Men takes over a temple of God but not for forever

No 1042 of Living Life Series 1

When a strong wind blows, people who should not be in a temple will end up in the temple and the people in the temple will be blown away. 

Even the strongest of men holding on to a big tree may be blown away. The result is that the temple will be run by those who are not the best to run it. 

This did the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 says. He did indeed say so.

Thus in many temples the world over, temples are run by those with the least aptitude for the spiritual life. We will end up with temples being replicas of the worldliness of the world outside temples. There will be songs and there will be dance very much like the night life at night spots. 

They call this religion and cheer themselves on and more of the night life of the world will take over temples. Well they hunger for this and set a new trend - a fashion statement of sorts. There is this new in-thing.

The purpose of temples is to showcase the difference between religion and worldliness ... and to let people have life very different from the world of sensuality, indulgence and worldliness. But we end up with more of the same in the temples of God and saints. Instead temples end up as temples of men rather than temples of God and saints. 

But the time will come when people of worldliness will grow tired and realize that what they want is better obtained in the world outside temples. They were like the strong wind which blow to temples and displace those already there. 

The good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 explains that even a strong wind will one day stop blowing and good men will return. The strong wind will go elsewhere and bring along with them the men of worldliness and indulgence. But will the good men return. According to the good lord, they will. 

The temple of God ends up as the temple of men. But this will not be forever. The strong wind of worldliness that brings worldly men to a temple will bring them back to the world outside temple. But when will this day be and how long must we wait for the day? God knows. 

The easy and difficult parts of spirituality

No 1041 of Living Life Series 1

What has become of men who want the easy way out. They want to get rewarded without effort and if at all, the only effort is to believe or to pay for it. 

This too has crept into the realm of religion. Just believe and pay for it and God will be with them. This has become sort of the sales gimmick more to prosper the sales agents than the recipients. 

But there will be many who go for that. Anyone will go for that. God says that we ask and it shall be given. On top of that he offers us not one religion or sect for us to have the choice to do so. 

What God offers through his saints in religion is the easy part. We can go to heaven and can even be in heavenly bliss here and now. 

But the difficult part is to work to improve our lot in spirit and to be more like God and saints. For this belief will not do. Money too cannot help at all. This is the aspect of the God knowledge the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 wants us to realize.

The same principle applies to the secular world. The easy part is to believe in a political party and vote them in, more so in a party with track records. But the difficult part is for the people to improve themselves and work hard with the government. The good lord reminds that what works in spiritual works for the secular world as well. 

Men go for the easy part and the difficult part can often wait. That is often the problem. Who don't want to have free lunch? But is there really the free lunch? 

The fairy tale in religion has its purpose

No 1040 of Living Life Series 1

Often that which is fairy tale enthralls the crowd and that which is real is too complicated and beyond the grasp of the crowd. This speaks the reality behind religion. 

Religion must make use of the unreal to reach out to the crowd. Thus religious concept of the creation of man and the world is often far too simple and unscientific. But this is the case. 

What can be done if men insist that black is white. If enough men insist black is white, then black is indeed white. 

Religious fanaticism too is rooted in the same way. If there is strong belief that the way to heaven is by the sword, then killing and harm to others become noble. That is sad but is the reality we have to live with. 

There is need to drop borders. Let there be no ego and let not ego or borders divide men. Yet ego and borders do exist. So long as we respect the ego space and borders of others, then it is alright. There will be peace. 

If ever we think that we are right and others are wrong, then there will be problems. Thus as the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨  says that there is God but many religions and this is the will of God so that more can be saved. 

But zealous men of religion may think that their religion is the only way because they fail to see that there need to be many religions. It is also true as what the good lord says that people be better at what they are than try to be in a new religion and not at all be good at the new religion. 

It is the intention of the good lord in teaching all to understand the doctrine common to all religions so that they be better in whatever religion they are in. 

The fairy tale in religion may appear absurd but can serve its purpose if it can lead men to be better at what they are, in the religion they are in. Fairy tales have the magical touch and need not be the reality they are meant to be.

Fairy tales make it sound so easy and magical. You just need to believe and all will be yours. Fairy tales do weave more magic of its own. It is the only way it seems to bring in the crowd and to start anything, numbers do count in the beginning. 

But in the long run, men must not be carried away by fairy tales. Men must go for the inner truth behind fairy tales - the same truth behind all religions. Men must go for the true tale behind fairy tales. This may not be as magical and as enthralling. This can put us off but truth is like that. 

Fairy tales are for the children in men. All men like to be children and go for fairy tales. The fairy tales in religion have their purpose in drawing in the crowd. But beyond that, men must go beyond fairy takes. Men must wake up to see the truth beyond. 

But of what business is it for others to interfere if we believe in substance of fairy tales if fairy tales work for us and give us peace and hope - even lead us to heaven by mere belief. We never say that only we are right and others wrong and that is all important stand we should have. 

Believers of saints like Goddess of Mercy just have to believe and they will be in Western Paradise to learn from her to be saints. She has 108 transformations and believers think this is true and not fairy tale. She never claim to be the only saint and works to complement the works of all other saints. 

Mix and match as a way of life is also for religion

No 1039 of Living Life Series 1

What is wrong in believing some aspects of a religion and not believing in other aspects? You cannot do so if ardent believers of a religion have their way. You either believe in all or in none. 

But the Buddha specifically says that we do not believe in mere hearsay or even if it is said that he says so. 

The good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 says that it is alright to have doubts. Doubts arise because some could not understand. There is no need to be guilty over having doubts. Once matters are clarified, people will understand better. 

It is better to take the position that we can decide what to believe and that which we don't believe, we can put on hold or decide not to believe but with due respects to the saint or religion involved. 

It would be even more wonderful to believe in some aspects of all religions that suit us best. But be mindful that others may not think the way we do. 

Thus the idea of religious faithfulness needs to be explored. Do we have to believe in all? Even if we believe in all, do we have the appetite for all. We have different tastes and preferences. 

So it comes as no surprise that we choose and pick. We may belong to a religion, but in reality we practice the teachings of more than one religion. We believe more in one but are open to the teachings of all religions. 

With globalization, religion is an individual matter. There is so much of mix and match to meet the needs of the individual. 

Mix and match as a way of life is also for religion. Religion as an institution will one day be history. 

This is not that religion is not good enough but that religion is too good for men. God provides the choices but people want to have individualized approach. They go for mix and match. 

The Chinese in old China did that all along and will continue to do so even if they openly adopt new religions. Mix and match will continue as way of life - not only in China but for the rest of the world. 

Belief in a religion or saint must extend to all religions and saints

No 1038 of Living Life Series 1

It is difficult to subscribe to the thinking that we can only believe in only one religion and not believe in other religions. Many would rather believe in none so that they can believe in all. 

That is ironical but that is the reality for many are pushed into doing so by those who are passionate about their religion as the religion. 

There is need for open mindedness to set the tune for the religions of the day. This is more so when the reality is that there will be many religions and many sects in any religion. 

Religions cannot function as though other religions do not exist. We cannot live as though we are the only people that matter and that we are the only ones alive. 

That would be a false view and an absurdity. That would be delusional and far from truth. That would be loving oneself and not loving others. 

That would be counter to the true love for self and for life. Love for self must have no borders and it must extend to the world around. If we love ourselves, we must love others. 

Love is what life is all about and this was stressed by the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 in 1975 Mission Day message. His central message is that we need religions to be different and different as they may be, they are one in God and truth - in the mission to save souls. 

He starts no new religion or sect. He favors none. He starts off with a Chinese temple in his name just to show that in the most disorganized there is the same basic structured truth found in all religions and in all peoples. 

The teachings of religions are like the downstream of the river of life. We must go to the the upper source for clear water. We must go for the pure teachings common to all religions.  

Belief in a religion or saint must extend to all religions and saints. This is as it should be and ever will be. There is no doubt that this should be the case. There is no two ways about this. This is the way and the one and only way. 

That is why the good lord taught us this universal prayer.

To all heavenly saints
We greatly adore
We believe in your existence
and thy glory is in the thought of men
We seek for thy protection and guidance
So as to live better for the time to come

When the going gets tough, the tough get going

No 1037 of Living Life Series 1

There is in us the need to be reassured that we are in good hands no matter what happens to us. When life gets tough, we think this is the will of God. When life gets going, we think that this is the blessing of God. Thus it appears that what happens to a man seems to be the design of God. But isn't this an overstatement? 

Whatever it is, it is true that when life is easy, people are complacent and they may be worse off. But when life is tough, if they are weak in spirit, they get no where and they just resign themselves thinking that this is the will of God. Need God be like that?  

Certainly when life gets tough, the tough gets going. They never get ruffled and they keep their peace and stay as one piece no matter what happens. To them it is just another rainy season for them to stay indoors and bid their time, for them to prepare for sunny days. Storms do not last forever and calm seas will return again. This the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 reminds us. 

Such men can also withstand drought because as what the good lord says they are like trees outside the orchard. The trees in the orchard withers away with drought but the trees at the foot of the hill outside the orchard are rooted in ground water and can still flourish in drought. 

Men who are strong in doctrine can flourish in trying times. Harness and live in doctrine and flourish in life come what may. This is how the tough gets going, when life is tough. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

Be at peace with life, birth and death

No 1036 of Living Life Series 1

The future of the world belongs to the young. The world has to take care of the young. Without the young, religion will lose its appeal, dynamism and have no future.  A temple where only the old goes to and only the old are active is an ageing temple and will lack drive and passion. There is the need to rejuvenate the world and the temple of men in any religion that exists under under heaven. 

The true temple for men is not by men but by God and saints for men and all beings. It is not just for the young or for the old. It is for all. It has a life of its own. It's liveliness depends not on the young but on itself. 

Where is this temple? Well, all are in this temple. The world and universe we are in is that temple. Call this the universal temple. The good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 says that heaven is the roof of the temple. Religions of men are the pillars. All are in this temple. It is where we live and life is the teacher or gospel. 

Temple created by men depends on the world.
It is not as majestic as the world it is in.
The world is the universal temple.
It is the temple by God and saints.
Even a simple hut as a temple
will look grand in world setting.

We learn consciously and unconsciously from life. That is life. Life is the spirituality we go for. Running away or denying life is far from gainful. Over living to the nines is ruinous and tiresome. 

We neither die while alive nor try to get every morsel out of life. That will not be good and we have no peace. We go for the peace by neither dying to life nor trying not to let go of life. We are with life.

We go for peace from birth to death and from death to birth. We are at peace with life, birth and death. We are atop life and its polarities as depicted by the image of the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 with feet on the elements. 

Then we do not cling on to life, we do not fear death and we welcome death when due in the same way we welcome birth. We are at peace with birth, life and death. We will be welcome by saints and all, be it in life, birth or death. 

The far will be near and the near far

No 1035 of Living Life Series 1 

The good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 descended in 1969 through P. Philip to proclaim his mission that religions must stay different to reach out to different peoples and their needs. 

All have the same goal to save souls. All have the mandate of God to reach out to all. There will always be a religion or sect to meet the needs of every man.

But he said that the problem at ground zero where he descended is that in time to come the people at ground zero will one day think that the lord saint is the fertile imagination of men. They may be near and yet far. 

He also said that the far may be near. What does he mean by that? 

To answer this question, let us be reminded that he also said that he is like the vast ocean that reaches out to many a land. In time, more and more in the world far from ground zero will know him. 

They though far will be near. They will be the ones to spearhead the mission on the oneness of religions. The far will be the ones to carry out the mission of the lord. Isn't this an eye opener? 

This is the only logical way for the outreach of the mission. The good lord cannot depend on the near at ground zero for mission. The mission to the world will not materialize if he is to depend on them even if they have some mission focus. 

Their focus is more on other matters other than primary mission. But as long as they do some good and charitable activities, they will still be blessed. The good lord further adds that we blame not the flower for insects coming to it for nectar. 

Mission must rise above human limitations and imperfections. The good lord will have his way. The far will be near, didn't he say so? 

He did and he stressed that Mission (beyond Singapore) is by Heaven and not by men (at ground zero). "Men are not ready but heaven is ever ready. The issues of men are many and plentiful." He lamented. Heaven cannot wait for men to be ready. 

He further adds that the ways of men are not the ways of saints. Even men of religion may make mockery of the founding saints by dividing men in the name of religion and sect. They too though near end up far from God and saints. 

The handful of men at ground zero where the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 descended in 1969 are not alone in that respect - far though near. 

They are in a world of their own and relishing every bit of it with good works to add to their pride. They bother not the mission beyond ground zero. 

The lord saint says that they will still reap blessings for whatever good they had done and will do. They are after all near (to the lord saint) but yet far. 

They are content with ground zero and never even set their eyes beyond. Four decades and more have gone by and certainly this is not a short time by human standards. Truly the ways of men are not the ways of saints. This is as commented by the good lord. 

There is no denying the good they have done but whither the mission and that is the issue. Blessed are they all the same for whatever good they had done and can do. They are still near though far. 

The two levels of spirituality in religion

No 1034 of Living Life Series 1

There is one certainty we know of religion and that is it is for the good of men. But men being men will argue till kingdom come of what is good for men. 

Some prefer to have better life while alive. Some prefer to think that heaven is assured if we believe. Some think that believing is not enough and that even going to heaven in the afterlife is being short sighted. 

Going to heaven is a big deal to others but not to some. To some, going to heaven is just a sojourn. If you like to put it, it is just a resting place - a respite of sorts before we go on for the next rebirth. 

Rebirth itself is an enigma. Many welcome this as a way to live on beyond death. But there again, don't they die again? 

But to many heaven is permanent, so also is hell. They say there is eternal heaven and hell. How can this be so? The short life of man cannot be used as yardstick to decide on eternity in afterlife - be this heaven or hell. 

There are two approaches in popular religion. One is for the masses. Just believe, do good and be good. You will be in heaven in afterlife. The other is for the few who wants to go further. How do they stop rebirths be it in heaven, hell, here or anywhere? 

Which do you belong to? Which is more acceptable and which is the easy way out? Why go for the difficult way? Why go for only respite? There are many questions. The choice is yours. 

But what has the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 to tell us. He says that all religions are good. He is not starting any new religion or sect. He wants to show that the same teachings are present in all religions. There is no need for him to start one or to favor any. 

In any religion, many will just go for believe, be good and be in heaven. Some go for exit from rebirths, be it in heaven, earth, hell or whatever. 

Then why did he start a Chinese temple? He said that he wanted to show that there is in a traditional temple, seemingly ritualistic and superstitious the very same teachings and approaches. 

All religions are one and that is it. All religions have the same two levels of spirituality. This is the message of the good lord. 

The way to go in life

No 1033 of Living Life Series 1

Life must go on and we must make do with what we have. We can make things happen if we are modest with what we want. 

There will ever be issues that irk and upset us. Life may not turn out as desired. No point crying over spilled milk. Just move on and that way we can stay ahead. 

Do not be over the moon with good things that come our way. We have to come down to ground level again and may even have the rude shock that we need to begin all over again in some way or other.

Remember to accept both what we have and what we do not have. That way we will be more collated and in one piece. That way we are at peace with life - the yin and the yang and the ups and downs. 

We must learn and gain from the downs and be cheered by the ups. Have this balanced approach in every aspect of life. This is depicted by the image of the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 with feet atop and balancing the elements - the polarities and contingencies of life. 

Take the middle ground and we will neither be worse off nor carried away with exuberance by the ups. Either will somehow mire us down to dream and ruminate and we will end up ruminating life rather than living life. 

Live life and move on. Be at peace with life. Take small steps and that is easier and more sustainable. Do not stay put or backtrack. Go easy but still move on. 

Yes, not only must we live life peacefully but we must move on in like manner. That is the way to go in life.

Be at peace and have the peace. Be mindful of this. No point trying to sit in lotus position to meditate only to be restless in life on coming out of seated meditation. 

Do not end up using meditation as the escape route. Instead, meditate and be mindful in every moment and second of life as we go about life. That is the way to go in life. Be ever mindful to do so. Be mindful of the moment. This is the way to go to have more peace and life. 

Well, well, why bother if what you believe or the religion you are in is different from the ones of others (or not as logical and profound) so long as you can make it. Religion and what we believe are just means to the end - the peace in life. 

You may know a little but that little may let you go far. You may know so much but that much may bury and mire you down and you go no where. You may be good at debating with the much more you know but what matters is whether you can make it to have peace. Some know little but have arrived at peace

All religions are one in showing way to peace never mind if what they say may be different and may not seem to reconcile with one another. There is always the oneness of religions. This did the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 say. The purpose of his descent in 1969 and his mission is to show that all religions are one in saving souls though they are different in their respective ways. 

Purity of the one singular purpose in life for all

No 1032 of Living Life Series 1

There is no new teachings by the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 when he descended in 1969. The teachings of religions are already there and in fact the doctrine of truth and salvation has been there even before religions. Then why did he descend? What is he here for?

Yes, there is no new teachings or religion but only explanation and pointers on oneness of religions. There is no new teachings but only mission on oneness of religions. This is often forgotten and taken for granted. Men easily forget why there are many religions. That is why the good lord descended and that is why he is here for.

The good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 adds that the same principle that works for spiritual, if applied to secular world, works as well. There is oneness in diversity. Diversity is not to divide but to complement. 

The same truth of oneness amid diversity of interests apply to the secular world. Men can subscribe to different views but at the heart of hearts, all wanted to improve the lot of men and this they refer to as secular lobbies. But this must not be for sector or niche interests.

Ground secular lobbies can be partisan but national or global interests must be one for all parties and groups and for all nations and peoples of the world. They must serve national and even global interests. 

There must be the oneness in diversity of religions, nations, peoples and groups within a people. This is the purity of purpose all must have in life. 

But all do not need to belong to only one exclusive interest group or religion. To say that one group is right and others not so is to end up defeating the focus that all are one. 

All must not forget that they are here for the interest of all. There must always be the purity of that one singular purpose - the welfare of one and all and not their partisan or stand-alone interest. 

To start off, let all choose their starting points and have different starting platforms. This will be more pragmatic and appealing. 

But let not the differences divide. There must be the right mindset. No one party or group is perfect though some can deliver better results and better meet niche interests. 

There is however the need to appeal to diverse and variant interests. Obviously one platform is not enough. We need many. 

Differences must complement and not divide. Otherwise the means become the end and the end is forgotten. That would be sad. Let all groups work as one though differing in platforms. That should not be a tall order. Wisdom and insight are needed.

The oneness of beings in the welfare of all, the oneness of religions in saving souls is the message and the mission of Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 when he descended in 1969. 

There must be purity of purpose whatever the initial platform, religion or group, and of course, welfare and good of the many is the driving force. There is the same driving force. It is logical for all to do so. This is so that there is synergy of their efforts for the good and welfare of one and all. 

Don't work alone. Many candles are better than individual ones to light up darkness. This did the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 say.

The coming together for the 49 days of purity observance before Mission Day of Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨. 

Mission Day commemorates the day in 1969 when he descended to stress on the welfare of all through religions and there must be this purity of this one singular purpose. 

All religions must stay on course to focus on welfare and saving of all souls. They have the same purpose but may have differing starting platforms and processes.

Mission Day falls on the thirteen day of the ninth lunar month. It is for synergy of purity of purpose in life, be it religion or secular. There must be the concerted and conscious effort to effect more good and welfare of all. 

There is need to emphasize the purity of purpose for all religions to effect more good for the welfare of all. Religions must complement and their good works must add up and not negate and cancel off one another's good works. 

Welfare and saving of souls too cannot be exclusive and for believers and select groups only but must ever be inclusive. No group should have the last and only say. 

Do not write off alternative views. They can often add substance and insight to our own views. Do keep in mind always the purity of the one singular purpose in life for all. 

We can belong to one or more group but do make effort to know why the many groups and religions are there for. Know why God and saints need more than one religion and sect to reach out to men. It is God's will. We will be wrong to say only we are right and others wrong. It is not right to say only one religion or sect is the one for all. 

All are right and we can learn from all - their plus and minus points. That way we will be better off and able to meet the purity of the one singular purpose in life for all - the welfare and saving of all souls. 

We not only care for our individual selves, those in our group and religion but also those outside our group or religion. We rejoice in the good works of other groups and religions. We not only complement their good works but we rejoice in the good they do. 

Let there be the ring of love in life

No 1031 of Living Life Series 1

In life, we must love life and treasure life. This means we do not waste time and resources. We make life work for us as much as we work for life. 

Doing nothing and running away from issues will not help. Over concerned and indulgence too will not help. Both will not truly go the mile to promote love for life. 

We must go for the middle ground and strengthen this middle ground approach to life. There is need to insulate ourselves from the pulls and push to be away from the middle ground. 

We must pull resources and come together to promote love of life. Forming a circle of love as in sitting together in a circle has been the practice of the pioneers of the mission of Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨since the lord's descent in 1969. 

It is a practice highlighted during the 49 days of observance of purity before Mission Day every year on the 13th day of the ninth lunar month to commemorate his descent. 

Purity and love must go hand in hand. We cannot have ill will if we want goodwill. We cannot love life if we cannot love ourselves and others. All life must be included in the circle of love. 

Love should promote purity of mind and body. Purity is the answer to love that has no tint whatsoever of the slightest ill-will to anyone - self included. 

Love makes the world go round. But love is not denying life or being slave to the wants and desires. It is the middle ground. We need to form the circle of love to power the middle ground approach. 

This is the way to maximize love and keep out as much as possible the wrong ways that negate love rather than enhance love for life. Enhance love with the ring of love. Power the true love for life with the ring of love. 

Loving kindness is what religion is all about but without powering the true love for life, religion may end up undoing love for life that religion is meant to promote. Loving kindness is the beginning, the middle and the end-all of life. This the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 like all heavenly saints says. 

Go for the purity of life and love - free from denial, wants and the excessive mores of life. More can be less and less can be more. We must never go for nothing or broke by running away from life. We too must not go for the sky and be uprooted and blown away. 

Religion and men must come together to be the circle or ring of love. Let there be the ring of love in life. May the ring of love light up our life.

Peace like circle is about balance - whole, yet zero.

No 1030 of Living Life Series 1

It is good that we look at a circle. The circle is everything and yet it is nothing. The beginning is the end and the end is the beginning. There is completeness in emptiness. There is emptiness in what we deem as completeness. 

The good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 put it in another way. The far may be near and the near far. If everyone is in the circle of life, the one who is near to God and saints is also far from God and saint. 

Far and near are not as we know. The near can be far and the far near. We need to know that life is everything we can have and yet it is nothing in the end. What matters is that we are at peace with both everything and nothing. 

If we know life, we must know what is not life. If we know yin, the passive side, we must know yang the active side. When both adds up in a balance way, there is nothing or zero and yet this is what completeness is all about. 

The good lord encourages us to view the circle of life and reflect on the circle of life. During the 49 days of purity observance before Mission Day falling on the 13th day of the ninth lunar month, the coming together of the pious and devoted to observe purity depicts completeness. 

Yin and yang of men in mission or who seek purity and peace must join to form one whole - one circle. Thus at a temple of the good lord, men come in white every night after work to sit in a circle. White is of no color yet is a complete color. It is result of combination of colors. 

Circle is complete and substantial - solid and strong. It is when yin and yang come together, that they add up to wholeness which is yet zero - neither positive or negative. There is balance and peace. 

The sitting together in circle is to depict the ideal or everything of spiritual completeness. Spiritual completeness is there when we can balance the yin and yang to zero state of strive between yin and yang. 

This completeness comes when there is zero or no strive - when there is nothing of strive. There is peace which is everything we need and yet the zero state or sum reminds us that we need nothing except peace. Then everything seems to fall in place and life will be whole and wholesome. 

Sitting in a circle to have peace is what we need to do not just in body but in spirit and in mind - not just on special occasions but in every day of life. Be mindful of the peace through the circle. 

Join hands to complete and achieve the circle. It is easier to do so but you can opt to do it alone. 

Go for the circle of peace with zero strive - the wholesome and complete balance of yin and yang. Then peace is nothing and is also everything. Peace like a circle is about balance - whole and yet zero.

One and yet not one but peace all the same

No 1029 of Living Life Series 1

The problems of man are many and plentiful. Man creates more problems for himself. 

Men even create problems with God. Man create problems even in the  understanding of  God and saints and their roles in the lives of men. They at times even blame God for the cause of their problems. 

God is not the initiator of problems. Man is the problem. 

Man needs God to help but man must understand why he has problems even with God and saints. Men expect too much and think that they can depend totally on God and saints. Yes, they do. 

But not to worry though. The good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 says that those who seek the blessing of God and saints, God and saints will come to them. There is no qualification. You don't have to have any but believing and faith will be advantage.  
Issues big and small will be no issues. But there is element of fate or karma. This must be accepted. 

Even then with the blessings of God and saints, even big issues if cannot be no issues will at least be less issues. They will be small issues. 

Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨adds that the main issue is of men themselves. The issues and problems of men are many and plentiful. Men creates more problems along the way of life. They need to understand why this is so. 

Everyone needs to reflect on life and on how problems arise. Man must know himself before he can know the world. 

The sages of old in Tao 道 tradition say that there is the yin and the yang - the positive and the passive elements in life. Problems arise when there is no balance. Problems arise when man expects that he can leave this to God and saints. 

Man often fails to know that there must be balance of yin and yang within him before he can be atop and balance the yin and yang in the world - in life. God and saints have this balance and have peace. This is reflected in the image of the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 with feet atop and balancing yin and yang. 

Man too must do the same. This balance needs to be cultivated. Go for mindfulness of this. 

Go for a bit more of balance and peace. Go for the moment. Even a moment of peace for now is good enough. Many moments add up to more moments of peace. 

God and saints will help and bless us. We must learn to bless ourselves as well - not only our individual selves but our fellow men as well. 

Everyone has some skills and blessings which others don't have. We can always be blessings to one another. We can help one another. 

We must individually cultivate Tao but if we can get together to do so, it would be better. Like what the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 say, everyone must be a candle flame to light up his own life as well as the lives of others. A collection of candle flames would be better at that. 

That is why there is the 49 days of purity observance before the Mission Day of the good lord on the thirteen day of the ninth lunar month. 

Mission Day is the yearly anniversary of his descent in 1969. He descended in 1969 to show the oneness of purpose of all religions - to save souls. 

There is oneness of the way to do so and this is presented in various perspectives through various religions, sects and temples. All are one and yet not one. Men must cultivate the peace in life through any religion of their choice and be better at what religion they are in so as to have more of the peace. 

Like religions, all are one and yet not one but all can have peace all the same.

To be good and pure

No 1028 of Living Life Series 1

All religions teach on the need to be good and not to do bad. 

Goodness has to do with love. Love must not be for oneself alone but for others as well. 

We also cannot be good to others and not good to oneself. To be good, we cannot forget ourselves. 

We too cannot live as though others are not there. We must consider others as well as our own interests. 

We must love life and not cause harm and hurt. Ultimately, we must have purity of thinking. We must purify the mind. As we think, so will we be. 

We cannot achieve overnight the ideal purity. It is better to go one step at a time. It is good enough if we just be a little more good and pure so long as we do not consciously want to be not good. 

We cannot be like God and saint overnight. We may even backtrack now and then. 

We may be far from purity but religions enable God and saints to be with us even if we are far from good enough. We just need to believe and have faith. We need only to start off with this and with a little or even with no good at all. We will then be on our way though still far from ideal. We will hopefully learn along the way. 

We will be near yet far. We will be far yet near. This did the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 say. 

We must accept ourselves for what we are and not feel guilt. We must do what we can. We cannot be hating ourselves for the not good in us or for the lack of purity ideal. 

Guilt brings on dislike and even hatred to self and that is not good, let alone contribute in any way to purity of the mind. We should continue to progress and even a wee bit at a time is good enough. 

But once a year or so, we must have more concerted effort to improve on and be more entrenched in the habit - to be good and pure. 

At a temple of the good lord, there is the annual purity observance of 49 days before Mission Day on 13th day of the ninth lunar month. 

Mission Day celebrates and commemorates the day of the first descent by the good lord in 1969 to introduce the mission of saving souls through all religions. The message is that all religions are one in mission though they may be different.