We continued our study of DCB35-Learning from Buddha on March 21, 2026 starting Lesson Four: Preliminary Practice, Assignment 5. We also discussed a related section of the Understanding Definitive Truth Sutra where the Buddha Master explains the difference between practicing the Four Limitless States of Mind which we use to develop bodhichitta and the Ultimate Bodhichitta of a holy being.
The following are brief summaries of our discussion on March 21, 2026 with links to the video of our ZOOM discussion of that class and previous sessions below. The large bold blue quotes are from a preliminary translation of Learning from Buddha by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. Please note that in the video of this class we heard the understanding expressed by the various participants, which may or may not be correct. To understand the translation of all the actual quotes from the Buddha Master you need to read the text, which you can download from the curriculum section of DCB35 (Click “PREVIEW”). 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.
The rest of the discussion focused on Lesson Four-Tantra-Preliminary Practice
What is the first step of the Preliminary Practice–the Preparatory Work– and what does it involve?
“The first step of the preliminary practice is the preparatory work. The preparatory work involves the use of Dharma instruments, the use of medicines, and the use of offerings. Some preliminary practices also involve setting up the altar to face a particular direction. The mandala requires the setting out of water offerings, incense offerings, mandala offerings, the eight offerings, and so on, as well as the setting out of offering utensils and images of Buddhas, the arrangement and placement of the Yidam and Dharma protectors, and more. Simply put, the first thing involving the preliminary practice is the preparatory work. For example, there are outer tantric rules for outer-tantric initiations, such as how to set up the altar room and how Dharma instruments should be used. There are inner-tantric ways of using things for inner-tantric initiations. There are special ways of setting out inner-tantric offerings. For instance, there are seeds of the karmic origination.”
What is the source of the power of a Dharma?
“A Dharma must have power. It must have a source. The power of a Dharma originates from your cultivation. I previously explained this very thoroughly. I will not repeat it. If you do not cultivate well the conduct that I explained previously, then the Dharma you practice will not produce any effects or usefulness. That is why Dharma powers must be established on the foundation of one’s cultivation. In a complete Dharma, cultivation is an essential part of the preliminary practice.”
After the preparatory work is complete, what is the first step in the actual Preliminary Practice?
“All right, after you have done all of the preparatory work of the preliminary practice in a very complete manner, at this time, you begin to enter the formal practice of the preliminary practice. So, the first step in the practice is proving that you are a Buddhist. Your setting out all of those things that I just mentioned does not prove that you are a Buddhist. To prove that you are a Buddhist, the first step is that you must perform the taking of refuge. Therefore, you must take refuge and arouse your resolve. At this time, you must recite the refuge vows. After you have recited the refuge vows and taken refuge with a sincere heart, establishing in yourself the sincere faith, devoutness, and genuineness of a Buddhist, at this time you have indeed aroused the resolve of a Buddhist.”
What is then the second step of the Preliminary Practice?
“After completing this first part, you will begin to enter the second part, which involves the procedures of the Dharma.”
Are those who do not possess the Five Vidyas Bodhisattvas?
“The Buddha clearly told Buddhists that those who do not possess the Five Vidyas are not Bodhisattvas. Nonetheless, some Buddhist disciples always think their guru is a great Bodhisattva.”
The Buddha Master also listed the five Great Precious Pills, various offering used in inner-tantric initiations, and the unique source which activates the karmic orgination and how it will be used. He also explained how disciples get the second step wrong and what then happens to them as well as how modern gurus and masters are confused, especially concerning the Buddha-lands. There was also a discussion of the grade one had to achieve in the World Buddhism Association Exam to be considered an Arhat, Bodhisattva, or Great Bodhisattva. We also discussed the difference between giving rise to the four immeasurable states of mind and giving rise to bodhicitta and the differences between the generation and the completion stages.
We will continue discussing DCB35-Learning from Buddha on April 25 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 who is enrolled in the class will be given homework questions to discuss. You may also watch the videos of our discussions once you enroll in DCB35.
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.
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You will need to enroll in DCB35 to be able to watch the video recordings of the classes, download study materials, or study the related questions and register with ZOOM to receive a link to attend the classes.
LINKS TO DATE: C41-Three Principal Stages & Paths of Buddhist Practice including DCB35, DCB21-26, P10 and other related Learning from Buddha Seminary Classes
The recording of the March 21, 2026 DCB35 class is now available. All of the recordings and summary of ZOOM discussions for DCB21, DCB22, DCB23, DCB24, DCB25, and DCB26-Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra are also 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.
March 21, 2026: DCB35-Learning from Buddha, Tantra-Introduction-Lesson 4B (Questions 90-114) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
March 14, 2026: DCB35-Learning from Buddha, Tantra-Introduction-Lesson 4A (Questions 73-89) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
March 7, 2026: DCB35-Learning from Buddha, Cultivation-Lesson 3C (Questions 56-72) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
February 28, 2026: DCB35-Learning from Buddha, Cultivation-Lesson 3B (Questions 41-55) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
February 21, 2026: DCB35-Learning from Buddha, Cultivation-Lesson 3A (Questions 27-40) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
February 21, 2026: DCB35-Learning from Buddha, Introduction-Lesson 2B (Questions 22-26) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
February 14, 2026: DCB35-Learning from Buddha, Introduction-Lesson 1 (Questions 1-5) and Lesson 2A (Questions 6-21), and (HERE) for recording of the class.
CLICK for article on last class held on DCB26-How to Realize Prajna on January 24, 2026 and links to videos of all 15 ZOOM class discussions held on DCB26 from August 9, 2025 to January 24, 2026.
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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