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 19 of the Lunar year (March 6, 2018)
Answer No. 19
To confer a borrowed inner-tantric initiation from the lineage, there must be at least three disciples receiving the initiation. The Vajra rope used in the borrowed inner-tantric initiation from the lineage will be cut into sections according to the number of people and be distributed among them. The Vajra pill will also be ground into powder to be divided among them. On the other hand, only from a true inner-tantric initiation received by a single person, will the disciple possess a “Measuring Vajra Rope” with the length between 16.5 feet and 33 feet and a live Vajra pill manifesting holiness. This “Measuring Vajra Rope” is a holy dharma instrument and must not be shorter than 16.5 feet. The actual length is determined by the yidam while the dharma of decision by selection is performed.
Remember: the unalterable rule of the dharma stipulated that as long as the disciple receiving the initiation do not possess a “Measuring Vajra Rope” with the length between 16.5 feet and 33 feet, the initiation is not a true inner-tantric initiation. Why must there be a “Measuring Vajra Rope”? You should understand that the word “measuring” means measuring the distance between where the master stands and where the disciple stands using the length of this rope. That is, the master conferring the initiation stands at one end of the Vajra rope and the disciple stands at the other end, separated by a distance of at least 16.5 feet. If the Vajra pill performs holy manifestations with a distance less than 16.5 feet, it is a heretic performance. If the Vajra pill performs holy manifestations at a distance of 16.5 feet or longer but there is no such Vajra rope to measure the distance, that is not a true inner-tantric initiation. Rather, it is an inner-tantric empowerment and may even be the use of an inner-tantric way to inspect the disciple’s intrinsic capacity for the dharma. Some people with ulterior motives or intention to deceive others would think that they have already received an inner-tantric initiation and thus start to oppose the three jewels of Buddha, dharma, and sangha, but they do not know that, without a Vajra rope longer than 16.5 feet, they are only at the stage of receiving an inspection. As a result, they would fail with their demonic conduct completely exposed.
Inquiry Center of the World Buddhism Association Headquarters
Written on behalf of great holy virtuous ones to answer questions raised
March 6, 2018