Regarding the question of beseeching the recorded dharma lessons of H. H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, there should not be any measurement or standard in terms of price. Any stipulation of requiring a certain amount of money for beseeching the dharma lessons is an insult to Buddha-dharma without a doubt. On the other hand, it is also extremely sinful and vicious to have no respect for the dharma lessons. Therefore, if one has money but does not want to make an offering when beseeching dharma lessons, his mentality is absolutely evil and sinful. Making offerings for Buddha-dharma is a most basic requirement and is a must. To those people who are very devoted and engaging in cultivation but really do not have money, you rinpoches and dharma masters who have money should make offerings for beseeching the dharma lessons on behalf of those who do not have the money. This is what one who is a true master and role model of other people should do. If you all do not have money, as long as the person beseeching the dharma lessons is a true cultivator and is genuinely sincere, of course you should still provide the dharma lessons to him. If not, you are guilty withholding the dharma lessons. However, I want to emphasize one more time. Being ignorant of paying respect to the dharma lessons absolutely belongs to evil views and is extremely sinful and vicious.
I have followed and been close to H. H. Dorje Chang Buddha III for many years. His Holiness is always thinking on behalf of living beings and, at anytime and anywhere, is caring and cherishing people. However, in contrast, why would those very few of us who are masters and role models of other people always go in the opposite direction? Isn’t this worthy of our contemplation? No wonder these people do not have even a little realization power.
Throughout these years of my serving closely to H. H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, I am deeply aware of your situation of questing for the dharma. I fully understand all your urges of having the opportunity of paying respect to His Holiness in person. This is because only the Buddha can provide you with the most magnificent Buddha-dharma. You should have the confidence that the affinity is certain to mature. If you like, as a humble practitioner, I will help you in this regard.
The purpose of my telling you these things is not to criticize other rinpoches, dharma masters, or masters of dharma-listening sessions. I want to tell people, regardless of what level you are and how many disciples you have, we should never forget the Buddha’s teaching, should not forget our goal, and should not lose the correct knowledge and views. You should have the foundation of bodhicitta of great compassion using the 128 views as the best yardstick to become good examples for living beings and lead people in making continuous progress on the path of learning Buddhism. Only then, can we live up to the expectation of the Buddha, live up to the offerings from living beings, and eventually lead living beings to attain accomplishment together.
March 20, 2010