No 115 of Living Life Series 1
There are meaningful teachings even in the prayers at the temple* of Lord Bo Tien and in simple language as well. The prayers encourage us to adore all heavenly saints and this includes all religions. The glory of saints is in the thought of beings. We are also reminded to seek even forgiveness from Heaven for wrong that may have been unconsciously or unintentionally done or done without our being aware of consequences be it through our thoughts words or deeds (mind, speech, or action). We must be able to change positively for the better for those other doings that are not right and done intentionally. We hope Heaven would not hold us unfavourably for such wrong. In reality, the saints above are not punitive and do not hold us for the wrong but we do have to face the results created by ourselves. These results in no way represent reprimand by Heaven but consequences or at worst retribution not in any way the work of Heaven but really our own work. God is 'forgiving' but common logic will tell us we have to face what we do. If we plant mango, we may get mango. If we plant wild thorny bush, how can we not expect bush and thorns. The plantation manager can help you, one of the gardeners to make good by giving you another chance but you need to face the bush and thorns, and with the blessing of the plantation manager, you can clear the bushes and thorns to prepare the ground for planting fruit trees. God has given us life to do as we will. If we put life to fruition, the fruits of our good will benefit not only ourselves but others as well. Taking the bigger picture, we will be like posats to share and help others in the name of heaven.
Now we need to realise that it is easy to do wrong, and effort is needed not to do wrong. If we want to be accepted by Heaven even for our wrong that is to be forgiven in one sense, then like Heaven, we need to adopt a similar positive attitude towards others around us who do wrong. All have and will continue to do wrong, and will fall short of the glory of God. Despite this, Heaven is prepared to look at us positively and help us, bless us to be worthy of God if we can improve and change though we may still have to face what we have planted or done to some extent.
Everyone who takes up a religion is keen to know the philosophy or doctrine in a religion. The words ‘philosophy’ and ‘doctrine’ sound profound. The former word makes teachings appear remote to the folks on the ground. The latter may connote teachings or instructions passed down by authority and not to be trifled with. The teachings of Heaven are present in all faiths, and Lord Bo Tien refers to them as ‘tou-li’ in Chinese Hokkien. The literal translation is just “logic of the way”. This is something accessible and reachable by any one. You do not need to be a guru or academia to do so. ‘Tou-li’ needs not come to us in just one way – passed down by Heaven. It is in life itself. It is the very understanding of the nature of life as we live. Heaven helps by sending saints to help us do so, and we thus have the religions and sects. But with time, organised religion becomes institution. Institution creates and adds complexity to result in simple logic of way of life to become doctrine /dogmas and philosophy not to mention the warp of history that comes with maturity of institution.
There are meaningful teachings even in the prayers at the temple* of Lord Bo Tien and in simple language as well. The prayers encourage us to adore all heavenly saints and this includes all religions. The glory of saints is in the thought of beings. We are also reminded to seek even forgiveness from Heaven for wrong that may have been unconsciously or unintentionally done or done without our being aware of consequences be it through our thoughts words or deeds (mind, speech, or action). We must be able to change positively for the better for those other doings that are not right and done intentionally. We hope Heaven would not hold us unfavourably for such wrong. In reality, the saints above are not punitive and do not hold us for the wrong but we do have to face the results created by ourselves. These results in no way represent reprimand by Heaven but consequences or at worst retribution not in any way the work of Heaven but really our own work. God is 'forgiving' but common logic will tell us we have to face what we do. If we plant mango, we may get mango. If we plant wild thorny bush, how can we not expect bush and thorns. The plantation manager can help you, one of the gardeners to make good by giving you another chance but you need to face the bush and thorns, and with the blessing of the plantation manager, you can clear the bushes and thorns to prepare the ground for planting fruit trees. God has given us life to do as we will. If we put life to fruition, the fruits of our good will benefit not only ourselves but others as well. Taking the bigger picture, we will be like posats to share and help others in the name of heaven.
Now we need to realise that it is easy to do wrong, and effort is needed not to do wrong. If we want to be accepted by Heaven even for our wrong that is to be forgiven in one sense, then like Heaven, we need to adopt a similar positive attitude towards others around us who do wrong. All have and will continue to do wrong, and will fall short of the glory of God. Despite this, Heaven is prepared to look at us positively and help us, bless us to be worthy of God if we can improve and change though we may still have to face what we have planted or done to some extent.
Everyone who takes up a religion is keen to know the philosophy or doctrine in a religion. The words ‘philosophy’ and ‘doctrine’ sound profound. The former word makes teachings appear remote to the folks on the ground. The latter may connote teachings or instructions passed down by authority and not to be trifled with. The teachings of Heaven are present in all faiths, and Lord Bo Tien refers to them as ‘tou-li’ in Chinese Hokkien. The literal translation is just “logic of the way”. This is something accessible and reachable by any one. You do not need to be a guru or academia to do so. ‘Tou-li’ needs not come to us in just one way – passed down by Heaven. It is in life itself. It is the very understanding of the nature of life as we live. Heaven helps by sending saints to help us do so, and we thus have the religions and sects. But with time, organised religion becomes institution. Institution creates and adds complexity to result in simple logic of way of life to become doctrine /dogmas and philosophy not to mention the warp of history that comes with maturity of institution.
PS The writer does not speak for or represent Bo Tien Temple and this blog is his personal initiative.
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