Issued by the United International World Buddhism Association Headquarters: in response to a letter received:
Regarding the comparison between Blue Button Grade 3 (with three Sumeru wheels) and Golden Button Grade 1 (with one Sun-Moon wheel) and, more specifically the difference in terms of accomplishment between the two, this issue was explained long ago in a public announcement that included a diagram as an analogy. However, in order to let you all have a better and clearer understanding, we again answer it in the following.
The difference between Blue Button Grade 3 and Golden Button Grade 1 can be very big or very small. When it is small, there is only one step to go from Blue Button Grade 3 to Golden Button Grade 1; when it is big, it will take 90 steps to achieve Golden Button Grade 1 from Blue Button Grade 3. The level of Golden Button Grade 1 is to be realized by a holy and virtuous one’s nature of virtue. On the other hand, Blue Button Grade 3 is attained by a holy and virtuous one’s item(s) of virtue in the majority of the situations of taking the examination. Simply speaking, one originates from the nature of virtue of one’s structure of body, speech, and mind as a whole while the other means one’s certain mind practice agrees with a holy and virtuous one’s mind practice in one aspect or multiple aspects. Therefore, there exists a very wide variability between nature of virtue and item(s) of virtue.
For instance, when we say that the difference between Blue Button Grade 3 and Golden Button Grade 1 is only one step, it means that this holder of Blue Button Grade 3 has very little to achieve or improve to elevate himself/herself to the level of Golden Button Grade 1. Now we make an analogy in terms of dharma practice. In practicing Vajra Body Substitution Meditation, one who has the crown opened and has the spiritual consciousness composed and under control inside can pass the examination to receive the status of Blue Button Grade 3. However, this status is 90 steps away from Golden Button Grade 1. If this cultivator can practice to the Generation Stage, which means that, with the premise of the crown being open, the spiritual consciousness can exit and reenter freely to make utilization, the status is at least 80 steps away from Golden Button Grade 1. If one continues the practice to reach the Completion Stage (the Perfection Stage), then the cultivator is only one step from Golden Button Grade 1. That is to say, in the practice and realization of Vajra Body Substitution Meditation, there is a gap of one step from realizing the structure of nature of virtue as a whole. Because of this gap of one step, this cultivator cannot get Golden Button Grade 1. When the practice is further improved to reach the Stage of Unattached Utilization (the Stage of Generation and Perfection without Distinction), this last step has been fulfilled perfectly and the level of Golden Button Grade 1 is effectively achieved. At this time, the cultivator can easily pass the examination for Golden Button Grade 1.
Similarly, the distance between Golden Button Grade 1 and Golden Button Grade 2 can also be from one step to 90 steps. The gap between Golden Button Grade 2 and Golden Button Grade 3 also has a range of one step to 90 steps. Therefore, the actual difference in accomplishment between two persons who took the examination on the same item(s) and passed at the same grade can be very large. Take the period when Hsi Jao Ken Teng’s dharma practice reached his best for example, he realized the Generation Stage of Vajra Body Substitution Meditation. However, he only realized 20% of the accomplishment from practice. Being at the Generation Stage has the nature of item(s) of virtue. He had 80% to go from reaching nature of virtue. This is only an analogy using the dharma of Vajra Body Substitution Meditation, It does not mean that the reasoning is only applicable to Vajra Body Substitution Meditation. Rather, a certain grade can be received through taking the examination in practicing the yidam or dharma protector of any true dharma of the Tathagata or in cultivation or upholding the precepts, or others.
Summarizing from the above, passing the examination at the same grade or level and in the same dharma practice or the same item(s) can mean completely different actual accomplishment. The difference can be very big. Separately, if one wishes to prove his/her as a transcendental holy one or an Arhat or a Bodhisattva, he/she must take and pass the examination with the Vajra Battle Position. Without the Vajra Battle Position, the examination cannot determine with certainty the status of an Arhat or Bodhisattva. Of course, the true status can be determined also from selection using the Vajra Hair Dharma or the dharma of Forecasting Ahead of Time. If you choose to take the examination with the Vajra Battle Position, we suggest that you first take the test through the Eight Winds Battle Position and then take the test with the Vajra Battle Position. This approach has only benefits without any drawback. If the candidate does not pass the Vajra Battle Position, the grade determined from passing the Eight Winds Battle Position will be kept and unaffected.
To those who directly apply for the examination with the Vajra Battle Position without any other categories or items, you must have the confidence that you are definitely a reincarnated Arhat or Bodhisattva. If one who has waived all items in the four big categories to take the examination in the Vajra Battle Position only fails, even the lowest grade of Blue Button Grade 1 will not be possible. The reason is that you previously have already waived taking the examination in the four big categories with the Eight Winds Battle Position. No make-up examination will be offered.
It should be particularly noted that there are two types of applying for taking the examination with the Vajra Battle Position. One is “Entrance Examination” and the other is “Direct Examination.” In both cases, the applicant must specify the choice of the Vajra Battle Position in the application. The difference is that “Entrance Examination” can be canceled later on if one wishes to but a “Direct Examination” cannot be canceled. If you do not indicate taking the examination with the Vajra Battle Position, no arrangement will be made for you to take that test. If you did not specify that choice in the application that you already submitted earlier, you can amend now to request adding that test.
The following are three possible ways to specify the examination that you can choose to use in your application:
- I am a holy and virtuous one at the level of Golden Button Grade 1. Or, I am a reincarnated Arhat or Bodhisattva. I choose to waive the examination on the items within the four big categories and now apply for the Direct Examination with the Vajra Battle Position to validate my identity and status.
- I apply for taking the examination on the specified item(s) within the four big categories and, after passing Blue Button Grade 3, will take the Entrance Examination with the Vajra Battle Position.
- I apply for taking the examination on the specified item(s) within the four big categories.
Also note that cultivators with Blue Button Grade 2 do not possess the qualification to apply for the examination with the Vajra Battle Position. Even though one may be only one step away from Blue Button Grade 3, the distance from Golden Button 1 may still be 100 steps or more. That is why they do not possess the qualification to apply for the examination with the Vajra Battle Position.
The examination with the Vajra Battle Position is mainly established for grades of Golden Button(s) and holy ones who are Arhats and Bodhisattvas. We suggest that you take the examination to pass Blue Button Grade 3 first as a safety measure. And then take the test of Vajra Battle Position. So, even you do not pass the test of Vajra Battle Position, you will at least receive the certificate and dharma attire of Blue Button Grade 3.
Some people defy the level of Blue Button Grade 1. That is wrong and belongs to evil views. A cultivator who passes the examination with Blue Button Grade 1 is already hard to find among one thousand people. That level is much higher than those dharma kings, rinpoches, and dharma masters who cannot pass. The items of virtue that he/she takes the examination on are role models for learning to gain benefits. Oppositely, to those who fail to pass, the items examined show where they loss and lack virtue.
United International World Buddhism Association Headquarters
(Seal stamped on every page)
August 23, 2015