【True Buddha Foundation Notification】
True Buddha Foundation Supervisory Department Appoints Ombudsmen and Investigators for the Second Term
(TBF-Supr Ombud # 0002)

In July 2021, the second term ombudsmen of the True Buddha Foundation (TBF) Supervisory Department and investigators in Malaysia, were sworn in to realize the True Buddha School (TBS) spirit of “Honoring the Guru, Treasuring the Dharma, and Practicing Diligently”. This spirit will be realized by the Supervisory Dept. reliably carrying out disciplinary affairs, supervising all levels of TBS personnel, following the Four Immeasurable Vows and the teachings of Root Lineage Guru Living Buddha Lian-sheng, and abiding by Buddhist precepts when they undertake the TBS mission of propagating Buddhadharma.

Eight highly qualified True Buddha masters were selected for appointment as ombudsmen. Master Shi Lianfei was elected head of the ombudsman and will lead the team.

Another initiative of this term is that the TBF Supervisory Dept. has appointed eight highly qualified members from the Public Relations Dept. of The Federation of True Buddha School Malaysia as investigators assigned to the Malaysian region. They will assist with the investigation of personnel disputes and violations of TBS discipline and local laws and regulations. The scope of investigation will be disputes and violations within cultivation venues (temples, chapters, associations), and disputes and violations involving Dharma propagating personnel, that is, Dharma Instructors, Dharma Assistants, principals of cultivation venues, and Dharma affairs personnel in Malaysia.

In addition to helping with interaction and communication between cultivation venues and Dharma propagating personnel, investigators will also assist by providing relevant investigative reports to the Supervisory Dept. for further investigation.

We are hereby announcing the 2021 second term Supervisory Dept. investigative personnel name list as follows:

Ombudsmen:
Master Shi Lianseng (釋蓮僧, Director of Supervisory Dept.)
(Head of Ombudsman)
Master Shi Lianfei (釋蓮飛, Supervisory Dept. Member and Ombudsman)
Master Shi Lianou (釋蓮歐, Supervisory Dept. Member and Ombudsman)
Master Shi Lianzu (釋蓮祖, Supervisory Dept. Member and Ombudsman)
Master Lianzhu (蓮主, Supervisory Dept. Member and Ombudsman)

Master Shi Lianqi (釋蓮祈, Investigator)
Master Shi Lianwei (釋蓮衛, Investigator)
Master Shi Lianhua Huijun (釋蓮花慧君, Investigator)
Master Lianhua Shaodong (蓮花少東, Investigator)

Investigators in the Malaysian Region:
Rev. Shi Lianshui (釋蓮誰, Malaysia Investigator)
Chen, Ronghan (陳榮漢, Malaysia Investigator)
Dharma Instructor Lian, Hanlong (連漢隆, Malaysia Investigator)
Dharma Instructor Wong, Da (王達, Malaysia Investigator)
Dharma Assistant Wong, Seeyi (王時浥, Malaysia Investigator)
Hou, Guofang (侯國方, Malaysia Investigator)
Zhang, Yajiu (章雅就, Malaysia Investigator)
Ho, Caiming (何偲銘, Malaysia Investigator)

*Ombudsmen and investigators are appointed for a term of three years. Re-appointment is not required upon change in the TBF Member Committee term.

Responsibilities of Ombudsmen:

1. Recognize outstanding Dharma propagating personnel and cultivation venues in accordance with the policies of TBF. The ombudsmen may actively investigate candidates for recognition and submit recommendations to TBF for assessment.
   
2. Discretely investigate concealed misconduct to early detect any deviant trends or behavior within TBS.
   
3. Ombudsmen can accept cases of disciplinary violations by TBS disciples or cultivation venues.
   
4. Concerning cases which involve violation of precepts, ombudsmen may proceed with investigation in accordance with the rules of the “Ombudsman’s Responsibilities” and collect evidence from relevant personnel or cultivation venues. All parties under investigation must cooperate unconditionally.
   
5. Assist the TBF Dharma Affairs Department in assessment and investigation of the status, morality, and behavior of applicants for ordination or promotion.
   
6. Provide timely guidance and correction to cultivation venues or Dharma propagating personnel who have deviated.
   
7. Coordinate with TBF Public Relations Department to timely care for parties who are being disciplined.

The Supervisory Department’s investigation system is based on the rules listed in the Introduction and Regulations of TBF Supervisory Department Investigation System, Ombudsman’s Responsibilities, and the Rules of The Federation of True Buddha School Malaysia’s Coordination with TBF Supervisory Department. This investigative system has been ratified by the TBF Core Committee, and will be effective on the date this announcement is published.

Best Regards,
True Buddha Foundation
July 27, 2021

Translated by TBTTs
Translator: Henry Wolf
Editor: DJ Chang