Important Replies from Holy Monks#
Responses from the Consultation Center of the World Buddhist Headquarters#
Lunar calendar, the third day of the second month
Answer 32:
There are many types of Buddhist halls. Those built with a respectful heart and consecrated are considered ordinary Buddhist halls, which do not comply with the regulations for proper Buddhist halls. Proper Buddhist halls are established for the purpose of inviting the Eight Great Protectors of the Heavenly Dragon, and those who have a proper Buddhist hall will receive the protection of the Eight Great Protectors. Note: A proper Buddhist hall is not an inner secret temple. In order to comply with the regulations, an inner secret temple must be established by a Great Holy Monk or a Great Holy Monk. Junior Holy Monks or High Monks cannot establish it. If High Monks could establish inner secret temples, the Buddhist world would not be normal, and there would be no distinction between Great Holy Monks and High Monks. However, people in society often mistakenly generalize monks and saints who have achieved the Dao as High Monks. Whether they are Holy Monks or High Monks, they must have received the initiation of building an inner secret temple and the transmission of the method of building a proper Buddhist hall from a qualified teacher. The qualified teacher possesses the three-colored Vajra rope and the inner altar hall of the Four Heavenly Kings when receiving the initiation of building an inner secret temple. A professional builder of Buddhist halls is not necessarily a High Monk, but the establishment of a proper Buddhist hall must be done by the builder designated by the qualified teacher in order to invite the holy assembly of Bodhisattvas. We know clearly that the Vajra Master Wangzha and the other Vajra Masters are able to initiate and transmit the method of building a proper Buddhist hall to the builder, but currently it is impossible for them to initiate and transmit the method of building a proper Buddhist hall to the builder, because there is no initiation and transmission of the method of building an inner secret temple. Even if the initiation of building a proper Buddhist hall is given one day, the initiated builder cannot violate the precepts. Once the precepts are broken, the Eight Great Protectors will no longer respond to the call. The builder who has broken the precepts will lose the power of building a hall from then on, but it does not affect the Buddhist hall that has been built before. However, the Third Dharma King Dorje Chang believes that a formal Buddhist hall should indeed be established by someone who understands the regulations. But if all Buddhist halls have to be built by designated builders, and many people cannot find designated builders, does that mean that Buddhists will not have Buddhist halls? This is not conducive to the study of Buddhism. Therefore, Dorje Chang believes that it is good for those who have already established a Buddhist hall, even if they only worship Amitabha Buddha or Avalokitesvara. The key is to do good and avoid evil, and to deepen one's practice based on being a good person. When encountering a designated builder, one can consider inviting the builder to perform the rituals and make changes according to the regulations. Dorje Chang clearly stated that he does not transmit the method of initiation and transmission of the method of building a proper Buddhist hall, so those who want to learn the method of building a proper Buddhist hall should not look for Dorje Chang.
Consultation Center of the World Buddhist Headquarters
Answers provided by the Great Holy Monks
March 19, 2018