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 The previous name “Wan Ko Yee” is no longer valid, with no legal-binding effect, and no longer recognized by governments.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.
6 APRIL 1, 2000
ASIAN
His Magnificent Accomplishments Openly Serve as a Model for Others; His Many Honors Stir the World
The government of the State of California and the government of the City of San Francisco each declared March 8th as Master Wan Ko Yee Day. On March 13th the government of the City of San Francisco again expressed its highest respects for Master Wan Ko Yee's special accomplishments by conferring upon him more honors. These newest honors were conferred based upon the Master's position as the foremost Buddhist Master in the entire world and his tremendous achievements in the areas of art, ethics, scholarship and science.
In 1994 the Master was awarded the title of“Distinguished International Master" by the World Poets and Culture Congress, an organization composed of members from forty-eight different countries and regions. This title is conferred upon only one person in the world and is on the same level of honor as a head of state. The Distinguished International Master Certificate was signed by Juan Antonio Samaranch, the then President of the International Olympic Committee. The formal resolution conferring upon the Master such title was announced in Hungary on September 15, 1994 and formal written notification was sent to the State Council of the People's Republic of China and other government organs.
The central government of China built a museum in honor of the Master in the Master's hometown. In the entire history of China, this was the first museum ever built by the government of China in honor of someone who is still alive. The Master Wan Ko Yee Museum is a huge structure similar to an imperial palace and is divided into seven different sections.
The Master is extraordinarily accomplished in Chinese painting and calligraphy and has laid the groundwork for bringing Chinese painting to the international forum. He has won the highest respect of the Chinese and American people for having raised the level of culture and morality in the world, for his efforts in philosophy, for his contributions in advancing the cultural exchange between China and the United States, and for being a model of ethical conduct.
Thus, after the head of the City Council of San Francisco and ten City Council members held a meeting, they decided to jointly sign and confer upon Master Wan Ko Yee a certificate of honor for his special accomplishments. The city government of San Francisco also declared the Master an honorary citizen of San Francisco in order to express their great admiration for him.
What is most unusual is that Master Wan Ko Yee is not in the United States to accept
these distinctive honors. Nevertheless, his great learning, high ethics and magnificent
accomplishments cannot be covered up. He has been repeatedly honored by various
organizations throughout the United States such as the World Buddhism Association, the Tibetan Buddhism Association of America, the World Buddhism Jenn Fa Association, the California Assembly and the American League of Colleges and Universities which is composed of more than eighty colleges and universities.
All of this shows that Master Wan Ko Yee is a man of tremendous virtues, the likes of
whom are rarely seen in the history of mankind. People all over the world admire and emulate him.
