Da Li Won Again Creates Sky-High Selling Price
TRIBUNE U.S.A. December 1-7, 2000
It has been widely noted that Master Wan Ko Yee (H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III), the world-renowned master of Buddhism and art, set a world record in Chinese art history for the highest selling price of paintings by a living painter. His painting Venerable Da Li Won once again broke his own world record when it was sold for NT$72,000,000 (US$2,207,912) to Mr. Naylor, an art collector and dealer from England. Upon confirmation of the final sale price at the auction, sustained applause erupted from those in attendance.
The year 2000, marking the beginning of a new century, brought particular attention to the special honors received by Master Wan Ko Yee. On March 8 of that year, both the Government of the State of California and the Government of the City of San Francisco independently proclaimed March 8, 2000, as “Master Wan Ko Yee Day,” in recognition of his outstanding achievements across various fields.
In addition, he received honorary doctoral degrees and professorships from ninety-two universities in the United States and other countries worldwide. This distinction stands as the first and highest honor of its kind in history among Chinese recipients worldwide.
On May 12th the same year in Taipei, at the meeting organized by United International World Buddhism Association Headquarters, 2137 eminent monks and nuns and the great virtuous ones from 416 Buddhist organizations, associations, and temples worldwide unanimously conferred Master Wan Ko Yee as the true Buddhist Master with perfect mastery in both Esoteric and Exoteric Buddhism.
Art is only a drop in the ocean within Master Wan Ko Yee’s perfect mastery of Esoteric and Exoteric Buddhism and the Five Vidyas. As one component of the Craftsmanship Vidya among the Five Vidyas, art showcases part of his perfect mastery. Through Buddhism’s Five Vidyas, he has reached unprecedented heights in painting and calligraphy.
On May 28 of this year, Unique Art Collections International Co., Ltd. auctioned one of Master Yee’s paintings, Majesty, at an unprecedented price of US$455 per square inch, shocking the art world.
On November 26, the company once again astonished collectors by auctioning Venerable Da Li Won at US$467 per square inch. This confirmed that Master Yee’s skills, styles, and range are both comprehensive and elevated. He is capable of employing dozens of techniques in painting scenery, figures, animals, flowers, birds, fish, insects, and more.
Master Yee is a master of all styles, whether detailed brushwork, freehand brushwork, or splashing ink style. These innovations arise from his genuine efforts in traditional methods. Recognized as one of the most distinguished scholars in modern history, he possesses abundant knowledge, numerous achievements, and many publications. Although his reputation is worldwide, it is rare to find someone who combines such expertise with genuine humility, sincerity, and noble virtue—a combination that has earned him recognition from academic experts across the globe.
Editor’s Note: The grammar and phrasing has been adjusted. Updated on December 22, 2025.
It has been noted by people that Master Wan Ko Yee (H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III), the world famous master of Buddhism and art, set the world record in Chinese art history of the highest selling price of paintings by a painter who is still alive. His painting, “Venerable Da Li Won”, again broke his own world record when it was sold at NT$72,000,000.00(US$2,207,912.00) by Mr. Naylor, an art collector and art merchant from England. Once the selling price was confirmed at the auction, people on the spot clapped their hands continuously for quite a while.
The year of 2000, the beginning of a new country, people were more impressed by the special honors which Master Wan Ko Yee received. On March 8th this year both government of State of California and government of City of San Francisco separately proclaimed March 8th, 2000 as Master Wan Ko Yee Day based on his amazing achievements in various fields.
In addition, he received honorary doctorate degree and professorship from ninety-two universities in the United States and other countries all over the world. It was the first and highest honor in history among Chinese worldwide.
On May 12th the same year in Taipei, at the meeting organized by United International World Buddhism Association Headquarters, 2137 eminent monks and nuns and the great virtuous ones from 416 Buddhist organizations, associations, and temples worldwide unanimously conferred Master Wan Ko Yee as the true Buddhist Master with perfect mastery in both Esoteric and Exoteric Buddhism.
Talking about art, it is just a small drop of water in the boundless ocean of Buddha Dharma of Master Yee. Since he is a great Dharma King Master with perfect mastery in Esoteric and Exoteric Buddhism and Five Brightness, the Art which is one of the Five Brightness, has made Master Wan Ko Yee reach the unprecedented height in arts including paintings and calligraphy.
On May 28th this year Unique Art Collections International Co., Ltd. auctioned one of Master Yee Is paintings, “Majesty”, at an unprecedented sky-high price of US$455.00 per square inch. It shocked the art circles worldwide.
On November 26th Unique Art Collections International Co., Ltd. again shocked the world by auctioning the painting, “Venerable Da Li Won”, at US$467.00 per square inch. In proved that the skills, styles, and varieties of Master Yee were comprehensive and lofty. Master Yee can use dozens of different skills in painting scenery, figures, animals, flowers, birds, fish, insects, and etc.
Master Yee is an expert in all styles no matter it is detailed brushwork style, freehand brushwork style, or splashing ink style. All of these new styles were created out of his genuine efforts in traditional fields. Master Yee is the most famous scholar in modern history with his abundant knowledge, distinguished achievement, and many publications. Although his reputation has already spread all over the world, it is hard to find someone like him with such humbleness, sincerity and noble virtue. It has won the recognition of experts in academic organizations worldwide.