from the Office of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III:
Recently, we learned that some rinpoches, dharma masters, and dharma listening centers, using the name of “respecting the Buddha-dharma,” started to charge a “dharma listening fee” of NT$500 (about US$15) or so every time people came to listen to the dharma lessons discoursed by H. H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.
The Office of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is deeply shocked and surprised to learn this. Such conduct is an act of fraud. We hereby issue the following public announcement:
1. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has clearly discoursed numerous times in his dharma lessons that Buddha-dharma is for liberating living beings from their sufferings and is NOT to be used for exploiting living beings. We should try our best to meet anyone’s wishes and desires for learning Buddha-dharma, doing good deeds to benefit living beings, and pursuing liberation. We should do all we can, including sacrificing our own interest, to assist others to attain happiness and joy, regardless whether they are rich or poor.
2. Buddhists should have respect for Buddha-dharma. The act of anyone in establishing dharma listening centers or supporting a rinpoche, a dharma master, or dharma listening centers should be made from one’s own vow and wishes. The vow and merit of doing so is from that person’s own good karma. Nobody should establish stipulations or apply pressure of dark karma to collect money from them against the person’s will. Any stipulation that money must be collected for dharma listening is equivalent to selling the dharma lessons of the Buddha. That is an evil act of using money to insult and profane the Buddha-dharma and is in direct violation of the Buddha’s teaching. Some people already have a tough life. Those who have the means should not change money or fees from them and, on the contrary, should use money to help them. Buddhist temples and dharma listening centers should not squeeze money from them for dharma listening and should provide assistance to them. Please be sure not to lose the vow and act from the bodhicitta of exchange between self and others.
3. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has long ago declared publicly that he will never accept any offerings. His Holiness not only does not accept direct offerings from disciples nor any indirect offering from rinpoches, dharma masters, or dharma listening centers. His Holiness the Buddha not only does not accept offerings in any form, His Holiness even uses his own money from selling paintings to donate to temples and to support people in poverty and disaster relief efforts.
4. The Office of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III never accepted any offering and donation and, furthermore, will not support the conduct of charging fees for listening to the Dharma or similar actions.
May this announcement be known to all!
From the Office of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, May 29, 2009-Revised July 15, 2011