According to Buddhist scriptures, Prince Siddhartha, who later renounced the world and became Namo Sakyamuni Buddha, was born from the right side of his mother, Queen Maya. At the moment of His birth, lotus flowers sprang up from the earth to support his feet. He took seven steps on his own, looked in all directions, pointed one hand to the sky and the other to the earth, and declared, “From the heavens above and the earth below, I alone am the world-honored one.”
Right after that, nine dragons in the sky spewed fragrant water down to bathe the Buddha prince. Because of these auspicious signs, Buddhists later began the tradition of celebrating the Buddha’s birthday (the 8th day of the 4th lunar month) with the Bathing the Buddha ceremony, to honor His birth, enlightenment, and the compassion of His teachings.
“Now, with a pure heart, I bathe the Buddha’s body. May the Buddha bless me with growing fortune and wisdom. May all beings and I be free from obstacles, And together realize accomplishment and gain rebirth in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.”
《浴佛讚》
「我今淨心浴佛身，祈佛賜我福慧增，我與眾生離障礙，同證成就極樂國」
In 2026, the 8th day of the 4th lunar month falls on May 24. Hua Zang Si will hold the Bathing the Buddha Dharma Assembly on Sunday, May 24th at 9:30 am. Come join the sangha and chant The Verse of Praise for Bathing the Buddha. It is also a wonderful hands-on family event, especially for children, to come forward to the lotus tub to bathe the Buddha prince at the Dharma assembly. It will be a fun and meaningful tradition for all.
Hua Zang Si has always upheld and propagated the authentic teachings of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and Namo Sakyamuni Buddha. With the great compassionate Bodhicitta, the temple brings loving-kindness into practice, extending it to every sentient being in this world.
Since launching the “Love without Limits ” donation drive during its 20th anniversary in 2024, the monastics and volunteers have personally visited communities, carefully assessed needs, and thoughtfully selected three organizations to support:
San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
Muttville Senior Dog Rescue
HPP (Homeless Prenatal Program)
On December 19, 2024, Hua Zang Si delivered its first round of donated supplies. This year, that compassion continues without interruption.
On March 13 & 17, 2026, the group set out once again.
First Stop: San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
With inflation and rising living costs, many families are struggling to meet basic needs. This time, Hua Zang Si donated approximately 3.200 pounds of essential supplies, including rice, black beans, peanut butter, and various canned fruits and vegetables. May each item provide a bit more support and strength for families facing hardship.
Second Stop: Muttville Senior Dog Rescue
Here live elderly dogs who, despite their age, still long to be loved. Hua Zang Si donated 187 items, including collars, leashes, harnesses, pet beds, fleece blankets, dog poop bags, and cleaning supplies. These seemingly ordinary items bring real comfort and dignity to these senior dogs. With the devoted care of staff and volunteers, they are no longer alone. The principle of “equality of all beings” is truly embodied through these everyday acts of compassion.
Third Stop: HPP (Homeless Prenatal Program)
HPP has long supported underserved families and homeless pregnant women by providing essential supplies, housing assistance, education, and employment resources. This time, Hua Zang Si donated 100 items, including baby bottle gift sets, portable booster seats, strollers, infant carriers, baby portable bouncers, collapsible wagon carts , dehumidifiers, and baby bath gift sets. They help expectant mothers feel supported and hopeful during difficult times.
Through these actions, Hua Zang Si puts the Buddha’s teachings into practice—loving and benefiting all beings. Every act of giving is a reminder of one’s own cultivation. True practice lies not only in inner awareness, but in bringing compassion into everyday life. May this boundless love flow like water, nourishing more lives and making the world warmer through kindness and love.
H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha IIIutilizes contemporary language to impart the profound teachings of the Dharma in a manner that is both accessible and deeply meaningful. Th expositions are clear, comprehensive, insightful, and at times imbued with a subtle sense of humor if you have not yet listened respectfully to the Dharma expounded by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.
At Hua Zang Si, in the Sakyamuni Buddha Hall, numerous prerecorded Dharma discourses are reverently displayed on an altar table before the statue of Sakyamuni Buddha. These Dharma CDs symbolize correct and authentic teachings within this sacred temple. Several Dharma discourses expounded by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III have been transcribed and available online. Notably, a complete transcription of The Great Dharma of Zen Practice can be accessed through Announcement No. 40 on the official website of The Office of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.
Meditation, often a gateway through which many first encounter Buddhism, is addressed in this Dharma. It serves as a guiding light for sentient beings, leading them into the study and cultivation of the mind and conduct in accordance with the Buddha’s teachings.
In the last post, I mentioned the treasured book H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III: A Treasury of True Buddha-Dharma. It is a comprehensive and extensive read, which can feel overwhelming to some. I was recently asked if there is an easier-to-read book that also provides insight into the Buddha’s life and teachings.
In fact, on page 139 of A Treasury of True Buddha-Dharma, under Category 2: The Virtue of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and Holy Occurrences, you’ll find inspiring stories and testimonies from disciples. Many readers may find these accounts both engaging and easy to read, making them a great starting point for those yearning to learn more.
I sure can introduce another book that offers a glimpse into the Buddha’s daily life—Revealing the Truth. The paper copies of the book are available at Buddhist temples or can be purchased online at Amazon. It chronicles the personal experiences of a nun over 12 years (2001–2013) at the Buddha’s home base. As the cover describes, it explores moments of disappointment, sadness, pain, and ultimately, awakening.
A Buddhist Nun Tells the Extraordinary Story of Her Practice in America
Upon graduating law school, Shi Zheng Hui decided she could better penetrate and accomplish her life by entering a monastery in Taiwan as a Buddhist nun. In 2001, she was given a rare opportunity to study in America at the Temple and home base of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III where she received Buddhist training of the highest order. Her book, Revealing the Truth tells the story of her extraordinary experiences there, including being witness to miraculous manifestations during Holy Assemblies and on other occasions. Her story exemplifies the sometimes painful and sometimes exultant life of a deeply committed Buddhist cultivating herself through effort and self-reflection to emulate the actions, speech and thoughts of a Bodhisattva (a selfless being who lives to help others eliminate suffering and become enlightened.) After years of cultivation and refinement, Zheng Hui proves her worthiness to receive a very great Dharma practice and is transmitted the Xian Liang Great Perfection Dharma through which she actually accomplishes the rainbow body state.
H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, by virtue of His unprecedented accomplishments, has been recognized to be the incarnation of the Ancient Buddha by scores of high-level masters from Tibet and elsewhere. On September 10, 2008, the US House of Representatives confirmed these recognitions in H. Res. 1423. Prior to this recognition in 2008, His Holiness was known as the Great Dharma King Yangwo Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu and also as Master Wan Ko Yee.
H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is also famous in Asian Art circles for His paintings and sculptures. A recent painting, Ink Lotus, was sold by the Gianguan Auction House on March 11, 2015 for over 16 million dollars. One of the His Holiness’s widely viewed sculptures contains a mysterious mist that miraculously occupies a cavernous carving in a sculpted boulder. This otherworldly sculpture has been exhibited at the US Capitol’s Rayburn building in October 2003 and in Los Angeles and San Francisco, California.
Revealing the Truth is now in English translation from the original Mandarin language edition published in Taiwan in 2013.
(Above) Genuine precious nectar bestowed by Amitabha Buddha during a Holy Buddha-dharma Assembly in California. From Revealing The Truth by Shi Zheng Hui
(Above) San Francisco June 21, 2008. The packed crowd under this holy tree at Hua Zang Si was happily reaching for the fragrant nectar descending from empty space. From Revealing The Truth by Shi Zheng Hui.
Ink Lotus by H.H. Dorje Chang III. Sold by Gianguan Auctions on March 11, 2015 for $16,500,000. Image courtesy of Gianguan Auctions.
With its unexpected twists and turns and the author’s delightful sense of humor, this book presents personal stories that you will not find elsewhere. I am truly grateful for its existence, as it allows us to gain a more intimate understanding of a revered public figure such as the Buddha.
Pick up a copy and embark on a journey of spiritual discovery alongside Dharma Master Zheng Hui.
The Qingming Festival, observed this year on April 4, 2025, is a traditional Asian holiday during which individuals visit cemeteries or columbariums to honor and pay respects to their ancestors. This is a special time for families to express their deep gratitude and reverence for their forebears.
H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has pointed out that gratitude is a fundamental principle in Buddhism. One of the most meaningful ways to cultivate gratitude and compassion as shown by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is by beginning with those closest to us—our parents and other family members. By guiding them toward the practice of Buddhism, we help them attain liberation, the highest state of happiness one can wish for their loved ones.
A profound example of filial devotion and sincere wishes for one’s parents in their future lives can be found in the many stories of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, who devoted Himself to rescuing His mother from the suffering of the hell realm. These accounts serve as reminders of compassion and devotion, inspiring practitioners to cultivate virtue and pursue the path of liberation for the benefit of their loved ones.
Find a temple and pray for your ancestors and families and all. To honor this tradition, there will be a Qingming Beseeching Blessings Dharma Assembly at Hua Zang Si this Sunday, April 6, 2025, at 10:00 AM. Though our loved ones may have departed, our hearts remain connected to them. Let us come together in remembrance, gratitude, and devotion.
Music plays an important role on human beings. Often on the internet, many influencers are musicians. Best of all, music brings benefits to our mental health and well-being.
In the same spirit, if we listen to a song sung by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, will we receive special blessings?
Ruohui Ruzun – the Abbess of Hua Zang Si, told us in a recent youtube talk that as long as it is sung by His Holiness, there will always be the power of healing and blessings.
How are the songs sung by the Buddha like?
Ruohui Ruzun further advised us how we could admire the Buddha’s songs:
Lyrics: Other than the Heart Sutra and the Six-Syllables Bright Mantra, the Buddha composed all the collections of songs. The lyrics have deep meanings and have offered inspiration in work and life. They are easy to understand. The philosophical sayings, especially, have become quotes of wisdom for many.
Voice: The Buddha can sing low or high voices and in many more different ways. The voice of the Buddha is empowering and can create a cleansing and purifying effect. Playing the Heart Sutra sung by the Buddha at home can eliminate negative energy or phenomena and promote harmony in the ambient environment. Many disciples do that at home and felt the same amazing true result.
Sincerity: Everyone will receive blessings whether he/she listens to the songs in a relaxed setting or with the utmost sincerity. Of course, if one listens to them with deeper devotion, one will definitely receive greater corresponding blessings.
Are you ready to listen to the Heart Sutra sung by the Buddha? Click here. It is six minutes long. To me, it is powerful, yet calming. How is it for you?
頂禮 H.H. 第三世多杰羌佛- 眾善奉行 