On January 10, 2026 we almost finished our discussion of DCB26-“Receiving Formal and Main Practices.” There are two more questions left in Lesson 39.
You may still join this class and do the following homework. Listening to the same material we discussed last year may be helpful. See instructions at bottom of this article along with links to previous lessons.
HOMEWORK-DCB26: Watch videos from May 4, 11, & 25; June 1, 8, & 22, 2024; and December 6, 13, and 27, 2025. Those attending previous class all have specific assignments from these questions, but all should be prepared to discuss questions 128-138 in Lesson 39 during ZOOM Class. You may also submit your answers via course procedures.
The following are brief summaries of our discussion on January 10, 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 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.
How can you tell who is a true Bodhisattva or Mahasattva?
“To determine whether someone is a true great Mahasattva, you must assess the categories of the five vidyas this person is proficient in and the depths of this person’s proficiency. As Shakyamuni Buddha clearly stated in the sutras, one attains the status of a Bodhisattva through the five vidyas. Additionally, you should assess the person’s holy realization powers.”
CLICK for an article on what H.H. Dharma King Penor Rinpoche told me about why H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III should demonstrate miracles and supernatural powers in these Dharma-ending days.
What is the relationship between Dharma and prajna?
“. . . because I have been expounding prajna to you disciples over these several days, I have given little emphasis to the beneficial effects and true realization stemming from the power of the Dharma. Prajna is indispensable. However, the practice of Dharma is also indispensable. Prajna is contained in the Dharma. The Dharma is likewise contained in prajna. The purpose of learning the Dharma is to learn how to realize prajna as soon as possible. This is the reason.”
CLICK for article on the meaning of “Ta” or “Dhyana” and the relationship between Dharma and prajna that I think may add to your understanding of this quote.
What is false practice?
“False practice is very easy. True practice is very difficult. True cultivation, true Dharma practice must be established on the basis of continuity and perseverance. Continuity and perseverance must be established on the basis of a mind cognizant of impermanence. Only when a mind cognizant of impermanence gives rise to a mind determined to leave samsara can one truly practice with continuity and perseverance, never backslide, and strictly observe the precepts. . . False practice includes the following. When you are sitting on your Dharma-practice seat, your body is sitting there but your mind is not.”
CLICK to read the Dharma of Cultivation for more.
What is the goal of chanting mantras and visualization in formal or main practice?
“In one’s formal or main practice, one recites mantras and practices visualization so as to focus the mind. When chanting mantras and practicing visualization in one’s formal practice, the goal is to concentrate our own mind. That is the state in which all thoughts return to oneness, and oneness returns to no thoughts.“
We also heard Reba Jinbo Rinpoche give his insightful reflections on what he learned last week from reflecting on how Master Mihong received esoteric Dharma. The Buddha Master also gave us several stories about Master Mihong and Nuola Rinpoche to provide examples of how you can obtain the highest esoteric Dharma. He also explained what happens if one has cultivation but lacks cultivated powers or if one has cultivated powers, but lacks cultivation and He explained the Dharma practice of body substitution.
After this discussion on the Formal and Main Practices, we decided to start a zoom discussion on LFBS class DCB35-Learning from Buddha instead of G36-Dharma that Every Buddhist Must Follow as our next course after finishing DCB26. Because this is an advanced course, there are seven prerequisites that you will need to complete before you will be able to enroll in the course including DCB12-The Dharma of Cultivation and C01-Essays from Dharma King Zun Sheng. 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.
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.
Be sure and enroll in DCB26-Realizing Prajna, if you want to join our long term study of the Heart Sutra or the broader study of C41(A)-the Three Principle Stages & Paths of Buddhist Practice. There is an expanded article on C41(A) that explains its scope and content. CLICK for video of that discussion and revised maps of this roadmap to C41(A). DCB26 is one of the Learning from Buddha Seminary (LFBS) courses that are included in C41(A). There is also another article that discusses G03(A) and G03 Evolution of Buddhism, two additional courses that are also part of C41(A).
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:
The next class on DCB26 will continue the discussion of Lesson 39 on the “Formal and Main Practices,” at our January 17, 2026, ZOOM session at 9:00 am.
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 Saturday morning discussions. 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 10, 2026 DCB26-Lesson 39E 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 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 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, (129-138) 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 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.
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.
Add comment