from the International Buddhism Sangha Association:

H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has always ardently loved the United States, served its communities, benefited the public, and contributed to society. His Holiness is greatly respected by people and highly honored by this country. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is the highest leader of Buddhism, as has been unanimously recognized and corroborated by dharma kings, regent dharma kings, and rinpoches across the many sects of Buddhism.

On April 21 of this year, the World Journal published an untrue article, due to the time pressure of getting the article to press, mistakes stemming from oversight, and neglecting to do its own investigation and verification. The article was harmful to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III; however, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has never cared about His own gain or loss, repute or disrepute. His Holiness has continued to devote all of His time and effort to serving the public, without any thought of remuneration. In the end, after conducting a detailed investigation for more than two months, the World Journal realized that its article published on April 21, which had been translated from a local community newspaper in Southern California, did not match the facts and was seriously inaccurate. On its own initiative, the World Journal issued a statement today in which it sincerely apologized to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, and restored the facts of truth.

The public should applaud this upright stand taken by the World Journal. For your reference, we are attaching the statement by the World Journal.

May we strive in unity for the prosperity and strength of the United States, and for peace and happiness in the world!

International Buddhism Sangha Association

July 6, 2015

The following is the complete translation of the World Journal’s Statement of Apology, published in Page B5, Southern California and Eastern United States News, of the World Journal on July 6, 2015:

WORLD JOURNAL

Page B5, Southern California/Eastern United States News, Monday, July 6, 2015

Statement of Apology Regarding a Report about H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III

On April 21 of this year, the “Southern California News” page of the San Francisco edition of World Journal published a news report about H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. The article was translated from a local English news media in southern California. Due to the time pressure of finalizing the publication and a negligence in proofing and checking, our newspaper was unable to investigate and verify the contents mentioned in the article. We hereby express our sincere apology to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III who is broadly respected and revered by believers and who was commended by a resolution passed by the United States Congress.

Our newspaper always upholds the principle of “Publishing the Newspaper with an Upright Attitude.” We believe in and follow justice, freedom, and other basic concepts valued by a civilized world. At the same time of defending the freedom of speech and people’s right of knowing, we respect the freedom of religious beliefs and all normal religious activities. This newspaper has always done all we can to report and condemn various incidents of religious persecution occurring around the world, in particular acts of political intervention and suppression that violate the freedom of worshipping in regions with Chinese populations.

Based on the mission of serving our readers, this newspaper makes our best effort to timely report and publish activities and information of various Chinese religious organizations in the San Francisco Bay area, to meet the needs of all types of believers and to form bonds of kindness. The editorial and reporter teams of our newspaper strictly abide by the moral code and professional standards of journalists. Regarding the above-mentioned negligence and mistake in our work, we have completed a serious review and implemented a more rigorous editorial and checking process, to prevent and stop similar incidents from happening again. Here, we thank the International Buddhism Sangha Association for pointing out the correction.

According to the materials provided by the International Buddhism Sangha Association, believers, and readers, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is “the highest leader of Buddhism recognized and corroborated by dharma kings, regent dharma kings, and rinpoches of various sects of Buddhism.” Although He was subject to persecution and attacks, He broadly serves Buddhists at large and is immensely supported and beloved by them. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III received many awards, including the World Peace Prize, the United States Presidential Gold Award, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Award for International Service and Leadership, and many others. The Senate of the United States Congress passed a resolution to affirm and commend H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III’s services and contributions.

The statement by The World Journal can also be found online.

To help readers learn more about H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, we now translate and publish Resolution No. 614 passed by the United States Senate in 2012:

(For English readers, the following is the original text of Resolution No. 614 passed by the US Senate, based on the Congressional Record ̶ Senate)

US Senate Resolution 614

Celebrating the World Peace Corps Mission and the World Peace Prize.

DECEMBER 12, 2012

Whereas the World Peace Corps Mission is an international organization that operates according to the core spirit of advancing peace, justice, and inter-religious collaborations;

Whereas the World Peace Prize is a prestigious award presented by the World Peace Corps Mission that celebrates individuals who have contributed tremendously to peace and enlightenment for humanity;

Whereas past recipients of the World Peace Prize include President Ronald Reagan of the United States, President Abdurrahman Wahid of Indonesia, and President Nakamura of Palau;

Whereas in 2010, the World Peace Prize Awarding Council recognized His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III (referred to in this preamble as ‘‘H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III’’) for his devotion to an immensely wide scope of humanitarian activities directed at individuals from different communities throughout the world;

Whereas H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has received numerous awards, including the United States Presidential Gold Award, which the Chairman of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders presented on behalf of President George W. Bush to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III for the outstanding contributions of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III to the arts, medicine, ethics, Buddhism, spiritual leadership, and United States society; and

Whereas in 2010, the World Peace Prize Awarding Council also recognized the Honorable Benjamin A. Gilman for being a life-long champion of human rights who has fought world hunger, narcotics abuse, and narcotics trafficking: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) commends the World Peace Corps Mission for advancing peace, justice, and inter-religious collaborations; and

(2) celebrates the World Peace Award and the recipients of the World Peace Award.