Speeches Delivered by Venerable Tsemang and Jiaozun Zhengda
Transcript of Speeches Delivered by Venerable Tsemang and Jiaozun Zhengda at
The Dharma Assembly Honoring the Holy Birthday of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III
Held by the Holy Miracles Temple, World Buddhism Association Headquarters
On June 11 and 12, 2022
Speech by Jiaozun Zhengda on June 11, 2022:
Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III!
Namo Fomu Yuhua Shouzhi Wang, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva!
Namo all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Mahasattvas in the ten directions!
Honorable guests, virtuous elders, Buddhist cultivators, and all faithful in this Dharma Assembly, wishing you all auspiciousness!
Today, Buddhist disciples have come to the United States from all over the world to attend this Dharma Assembly to honor the Holy Birthday of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III. Yet, our gracious Buddha Master Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III and Namo Fomu Yuhua Shouzhi Wang, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva, have entered parinirvana and returned to Sambhogakaya Buddha Land for bearing the dark karma of all disciples, including us, and all living beings. All in heaven and on earth are grieving in bitter tears.
On the eve of the Holy Birthday of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III, we are here to sincerely repent our accumulated karmic hindrances and sins since beginningless time due to our avidya. We sincerely beseech our beneficent Buddha Master, Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III, and Namo Fomu Yuhua Shouzhi Wang, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva, to expeditiously return to this Saha world and deliver us sinful disciples and all living beings in grave sufferings.
Once, on the Holy Birthday of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III, the beneficent Buddha Master edified us and proclaimed: “You should convert all your congratulations to me into chants and prayers for prosperity for all countries, safety and security for all people, peace on earth, and auspiciousness, happiness, and abundant harvest for all. You must vow and truly turn away from all evildoings and commit to doing good, and truthfully help and benefit others. You must cultivate yourselves, listen to the audio recordings of the Dharmas imparted by me, and do not believe in feudal superstitions or voodoo alchemical heresies. Our Buddhism emphasizes understanding and belief in causality. That’s why you must plant good karmic seeds through your own cultivation and benefit all living beings.”
Above was an excerpt from the words spoken by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III on the Holy Birthday of the Buddha. We must listen to and obey the teachings of our beneficent Buddha Master to turn away from evildoings and commit to good deeds. To become a genuine Buddhist cultivator, a genuine Buddhist disciple, we must listen to the audio recordings of Dharmas imparted by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III. We must firmly believe in causality and benefit all living beings.
For this reason, we are here today to do penance and practice the “Compassionate Samadhi Water Repentance.” We sincerely repent of having accumulated sinful karma since beginningless time due to avidya. We humbly prostrate ourselves to revere and praise the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and dedicate our merits to venerate the Holy Birthday of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III. Together, we respectfully pray to Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III, Namo Fomu Yuhua Shouzhi Wang Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva, Namo Buddha Shakyamuni, and Namo Bodhisattva to compassionately fulfill the wishes of this congregation to attain holy enlightenment.
Firstly, we urgently beseech our beneficent Buddha Master Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III and Namo Fomu Yuhua Shouzhi Wang Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva, to expeditiously return to this Saha world and deliver us sinful disciples and all living beings from grave and bitter sufferings.
Secondly, we pray for constant smooth wind, fair rain, and good weather in the world, harmony and security in societies, prosperity and strength for all countries, happiness and wealth for all people, all pandemics to be kept away, and peace on earth.
Thirdly, we pray that people from all walks of life will soon solemnly and reverently listen to the audio recordings of Dharmas imparted by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III, study and practice true Buddha Dharma to attain liberation and accomplishment. We pray that everyone attending this Dharma Assembly and their families eliminate their karmic hindrances, increase their fortune and wisdom, have peace, happiness, good health, and longevity, and soon attain liberation.
Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III
Namo Fomu Yuhua Shouzhi Wang Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva
Namo Buddhas, Maternal Buddhas, Vajra Beings, and all Bodhisattva Mahasattvas in the ten directions
We put our palms together to pay respects to all heavenly Dharma protectors, Holy Ḍakinis, legions of Dharma protectors, and all heavenly and earthly deities.
The Dharma Assembly will now officially commence.
Speech by Venerable Tsemang on June 11, 2022:
Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III!
Namo Buddha Shakyamuni!
Namo Fomu Yuhua Shouzhi Wang, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva!
Namo all Buddhas in the ten directions, Vajra Beings, Bodhisattvas, Dakinis, and Dharma Protectors!
Yesterday and today, we held this solemn and ceremonious Dharma Assembly here to venerate the Holy Birthday of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III. While we come from different countries and regions, we share the same wish and objective: We are here to express our foremost gratitude to the teachings of the omnipotent Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III and Namo Fomu Yuhua Shouzhi Wang, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva. We are here to express our fervent gratitude to the supreme Namo Buddha Shakyamuni and all Buddhas in the ten directions, Vajra Beings, Bodhisattvas, and Dharma Protectors. We pray that Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III and Namo Fomu Yuhua Shouzhi Wang Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva return to this Saha world and deliver us and all living beings.
When the Buddha came into this world, we rejoiced. When the Buddha entered parinirvana, we grieve in bitter sadness and despair. However, we understand that the Buddha’s presence on earth is determined by collective good retribution and sinful karma from all living beings. Therefore, we must always reflect and examine our behaviors and do penance for the sins we have committed. We must conscientiously listen to and practice the teachings from the audio recordings of Dharmas and Sutras imparted by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III. We must follow the words and deeds of the Buddha, Fomu Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva, and all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas as our cultivation standards: We must turn away from all evildoings but commit to doing good deeds; support, defend, and propagate the true Buddha Dharma taught by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III and Namo Buddha Shakyamuni. We shall not deceive people but treat all living beings with the Four Limitless States of Mind and bodhicitta. We must strive to attain liberation so as to assist others to also attain liberation. This is our prayer and petition to beseech the omnipotent Buddha and Fomu to expeditiously return to this Saha world and forever reside on earth and deliver us sinful disciples and all ignorant living beings in grave and desperate sufferings.
Speech by Venerable Tsemang on June 12, 2022:
Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III!
Namo Shakyamuni Buddha!
Namo Fomu Yuhua Shouzhi Wang Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva!
Namo all Buddhas, Vajra Beings, Bodhisattvas, Dakinis, and Dharma Protectors in the ten directions!
All Buddhist disciples!
The Buddha has come to this world for a great cause and condition: to impart the knowledge and views of Buddha; to expound, exemplify, and manifest the knowledge and views of Buddha; and to enable living beings to understand and eventually attain realization of the knowledge and views taught by Buddha. However, in the past 2,000 years, due to differences in cultivation practices taught by patriarchs, and the sacrilegious distortion and alteration made by the progeny of the Demon King, Buddhism has entered a state of sectarian biases. In particular, for the last 100 years, no true manifestation of veritable power from Buddha Dharma has been demonstrated and witnessed.
Nonetheless, in this Dharma Degeneration Age, how blessed are we that the omnipotent Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III descended to this Saha world and brought to us the supreme, unsurpassed, perfect, pure, unbiased, non-sectarian, and quintessential Buddha Dharma with veritable and attainable Dharma faculties. How blessed we are to have personally witnessed with our own eyes, heard with our own ears, and received Buddha Dharma directly from the omnipotent Buddha! Therefore, not only must we follow the teachings of the Buddha, abide by the precepts, cultivate ourselves, and practice Dharma to attain liberation and accomplishment, but we must also support, defend, and propagate the Buddha Dharma imparted by the omnipotent Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III to enable more living beings to follow and practice the teachings from Buddha, cultivate themselves, and eventually attain liberation.
First, I must emphasize once again that everyone must earnestly and respectfully listen to the audio recordings of the Dharmas imparted by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III. The Dharmas imparted by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III contain all the true doctrines, knowledge, and guidance critical for liberation. When we truly understand and religiously practice the Dharmas imparted by the Buddha, we will attain liberation. This is an irrevocable truth! There have been countless true testimony and evidence of practitioners who followed the Buddha’s teachings and attained accomplishments. Having studied Imparting the Absolute Truth Through the Heart Sutra, we know that right after Buddha Master expounded the meaning of the first four lines of the Heart Sutra, Buddha Master proclaimed that by simply following and practicing the teachings of these first four lines accordingly, we can attain liberation from Samsara. From that, we can therefore see, if we listen to the audio recordings of all the Dharmas imparted by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III, thoroughly understand the teachings, and practice accordingly, we shall be able to attain accomplishment in this lifetime effortlessly. Therefore, among all Dharmas and cultivation investigations, listening to the audio recordings of the Dharmas imparted by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III is of the utmost importance.
Second, all are equal in learning from the Buddha and cultivating themselves; that is every human being is equal, and all beings are equal. Learning from the Buddha means emulating the thinking, speech, and conduct of the Buddha. The correctness of our Dharma knowledge, views, and conduct must be measured and judged according to the teachings of the Buddha through the audio recordings of imparted Dharmas, published Sutras, as well as the 128 Evil and Erroneous Views. The opinions and conduct of those who have not attained the level of three Gold Buttons must not be used as a measuring standard for Buddhists. Nevertheless, those whose knowledge and views accord with the teachings of the Buddha, whose conduct accords with the precepts and cultivation taught by the Buddha, are worth modeling from.
Third, Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III persistently taught us, “Never postpone till tomorrow what you can do today. Do not delay medical care once you feel ill. Carry yourself with the wisdom as that of ancient sages. Do not go with the flow precariously. Such is the way to become a mainstay and backbone for all living beings, such is a true human being. Following this path, consequently, one can reach the realization of Buddha Nature and prajna; and advance unto the state of liberation.” We must all remember this.
We must understand that a Buddhist disciple, a Buddhist, is radiantly righteous under the sun, virtuous, and upright with feet on the ground and head held high. Then, what is the conduct of a true Buddhist disciple? That is to always place the utmost importance on following the teachings of the Buddha, the precepts stipulated by the Buddha, and the interest of living beings. Inasmuch as we implement these three aspects, regardless of how the sentient world turns, and no matter what challenges we are up against, we will become a mainstay and backbone for all living beings.
Further on, we must deepen our proficiency in the Sutras, learn true Buddha Dharma, lead more people to listen to the audio recordings of the Dharmas imparted by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III, and become virtuous masters who possess the insightful understanding and upholding the teachings of the Sutras. In doing so, not only will you attain liberation and accomplishment, not only will you become a holy person, but you will help and guide more living beings to attain liberation.
Therefore, I hope that everyone here will work towards this goal! With this in mind, going forward, future audio Dharma discourses and levels of Dharma investigation will take this into consideration. Many of the Dharmas imparted by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III have been openly distributed. Respectfully and conscientiously listening to and implementing the teachings of those Dharmas are sufficient to attain liberation. However, there are also other very important and incisive Dharma audio recordings that are only reserved for masters. Those Dharmas can quickly elevate one’s proficiency level of correct true Dharma view and knowledge so as to even straightforwardly attain the true realization state of Prajna. This category of Dharmas bestows special empowerment. Therefore, I hope every Buddhist disciple will practically apply the Three Comprehensive Purifying Precepts in your continual cultivation. Not only must you vow to attain liberation and accomplishment, but you should also strive to become masters to guide others to attain liberation and accomplishment.
Fourth, many people are worried that they still have not been taught a Buddha Dharma or have not received an Inner-Tantric Initiation. What to do? That is a valid concern. However, I will tell you some great news here today: You don’t need to worry about this at all.
A Tremendously Holy Guru has distinctly announced that whoever matter-of-factly cultivates themself, and meets the requisite conditions, especially those Buddhists who have accumulated abundant merits from propagating and defending Dharma to benefit others, the Tremendously Holy Guru will transmit Buddha Dharma to them respective of their capacity.
Fifth, given today’s causes and conditions, and dependent origination, the Bodhi Vajra Pills once generated from the Bodhi Vajra Seed Initiation that was conducted by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III for the disciples have been brought here. I am sure you have respectfully listened to the audio recordings of specific Dharmas imparted by the Buddha on the Bodhi Vajra Seed Initiation. The Bodhi Vajra Pills bear huge empowerment. After this Dharma Assembly, you each will receive two Pills. This bestows the wish that after attending this Dharma Assembly, everyone will receive twofold Dharma benefits.
All in all, I wish everyone attending this Dharma Assembly and all living beings perpetual growth in establishing correct views, progression in continual cultivation, blessings with fortune and wisdom, and attaining eventual liberation and accomplishment! I wish prosperity for all countries, happiness for all people, peace on earth, and auspiciousness for all living beings!
Finally, let us prostrate ourselves once again.
Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III!
Namo Shakyamuni Buddha!
Namo Fomu Yuhua Shouzhi Wang, Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva!
Namo Buddhas, Vajra Beings, Bodhisattvas, Dakinis, and Dharma Protectors in the ten directions!
(Original speeches were made in Chinese. The text was translated from Chinese to English)