What is the purpose of our Buddhist practice? It is undoubtedly for the sake of physical health, complete wisdom and blessings, and liberation from birth and death. However, many of the teachers in Buddhism today do not possess these foundations themselves, yet they claim to be teachers from all directions, spreading false teachings and confusing the uninitiated. People who practice Buddhism do not know where to start, blindly following superstitions and idolizing fraudsters. This has a detrimental impact, leading ignorant and foolish individuals to believe that the phenomena of Buddhism are unscientific. Little do they know that the existence of phenomena is a form of empirical evidence, and denying the existence of reality is ignorance. For example, a bhikkhuni flying rapidly under the watchful eyes of many witnesses denies an undeniable fact. Another example is using scientific instruments to measure the high temperature below the belly, reaching over one hundred to two hundred degrees Fahrenheit, causing the fingers of Rinpoche and monks to burn uncontrollably, even forming blisters. This is empirical evidence of Buddhism. Furthermore, during the victorious fire offering, everyone witnesses the Vajra Dakini appearing in the empty space, spewing fire from her brow, instantly igniting the charcoal in the censer, creating a blazing fire. This is a scientific fact. This is empirical evidence of Buddhism. Similarly, the single-pulled Vajra Pestle reaching the standard is an ironclad fact that cannot be replaced by any hollow words. It is because of the ignorance of fools that they doubt the truth of facts and instead believe in falsehoods and emptiness. Buddhism is precisely the scientific evidence of seeking to verify the existence of reality. The truth and reality of Buddhism is precisely the breaking of delusion and falsehood, seeking empirical evidence. For example, some teachers have not even achieved basic physical health themselves, lacking any empirical evidence. Yet they boast about their kung fu and cultivation. Moreover, some even claim to practice a certain "Indomitable Vajra" Dharma, proclaiming themselves to be the rightful heirs of a certain Dharma King or a certain Lama, boasting about the immense power of their Dharma. Indeed, "Indomitable Vajra" is the king of great strength, with immense power. However, little do they know that even the Dharma upheld by their own masters is false Buddhism, not the victorious Dharma. They do not understand the true "Indomitable Vajra" Dharma. Therefore, after a lifetime of practice, not only do they lack the physical and mental strength of a Vajra, but they cannot even lift the single-pulled Vajra Pestle off the ground (lifting the Vajra Pestle off the ground with one hand, in accordance with one's age and weight, and reciting the seven-syllable six-word mantra, before placing it on the base). They cannot even lift the pestle off the ground, let alone pull it down three levels. Is this the physical attainment of the "Indomitable Vajra"? How naive and pitiful. This is clearly a weak and feeble shell of an ordinary person. If they cannot even cultivate the most basic physical health, can they still cultivate the power of the Vajra and achieve liberation from birth and death? A few months ago, a great Geshe who practiced the "Indomitable Vajra" Dharma came. Unexpectedly, he had no strength to lift the pestle. Even if he were a Geshe from another lineage, if he cannot lift it, then he cannot lift it. A weak body is a weak body, and it does not possess true empirical evidence of Buddhism. Instead, it produces false and hollow claims. The so-called Dharma text of his "Indomitable Vajra" has only brought him physical weakness and lacks any empirical evidence of holiness. It has caused him to descend four levels. The Vajra Pestle still remains close to the ground. Is this the true "Indomitable Vajra" Dharma? It is truly embarrassing, tarnishing the face of the Vajra Division. Such so-called Vajra masters have no shame. Only the king of great strength can be considered a practitioner of the "Indomitable Vajra." And for the Vajra King of great strength to surpass the standard weight based on his age and weight, what is he? Is he just empty talk or scientific reality? Each person should weigh it for themselves.
As a Buddhist practitioner, especially as a teacher, in addition to studying sutras and precepts, one must cultivate and practice in order to attain blessings, wisdom, and empirical evidence of realization. This includes external empirical evidence, internal empirical evidence, and holy empirical evidence. Whether one benefits from it or not, physical health is particularly important and serves as an indicator. If one's physical condition is poor and weak, how can they teach others to be physically healthy? If the body is not functioning properly, can there still be spiritual cultivation? Is physical weakness the manifestation of empirical evidence of kung fu and realization? Is a physically strong body a weak and sickly body? These questions require deep contemplation!
In order to identify good teachers and beneficial friends and to prevent impostors from infiltrating, the headquarters has implemented examinations and annual reviews, including physical examinations, as part of the Buddhist education system. The assessment is divided into four parts: 150 points for sutras and precepts, 300 points for conduct and merits, 150 points for physical health, and the total score for Buddhist empirical evidence, which is the sum of the three subjects, is 600 points. To pass, one must achieve a score of at least 400 points. The final standard is determined by the total score and the assessment of spiritual cultivation. Female Buddhist practitioners are first assessed on sutras and precepts, then on conduct and merits, and finally on Buddhist empirical evidence. Male Buddhist practitioners are first assessed on sutras and precepts, then on conduct and merits, then on physical health, and finally on Buddhist empirical evidence.
The strength of physical health for male Buddhist practitioners must be determined through empirical evidence and internal power. Unless they have achieved the level of sending a Bodhisattva as a representative or have empirical evidence of hidden treasures, prophecies, or the construction of altars from stones, all male Buddhist practitioners must undergo physical examinations, including the single-pulled Vajra Pestle examination. The weight reduction and increase of the Vajra Pestle has four titles: Excellent Physique, Weak Physique, Strong Physique, and Vajra King of Great Strength. To achieve the title of Excellent Physique, one must have excellent health and physical strength surpassing that of an ordinary person. Conversely, if one can reduce the weight to the standard by one or two levels, they are considered to have a healthy body. If they cannot even reach the standard weight after reducing it by three levels, they are considered to have weak physical strength. If they cannot even reach the standard weight, they are considered to have an absolute weak and feeble body. On the other hand, if they can increase the weight by four levels on top of the standard weight, they are considered to be the Vajra King of Great Strength, which is rare in this world. Some teachers have suggested that the Third Dharma King, Dorje Chang Buddha III, does not approve of the examination of the Vajra Pestle. However, these teachers have forgotten that Dorje Chang Buddha III has also said: "As a Buddhist, it is important to deeply study sutras and precepts and focus on practice in order to benefit from the Dharma. Regarding physical health, it is an important indicator in empirical evidence. However, I do not entirely agree with the examination of the Vajra Pestle as empirical evidence of physical health. This is not my personal opinion. I believe that I am not yet at the level of failing to lift the pestle. The key issue lies in the difficulty it poses for male candidates during the examination. I think the threshold is too high and too strict. Of course, I also hope that everyone is free from illness, physically healthy, and has smooth energy channels. I hope everyone becomes an Excellent Physique."
After careful consideration, the World Buddhist Headquarters has decided to establish the examination of the single-pulled Vajra Pestle to prevent false teachers or unenlightened individuals from pretending to be holy. However, the examination score has been reduced to 150 points. In order to achieve equal and relative quality among male Buddhist practitioners, the headquarters has determined the empirical evidence of realization based on the principles of dependent origination. The following standard test table has been compiled to provide a clear understanding (the weight in this table is the same for both young and old individuals, ensuring fairness).
Standard Weight for Single-Pulled Vajra Pestle#
Age 20-35: The base weight is 100 jin. If the body weight exceeds the base weight, for each jin exceeding the base weight, an additional two jin must be added.
Age 36-45: The base weight is 100 jin. If the body weight exceeds the base weight, for each jin exceeding the base weight, an additional one jin and eight liang must be added.
Age 46-55: The base weight is 100 jin. If the body weight exceeds the base weight, for each jin exceeding the base weight, an additional one jin and seven liang must be added.
Age 56-60: The base weight is 100 jin. If the body weight exceeds the base weight, for each jin exceeding the base weight, an additional one jin and six liang must be added.
Age 61-65: The base weight is 100 jin. If the body weight exceeds the base weight, for each jin exceeding the base weight, an additional one jin and five liang must be added.
Age 66-70: The base weight is 100 jin. If the body weight exceeds the base weight, for each jin exceeding the base weight, an additional one jin and four liang must be added.
Age 71-75: The base weight is 100 jin. If the body weight exceeds the base weight, for each jin exceeding the base weight, an additional one jin must be added.
Age 76-80: The base weight is 100 jin. If the body weight exceeds the base weight, for each jin exceeding the base weight, an additional eight liang must be added.
Age 81-85: The base weight is 100 jin. If the body weight exceeds the base weight, for each jin exceeding the base weight, an additional five liang must be added.
Age 86-90: The base weight is 100 jin. If the body weight exceeds the base weight, for each jin exceeding the base weight, an additional two liang must be added.
Age 90 and above: The base weight is 100 jin.
As an example, let's take a male practitioner aged 20-35 with a body weight of 230 jin. The base weight for him to lift is 100 jin. For the excess weight of 130 jin, an additional two jin must be added for each jin. Therefore, this male practitioner must be able to lift 360 jin off the ground, recite the seven-syllable six-word mantra seven times, and place it on the base to meet the standard.
For individuals aged 20-35, there is no data available for weights beyond this range. Therefore, for individuals aged 20-35 who meet the standard weight, if they continue to increase their power, for each jin they exceed the standard weight, an additional two jin and four liang must be added. For the second level of exceeding the standard weight, an additional two jin and five liang must be added for each jin. For the third level of exceeding the standard weight, an additional two jin and six liang must be added for each jin. For the fourth level of exceeding the standard weight, an additional two jin and seven liang must be added for each jin. Anyone who exceeds the fourth level is considered the Vajra King of Great Strength.
The World Buddhist Headquarters has now established the Vajra Pestle examination at the Holy Relics Temple. Buddhist practitioners are welcome to register for the examination to verify whether they possess solid empirical evidence of internal power. Female practitioners who are willing to attempt the Vajra Pestle examination are also welcome, but according to regulations, their scores will not be included in the examination results.
World Buddhist Headquarters
August 7, 2019