{"id":51219,"date":"2015-08-23T21:27:00","date_gmt":"2015-08-24T04:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/?p=51219"},"modified":"2025-07-07T16:31:30","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T00:31:30","slug":"announcement-no-20150110-vajra-array-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/announcement-no-20150110-vajra-array-test\/announcement\/world-buddhism-association-headquarters-announcements\/","title":{"rendered":"Announcement No. 20150110: Vajra Array Test"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Announcement No. 20150110: Vajra Array Test<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Difference in levels of accomplishment; taking the Vajra Array Test<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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World Buddhism Association Headquarters Announcements<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 How big is the difference between the achievements of Sumeru Wheel Blue Button Level 3 and Sun-moon Wheel Gold Button Level 1? A public announcement already explained this question in graphs. We will answer it again here to make it clearer for everyone.<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 The difference between Blue Button Level 3 and Gold Button Level 1 is both great and small. It is small because Gold Button Level 1 can only be one step away from Blue Button Level 3; it is significant because Gold Button Level 1 can be as much as 90 steps away from Blue Button Level 3. Gold Button Level 1 is obtained based on the candidate\u2019s overall quality of holy virtue, while Blue Button Level 3 is mainly obtained based on an item of holy virtue by the candidate. In short, one is based on the overall structure and quality of divine virtue, encompassing conduct, speech, and mind, while the other is due to a single item or a few items of conduct or mindset of the candidate meeting the standard of conduct or mindset for holiness and virtue. The scope of variation between the overall quality of virtue and the single item or items of virtue is quite broad.<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Let\u2019s discuss the case where Blue Button Level 3 is only one step from Gold Button Level 1. In that case, the person of Blue Button Level 3 only needs a little bit more in the keeping of their cultivation to advance to the virtue quality of Gold Button Level 1. Take practicing the Dharma as an analogy. If a person practices the Vajra Change-Body Dhyana (\u91d1\u525b\u63db\u9ad4\u79aa) and as long as they have opened their crown and converged their consciousness inwardly* (\u795e\u8b58\u5167\u6582), then they can pass the test for Blue Button Level 3, but in that case, they are still 90 steps away from Gold Button Level 1. If they can attain the Generation Stage (\u751f\u8d77\u6b21\u7b2c), that is, if on the grounds of having the crown opened, their consciousness can freely enter or exit the body, then at that stage, they are at least 80 steps away from Gold Button Level 1. If, however, they can attain the Completion Stage (\u5713\u6eff\u6b21\u7b2c), then at that stage, they will only be one step away from Gold Button Level 1.<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 In terms of the practice and realization of the Vajra Change-Body Dhyana, because one is still a step short of having the structure of the overall quality of virtue, one cannot attain Gold Button Level 1. It is not until one gets to the Perfection Stage (\u751f\u5713\u4e0d\u4e8c\u6b21\u7b2c) that the last step is taken. Then, one finally attains Gold Button Level 1 because one is no longer short of any steps. At that time, one can easily pass the test for Gold Button Level 1.<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Likewise, The difference between Gold Button Levels 1 and 2 is as small as one step and as big as 90 steps; the difference between Gold Button Levels 2 and 3 is also as small as one step and as big as 90 steps. Therefore, for two people tested on the same item of virtue and have passed the same level, there can be a vast difference between their levels of accomplishment.<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 For example, when Hsirao Gendeng practiced Dharma to the best of his abilities and realized the Generation Stage of the Vajra Change-body Dhyana, he had only 20% of the Dharma power. His generation stage could only be counted as a single item of virtue, as he was still 80% short of the overall quality of virtue.<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 That was just an illustration by the Vajra Change-body Dhyana; it does not mean the principle only applies to the Vajra Change-body Dhyana. The principle applies to the practice of Tathagata Dharma of any Yidam or Dharmapala, as well as cultivation and observance of the precepts. A candidate can take the test on any of these items.<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Based on the discussion above, people who have passed the test for the same level on the same item or the practice of the same Dharma can have totally different levels of achievement, and the difference can be huge.<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 If you want to prove you are a holy being who descended to this world or an incarnated Arahat or Bodhisattva, then you must pass the Vajra Array Test. Otherwise, your status as an Arahat or Bodhisattva cannot be certain. Of course, your actual status can also be ascertained by way of the Holy Determination by Vajra Faman (\u91d1\u525b\u6cd5\u66fc\u64c7\u6c7a) or the Dharma of Knowing in Advance and Foretelling the Future (\u5148\u77e5\u9810\u8a00). If you want to take the Vajra Array Test, we suggest that you first take the test of the Eight-wind Array and have a definitive result before you take the Vajra Array Test. It will only do you good because you have nothing to lose. In that case, if you fail the Vajra Array Test, you can keep the level you have definitively attained through the Eight-wind Array.<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Those who want to take the Vajra Array Test directly without taking the test on the single items of virtue must have reasonable confidence and be sure that you are a reincarnated Arahat or Bodhisattva. If you waive to be tested on the items of virtue from the four major categories and directly take the Vajra Array Test, you will not even have Blue Button Level 1 if you fail it. It is because you have waived the definitiveness from being tested on the items of virtue from the four major categories and the Eight-wind Array. No make-up test will be held retroactively for you.<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Pay special attention. There are two ways to take the Vajra Array Test. One is to follow the typical test sequence, and the other is to take the test directly. A candidate who wants to take the Vajra Array Test must apply to do it at registration. Someone who plans to take the Vajra Array Test through the typical sequence can call it off if they do not want to take it anymore at the test time, but those who apply to take it directly cannot cancel it. You must apply to take the Vajra Array Test at registration to be arranged to take the test. However, those who have yet to take the Vajra Array Test can still apply now.<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 There are three ways to register for the test. You can choose either one at registration by declaring the following:<\/span><\/p>

  1. \u201cI am a Gold Button Level 1 holy guru or a reincarnation of an Arahat or Bodhisattva. I waive the test on the single item or items of virtue from the four major categories and apply to take the Vajra Array Test to validate my status directly,\u201d<\/span>

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  2. \u201cI apply to be tested on a single item or items of virtue first. I want to take the Vajra Array Test after I have passed the test of Eight-wind Array for Blue Button Level 3\u201d, or<\/span>

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  3. \u201cI apply to be tested on a single item or items of virtue from the four major categories.\u201d<\/span>

    \u00a0<\/p><\/li><\/ol>

    \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 People at Blue Button Level 2 are not eligible for the Vajra Array Test. Although a candidate may be only one step away from Blue Button Level 3, he or she is at least 101 steps away from Gold Button Level 1 and, therefore, is not eligible for the Vajra Array Test.<\/span><\/p>

    \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 The Vajra Array Test is set up primarily for Gold Button levels holy gurus such as Arahats or Bodhisattvas. We suggest that you take the test for Blue Button Level 3 first as a backup before you take the Vajra Array Test. If you fail the Vajra Array Test, you will still have obtained the certificate and the robe for Blue Button Level 3.<\/span><\/p>

    \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Some people look down on Blue Button Level 1. That is an erroneous view. It is challenging to pass Blue Button Level 1; you can hardly find one person among a thousand. Those who have passed Blue Button Level 1 are much better than those dharma kings, rinpoches, or dharma masters who cannot pass. They are the models for people to learn from, and the item of virtue they are tested to gain Blue Button Level 1 is precisely the item that those who could not pass the test lack.<\/span><\/p>

    The United International World Buddhism Association Headquarters
    August 23, 2015<\/p>

    (Eric C. Huang is responsible for translating this announcement into English. It was last revised by Eric Huang on 2024-09-07.)<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    Announcement No. 20150110: Vajra Array Test<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    How big is the difference between the achievements of Sumeru Wheel Blue Button Level 3 and Sun-moon Wheel Gold Button Level 1? A public announcement already explained this question in graphs. We will answer it again here to make it clearer for everyone…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":72934,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[348],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-51219","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-buddhism-association-headquarters-announcements"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51219","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51219"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51219\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":74513,"href":"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51219\/revisions\/74513"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/72934"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51219"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=51219"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=51219"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}