Important Replies from Holy Virtuous Ones and Eminent Monastics
Response from the Inquiry Center of the World Buddhism Association Headquarters to Questions Raised by Inquirers
On the Day of January 28 of the Lunar year (March 15, 2018)
Answer No. 28
The holy title of “holy virtuous one” requires taking a test on the sutras, vinayas, and shastras (commentaries) and an additional test on one’s realization regarding one’s cultivated accomplishment. Only then can one’s qualification as a holy virtuous one be determined to receive a grade of golden button(s) or lotus golden button(s). A holy virtuous one is not at a level of blue button(s). Some masters with blue button(s) may think that they have always appeared as a holy virtuous one before their disciples and could not figure out why they are now no longer a holy virtuous one. Let’s ask you, the master. Are you really a holy virtuous one? Are you an Arhat? Do you truly possess the three vidyas and the six supernatural powers? If you are not an Arhat, you are not a holy virtuous one and not a venerable one. Only those who have the titles of Ru Zun, Jiao Zun, and Lihua (Lotus) Zun are venerable ones. Isn’t this a fact?
You should clearly know that any holy virtuous one is at least a reincarnated one with the accomplishment of an Arhat. Only that can be related to the word “holy.” You perceive that a holy virtuous one is worthless and can be found anywhere and mistakenly regard those who are called great rinpoches, great dharma masters, and venerable ones as holy virtuous ones. That means you are ignorant. As to the way of addressing someone as so-and-so great rinpoche, so-and-so great dharma master, or so-and-so venerable one that you all hear very often, as long as that person is not at the level of golden button(s) yet, it is just a way of showing respect by that master’s disciples. If such respectful addressing is perceived as the title of a venerable one, it is truly an insult to holy persons. A venerable one wearing a lotus button is a true venerable one, which indicates the cultivated accomplishment above Golden Button Grade 2 but below Golden Button Grade 3. Venerable ones of this category are generally called venerable ones with a lotus button. As to a Shang Zun at the level of Golden Button Grade 3, the title refers to a great Bodhisattva who is above venerable ones. (Translator’s note: Shang means above or upper in Chinese.)
Actually, some of the masters among you are already much higher than ordinary masters and some are already at the levels of eminent monastics and great virtuous ones, which are very rare. It is also true that some of you who have the status of a master have a lot more experiences of seeing true cultivated powers of Buddha-dharma than some great rinpoches and dharma kings in society. Although you might have made a public appearance of being burnt by Venerable Mo Zhi’s power of tummo, those dharma kings only heard or read the theories and have not seen in person true practice of tummo concentration in their entire lifetime.
We repeat this one more time. Anyone with blue button(s) is not related to the word “holy” due to having not achieved the power of accomplishment of an Arhat. Regardless of how high their status may be, any master with blue button(s) is not able to perform a true inner-tantric initiation and can at most confer a transmitted inner-tantric initiation from the lineage. If you do not believe, just ask a master claiming inner-tantric initiations to give you a try. Can he cause a Vajra pill in your hand to manifest miraculous transformations? We can definitely tell you that it is “impossible.” You can tell that he is a false holy virtuous one from the test. For great rinpoches and great dharma masters at the levels of Golden Button Grade 1, Golden Button Grade 2, and venerable one with a lotus button, although they have the statuses of holy virtuous ones, they still can only confer a borrowed inner-tantric initiation and have not realized the cultivated accomplishment of directly conferring inner-tantric initiations yet.
However, there are also extremely few holy persons who are not willing to make public appearances. They do not accept disciples and do not engage living beings who have no affinity with them. They mingle with common people without disclosing their names. Therefore, Buddhist disciples simply do not know what their status is. Also, they do not come forward to take the examination for grade levels, but they are truly holy ones. Still, this type of people must have morality, virtue, and realization and absolutely possess great love and great compassion. Additionally, with a one-hundred-percent certainty, they possess a few of the five vidyas. Otherwise, there would be no relation to the word “holy” either.
Inquiry Center of the World Buddhism Association Headquarters
Written on behalf of great holy virtuous ones to answer questions raised
March 15, 2018
Link: http://xuanfa.net/announcements/wbah-announcements/answer-no-28/
Link:http://dorjechangbuddhaiiibuddha.blogspot.my/2018/03/important-replies-from-holy-virtuous_64.html
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