“Da Li” Broke the Record with a Sky High Selling Price

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 The previous name “Wan Ko Yee” is no longer valid, with no legal-binding effect, and no longer recognized by governments.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.

ASIAN ENTERPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AND MINORITY ADVOCATE WINNER

The Asian American Times

The First Asian Bilingual Newspaper in Arizona

December 1, 2000

VOLUME X , No. 23

“Majesty”’s Selling Price Set The Record in Paintings, “Da Li” Broke the Record with a 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 by selling the highest priced painting by a painter who is still alive. His painting, “Venerable Da Li Won”, broke his own world record with the sale of it for NT$72,000,000 (US$2,207,912.00) by Mr. Naylor, an art collector and art merchant from England. At the auction's announcement of the record-breaking sale, attendees were enthusiastically clapping their hands continuously for a long while.

The year of 2000, the beginning of a new century, people were more impressed by the special honors which Master Wan Ko Yee received. On March 8^th this year both the State of California and the City of San Francisco separately proclaimed March 8 as Master Wan Ko Yee Day for 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 highest honor ever given to a Chinese worldwide. On May 12 in Taipei, at the meeting organized by United International World Buddhism Association Headquarters, 2137 eminent monks and nuns and the great virtues 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. The Art, which is one of the Five Brightness, has made Master Yee reach the unprecedented height in arts including paintings and calligraphy. On May 28 this year, Unique Art Collections International Co., Ltd. auctioned one of Master Yee's paintings, “Majesty”. It commanded a sky-high price of US$455.00 per square inch. It shocked the art circles worldwide. On November 26, the same auction company shocked the world again with a commanding price of US$467.00 per square inch for “Venerable Da Li Won”. It proves that the skills, styles, and varieties of Master Yee are comprehensive and lofty. Master Yee can use dozens of different skills in painting scenery. figures, animals, flowers, birds, fish, insects, and so on. He is an expert in all styles no matter if it is detailed brushwork style, freehand brushwork style, or splashing ink style. All of these styles were created out of his genuine efforts in traditional fields. Master Yee is the most famous scholar in modern history with abundance in knowledge, distinguished achievement, and many publications. Although his reputation has already spread all over the world, it is challenging to find someone like him with such humbleness, sincerity and noble virtue. He has won the recognition of experts in academic organizations worldwide.