No 105 of Living Life Series 1
For life of individuals, there will be the three phases of spiritual development - the devotional and discipline orientation phase (fire or fervour of devotion / discipline / effort phase), the loving-kindness practice phase (water of love and merits phase), and the divine wisdom growth phase (success phase). The three may be concurrent for some or successive for others.
Mission phases too may follow such pattern. There is always somehow the Divine Trinity. Lord Bo Tien has reminded us of the three phases.
A shrine of the lord saint typically, but not invariably, embodies this three phases in the form of image of Buddha in centre, Lord Bo Tien on one side and Goddess of Mercy on the other side.
Temple history of the lord saint anywhere too must display and abide by the three cycles. This may likely be depicted by three temple premises. But whether this will be concurrent, successsive or even both will be known over time. Heaven do speak to us in life and over time.
For many sects and religions, the divine trinity is present either in spirit or in substance but of course will be manifested in their own distinctive and unique ways.
This is the divine trinity that colours spiritual life of individuals and of the masses.
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The Living Life Series is dedicated to Lord Bo Tien (武天菩萨). The doctrine is in His image. The image is the doctrine. He who sees, understands and effects the doctrine sees and knows Him. He who does not see, know and effect the doctrine sees not and knows not the saint even if the saint or His image is beside him. The far may be near and the near may be far. Let the doctrine and the saint be part of our life. The lord saint in your life can be any heavenly saint of any religion, sect or school. The doctrine of truth is behind all and this is the Inner Truth that leads all (regardless of their religious affiliation or even if none) to inner peace and heaven on earth here and now and not just in the after life. The ideal worship and devotion is to know and effect the doctrine of God and the saints. The best gospel is the gospel of life. We learn from our life and the lives of others. The true temple is the world we live in. The sky is the roof of the temple and religions and sects are the pillars of the temple. All under Heaven are in the temple. Needless to say that all the saints we know are in this temple. Ji Gong Posat too is no exception. The whole wide world and web is the temple and must be regarded as a sacred place --- a temple for living and learning. It is more important that everyone that counts plays a role in this universal temple if due focus is to be given to the Mission of Heaven. Men must not be distracted by the agenda of men and end up serving the mission of man. That would be a far cry from the Mission of Heaven. We worship God and saints, not man however good that man may be. There should be no hero worshiping or idolizing of man whether he is a charismatic pastor, priest, monk, medium or lay leader. We don't even idol worship the image of any saint but reflect on what the image stands for. - the doctrine in the image. Omitofo 阿弥陀佛!.
