The examination of holiness and virtue held by the United International World Buddhism Association Headquarters (UIWBAH) has started for quite some time now. Due to the large number of people taking the written test, there is a very large amount of work in grading the answers. In particular, the answer sheets by middle holy and virtuous ones can only be graded by great holy and virtuous ones; middle holy and virtuous ones grade the answer sheets from small holy and virtuous ones; and the answer sheets by ordinary masters are graded by middle and small holy and virtuous ones. In the end, all results will be gathered for final inspection and approval by great holy and virtuous ones. The entire process is complex and cumbersome, must be executed seriously, and therefore cannot be completed in a short period of time. Furthermore, many people who have applied for the examination still dare not come to take the examination, causing additional delay in the overall progress of the examination process.
Due to this situation, UIWBAH hereby issues this public announcement to inform all Buddhist disciples. The original plan of issuing certificates of holiness and virtue and dharma attire indicating one’s grade level based on the results from the examination by the end of 2015 has to be postponed correspondingly in announcing to the public and conferring to the recipients. Based on the current progress, the entire process of this examination will conclude next year.
Here, we clearly inform all applicants taking the examination. This examination consists of two major sections of a written test and an examination in the holy realm. The first step at the start is the written test. The next step is becoming a finalist to undergo verification and validation. However, some people will not be notified to take the step of verification and validation. This is because the written test will be graded by percentage, with a total of 100 points. Some people scored very low on the test, receiving 10 to 19 points or even less than 10 points. As a result, masters who did not score 20 points or higher will not become finalists for verification and validation for this and next year (this examination). We hope that you will make good efforts to respectfully listen to the recorded dharma lessons expounded by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, deeply study the sutras, and take the examination again next time.
The results from this examination completely proved that giving discourses by rinpoches and dharma masters will definitely mislead people learning from them. This is because, until now, not even one dharma king, rinpoche, or dharma master has scored 60 points or higher, regardless of which sect or school one is from. Therefore, not permitting anyone who is lower than the level of a great holy and virtuous one with three golden buttons (three Sun-Moon wheels) to give discourses is absolutely and one-hundred-percent correct!!!
Additionally, we remind those who have applied for the examination but have not taken the written test yet. You must report as soon as possible to UIWBAH with your presence to take the written test. Anyone who does not take the examination by the deadline will not only automatically lose the qualification of taking this examination but also expose this person’s lack of the learning, cultivation, and conduct required for being a master. That is to say, this kind of people simply do not understand Buddha-dharma. According to this fact, we can tell that this type of people can only use the speech and conduct that belong to a novice to Buddhism to fabricate their figures of speech to teach others and are committing fraud. You all must not follow and rely on them, otherwise you will be defrauded by swindlers or demonic persons.
Next, an especially important additional explanation about the grade level of Blue Button Grade 3 is given here. In the currently defined system of examination, masters taking the examination for the level of Blue Button Grade 3 are not examined from the overall entirety including scholarly learning, cultivation and conduct, and accomplishment from practice. Rather, the examination is on the most outstanding or notable independent aspect specified by oneself. For example, some choose from the category of virtue and character from cultivation and conduct; some choose to be examined in the learning in the sutras and shastras; some use one’s state of realization to take the exam; and some choose to be examined on whether one’s understanding and views are correct or evil. Furthermore, one can choose one from finely defined items in any of these categories to take the examination. Therefore, to take the examination for Blue Button Grade 3, some can practice a complete dharma of yidam to take the exam; some will use the results of establishing dharma-listening centers as the item of examination; some will list one’s good conduct and merit for examination; and some can state the fact of ascetic practice done under one’s vow. In summary, the level of Blue Button Grade 3 is not determined by examining the cultivator as a whole. Consequently, some will receive Blue Button Grade 3 to become an Embellishing Virtuous One based on taking the examination in one category, and someone else will receive Blue Button Grade 3 to become an Embellishing Virtuous One with passing results of taking the examination in two categories. Though both are Embellishing Virtuous Ones, there exists a difference.
Therefore, the dharma attire of Blue Button Grade 3 will now have small and short black button(s) for further classification. The dharma attire of one who received the level of Blue Button Grade 3 by taking the examination in one category will just have three blue buttons without any small and short black button. If one passed the examination in two categories for Blue Button Grade 3, one small and short black button will be added to the dharma attire. One who passed the examination for Blue Button Grade 3 in three categories will have two small and short black buttons added to the dharma attire. By definition, one who takes the examination in all four categories for Blue Button Grade 3 is applying for the examination for the level of Golden Button Grade 1.
Separately, if one is confident of being a genuine incarnation of an Arhat or a Bodhisattva, one can directly apply for the examination through the Vajra Battle Position to receive the corresponding level with golden button(s). However, doing so is very risky. Under the circumstance of failing, one will not get even the level of Blue Button Grade 1 (Cultivating Virtuous One).
For cultivators who have passed the examination at the level of Golden Button Grade 1 or Golden Button Grade 2, it has been decided that they will have golden button(s) on the dharma attire and will receive the certificate indicating the level of a holy and virtuous one with golden button(s). No blue button will be added to the dharma attire. Unless receding to a level with blue button(s), holy and virtuous ones at the levels of golden button(s) do not wear blue buttons.
United International World Buddhism Association Headquarters
(Seal Stamped on every page)
December 21, 2015