Men are strange in many ways. In the name of God and saints, men often profess love for all but yet say that if others are not with them, then they are against them. But instead of saying they are against them, some say they are even against God. Some think they are credible. Perhaps, those who say so are gullible.
But it is in the will of God that religions and sects have the right to hold on to their flocks in any way that is necessary. This will go the mile to ensure they do not stray and are devoted to God and saints.
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| Lord Bo Tien |
Lord Bo Tien in explaining that all religions are one in God, did say that religions will have their own dogmas or ways to hold on to men and bring them to God.
Men are separated from God by the wrong or hindrances. It would take more than logic to bring them to God. Dogmas are necessary.
Dogmas however differ from sect to sect and from religion to religion. What is tangible and acclaimed in one sect or religion may be considered less or even unwholesome in another. This boils down to the issue of credibility.
Many religions and sects have narratives written in their gospels that are often like fairy tales. But such narrations awe the followers and bring on the fantasy as well as liveliness and sparkle in their lives. This would be better than pure dry philosophy that bores and stifles, leaving no or little room for child-like fairy tale life.
The creation of the universe is one of them. Certainly the prophets cannot explain the reality but could plug the growing curiosity of men by spinning tales of faith.
Fantasy was and is employed to bring awe in the minds of men in relation to the exploits of immortals and saints. One example is that of Monkey God or Hanuman.
Beauty and belief are in the eyes of the beholder. But the realms of truth with regards to Heaven and saints are often complex and unsuitable or even unpalatable to men.
Men would not appreciate but if men are instead told fantasy that befits their times, they could accept. Religions and sects just have to appeal to men to make them more good and closer to Heaven.
It is not matter of credibility or how terribly untruthful stories in gospels are but rather the intended purpose and how effective they are in rousing the devotion and spirituality in men. It is not question of tangibility but appeal to the child and imagination of men.
But men who want to go the mile and cultivate more spirituality, must as Lord Bo Tien did say, go to the upper source for clear water. Otherwise, that which work and awe them may impede and hold back their spiritual advancement.
Ji Gong was in his time as man, one who captured the fantasy of men. He was incredible in that he appeared to break all the norms of behavior of monks in monastery but he still made it as a saint.
He was unkempt, danced, joked, drank wine, ate meat and frolicked with beggars and monkeys but yet he was compassionate, more helpful and appealing spiritually than some monks who put on outward show but who did not practise even an iota from the heart. As we knew, he was nevertheless sadly enough disrobed and expelled from the monastery.
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| Ji Gong |
But he was Ji Gong after all. That he was expelled matters not to him. He needed to be himself and the values he eschewed. Though incredible, he was credible and what he did became a tangible role model for men. It is so even in this day and age.
We don't have to have "holier than thou" approach to be like a saint. We just need to be true to self and put our hearts in practice of our beliefs and not shout aloud to the world that we are holy.
We don't have to have "holier than thou" approach to be like a saint. We just need to be true to self and put our hearts in practice of our beliefs and not shout aloud to the world that we are holy.
Ji Gong was more than holy but did not act holy. He was eccentric and crazy in ways but a saint no less. He was and is the Living Buddha and also considered a Taoist deity par excellence.
He was incredible but yet credible. Men loved him. That is the reality and that is indeed awesome. He helped us even if we are not keen on matters of God and Heaven. There is no bargain as such.
He appeared to have no tangible behavior befitting a monk but his attributes are intangible, coming from the heart and spirit in him. Monks and many men then were gullible to echo what some say that he was an outcast until he showed conclusively through many miracles attributed to him that he was a saint.
He believes till this day that "what matters is not what goes through the gut or what one does outwardly but what goes through the heart." Spiritual cultivation is one that involves wholeheartedness. We put our hearts in it. It is simply that. It is the heart that matters.
Nowadays, men of religion and of any temple must learn from Ji Gong. Men must be true from the heart and not act "holier than thou" but rotten in heart with greed ill-will and false views towards fellow men, condemning fellow men just because they do not sing the same tune and are not "yes" men.
They may even condemn a father figure in a temple and expel him when that person has been invaluable in the past. That is absurd and unthinkable.
They may even condemn a father figure in a temple and expel him when that person has been invaluable in the past. That is absurd and unthinkable.
That person may well be a wee bit like Ji Gong in some ways and no less someone without whom the the temple would not be there in the first place and without his continued guidance and patronage, the temple will go to the dogs.
Often, like Ji Gong that elder is one who is noisy and abrasive, often speaking his mind and heart. But alas, such an elder has heart of gold and without him, the temple will not be.
Often, like Ji Gong that elder is one who is noisy and abrasive, often speaking his mind and heart. But alas, such an elder has heart of gold and without him, the temple will not be.
Do think why this post is titled, "Credible, Tangible or Gullible. Does it matter?" Do meditate on this. Do think why Ji Gong is often not in favor of having temple in his name.
If Ji Gong has his way, he would not have anything to do with any specific religion for he is with all religions and for all men regardless of religion, creed or race. In a way, he is above religions of men by men. He is of God and saints.
That is indeed Ji Gong. He is incredible yet credible, intangible yet tangible. Men, more so men of religion, are at times gullible but he is not. He is not taken up by the antics of men especially some "holier than thou" type, like some monks and priests.
Such men may well helm temples and sects but that is no loss to men but instead a gain of sorts. As what Lord Bo Tien did say that we can learn from the lives of men, their good and not so good points.
Then we know God and saints better and the doctrine they stand for. Such men present us the opportunities to learn from the gospel of life. We should be thankful to them.
We should reach out to such men and let them see the dust in their own eyes though this is often difficult and a tall order, as what Jesus would want us to know. Help them for they know not what they do.
The lesson we learn is this. Be true to Tao and not act as if we already have Tao. Tao is the Word or Way. It has to do with being atop and balancing worldly contingencies, like praise blame and gain-loss. This is as depicted by the image of Lord Bo Tien with feet atop the elements. With Tao, there is peace unaffected by the ups and downs in life - the yin and yang.
Omitofo
If Ji Gong has his way, he would not have anything to do with any specific religion for he is with all religions and for all men regardless of religion, creed or race. In a way, he is above religions of men by men. He is of God and saints.
That is indeed Ji Gong. He is incredible yet credible, intangible yet tangible. Men, more so men of religion, are at times gullible but he is not. He is not taken up by the antics of men especially some "holier than thou" type, like some monks and priests.
Such men may well helm temples and sects but that is no loss to men but instead a gain of sorts. As what Lord Bo Tien did say that we can learn from the lives of men, their good and not so good points.
Then we know God and saints better and the doctrine they stand for. Such men present us the opportunities to learn from the gospel of life. We should be thankful to them.
We should reach out to such men and let them see the dust in their own eyes though this is often difficult and a tall order, as what Jesus would want us to know. Help them for they know not what they do.
The lesson we learn is this. Be true to Tao and not act as if we already have Tao. Tao is the Word or Way. It has to do with being atop and balancing worldly contingencies, like praise blame and gain-loss. This is as depicted by the image of Lord Bo Tien with feet atop the elements. With Tao, there is peace unaffected by the ups and downs in life - the yin and yang.
Omitofo
