Every Chinese temple has similar history. There is the descent of a temple saint. The saint attracts people with blessings and the gathering of people will result in a temple being formed. The people unite behind the saint and the trancer or medium.
But in time, human weakness creeps in. The kinship and trust of men for one another weaken when the saint steers away from trancing as trancing is only the interim and over the long term will be frowned at for obvious reasons.
But in time, human weakness creeps in. The kinship and trust of men for one another weaken when the saint steers away from trancing as trancing is only the interim and over the long term will be frowned at for obvious reasons.
The trancer passes on or leaves the scene for whatever reason. Men then cannot work as one and rivalry sets in.
One small group then tries to dominate and edges out the rest. The group thinks that this is the end-all but instead, they further their own social agenda and call this success. With time, they become more entrenched and inward looking. Only those who sing their tune can be with them. This is the fate of some Chinese temples.
Temples blame why the young and educated stay away from them. Some temples even have commendable welfare activities like old clan associations. They have aged homes and distribute provisions to the poor in society. But they still lack life and attraction for the young, educated and those with other views.
Most strikingly they lack mass spiritual activities. Temples grumble and ask what more can they do. They lament, "What more can a temple do?"
They even say they do not have the manpower to do more than the basic routines and mass routine weekly religious activities are out of question. They vehemently insist that there is simply no manpower.
Soon whatever meager manpower they have become old. They even outsource and buy manpower for festivals and the running of welfare activities. The rest will then be history and obvious.
They even say they do not have the manpower to do more than the basic routines and mass routine weekly religious activities are out of question. They vehemently insist that there is simply no manpower.
Soon whatever meager manpower they have become old. They even outsource and buy manpower for festivals and the running of welfare activities. The rest will then be history and obvious.
The only way for a temple to undertake to have a future is to abide by the plan or directions of the temple saint. One short phrase to sum this up is to effect the doctrine of the temple saint.
A temple saint like Lord Bo Tien wants members to make use of whatever little strengths in each member to counterbalance out the weaknesses or flaws of one another. Monopoly by anyone or group will only be myopic and bring downfall of the plan of the temple saint.
The lord saint said that like insects to a flower, such men may well not be interested in the plan of the temple saint. They just want to have their nectar of personal gain. As such they will rid off any dissenters in the temple so that they can have their way.
The lord saint said that like insects to a flower, such men may well not be interested in the plan of the temple saint. They just want to have their nectar of personal gain. As such they will rid off any dissenters in the temple so that they can have their way.
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| Lord Bo Tien with feet balancing yin and yang Both are needed in life and in a temple |
The lord saint said that there is need to bring together the members of differing interests, experiences and views as one even if they fall into camps of various yin and yang - the polarities like fire and water. Yin and yang must work as one and revolves as one so that there is peace and life will be more meaningful.
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| Yin and yang rotating as one |
A temple must have two controlling bodies - a council of elders to focus on spiritual in addition to the temple administration to focus on mundane management. There must be rotation of people into both bodies to ensure new blood and no monopoly.
The problem is that men are sorely lacking in people well qualified for the council of elders, more so when the council must dictate on spiritual directions. But despite the lack of such men, council is still needed.
It is better to have the ignorant with some wisdom to handle the ever more ignorant in the management who should focus in what they know better which is management. The little wisdom in men on both sides will sort of add up and synergize. The yin yang checks and balance will be good.
Those wiser than them who are far outnumbered should stay out and watch for they will be frowned at by both sides. They can still play supporting roles from time to time but should let matters be which is to let nature takes its course, not rush men along but let men pick up learning step by step.
The above discussion is based on the principles of Lord Bo Tien for any temple. The principles are
(1) There is the need to learn from fellow men, both their plus and minus points. Life is the living gospel.
(2) Men must work as one like the various particles of the concrete pillar. Cement is the binder of particles. Likewise, the doctrine of the temple saints is the binder to gel men as a pillar.
(3) Men fall into roughly more yin or more yang. Men like fire and water can be opposites but opposites can still complement if they even just try to. Only then there will temple like men in society shine forth more effectively like a collection of candles.
(4) The far may be near and the near far. Far and near are dear to God and saints. All must contribute and allow others to do their part. (Do not chase anyone away. No one is an outcast in a temple. If there is such policy to outcast anyone, more so a pioneer or elder, that temple is no longer a temple for that temple knows not doctrine, let alone practice it.)
(5) Temples must provide the downstream derivatives of doctrine - what the downstream of a river provides so that the more discerning can go to the upper source for clear water - the basic doctrine common to all religions
Instead of having temples and ending up having problems due to men, it may be better not to have any. In time, even a temple with his name may end up with such fate. Lord Bo Tien says that the world is the universal temple with religions as pillars in the four cardinal directions. People under heaven is in that temple. Go for the universal temple.
Ji Gong the Living Buddha believes that it is better not to have more temples only to foment problems. He roams the world of men and is carefree. The whole wide world is his temple. There is no need for management bodies and spiritual councils.
It is better that the name of a saint NOT be tainted by the problems of men in a temple. A saint, Lord Bo Tien says is like the great ocean to reach out to many shores.
How can men imprison a heavenly saint in a temple and worse still act as though they can manipulate saints like puppets. To quote a biblical verse, "Do forgive men for they know not what they do."
Luckily, all saints bear no grudges and are benevolent and open minded. They are not wrathful but loving. They do not say "Woe to men" but they say, "Bless them, for they know not what they do."
They are not childish and immature. They are not even men but divine saints. They do not say, "Let's fight and see who wins.". They will never hold men to ransom by saying, "Believe in us and only then will we help you." They should never be excuses for wars and terrorism but men may use their names in vain.
They are not demons. They are not men. They are of God and with God. They are saints. We are free to do what we want and they wish us well and will even bless us unconditionally.
But we must learn to be wiser by the day. We must learn to be more right and good. They have positive regards for us and not negative. They will never condemn us though we will naturally face consequences of our own actions. We are after all what we do and think.
Omitofo
(5) Temples must provide the downstream derivatives of doctrine - what the downstream of a river provides so that the more discerning can go to the upper source for clear water - the basic doctrine common to all religions
Instead of having temples and ending up having problems due to men, it may be better not to have any. In time, even a temple with his name may end up with such fate. Lord Bo Tien says that the world is the universal temple with religions as pillars in the four cardinal directions. People under heaven is in that temple. Go for the universal temple.
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| Like the good lord Lord Bo Tien, Ji Gong The Living Buddha too casts his vision and mission on the whole wide world. |
Ji Gong the Living Buddha believes that it is better not to have more temples only to foment problems. He roams the world of men and is carefree. The whole wide world is his temple. There is no need for management bodies and spiritual councils.
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| Ji Gong ever so free and peaceful |
It is better that the name of a saint NOT be tainted by the problems of men in a temple. A saint, Lord Bo Tien says is like the great ocean to reach out to many shores.
How can men imprison a heavenly saint in a temple and worse still act as though they can manipulate saints like puppets. To quote a biblical verse, "Do forgive men for they know not what they do."
Luckily, all saints bear no grudges and are benevolent and open minded. They are not wrathful but loving. They do not say "Woe to men" but they say, "Bless them, for they know not what they do."
They are not childish and immature. They are not even men but divine saints. They do not say, "Let's fight and see who wins.". They will never hold men to ransom by saying, "Believe in us and only then will we help you." They should never be excuses for wars and terrorism but men may use their names in vain.
They are not demons. They are not men. They are of God and with God. They are saints. We are free to do what we want and they wish us well and will even bless us unconditionally.
But we must learn to be wiser by the day. We must learn to be more right and good. They have positive regards for us and not negative. They will never condemn us though we will naturally face consequences of our own actions. We are after all what we do and think.
Omitofo
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| Buddha Amitabha answers all calls by anyone regardless of religion. You don't even need to worship him. Just call out his name Omitofo |
