The Chinese in old China were a practical lot. They probably are the same today in 2014 and beyond. Rather than professing to be Buddhists, Taoists or Confucians, they believe in all religions and integrate them into their practical culture.
Chinese festivals in popular Chinese religious practices have various versions depending on the religious orientation. Thus we have Chinese New Year, Moon Cake Festival, the annual visits to the ancestors niches or graves being adopted or influenced by various religions. It may well be said that Chinese culture has become part of any religion adopted by the Chinese.
In the world of 2014, it is more out of convenience that Chinese call themselves Buddhists, Taoists, Confucians and Christians. Their counterparts in religion in other races would not even find this uncomfortable. This to them is a trade-off so that they can have more converts or to put it mildly to beef up their numbers.
Depending on the social strata and exposure to western culture, the practices of Chinese can range from mere road side cultural rituals with burning of incense sticks, jos papers and hell money to going to air conditioned halls for worship with guitar, organ and orchestral music and seats with plush upholstery.
The good part is that Chinese who identify with one religion is very much at home in the company of those from the houses of worship of other religions. This is in a way built-in into Chinese culture that men may not be divided by religions. But colonial masters and invaders preferred otherwise or at least so it seemed to be in age-old past.
Chinese over the centuries have assimilated religious practices and thoughts from all over the world. Thus in a sense, we do not find anyone who is Chinese singularly in only one religion.
They may profess to be of one religion but in practice and in day-to-day life can worship at any place of worship of any religion. They can find the same God in the houses of worship of all religions. You can find the same people in the various houses of worship of religions.
They may profess to be of one religion but in practice and in day-to-day life can worship at any place of worship of any religion. They can find the same God in the houses of worship of all religions. You can find the same people in the various houses of worship of religions.
After all, Chinese culture of more than 5000 years ante-ceded and preceded that of all world religions. It may be good if the world can imbibe this interesting and pragmatic way of the Chinese with regards to religion. Globalization is a sure way to enable this good trait of the Chinese to be adopted by the rest of the world. But of course, there will be those who don't agree. They have narrow views and often bigoted.
Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 descended in 1969 to undertake the Mission to save souls through any religion. His message is that all religions are sanctioned by God (玉皇上帝) and will have their own ways to hold on to the people.
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| Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 |
The good lord Lord Bo Tien does not favor any religion and he is not here to start any new religion. He chose to descend in a Chinese style temple because such a temple is already inclined by culture to embrace all religions and the saints of all religions.
Also, men generally do not understand why ethnic Chinese practices are tantamount to a melting pot of religions even if they identify only with one specific religion. But it is best that they do, as it is a social culture that has worked for more than 5000 years. Religions as institutions may stand to gain by learning from it. This is rather than for religions to draw the line and disturb the peace in society and contributing to the detriment of the fabric of society.
Omitofo 阿彌陀佛
Omitofo 阿彌陀佛
