We started our study of DCB35-Learning from Buddha on February 14, 2026 with the introductory sections that included commentary from H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, the publishers, and translators on the background and purpose of publishing the text Learning from Buddha, a sutra that explains how to cultivate or modify your behavior and do the actual Dharma needed to become enlightened and how to be a Bodhisattva in this lifetime. It also included two photos of the Buddha Master and a related discourse explaining how and why He changed from an ancient old person to a beautiful young version of Himself.
The following are brief summaries of our discussion on February 14, 2026 with a link to the video of our ZOOM discussion of that class 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. 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.
We started the class with everyone present stating what they had learned from reading this sutra. We then explored the background of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and who had recognized Him as well as how the “Vajra Fa-Man Determination by Holy Selection Dharma” was performed to authenticate His reincarnation. You can read more about that Dharma in the sutra and in Thus Have I Seen, as I devoted an entire chapter to that ceremony, which I attended.
Why did Dharma Voice Publishing publish Learning from Buddha?
“Our purpose in publishing this Buddhist text at this time is to make it convenient for people to study the teachings of His Holiness the Buddha, implement such teachings in both cultivation and Dharma practice, and thereby walk the path of benefiting living beings, bringing peace to the world, experiencing bliss, and becoming accomplished and liberated. It is our honor as well as our duty to learn the teachings of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and do all we can to further the good actions and welfare of living beings.” Dharma Voice Publishing, LLC
How did the H H Dorje Chang Buddha III explain the two photos of Him included in the sutra?
“I previously vowed to bear karma on behalf of living beings. My physical strength greatly weakened. I quickly became exhausted, and an aged appearance emerged. Rather than saying I bore karma on behalf of living beings, it would be better to say that my humble body was weak and sickly. Recently, United International World Buddhism Association Headquarters (WBAH) insisted on using my photo to perform the Vajra Fa-Man Determination by Holy Selection Dharma. Regardless of what selection method you use to determine my status, I will not accept it. That is because I am just an ordinary person. The photo of my youthful appearance was the result of having washed my face with medicine given to me by an elder virtuous one. Actually, more cosmetic treatment methods already exist in the field of medicine nowadays. I do not know the Buddha Dharma to reverse old age and return to a youthful appearance. As time goes on, I will gradually become old again. This is because I am a person who is just like you, with no ability to stop the process of impermanence. However, I have one thing that is different from you! I have what Buddhists need, the highest-level great Dharma of the Tathagatas to attain perfect liberation and accomplishment. This is also the same Dharma possessed by all Buddhas in the ten directions:”
And what is this Highest-level Great Dharma of the Tathagatas possessed by all Buddhas?
“Stay far away from feudal superstition, strange or heretically induced phenomena, evil masters, deceivers, non-Buddhists under the guise of Buddhism, cults, evil teachings, and evil books. Strictly abide by the precepts and disciplinary rules of Buddhism. Establish great compassion as your foundation. Do not do anything that is evil. Do all things that are good. Give up self-interests and benefit others. Patiently endure humiliation and adversity. Practice humility. Purify the mind. When encountering living beings, regardless of whether they are handicapped, deficient, sick, or healthy, treat them all equally as family members. Know that all phenomena are governed by causality. With good causes, you receive good retributions. Good retributions yield good fruits. Good fruits enable you to receive the true Dharma. Relying on the Dharma, you can achieve perfect good fortune and wisdom. Then you can step into the state of accomplishment, break away from the sufferings that living beings experience, cease transmigrating in the cycle of birth and death, and accomplish the perfect enlightenment of a Buddha! . . . These are the teachings and precepts that I practice and uphold. I say without the slightest ambiguity that the Buddha Dharma I impart is absolutely the true Dharma of the Tathagatas possessed by all Buddhas in the ten directions! I cannot be modest about this. Why? I must speak true words. Otherwise, I would mislead practitioners.”
How can we guarantee that we will learn great dharma to achieve perfect good fortune and wisdom and that one will in one’s current lifetime attain accomplishment?
“If you truly practice the Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation; thoroughly comprehend Imparting [Expounding] the Absolute Truth Through the Heart Sutra; often listen to my audio-recorded Dharma discourses that have not been altered or spoken in my stead by other people and, best of all, read published books that record the Dharma I imparted; and if you are truly devout toward all Buddhas, then I, Dorje Chang Buddha III, guarantee that you will learn great Dharma to achieve perfect good fortune and wisdom and will attain accomplishment in your current lifetime!”
The Buddha Master also gave us a list of other sutras and classic commentaries that you can also study to establish a foundation and that should be mastered if you wish to have disciples. However, He also told us that mastering the Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation and Imparting [Expounding] the Absolute Truth Through the Heart Sutra with His other discourses that explain these two great Dharmas were really all we needed to become accomplished. He also provided some sharp words for those who only wanted to learn how to regain their youth or incorrectly shared or used the two photos. I also told my own story about how I had seen the Buddha Master change appearance like was done in the two photos a decade earlier. We ended the session with everyone offering why they thought the two photos and related discourse were included in the book. The answers varied greatly.
We will continue discussing DCB35-Learning from Buddha on February 21 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.
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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 February 14, 2026 DCB35 class is 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 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.
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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