No 1247 of Living Life Series 1
There is no religion in Chinese culture - only God, saints, beliefs and practices. Only modern day global approach insists that there are religions.
But if we are to accept religions then, in Chinese culture we can find the melting pot of religions. All religions are true to God, goodness and beliefs. Basically all are the same at core but they are different. The differences add color but can be bones of contention.
Why bother so long as religions enrich the human experience? To suggest that we champion any and deride the rest is to deny the experiences and color that religions can add to the societal landscape.
Certainly, variety is the spice of life. We should not make life monotonous - lifeless and colorless. We must accept all beliefs with culture as the platform.
If we ask whether there is religion in Chinese history and culture, the answer is a flat "No" but yet to say so is not right.
Society has accepted that belief in God and saints cannot stand on its own. Religions have become the vehicles to drive the belief in God, saints and goodness.
But really religion in the narrow concept can work against the wider interest of men. Religions are here to stay in any society or culture. There cannot be one religion but many.
We need to be reminded on what the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 say that there is oneness in diversity of religions. Religions are meant to reach out to more and bring them to be one in God and saints.
Has religions eroded say Chinese culture? It has and yet has not.
Culture can withstand global influence and has a life of its own. It will integrate and take over any religion to give religion a strong cultural identity.
Then what we have is more culture and less religion. Culture changes the thinking and practices of religion. Religion cannot replace culture.
Culture will often integrate all religions. Culture will be dominant. This holds true of global, regional, national or ethnic culture. Religion cannot replace or displace culture.
But at times religion and culture are coupled together. To be in that culture, there is need to be in the religion that determines that culture. Even then, the practice of that religion differs somewhat from culture to culture - nation to nation.
One area is in the way people accommodate others of different religions and cultures. In a heterogynous multi-religious society or nation, accommodation comes naturally.
Religion is for peace. If there is no drive for peace, then what has become of religious calling? With peace, all religions can thrive side by side. Without peace, all religions cannot properly realise what they are to be.
But if we are to accept religions then, in Chinese culture we can find the melting pot of religions. All religions are true to God, goodness and beliefs. Basically all are the same at core but they are different. The differences add color but can be bones of contention.
Why bother so long as religions enrich the human experience? To suggest that we champion any and deride the rest is to deny the experiences and color that religions can add to the societal landscape.
Certainly, variety is the spice of life. We should not make life monotonous - lifeless and colorless. We must accept all beliefs with culture as the platform.
If we ask whether there is religion in Chinese history and culture, the answer is a flat "No" but yet to say so is not right.
Society has accepted that belief in God and saints cannot stand on its own. Religions have become the vehicles to drive the belief in God, saints and goodness.
But really religion in the narrow concept can work against the wider interest of men. Religions are here to stay in any society or culture. There cannot be one religion but many.
We need to be reminded on what the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 say that there is oneness in diversity of religions. Religions are meant to reach out to more and bring them to be one in God and saints.
Has religions eroded say Chinese culture? It has and yet has not.
Culture can withstand global influence and has a life of its own. It will integrate and take over any religion to give religion a strong cultural identity.
Then what we have is more culture and less religion. Culture changes the thinking and practices of religion. Religion cannot replace culture.
Culture will often integrate all religions. Culture will be dominant. This holds true of global, regional, national or ethnic culture. Religion cannot replace or displace culture.
But at times religion and culture are coupled together. To be in that culture, there is need to be in the religion that determines that culture. Even then, the practice of that religion differs somewhat from culture to culture - nation to nation.
One area is in the way people accommodate others of different religions and cultures. In a heterogynous multi-religious society or nation, accommodation comes naturally.
Religion is for peace. If there is no drive for peace, then what has become of religious calling? With peace, all religions can thrive side by side. Without peace, all religions cannot properly realise what they are to be.
