LIVING LIFE SERIES 1

A BO TIEN (武天) MISSION INITIATIVE LAUNCHED ON 28TH SEPT 2010 BY INNER TRUTH NETIZEN 2. THE MISSION IS TO SHOW THE WAY TO HOPE, INNER PEACE AND ULTIMATELY SALVATION FOR ALL BEINGS. THE PURPOSE IS TO SAVE SOULS. IT IS WAY BEYOND NORMAL GOOD WORK LIKE CHARITY AND WELFARE ACTIVITIES. NO ONE SHALL BE SAVED BY GOOD WORKS ALONE BUT BY MORE THAN GOOD WORK. THERE IS NEED TO BE IMBUED WITH THE BASIC DOCTRINE COMMON TO AND BEHIND ALL RELIGIONS AND SECTS. LIVE IN DOCTRINE. DOCTRINE IN LIFE IS PARAMOUNT.

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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!.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

On The Mission

No 317 of Living Life Series 1

Bo Tien Posat

Abridged version of article written by the late Senior Brother Chong Sim in book Lord Bo Tien's Guidance edited by Brother Peter Kong --- 6th Sept 2000.

Synopsis: the three objectives, three thrusts and three cultivations for the Mission :

(A) What are the objectives of His Mission that is sanctioned by God Almighty?

There are three objectives.

(1) To let us know that there is God Almighty who created the Universe. As we and all form and formless lives are part of the universe he created, we are all interrelated to one another in one way or another. We must have that sense of universality to have love and respect for one another. Hence there is need for loving kindness that was a central theme of His messages especially the 1975 message which was most profound of all messages. - Revisit of 1975 message of Lord Bo Tien

(2) The next objective is with respect to physical realm. Men all over the world irrespective of race and creed are God's creation like all those in non-physical realms. This is the universality of mankind and is the basis of Lord Bo Tien's Four Pillars or Inner Truth Doctrine. The truth is that all religions in the four directions (four pillars) are different in ways but all have the same goal to bring beings to God. Clergies of various religions have been studying their religions to seek out more of the similarities and commonalities instead of the differences of religions. This meant that the doctrine of Lord Bo Tien is not new to them. But for the common folks in society, many think that his or her religion is the true one and they not others are treading the only true path. This is unfortunate and we must respect all religions especially the four main ones. There is need for wisdom to better handle points of differences between religions in more sensitive ways. Lord Bo Tien's purpose in mission is not to be distinctive from all religions by starting a new religion. There is no new religion but his objective is to show universality of all religions. There is need to bring together members of all religions to work as one in loving kindness and all are brethren under that one same God

(3) Last but not least is the principle of Divine Hope and Salvation for all beings mankind included. This is best phrased as "Jiu Ming Jiu Sze" - "Saving men and saving beings of all sentient realms". This is the most important objective of the Mission of Lord Bo Tien that is sanctioned by God Almighty.

The word "save" could be interpreted in many ways and include all:

(a) "save" the poor and desolate by providing food and relief from suffering from hunger

(b) "save" the sick by providing medical treatment and aids

(d) "save" those who are near the end of life and those already departed by offering spiritual refuge and prayers to facilitate better afterlife (e.g. rebirths)

(e) "save" all beings from eternal suffering due to their misled or misconceived ways and beliefs, by encouraging better insight and grasps of the truth of life that will bring salvation.

(B) The thrusts of the Mission are three fold:-

(1) To spread His doctrine far and wide like the ocean to many a land so that all who come to hear of it may understand and "turn good and the reward is theirs" (1976 message of Lord Bo Tien)

(2) To encourage cultivation of loving kindness and to carry out good deeds which can take many forms e.g. benevolence for others wrongs or differing views

(3) To learn the spiritual principles "tou-li," cultivate and practise the spiritual path or Tao so that they will be saved from suffering, life and death, rebirths and attain ultimate Divine Salvation.

(C) There is need for members of His Mission to equip themselves in three ways

(1) by striving to have good work attributes such as diligence, perseverance, faith, confidence, patience, benevolence and tolerance (Like a worker digging a well in solid ground would be tired and thirsty, and with patience water would be found and he would be able to quench his thirst)

(2) by self development and practice, by understanding thoroughly the doctrine so that they can be in the best position to spread the doctrine sensitively and with patience.

(3) by living the doctrine that is being embodiment of doctrine in life, temple or mission activities so that they can blend, complement and act harmoniously in unison like a concrete pillar for it is "united we stand, divided we fall." Remember that the Doctrine is the cohesive force of "cement".

Lest you forget

Do not make the mistake of idolizing any man who tells you about the Word. He is in the same boat as you even if religion refers to him as a religious leader. Mere mention of a religious leader is as good as encouraging idolising of that man. Why must there be hierarchy in religion? Hierarchy is conventional but may end up as liability rather than a necessity or asset. There should be no caste or hierarchy system in religion. No one is to be considered above another in religion. A religious leader or follower is a servant to serve you and not a leader to be idolised. Do not put him on the pedestal and make a monster out of him.

MAY ALL BE WELL AND HAPPY

May all be well and happy. May they have peace. May our departed friends and kins be well, happy and have divine peace. The main writer wishes the best for all for those near and far. Our kins may be far when they had passed on to better lives but they are near though far. He remembers and wishes his parents Mr Siow Soo Koh and Mdm Tay Hung Siang, his uncles and aunties like Mr Tay Koon Huay, his cousins like Mr Tay Chong Sim and his friends like Mr Philip Png well and have abundance of life. May they be rich in spirit for without such ancestors, there will be no posterity - no us and no you and me. They have blessed us and we must blessed them in return forever and ever.