Simplify the following text for a Grade 8 native English-speaking person.
Original: Master Lu has declared himself to be Living Buddha Lian Sheng ( è `` ç '' æ '' ä 1\/2 , Liansheng HuÃ fÃ ) and is revered by his disciples as a Living Buddha .
Simplified: Within his sect , he is also known as Living Buddha Lian Sheng ( è `` ç '' æ '' ä 1\/2 , Liansheng HuÃ fÃ ) .