Since the publication of the book "The Third Dzogchen Rinpoche", our office has received many letters and calls from pedestrians and readers. They have reported that since they studied the "Canonical Scriptures" (正法宝典), their long-standing ailments have been eliminated, or their cancer disappeared within a few days, or they have gained more blessings, or their wisdom has burst forth, or their long-standing disputes have been resolved, or their families have become harmonious, or their children have become filial, or their children's academic performance has suddenly improved, or they have reached a certain level of realization, or they have gained supernatural powers, or they have greatly benefited from practicing the Dharma, or they have gained five years of spiritual accomplishment, or they have had children in their old age, or they have become younger, or they have suddenly been promoted, and so on.
From the content and expressions of their letters, we are happy for them because they have truly learned the teachings of the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche and have gained benefits. Our office congratulates them for this. However, we want to inform these practitioners that what they have achieved is not the goal of our practice. Our first goal is to eliminate self-attachment, to be rooted in great compassion, to benefit sentient beings, and to fill the whole world with auspiciousness and happiness. Only then can we truly establish the state of enlightenment and move towards the happiness of liberation from suffering and eternal happiness.
At the same time, although you have benefited and rejoiced, we are deeply concerned about you because you do not know the essence of Buddhism and are only attached to the superficial auspicious appearances. What is especially important is that while you praise the book "The Third Dzogchen Rinpoche", you unknowingly defame and insult the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche and Shakyamuni Buddha.
Think carefully: Have you been reading the Canonical Scriptures and listening to the Canonical Teachings for many years? As long as you have read the "Commentary on the Heart Sutra" and "The Treatise on the Patriarch Bodhidharma" written by the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche, or the Sutra Pitaka from the Tripitaka spoken by Shakyamuni Buddha, such as the "Diamond Sutra" and the "Avatamsaka Sutra", these are not the Canonical Scriptures. Are they biased and evil teachings? Every book written by the Buddha is a Canonical Scripture. So, where did you start studying the Canonical Scriptures only after the appearance of "The Third Dzogchen Rinpoche"? Therefore, when you empty-heartedly call it "Canonical Scriptures" without mentioning any book titles, aren't you insulting the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche and Shakyamuni Buddha? Is it that the teachings spoken by the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche for many years are not Canonical Scriptures, and only the book "The Third Dzogchen Rinpoche" is the Canonical Scripture? Everyone should be aware that this is a behavior that defames the Buddha caused by ignorance and deluded actions. Every teaching, every book has its own name. To broadly say "I have studied the Canonical Scriptures", no one can understand which specific book you have studied. In short, I hope everyone can practice the teachings of the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche as explained in "What is Practice" and realize the teachings of the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche as explained in "The Sutra of Understanding".
Please note that the book by the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche is the Canonical Scripture, but its title is not "Canonical Scriptures", but "The Third Dzogchen Rinpoche". It is called the Canonical Scripture because it is a true treasure. Good men and women, please stop making jokes and creating ignorant karma.
Office of the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche
January 18, 2009
https://www.hhdcb3office.org/html/information/statement_no2_2009_01_18.html