True Buddha Foundation Personnel Discipline Notice
TBF-Per No. 0018
Subject: Reverend Shi Lianjing (蓮警) repeated a violation of Buddhist precepts by receiving crown blessings from a member of the laity. Two major demerits have been issued to Reverend Lianjing. He will be permitted to remain a member of the Sangha subject to a probationary period and certain conditions.

Explanation:

1. After a thorough investigation, it was determined that in December 2022, Huqing Chapter disregarded a commitment made to the True Buddha Foundation (TBF) by once again inviting a laywoman from outside the True Buddha School (TBS) to preside over Dharma events. As a member of TBS ordained Sangha and a long term male monastic of Huqing Chapter, Reverend Shi Lianjing not only failed to prevent this misconduct, but also supported and catered to the whims of the invited laywoman. He even adopted a subordinate position by joining his palms together and receiving a crown blessing from this laywoman. This conduct is a serious breach of Buddhist precepts, and Reverend Lianjing’s second violation of this precept; he committed the same violation in March 2021.
   
   
2. Reverend Lianjing has violated Buddhist Precepts and TBS By-laws as follows:
   1. The first precept of the Fourteen Vajrayana Root Precepts: disrespecting the Root Guru in conduct, speech and thought.
      
   2. Violation of the Root Guru’s teachings and TBF regulations: On June 28, 2016, Grandmaster discoursed as follows at Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple in Seattle: “Sakymuni Buddha said, ‘In the Dharma ending age, the Dharma will be weak and the maras will be strong. Monastics prostrating before the laity is a manifestation of the mara!’ Those who violate this precept must be disciplined.” Accordingly, on July 1, 2016, TBF announced that members of the Sangha are prohibited from prostrating before laity. The announcement also advised that any Sangha member who violates this rule will be seriously punished: Masters will forfeit their status as masters, and reverends will forfeit their status as reverends. In this case, the laywoman invited by Huqing Chapter was not even a TBS Dharma propagation personnel. Reverend Lianjing’s behavior was a blatant disregard of Grandmaster’s teachings and regulations announced by TBF.
      
   3. Reverend Lianjing has violated the following TBS By-laws:
      Chapter 23, Code of Conduct of TBS Dharma Propagation Personnel and Dharma Affairs Personnel:
      • Article 4. Code of Conduct of TBS Reverends:
        • Paragraph F Reverends’ Dharma Propagation Events - Reverends shall not bless TBS disciples or any other parties.
      • Article 5. Code of Conduct of TBS Dharma Instructors and Dharma Assistants
        
        • Paragraph F. Dharma propagation events held by Dharma Instructors and Dharma Assistants - Blessing disciples or other participants is not permitted.
      TBS By-laws clearly state that even Reverends, Dharma Instructors, and Dharma Assistants have no capacity to bless disciples or anyone else, not to mention the laywoman invited by the Huqing Chapter from outside of TBS. And yet, she was invited to bless our disciples. Reverend Lianjing, a TBS monastic, not only ignored this misconduct, he even received a crown blessing from this laywoman. His actions were in blatant disregard of TBS rules and regulations.
   
   
3. The report on this incident has been completed and assigned Case No.TBSRN021. On April 30, 2023, the incident report was submitted to TBF Core Committee for review. On May 4, 2023, the Audit Board passed a second review, issued a directive for personnel discipline, and ordered administration of the decision.