1215： Rinpoche’s Compassionate Help to a German Disciple

I prostrate to His Eminence Vajra Guru Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, Dharma Protector Achi, and all the Buddhas & Bodhisattvas! I am William Hong（洪威廉） from Group Three. My wife TienYa and our two children NiangMei and BaoWen also took refuge under Rinpoche and are members of Group Four.

I am grateful that Rinpoche has given me the opportunity to share with everyone how Rinpoche continuously helps me and my family. My refuge initiation can be traced to Traces of Liberating Beings Record Number 696 on the Center’s official website, where everyone can see how compassionately Rinpoche has helped us in the past.

In June 2017, we faced financial difficulties. Upon hearing this, Rinpoche compassionately provided us with financial support so that we could buy good food for our children. Rinpoche, through disciple , inquired whether my wife would like to work at the Glorious Jewel Beauty Store. We were very grateful that Rinpoche helped us so compassionately during these times. For more details, please refer to Traces of Liberating Beings Record Number 1108 on the Center’s official website.

In August 2019, I sought an audience with Rinpoche because I was advised to have surgery to remove an abdominal right-sided hernia. I was walking around with this hernia for 2 years accepting the fact that this was a karmic result and a chance for me to repay some of my karmic debt. Due to this, I couldn’t lift anything heavy or perform physical activities that made heavy use of my abdominal muscles. Rinpoche was about to descend the Dharma throne, but as soon as he heard that someone wanted to meet him because of a surgery he compassionately received me.

Rinpoche explained that my past drug use was the cause and instructed me to make grand prostrations. He said I could seek further help from him if needed. Hearing this, I was very touched. I started making the grand prostrations at the Center from around 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Considering the injury I had, this was only possible because of Rinpoche. After finishing the grand prostrations, my clothes were soaked in sweat, and the pants I was wearing caused large abrasions on both of my knees. In the following days, I experienced the most intense muscle soreness I had ever had. The surgery was scheduled to take place in three days, which meant I actually had to go to the hospital for preparations one day before. As a standard preoperative procedure, the hospital measured my temperature and found it was 40 degrees Celsius. At the time, I didn’t feel uncomfortable except for the muscle soreness. If my temperature didn’t drop down that day, the surgery would have been canceled. But thanks to Rinpoche’s compassionate blessings, everything went very smoothly. A few hours later, my temperature turned to normal, and the surgery the next day went well. I’m grateful to Rinpoche for helping me to repay some of my karmic debt.

On June 21, 2020, during the puja, Rinpoche instructed all the disciples present to recite the Praise of 21 Tara 100,000 times, with each disciple needing to complete 110 recitations. The Dharma text provided at that moment didn’t have an English version. Since I did not recognize Chinese characters, I didn’t recite the praise and instead, recited the Six-Syllable Mantra alone. After the puja, I asked other disciples if I could get an English version of the Dharma text.

The next day, the contact person asked who didn’t understand Chinese, and my wife answered on my behalf. We then received a message from Rinpoche: “Rinpoche said yesterday that everyone should recite the praise 110 times. Knowing you couldn’t, why didn’t you raise your hand? By not speaking up and trying to take advantage, you lose all merits. Rinpoche and many others have to serve you, and Rinpoche has to find someone else to recite it.” Rinpoche penalized us by saying we couldn’t attend that week’s puja. After receiving Rinpoche’s words, I reflected deeply and repented for my actions, as I didn’t proactively raise my hand and request the Dharma from Rinpoche. The next day, we received a message from Rinpoche saying I could attend that week’s puja.

That Saturday of the same week, we went to seek an audience with Rinpoche. Rinpoche scolded us, teaching us that anything related to the Dharma must be obtained directly from your guru. I had made a big mistake going behind Rinpoche’s back. Rinpoche also instructed me to stop lying, to quit being lazy and said that the excuse of not learning Chinese had run its course. “You have your wife to teach you,” Rinpoche said, “you must start learning Chinese.”

At this point, I want to repent for not diligently following Rinpoche’s instructions. I indeed started learning Chinese immediately as instructed and even enjoyed it. However, I became lax again; the frequency of my practice and learning new vocabulary diminished over time, and there were significant gaps during my learning period. From now on, I want to make an effort to diligently practice and learn Chinese. Otherwise, I will always be a burden on others, relying on them to serve me, and therefore, I would not be able to rigorously follow Rinpoche’s teachings.

I also want to share with you how Rinpoche compassionately watches over the health of his disciples. Over the years, I gained a lot of weight due to unhealthy eating habits and became lazy as well. This led to me becoming easily tired throughout the day and feeling frequently energyless. In February this year, as we were about to leave the Glorious Jewel Dazhi Cafe, Rinpoche instructed TienYa to come to him. Rinpoche asked her about my weight. After TienYa answered, Rinpoche replied: “He’s too heavy and he has four months to lose weight; otherwise, he shouldn’t be my disciple. Your children are still young. Being overweight could lead to heart disease and high blood pressure. Being so heavy makes him become lazier.” After that day’s puja, I immediately started with physical activities to lose weight in the evening.

On March 25th, we sought an audience with Rinpoche to make an offering. Rinpoche asked me how much weight I had lost so far. I answered “I have lost 4 kg and now weigh 91 kg.” Rinpoche asked what my weight was before. I replied that I weighed 95 kg before. Rinpoche said this was not enough. I should weigh 85 kg at maximum. Considering that I’m still young and have two young children. Rinpoche asked how old I was. I said that I was 35 and Rinpoche replied: “I thought you were 75. Why are you so lazy like an old man? You have to work hard and not be lazy. Because you have two young children.”

Now I want to share with you how Rinpoche has helped my son. My son frequently hit the back of his head, in often unexpected ways (such like suddenly slipping backwards off a bench), at the same spot. We were wondering if he really was that clumsy and worried about his health. His kindergarten teacher also contacted us twice about his unusual behavior. He suddenly became very tired and did not want to partake in his favorite activities. And with all the other kids around him being very loud he fell asleep deeply.

One day after Baowen bumped the back of his head again, we applied some ointment to the wound and put on a bandage. On March 4th, Tianya and the two children went to the Glorious Jewel Dazhi Cafe. When Baowen went to the restroom, Rinpoche noticed the bandage on Baowen’s head. After he came out of the restroom, Rinpoche waved him over and placed his right hand on top of his head, blessing him for a long time. Afterwards, Rinpoche told Tianya that there was something in front of our house door and that the entrance should be cleared. He said I should take care of this. From that moment on, he hasn’t shown any unusual behavior or hit the same spot again. We are very grateful for Rinpoche’s compassionate care towards us.

Now I want to share some experiences of the pilgrimage in India led by Rinpoche, and how he continuously provides opportunities for his disciples to gain merits. The journey to Shravasti took two days. Along the way, I observed the living conditions of people in different parts of India, whether in big cities or rural areas, as well as the stark contrast between wealth and poverty. People in rural areas seemed to have little or no running water and electricity at home. Most of the houses were in simple brick structures, unlikely to have such amenities. This made me realize how incredibly fortunate we are to have grown up and live in countries like Taiwan and Germany, and that we shouldn’t take anything for granted. Even the accommodation arranged for us in Shravasti by Sino Travel, considering the lifestyle of the people around us, was luxurious. We had air-conditioned rooms, comfortable beds, clean water, and food.

On the third day of the pilgrimage, Rinpoche led us to sit under the Bodhi tree in Jetavana. After sitting down, he guided us in reciting the Six-Syllable Mantra as an offering to Buddha Shakyamuni. As Rinpoche began chanting, a breeze started blowing. It had rained earlier that day, so it was very humid and hot, and we were all drenched in sweat. This breeze felt incredibly refreshing. At the same time, I also smelled a very pleasant fragrance. Afterward, Rinpoche led us in chanting the sacred name of Buddha Shakyamuni. Once we began, I suddenly felt overwhelmed by the realization that I must have been here in a past life, and that I was fortunate to be here again with such a virtuous and accomplished practitioner. I was deeply moved. My eyes filled with tears and I had to prevent myself from sobbing. While chanting the Buddha’s name, I had an indescribable sense of peace, feeling as though only the name of Buddha Shakyamuni existed in my perception. After the recitation, Rinpoche gave us teachings on the story of Buddha Shakyamuni and told us we must have been to this place in other lives. Perhaps even as an insect or animal during the time of Buddha Shakyamuni, given how we behave like them.

There were also other auspicious signs that day. Before Rinpoche left the hotel in Shravasti to seek an audience with His Holiness, a lot of birds gathered in front of the hotel entrance on the other side of the road. All sitting neatly in a row. At the same time, there were two birds of prey circling right in front of the hotel coming very close to the ground.

On the fourth day of the pilgrimage, Rinpoche led us to attend the closing ceremony of the 2nd International Mahayana Bhikshuni Varsa, hosted by His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang. At this ceremony, I was moved to tears when I realized how auspicious this place and moment were for all of us. Based on the speeches of the attendees, the offerings made on behalf of the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center by Rinpoche, and the merits and blessings bestowed upon us by both Rinpoche and His Holiness. These are treasures to cherish. This pilgrimage is also an opportunity to reflect on our actions and make changes, as Rinpoche emphasized during our last dinner in India. I’m eternally grateful to Rinpoche and His Holiness for providing us with these precious opportunities, allowing us to continue practicing Dharma in the future.

Now I want to share with you how Rinpoche has been helping other sentient beings through the practice of the Chod. In circa 2006, my two best childhood friends died in a car accident. Ever since I’ve been allowed to attend the Chod Puja, I’ve been mentioning their names. A few years ago, I had a vivid dream where I saw one of these friends. He was surrounded by bright light and was smiling. He walked toward me and extended his hand. We shook hands, and he said thank you. After that dream, I knew Rinpoche had transferred my friend’s consciousness.

Another time, before a Chod Puja, I had a frightening dream. I was in a place engulfed in flames with a burning church. Many ghostly creatures that looked terrifying were flying toward me. Since this wasn’t the first time I had such a dream before a Chod Puja, I remembered Rinpoche at that moment. The moment I thought of Rinpoche, I was pulled back, away from this place, and everything was surrounded by bright light. I’m very grateful to Rinpoche for having transferred the consciousness of these sentient beings.

I want to repent for not heeding Rinpoche’s teachings for no longer being lazy. His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche has been helping me unceasingly, without asking for anything in return. Yet, I have failed to diligently follow Rinpoche’s teachings to express my gratitude. Rinpoche has taught many times that after we live a good life due to the blessings from Rinpoche as well as Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, we become lazy. We just become lazy and indulge ourselves. From now on, I hope I can stop being lazy and use this precious human life to diligently follow Rinpoche’s teachings so that I can be liberated from samsara in the future.

In closing, I want to repent for my ancestors who raised sheep, rabbits, chickens and geese and slaughtered them for food. I also want to repent for my grandfather who served in the German army during World War II; I repent for the sentient beings he had harmed.

I pray for Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s good health, longevity and auspiciousness, and that his lineage keeps flourishing forever, and that his monastery will be built smoothly. Thank you all fellow disciples for your patient listening

Respectfully written by William Hong, Group Three, on October 15, 2023

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Updated on October 27, 2023