[This speech was given at Glendale Auditorium, Glendale, California, on Saturday, 2026-06-27]
With utmost sincerity, let us pay obeisance!
Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III!
Namo Shakyamuni Buddha!
Namo Yuhua Shouzhi Wang Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva!
Namo all Buddhas in the ten directions, Vajra Beings, Bodhisattvas, Sky-goers, and Dharma Protectors!
We are gathered here today with utmost piety, sincerity, and gratitude to respectfully honor the holy birthday of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III. On this auspicious day, we reminisce about Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III with the deepest reverence. We are profoundly grateful to Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III for bringing to all living beings magnificent Buddha Dharma and perfect accomplishment in the Five Vidyās. We are immensely thankful for the auspicious opportunity to respectfully listen to the audio recordings of the true Dharma expounded by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III, and to study the “Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III Complete Sutra Collection.” They are supreme Dharma treasures!
Buddhist disciples know deep in their hearts that the goal of learning from Buddha and practicing cultivation is absolutely not about fame or fortune. Rather, it is to attain accomplishment and liberation, and be delivered from the cycle of birth and death. This is why, as Buddhist disciples, we must always remind ourselves that our cultivation must not be mere lip service or formality. Truly learning from Buddha is about practicing in accordance with the true Dharma, guiding our own conduct with correct knowledge and right views, walking the path of liberation, and benefiting all living beings.
During this Dharma-ending age, confused knowledge and chaotic views abound, and evil teachings proliferate. Without right faith, we are extremely likely to get lost. Having right faith is not just about believing in the magnificent compassion of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. It involves understanding and believing in causality, and deeply believing that Buddha Dharma can enable all living beings to achieve true deliverance from suffering and the attainment of joy. It is about steadfastly applying the teachings of the Buddha in our own cultivation.
Therefore, we must place our complete reliance on the teachings in the “Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III Complete Sutra Collection.” This Sutra Collection is the vital refuge that guides all living beings in their cultivation practice, leading them toward liberation. We must study the Sutras with reverence, respectfully listen to audio recordings of the Dharmas expounded by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III, practice in accordance with the teachings, strictly abide by the precepts, and earnestly cultivate ourselves. We must resolve to propagate the true Buddha Dharma, enable more living beings to listen to the true Dharma, uphold the right views, and walk the true path of cultivation.
Speaking of learning and propagating the “Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III Complete Sutra Collection,” we are deeply aware that many native English speakers have been looking forward to studying an accurate and complete translation. I, too, sincerely wish for the English translations to be published as soon as possible, so that more living beings can learn the true Dharma and develop the right views. Translating the Sutras is a profoundly reverential and serious undertaking. In the process, we have encountered many adverse karmic conditions and obstacles. However, no matter how great the difficulties and challenges, we should vigorously drive the English translation forward with utmost reverence, a devoted sense of responsibility, and unwavering determination. In doing so, we wish to enable many more living beings with affinity to encounter the true Dharma, learn the true Dharma, and walk the path of liberation.
All of us should clearly understand that a Buddha’s descent into this world and entry into Parinirvana are due to the good karmic rewards, causes and conditions, and shared karma of all living beings. The coming of the Dharma-ending age is due to the causality and shared karma of all living beings. We can therefore understand that nothing escapes causality. Likewise, it is by virtue of our own causality that we have the opportunity to learn from Buddha and practice cultivation in this lifetime, so as to attain liberation and accomplishment.
The Buddhas compassionately expounded the true Dharma, pointing living beings toward the path of liberation. Even though Buddha Dharma can lead us onto the path of liberation, it cannot replace our own cultivation. Liberation cannot be attained through pleading or waiting; nor is it something that can be bestowed upon us. It must come through our own genuine cultivation, accumulated day by day.
A person who wishes to cross a river will never reach the other shore if they refuse to board the raft ready to take them. A person who is lost will not reach their destination if they do not move forward when pointed in the right direction. The same applies to learning from Buddha and practicing cultivation. Ultimately, truly moving step by step toward the other shore is something only we can do for ourselves.
This is why we must always reflect upon what we do with our body, speech, and mind, sincerely repent of our own sins, strictly abide by the precepts, earnestly cultivate our conduct, and diligently practice Dharma. We must not do any bad deeds, and do all kinds of good deeds. Only by applying Buddha Dharma in our daily lives can we truly transform what we learn from the Dharma into virtue and merit, and reap the benefits. Only then can we continue to make progress, and eventually attain liberation and accomplishment!
Moreover, not only must we cultivate ourselves to attain liberation, but we must also give rise to a mind of great compassion and beneficence. We must apply our own cultivation to uphold, protect, and propagate the true Dharma. We must enable more living beings with karmic affinity to listen to the true Dharma, increase their merit and wisdom, and together plant the cause of liberation.
Finally, may all living beings fulfill their kind wishes, increase their merit and wisdom, live auspiciously, and soon attain liberation!
May all nations flourish and all countries enjoy stability! May there be peace on earth, may the true Dharma eternally abide, and may the Dharma wheel turn forever!
Let us once again pay obeisance!
Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III!
Namo Shakyamuni Buddha!
Namo Yuhua Shouzhi Wang Holy Mother the Great Mahasattva!
Namo all Buddhas in the ten directions, Vajra Beings, Bodhisattvas, Sky-goers, and Dharma Protectors!