There are some people who have earned practical merits, but the levels they attained from the Holy Test are low. This kind of situation does exist, and it happens at quite a high percentage. Even though, from the surface, those people look as if they have done tangible Buddhist undertakings, their motivations must be questioned. For example, some folks have set up many Dharma-listening centers to propagate the Dharma voice of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. They, indeed, have done valuable work of merits. But, at the same time as they are planting merits, they are violating the precepts by copying the audio recordings of the Dharma discourses, randomly and erroneously talking about the meanings of Dharma, mixing the learning with some outside books that have evil views or non-Buddhist thoughts, or carelessly giving teachings by themselves, or even deceiving Buddhist disciples in the name of propagating Dharma. As such, they have induced all kinds of black karma, overtaking the good deeds they have done and the merits they have accumulated. Such masters will not even pass the first level of the Holy Test. For another example, some people look as if they were doing Buddhist work on a grand scale, including promoting Buddha Dharma, praising Buddha Dharma, protecting Buddha Dharma, being righteous, and working for the well-being of people, but they are entirely running the operation in the name of propagating Dharma to make their profits surreptitiously. Such masters can never obtain a good result in the Holy Test.

For another example, some people are well-versed in sutras, treatises, and learnings but hold an evil or partial view of certain treatises or Dharma. Because of this, they can’t achieve a reasonable level in the Holy Test. Some people bully other Buddhist disciples who are weak and small. They are conceited and think they are the boss. Even though, on the one hand, they are doing Buddhist work, on the other hand, they don’t have the words and deeds of a Buddhist, and as such, they don’t deserve to reach any level in the Holy Test.
For yet another example, after winning a Dharma power competition by applying their holy capabilities, some people show arrogance and self-conceit in their words, deeds, and minds. Their conduct is full of ordinary people’s hindrances. Such masters also won’t attain good test results.

On the contrary, if every good deed done, every Buddhist task undertaken, and every practice kept are based on the act of benefiting others, a compassionate mind towards others, and sincerity and piousness toward Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, then it will for sure result in a good level in the Holy Test. If you hold the holy bodhicitta, i.e., excellent loving-kindness and great compassion, if you rigorously keep precepts, if you treat others as if they are your parents and family members, and if your cultivation is genuine and substantive, then you are undoubtedly guaranteed to attain a high level from the Holy Test!

Because the last part of the test is holy, it is not a test administered by humans. The test is impartial. No matter how cunning and delusive a candidate’s scheme is, that person cannot have their way because it has no use. Only those who are honest and upright, who truly cultivate themselves and genuinely learn from Buddha, who indeed do good deeds, who truly benefit others, who have true capabilities and true Dharma abilities and who do everything to help living beings without any intention to seize fame and wealth for themselves avariciously can pass the gate of high levels in the Holy Test. Such Buddhists who learn from Buddha and cultivate themselves will not have any problem even if they take the test purely based on virtue. As far as taking the test from the perspective of virtue, those masters who discord with the Dharma have no hope of any kind because one must have the holy capabilities and achievements from the totality of one’s deeds, words and thoughts.

Once again, we call your attention. Other than the holiness level one attains in the test through the Vajra Array when taking the test based on virtuous quality, if a person gets a Blue Button level based on just one subject of virtue, you must pay attention and examine which category and item of virtue it is. The reason is that, for different areas of virtue, people’s actual achievements in the test can be different accordingly. In other words, two people who attain the same levels can have different realization powers and virtuous capabilities. On the other hand, two people with similar realization powers may get different levels in the test.

As for attaining Gold Button Level 1 from the test, one can choose either of two paths. The first is taking the Holy Test based on one subject area, and the second is on the virtuous quality. If one takes the test based on the virtuous quality, one must go through the Vajra Array, in which one’s test result is firm and final. In that case, one must write a document and clearly state whether one’s fundamental nature is Gold Button Level 1, an Arahat, or a Bodhisattva. On the other hand, the test result based on an item of virtue is firm and final in the Eight-wind Array, in which case the candidate does not write down what level their fundamental quality is. One only needs to write which category and item of virtue they choose to be tested on before coming to take the test. Suppose a candidate taking the Holy Test on a particular category and subject of virtue can attain Blue Button Level 3. In that case, they can decide on the spot to stop the test for Gold Button Level 1 through the Eight-wind Array. Instead, they can take it through the Vajra Array. One must state their desire to do so when registering for the test. For those who have not said it, they can do it now.

As for the venerables, dharma kings, great rinpoches, great dharma masters, and great laypeople, whatever lineage a person may have, be it as strong as iron, from whatever sect it may be, their titles are empty and unreal because the titles are artificial and indefinite. Their titles cannot prove they are great Bodhisattvas or holy beings, no matter how fantastic or fancy their titles may sound. It doesn’t work that way at all. Being a great Bodhisattva or a sacred being has nothing to do with titles, names, lineage, or positions. No matter what status one has, to prove one is an actual holy being, one must go through the Holy Test and prove oneself by attaining the corresponding level. Only by doing so can one’s fundamental quality be firm, and the level one has attained be iron-clad. People can then see clearly how much weight one has, the level and state of one’s accomplishment, and what one’s strong suit and weak suit are. Everything is laid above the table, 100% precise, for you to see clearly.

Except for the subject item of virtue that a master takes the test in, the master may only get Blue Button Level 1 or Level 2, or no button at all, in all other subject areas in which they are not tested. The master may go against Buddha’s teachings, rules, and ways of cultivation. In that case, you can use the 128 evil and erroneous views to examine that master, and you can tell whether the master is right or wrong, whether the master is impartial or not, and evil or not. On the other hand, a master who passed the test based on virtuous quality has proven their overall quality in conduct, speech, and mind and hence does not have the same issue mentioned above. Don’t superstitiously follow and admire someone and think they are a great and holy being just because of their outer title or status, lest you should be misled for life!

The United International World Buddhism Association Headquarters

August 27, 2015

(Eric Huang translated this announcement into English. It was last updated on 2024-07-28.)