Inquiry 1: What kind of person is qualified to carry out the “four hidden ways” and the “four explicit ways”?
Reply: Only great holy ones, who are at least a Shang Zun at the level of Golden Button Grade 3, can carry out the four hidden ways. Moreover, the hidden ways can only be applied to a disciple who is very pious and has quite remarkable practice of accomplishment. The situation is that a Shang Zun who is at the level of Golden Button Grade 3 wants to make this disciple the seed of the lineage of true Buddha-dharma or, in other words, hand the lineage of true Buddha-dharma to this disciple. Only then can the hidden ways can be used as the final test. Other than this, the four hidden ways cannot be used on regular Buddhist disciples. If used on regular Buddhist disciples, this master would have already committed the sin of erroneously creating the verbal karma of deception and will definitely devolve into one of the three lower realms.
Regardless of what the specific grade level is, if any master of blue button(s) says that he is using the four hidden ways to test and observe disciples, this person is defrauding disciples and is a charlatan with a certainty of nothing less than 100%. Anyone at a grade level of blue button(s) cannot claim to be a holy one who must be at least at the level of Golden Button Grade 1. Furthermore, only masters of Golden Button Grade 3 can apply the hidden ways. One who is at a level of blue button(s) has no qualification or excuse whatsoever to have anything to do with applying the four hidden ways.
We can mention what the supreme H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III said on this, because His Holiness the Buddha is many times higher than the level of Golden Button Grade 5. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III once told Wang Zha Shang Zun and several holy virtuous ones, “You cannot use the four hidden ways without consideration. I am very humble. Using the four hidden ways to test and observe disciples is very unfamiliar to me. Since I do not know how to use them, I just state clearly to cultivators on the matter. Deliberately playing subtle and untrue ways to test a successor inherently belongs to dishonest speech and conduct.”
Now, people have reported that some master(s) of blue button(s) even told disciples to transfer a certain sum of money to him/her as an offering. Such a person is a swindler without cover! Does this person know what the hidden ways are and how to apply them? This is truly the biggest parody in the world! This is committing a fraud without the slightest doubt. You all must be very careful and not be deceived. Just see clearly whether this person has several golden buttons or only blue button(s) to find out whether this person is qualified to apply the hidden ways.
Inquiry 2: Please provide information about the annual examination.
Reply: The annual examination definitely includes the test on the sutras, vinayas, and shastras. One must reach the level of Shang Zun or Golden Button Grade 3 to be waived the annual examination. This is because a Shang Zun at the level of Golden Button Grade 3 is already a non-receding Bodhisattva. Anyone who is at a level below Golden Button Grade 3 or a level of blue button(s) must be subject to the annual examination. We at the World Buddhism Association Headquarters (WBAH) administer the annual examination very rigorously. There are three types of situations:
In the first type of situation, a cultivator is not notified to take the annual examination. Therefore, there is no indication regarding whether this cultivator has receded or advanced.
In the second type of situation, the candidate has been notified to take the annual examination but this person already had problems in the conduct with respect to the precepts that caused the receding in the person’s accomplishment and therefore fears the annual examination. Thus, this person dares not to come forward to take the annual examination and eventually ends up in declining to take the examination. In such case, the name of this person will be kept on a list. When cultivators inquire about this person, WBAH will provide the actual situation about this person in the reply.
In the third type of situation, after taking the annual examination, any change in one’s grade level will be updated in this person’s certificate of a virtuous person to reflect receding or advancement. The certificate will also show the date of taking the annual examination.
Inquiry 3: Regarding an art critique published by a cultivator on the internet
that commented on the paintings of sunflower by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and two other painting artists, some people expressed negative opinions against this commentator. They told people not to forward this article, saying that forwarding the article would hurt the image of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III as a Buddha. I feel this is very strange. Why would the negative image of the commentator affect the image of His Holiness the Buddha? They even tell people not to forward this article. Should we forward it? [CLICK for article]
Reply: The negative aspect of the author of this commentary article has nothing at all to do with the state of realization of art of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. What is relevant is whether this art critic is an expert in this aspect of art or not and whether the article he wrote is just and fair or not! If the commentary article he wrote is just and impartial, his critique on the artworks by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and other artists agrees with the actual states of art, if the art critique has no prejudice, did not intentionally slander H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, and, rather, is truly stating the judgement and comparison of art from a fair, just, and objective position, then not only should this article be widely forwarded and distributed, we should also learn from and salute this art critic and support his correct view!
Some cultivators do not look at matters from all aspects and are not as good as people who are not learning from Buddha. You only look at the negative side of other people. Why didn’t you see that he has more positive and excellent accomplishments? At least he correctly evaluated the artworks by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and other artists and also discussed the moral state of a Buddha possessed by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. That is what we should learn from him. Some of you think he is wrong. Then, do you think that he should not state the truth, should not regard the artworks of His Holiness the Buddha as good, and should regard demons and devils as good? Is this what you want?
We can tell you a fact. There are too many people who stand on the shore while bragging, pointing fingers, shouting loudly but dare not get their shoes wet. This is just like some of you. You can only boast, but are not able to write a realistic art critique or draw a good painting that transcends the mundane. Can this art critic be lower than you who never wrote an article that praises the artworks of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III? Actually, you are too shameful in comparison to him! You not only do not support his just and fair commentary on the art, but also attack and suppress him. Is this a deed of a human being?
Let’s make an analogy for example. Suppose that there are a bunch of traitors, demons, or even descendants of the Mara King who suddenly make comments and praises to say that the craftsmanship vidya of Sakyamuni Buddha is very marvelous. Then, are you going to disregard how good this critique is and refuse to forward it? You would say that the commentator is a traitor or demon and has a negative image and will thus affect the image of the World-Honored One. You would use that as an excuse. If so, do you know what you are doing? Are you commenting on the person or the nature of the matter? Can the image of the World-Honored One be implicated by the Mara King? That is too ridiculous!
You should seriously think what category you belong to. You are more malicious than the above-mentioned demonic descendants! Even such demonic descendants know to praise the craftsmanship vidya of the world-honored Sakyamuni. On the contrary, you not only do not comment on the state of art of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, but also look for reasons to attack and suppress the expert who gave a good review on the artworks of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. You even make up excuses to undermine the distribution of this art critique representing a fair and just viewpoint. Your malicious intention is so cunning and poisonous!
Our holy virtuous ones at WBAH still do not know this commentator as of now. Just this art critique he wrote caused us to respect him. We respect him for telling the truth, being fair and just without prejudice, and his precise and skillful usage of terms and descriptions. He is truly an expert in the profession. You are just novices who only know finger-pointing. How can you be in a position to compare to him? Moreover, the paintings of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III can be seen publicly, for comparison with any other artwork in any way. As the saying goes, “There is no need to worry about not recognizing good merchandise; you will see just from comparison.” This commentator made a fair and just evaluation and said honest words. We click a “Like” for him.
Today, a kind-hearted person said after learning about this matter, “I know a little about the art of painting. I fully agree with the viewpoint of the holy virtuous ones. Art has no national boundary and speaks one language in the entire world. Which one is good and which one is bad can be known just from comparison. I only need to say that the painting entitled Dragon Carp Playing in a Lotus Pond which is exhibited in the H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Cultural and Art Museum has already been appraised by an expert who serves as witness in court and is an appraiser for tax-reporting purposes. This painting is valued at 59 million US dollars. To confirm the work’s artistic state, the Museum offered one million US dollars for an imitation. As of today, some artists went to paint, but none of them could achieve a 60% success. This proved that the artistic skills of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is at the non-imitable summit. Now I make a vow before the holy virtuous ones of WBAH, which I will definitely fulfill. Regardless of being done by what famous artist or expert, if an imitated painting is created that is the same and meets the specified requirements, I will buy it for five million US dollars. With the one million US dollars offered by the Museum, the artist can receive six million US dollars. Any superior artist with such painting skill please come. Otherwise some people would think that the painting skills of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III are based on untrue boasting and inflated bragging.”
Inquiry 4: What are the significance of having the crown opened and the concept of holy bone?
Reply: Opening the crown by state practice is a kind of activation and utilization of one’s spiritual consciousness. What is meant by holy bone in the context of crown opening refers to the part of one’s skull near the opening, where one’s spiritual consciousness can exit and reenter. However, the entire physical body is not a holy body and does not entail a holy bone structure. Therefore, this person is not a holy person. One must attain the level of Golden Button Grade 1 to enter the stages of holy persons. Once the crown is opened, if one committed offense against the precepts of Mud-Pill Path-Fruit or the precepts of Vajra Body Substitution Meditation and does not repent, in 16 days this person will recede to the state of an ordinary person before the crown was opened. Opening the crown only entails a temporary holy bone at the top of one’s head, which may disappear or remain depending on one’s conduct with respect to the precepts. The significance of opening the crown is far from being an Arhat, and is different from a Bodhisattva like comparing ground to the sky.
Inquiry: What is the qualification for applying for opening one’s crown?
Reply: For a person who engages in cultivation and Buddhist work, when this person’s mental state, conduct, and merit reached the standard for opening the crown, this person’s crown can be opened.
Inquiry 5: Why there are good people and bad people among the people taught by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III?
Reply: Among the disciples taught by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, there are good people and bad people. Moreover, bad people are not few. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III teaches His disciples self-cultivation through learning from Buddha and to be good people. However, there are all kinds of people among the disciples taught by His Holiness the Buddha, including good people, bad people, holy persons, and swindlers. Even among those who already appear as masters in society, there are masters who are very good and abide by the precepts, there are evil and malicious masters, there are masters who are ordinary person but fake holy ones, there are masters who are evil and maliciously use the name of Buddhism to defraud people, and there are masters who are greatly merciful and compassionate, rigorously abide by the precepts, and humbly cultivate themselves. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III said, “It is difficult to have two masters who completely meet the requirements by the precepts among 100 disciples of mine. This is because the mind and conduct arise from themselves. They do not accept the education and edifying by good karmas, do not act according to the teachings, do not follow kindness and remove evil, and insist on speaking falsely to deceive living beings. They are clearly ordinary persons but insist on faking holy ones to deceive living beings. The fact that they do not listen to the teachings and edifying is not what I can change. When Sakyamuni Buddha was in the world, there were also very bad ones who even carried out evil ways among His disciples. This is like the situation that every country wants peace, auspiciousness, and stability and has made various kinds of law. However, at any time, the prisons of the country still hold many criminals who have broken the law. The law of the country still cannot change the situation to prevent villains in the country. Otherwise police officers would all have lost their jobs.”
Just like Sakyamuni Buddha, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III treats all living beings equally and even accepts the Mara King’s descendants as disciples. His Holiness the Buddha applies the teachings of mercy, compassion, and benefiting people to them and earnestly persuade them to abandon evil and follow kindness. However, some malicious ones use learning from Buddha to cover up the evil and malicious thoughts in their mind. They falsely pose as great masters and fake holy ones to deceive people in the world. Some people are very stupid. They believe without verification from listening to their self-bragging, reading their propaganda, and hearing the promoting words from their accomplices. This is not what His Holiness the Buddha can prevent. That is why WBAH repeated very, very many times to remind everyone over and over again that you should read the announcements, investigate to determine in accordance with the dharma what your master is, and repeatedly remind yourself over and over again not to be deceived and defrauded. His Holiness the Buddha has made the biggest effort to remind everyone. Remember, whether a person is holy or ordinary is determined from taking the examination. You should not just believe from an individual’s articles or books written for self-propaganda.
We state once again that to determine whether a master is good or bad, you should first look at the person’s performance on the examination which is indicated by the grade level received. That determines whether one is holy or ordinary. Without reaching Golden Button Grade 1, one has nothing to do with the word “holiness” at all. We repeat again that the only way to prevent being deceived and defrauded is to verify and validate a master using the announcements! Even in the case of a master who was once praised by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, after violating the precepts and being contaminated by dark karma, this person’s nature will change and he or she will become a charlatan. This is because this person is not a Shang Zun at the non-receding level of Golden Button Grade 3.
H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III also said, “Among the Buddhists I taught who hold the certificates of holiness and virtue from your WBAH, it is difficult to find two who are true holy virtuous ones among 100 of them. You must remember that it all depends on your own investigation to know the good people, bad people, swindlers, ordinary persons, or holy ones among them. You have to look at their results from the examination. Otherwise you will only have the outcome of being deceived and defrauded!”
Inquiry Center of the World Buddhism Association Headquarters
November 13, 2018