Important Replies from Holy Monks#
Responses from the Consultation Center of the World Buddhist Headquarters to Inquirers#
Lunar January 15th
Answer Fifteen:
We apologize, but we must tell the truth and speak the reality. We fear karma and dare not tell lies. The title of "Venerable" originated from the sixteen great Arhats who were disciples of Shakyamuni Buddha. You can imagine how noble and esteemed they were. How can you high monks and great virtuous ones aspire to and bear such a title? Many of the later patriarchs of the Exoteric and Esoteric sects have not reached the level of Venerable, let alone you. Even the highest-ranking Lama has not achieved the status of Venerable. Only those with the virtuousness of a Golden Button can be associated with the title of Venerable. For example, a first-stage Golden Button is a Child Venerable, a second-stage Golden Button is a Teaching Venerable, and a third-stage Golden Button is an Upper Venerable. These are Venerables of different levels. A first-stage Golden Button or a second-stage Golden Button does not possess the cultivation to "present a tablet to a Bodhisattva." Even a third-stage Golden Button does not have full confidence in being able to "present a tablet to a Bodhisattva." It must be at least a third-stage Golden Button or higher to ensure the completion of "presenting a tablet to a Bodhisattva"!!! Even a Golden Body Arhat Venerable cannot present a tablet to a Bodhisattva because it is difficult for a Venerable to summon a Bodhisattva into the altar. If the Bodhisattva cannot be summoned, the tablet cannot be taken away. Without the Bodhisattva taking the tablet away, how can the rainbow disappear? Furthermore, regarding the Bodhisattva who does not regress, it must be at least a third-stage Golden Button Upper Venerable to be a Bodhisattva who does not regress.
Consultation Center of the World Buddhist Headquarters
Representatives of the Great Holy Monks answering questions
March 2, 2018