No 25 of Living Life Series 1
There may be those amongst us, who having heard the doctrine may be misled to think thus: - “Devotion and service are not for us. We have gone beyond the need for devotion and service.”
They stay away from the shrine when the service is on. They eventually stay away from the temple, comforting themselves that they can be equally in harmony with divinity even at home.
They have come across the doctrine, and perhaps even caught a good glimpse of the Truth. Their mind is unfortunately weak and wavering. Truth slips away and the ultimate inner Truth eludes them.
Though introduced to Truth, Truth remains elusive. They have not grasped Truth and put it to practise. Deluded by their pride that they know best, they represent imperfection in its near perfection. The elements of life, or what we may loosely term as the yin and yang of life tosses them from one extreme to the other. For example, praise, honour and gain uplift them. Blame, dishonour and loss send them to the pits of hell. Their minds shift frequently from ‘heaven’ to ‘hell’. There can never be peace or calm. Swept along by the tide and current of worldly vicissitudes, they have no steering control whatsoever. Their minds are like boats without oars, engines and anchors. (The image of Lord Bo Tien portrays the yin yang elements at the feet of the lord saint and the need to balance the elements.)
Many of us are in this state of affairs ever so often, for we have yet to attain. We need companionship. We need the institution of religion and a place of worship. We need fellowship. Most of all, we need the guidance of the Heavenly Saints.
The unsheltered candle flame flickers and is extinguished by even a mere breeze. The sheltered candle flame remains steady and glows brighter. The Heavenly Saint Lord Bo Tien shelters the light of Truth in us and allows it to glow brighter.
Do remember that a solitary candlelight is weak. A collection of candle flames is awe-inspiring. Likewise, a gathering or congregation of followers of a religion provides the necessary fellowship to inspire better effort. Devotion and religious service provides this boost or fellowship.
Be like the sheltered candle flame. Let the Heavenly Saints shelter the spiritual light in us. Join a group for fellowship.
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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!.
