You submitted an inquiry if a Vajra master has emerged in Hong Kong. You clearly don’t understand the concept of Vajra master. Other than Hong Kong, there are countless so-called Vajra masters worldwide. The name Vajra master originated from a translation of the Tibetan word Acaryas which encompasses very broad and general constituents. This name embodies various concepts of being a Vajra master and categorically represents different Vajra masters: authentic Vajra master, fake Vajra master, mediocre Vajra master, and holy Vajra master. The differences in caliber between them are like night and day. Suppose a Buddhist practitioner can impart common Buddhist ordinances and doctrines, uphold strict precepts, propagate Dharma, and benefit the public and all beings. In that case, this Buddhist practitioner can be a teacher and in Vajrayana, this teacher is called a Vajra master.
Be very aware that not all Vajra masters are Holy Gurus. From the Tremendous Holy Gurus such as Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava to individuals who transmit and propagate Buddha Dharma, they are all called masters. There are numerous of them, beyond count, all over the world. Nonetheless, the authentic Holy Vajra Masters are exceptional and scarce that they are less than one in ten thousand. For example, Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava is generally referred to as the Great Acarya–a Holy Vajra Master. The apparent differentiation between a Holy Vajra Master and an ordinary Vajra master is in the attire. If the master’s garment displays the Gold Button, the master is a certified Holy Vajra Master. Therefore, any master without the Gold Button attire is not a Holy Vajra Master. The status of Holy Vajra Master is recognized if a candidate passes two certification examinations.
The first is a written test on Tripitaka (i.e., Sutra, Vinaya, and Sastra), where the candidate must receive at least a 60% passing grade. They then proceed to the Holy Test, which could be the holy test of the Vajra Array, the Grand Eight Winds Array, or Lifting Pestle Onto Platform With One Hand. Or the candidate can be adjudicated by one of the following Dharmas: the Hayagriva Or Horse-Head Wisdom King Water Altar Bead Hexagram, the Vajra Pillar Adjudication, or the Dharma Gate Peacock Feathers and the Adamantine Command Adjudication. Any individual who has not been validated by a holy adjudication Dharma conducted by a Holy Guru of the level of Taizun or higher and does not wear the Gold Button attire may be called a Vajra master but not a Holy Vajra Master!!!
Although not a certified Holy Vajra Master, any virtuous and knowledgeable master who already maintains the corresponding ethics and morality as a Holy Guru, guides Buddhist disciples on learning from Buddha and Buddhist cultivation and abides by strict Buddhist precepts can be called a Vajra master. Those Buddhist masters who propagate Buddha Dharma to benefit living beings are more inclined to be rewarded with an inner-tantric initiation due to their merits from leading Buddhist disciples to listen to the Dharma Voice or the audio recordings of Dharma discourses given by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III.
The Headquarters acknowledges the following types of Vajra masters in the world:
The first type is outstanding Buddhist cultivators with expertise in Buddhology. These individuals abide by strict Buddhist precepts, are compassionate towards and benefit all beings, and guide Buddhist practitioners to listen to the audio recordings of the Dharma imparted by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III. The individuals have submitted their applications and were approved by the World Buddhism Association Headquarters as Vajra masters.
The second type is the virtuous and merciful individuals who educate Buddhist disciples to learn from Buddha and practice Buddhist cultivation. They guide Buddhist practitioners to listen to the audio recordings of the Dharma imparted by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III. In addition, they have disciples who follow them. They are categorized as independent Vajra masters.
The third type is individuals who, despite their smattering of Buddhism, diligently guide people to listen to the audio recordings of the Dharma imparted by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III and practice Buddhist cultivation and learn from the Buddha. They are capable of transmitting mantras and introductory Buddhism. They are also independent Vajra masters.
The fourth type is the individuals who fish for fame and praise, stoop to deception, and their words are filled with lies. They exploit their Buddhist lineage to deceive followers and self-proclaim to be holy Vajra masters. These are fake Vajra masters who are, in fact, charlatans.
The fifth type is the authentic Vajra masters, compliant with pure Buddhist doctrines, who passed the Tripitaka written examination and were adjudicated by the Holy Test to attain the Gold Button ranking. They are the Holy Vajra Masters who are so exceptional and rare. Among Vajra masters, it is hard to find one in ten thousand. However, it is solemnly more critical to note that attaining the Gold Button ranking is impossible without taking the Holy Test for any impostor who pretends to be a holy being and anyone disseminating voodoo, witchcraft, or religious quackery. It is why Holy Vajra Masters are so exceptionally rare. Impostors who pass off fake as genuine holy beings will not be able to muddle through the Holy Test. Thus, Buddhist practitioners must see the individual’s Gold Button attire and the accompanying Gold Button Holy Guru certificate for validation. Otherwise, the person is not a holy master with any Dharma powers.
There are too many frauds who pose as holy beings in the world. Buddhist practitioners must validate them by certification. If an individual does not wear the Gold Button attire and does not hold the Gold Button Holy Guru certificate but pretends to be a holy being, you must treat this person as a charlatan or a fraudulent quack.
The World Buddhism Association Headquarters guarantees that lifting a barbell can expose the truth that an impostor is nothing but a stinky douchebag with mundane physical compositions and strength. A man weighing 200 lb. or below must lift a 260 lb. barbell with one hand. If his weight is 230 lb. and down, he must lift a 280 lb. barbell with one hand. If he weighs 260 lb. and below, he needs to raise a 295 lb. barbell with one hand. And finally, if his weight is 280 lb. or less, he must lift a 310 lb. barbell with one hand. He should use the standard rotatable Vajra hook to lift the weight. However, barehand can suffice if such a vajra hook is not available. As long as he can raise the barbell off the ground for 8 seconds, he undeniably is a holy Buddhist cultivator with a divine physical condition. Therefore, he is an actual holy being. Otherwise, he is a con artist.
This test hits the nail right on the head. The World Buddhism Association Headquarters can publicly assert that, by way of this comparative standard based on weight, an impostor will not be able to lift the barbell off the ground for even 1 second because he is nothing but a mundane human being with an ordinary physique and physical composition. All can request this method to validate whether a male candidate is a holy being or a cheat. Regarding female candidates, other Holy Adjudication will be conducted for validation.
Here is a story for your reference. An individual once claimed he could enter and leave the Shambhala Pure Land at will and was on equal footing with Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava and Marpa Lotsawa. He claimed the Jade Emperor (aka Yudi) once invited him to have a meal at Wangfujing Street in Beijing. The Jade Emperor ordered dishes without consulting his preferences, which was disrespectful and impolite to him. Therefore, the Jade Emperor knelt on the ground and repented to him. Well, this individual could not even lift the lightest 200 lb. “Beginner’s Pestle” off the ground. Thus, it exposed that this con man was nothing but a body full of cancerous pus.
A Vajra master who learns from Buddha and cultivates himself, who benefits others and all beings with kind intentions, and who leads followers to listen to the audio recordings of the Dharma imparted by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III will obtain tremendous merits. Therefore, such a Vajra master will likely receive an inner-tantric Dharma because this individual’s conduct benefits all beings bona fide.
Another inquiry asked if a particular individual requires an annual review. It uniformly depends on if this individual holds the status and ranking certification issued by the World Buddhism Association Headquarters and wears the corresponding ranking attire.
Another letter inquired if any Buddha Hall with a holy mandala is an authentic Buddha Hall of True Buddha Dharma. The reply is: A Holy mandala is an indispensable and the primary offering vessel of a True Dharma Buddha Hall. Nevertheless, all quintessential offering vessels, such as the eight auspicious offering cups, bell and vajra, etc., i.e., every material and placement in a Buddha Hall, including the fabrics for adhesion, must meet the Dharma stipulation. In short, to comply with the stipulations, the master specializing in establishing Buddha Halls must bring all the items in the Buddha Hall to a temple or home and conduct the Dharma in advance. The complete procedure is arduous, complicated and time-consuming. Nonetheless, the Dharma stipulation must be faithfully implemented to initiate the Yidam stage, following which the Buddha Hall can be formally constructed to establish an authentic Buddha Hall of True Buddha Dharma. Only the Buddha Halls established following the Dharma stipulation are authentic Buddha Halls of True Buddha Dharma. The Dharma stipulation demands complete and detailed implementation; every step must be considered. Therefore, a Buddha Hall with a holy mandala offering is an ordinary Buddha Hall. It will not function and operate as a Buddha Hall of True Buddha Dharma because, in addition to the holy mandala, many requirements still need to be implemented per the Dharma.
The Inquiry Center, World Buddhism Association Headquarters
September 13, 2021
(Translated from Chinese to English by Sheila Lauly, Translation checked and edited by Eric Huang)