Startling Thunder Suddenly Pealed and Lightning Flashed in the Sky, Confirming the Couplet Written by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III

As early as the very beginning of the planning and preparation period for the construction of the Temple of Good Fortune and Wisdom, I besought H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu Holiest Tathagata to compose and bestow some couplets upon the Temple. The Buddha Master kindly gave me three sets of couplets as a blessing. The first verse of one of the couplets reads, “The first round of the dharma drum is accompanied by thunder breaking above ground.” The second verse is “With the decoration of banners of red sandalwood flowers, incense is offered to all honorably worshiped ones at their dharma thrones.”

At that time, we did not understand the profound meaning of the couplet. The Buddha Master said that this couplet is very well matched and implies dedicate and subtle causes and conditions. I thought that the Buddha Master would eventually give a discourse and teaching on this when the conditions were ripe.

Time flies and soon it was the beginning of 2006. The opening of the temple was about to take place. There were many dharma-related matters that we needed to report to and get instructions on from H.H. Buddha Master Dorje Chang Buddha III. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III made an exception in receiving me during His solitary practice period. I and ShuChih Chiu, the Secretary-General of the Tibetan Buddhism Association of America, went to see His Holiness to pay respects.

While I was reporting the arrangements for the temple’s opening, the Buddha Master pointed to a photo of the temple and said, “Print this photo on the cover of the temple’s brochure. Let people listen to my dharma discourses. You must not transmit incorrect dharma.” Right after His Holiness finished his sentences, lightning suddenly flashed in the clear sky, and a thunder followed that was so loud it was as if the sky was shaking and the ground was moving. Everything returned to calm right after that. That thunder roared suddenly and faded gradually. There was no second thunder afterwards.

At the temple’s opening ceremony, we followed the rules and rituals of exoteric and Tibetan esoteric Buddhism. We paid respect and offered incense to each statue of a Buddha, Bodhisattva, vajra being, and dharma protector strictly according to the doctrine. All of this corresponded with the Buddha Master’s predications in his couplets, including what happened at the opening ceremony: “The first round of the dharma drum is accompanied by thunder breaking above ground; with the decoration of banners of red sandalwood flowers, incense is offered to all honorably worshipped ones at their dharma thrones.”

As a Buddhist, I do not make false statements. I have sworn and made a vow in front of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to tell the truth about these

events. This provides proof that the dharma from the discourses of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is magnificent and supreme. All those great and magnificent discourses were recorded into CDs and are available for people to listen to at the temple from now on.

I announced to the attendees at the opening ceremony that the main function of the Temple of Good Fortune and Wisdom is to let people listen to the dharma discourses of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu Holiest Tathagata. May all living beings listen to the dharma discourses of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III! May they acquire wisdom, end the cycle of life and death, and attain liberation! May everything be auspicious and perfect with them!

Karma Palden Lodoe