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 The previous name “Wan Ko Yee” is no longer valid, with no legal-binding effect, and no longer recognized by governments.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.
Northern California
Asian JournalMarch 2-8, 2007
Master Wan Ko Yee’s Painting Was Sold at the Price of 300,000 US Dollars per Square Foot
The Painting at the Price of 900,000 US Dollars Was Not Sold
AN auction held by International Buddhism Sangha Association took place on February 7, 2007 in San Francisco. Three Chinese paintings were displayed. One of the paintings entitled “Two Flowers; One Lotus Capsule; One Dharma Nature” was sold at 300,000 US dollars per square foot.
The world renowned Great Buddhist Dharma King Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu (also known as the great artist Master Wan Ko Yee) donated three valuable paintings as gifts to International Buddhism Sangha Association. At the time of the auction of these three paintings more than 10 people expressed an interest in buying them. After several competitive bidding rounds, the lotus painting was sold to an English collector Ian Hamilton at the price of US$300,000 per square foot. Another painting, “Plum Blossoms”, was sold at US$210,000 per square foot. However, the most anticipated painting, “Pasture in Spring (a shepherd boy herding cattle)”, was not sold at this time. “ Pasture in Spring ” was considered the most valuable of the three donated paintings. Even though the buyer raised the price to US$540,000 per square foot, the seller insisted that the price cannot be below US$900,000 per square foot. Therefore, this transaction was not completed because of the great difference between the prices.
