Purple Lotus Publisher > Journal > Volumn NO. 8

News Excerpts from the True Buddha News
(From Issue #133, July 1-14, 1997)

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At the Purple Lotus University in Union City, California, for three consecutive days on June 16th, 17th, and 18th, 1997, Grand Master Lu gave a series of teachings based on his 120th book, A New Realm of the Buddha-King. More than four hundred students from around the world attended this first seminar organized by the Purple Lotus University. Some of the topics discussed by the Grand Master included: Personal Deity Yoga, Different Realms of Heavens, Secrets of Spiritual Divination, Vajra Fist Exercise, the Secret of Divine Eyesight, Non-leakage Practice, and the Six Shakya Body Postures [the six methods of elevation in Energy Practice] . In the afternoon "question and answer sessions," each of the True Buddha School masters present took turns answering questions submitted by the students.

[Note. Included in this issue's journal is a chapter from A New Realm of the Buddha-king: "Past Lives, Present Life." ]

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On June 14th, 1997, Grand Master Lu and Master Lian-hsiang attended the Commencement Ceremony for their daughter, Fo Ching Lu, at the University of Santa Clara in California. Later that same evening, a dinner party organized by the Purple Lotus Society to celebrate her graduation was held at the Purple Lotus University and attended by two hundred students. When interviewed by the MC for the evening program which followed dinner, Fo Ching revealed that when she was small, she often thought about getting far away from the True Buddha crowd when she grew up. However, as she grew older and more mature, she changed her mind and decided she would like to serve the True Buddha School and the community at large when she graduates from law school. Her words won a big round of warm applause from everyone present.

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On June 21st, 1997, Grand Master Lu arrived at the True Buddha Diamond Temple in New York to perform a ribbon-cutting and consecration ceremony. The new temple, located in the middle of New York City's financial district, at 105-107 Washington Street, has been undergoing renovation and refurbishing for more than a year. In his speech following the consecration, Grand Master Lu said, "This consecration ceremony at the True Buddha Diamond Temple differs from all the other True Buddha temples' consecrations. The consecration we just performed was indeed only "ceremonial" because at 6:55 a.m. this morning, many high beings from the Dharma Realm spontaneously descended to the shrine. The "Light Drop Empty Lights" of the many Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Dharma Protectors, Dakinis, and various Devas have, on their own, descended to the shrine to take up their positions. This signifies that, in the future, these high beings from the Dharma Realm shall take an active role to energectically help the many sentient beings living on the east coast of America. This is an occurrence of great significance, and we should all feel heartened to hear of it."

In the afternoon of June 21st, the True Buddha Diamond Temple invited the Grand Master to give a teaching and empowerment on the Ucchusma Practice at Madison Square Garden. The following morning, on June 22nd, which was the Grand Master's birthday, according to the lunar calender, a Vajrasattva Healing, Purification, Blessing, and Bardo Deliverance Fire Puja was performed by Grand Master at the same venue. Events on both days were attended by about five thousand people, a record high attendance for True Buddha School ceremonies held in North America.

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On June 15th, 1997, during his trip to California, Grand Master was invited by the True Buddha Vijaya Society to attend a dinner in Oakland's Chinatown in celebration of Father's Day. During the dinner, Oakland's mayor, Mr. Eliju Harris, dropped by to greet the Grand Master. During his speech, Grand Master Lu explained that the Female Buddha Vijaya's dharani is extremely powerful and has helped countless sentient beings. The Grand Master also announced that he would do a seven-days' practice to bless the person who would make a donation towards the purchase of a dragon vest earmarked for auction on June 18th, 1997 to raise funds for the renovation of the future True Buddha Vijaya Temple. Everyone present was extremely moved by the Grand Master's compassion. After the dinner, Grand Master Lu went over to the site of the future temple to perform a ground purifying ceremony.