‘World Buddhism’ Group Buys 12.2 Acre, $17.5 Million Land By SLS, But Lacks Funds to Build Temple
A Southern California-based group known as the World Buddhism Association Headquarters — which holds questionable status in the mainstream Buddhist world — has come up with $17.5 million for a 12.2 acre plot of land that sits adjacent to the SLS off of Sahara and Paradise Roads. Cultish figure H. H. Dorje Chang Buddha III — aka Yi Yungao — has descended to earth as the “third incarnation of the primordial Buddha,” at least according to his devotees, and now plans to descend near the Las Vegas Strip with a Buddhist temple, if the money to build it ever materializes. Specifically what and when the group plans to build — and with what funds — remains murky. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported the sale on Tuesday, and with it, brought up many conundrums wrapped up in the somewhat mysterious purchase. According to the RJ, the group has financial links to artist Yi Yungao (who sometimes also goes by Wan Ko Yee), who these days goes by the name of “His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III.” Yi i...