Couplet by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III at entrance to the Amitabha Buddha Hall, Hua Zang Si, San Francisco: “chu bao shen xiang lian kai jiu pin yan jing tu xian wei meng zhuang fa zhan yi sheng zang mi yi”
The first line of this couplet by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu outside the Amitabha Buddha Hall at Hua Zang Si is “chu bao shen xiang lian kai jiu pin yan jing tu.” The general meaning of this line is as follows. The magnificent Amitabha Buddha has the thirty-two major auspicious marks of a Buddha and the eighty minor auspicious marks of a Buddha. He manifests his dignified and solemn reward body (sambhogakaya). He established the Western Paradise of Ultimate Bliss and made forty-eight vows. His dharma powers manifested lotus pedestals, which represent nine levels of accomplishment, in order to receive living beings into the Western Paradise. That is the of the Pure Land dharma method that He founded. The second line of the couplet is “xian wei meng zhuang fa zhan yi sheng zang mi yi.” The basic meaning is as follows. Based on the highest state of realization, the magnificent Amitabha Buddha transforms himself into the wrathful Vajra deity called Yamantaka who manifests the most astounding and holy powers. Based upon his realization as a Buddha, He integrates all dharmas into one supreme vehicle (yana). In the earthly realm, he carries on the lineage of the esoteric dharma (Vajrayana), which leads to great liberation. That is why the revered Amitabha Buddha became the leader of the esoteric school.