Zhaxi Zhuoma Rinpoche and Master Sharma before the refuge ceremony
Disciple Vasanti translated the Chinese on the Certificate of Virtue for the group
Hanoi, Vietnam: Zhaxi Zhuoma arrived with disciples Master Harsha (Mike) Jones from Taos, New Mexico, and Umang (Justin) Teaw from Toronto, Canada, to deliver recordings of preliminary translations in English of discourses given by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and transmit dharma to disciples at the Xuanfa Center of Hanoi. The latest Xuanfa center was established by Master Sharma who has also received recordings of many discourses in Chinese while in Hong Kong attending a seminar sponsored by the International Buddhism Sangha Association. IBSA held a two day seminar for acaryas and Masters of Dharma Listening Sessions (MDLS). Although not announced in advance, the exam to enable qualified disciples to become Masters of Dharma Listening Sessions was also given to around 700 attendees. This was not considered as the Third MDLS Exam, but rather as an interim exam given for the convenience of those attending the seminar. Two leaders of Xuanfa centers were among those passing the exam–Master Harsha (Mike) Jones of the Xiuxing Institute in Taos, New Mexico, and Master Sharma of the Xuanfa Center of Hanoi in Vietnam. Those attending the seminar heard many accounts of how others had been able to establish dharma centers and were able to view an amazing video of how a young Thai man’s life was saved by taking a Black Jewel Medicine or Kazhuo Ande Pill that had been made as part of the Tummo Dharma.
Zhaxi Zhuoma Rinpoche and Master Sharma with the new disciples after the ceremony
The sangha enjoy a vegetarian feast at “Not in the City” restaurant, as guests of the owner, disciple Vimala (Ha Thu) Nguyen.
The rinpoche first interviewed the students asking each one why he or she wanted to take refuge. Then she conducted the refuge ceremony, giving each disciple a Buddhist name and receiving them as disciples who had taken refuge in the four jewels. The second day the rinpoche transmitted various dharmas that they will need to practice. Master Sharma translated all the ceremonies and transmissions from English into Vietnamese. Master Sharma and his translation team have been translating many teachings of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III into Vietnamese and will continue to do so. They have also translated the Book of Praises used by the Xuanfa Institute into Vietnamese so that the common services could be conducted in both English and Vietnamese. One of the disciples, Rita (Ly Throng) Le Cat who is a professional musician and composer, volunteered to create musical versions of the various chants in Vietnamese.
At the end of the event, another disciple, Vasanti (Nhan) Le Cat, translated from the Chinese the certificate displayed by the rinpoche to the group. Master Sharma further explained why the certificate was displayed and its significance as it had been presented by the International Buddhism Sangha Association (IBSA) in Hong Kong. At the seminar, the Chairman of the IBSA, Master Long Hui Fa Shih gave an introductory speech and explained the significance of the certificates of One of Holy Virtue that seven of the Rinpoches and Dharma Masters wore and displayed. Later, three disciples came forward and read the content of the certificates to the other attendees. Those few rinpoches and dharma masters who possess such certificates are required to display them whenever they teach, give initiations, or perform dharma rituals. They are proof, with signed witnesses, of the level of realization and qualifications of the holy ones who possess them.