True Buddha Foundation Notice
Reaffirming That Yuan Yingping (袁英平) Is Not a Dharma Propagation Personnel of the True Buddha School
Urging All Parties to Beware of Fraudulent Activities Conducted Under the Name of the True Buddha School and Living Buddha Liansheng

TBF Declaration No. 0011

Recently, the True Buddha Foundation has received reports concerning Yuan Yingping (袁英平), a person from mainland China, who has publicly invoked the name of the True Buddha School and that of the Root Lineage Guru, Living Buddha Liansheng Sheng-yen Lu, claiming to be “Living Buddha Liansheng’s senior-most disciple.” By doing so, he has allegedly sought to gain the trust of others and engaged in activities involving deception, financial solicitation, and other improper conduct. These activities have misled members of the public and damaged the reputation of the True Buddha School and its Root Lineage Guru.

In order to clarify the facts and protect the rights and interests of True Buddha School disciples and the general public, the Supervisory Department of the True Buddha Foundation hereby issues the following notice:

1. The True Buddha Foundation Publicly Clarified Yuan Yingping’s Status as Early as 2016
   On September 2, 2016, the True Buddha Foundation issued a notice concerning Yuan Yingping’s online impersonation of an official Dharma position of the School and his solicitation of funds. The notice stated:
   “Yuan Yingping (袁英平), who has claimed on the internet to be ‘Senior Reverend Lianping’ (蓮平教授師) or ‘Master Lianping’ (蓮平上師), is not a monastic of the True Buddha School (TBS), nor is he a TBS Senior Reverend or Master. His words, conduct, and fundraising activities have no connection with TBS.”
   
   The True Buddha Foundation’s position on this matter has always been clear and has never changed.
   
   Yuan Yingping is not a monastic of the True Buddha School and has never held the status of Senior Reverend, Master, or any other Dharma propagation position formally recognized by the True Buddha Foundation. His claims to be “Senior Reverend Lianping,” “Master Lianping,” “Living Buddha Liansheng’s senior-most disciple,” or to hold any similar status have not been granted or recognized by the True Buddha School.
   
   
2. Yuan Yingping Has Not Been Authorized to Represent Living Buddha Liansheng or the True Buddha School
   Yuan Yingping has never been authorized by Living Buddha Liansheng or the True Buddha Foundation. He therefore has no authority to use the name of Living Buddha Liansheng, the True Buddha School, the True Buddha Foundation, any True Buddha School cultivation venue, or any Dharma propagation personnel to conduct Dharma propagation, recruit disciples, establish organizations, hold religious activities, solicit donations, charge fees, accept offerings, or engage in other activities on their behalf.
   
   All of his personal statements, promises, promotional activities, fundraising, financial transactions, and external conduct do not represent Living Buddha Liansheng, the True Buddha Foundation, the True Buddha School, or any cultivation venue or organization of the School. The School assumes no responsibility whatsoever for his personal conduct.
   
   “Living Buddha Liansheng’s senior-most disciple” is not an official Dharma position, qualification as Dharma propagation personnel, or organizational title of the True Buddha School. No individual may use such a title to falsely claim that they have received special authorization from Living Buddha Liansheng and thereby solicit followers, collect money, or demand obedience from others.
   
   If Yuan Yingping has used the name of the True Buddha School or Living Buddha Liansheng to engage in false publicity, deception, financial exploitation, or other unlawful activities, the relevant legal responsibility shall be investigated, determined, and handled by the competent authorities and judicial authorities in accordance with the laws applicable in the jurisdiction where the conduct occurred.
   
   
3. True Buddha School Disciples and the General Public Are Urged to Verify Claims Carefully
   The Supervisory Department of the True Buddha Foundation solemnly reminds everyone that whenever any person claims to represent Living Buddha Liansheng, the True Buddha School, or the True Buddha Foundation, their identity and source of authorization should first be verified.
   
   Having taken refuge with Living Buddha Liansheng, attended True Buddha School ceremonies, taken photographs with Living Buddha Liansheng, possessed documentation of refuge, or previously met the Root Lineage Guru does not mean that the individual has been granted an official Dharma position or has the authority to represent the True Buddha School.
   
   The public should exercise heightened caution in situations including the following:
   
   1. Claiming to be Living Buddha Liansheng’s senior-most disciple, designated successor, or secretly authorized representative;
      
   2. Claiming to hold the position of Master, Senior Reverend, or another Dharma position of the School while being unable to provide official documentation that can be verified with the True Buddha Foundation;
      
   3. Demanding high fees in the name of averting calamities, changing one’s fortune, curing illness, resolving karmic consequences, dispelling disasters, or providing special blessings;
      
   4. Requesting that offerings, donations, or other payments be transferred to a private bank account or an unidentified organization;
      
   5. Using claims of supernatural powers, spiritual responses, prophecies of disasters, threats, or intimidation to pressure people into making payments or obeying instructions;
      
   6. Claiming that only through the individual can one receive blessings from Living Buddha Liansheng or the True Buddha lineage;
      
   7. Preventing followers from verifying information with the True Buddha Foundation, legitimate True Buddha School cultivation venues, family members, or relevant authorities;
      
   8. Establishing a religious organization, publicly soliciting donations, or conducting fee-based activities without legally registering or obtaining the required authorization.
   
   If financial transactions have already occurred or there is reason to suspect that fraud has taken place, immediately cease contact with the other party. Preserve relevant evidence, including communication records, remittance records, account information, promotional materials, audio recordings, and videos. Report the matter to the public security authorities, police, judicial authorities, or other relevant government agencies in accordance with local law.
   
   
4. True Buddha School Disciples Should Comply With Religious Laws and Relevant Regulations in Every Country
   The True Buddha School conducts Dharma propagation throughout the world. Different countries and regions have different laws and administrative regulations governing religious organizations, religious activities, fundraising, financial management, online promotion, and charitable activities.
   
   All True Buddha School cultivation venues, Dharma propagation personnel, and True Buddha School disciples should respect and comply with the laws of the countries and regions in which they operate. They must not use religious belief, Dharma propagation and benefiting sentient beings, lineage relationships, or personal spiritual experiences as grounds for circumventing local laws. Nor should they participate in or assist with any activity involving the unauthorized use of the School’s name, false publicity, unlawful fundraising, or infringement of the rights and interests of others.
   
   Religious faith must not become a tool for deception, financial exploitation, or violations of the law. Genuine Buddhadharma should be founded upon right faith, right understanding, integrity, compassion, self-discipline, and respect for the law.
   
   
5. The True Buddha Foundation Issues This Solemn Reaffirmation
   The True Buddha Foundation once again solemnly declares:
   Yuan Yingping is not a monastic, Senior Reverend, or Master of the True Buddha School, nor has he been authorized to represent Living Buddha Liansheng, the True Buddha School, or the True Buddha Foundation. All of his personal statements, activities, fundraising, and financial transactions have nothing whatsoever to do with the School.
   
   No individual may invoke the name of Living Buddha Liansheng or the True Buddha School to impersonate an official Dharma position of the School, deceive the public, solicit followers, collect money, or engage in activities that violate local laws.