On April 3, 2008, a solemn and dignified book-launching ceremony was held at the Library of Congress of the United States; on occasion of the first release of a fact-recording book entitled H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, jointly published by the World Buddhism Publishing LLC and the World Dharma Voice, Inc. At the same time, the book was formally accepted into the collection of the Library of Congress of the United States. From then on, people came to know that the widely respected Master Wan Ko Yee, the one who has been recognized and corroborated through official written documents issued by top leaders, regent dharma kings, and great rinpoches of major Buddhist sects throughout the world; actually, is the third incarnation of Dorje Chang Buddha, the primordial Buddha. Ever since, people address the Buddha by the name Dorje Chang Buddha III. This is similar to the precedent regarding the name of Sakyamuni Buddha—before Sakyamuni Buddha attained Buddhahood, His name was Prince Siddhartha Gotama. Once Prince Siddhartha Gotama attained Buddhahood, He was thereafter addressed as “Namo Sakyamuni Buddha.”
On December 12, 2012, in the Senate Resolution No. 614 of the United States Congress, the title “His Holiness” was officially used with the name Dorje Chang Buddha III; the Buddha was addressed as “H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.” Since then, the title H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III was definitively affirmed.
“Dorje Chang Buddha III” is a statutory name; used in all official documents issued by the United States Government; such as passport, identity card, and social security documents. The previous name “Wan Ko Yee” is no longer valid, with no legal-binding effect, and no longer recognized by governments. “Dorje Chang Buddha III” is the only name in use.
DECEMBER 17, 2000
TRIBUNE U.S.A.
EXPONENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND PROGRWSSVol.III NO.49
A RECORD IN PAINTINGS
Da Li Won Again Creates
Sky-High Selling Price
It has been noted by people that Master Wan Ko Yee, the world famous master of Buddhism and art, set the world record in Chinese art history of the highest selling price of paintings by a painter who is still alive. His painting, “Venerable Da Li Won”, again broke his own world record when it was sold at NT$72,000,000.00(US$2,207,912.00)by Mr. Naylor, an art collector and art merchant from England. Once the selling price was confirmed at the auction, people on the spot clapped their hands continuously for quite a while.
The year of 2000, the beginning of a new country, people were more impressed by the special honors which Master Wan Ko Yee received. On March 8th this year both government of State of California and government of City of San Francisco separately proclaimed March 8th, 2000 as Master Wan Ko Yee Day based on his amazing achievements in various fields.
In addition, he received honorary doctorate degree and professorship from ninety-two universities in the United States and other countries all over the world. It was the first and highest honor in history among Chinese worldwide.
On May 12th the same year in Taipei, at the meeting organized by United International World Buddhism Association Headquarters, 2137 eminent monks and nuns and the great virtuous ones from 416 Buddhist organizations, associations, and temples worldwide unanimously conferred Master Wan Ko Yee as the true Buddhist Master with perfect mastery in both Esoteric and Exoteric Buddhism.
Talking about art, it is just a small drop of water in the boundless ocean of Buddha Dharma of Master Yee. Since he is a great Dharma King Master with perfect mastery in Esoteric and Exoteric Buddhism and Five Brightness, the Art which is one of the Five Brightness, has made Master Wan Ko Yee reach the unprecedented height in arts including paintings and calligraphy.
On May 28th this year Unique Art Collections International Co., Ltd. auctioned one of Master Yee Is paintings, “Majesty”, at an unprecedented sky-high price of US$455.00 per square inch. It shocked the art circles worldwide.
On November 26th Unique Art Collections International Co., Ltd. again shocked the world by auctioning the painting, “Venerable Da Li Won”, at US$467.00 per square inch. In proved that the skills, styles, and varieties of Master Yee were comprehensive and lofty. Master Yee can use dozens of different skills in painting scenery, figures, animals, flowers, birds, fish, insects, and etc.
Master Yee is an expert in all styles no matter it is detailed brushwork style, freehand brushwork style, or splashing ink style. All of these new styles were created out of his genuine efforts in traditional fields. Master Yee is the most famous scholar in modern history with his abundant knowledge, distinguished achievement, and many publications. Although his reputation has already spread all over the world, it is hard to find someone like him with such humbleness, sincerity and noble virtue. It has won the recognition of experts in academic organizations worldwide.
