Ven. LaJian Long Hui Rinpoche conducts the Greatly Compassionate Thousand-Armed Guan-Yin Bodhisattva Grand Mandala Dharma at Hua Zang Si, August 26, 2012.
On August 26, the International Buddhism Sangha Association (IBSA) held the Greatly Compassionate Thousand-Armed Guan-Yin Bodhisattva Grand Mandala Dharma Assembly in accordance with the orthodox rituals of Buddhism at Hua Zang Si, a temple in San Francisco. This was the first time this type of dharma assembly was held in the United States of America. Shortly after the perfect conclusion of the dharma assembly, while the scorching sun was shining in the sky above Hua Zang Si, snow-colored white nectar started to descend from the sky. The scene continued for four days without stop. Nectar came down like snowflakes, flying and swirling in the sky. With regard to the occurrence of this holy feat, Master Long Hui, the chairperson of IBSA, stated that this was due to the fact that the Greatly Compassionate Thousand-Armed Guan-Yin Bodhisattva Grand Mandala Dharma Assembly represented the presence of true Buddha-dharma. The scene of nectar descending from the sky symbolized auspiciousness being bestowed onto the United States by the majestic power of the true dharma of the Tathagata and blessings of Guan-Yin Bodhisattva.
After the dharma assembly, the United States received the protection and blessings of Guan-Yin Bodhisattva. The strength of Hurricane Isaac, which had possessed super-strong damaging energy and had been forecasted to cause extremely severe losses in the same magnitude that Hurricane Katrina had done in New Orleans, Louisiana seven years ago, was greatly weakened. It quickly reduced to a tropical depression with a speed of only 12 miles per hour. At the same time, the drought in the Midwest which had been the most severe in the last 56 years also eased.
Guan-Yin Bodhisattva is known to have appeared in the images of Green Tara, Mother Mary, Mazu and many others. Among them, the depiction of Guan-Yin Bodhisattva with a thousand arms and a thousand eyes is believed to have the most incredible power that can bring salvation to living beings by turning a bitter sea of suffering into nectar.
Master Long Hui has explained that the Thousand-Armed Guan-Yin Bodhisattva is known as the lord who looks upon the world with great compassion. She helps those who call upon Her and frees them from suffering; She benefits all sentient beings with magnificent effects and responses. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III instructed IBSA to hold this Greatly Compassionate Thousand-Armed Guan-Yin Bodhisattva Grand Mandala Dharma Assembly. As early as August 4, IBSA publicly announced the cause of the dharma assembly in the San Francisco Chronicle and various Chinese newspapers including the World Journal, the Singtao Daily, and others. It was in response to the historical drought unseen in fifty-six years as well as other natural disasters, such as hurricanes and tornadoes, that the United States was facing. At that time, these disasters were forecasted to hit the United States and cause heavy losses in both life and property. The purpose of the dharma assembly was to beseech empowerment from the Buddha to protect and bless the United States and to eliminate disasters and pray for people’s wellbeing. The nectar bestowed by the Thousand-Armed Guan-Yin Bodhisattva was the sign of auspiciousness and prosperity that came in response to the dharma assembly’s prayers for empowerment to protect and bless the United States.
Many people saw the miraculous snow-colored white nectar flying and dancing in the sky and were extremely curious about such phenomena. Master Long Hui said that nectars were holy objects from the Buddha-land and were sent by Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. They came from nothing and nowhere to us and were in totally different forms and shapes from rain-water. Nectar floated in the sky like snowflakes. Such holy objects absolutely should not be confused with some people’s description of rain received after a long drought. Talking about nectar in terms of rain-water is an insult to Buddha-dharma. Likewise water that has been empowered by rinpoches and dharma masters with mantras for initiation or blessing should be called dharma water, not nectar. Only great holy and virtuous ones who are able to communicate and achieve correspondence with Buddhas can conduct the Buddha-dharma to beseech Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to bestow nectars. Moreover, only at a temple that represents true Buddha-dharma and when the dharma is conducted in accordance with the orthodox rituals, can such auspicious holy objects from the Buddha-land be received. Nectars have a light pure fragrant scent. Master Long Hui felt nectar dropping into her eyes after the dharma assembly. The feeling was very cleansing and cool.
She further explained the fact that when nectar descends into a dharma bowl because of a great Buddha-level holy virtuous one communicating with Buddhas, it would be live and jumping in the bowl. That was what she experienced in person. She had personally seen and received the blessing from this type of nectar. Having the opportunity of eating this type of nectar can eliminate any disease or illness. The nectar that came after this grand dharma assembly was produced from nothing and came from the empty sky on a sunny and hot day. That could in no way be produced by human power. Such magnificently auspicious phenomena absolutely cannot be created by people and human power. When the ceremony of welcoming the treasure book of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III was held at Hua Zang Si, nectar descended from the sky in straight lines, passing through the gaps between the branches of a magnolia tree in the yard of Hua Zang Si. A few other times, after the dharma assembly of Guan Yin Bodhisattva or the dharma assembly of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, nectar also descended from that magnolia tree. After this Thousand-Armed Guan-Yin Bodhisattva Grand Mandala Dharma Assembly, nectar descended in a wider area than before. This area in the sky totally covered Hua Zang Si and its surroundings. Another difference is that this time nectar did not come down in straight lines. They were flying and swirling in the sky and then dropped onto people’s bodies, faces, eyes, and hands. Other nectar vanished when getting close to the ground.
Now, the next question is, since Guan Yin Bodhisattva bestowed great auspiciousness to the United States in the form of nectar, has there been any real effect toward relieving the suffering from the natural disasters? Let us recall some recent facts.
On August 13, news reports mentioned that the United States was facing the most severe drought in 56 years. According to the data from the National Drought Mitigation Center, more than two-thirds of the United States is in a drought at the degree of moderate or higher. This is a historical record. Altogether, 1496 counties in 33 states have been designated as drought disaster areas. Separately, Tropical Storm Isaac was going to hit the Gulf of Mexico in August. Its damaging power was forecasted to be similar to that of Hurricane Katrina seven years ago. Based on a report in the Los Angeles Times of September 4, 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused the most severe flood in U.S. history; the death toll exceeded 10,000 in the State of Louisiana alone. Estimated economic losses were over 160 billion dollars. Actually, Tropical Storm Isaac already brought great damages and casualties to the Caribbean Islands. It was moving in a very formidable way and was forecasted to strengthen its force. The path and strength of Isaac were both similar to Katrina seven years ago. That fact put many people on high alert. They feared that the disaster seven years ago might repeat again. This scientific forecast also caught President Obama’s attention. He declared the state of emergency for Louisiana and the other three states on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.
On August 28, President Obama gave a television interview at the White House. He pointed out, “According to the forecast, Isaac is going to be upgraded to a hurricane later today. It is also predicted to land.” The President also mentioned that he had issued executive orders to the federal and local governments to take actions to strengthen the preparation for the disaster. He said, “This is a big storm. It may cause flooding and other disasters in a wider region. Now is not the time for taking risk. Nor is it the time to ignore the official warning. People should all look at the situation seriously.” He encouraged all residents in the coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico to listen to the local officials and follow their instructions, including the possibility of their asking people to evacuate when necessary. It was quite clear that the situation was very urgent and severe at the time. On the same day, Isaac landed on shore from the Gulf of Mexico.
The next day, August 29, is also the last day of nectar descending at Hua Zang Si after the Guan Yin Bodhisattva Grand Mandala Dharma Assembly. News reported that the previously anticipated huge hurricane damage and the worsening of the drought conditions based on scientific forecasts did not occur. On the contrary, the situation is changing for the better. The powerful hurricane Isaac was greatly weakened in the afternoon. Moreover, it changed its route and went around the oil-producing region near the Gulf of Mexico. That day happened to be the 7th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The City of New Orleans in the State of Louisiana, which had been heavily devastated and flooded last time, only had its outskirts brushed by Isaac. There was no occurrence of serious disaster. Although there were some areas of local flooding, no human casualty was reported.
Afterwards, the power of Hurricane Isaac was continuously weakened. Its moving speed reduced to only 12 miles per hour. The hurricane was downgraded to a tropical depression. A major disaster that had been forecasted to hit the United States was averted without causing the feared damages. In additions, the country’s drought situation was also relieved somewhat. The drought monitoring report issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on the morning of September 6 pointed out that the continuous rain accompanying Hurricane Isaac had brought the much needed moisture to the states in the Mid-West which were hardest-hit by the drought. The states of Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana received rains ranging from two to six inches. As stated in this report, the US’ situation of drought had eased in 62.89% of the areas comparing to a week ago (August 30). Separately, based on related news reports, the serious pressure on the rising consumer prices of food and oil caused by both droughts by the hurricane also had some relief.
In another instance, heavily-populated New York City was hit by two tornados on September 8. The speed of wind reached 110 miles per hour. Again, no danger was posed except that the tornados brought some fear. There was no human casualty reported.
Buddha Voice Broadcasting Alliance, a Buddhist organization, stated that this is truly an event of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas protecting and blessing people, turning dangers into peace for residents of the United States, enabling them to safely live through various natural disasters. There are countless stories of Guan Yin Bodhisattva helping those who call upon Her and saving them from sufferings. As evidenced by the facts mentioned, this first practice in the U.S. History of the Thousand-Armed Guan-Yin Bodhisattva Grand Mandala Dharma in a temple with true Buddha-dharma and practiced in accordance with the orthodox rituals received incredible responses and blessings from Guan-Yin Bodhisattva. As a result, a big disaster that the United States was urgently facing has been removed. People in America have been blessed with good fortune.
H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is the true incarnation of the Buddha. His Holiness now lives in America. The Buddha instructed an international Buddhist organization, IBSA, to hold this dharma assembly to beseech the Thousand-Armed Guan-Yin Bodhisattva who is manifested by Guan Yin Bodhisattva to protect and bless the United States. Consequently, Guan Yin Bodhisattva bestowed nectars to demonstrate Her response. Then, auspiciousness did descend to the U.S. The damaging hurricane was weakened, preventing a huge disaster in the southern states of the United States. Moreover, the situation of water shortage in areas of drought was eased by the abundant rainfall brought by the hurricane. Such an outcome was neither random nor coincidence. The place where the Buddha lives will always get relatively more blessing from dharma-protecting Bodhisattvas and the eight types of dharma-protecting celestial beings.
Of course, the occurrence of natural disasters does have some causing factors related to the physical sciences. However, in general, it is the result of the common karma among living beings. For those who received the blessing from the Buddha’s power and have a kind mind, it is relatively easy to transform their karmic retributions. The eventual consequence can be lighter retributions for heavy sins. Thus, major disasters can turn into minor ones. Minor ones will then be eliminated. This truth has already been proven by the evolving facts.
Actually, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are always compassionate toward living beings. They would bestow good fortune to those living beings who have the karmic affinity without being beseeched. Upon seeing living beings’ suffering, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas would immediately work on eliminating the disaster and bring relief. However, people in the world just don’t know this fact. This time, the practice of the Thousand-Armed Guan-Yin Bodhisattva Grand Mandala Dharma brought nectar, as a manifestation of Buddha-dharma bringing auspiciousness to the United States, letting people know the fact and see the results of eliminating the disasters. This is just one of the thousands of cases where Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are quietly blessing people in the world. It is just a very common situation, not anything ultra special.