Sino Esoteric Buddhism: From the Mountains He Comes

 

                                                                                                                                                             --H.H. the Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei

 

From the Mountains He Comes: Early Practices             

 

The Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei was born in Yizhou, Guangxi in December 1958. At an early age, he encountered His Holiness the Master Jinyin, an accomplished Buddhist hermit and the lineage holder of Sino Esoteric Buddhism, and had the great fortune to become his disciple. A few years later, he went to Mount Lianyin in the remote mountain regions of Guangxi to seek ordination. There he received the vajra abhisekha from His Holiness Master Jinyin as an initiation to the Inner Yoga Tantra and was given the Dharma name Jinke Xuanlei. For more than ten years, the Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei studied and meditated assiduously in the mountains of Guangxi. Under the guidance of Master Jinyin, he studied and completed many esoteric Buddhist texts, including The Mahavairocana Sutra, The Vajrasekhara Sutra, The Sussiddhikara Sutra, The Fundamentals of Tripitaka, The Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment, The Esoteric Abhisheka, The Yogayogi Sutra, The Ghanavyuha Sutra, The Avatamsaka Sutra, The Surangama Sutra, The Dharma to Reach the Holy World by Dharani, The Humane King Sutra, The Bodhicitta Sutra, The Commentary on the Mahayana Treatise, The Sun and Moon, The Jinke Mandala Vajradhatu and Garbhadhatu Esoteric Tripitaka, the Esoteric Inner Dharma Sequential Meditation, The Ridhisaksatkriya Shila and Vinaya, as well as various scriptures of Confucianism, Buddhism and Daoism. After fully realizing the Heart Essence of Tantra, he mastered the five ancient sciences and achieved the complete awakening. His consciousness ascended into the divine realm of the Buddha and received the prophecy of Buddhahood directly from the Dharmakaya Buddha Mahavairocana. Thereafter, he accomplished the perfection of wisdom and acquired the Jinke Saddharma Heart Essence of Tathagata (Maha Samaya Inner Tantra) through dharmakaya transmission. In his deep meditative state, Bodhisattva Manjushri bestowed on Master Jinke Xuanlei abhisheka through sambogakaya manifestation and taught him the Highest Yoga Tantra in its entirety.

 

Many people came to know that Master Jinke Xuanlei had practiced Sino Esoteric Buddhism for many years in Guangxi, the same place where he was born and raised. However, very few were aware of the difficulties and hardships he experienced during that time. In the depths of the freezing, windswept forests and in remote wildernesses crawling with snakes and populated with wild beasts, he made the sky his tent and the ground his bed. Battling by turns the extreme cold in winters and the heat of sweltering summers, he enjoyed only a bare existence, surviving on paltry fruits and plants to stave off starvation. Month after month, year after year, he would mediate among the mists of the mountain peaks, and exercise in the flow of mountain streams. He suffered hardships and endured pain like no-one before him. As the Chinese saying goes, “He who enjoys the fruits often forgets the labors of those who cultivate them.” In the end, he overcame all the hardships and attained enlightenment. The vast forces of nature made his will as strong as steel, while the infinite awareness of the cosmos provided him with the knowledge to achieve the siddhis of wisdom that transcend the mundane. But even with all his achievements, he did not forget about the common people. As his heart was full of loving-kindness and compassion, he left the mountains to be among the people and to bring benefit to society.

 

 

A Brief Introduction to the Lineage of Sino Esoteric Buddhism

 

Vajrayana Buddhism developed in medieval India and spread to China during the Tang dynasty. Thus, Chinese Vajrayana Buddhism is called tang mi, or Sino Esoteric Buddhism. Indian masters from the Madhyamika and Yogacara schools of Mahayana Buddhism introduced esoteric teachings to the Tang imperial court in Kaiyuan era (A.D. 713-741), the peak of prosperity in Chinese history. Subhakarasimha arrived China through the Silk Road, while Vajrabodhi and his disciple Amoghavajra came by the sea route. Vast volumes of Buddhist sutra were translated from Sanskrit into Chinese during this period, which continued to benefit people generations afterward. People later revered Vajrabodhi as the founder of Sino Esoteric Buddhism. His disciple Amoghavajra became the second lineage holder. Amoghavajra then appointed Hui Lang as his successor. These are clearly recorded in Chinese historical documents.

 

In the late Tang, due to the degeneration of time and conflicts at the court, Tang Emperor Wuzong instigated the Great Anti-Buddhist Persecution, which led to the decline of all schools of Buddhism in China. Many believed the influence of Sino Esoteric Buddhism started to diminish since then. Later in the Song dynasty, although Dharmacharyas, such as Shichuan, Shihu, and Faxian continued to translate sutras and spread the Dharma, there was no accomplished master to bestow Abhisheka and to carry on the lineage. It was assumed that Sino esoteric Buddhism disappeared completely after the Yuan dynasty. A common belief conveyed that “among exoteric and esoteric Buddhism, esoteric Buddhism would disappear first, and between the Madhyamika school and the Yogacara school, the Yogacara school would be the first to come to an end.”

 

However, contrary to popular view, neither esoteric Buddhism nor the Yogacara School died out during this time. After the late Tang period, practitioners went into the mountains for retreat, so the lineage survived in secret and continued to be passed down without interruption. Through Dharmakaya transmission, many great masters carried on the lineage, including Master Qizhenxinghai, Master Rilunjiemo, Master Bayinduda, Master Jinyin, and Master Jinke Xuanlei. These masters lived in seclusion in the remote forests and mountains of Yunnan, Guangxi, and Guizhou regions of China. Through years of cultivation and meditation, they accomplished the vajra wisdom of pure Samadhi, radiating the light of adamantine Dharma and illuminating the entire world of ten directions with the Dharmakaya. Their consciousness connected with the divine realm of the Buddha, manifested as the luminous Dharmakaya without coming or going, existing or non-existing, death or living, and attained the everlasting and perfect enlightenment. Due to the collective karma of sentient beings in the era of degeneration, these accomplished masters took retreat in the mountains and taught only those who resided in the Dharma realm and a few beings whose karma had ripened by accumulating the necessary virtues and wisdom.

 

Sino Esoteric Buddhism pays attention to exoteric teachings, which emphasized the practice to attain Buddhahood while benefiting all sentient beings. It skillfully expresses the dependent arising of Madhyamika and Yogacara schools and explains the esoteric practices with regard to the idea of “existence” and “emptiness” according to each individual’s capacity, therefore result in the corresponding comprehension and action. However, the essence of Sino Esoteric Buddhism, Maha Samaya Inner Tantra transmitted by Dharmakaya, cannot be revealed without initiation. For generations, the Chinese imperial families honored and practiced Sino Esoteric Buddhism, but they were bound by the vows of Samaya to keep the esoteric practices secret. Unsanctioned transmission to others was strictly prohibited. As a result, it was almost impossible for the general public to know anything about the true nature of Sino Esoteric Buddhism.

 

This lack of knowledge led to the widespread assumption that esoteric Buddhism was lost in the Han region of China. In reality, although it had disappeared from the eye of mainstream society, the lineage had not been interrupted. The transmission through the embodiment of Dharmakaya will never be lost, as well as the Heart Essence of Tathagata. When the interdependent conditions are not met, it will be hidden. And when the right conditions are present, it will reappear. If we regard the path in the truth, it is without cessation. The Shingon, Tendai, and Tibetan traditions, as well as the mixed-sect of esoteric Buddhism, all originated from the embodiment of Mahavairocana. The Dharani of Heart Essence of Mahavairocana is always preserved through the transmission of Dharmakaya embodiment in the mountains of the Han region of China, not in other countries.

 

Sino Esoteric Buddhism is not passed down through the transmission of doctrines, scriptures, rituals, or symbolic inheritance of robes, alms bows, and relics. Neither is it transmitted by theoretical research on Buddhist philosophy and cultures. Heart Essence of Tathagata has not and could never be lost. The wheel of true Dharma turns, relying on an accomplished master. If there is such master present, Saddharma will spread in the world. Without such master, Saddharma will remain hidden. Saddharma of Heart Essence of the Tathagata takes a master’s realization as the path. When a Master attains enlightenment with the perfection of virtue and realization, Darmakaya embodies and abides in the world, connecting directly to the realm of buddhas. Therefore, the lineage of Dharmakaya transmission will never extinguish. Those who do not understand this wisdom cannot distinguish truth from lies will lead to detrimental deeds. Jinke Saddharma, Heart Essence of Tathagata, is the highest Yoga Tantra taught through oral transmission and mind transference from a vajra master who have accomplished the embodiment of Dharmakaya of Tathagata. It is the highest form of Vajrayana Buddhism, an amalgamation of the exoteric and esoteric, and the most secret of the Tantra; it is the cohesion of the wisdom cultivated by all the buddhas and bodhisattvas of the past, containing the complete Dharani of Heart Essence in all Mandalas, the complete awakening with boundless insights into the truth, the reality of the universe, the wisdom in all dharma, and the path to enlightenment…

 

 

Leaving the mountains to spread Buddha-Dharma

 

In 1983, the Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei came out from retreat and traveled to many remote corners of Guangxi severely affected by poverty, including Hechi, Yishan, Nandan, Huanjiang, Luocheng, Tian’e, Bama, Shanglin, Du’an, Baise, Longzhou, and Fengshan and many more. Once there, he helped and treated thousands of afflicted people with illnesses at no cost to them, propagated the Buddha-Dharma, and provided relief to those who were suffering. The local people loved and respected him in return. At the end of the year, he went back deep into the mountains in Guangxi, where he settled at Lianyin Mountain to continue his esoteric meditation in seclusion.

 

In May of 1993, Master Jinke Xuanlei left the mountains once more. This time he went to Nanning, the capital of Guangxi, to propagate Buddha-Dharma and treat people who were afflicted by diseases with his miraculous power. Later, he received many invitations to places such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Hainan, Hubei, Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Tibet, Heilongjiang, and Hong Kong to spread the Dharma. He also traveled abroad and visited India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, USA, Canada, Australia, France, Palau. Wherever he went, he propagated the Buddha-Dharma and compassionately brought deliverance to those in pain. To date, there have been innumerable different cases of illnesses that the Master has treated. Most of these patients showed substantial improvement; some people with terminal illnesses were also cured by the Master.

 

The Master worked unreservedly and unconditionally for the happiness and health of others with his whole heart. Over the past decades, he has traveled far and left his mark all over China and around the world. From the remote mountain villages of the south of the country to the bustling metropolises in the north, whether visiting a poor village hut on foot or driving to a would-be imperial palace, as long as there were people who are in need, he would make heartfelt efforts to save them from their sufferings. He would treat both the rich and the poor, those in power and those without it. His compassion and his own experience of hardship left a lasting impression on those who came to know him.

 

On countless occasions, he has treated those with fatal diseases and saved them from the edge of death through a miraculous cure. At other times, too numerous to say, he has given relief to those who are suffering from unbearable pain and misfortune. In this way, he has strengthened people’s devotion to the Buddha-dharma. His transcendent divine powers have shaken those who have witnessed and experienced them and left a deep mark in their hearts that will last for a lifetime. It is no surprise that people have such faith, respect, and trust in the Master. His virtue and accomplishment are reflected in the remarkable stories about his extraordinary deeds that showed where there is a will, there is a way!

 

The extraordinary miracles such as materialization and the exquisite photon-like Dharmakaya manifested by the Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei are unprecedented. His divine powers of wisdom are the emanation of an enlightened master’s accomplishments. Numerous government officials, internationally renowned scientist, researchers, specialists and public figures, Tibetan Rinpoches and eminent monks from all over the world bore witness and gave high praises in dedication to the Master, which drew much attention in China and abroad.

 

Many news, media networks, and publications competed for interviews and reports including Xinhua News Agency, CCTV, Xinhua TV, Guangxi TV, Nanning TV, Hong Kong ATV, People's Daily, China People's Political Consultative Conference, Hong Kong’s ‘Wen Wei Po’, Chinese Seniors, Guangxi Daily, Nanning Evening, Hong Kong Business, World Journal (US), New World Times (US), The China Press (US), American Chinese Business, Global Chinese Times (US), The Hindu, India Deccan Herald, Zee News (India), India Today, Hindustan Times, Asia Newsletter (India), The Sing Sian Yer Pao Daily News (Thailand), International Daily News (Indonesia), Indonesian Xun Bao, Jianhua Daily (Cambodia), Daily News (Sri Lanka), Daily Gem (Sri Lanka), Sri Lankan Earth, World Chinese Weekly (Canada), China’s Children, Sword, Top China, Golden Ages, Sport News, Who’s Who in World, World Buddhist Forum, People network , Xinhuanet, GMW network, Dagong network, NetEase, Sina, Tencent, etc. 

 

 

Saddharma Reappears to Illuminate the Nation

 

In May 1997 and April 1998, the Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei met with Mr. Zhao Puchu, Vice-President of CPPCC and President of the Buddhist Association of China. Mr. Zhao and the Master engaged in detailed discussions about the lineage and practicing methods of Sino-Esoteric Buddhism. They also discussed how Sino-Esoteric Buddhism has contributed to the safeguarding of the nation and the benefits it has brought to the Chinese people throughout history.

 

The profoundness of Sino-Esoteric Buddhism deeply touched Mr. Zhao Puchu. He was exhilarated that Vajrayana Buddhism passed down from the Tang dynasty is still in practice today. He set his eyes on the future and had high aspirations for setting strategic goals to bring benefits to the nation and happiness to its people. He later earnestly said to the Master, “If Sino Esoteric Buddhism is not revitalized, the prosperity of Chinese Buddhism will not be complete. The prosperity of Chinese Buddhism is inextricably linked to the revival of Sino-Esoteric Buddhism. I’ll be waiting for the Master to revive it when all the right conditions are in place! I wish with all my heart that the true Dharma will appear again and Illuminate our nation!”

 

In June 2009, the Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei visited the Shechen Monastery with his disciples at the invitation of the Gyahsap Rinpoche. Shechen monastery is one of the six historical Monasteries of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Esoteric Buddhism. Wherever the Master went, local Tibetans felt the joys of Dharma, showered the Master with khatas, and prostrated before him in hopes that the Master would bless them by touching their heads. Hundreds of lamas, khenpos and Rinpoches lined up by the road to welcome the Master as he arrived. The sound of Dharma horns resounded in the sky to mark the first visit of a Mahasiddha from the Han region. The Master and the Gyahsap Rinpoche engaged in extensive discussions related to the practice of Esoteric Buddhism in both the Han and Tibetan Regions with promising results. Their meeting will be recorded as one of most significant events in the history of exchanges between esoteric Buddhism of the two regions.

 

In December 2011, Drukhang Thubten Khedrup Rinpoche, a CPPCC standing committee member, the vice-president of the Buddhist Association of China, and the president of the Tibetan branch of the Buddhist Association of China, visited the Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei at the Lianyin Temple by the Golden Lotus Lake of Shanglin in Guangxi. The Master and Rinpoche Drukhang exchanged viewpoints on several issues, such as finding ways to safeguard national stability and restore religious harmony among the various ethnic groups. Rinpoche Drukhang said joyfully, “it is a great blessing for not only for the Buddhist community but also for all sentient beings that the lineage of Sino Esoteric Buddhism has not been lost, and we still have a Mahasiddha, a great accomplished master, among us. Spreading Sino Esoteric Buddhism will bring benefits for both our nation and its people”

 

Later in 2013, the Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei attended Shoton Festival on August 6th at the invitation of the event’s organizing committee. The festival held at the Lhasa Drepung Monastery is one of the most significant and festive holidays in Tibetan Buddhism and in the tradition of Tibet. Tens of thousands of believers from around the world come to pay their respects on this day. Having received a heartfelt welcome and on the urging from the Dharmacharyas, believers, and staff, the Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei entered into Vajra Samadhi with his hands sealing esoteric mudras while chanting mantras. He performed rituals in accordance with Sino Esoteric Buddhist Mandala to reveal the Dharma, praying for the Five Dhyani-Buddhas to descend on the Mandala and enter the Wisdom of the Embodied Nature of Dharmakaya… blessing all living beings.

 

The Master continues to pray for all the believers coming from around the world. May all their obstacles be removed and purified, with the increasing of wisdom and merit, may they find the right path to Buddha-Dharma. Creating favorable conditions in dependent origination, so that they can contribute towards promoting the exchange of Buddha-Dharma, fostering solidarity among ethnic groups, and maintaining stability in society.

 

In November 2011, after several days of rain, China’s historical city of Xi’an was blessed with sunshine and clear blue skies. At that time, the Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei and his disciples attended the “Symposium of Sino Esoteric Buddhism Culture” at the invitation of the Buddhism Research Department at the Northwestern University. On November 18th, the Master gave a lecture titled ‘Sino Esoteric Buddhism and a Harmonious Contemporary Society’ at the Jinke Cultural Hall of the Buddhism Research Department. Professors, lecturers, Ph.D. students, and other students from Northwestern University, Shaanxi Normal University, and the Traditional Culture Research Department of Xi’an Technology University came to listen to the Master’s teaching. Also in attendance were officials from the Education Department of Shaanxi Province, local entrepreneurs, and elites from a range of professions and backgrounds.

 

September 19, 2009, Shi Yanhong, the abbot of the Iron Buddha Monastery, invited the Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei to present at the ‘Completion Ceremony of the Iron Buddha Monastery and the Nine Dragons Stupa Consecration Ceremony’. Kongfu monks from the Shaolin Temple and thousands of believers welcomed the Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei as he walked towards the site of the ceremony. Monks who were tasked with greeting the Master led him to the center of the Temple’s Main Hall to preside over the consecration ceremony. The Master prayed for true Dharma to be always present, for people to live always in happiness and health, for propitious weather, for the stability of the nation and its people, and for world peace.

 

 

Sino Esoteric Buddhism Connects the World

 

In October of 2009, the Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei traveled thousands of miles to the United States with the Wisdom Seed of the Buddha to enlighten those who have the karmic connection. On October 11th, ‘World Peace Day’, the Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei presided over the ‘World Peace Prayer Ceremony’ held in Washington Square praying for all sentient beings and world peace. People from different religious faiths, including Muslims, Catholics, Evangelical Christians, and others, as well as peace promoters and eminent people from around the world participated in the prayer ceremony. The Master was seen as inspiring, compassionate and kind. He blessed people by touching their heads as a way of purification and benediction and planted in them the seed of wisdom. On October 17th, the Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei and his disciples held a ceremony at the memorial of the World Trade Center in New York to pray all the victims of the 911 attacks. On October 23rd, the Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei again went to the Pearl Harbor Memorial Hall to pray for the soldiers who died in the attack during World War II. May all these souls reach the gates of heaven.

 

In January 2011, the Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei received a special invitation from the Canadian Senator Mr. Roger Pomerleau MP to visit Vancouver. Senator Pomerleau welcomed the Master and commended him for his contributions and efforts toward promoting mutual understandings between the peoples of both countries, and for engaging in religious and cultural exchange events. During his visit to Canada, the Master also met with Senator Derek Lee MP, Mr. Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry, Mr. Marc Kealey, special assistant to the former Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. David Tsubouchi, former Minister of Culture of Ontario, Mr. Sid KiyoshiIkeda, Special Ambassador of the Japanese Culture Center, and other important representatives of the Canadian-Chinese community from all kinds of backgrounds. The Master delivered Dharma teachings and provided guidance to their lives. At the special invitation of Mayor of Markham Mr. Frank Scarpitti, the Vajra Master and his disciples attended the Japanese Earthquake Relief Fundraising Banquet. Together with the guests, he led a prayer for those who had died in the in earthquakes in Japan. May they all rest in peace and reborn in heaven.

 

In late September 2014, at the official invitation of Palau’s President Tommy E. Remengesau Jr., the Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei and members of the Sino Esoteric Buddhism Association traveled to Palau and attended the celebrations for the 20th anniversary of Palau’s Independence. On October 1st, President Tommy E. Remengesau met with the representatives of the Sino Esoteric Buddhism Association and engaged in friendly discussion. The President put his palms together and bowed before the Master to receive a blessing. The master put his hand on the president’s head, planting the seed of wisdom in him.

 

On the same day, the Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei and his disciples organized a Sino esoteric Buddhist fire-offering ritual in front of the Capital Building. The Master and his disciples circumambulated around the building and chanted esoteric mantras. Setting up Jinke Mandala to pray for the Republic of Palau and World Peace. As the assembly performed their march, guests at the celebrations gathered around to observe, taking pictures and even joining in to experience the unique Buddhist culture from the East.

 

Three days later, the Master invited Palau’s Prime Minister Secilil Eldebechel and Presidential assistant Vann Isaac to the Palasia Hotel to present them with two Jinke Mandala Esoteric paintings which had been drawn by the Master himself: The Dragon of the East and The Wisdom of Vajra.

 

On March 26, 2015, the China Public Diplomacy Association worked closely with the Embassies of China in India and Bangladesh to organize ‘The South Asia Trip of the Ambassadors of Culture from China’. The Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei was also invited to participate in the event. Many important figures in Sino-Indian ties attended, including Tarun Vijay the President of the Parliamentary Group on India-China Friendship, Prof Lokesh Chandra President of Indian Council for Cultural Relations and expert of Indian Esoteric Buddhism, together with Wang Puya the master of the largest temple in India, they took part in engaging discussions.

 

The Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei was then invited to make a keynote speech at the ‘First Asian Peace Forum’, organized by the Society for Asian Integration. Following this, the Master and his disciples were invited to visit Sarnath, the Ganga, Bodh Gaya, and the Memorial Hall of Xuanzang, as well as attend Ganges River sacrifices. At each place he visited, the Master would spread the Bodhi seed of compassion and dedicate his immense virtue, merits and compassion to the people of India. He left marks everywhere he went, in which the believers of different religious traditions all showered him with affection and respect.

 

On April 2, 2015, the Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei attended the ‘Exhibition of Fine Arts of Contemporary China’ organized in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Sino-Bangladesh Diplomatic Ties taking place at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Foreign Minister of Bangladesh AH Mahmood Ali, the Minister for Cultural Affairs Asaduzzaman Noor, the Ambassador of China to Bangladesh Ma Mingqiang, and the President of Bangladesh-China People's Friendship Association Ambassador CM Shafi Sami, as well as hundreds of important figures in Bangladeshi society, attended the grand opening ceremony. The Ministry of Culture of Bangladesh received a collection of works entitled Monk Xuan Zang which were created by the Master and his disciples. Minister Noor also issued an honorary certificate for the Master, while the great elder Sutananda, the renowned leader of Buddhism in South Asia, invited the Master to visit the Dharmarajika Monastery to perform a prayer ceremony of Sino Esoteric Buddhism Mandala for both the Chinese and Bangladesh peoples and for peace in the world.

 

In September 2015, the Indian ‘Tianzhu Melody Dance’ troupe was invited to participate in the opening ceremony of the second ‘Silk Road International Art Festival’, which was sponsored by China’s National Culture Ministry and the Shaanxi provincial government. After the performance, over fifty members of the troupe made a pilgrimage from the historical city of Xi’an to Lianyin Temple in Guangxi in order to learn more about the cultural treasure emerging from China and India, namely Sino Esoteric Buddhism. They also delivered brilliant performances of Indian song and dance. The Master held a vajra bell and performed special rituals of Sino Esoteric Buddhism Mandala to pray for the happiness of the Chinese and Indian peoples, and for peace in the world.

 

On December 7, 2015, as part of the celebrations for the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand, a delegation of Sino Esoteric Buddhism representatives visited Thailand at the invitation of Thai Prince Sobo Barmou and held the ‘China-Thailand Peace and Friendship Praying Meeting’ and set up a Mandala painting exhibition. Prince Sobo Barmou gave the King Merit Award of Thailand to one of the Master's disciples, Jinke Yinjie Azheli. The delegation conducted friendly and detailed exchanges with several temples, including the Royal Monastery of Thailand, Wat Haw Pha Kaew, Wat Benchamabophit, Wat Saket and Wat Bowon in Thailand. At the invitation of monks of Wat Bowon, a special prayer service for the deceased was held for the venerable Thai monk Zhi Hu.

 

In March 2016, an important delegation came to visit the Golden Lotus Lake in Shanglin, Guanxi, that included envoys from twenty countries, including Sri Lanka, Columbia, Chile, Russia, Malaysia, Hungary, and Mongolia. Representatives from three international organizations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the United Nations Development Program, and the League of Arab States also participated, as well as over fifty foreign diplomats. Together the envoys planted trees for world peace before the world peace prayer altar. During the event, the World Diplomat Association presented the honorary title of ‘The Peace Messenger of One Belt and One Road’ to the Master. The delegation also visited the Sino Esoteric Mandala art exhibition and learned about traditional Chinese culture. Many were deeply impressed by the extraordinary and awe-inspiring Sino Esoteric Mandala art. Such an event was able to showcase exquisite examples of traditional Chinese culture, promote world peace, strengthen international exchanges and enhance good relations between China and other countries.

 

In May 2016, a delegation representing Sino Esoteric Buddhism visited Nepal at the invitation of the organizing committee of the International Wesak Day and held an exhibition on Sino Esoteric Buddhism Art. Prime Minister Olli and President Bidiya offered high praise for the Sino Esoteric Mandala art and expressed their hopes that the Master would visit Nepal at his earliest convenience and spread the seed of Sino Esoteric Buddhism among the people of Nepal. The delegation also held prayers for ‘conveying the peace torch of the Buddha, advocating the great love of Buddha’, for the spread of Buddha's wisdom and immense love, and for the promotion of China-Nepal friendship at the Lumtrayi Holy Garden, the birthplace of Buddha.

 

In September 2016, the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the CPC, the Ministry of Culture and Gansu Provincial Government together held the first International Cultural Expo of the Silk Road in Dunhuang, Gansu Province. The event aimed at promoting a large-scale vision of China’s "Belt and Road" initiative. Some 700,000 Chinese and international guests, including delegates from five international organizations, visited the exposition. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a letter of congratulations to the exhibition of Jinke Mandala art for fostering friendly exchange between politicians, experts, and scholars from Russia, Germany, Sri Lanka, Chile, and Kyrgyzstan. Jinke Mandala cultural art was exhibited to wide acclaim and received much praise. The Master and Jinke artists have for a long time devoted themselves wholeheartedly to the art. They offered a number of pieces for auction and donated all of the proceeds. On the eve of the exhibition, the Jinke Mandala artists also set out on their own journey in searching for the root of Chinese civilization.

 

In January 2017, in response to the call by Chinese President Xi Jinping to ‘build a community of shared future for humankind’, the Master was invited to participate in the 65th National Prayer Breakfast in the US. The Master gave a well-received keynote speech on the theme of ‘Praying for Everlasting World Peace’ in front of more than 140 heads of states and ambassadors, over 4000 important guests from all over the world, and US senators. After the breakfast meeting, many people working in the interest of peace from the EU, Kosovo, India, Japan, Korea, the UK, Mongolia, and others approached the Master and invited him to visit their countries to foster exchanges in Chinese culture.

 

During his visit to the US, the Master was invited to engage in close discussions with key figures, including the spiritual leader of the American National Breakfast Prayer Meeting Mr. Douglas Coe, congressmen Juan Watts, John Monel, John Bailey, the former US ambassador to the United Nations FAO Mr. Tony Hall, and Mr. Rhodes, the former director of the US Department of Homeland Security Internet Security Center. Jinke Buddhists were invited to participate in the ‘World Peace Forum’ at the UN Headquarters in New York. The UN has collected and treasured the Master's Mandala calligraphy and paintings known as ‘the Wisdom of Vajra’, the sculpture ‘Vajra Pestle’, and Jun porcelain ‘Five Buddhas and Five Wisdom’. The officials of the United Nations praised and commended the Master's tireless efforts to promote world peace and Mandala art. Subsequently, Jinke Buddhists prayed for world peace in the UN auditorium performing Mandala rituals.

 

Moreover, at the joint invitation of over 30 Chinese organizations, such as the New York Confederation of Overseas Chinese, the New York Peace Reunification Promotion Association, a world peace prayer meeting and celebrations for the Sino Esoteric World Federation were ceremoniously held in New York. The delegation was also invited to visit Yale University and the Catholic University, where they took part in the communication of dialogues. The delegation prayed for world peace at several important sites, such as Washington Square, Capitol Hill, the commemorative square of World War II, the Lincoln Memorial and the square of liberty.

 

In June 2017, the Jinke Mandala delegation visited Cambodia at the joint invitation of the Cambodian Prime Minister's office, the Cambodia China International Association for Development, and the Organizing Committee of the Cambodian International Agricultural Products Expo. In what was regarded as a key cultural exchange program for the Expo, over 30 Mandala artworks made by Master Jinke Xuanlei and his disciples were exhibited, including paintings, sculptures, and ceramics. These Mandala artworks received high praise from distinguished guests who had come from all over the world. On June 28th, at the 66th-anniversary congress of the People's Party, Cambodian Prime Minister Hong Sen welcomed the delegation and thanked the Master warmly for creating Mandala works symbolizing auspiciousness for the people of Cambodia, and expressed his hopes that the artists would contribute further to the close cultural exchanges between China and Cambodia.

 

In early August, 108 members of the Jinke Mandala delegation visited Sri Lanka at the invitation of the Sri Lanka Buddhist Affairs Department, where they held a ceremony at the International Conference in memory of the Amoghavajra ancestor and the cultural exhibition of Jinke Mandala art. The event made a strong impact on various domains in Sri Lankan society. On August 8th, Sirisena (Maithripala Sirisena), President of Sri Lanka, met with the delegation at the residence of President Conti. He praised the artists for spreading peace through mandala artworks and encouraged the delegation to continue to contribute to China-Sri Lanka relations and world peace.

 

In August 2017, the Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei met with Rex Parris, the mayor of Lancaster, California. Rex extended a warm invitation to the Master to bring the Sino Esoteric Mandala Culture to Lancaster and build a tallest Mahāvairocana Buddha statue in the Western Hemisphere there. China town and a World Peace Prayer Altar will also be established centering around the colossal Buddha statue to promote the development of cultural diversity.

 

In October 2017, in response to President Xi’s call for promoting Chinese traditional culture abroad, deepening the relationship between China and America, and pushing forward the exchanges between nations and civilizations around the world, the Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei established the Jinyin Temple of Sino Esoteric Buddhism Mandala and Jinke Painting and Calligraphy institute in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.

 

Jinyin Temple is located next to an U.S. National Park, occupying a couple hundred acres of land with beautiful scenic views. The local ecosystem is well preserved with an exuberant forest.

The setup of the Jinyin Temple follows the Sino Esoteric Buddhist Mandala ritual protocol, which demonstrates the characteristics of prayer, protection of the state, ceasing calamities, increasing welfare, and respect and love in Sino Esoteric Buddhism. Establishing a Sino Esoteric Mandala converges all the Buddha’s attainment of merit at one place to accomplish many kinds of altruistic services. It will protect the state, cause calamities to cease, honor the nation, benefit self and others, and serve all sentient beings.

 

The planned construction of the Jinyin Temple includes Word Pleace Prayer Altar, Main Temple, Meditation Area, Buddhist College, Jinke Painting and Calligraphy Institute, Museum of Sino Esoteric Buddhist Culture, and conference and communication center. The Jinyin Temple of Sino Esoteric Buddhism will be an important platform for the exchanges of Chinese and American culture by demonstrating the outstanding traditional Chinese Buddhist, Confucian, and Daoist culture. In the future, it will also become a center of pilgrimage, aspiration and peace.

 

On February 6, 2018, On account of the positive contributions he made in advancing world peace, the Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei was again invited to attend the 66th National Prayer Breakfast in the United States. During the meeting, former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, the son of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Hereditary Prince of Dubai, Russian Delegation, and politicians and public figures from other countries extended invitations to the Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei to travel to their home country to disseminate Chinese culture and pray for the local people and the state. Ju Gau-jeng, the founder of the Democratic Progressive Party in Taiwan, paid a special visit to the Master. The Master carried on an in depth discussion of the shared Chinese traditional culture and encouraged him to keep contributing to the acts of promoting cross-strait peace. After the meeting, at the invitation of Missionary Charles of the Fellowship, the Master and his disciples went to Cedars, the headquarter of National Prayer Breakfast to communicate with over a hundred of representatives from all over the world. Charles and other Christians welcomed Jinke Buddhist disciples with a divine and solemn Christian ceremony and together prayed for world peace. The headquarter of National Prayer Breakfast collected the Mandala painting “Globe of Peace, Union of Humanity” created by the Master.

 

On August 30, 2018, the Master attended the opening ceremony of the construction of the first “Friendship Archway” in Brooklyn, New York City at the invitation of the Mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio. He also invited the Master to write the epigraph of si hai yi jia, the world is one family, for the archway and pray for the friendship between China and the United States.

 

In December, 2018, in celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Chinese economic reform, the Chinese Eastern Cultural Research Association and the Cultural Work Committee of West jointly hosted “Chinese Eastern Mandala Cultural and Art Communication Exhibition” in Beijing. The exhibition showcased over 80 Jinke mandala paintings, calligraphy, porcelains, and sculptures, as well as mandala dance, music, vajra face-changing performances.

 

The exhibition gained high praise and acclamation from the guests. Several former ministers, old generals, ambassadors, diplomats, and people from all walks of life signed inscriptions and took photos to mark the occasion. They praised the Master Jinke Xuanlei’s inheritance and development of Jinke mandala culture and art, which showed vigorous vitality in the new era and played an important and positive role in promoting exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations in the world. At the exhibition, the Master wrote calligraphy to pray for prosperity, favorable weather and world peace. The organizer held a symposium on the theme of “responding to the call of times and promoting traditional Chinese culture” to discuss how to better explore, categorize, preserve and spread the Sino Esoteric mandala culture and art in the new era, so as to better promote exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and foreign civilizations, and to revive the glory of national treasures. The event was widely publicized and reported by more than 70 mainstream media of the party and the country, including People's Daily online, Xinhua net, Guangming online, CCTV network, China.org.com and chinanews.com.

 

An Enlightened Master in the Five Ancient Sciences       

 

The Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei has received numerous awards and honors from various organizations around the world, such as the Doctor of Medicine Degree from the Open International University affiliated with the World Health Organization, the Fellowship Register of Royal Complementary Practitioner issued by the Open International University for Complementary Medicine, the Royal Physician Certificate of Excellence given by the Ancient Order of Kings, recognition from the World Organization of Natural Medicine, the Global Peace Foundation of the UN, and the US Cultural Research Center of International Celebrities, as well the Achievement Award for Outstanding  painters and calligraphers of contemporary China. He was also invited to be the Council Member of the Red Cross Society of China. In 2014, the Master’s artworks were showcased at the Louvre Museum in Paris in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Sino-French diplomatic relations. As part of the event, the Master received the award for traditional art from the International Exhibition of Eastern and Western Art in Paris.

 

The Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei’s sacred paintings and calligraphies are created in accordance with the Sadhana (esoteric liturgy) of Jinke Mandala. Before he starts to paint, the Master will invoke all the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Guardians of heavenly realms to descend onto the Mandala through visualization, chanting mantras, reciting sutras, and forming mudras. His embodiment of Dharmakaya manifest, allowing his consciousness to connect with the divine realm of the buddhas and arrives at the summit of Mount Meru. By focusing the powers of Vajra wisdom onto the brush, the Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei can write with the brush levitated in the air, endowing the artworks with miraculous powers of blessing. This method is incomparable with the techniques used in conventional artworks. Each artwork reflects the extraordinary and skillful methods used by the Master to spread the Dharma. It incorporates and embodies the profound esoteric meanings, and encompasses a deep understanding of the Buddha-Dharma. It is a sacred treasure of the Dharma that the Master entrusts to his disciples and those who have Dharmic connections. Many leaders and key figures both at home and overseas, as well as many high-ranking officials of the CPPCC, had the opportunity to collect the Master’s art, which were highly appreciate and praised. Mr. Zhao Puchu had previously said, “The paintings and calligraphies of the Master Jinke Xuanlei have filled in a large void in Buddhism Art”. National Art Museum of China curator Mr. Fan Di’An praised the calligraphy made by the Master, saying, “Where there seems to be no form there is structure, where there seems to be a structure there is no form. Its rich texture is full of potency and charm, while the flow is fluent and potent. It is an art form of its own kind that can only be described as an inimitable wonder.” The curator also described the Master as ‘an inspiration from heaven and earth, and a source for the benefit of humankind’.

 

Mr. Wu Jiagui, a well-known Chinese calligrapher, has spoken of the art in emotional terms, saying, “The calligraphy of the Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei isn't done in the Yan, Wang or Zhao Style. The Master does not have to follow the traditional rules of regular script, clerical script, or seal characters. His is a truly unique form of painting and calligraphy”.

 

The curator of the National Art Museum of China, Mr. Wu Weishan commended the Master’s artworks for establishing new traditions and described these as magnificent. He praised the Master, saying he has a “brush that can control wind and rain”.

 

The Master incorporated the spirit of a new era to create various forms of art including Jinke mandala sculptures, porcelains, dances, music, and mantra chanting.  It is a gem of Buddhist art, which encompassed profound meanings and the wisdom from Buddhist, Confucian, and Daoist traditions. The sacred Vajra sculptures designed by the Master is the secret of all Buddhist Tantra. It symbolizes immeasurable wisdom, innumerable kind connections, and infinite light of buddhas and shining upon the boundless universe of the ten directions and embodies a great pneuma of righteousness that can destroy the ignorance of sentient beings, expel the evil and protect the honorable. To create the vajra, the Master first enters into the adamantine meditative concentration and Samadhi of meditational deity, invoking the Buddhas of ten directions and the deities of wisdom to descend in luminosity while visualizing the nature of oneself and the deity merge in one and dissolve into emptiness, along with countless Dharma guardians and protectors. From the intricate seed syllables, the meditational deity arises as its nature and appearance. It is the manifestation of the wisdom of buddhas and bodhisattvas, which brings benefit to all sentient beings by generating joys of Dharma. Through cultivation one will attain realizations. May the heart radiance of all sentient beings transform into the seed syllable of Yong, Ni Sa, Da, emit the golden light of Bodhi, and abide calmly on the sun disc! The genuine and heartfelt devotion dissolves into wisdom. May the mind of all sentient beings be purified! May all beings be happy and free!

 

 

Jinke Mandala Porcelain Art is designed according to the ritual protocol of Sino Esoteric Buddhism, which combined the traditional method of Guan ware with the profound essence of Sino Esoteric Buddhism. It was made with the burning of pinewood and best quality clays. These precious and spiritual porcelain arts endowed Chinese traditional culture with a lively and contemporary expression.

 

Li Rui, a Secretary of Mao Zedong and the former Vice Head of Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee dedicated his calligraphy of “May Jinke Mandala Art brilliantly shines” to the Master. Mr. Zhou Lingzhao, Professor at China Central Academy of Fine Arts the designer of Chinese national emblem and currency bill, honored the Master with the writing of “Sino Esoteric spread around the world”. Liang Guanglie, former minister of the Ministry of National Defense also inscribed “A sacred connection illuminates the entire world.”

 

In November 2014, the Chinese Public Diplomacy Association and the Chinese Artists Association together sponsored and organized an opening ceremony for the international art exhibition ’Colorful Asia and China’s Profound Culture’ at the Times Art Museum of Beijing. The Organizing Committee of the exhibition extended a special invitation to the Master to bring exquisite and sophisticated Sino Esoteric Mandala calligraphy and painting artworks, such as the Dragon of the East and the Wisdom of Vajra, to the exhibition. The event drew an extensive exposure of the media, including reports and interviews by People's Daily and Xinhua Video. Foreign ambassadors in China and cultural attachés from countries including India, Jamaica, Italy, Hungary, Venezuela, Columbia all expressed their interests in inviting the Master to spread the Dharma and exhibit masterpieces of Sino Esoteric Buddhism Mandala in their own countries.

 

Establishing Mandalas to Benefit Sentient Beings

 

In order to propagate the Dharma, the Master Jinke Xuanlei dedicated all the achievements, knowledge and wealth he had acquired over the past two decades to sentient beings. He led his disciples to restore the ancient Lianyin Temple in Shanglin, Guangxi and build Jinke Mandala Cultural Center, the ASEAN Countries’ Peace Prayer Mandala, the Thousand Buddhas Cave and the Medicine Buddha Pagoda. The construction of the Ancient Pagoda Culture Park in Beijing’s Chaoyang District will involve the restoration of the four historical temples such as the Yanshou Temple, as well as the establishment of the Beijing Jinke Mandala Painting and Calligraphy Institute and World Peace Prayer Mandala. In addition, the Jinyin Temple in Pennsylvania, USA

and other establishments with distinct Buddhist characteristics are currently under construction. The aim of these projects is to provide a peaceful space for all living beings to study and practice Buddhism in equanimity and to benefit humankind.

 

The Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei continuously taught the Dharma and guided people from all backgrounds to the Dharmic path. He faced numerous difficulties and overcome many obstacles in the process. His concerns are not fame or fortune, instead, he worked tirelessly in silence and devoted everything he had for the benefit of the people and the nation. He is often heard saying that “My greatest treasure comes from the awakening of all living beings.”

 

The Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei attained the luminous wisdom of perfection, manifested the embodiment of sambhogakaya, and completed all the accomplishments to become a Mahasiddha. He is a compassionate spiritual leader who had returned to the secular realm to honor his vows. From the mountains he came to teach the essence of Sino Esoteric Buddhism, which had been lost in history for over one thousand years. Leading the people to right views, true faith, proper awareness, precise practices, and accomplishment. It will finally free beings from all the afflictions of birth, old age, sicknesses and death, attaining the state of nirvana with no arising nor extinguishing.

 

The Vajra Master Jinke Xuanlei is a Mahasiddha who has devoted his whole life to Buddha-Dharma and has dedicated all his virtues, wisdom, compassion and merit to all sentient beings for their awakening. He vows to liberate sentient beings by guiding them to first generate the pure bodhicitta, an aspiration for enlightenment for the sake of all beings. Practice with diligence and perseverance the six paramitas in everyday life to end the suffering, cutting the cycle of rebirth and be reborn in the Pure Land of Mahavairocana at the center of the universe. 

 

He, who had come from history, will eventually return to history ……

 

Om Namo Mahavairocana of the East!

Om Namo True Dharmakaya Jinyin Buddha of the East!

Om Namo Shakyamuni Buddha!

Om Namo Amitabha!

Ankele yekesuo!

 

Produced by

International Association of Sino Esoteric Buddhism （USA）

International Community of Sino Esoteric Buddhism （Canada）

Jinyin Temple of Sino Esoteric Buddhism