Regarding the same level of achievement, are the merits and virtues of cultivation and practice equal in size? Many people consult the World Buddhist Headquarters of the United Nations International about this question, thinking that the second level is higher than the first level, and the third level is higher than the second level. In fact, there is a gray area here. If someone who uses external force is considered a great sage, they may actually be a lay Buddhist. Generally speaking, external force is only used after reaching the third level of quantifying cultivation. However, there are exceptions. It must be that the level of good roots in the previous life is higher than the current level, and because the current practice has reduced the third level to the second level, there is a possibility of external force being used in this case. If the third level is obtained through the study of scriptures or the practice of moral conduct, it does not belong to the third level obtained through cultivation, so external force will not be used. However, the practice of moral conduct, the study of scriptures, and the knowledge of right and wrong are more meritorious and have a better qualification for good roots than the third level obtained through the quantification of cultivation.
There is a kind of person whose quantification of cultivation, practice of moral conduct, study of scriptures, and knowledge of right and wrong are all very poor, and it can be said that they don't understand at all, they are just laymen. But surprisingly, they can pass the Blue Button second level or even the Blue Button third level. What is the reason for this? It is because they have received an initiation of a certain great dharma, which does not require complete cultivation, but receives the initiation through the practice of the environment. At that time, the learning of the dharma will enter the process of arising, and due to the powerful blessing power inherent in this great dharma, they will immediately possess the position of the Blue Button second level or the Blue Button third level. This is the role played by the ritual and liturgy they have learned, and it has nothing to do with their weak cultivation or lack of understanding in other aspects. It is precisely because of this that we must see what qualifications the level of sainthood is obtained with.
The Third Dharma King of Many Treasures Buddha has a meaningful saying about our first level. The Buddha said, "Some of you who currently possess the holy virtues are not even worthy of carrying shoes for the ancient high monks and great virtuous ones. To put it bluntly, some so-called holy virtues are far inferior to the good people in society who do not study Buddhism!" The Buddha's words reveal the truth. Therefore, this time when we examine and admit holy virtues, we need to separate the criteria and items of examination. Otherwise, once the level appears, it will cover up all the shortcomings of the holy virtues themselves who wear the level, and even cover up the wrong knowledge and evil views. If we only look at the level of the Blue Button to determine the greatness of the holy virtues, it is possible to mistake a layman for a great holy virtue. Of course, the true and genuine holy virtues obtained through the initiation of the Faman ritual or the Vajra Array ritual are extremely rare. So far, no one in the world who has publicly recruited disciples and propagated the Dharma has been able to obtain the Gold Button. If there is no true qualification from past lives and the practice of the Dharma in this life, it is even more difficult to obtain the Gold Button holy virtues than to ascend to heaven! Although the Gold Button holy virtues are extremely rare, they still need to be practiced according to the Dharma, because except for the Gold Button third level great holy virtues, all others belong to the unretreating ones.
After this announcement is issued, everyone should observe carefully. We believe that there are some teachers who possess the holy virtues and when they see the first part of this announcement, they are very happy, thinking that it gives them a chance to escape and they will say to their disciples: the examination of holy virtues is not important, and they don't want to take the exam. In fact, these people are completely crooked or have fallen from the path. Their purpose is to pretend to be bodhisattvas or great bodhisattvas without the identity of holy virtues, in order to deceive practitioners. Today, we clearly tell Buddhists that these people are complete fraudsters and demons without a doubt!!! Because their cultivation is not good and they have fallen from the path of holiness, they no longer have the ability to face the exam. They dare not put scrap copper into the alchemy furnace. They are scared!
World Buddhist Headquarters of the United Nations International
June 15, 2015