In order to protect Buddhist disciples from being deceived, the identity of the teacher worshipped by Buddhists as holy or ordinary, and what level of achievement they are, must be determined by an examination. It must be based on the law, not on personal preference, and based on righteousness, not on unrighteousness. No matter how high the status of a Buddhist saint is, they must pass an examination to be considered valid. If they are unwilling to take the examination, it proves that there are significant problems with this teacher, and no matter how high their reputation is, they cannot be trusted. In addition, all venerables, dharma kings, and recognized reincarnated living Buddhas are also untrustworthy. Furthermore, until one reaches the level of an irreversible bodhisattva, their path will be determined by the quality of their practice, whether it is progressing or regressing. Therefore, no matter if the teacher is a mud pill path fruit or a vajra transformation meditation with deep and vast levels, displays the power of clumsy fire samadhi, projects consciousness outside the body, or practices rituals to invite bodhisattvas to bless disciples and manifest as holy beings, these do not indicate the level of achievement in their practice and cannot be used as a definitive measure. In order to be 100% certain of their status and level of attainment, it is necessary to perform the Vajra Dharma Mantra Selection Test, or prophetic predictions, or the Black Gate Selection Test based on the Hundred Dharmas Clear Gate, or pass the examination of the Vajra Formation or Eight Winds Formation and obtain the rank robe. Unless they can present a higher level of practice to prove themselves, or perform the secret initiation of holy righteousness (using a vajra pill the size of a green bean, placed in the disciple's palm, with the teacher standing five meters away, if the teacher can perform a ritual that causes the vajra pill to transform or dance in the disciple's hand from a distance), then all miraculous displays are not achievements of holy virtue. However, in order to determine the specific level of attainment, it is necessary to confirm it with the rank robe, in order to determine the level of achievement in their practice. See below for the specific qualifications of a true teacher:
For the candidates of the true Buddhist identity in this session, they must first pass a written test of a hundred questions on sutras, vinaya, and abhidharma, and then obtain the certificate of qualification from the Dharma Gate Palace, in order to be eligible for the holy examination. If they obtain the certificate of qualification but their test scores are too low, they cannot enter the holy examination.
The holy examination is divided into two methods: one is to write all your strong points on one document and enter the examination at once. The other is to separate multiple points and enter the examination independently for each point. In particular, the Blue Button Three Stages, which is an important key stage for promotion to the Gold Button, is divided into three different blue buttons: if you pass the three stages in one examination, you will only have three blue buttons; if you pass the three stages in two examinations, you will add a small black button to the original three blue buttons; if you pass the three stages in three examinations, you will add another small black button, at this time, the robe will have a total of three blue buttons and two small black buttons, for a total of five buttons, which is called the Blue Button Three Stages of Run De identity.
If you still have independent strong points to be tested, you cannot take the Blue Button anymore, but you have to be promoted to the Gold Button. Then you will combine all the questions you have previously passed the three stages for into one document and directly enter the examination for the Gold Button. If you fail the Gold Button examination, you will retain the Blue Button rank you previously obtained; if you pass the Gold Button examination, you will add the original three blue buttons, two small black buttons, and one gold button to the robe, for a total of six buttons, which is the Gold Button One Stage of Run De.
If you see a teacher with only three blue buttons, it means that this teacher has only passed the three stages once; if you see three blue buttons and an additional small black button, it means that this teacher has passed the three stages in two separate examinations; if there are three blue buttons and two small black buttons, this teacher must have passed the three stages in three separate examinations. It is very rare to pass the Blue Button One Stage, with only about one in two or three thousand Buddhist practitioners; the Blue Button Two Stage is naturally higher than the One Stage; and the Blue Button Three Stage is a very rare achievement, with very few among the thousands of teachers and living Buddhas. As for the Gold Button, it is even rarer.
However, all teachers should be aware that the headquarters keeps detailed records of each candidate, in order to provide information for inquiries. The Holy Examination Consultation Group will truthfully inform inquirers of your examination situation, but will not disclose your written test scores, only answering how many times you have taken the examination, which examination you took and how many stages you passed, whether you have been involved in the cycle of the dark realm, whether you are unable to enter the peaceful auspicious realm in front of you and fall down, or just entered the peaceful auspicious realm and suddenly blown out by the eight winds, or have fallen unconscious and been carried out by the four great guards, the main altar teacher will perform rituals to ensure your safety.
In addition to the robe worn by the teacher, the World Buddhist Headquarters also issues a certificate of rank that matches the robe to the teacher who has passed the rank. If it is found that the rank does not match the certificate, it means that the robe is fake and fraudulent.
Furthermore, I solemnly inform everyone that the Holy Delegation guarantees, based on the righteousness of holy virtue, that we will not disclose to anyone who calls or emails for inquiries, whether you have consulted or which teacher you have consulted.
This announcement is hereby made.
World Buddhist Headquarters
March 17, 2016