Important Replies from Holy Monks#
Responses from the Consultation Center of the World Buddhist Headquarters#
Lunar January 23
Answer 23:
"The Buddha Descending Amrita" is not the "Can a certain great living Buddha descend amrita?" that you inquired about. You are so ignorant and pitiful. Even if he is the uppermost revered one with three sections of golden buttons or the jade revered one with four sections of golden buttons, he does not have the ability to "descend amrita". In short, bodhisattvas and venerables cannot descend amrita. Besides the Buddha, only the Maitreya Bodhisattva, who is the ancient Buddha incarnate, has the ability to descend amrita. Therefore, it must be someone other than the Buddha. The amrita descended in "The True Meaning of the Heart Sutra" is called down by the Buddha in the empty space, confirming that the dharma spoken by the Third World Maitreya Buddha is the true dharma of the Tathagata, not the amrita descended by any great holy person or bodhisattva through cultivation. Because currently there is no Maitreya Bodhisattva among the holy ones, they do not possess the Buddha's ability to descend "amrita". The most that great bodhisattvas can descend is the amrita of tree flowers. However, it must be noted that the Maitreya Bodhisattva is an equal-enlightened bodhisattva, equivalent to a Buddha, and can descend amrita. Therefore, in Tibetan Buddhism, it is now well-known as the "Jampa Buddha". There are several different types of amrita. If it is the amrita descended by the Buddha, one will immediately receive a true inner secret empowerment, achieving great accomplishment in an instant, and realizing the complete knowledge of nirvana. If it is the amrita descended by the Buddha, one must observe the precepts and practice the amrita-preserving longevity mantra without violating the amrita. If seeking longevity, one will live for 125 years and achieve liberation in twelve years, realizing the complete knowledge of nirvana. If it is the amrita descended by the Buddha, one will achieve liberation in twenty years and live for 125 years, but one must observe the amrita-preserving longevity mantra. If one violates the precepts within fifteen days, one must sincerely repent and reform, otherwise the amrita will be lost without a trace. Only the amrita of enlightenment can be used for ablution and empowerment, but it only has a five percent effect, while amrita pills only have a two percent effect.
Consultation Center of the World Buddhist Headquarters
Replying to inquiries on behalf of the great holy ones
March 11, 2018