of equality and causality and benefit all sentient beings. Regardless of who they are, although there are differences in their roots of virtue, they must follow the rules of the Buddha for liberation. The standards for practicing Buddhism are the same for all, and everyone should be treated equally. No holy person or practitioner has the right to lower the standards of the Buddha's teachings.

4. There are ordained and lay practitioners among the Rinpoche. All ordained monks who are Rinpoche or Dharma kings must abide by the rules of the monastic Vinaya, including abstaining from meat. Otherwise, they would be considered as monks who have broken their vows. Lay Rinpoche must abide by the teachings of laypeople. In short, everything should be based on the precepts established by Shakyamuni Buddha and should not be changed based on race or individual.

5. As for how to perform Buddhist rituals, all the great masters are very knowledgeable. Regarding the ritual of prostration, there are specific rituals and mantras, as well as the ritual of taking refuge. The teachings transmitted by the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche are consistent with those transmitted by Shakyamuni Buddha, Guru Rinpoche, Tsongkhapa, Marpa, and Yeshe Tsogyal. Only some special holy Dharma is different. This is because Shakyamuni Buddha taught and liberated sentient beings, matured special conditions, and thus the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche transmitted special Dharma based on the conditions of sentient beings. However, the precepts remain unchanged according to the rules set by Shakyamuni Buddha. For example, the Amitabha Pure Land Dharma transmitted by the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche allows practitioners to visit the Pure Land before returning to the human realm and then ascend to the Pure Land at the agreed time.

6. Paying respects to the Guru is one of the teachings of Buddhism. This is a gesture of respect and moral expression for sentient beings. For example, the disciples of Dodrupchen Rinpoche pay respects to Dodrupchen Rinpoche, the disciples of Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok pay respects to Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok, the disciples of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche pay respects to Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, the disciples of Penor Rinpoche pay respects to Penor Rinpoche, the disciples of Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche pay respects to Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, and so on. This applies not only to the Nyingma sect but also to any other sect. The disciples of Loden Chokhor Rinpoche pay respects to Loden Chokhor Rinpoche, the disciples of Longchen Zangpo pay respects to Longchen Zangpo Rinpoche, the disciples of Hengsheng Rinpoche pay respects to Hengsheng Rinpoche, the disciples of Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche pay respects to Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche, and the disciples of Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok pay respects to Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche. This is the way it should be. It is natural for a nephew to pay respects to an uncle. Buddhist disciples should not deviate from the rules of Buddhism, the teachings of the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche, or the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha. Regardless of who they are, any Buddhist or holy person should regard the Three Jewels as the highest object of respect. The Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche said, "The most respected great saint is Shakyamuni Buddha, and no one can replace him. All sentient beings should pay respects to him."

7. Regarding the Buddhas who have appeared in our Saha world, please listen to the teachings of the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche in "The Teachings of the Buddha and the Guru" for more information. As for Dodrupchen Rinpoche, he has never announced that he is the Great Sun Tathagata, but he has said, "Dodrupchen Rinpoche is not a Buddha but a highly accomplished practitioner who strictly observes the precepts, practices diligently, and has attained liberation. He has revealed many hidden treasures."

8. There are 84,000 Dharma doors in Buddhism, and everyone has different conditions and different Gurus to rely on. This is a relationship of cause and effect and cannot be abandoned by human will. The Dharma one practices should not be abandoned! Nianfo (reciting the Buddha's name), Chan meditation, Samatha-Vipassana, Yogacara, Vajrayana, Mahayana, Hinayana, all teachings should be practiced according to one's own conditions. As long as it is a teaching spoken by Shakyamuni Buddha, not a heretical scripture, it cannot be abandoned unless one has too many teachings to study and no time for practice.

9. It is indeed meritorious for Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok to play the teachings of the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche because the teachings of the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche are pure and beneficial to all sentient beings. Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok was the first disciple received by the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche in this life, but he was not the first disciple of the First and Second Dodrupchen Rinpoches. This is already clear in the teachings and books.

10. Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok has publicly criticized the publication of this erroneous view by someone who does not understand the rules of Buddhism on the "Gobi Sand" blog. From this public criticism, it can be seen that this erroneous view does not represent the views of Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok.

Office of the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche
January 13, 2009

Attachment: Original letter as published

https://www.hhdcb3office.org/html/information/statement_no1_2009_01_13.html