The Inner Truth connection behind Ji Kong (Ji Gong)

No 272 of Living Life Series 1 

Ji Gong the Living Buddha

 
 Who is Ji Kong 濟公? 

Ji Kong Buddha 濟公活佛, is also known as DaoJi 道濟禪師.  In Chinese, 'Ji 濟' means ---- to Relieve and to assist. 'Kong 公' means--- Fair or Impartial. In short, the name Ji Kong 濟公  means "To benefit the public in a fair way 濟世救人,公心不變".

Ji Kong  Buddha was originally a celestial saint in Paradise 理天火精子. Steep in loving compassion,  he reincarnated during the times of war.  

Ji Kong  (1130~1207) was born and grew up in  Tiantai Mountains. His name was Li Xiuyuan 李修緣. His father was  a former military advisor, Li Maochun. His parents could not have children and entered a temple to seek  blessings for a child. Upon reaching the Shrine Hall of Five Hundred Arahats, the statue of Mahakasyapa fell off its lotus base. This was taken on himdsight to indicate that an arahat had descended to the earth.  He was conceived thereafter.

His family was rich and well connected. However, in the turbulent war background,  his parents passed away. He was only age 18 and to worsen matters,  the family property was lost. Dejected and uprooted, he became queer, and roamed the land from Tiantai to Linan in Zheqiang.

Finally, he  became a monk at the then Ling Yin Temple and was ordained as Daoji.  Thus secluded, he  focused his mind on spiritual development. He was determined to serve humanity and went about to lighten the burdens of living for the common man.

On the flip side however, he was still noted for his wayward behavior and  often broke the Vinaya - the rules of conduct of the order of monks. He openly ate meat and drank wine.  He frolicked with monkeys at the hillside. He sang songs with children in wine-shops. He is always dressed like a beggar wearing worn clothes, hat, shoes and always with a fan in one hand and a gourd containing wine in the other. But appearance is deceptive for he was kind hearted and was always dead serious and ready to lend a helping hand to ordinary people.

The monks in the monastery where he was ordained were at wits end and tried time and again to make him toe the line but they could not succeed and had to ask him to leave the monastery to be on his own.

From that point onwards, he became a wanderer and where ever he arrived at, he helped people whenever he could especially those who were victimised and condemned. He championed the woes of the common men especially those who were considered outcasts and condemned by others. Soon, steep with the practice of the Amitabha Buddha's way, he attained sainthood and made use of his sainthood abilities to help the unfortunate and the down-trodden. He would help those whom others felt are beyond help and in ways that were not the norms.

He was eccentric and non-conformist but had a pure heart and mind of a saint. He was even nicknamed the eccentric or crazy monk. Many think that he must have his own reason to behave as “Crazy Ji”. Many who noted his eccentric yet benevolent and kind nature were of the popular opinion that he was an incarnate of a past posat or arahat. 

One  of the many legends has it that in his past lives, while cultivating in the Buddha’s teaching, Ji Kong was said to be a reincarnate of arahat with magic powers. He chose to be a holy fool who portrayed crazy eccentricity to provide a cover for his real identity as the incarnate of the Taming Dragon Arahat (Xiang Long Luo Han, 降龙罗汉) -- one of the eighteen legendary arahats. Thus he could complete the task set out by Amitabha Buddha for him to find the escaped Da Peng Bird (大鹏鸟). 

When he passed on at the Jing Ci monastery on the 14th day of 5th lunar month (17 June 1207) from complication of measles, Taoists and later Buddhists revered Daoji as a deity or saint from Heaven. Followers of I Kuan Tao even believed he was later reincarnated as Zhang Tianran the founder of the I-Kuan Tao.

Ji Kong as he is better known is usually portrayed as jovial, smiling and in beggar-like tattered grey robes. He is portrayed with a bottle of wine in his right hand, and a torn fan in his left hand. He is adorned with a hat with the Chinese character Buddha佛. He may also be seen holding his shoes in his right hand.  He is cheerful and smiling and carefree but yet he has tendency to be blunt and abrupt.

He is "Ji Kong" the Living Buddha to many of his admirers. It was his pleasure in defending people against injustice. He was keen in rewarding virtue and correcting vice. He gave alms to the poor. Before and after his passing-on, there were many occult sightings and accounts of him going round the holy Tiantai Mountains in Zhejiang Province.  That is perhaps the reason why he is the Living Buddha. In a sense, he never passed on from the human realm. Up till today, he prefers to be on earth with men than to be in Heaven with the gods and saints.

Is this not in a way an example of resurrection? He continues to be present amongst men and prefers the floor amongst earthlings and spirits rather than be on his high seat in Heaven before the Jade Emperor. He is alive amongst humans though not in flesh. He is truly befitting status of the Living Buddha.

It is said in the scriptures that Ji Gong Living Buddha is well known for purity and perfection of four  virtues. He is just, merciful, kind and selfless. He gives blessings and offers help to all sentient beings.

Commonly known as Ji Gong, he goes by many names. Ji Gong Huo Fuo, Daoji, Rinpoche Ji Gong, Master Ji, Li Xiuyuan, Hu Yin (Recluse from the Lake) and Elder Fang Yuan (Square Circle)

Followers celebrate his anniversary on the 20th day of the fourth lunar month.

Ji Kong is most often quoted as saying thus -「酒肉穿肠过，佛在心中留」"What matters is the state of one’s heart (mind), and not what passes through one's gut."

His drinking and meat-eating (even of dog meat) were considered no-no in Buddhism. This has resulted in his being regarded as an unconventional but kind and eccentric monk in religious and cultural folklore. He is able to attain sainthood in a way not typical of what are the norms of mainstream religions and sects.

He is in a way an example of a freethinker. He practised the core values underpinning the way of Amitabha but not what others would do. He practised from the heart and not from the gut. He made good to the zenith of divinity.  He was not part of any religion or sect and was in fact excommunicated from a Buddhist temple for his eccentric ways.  

He was able to  become a saint to help many irrespective of their faith or spiritual inclination. He is the best example of someone who is still able to see and practice that one same Inner Truth behind all religions despite being outside the confines of spiritual institutions.

To put it in another perspective, he chose not to go by the standard forms but chose his own form or free style to practice the substance. He went for the substance and freed himself from the limitations of the form of religiosity.

Thus his followers and admirers belong to the various sects and religions of the world and include those who belong to none. They are not ''JiKongists" but include free thinkers and existing adherents of various faiths. Who says we cannot be saved if we do not be followers of one of the many sects and religions in this world?

This is the Inner Truth connection behind Ji Kong.

Before and after his death, there were many occult sightings and accounts of him going
round the holy Tiantai Mountains in Zhejiang Province.  That is perhaps the reason
why he is the Living Buddha.

Change must be meaningful. We must not change for sake of change

No 271 of Living Life Series 1

Vesak has just passed bye and  a new year unfurls before another Vesak in another year's time. This some how calls to mind the Bodhi tree under which the fully enlightened Buddha sat under for many days till his enlightenment 2555 years ago.

From that one Bodhi tree, many more have arisen. Is it the same tree? Definitely it is not but yet there is continuity with that original tree.

The same applies to a religious institution. Is it the same institution with same spiritual values? Yes it is but no it is not. Why? The understanding and ways of practice, emphasis and all else have changed but yet you cannot say that it is a different organisation. Is this good or not so good? Well, this is a matter of opinion. 

But one thing is for sure. There is need to repackage to an ever changing world and change there must and always will be but must be based on continuity with the original. What is this original? It is the substance based on which evolving society must innovate and re-invent newer ways of application to a newer world and newer needs.

The Inner Truth refers to the substance of truth of God or Divinity and the need for beings to make good and to change incrementally over time so that they be closer to Divinity not just in afterlife but here and now. This means that there is no fixed modus operandi for any religion or sect but only the basic principles of Inner Truth  remains. But presentation and practices such as festivals and ways of worship too must change incrementally but change there must be or that spiritual institution will be left behind in the history of time.

Too hasty and drastic changes can be very jarring and out of step and be disturbing the peace and pace of society the institution is serving and may even ruffle feathers and disrupt. That will be far from unwholesome. We need wholesome incremental changes.

The  history of Bo Tien Temple is interesting to illustrate the point. But before you read further, please do be reminded that the views reflected in this blog post are personal to blogger and not representative of the organisation and the blogger stands to be corrected. 

Almost near half a century ago, the temple started out when a non believer born into a Catholic culture  entered into a trance despite his being foreign and not ascribing to trancing and Chinese popular  religious culture which was and still is part of Taoism. 

From then on, the temple of Lord Bo Tien came to be. Lord Bo Tien spoke to devotees though trancing for the first cycle of 13 years. Though trancing was then already not widely accepted due to abuse by some, the resort to trancing to communicate was to show that even in a trancing and Chinese culture style of temple, there is the Inner Truth of God and Divinity.

The start of the temple was already a change in that the deity Lord Bo Tien came down not only to help the needs of followers but to make two initiatives --- firstly to teach about the doctrine of life and secondly to practice charity which of course is to effect the doctrine of life. This will show case that a Chinese temple often associated with  traditions that are often old fashion and archaic can be meaningful and awe inspiring. This of course was change in effect. Sermons were given through trancing and that was unique.

Right from the start, there was no longer the emphasis on jos paper but there was fire walking, jos sticks galore and all the works. But with time, there was only the burning of jos sticks outside the temple shrine, namely at the urn of God the Jade Emperor and the cave of the Three Pure Ones with Lord Tai Seng the Great Sage deputising for the First Pure One. 

40 odd years have passed and the temple is well known and steeply entrenched in welfare activities, boasting a modest but well run and sustained old folks home, day activity centre and weekly provisions of food and rations to hundreds of needy families. What a change and transformation but it is still the same temple and the same spirituality from day one.

Certainly, the temple has changed but at pace that still ensure that people can still identify with its cultural roots. The deity or saint Lord Bo Tien himself stopped trancing after first 13 years as he said that this should be replaced by knowing truth or "tou-li" and practising it at personal, family and society levels. Many had expressed disbelief but time has proven them wrong.

The temple has succeeded due to it's ability to both change and at same time maintain its identity and connection with the past.  Religiosity remains a strong current and the saint is able to effect presence in ways that are personal and yet effective. Event language is one and ''çhiam see" is yet another but may need not be there in the distant future.

But like any organisation, change there must be to keep up with changes in the world or it will be left behind in its past glory - in the footprints in the sand of time, only to be wiped off by the wind. But change must be meaningful and relevant and the inner truth must remain as the substance on which change be effected. 

Only by doing so and yet emphasizing its roots  and continuity with its roots will an organisation be able to attract and meet the needs of changing society.

Change or be changed  but the substance or doctrine must remain the same. Only the form or presentation changes but at meaningful pace so that people can identify with the past and it is relevant for the future as well.

Change or be changed but the substance of Inner Truth remains one and the same. Change must however be meaningful and purposeful. We must not change for sake of change. This applies to any other organisation and  not just to a spiritual body like Bo Tien Temple.

A temple like Bo Tien Temple serves as a model for change for better and in keeping with the times so that more can know God and be closer to God even if  pioneers and fundamentalists do decry and object. But any change must be mission orientated and doctrine based, otherwise even a temple like Bo Tien temple will not make it and run risk of losing its special identity. It is however by changing and by having new ways, new sects and new religions that God can reach out to all in this ever changing world. 

Thus Lord Bo Tien a messenger of God reminds us that there is one Inner Truth but many religions and sects.  Religions and sects are like the pillars of the house of God in the four cardinal directions of north, south, east and west. Thus the Inner Truth Doctrine is sometimes referred to as the Four Pillar Doctrine.

Bo Tien Temple is meant to be the model for change for all temples and religious institutions. Will it continue to be able to make it? Can it continue to institute changes that are correct and meaningful to promote the mission for it to be role model for the doctrine mission of the lord saint? How can it continue to reflect better the Four Pillar or Inner Truth Doctrine, other than through its unique architecture? Can successive generations be mission focus and not just be society orientated?

If the latter takes precedence, the doctrine mission will be lost and the purpose of the descent to the world by Lord Bo Tien would appear to be futile. The mission is doctrine mission and not just welfare activities which were present everywhere even before the descent and advent of Lord Bo Tien to this world. Future generations must keep this in mind.

PS The title of this post "Change must be meaningful and not change for sake of change"  applies both to religious and secular society if readers can be more fertile in thinking but for secular society, there is no direct connection with Inner Truth.

For a Chinese temple,  Bo Tien  Temple is indeed a model of change

Location at No 6 Fourth Chin Bee Road Singapore 619708
Tel: 65 62626021

The urn of Jade Emperor at entrance is the only one of two areas with jos sticks

Pyramidal shrine centre within temple premises is unique and not part of Chinese heritage

Pakua shrine floor and the main altar.
The pakua is evidence of its Taoistic origin 
but it is no longer Taoistic in many ways
at least as far as traditions are concerned
as the temple has changed over time
though the same Inner Truth and some traditions remain

Close up of  the main altar where there is no jos sticks.
Lord Bo Tien is on the left with Goddess Kuanyin on the right of Buddha Amitabha.
The Five Archangels depict its Chinese heritage background

One of the four cardinal direction pillars.
The pillars represent all the religions and sects
adding to the sacredness of the shrine hall
Jos sticks notably absent at shrine
as they are NOT universal to all religions

Here are the fishes but when will there be the birds and the bees?

The pyramidal glass roof or dome to depict the sky as the roof of the temple
A touch of Egyptian mystique?

Heavenly sky view one of the rewards of being at the shrine

The Three Pure Ones with Lord Tai Seng
the Great Sage deputising the First Pure One

The cave of the Pure Ones at the background of outdoor garden.  

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The Inner Truth connection behind Vesak

No 270 of Living Life Series 1

Bo Tien Temple Main Altar Singapore

Vesak is the three fold day of the birth, enlightenment and the passing away of Gautama Buddha. It has been more than 2500 years since his advent to the world.

*It is said that the Buddha himself gave instructions on how to pay him homage. Just before he passed away into supreme enlightenment, his faithful attendant Ananda was weeping.

*The Buddha advised him not to weep, but to understand the universal law that all compounded things (including even his own body) must disintegrate.

*He advised everyone not to cry over the disintegration of the physical body but to regard his teachings (The Dhamma) as their teacher from then on. Only the Dhamma truth is eternal and not subject to the law of change.

*He also stressed that the way to pay homage to him was not merely by offering flowers, incense, and lights, but by truly and sincerely striving to follow his teachings.

*This is how devotees are expected to celebrate Vesak: to use the opportunity to reiterate their determination to lead noble lives, to develop their minds, to practise loving-kindness and to bring peace and harmony to humanity.

Thus we know too from Lord Bo Tien that those who know the teachings or truth know and see the saint or for that matter the accomplished ones like Gautama Buddha.

The best celebration for any saint or buddha is the celebration of knowing and practising the teachings or truth. The best relic to venerate is the dhamma or truth. Practising the dhamma is even better than to venerate a bone or tooth relic of the Buddha or of any sacred item of any saint in any religion or sect.

Thus in some religions and sects, there is no pictorial or sculptural depiction of the founder saint and it is considered wrong to do so. But the truth of the matter lies in the essence that what matters is the truth or teaching of the founder and not how the founder looks like. In fact for those sects or religions which cater to image of the founder, there is no agreed appearance of the founder saint. 

But the universal truth of Divinity is one and the same behind the range of presentations that we have come to know as sects and religions. This truth takes the form of  collection of basic spiritual principles, one of which is that it is better to know the truth principles and values than to know who and how saints look like and from where they came and to where they had gone. Buddha depicts the epitome of such divinity and sainthood.

The Inner Truth is what God and his saints come to represent. In short, there is Divinity but what are the values that Divinity called God (or what have you) represents. The manifestation of this basic values collectively called the Inner Truth comes to be what we know as religions and their sects.

This is the universal truth as spelt out by the Inner Truth message that is behind all the religions and sects of the world. This Inner Truth message is there all along but was re-elucidated to us by Lord Bo Tien

This is what matters and what more need be said? We just simply need to see the same Inner Truth behind all religions and sects. That brethren is all we need to do and must do.

Surely divinity is one and the same that is responsible for the variety of religions and sects in the world today. This surely is evidence of  the compassion of God and Divinity to reach out to as many as possible and in ways more than one.

Cheers and Happy Vesak to one and all - not just for Buddhists but for all. This surely is the wish of Buddha Gautama that all must benefit from his teachings and they need not be adherents or Buddhists.

Wherefore is there the need to say that if we are not followers we cannot benefit form the principles exhorted by a saint or prophet?  Only men with narrow minded tunnel vision hold on to such fallacy.

A saint like a flower does not stop even ants and insects from coming to it for nectar. This brethren is analogy told to us by Lord Bo Tien. This is food for thought for the awakening of open mindedness in men and in society. Cheers and Happy Vesak to all and not just to Buddhists....

Buddha feels for all and not just Buddhists. Even the most ardent ones amongst Buddhists will agree? This does spell hope for compassion at the much wider level not just of humanity but of all beings in all dimensions of existence.

Likewise, saints and sons of Divinity do feel for all and not just for those who 'kowtow'  or are subservient to them. Let not others who do not 'belong' to them be ostracised but instead be welcome openly and wholeheartedly without any strings and any pre-conditions attached. The way of God and saints are never the same as that of somewhat ignorant ungodly men. Please do not be offended by this statement.

This spirit of  all-embracing open-mindedness is an aspect of loving-kindness. It is the very spirit of divinity that is upheld by all faiths and an aspect of the Inner Truth common to all religions and sects. It is more than apt that we remind ourselves of this most divine value on this day of Vesak. Happy Vesak once again...

Dear freinds, let there be many ways and let there be oneness in many. That is the Inner Truth and that is the way as they should be and always will be. This way we see the same God and saints in any house of worship and in any race and culture in this world. God will always reinvent Himself so that He will appeal to the new and to more - always and ever more. He will open more doors for us and we will be spoilt for choice, if you don't mind our saying so.

It would not be unimaginable that one fine day, perhaps there too will be new ways at Bo Tien Temple with many singing English hymns, praying aloud, and even speaking in tongues like those in churches**. This, if it ever happens, should come as no surprise and would still be in keeping with the Inner Truth. There will still be that Inner Truth behind the outward manifestations of spirituality and in whatever forms it may take.

There is no change with substance of spirituality but only the change of presentation of spirituality. Change is inevitable and is part of the truth of life. We have to change or be changed. This is often said by many.

The forms and culture may change but there will always be Inner Truth connection like that behind any religion and  spiritual event like Vesak. The day may come when we will see the mushrooming of Inner Truth churches or even Bo Tien churches if some may doggedly prefer to use the name of the messenger of God for the Inner Truth behind all faiths and sects. 

Surely, that day can happen and may not be far away though never the primary intention of the lord messenger. The good lord is out to bring out the inner truth behind religions and sects and not to start anew a separate sect, religion or many temples in his name. But mind you, there is no stopping of the mushrooming of Bo Tien churches the world over because men are still men after all.  

What is more important is that men see the same inner truth in all religions, sects, churches and temples. This is the mission of the messenger of Heaven who is the good lord Lord Bo Tien.

*..... partly extracted from wikipedia

** The word church is not peculiar to any religion and in Chinese literally means 'Teaching Hall'.  Even the religion with churches started out as temples and synagogues in old times.  Churches do not have fanciful  and complex images and paraphenalia of traditional worship. That perhaps is one obvious distinction between churches and temples.

Be rich in tolerance and magnanimity

No 269 of Living Life Series 1

Be rich  in tolerance and magnanimity for other's shortcomings  and be richer in honour, blessings and stature in the eyes of divinity.

The wise seek not to show that others have wronged them but seek the divine peace of tranquillity that is beyond men but yet within the God nature in every man.

What  good is goodness before men if this merely means we are not good before Heaven - God and saints.

The way of God must take precedence over the ways of men.

If your brethren slaps you, you should neither slap back nor let him slap you further. Hatred is not appeased by hatred but by love is it quelled.

Managing the fires of life

You should not add fuel to fire. The best is to put out the fire. But if this is not feasible, stay away from the fire and let the fire fizzle out with time.

You may want to put out the fire with water but do not over do for you may cause a flood. Water like fire is a good servant but not a good master.

Do balance the elements
The elements like fire and water can be both good and bad. Seek the balance and mastery of yin and yang - the polarities of life.

This is as depicted by the feet of Lord Bo Tien atop and balancing the elements in His image.

Truth of life - simple but yet not simple
This truth is ideal and simple but may not be the cup of tea for many at the present point in time. Truth often is simple but difficult to perceive and realise. As the late Senior Bro P. Philip nicknamed golden wheel missioner did say:

Only the wise seek the fulfilment of ancient wisdom. Yet the profound truth is so simple but difficult to perceive.

Learn from the fire and water parable
The response to any wrong done by others to oneself lies in balanced approach and in mastery over life and its elements. Balance the fire and water and have mastery over them.  This was alluded to by Lord Bo Tien in the parable of fire and water He mentioned in his anniversary messages.

Going for the Right Connection
Heaven judges men not by the wrong but mainly by the right men have done. If it is just by the wrong, all will be damned to Hell. Likewise, men should judge fellow men not by the wrong but largely by the right they do. 

The good man endures the wrong and may even find retaliation or correction futile. Others may perceive him as unwise and weak - not standing up to his rights. But as said by the late Senior Brother P. Philip:

Many a pride cover those who achieve the light of enlightenment. But the wise are those who never fear of being misunderstood. Endurance is one's innocent glory in the next world.

The ideal way always is to have the balanced approach and to judge others and situations with balance and equanimity like the feet of Lord Bo Tien atop the elements in His seated pose image. 

But  do not chasten yourself if you could not do so but always do try. Nothing like trying and do not give up.  Harbour no fear and no guilt and be at peace even if you could not do so as yet. This did the messenger of Heaven Lord Bo Tien reiterate to us time an time again. God bless

See the big picture
There is need to be tolerant and magnanimous not only with regards to the shortcomings of individuals but also with respect to the management body or person of a social establishment, institution or a nation.

We need to see the big picture and see the long term good, both past present and future.

For a nation in particular, to hold the government of the day on its shortcomings and not to take cognisance and recognition of its overwhelming good and the potential to even be more good is to be myopic and narrow minded.

Likewise, to bring down a good individual such as a monk, priest or  even the lay disciple of a saint over certain shortcomings when he has done great service to society beyond the norms is perhaps an anomaly and a folly due to the judgemental weakness of men. 

Some would even attribute this to the asura or demonic instinct of men due to their past lives as asuric demons in hell carried over to their present human life. The practice of such asuric tendency does not bode well for men in society and may predestine them to rebirths in hell as demons once more.

(Asuras are those beings who have both good and bad in past lives but due to their  significant bad are born in hell and due to their having vast goodness in past lives have godly or rather demonic powers which they tend to use to over power one another, to elicit tic for tac and  to harm one another)

Adopt the way of saints and not demons

Why not allow the good individual or the institution with certain shortcomings or mistakes to make good, have corrective action and make even more good than the good he has from his past and present.

This rehabilitative approach would be more humane and even divine. It will spur him or the institution to greater and nobler service to society.

This brethren is the value of tolerance and magnanimity of God and saints which we must emulate.

This is why some advocate that there be no death penalty for even the worst of criminals have some good and are capable of being good. Better to look at both sidesof the coin and not just at one side.

The recognition of this is the very reason why there is no eternal hell and all in hell can make good and be on path to heaven in time to come. This is the will and magnanimity of God and saints.  

Do emulate God and saints to be be divine by being tolerant and magnanimous. The world will then be more loving and pleasant and we will be closer to having heaven while living the earthly life. 

Let us be divine and not be demonic. Be tolerant and magnanimous like God and saints. Return good for bad and more good there will surely be.  Respond to hatred with love but in wise way and more love there will be. 

Shortcomings are learning points in the gospel of life
With regards to one's own life too, the more life we have, the more good we do, the more likely we may fall short of doing good and be found wanting in one or more areas or activities in life. This is as expected and we should not chastise ourselves for being not good in these activities or areas.

We need to be tolerant and magnanimous with ourselves as well and not feel guilt or fear for the shortcomings or for the wrong we do. 

If we do nothing we make no mistakes. If we do more, certainly there will be some shortfalls here and there and now and then.  Just make good, learn and move on.

We need to learn from the gospel of our own life and from the lives of our fellow men. This is the message of God through saints like Lord Bo Tien. Life is the living gospel.

Avoid the rotten egg phenomenon

There will however be the rare occasions when it is better to stay away from the rotten egg for fear that that egg may spoil the whole basket of eggs. What  this effectively means is that at times it would be difficult to be nice and loving to the stubborn one who insists that others listen to him.

To  remain silent and not to respond to him would mean that he is given free rein and leeway in character assassination and the whole dirty works. But for the rest to try to correct him would be futile. They would only end up countering him blow by blow and inevitably doing what he is doing to them --- doing somewhat the very things which they don't want him to do to them in the first place. That will be pathetic. They will end up being rotten eggs themselves just because they are too close to the rotten egg in him. This will spoil the reputation and smell of all the other good eggs in the basket.

Inaction can be golden and tolerane can be divine
Sometimes the best for that person and the rest is to leave that person alone. This would be the best recourse of action that could be done. Silence or inaction is golden, they say. To be tolerant and magnanimous, that is, to forgive is divine.  Perhaps, readers may not agree....but do ponder when in a fix with others who not not see eye to eye with you, more so with people you once had great respect for.

The parable of the tree and parasites

If there be no tolerance and magnanimity, an organisation will end up with members undoing the good work of that organisation. To illustrate this further, let us have a relook at the parable of the tree and how members who tend to the tree of a movement or mission can end up being parasites to destroy the tree.

The continued progress and success of any movement depend on the adherents. Any failure can only be due to members not pulling up their socks to work in synergy but worst still when they do not tolerate one anothers' differing views and ways. They eat away the life of the movement like parasites devouring away a tree.  This will sap away and tarnish the good works as all parties, be they right or not so right, will effectively be washing dirty linen in public.

If one party does so, is it not folly for the rest to do likewise?  All parties will be viewed by society at large as sheer parasites gnawing away at and snubbing out the life of the movement.

Lord Bo Tien in parable of the tree and parasites remind us of this folly. The tree is the movement or mission of any organisation. Members must not end up as parasites and be woe to the mission.

Accomodate differences

Differences in opinions and approach will always be there in any organisation and even in a nuclear family. The solution is to have that cementing harmony, tolerance and magnanimity  so that the family or organisation can have peace and move on as a whole with some framework of consensus and cooperation and yet maintaining individual differing ways. Do accomodate differences more so if differences cannot be avoided or resolved

The Inner Truth must prevail with oneness in diversity

There can always be oneness in diversity, just like there is oneness in divinity amidst the diversity of religions and for any one religion, there is oneness amidst the wide range of sects. This is as mentioned in the Inner Truth message as presented to us by Lord Bo Tien.

The Inner Truth must prevail. There must be oneness in diversity and not chaos when oneness is enforced when one individual imposes his view to drown out the views of significant others who are detractors from his view even if his view is ideal to him. But, of course, what is beautiful or not often is in the eyes of the beholder.

Let that person hold to his view but God willing, let us pray that he not shaft his beliefs down other's throat. There is always more than on view or way, just as there are many roads to Rome. The prevalent majority may choose a different road from that chosen by him. Sometimes, he is right and that the majority are right as well but in differing perspectives. He may however be wrong and then, he must reflect...

If somehow he still sticks to his views and wants his way, then both he and others must cultivate and have tolerance and magnanimity to keep the balance and peace within the individual and in society. This inner peace or balance of the soul will be blessed by the divine peace and love of God, the saints and the Holy Spirit. This balance of the yin and yang is after all the necessity if we want more of the divine peace in life as depicted by the pakua

The inner truth is in the pakua
The pakua takes centre stage in the shrine hall of Bo Tien Temple.



Shrine Hall with pakua theme at Bo Tien Temple
No 6 Fourth Chin Bee Road Singapore 619708
Tel: 65 62626021


The pakua is one graphic depiction of the inner truth message passed down to us as the symbol of Tao ancestors and sages. It is illustration that a picture speaks a thousand words

The balance of yin and yang embodied by the pakua embraces amongst various spiritual values the  very value of tolerance of the yin and yang views. This must take centre stage in our lives.

We must not scorn at those who hold differing views from that we hold but accept with inner peace and quiet humility that this is the reality in life for which we must live with and be at peace with. Alas this has to be and always will be the case.

Tolerance and magnanimity do help us to arrive at this point in spiritual cultivation. Cheers and may the joy and blessings of tolerance and magnanimity be with you always and ever more.

Be lotuses and saints amongst men
Then we will be lotuses amongst the pond of water and mud of life
and be peaceful and beautiful like  lotuses amidst the restlessness of yin and yang mud and swirls of worldly life.

Do be tolerant and magnanimous and this is the way to go in life if less strive in life you want in life despite the swirls and whirls such as views and counter views so characteristic of life and perhaps have become synonymous with mortal life. Cheers once again and do be rich in tolerance and magnanimity. Then you will be gods and saints amongst men and be that more blessed.



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