资料库

A Straightforward Statement from a Buddhist Practitioner [Going Against the Right Path]

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Namo the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche, Namo Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, Namo all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and Dharma Protectors

Respected and incomparable holy beings of the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche's office:

Disciples are infinitely grateful for the diligent efforts made by the holy beings of the office to firmly establish correct knowledge and views in sentient beings and prevent them from going astray. Since the establishment of the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche's office website, Buddhist disciples have had an "unprecedented mirror" that allows them to "gain correct knowledge and views, and identify and judge whether a person is good or evil." This has become a consensus among Buddhist disciples. The office of the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche is regarded as extremely sacred and inviolable in the hearts of Buddhist disciples.

However, the recent publication of five "verification letters" by the office has caused many disciples to feel confused. After much hesitation, I have decided to speak my mind and express my straightforward thoughts. I feel that only the esteemed and incomparable holy beings of the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche's office can provide a satisfactory response to these confusions.

Confusion 1: Does the office's documents represent the teachings of H.H. the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche?

Whether it is the Buddha's teachings or the office's announcements, it is explicitly stated that no one has the right to represent the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche. "No matter what their identity is, no matter what they say, as long as they do not present a letter of authorization with the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche's fingerprint seal and signed by the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche, accompanied by a corresponding video recording, then all their words and actions are their own and have nothing to do with the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche." Furthermore, Announcement No. 32 of the office also clearly states: "So far, the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche has not issued any authorization to anyone, because no one is qualified to represent!"

However, I often hear fellow practitioners say that the office of the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche represents H.H. the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche. And in the fourth "verification letter" recently issued by the office, it also states, "The documents issued by the office... reflect the words of H.H. the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche and will not have any discrepancies."

May I ask: What does the term "reflect" mean in your statement? Does it mean that all the documents on the website "reflect" or only some of them reflect the words of H.H. the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche? Does it represent the teachings of the Buddha or does it mean that the office's documents have been reviewed and authorized by the Buddha?

I dare to ask the office of the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche to provide a clearer explanation of this "reflection" and to announce on the website the authorization from H.H. the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche to "reflect" the Buddha's teachings or represent the Buddha.

Confusion 2: Did the Buddha speak of "words"?

In my humble opinion, the mention of the Buddha's "words" in the office's response is questionable. In the fourth "verification letter," the office states, "Everyone should understand that the documents issued by the office... because they reflect the words of H.H. the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche, will not have any discrepancies."

In response to this, I believe that using the term "words" in reference to the Buddha is disrespectful. Because the term "words" refers to the speech, comments, opinions, and discussions of worldly phenomena, it is an interpretation of the content of what is said. Words can be correct or incorrect, right or wrong, expressing the grievances of ordinary people or judging the current situation. Can the sublime and supreme teachings of H.H. the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche, which are the embodiment of wisdom without outflows, the highest and correct enlightenment, be confined by the vague and ambiguous "words" of worldly phenomena that can encompass both right and wrong?

I believe that since the website of the office of the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche is the "unprecedented mirror" for Buddhist disciples, the standard website for gaining correct knowledge and views and identifying good and evil, the documents on the website should be flawless in every expression, word, and even punctuation mark. This is not only a true respect for the Buddha but also a responsibility towards the wisdom and lives of sentient beings. Based on this intention, I dare to question the use of the term "words" and respectfully request the holy beings of the office to enlighten me.

Confusion 3: Why are business and the establishment of Dharma centers mentioned together, which is a great insult to Buddhism?

Disciples understand that as devout practitioners seeking liberation and accomplishment, they should prioritize Buddhism and spare no effort in guiding a large number of sentient beings to listen to the Dharma, establish more and more Dharma centers, and allow more and more sentient beings to learn the true teachings and benefit from them. Disciples always remember the teachings of their compassionate teachers, "Buddhist disciples should never forget their vows at any time, and should never forget to benefit others and practice the establishment of true merits." However, this does not mean that one should give up worldly affairs in order to pursue the path to enlightenment.

H.H. the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche clearly stated in "A Brief Explanation of 128 Evil Views and Wrong Views" that the view of "one must give up work in order to practice Buddhism" is a wrong view. The Buddha taught, "True practitioners should follow the teachings regardless of their environment, and it is not necessary to resign from work to practice according to the teachings."

Disciples firmly believe that the holy beings of the office of the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche are all holy beings, great holy beings, and they cannot make any mistakes or misunderstand the Buddhist principles of "Buddhism is not separate from the world" and "cultivating both blessings and wisdom." However, in the fifth "verification letter," it is clearly stated, "To compare doing business with establishing Dharma centers is a great insult to Buddhism!" This indeed confuses disciples, and I do not know how to correctly understand this statement. Therefore, I seek confirmation of the following understanding.

In my humble opinion, for a practitioner with vows and adherence to the teachings, all experiences in life, whether work, family, friends, joys, sorrows, separations, or praises and insults, can gradually be transformed into the nourishment of blessings and wisdom on the path of cultivation. The blessings and wisdom on the path of Buddhism, doing business, establishing Dharma centers, worldly affairs, and the path to liberation and enlightenment are like the left and right arms of a person, complementing each other without contradiction. The left arm has never insulted the right arm, and the right arm has never insulted the left arm.

Regarding the establishment of Dharma centers, it has been proven that if sentient beings have no source of income and are struggling to make ends meet, they themselves need external support. How can they establish many Dharma centers? How can they fulfill the "practice of generosity" in the perfection of the six paramitas? On the other hand, if sentient beings use the money earned from legitimate and ethical business to support the establishment of Dharma centers, to support the propagation of the true teachings, and to support the temples and ordained monks, etc., and consider "worldly affairs" as a means to contribute to the "path of liberation and enlightenment," how does this constitute a great insult to Buddhism? Of course, if one completely abandons the establishment of Dharma centers for the sake of business, it would be a serious mistake.

At the same time, from the perspective of "without leaving worldly phenomena, there is no Buddha's teachings to be realized," it is like a fruit farmer planting fruit trees. If they are separated from fertile soil, there will be no harvest of fruit trees. For the fruit farmer, how can it be said that "comparing soil with fruit is an insult to the fruit"?

Therefore, I believe that the statement "comparing doing business with establishing Dharma centers is a great insult to Buddhism" is highly questionable. At least, a deeper analysis of this principle must be conducted. Unfortunately, the holy beings of the office only made a casual statement, which can easily lead to misunderstandings.

I believe that the key lies not in whether "doing business" and "establishing Dharma centers" are mentioned together, but in the intention behind these actions.

If a practitioner has the bodhi mind and acts accordingly, strictly observing the precepts in business, practicing according to the teachings, cultivating the ten virtuous actions and the four immeasurable minds, benefiting sentient beings in every situation, and constantly guiding business partners and customers to come and listen to the Dharma, then the business environment becomes their place of practice. There are many such "businesspeople" around me, and some fellow practitioners even establish Dharma centers directly in their companies. If it is said that "doing business and establishing Dharma centers are mentioned together, it is a great insult to Buddhism," then is it also an insult to Buddhism to establish Dharma centers within a company?

On the other hand, there are also many false practitioners who, on the surface, have established Dharma centers but use them to harm sentient beings, deceive, or sell products to those who come to listen to the Dharma, engaging in direct sales. Is this still considered a Dharma center? It is simply a den of harming the wisdom and lives of sentient beings.

I believe that true Buddhism is luminous. Have we ever seen light being insulted or defiled? True Buddhism is without outflows, embracing everything, and benefiting sentient beings. It is not about appearances but about the inner heart. As long as one is truly devout and has pure faith, as long as one has the pure intention to benefit sentient beings, everything in life is Buddhism, everything is a means to progress towards enlightenment. Without business, without financial resources, even in poverty, how can one focus on studying Buddhism and establishing Dharma centers?

You are holy beings, and sentient beings dare not doubt your knowledge and teachings. Buddhist disciples dare not have any doubts about the documents published by the office. However, I, as a disciple, follow the teachings of the Buddha, "Directly from the heart is the place of practice," and adhere to the teachings of the Buddha, "Rely on the teachings, not on individuals," and "Rely on righteousness, not on status or identity." I dare to question the statement in the fifth "verification letter."

I believe that you, the holy beings, will be pleased with my "unconventional" questioning because you are holy beings, great holy beings, and you are luminous, serving as role models for sentient beings. Every word you publish, every sentence you speak, is related to the wisdom and lives of sentient beings, and carries great responsibility. I believe that as true practitioners of Buddhism, we should have pure and straightforward intentions, there is no need to apply the worldly tactics of "wanting to speak but stopping" to our practice. Just as my compassionate teacher said, "There is no darkness under the light, the world is bright and clear, and there is no hiding of evil intentions."

I know that I am just a foolish and pitiful sentient being, but precisely because I am foolish, I need to learn Buddhism. Therefore, I humbly request the holy beings to enlighten and clarify my doubts out of compassion. If there are any disrespectful or impolite aspects in my understanding, I pray for the understanding and forgiveness of all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, holy beings, and Dharma protectors. I also sincerely request the holy beings of the office not to categorize me as a "demon." I am grateful and deeply moved, and I bow in gratitude.

I solemnly declare that this letter was sent without prior notification to any guru or anyone else. No one, including any guru or anyone else, has reviewed it in advance. If there are any mistakes, they are solely my own foolishness, my failure to listen to the Dharma properly, and my failure to follow the teachings of the guru. This is entirely my personal behavior and has nothing to do with any guru or anyone else. If there are any mistakes, I am willing to repent in any form after receiving the compassionate teachings of the holy beings. Amitabha.

May H.H. the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche live long and benefit all sentient beings in the three realms!

May the holy beings of the office of the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche live long and benefit all sentient beings with affinity!

May all sentient beings have the opportunity to hear the teachings of the Dzogchen Rinpoche and generate great aspirations, practice bodhicitta, and attain liberation.