Wangzha Shangzun said, "The explanation of 'Famen Gongyu' issued by the headquarters on October 1st is too brief, making it difficult to know the source. Since it has been mentioned, it should be explained in a bit more detail. Some people think that 'Famen Gongyu' seems to be something related to Taoism. The person who said this at best has only a superficial understanding of the secular Buddhist teachings. As for the profound teachings, it can be said that this person has never even heard of them! They only know some secular Buddhist instruments used in rituals, such as bells, mallets, hooks, lamps, clocks, drums, wooden fish, incense burners, robes, ropes, forks, zhangga, prayer beads, staffs, sutra cylinders, pagodas, gawu, hand drums, ritual cords, and talismans. They have never even smelled the fragrance of the profound teachings. How can they claim to have seen them? How can such a person not know their own limitations and make presumptuous comments about sacred instruments? 'Famen Gongyu' is one of the important sacred instruments of the profound teachings of Buddhism. It is different from other sacred instruments in that it has two main deities. The first is the Peacock King, who uses black and white peacock feathers as the instrument, and the second is the Maitreya Bodhisattva in the Duosuo Palace, who uses the 'Vajra Command' as the instrument. The combination of the peacock feathers and the Vajra Command is called 'Famen Gongyu'. The 'Vajra Command' is the size of a thumb and is made of ancient white jade, carved according to the law and then refined through practice. It is suspended from a vajra cord at the top. In fact, its appearance is like a jade pendant hanging around the neck, with two sides. One side displays the Vajra Heart Mantra of the Maitreya Bodhisattva in the Duosuo Palace, and the other side displays the command of the Peacock King. This ritual was born in the Maitreya Palace in the Duosuo Heaven. 'Famen Gongyu' is mainly used for the selection, decision-making, and blessing of the profound teachings of Buddhism. This year's Holy Virtue Examination has 'Famen Gongyu' hanging to oversee whether the candidates are qualified to enter the examination. The divination function of 'Famen Gongyu' is similar to that of Manjushri Bodhisattva's divination, but it can be said that the manifestation of 'Famen Gongyu' is more direct. The 'Famen Gongyu' instrument automatically reveals the truth about a matter, person, or law that needs to be verified. This instrument does not require human operation. It is hung on the Dharma platform. Just write the desired matter or the principles of permission and prohibition on a document, and recite it in front of 'Famen Gongyu'. It will immediately reveal the truth to the public. For those that are correct and agreed upon, it will offer white peacock feathers to you. If it is incorrect or not agreed upon, it will offer black peacock feathers to you, or it will simply ignore matters that it does not agree with."
The characteristic that distinguishes "Famen Gongyu" from divination is that one manifests without human intervention, while the other is manifested by shaking divination sticks by oneself. The "Famen Gongyu" used in the Holy Examination is a "sacred instrument" inherited by Wangzha Shangzun, which was passed down from Yuwang Siluo to Jiangbagesi, and then passed down to Wangzha Shangzun. The profound teachings of the sacred instruments are not something that ordinary Buddhist practitioners can understand, because they are part of the profound teachings and are only publicly used in special Dharma assemblies, such as this year's Holy Examination, where many candidates have had the opportunity to see them. This is because the main examiner of this year's Holy Examination is Wangzha Shangzun. To be serious, Shangzun hung the "Famen Gongyu" on the entrance gate of the examination site in the first round of the Holy Examination. Those that are not recognized by "Famen Gongyu" are not allowed to enter through the main gate and can only enter through the side gate to observe the examination. Those who are not qualified to enter through the main gate indicate that they have not qualified for the qualifying examination.
World Buddhist Headquarters International
October 2, 2015