No 871 of Living Life Series 1
To many who think they know enough, what they know is like the leaves in the hand and what they have yet to know is like the leaves in the forest. This was touched on by the Buddha who commented on what he taught though some would caution that he was driving at a different angle.
Let us all eschew this perspective in relation to Wesak. Let us be humble and know that no matter how much more we know, we too can learn from those who know little. Didn't Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 add that we can learn from fellow men?
The little they know may be more relevant to life and if put into full practice is better than the more we know but not so relevant and cannot be effected in our current life situation.
To worsen the situation, we may use the more we know to put down others and show our mantle. This would be awful.
The Buddha cautions that the teaching or doctrine like a raft is for us to cross the river of divide between worldliness and spirituality and not for us to boast about or as display as exhibit to awe others on our mental capabilities. It is not for showing that we are better than others.
Those who know precious little or perhaps nothing but are devoted and go about serving a temple are more well placed spiritually than those who know allot and are loud mouth. Isn't this the case?
But be wary of those who instead of serving others, go to a temple to lord over others and be served. They want to be put on the pedestal. Some who know more are like that and if they know themselves, they should stay away from the temple. This is for their own good and for the good of others. They should go for self-isolation and be better off that way.
Alas, there are those who care not at all for spiritual but yet attracted to a temple for worldly glory. We may think that they should not be there but Heaven often prefers that they be there for at least they are in a temple and one day can grow the light in them and make good spiritually.
It boils down to the issue of the far and near. Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 says that far and near can be relative. The near can be far and the far near.
Are we in a temple for the right reason? Do we need to have a reason to do so? What is our reason to know doctrine? Do we need a reason to know doctrine? Can we cultivate or practice even if we know little of doctrine? How much must we know before we decide to practice and cultivate ourselves?
We don't need to know much if it is just to avoid evil, do good and purify the mind. All we need is the resolve to want to do good somehow. We may or may not need a platform of a temple or religion to do so but then again it may be better to have one.
The little they know may be more relevant to life and if put into full practice is better than the more we know but not so relevant and cannot be effected in our current life situation.
To worsen the situation, we may use the more we know to put down others and show our mantle. This would be awful.
But be wary of those who instead of serving others, go to a temple to lord over others and be served. They want to be put on the pedestal. Some who know more are like that and if they know themselves, they should stay away from the temple. This is for their own good and for the good of others. They should go for self-isolation and be better off that way.
Alas, there are those who care not at all for spiritual but yet attracted to a temple for worldly glory. We may think that they should not be there but Heaven often prefers that they be there for at least they are in a temple and one day can grow the light in them and make good spiritually.
It boils down to the issue of the far and near. Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 says that far and near can be relative. The near can be far and the far near.
We don't need to know much if it is just to avoid evil, do good and purify the mind. All we need is the resolve to want to do good somehow. We may or may not need a platform of a temple or religion to do so but then again it may be better to have one.
