We have finished reading and studying all of Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra. On January 17, 2026 we finished our discussion of DCB26-Lesson 39 “Receiving Formal and Main Practices” and started Lesson 40-Concluding Practice. On January 24, 2036, we finished Lesson 40 and 41-Testimonials of what senior disciples learned from listening to this Sutra. Click for testimonial given by Professor Huang Huibang (Hui Hui) on what he learned from hearing Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra.
The following are brief summaries of our discussion on January 17 and 24, 2026 with links to previous classes below. The large bold blue quotes are from a preliminary translation of Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. Please note that in this class we heard the understanding expressed by the various participants, which may or may not be correct. To hear all the actual quotes from the Buddha Master you need to listen to the classes held in 2024. Also please remember that we are still working with a preliminary and unauthorized translation of the Buddha Master’s teachings so even these “quotes” can only be used for reference.
What is meant by “true practice”?
“Disciples, true practice is established upon the determination to learn from Buddha. On the foundation of having a mind determined to leave samsara and a mind cognizant of impermanence, those who truly practice resolutely learn from Buddha and strictly abide by the precepts, never backsliding and never regretting. Their handling of worldly matters reflects their mastery of supra-mundane Dharma. That is, when they handle any matter, do their regular jobs, do a deed, or speak, they always act in accordance with the conduct prescribed by the Buddha Dharma. They also follow the Dharma and discourses expounded by the Buddha to awaken thoroughly to and personally realize the view of prajna. They carry out the preliminary practice with their three karmas of body, speech, and mind, in all aspects of their lives.”
What is the purpose of chanting the name of a Buddha or visualizing the image of a Buddha?
“[It] is one-pointed dhyana that is devoid of distraction.”
What is the Buddha Master’s wish for all disciples who listen to or read this sutra?
“. . . I wish that all disciples who are present here, as well as all disciples who in the future will listen to this supreme and great Dharma of prajna that I am now expounding, receive great benefits and attain great liberation.”
What was the unique “Dedication of Merit” given by the Buddha Master, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III at the end of the discourse on “How to Realize Prajna” and who is this Dharma for?
“I broadly dedicate all of the merit from this Expounding the Absolute Truth Through the Heart Sutra to all sentient beings at various levels, all living beings in the dharma realm, all Bodhisattvas, all Dharma-protecting holy and non-holy beings, and the eight kinds of Dharma-protecting beings, including humans and non-humans. I dedicate the merit to all of them. . . May all sentient beings in the dharma realm receive great benefits according to their spiritual capacities. May they be benefited by my Dharma, experiencing beneficial effects according to the extent of their spiritual capacities and the degree to which their three karmas correspond. May they, through following the Dharma and applying their three karmas, realize the fruit of Arhatship, ascend to the stages of Bodhisattvas, and ultimately achieve perfect and bright prajna. May they, by according with the meaning of the Dharma and applying their three karmas, realize the fruits and eventually complete the prajna path of truth. May they realize the unimpeded Xianliang Great Perfection state and the highest and holiest single-taste state. May they thoroughly realize liberation. May they thoroughly realize the ultimate status of one with supreme, equal-minded, perfect enlightenment.”
What does the Buddha Master want from us in return for this Dharma?
“I do not covet anything from you disciples. I have only one hope, which is that you truly, earnestly, and constantly practice according to the Dharma that I expound. I do not wish that you will give me offerings, such as money, fruit, all kinds of clothing or implements, antiques, and so on. I do not want to receive your things. I want to receive your mind that constantly practices in accord with the Dharma through your three karmas. I want to receive your mind and conduct that are loyal to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, your mind and conduct that reflect sincere practice. If you offer such mind and conduct to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, that would be the greatest respect toward me!”
On January 17, we also spent considerable time discussion what “being led by your nose like an ox” meant. He also promised what would happen if we read this sutra and practice and cultivate ourselves according to the Dharma expounded therein.
On January 24, I read the “Concluding Practice” provided by His Holiness which included the universal “Dedication of Merit”; empowering, chanting, and visualizing the “Eight Offerings”; the “Farewell to Holy Beings Mantra”; and the “Rapid Fulfillment of Wishes Mantra”. These are mantras that we also chant in our temples and daily practice and may also be included in other transmitted Dharmas. Because they have now been published (in Chinese ), we may also chant them after reading or listening to Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra.
We will study the Preliminary, Formal or Main, and Concluding Practices more in our next series of Saturday ZOOM discussions of DCB35-Learning from Buddha, which will start next month.
We will continue to have informal Saturday morning ZOOM sessions from 9-11with Reba Jinbo Rinpoche being available to help anyone needing help with their homework on other courses. There are seven courses that are included as prerequisites to take the advanced course DCB35-Learning from Buddha. At present, only one requires homework (DCB12-The Dharma of Cultivation.). Anyone enrolled in C41(A) or any of the Heart Sutra related courses (DCB21 through DCB26) may use that link to join. However, you will need to enroll in DCB35 and register with ZOOM to be able to participate in that course.
We are planning on starting DCB35-Learning from Buddha on February 14 at 9:00-11:00 am Pacific Time. You can download a PDF of the text for DCB35 from the “preview” feature in the OVERVIEW of the “Curriculum” without enrolling in the course. If you want to join these Saturday discussions of the Dharma, you will need to both be enrolled in DCB35 and register for the ZOOM session to receive the link for the discussion. Everyone signing up will be given homework questions to discuss.
We will probably start G36-Dharma that Every Buddhist Must Follow after DCB35. If you want to join us for that course, you should acquire a copy of Dorje Pamu’s text as we will take turns discussing the various questions that have been prepared for the course like we did for P-10 and will also do for DCB35. You can purchase PaMu’s book directly from H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Cultural and Art Museum (170 E. School St. Covina CA 91723) and pay by credit card or PayPal. the cost is $36 plus shipping fee. They can ship to your address. Please contact Michelle Chang at (626) 281-6378, (973)337-7539. The museum hours are from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 5:30.
CLICK for a list of available classes in each of the programs: Auditing, Buddhist Studies, and Xiuxing Seminary. Those with membership in the Xiuxing Seminary Program who are only interested in serious practice and not opening a Dharma Center may also elect to follow the Xiuxing Practice Program and take a seven or thirty-day Solitary Retreat.
Next
If you have enrolled in C41(A) DCB26 or DCB25 or DCB24 or DCB23 or DCB22 or DCB21, you may continue to use the same ZOOM link to attend the informal Saturday morning discussions or Study Hall with Reba on January 31 and February 7, 2026. However, you will need to enroll in the appropriate course to be able to watch the video recordings of the classes, download study materials, or study the related questions.
LINKS TO DATE: DCB26-How to realize Prajna and C41-Three Principal Stages & Paths of Buddhist Practice.
The recordings of the January 17 and 24, 2026 DCB26-Lessons 39D through 41 classes are now available. All of the recordings and summary of ZOOM discussions for DCB21, DCB22, DCB23, DCB24, and DCB26-Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra are also now available. You must be enrolled in each of these classes in one of the full membership programs at the LFBS to access the course materials, questions covered (in parenthesis), and/or the class recordings. Please note that these links will only work if you are logged into LFBS with your membership identification number AND are enrolled in this class. CLICK for information on LFBS class P10 or CLICK for Hesperia classes on major concepts or principles contained in the title of Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra.
CLICK for article on the entire text of Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra.
CLICK for article with instructions on how to enroll in LFBS classes and how to register for the ZOOM discussions.
January 24, 2026: Lessons 40 & 41-Concluding Practice and Testimonials, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra-How to Realize Prajna, (144, 145-147) and (HERE) for recordings of the class.
January 17, 2026: Lesson 40-Concluding Practice, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra-How to Realize Prajna, (139-143) and (HERE) for recordings of the class.
January 17, 2026: Lesson 39F-Receiving the Formal or Main Practices, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra-How to Realize Prajna, (137-138) and (HERE) for recordings of the class.
January 10, 2026: Lesson 39E–Receiving the Formal or Main Practices, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra-How to Realize Prajna, (129-136 and 134-136) and (HERE) for recordings of the class.
January 3, 2026: Lesson 39D–Receiving the Formal or Main Practices, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra-How to Realize Prajna, (125A-128) and (HERE) for recordings of the class.
December 27, 2025: Lesson 39C–The Six Paramitas, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra-How to Realize Prajna, (112-124) and (HERE) for recordings of the class.
December 13, 2025: Lesson 39B-The Dharma to Pass through Barriers, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra-How to Realize Prajna, (108-111) and (HERE) for recordings of the class.
December 6, 2025: Lesson 39A–The Dharma to Pass through Barriers, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra-How to Realize Prajna, (108-110) and (HERE) for recordings of the class.
December 6, 2025: Lesson 38D–The Preliminary Practices, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra-How to Realize Prajna, (103-107) and (HERE) for recordings of the class.
November 29, 2025: Lesson 38C–The Preliminary Practices, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra-How to Realize Prajna, (95-102) and (HERE) for recordings of the class.
November 29, 2025: Lesson 38B–The Preliminary Practices, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra-How to Realize Prajna, (90-94) and (HERE) for recordings of the class.
November 22, 2025: Lesson 38A–The Preliminary Practices, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra-How to Realize Prajna, (82-89) and (HERE) for recordings of the class.
November 22, 2025: Lesson 37C-Preliminary Practice Dharma, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra-How to Realize Prajna, (79B) and (80-81) and (HERE) for recordings of the class.
November 8, 2025: Lesson 37B–Preliminary Practice Dharma, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra-How to Realize Prajna, (67-79A) and (HERE) for recordings of the class.
November 1, 2025: Lesson 37A–Preliminary Practice Dharma, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra-How to Realize Prajna, (53-66) and (HERE) for recordings of the class.
September 27, 2025: Lesson 36E–H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Imparts Buddha Dharma-Causality and the Rules and Methods of Continual Practice, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra-How to Realize Prajna, (44-46, 47-52) and (HERE) for recordings of the class.
September 6, 2025: Lesson 36D-H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Imparts Buddha Dharma-Causality and the Rules and Methods of Continual Practice, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra-How to Realize Prajna, (37-43) and (HERE) for recordings of the class.
August 30 2025: Lesson 36C-H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Imparts Buddha Dharma-Causality and the Rules and Methods of Continual Practice, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra-How to Realize Prajna, (28-36) and (HERE) for recordings of the class.
August 23 2025: Lesson 36B-H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Imparts Buddha Dharma-Causality and the Rules and Methods of Continual Practice, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra-How to Realize Prajna, (18-28) and (HERE) for recordings of the class.
August 9, 2025: Lesson 36A-H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Imparts Buddha Dharma-Causality and the Rules and Methods of Continual Practice, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra-How to Realize Prajna, (1-17) and (HERE) for recordings of the class.
CLICK for article on last class held on DCB26 in 2024 and links to videos of all 8 ZOOM class discussions held on DCB26 held from April 20, 2024 to June 22, 2024.
CLICK for article on the last class held on DCB25 and links to all 15 ZOOM class discussions on DCB25 held from April 5, 2025 to August 2, 2025,
CLICK for article on the last class held on DCB24 and links to all 13 ZOOM class discussions on DCB24 held from January 4, 2025 to March 29, 2025,
January 4, 2025: Roadmap to C41(A)–Three Principal Stages & Paths of Buddhist Practice. Video of class discussion.
CLICK for article on the last class held on DCB23 and links to all 13 ZOOM class discussions on DCB23 held from August 24, 2024 to November 16, 2024,
CLICK for article on the last class held on DCB22 and links to videos of all 21 ZOOM class discussions on DCB22 held from February 10, 2024 to April 20, 2024 and from June 29, 2024 to August 3, 2024.
CLICK for article on the last class held on DCB21 and links to videos of all 18 ZOOM class discussions on DCB21 held from November 21, 2022 to April 1, 2023. Note: not all of the forwards, notes, and introductions are complete.
CLICK for Background information on Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra and why it is such an important text.
CLICK for information on S01-Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation (SAUMOL) Seminar.
CLICK for article on September 21, 2025 class held at Hesperia on Lessons 5 & 6: Three kinds of Prajna.
CLICK for article on August 17, 2025 class held at Hesperia on Lessons 3 & 4: Introduction to Prajna.
CLICK for article on July 20, 2025 class held at Hesperia on Lessons 1 & 2: Background and Introduction to the Heart Sutra and H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III’s Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra.
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