In September, my journey took me back to California to the Holy Vajrasana Temple in Sanger. The main purpose of my trip was to study, as I wanted to delve back into the important work Imparting the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra.
This book is absolutely precious. It was published in March 2014 and is based on a series of Dharma lectures given by His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III in China in 1992. It is a monumental work, as the original Chinese version alone comprises more than 400,000 words. It uses the text and principles of the Heart Sutra to impart the Dharma in its absolute depth.
Several years ago, His Holiness told a group of Western disciples that this was the only book one needed to read to truly understand emptiness and attain enlightenment. It serves to attain prajna, or transcendental wisdom, but at the same time teaches the importance of cultivating one’s character.
To emphasize the importance of this sacred book, we must remember the words His Holiness the Buddha addressed to us shortly before his departure from this world:
At all times, we must think about bringing auspiciousness, serenity, happiness, and peace to living beings and to the world, to the extent of giving our all and even our lives. I have already brought true Buddha Dharma to this world. Everyone who practices in accordance with The Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation and Expounding the Absolute Truth Through the Heart Sutra will surely attain liberation. That’s all. I wish all living beings happiness.
H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III
Since the official English translation is not yet available for general publication, the Holy Vajrasana Temple is currently the only place where Western students can access this work. In recent years, I have often traveled to Sanger to read the preliminary version there. My days consisted almost entirely of reading from morning to night and reflecting on the meaning. After several years, I have now managed to thoroughly read through this extensive work.
Zhaxi Zhuoma leads various study activities at the Holy Vajrasana Temple, such as retreats and courses on this work. But you don’t necessarily have to travel to California to gain access to this wisdom. There are now also online options through the Learning from Buddha Seminary. The courses are held there via Zoom and are even recorded so that students can review the materials. Zhaxi Zhuoma Rinpoche reads from the preliminary translation and leads discussions on study questions.
After completing my personal studies on site, we found time for a short trip to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. The parks are easily accessible from Sanger in about an hour by car. This gave me the opportunity to return to the sequoia trees, which I had already visited in 2009 with my master Zhaxi Zhuoma and other students.
I love these majestic trees and I really enjoy being in the mountains. It was wonderful to drive through the national park, slowly immersing myself in the mountain world of the Sierra Nevada and letting what I had read resonate in the silence of nature.
