Revisit of 1975 message of Lord Bo Tien

No 288 of Living Life Series 1

Lord Bo Tien

On the 13th day of the 9th lunar month of 1975 , the emissary of Lord Bo Tien descended with this message.

"Among the many present here are the followers of the various religions. They together with their other brethrens not present (at the temple) are keen to learn of the Doctrine of the lord saint (the Inner Truth behind life and faiths). Even the heavenly beings of the different spiritual schools and of the various planes or dimensions are also present to listen to the Doctrine."

"The cultivation of spiritual light in life is like a candle flame. All beings must seek the profound truth behind life and nurture the divine light in them by cultivating loving kindness for life (not just primarily for their own life but for the life of others as well). Loving kindness is the source of divine hope and the very essence of God the Jade Emperor's will. It is the nature of the divine or holy spirit ('leng' in Hokkien). Loving kindness in all its purity is divine. Its magnificence is unsurpassed and ever glorious. Nurture ever mindfully and conscientiously this light of divine love in your inner core. This divine love for life is expounded by all religions and by all prophets, sages, saints and even contemporary world leaders in some form or other."

"Every devotee and being here assembled and including those not here tonight but elsewhere is a candle flame to nurture the divine light in them. Some flames may be near to Heaven and heavenly saints. Some are more distant or remote. Candle flames may be different - some smaller while others are bigger and brighter. Nonetheless, bear in mind that the total collection and amassing of candle flames emits brightness to effectively light the way for the those in shades of darkness, more so for the less endowed and not so fortunate."

"Bear in mind that every disciple of a heavenly saint is a candle flame for the profound truth in life. This applies in particular to the followers here of the lord saint. Collectively, the amassing of candle flames is more effective. The intensity of the emission would better reach the far and darker corners to effect the spread of the profound truth (behind life, faiths and sects). The saint is a messenger of Heaven for this cause or mission of Heaven. Disciples must realise that they are flames or torches for this inner truth of life (the basis of and the common denominator of all spiritual approaches, ways and bye-ways). It is through disciples that this Divine Doctrine of the saint can ever be relayed to the masses in all corners of the world and universe."

"Bear in mind that humanity is not pegged or equated with sinfulness. Man has not wronged Heaven. Man is not sinful by nature. It is by action and deed that sin arises. Have no unnecessary guilt conscience therefore but strive to analyse oneself (and issues) calmly instead. It is important that every brethren or being reflects calmly and looks inwardly at his actions and thoughts to correct any of the not-so-right (wrong) instead of being mentally upset, ruffled, tormented and disturbed by guilt or fear of the not -so-right (wrong) he has done." (Worst scenario is when he thinks he has done wrong to God and saints and has hurt them. Blog writer reminds that we do not view saints as man for man can be hurt by other man but not God and saints)

"The word SIN or WRONG may appear simple and widely used (and is more derogatory than empathic and motivating). Yet few really understand the depth of its meaning and ramifications. Bear in mind that there is no rigidity but in reality, there is great degree of flexibility with regards to SIN or WRONG. This may not be apparent to the brethren on earth. Everyone will come to know more and will not want to refer to word SIN or WRONG. Rather as they progressed, and emancipate themselves from fear (due to lack of grasp of inner truth), they will then progressively not view life superficially but more correctly in depth and width to understand that all need to learn and progress. Thus it is important to know that brethren are not WRONG but less right. This disposition removes fear and guilt and motivates brethren to improve and learn." (If all understand this, they will harbour no fear and guilt. They will not in their passion instill fear and emotional unrest to bring others to their fold or viewpoint.)

"Devotees, is it not true that sunshine is essential to life, so also is water? They may be different but together they are essential components of nature on which life depends. The same may be said of religions which may seem different and at times even at odds. Bear in mind that differences are not detrimental but as in the case of nature, differences are beneficial for they serve life in their own respective ways and complement one another. As with nature, elements like sunshine and rainfall (fire and water) are indispensable though apparent opposites or seemingly at times to be at odds. All have important roles. "

"Devotees, in the practice of religious life, do not be perturbed when a not -so-right is committed. There are those who having done the not-so-right (which they perceive as WRONG or SIN) are fearful of coming to a temple to face the altar. Brethren, this should not be the case. So long as a brethren realise this, he should take positive steps to learn and improve himself. He will then realise he is worthy of entering a place of worship. Then the brethren have thoughts that are ever free from fear and guilt, thoughts that are ever so pure and divinely heavenly in their spiritual moments or absorptions in front of the altar."

"Disciples and devotees of a saint should know that the efforts they put in for their endeavours will bear results of sorts and are not in vain. The plants that were planted were nurtured with much effort. The future will enable them to witness the fruits of their efforts and further satisfy their spiritual needs."

"Remember also that men are capable of performing more good, so are beings of higher dimensions. All beings are basically good and should always try to be more good. This is essential for spiritual enlightenment, vis-a-vis, to accumulate merits and ascend to higher grade, a higher dimension or plane. This is only natural and is the very essence for spiritual salvation for all beings."

"Devotees, the doctrine of the Inner Truth is the light which shines up the way for the realisation of truth for the individual. This benefits the individual. He must not only love himself and light up his own life but also love and light up the life of others as well. Brethren, everyone should be a candle flame for the truth. Use it to light up and add value to one's own life. It would be praiseworthy as well if brethren could use that flame to light up the life and way for others."

"Devotees, everyone is like a candle flame. Each and every flame flickers in the wind. If sheltered by a heavenly saint will glow brighter even if it is a small flame. A big flame may appear more significant and nearer to the saint while a smaller one may appear less significant and further from the saint. But always remember that a small candle flame, if sheltered from the wind, will glow more steadily and brighter. It is essential for a candle flame to be sheltered not only to prevent extinction but for its effectiveness, brightness and luminance. "

The Lord Saint said that He descended that night "not to exhibit the qualities, majesty and magnificence of sainthood but to expound the Doctrine and to help beings visible and invisible, here and in other dimensions."

"If all are to understand the saint, they must first understand the Doctrine that the saint expounds. If the Doctrine is understood, that brethren will understand the saint. Whosoever knows (understands) the Doctrine will know (understand) the saint and whosoever knows (understands) the saint will know (understand) the Doctrine."



The above transcript is a revised version in English hopes to amplify more effectively the message delivered in Hokkien in 1975.



Regards.
Inner Truth netizen, Singapore


EXCERPT OF MESSAGE AT SITIAWAN

Lord Bo Tien had said in 1975 at Sitiawan temple said that the far may be near and the near may be far. Those who pray with sincere heart to the saint, the saint will take heed and those who seek the saint for blessings, the saint will come to bless them. Big issue will be small issue and small issues will be no issue



NB This blog posting like all other blog postings dwells on the inner truth behind life as re-expounded by the lord saint Lord Bo Tien. They do not represent and reflect the official views of any organisation or sub-group but the perspectives of inner truth netizen, Singapore based on the inner truth concept. The perspectives though may overlap significantly with that of one or more of many organisations or sub-groups. In addition, they are also not primarily meant to focus on or be portrayal of doctrines and teachings of any one or more of the various specific religions or sects.

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Be at peace now and not wait till kingdom come to try to rest in peace

No 287 of Living Life Series 1

By nature, we will tend to be restless and be tossed around by the polarities of worldly contingencies, like praise blame, gain loss, joy and sorrow.

We get lost in the heat of the moment and cannot keep our cool. Sometimes we run away from the heat only to face more of the heat in other ways. We are not at rest and not at peace.

We must not wait till death to rest in peace but must be able to rest in peace in every moment of our life.

We must remain still and yet move along in life.

Our mind must be calm, peaceful and clear so that we will be able to handle all contingencies and see things as they are.

There is need to get a good look at life at each moment and see life as a whole from the outside and not see life from within the complexities of life as they unfurl.  We will get caught in the throes and tribulations as well as the triumphs of life.

It is good to see the interplay of the ups and downs, the positives and the negatives, the high moments and the low-down moments, the assets and the liabilities but without being upset or jubilant.

To do so, we must get out and see the totality of events and feelings as they play out in our life day by day and moment by moment.

Then, we have better chance of cultivating that sense of calm amidst highs and lows. This is what correct beneficial mindfulness is all about and should be.

Otherwise, mindfulness will cause disquiet and unrest and create more of turmoil and storms in our minds --- worse still devastating tsunami.

Buddhists refer to this variously as equanimity, momentary peaceful joy or 'piti' as well as 'jhana' or rapture.

From the perspective of Inner Truth Message by Lord Bo Tien, this is referred collectively under one simple term --- Inner Peace.

This is the why and the how of getting peace in life, each waking and sleeping moment so that we can rest in peace now and tomorrow and not wait till kingdom come.

Be at peace now and not wait till kingdom come to  try to rest in peace.

Practice and force of habit make for perfection and we will be resting in peace always even before kingdom comes.

If we cannot do so, then our last thought moment when kingdom comes will be by chance and likely not within our control. We will likely have fear and tears.

Be at peace always and ever more and free yourself from fear and tears come what may even in this moment and for every moment of your life. This is better than having a priest or monk to pray for our deliverance at our last moment. We deliver ourselves every moment of our life to the peace that is of the Holy Spirit.

Cheers and be at peace now and not wait to try to have peace at the final moment of our life. This is the way to have heaven here and now and the heaven in the afterlife as well. Isn't this as simple as it should be though profound to those lost in the ups and downs of life - the yin and yang.

But peace and heaven here and now or in the afterlife will only be wishful thinking and illusive like the rainbow if we do not make the effort here and now,  if we do not make our own efforts and think that God and saints will do the job for us. God helps those who help themselves.

Yes, God and saints can help us to have peace now and then in many ways but for more abiding peace, we must cultivate the habit and be peaceful.

God and saints have near infinite loving kindness which is effected as the Holy Spirit. They are like the great oceans and when we are part of the ocean (Holy Spirit), we can more readily have peace but we must stay within the fold and to qualify to be within the fold by being peaceful. Otherwise, we will stay at the fringe or even beyond the fringe.

People in churches and temples keep going to such places at times every day of the week so as to have fellowship. They are the faithful who try their level best at least to stay within the fringe but self help is necessary and as important, if not more so, otherwise, they are at the fringe or too near the fringe.

Why ?  It is simply because their peace is not stable enough, being dependent on faith, the Holy Spirit and the fellowship of fellow men.

But fortunately or unfortunately, when we are but mere novices and learners, we need to hold on to faith, the Holy Spirit and the fellowship of fellow men.

Each of us is like a particle of sand and can be blown around. For now and for most of us, we need to be sand in the concrete pillar of faith, the Holy Spirit and the fellowship of fellow men. This is the analogy given by saints like Lord Bo Tien.

Marble image of Lord Bo Tien which evokes peace

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Wonder why ?

No 286 of Living Life Series 1 

There may be some who wonder why those who know the doctrine or the truth of life shy away from spreading the word actively and may even prefer to go into obscurity.

On the other extreme, there are those who know little and have the heart to spread the word. Many in places of worship belong to  a significant portion of this many but how effective are they?

To be fair, they are effective to draw in the crowd and are blessings to fellow men but they may often fail to put forth the essence and spirit of the inner truth.

Instead of bringing together men of faith, they may end up keeping them apart and cause dissension and disharmony amongst men in the name of God and divinity. 

That is perhaps why there is no real succession for the founders and prophets of religions and sects. Let this be food for thought and not fodder for more dissent amongst men.

Verily, verily, our ancestors have said that the pioneers have told us that other than the initial bridge afforded by the pioneers and the prophets, God and Divinity will reach out to us direct through our respective lives.

Life is the living gospel. Whilst there is one same divine truth behind life, there is more than one gospel to reach out to all, not only the gospels of the main religions but also each individual life is a unique gospel tailored for that individual.

All faiths and men are united by the same God and God manifest to us all, every man and every creature and spirit. There is no chosen few or species. Even those in Hell are near and dear to Him, not just those in hell of Hell but hell on earth.

That is why there is the Divine or Holy Spirit or the "leng" in Chinese Hokkien dialect. The leng is the gift of God and saints for all beings

That is why even Lord Bo Tien was here to speak to us direct through the initial and temporary human mediator for a mere 13 years and not beyond, otherwise men will mistake that that particular man is the stand-in for the lord saint. That is why He stressed the difference between men and heavenly saints. Worship and pray to God and saints but not man though there is the God in man. Divinity do not need a stand-in amongst men.

Cheers and be at peace that you are not alone. God is with you in your life and your individual life itself is the living gospel. God needs no intermediary.

You can join a group for fellowship but you have to garner truth and reap the fruits of truth through your own life and learn from the lessons of life not only your own but others lives as well.

Help from others and help yourself. God and saints too will help you. These are the three ways to handle issues in life. You do not have to kowtow to them or be in fear and awe of them. That is not the wish of God and saints.

We often wonder why but now we should know why there are many religions and sects and why the more enlightened prefer to be one with God in their own life and stay away from the hustle and bustle of the ways of men in the name of God.

God is and man is not. If that be the case, then be with God and not with the ways of men. Who says we need to fear God just because in  the days of old, there were no civil rights of any sorts and people fear the ruler who was the emperor e.g. Roman Emperor and then men like to think that God is the equivalent of the earthly emperor in Heaven and His prophets are Kings.

Systems in Heaven cannot be the duplicates of Earth, for that will be odd and belittling God.

People might fear Roman Emperor but they should not fear God for God is loving and accommodating and allows us to learn at our own pace and comfort.

Just by wondering more and more and seeing the simplicity and oddities of life through simple logic, we can understand human nature and divine or God nature as well.

This is the inner truth we learn when we put logic to life. Nothing in life can fall outside the domain of simple and honest logic.

Saints tell us this and one champion of logic is Ji Gong The Living Buddha.

Ji Gong The Living Buddha

If there is fear of God and Heavenly saints, then there will be no place for logic beyond fear.

Despite outwardly not abiding by norms (yet not critical of norms), and being ostracised, Ji Gong persisted in logic and the honest application of logic to life and become enlightened.

He cuts across all boundaries, norms and religious dogmas and prohibitions to make men understand the ways of Heaven too apply to men and not the ways of men to Heaven.

That was why when Lord Bo Tien descended some decades ago, He reiterated that He is not here to display His glory, magnificence and majesty but like all heavenly saints, He is here to be our friend though He may be portrayed in the majesty and magnificence of ancient Chinese military general.

Lord Bo Tien

When He embodies love of all beings, how can He instill fear? That is the last thing He would want. Even those far from Him e.g. Hell netizens may be near to Him. The near may be far and the far may be near to Him. This is the same outlook of God and all heavenly saints.

Do keep wondering why and find the true peace that comes only with logic and freedom from fear and tears. Then we will be able to create our own Heaven on earth within our individual resources however limited and finite they may be. 

We will have our own Shangrila or ideal world however imperpect it may be. Isn't that wondrous? So do keep wondering why and know more of the wonders of our own simple life.

Those who are far from the ideal may in fact be near to it so long as they be simple and keep wondering why. 

Those whom others see as near to the ideal may be far and not at peace if they are hard on themselves and complicate their lives.

This is another perspective of the far and the near. "The far may be near and the near may be far" This Lord Bo Tien reminds us time and time again.

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The grass seems to look greener on the other side

No 285 of Living Life Series 1

We are never satisfied with the status quo. This is good so long as it serves as a push for us to improve.

But we must not suffer or be worse off as a result. We must not scorn at what we have and regret that we did not have more.

Let us be mindful of the unrest in our mind and address the lack of peace and tranquility. Is there the need to strive and have less life? Can't we be peaceful and go placidly along the path of life and make life a garden filled with beauty even in the very mundane of things.

Let us cherish each moment so long as such moment brings us ease and peace even when the twists and turns do abound and come our way.

Let us enjoy the clouds as they blow by and the warmth of the sun that gives life. Let us be filled with wonder when the rain descends bringing us the water of life and adding to the splendour of nature.

Let us not take life for granted for the peace and ease may soon be punctuated by twists of fate when storms and tsunami may befall us.

We may not be as well off as our neighbours. Our grass may not be as green or at least don't seem to be as green as on the other side.

That is only a perception for what lies beyond looks green from afar and what greenery we have seems to have flaws.

This is the nature of life and men tend to not value the here and now and look with envy at what others have and wish we could have.

But the here and now too harbor their own beauty which may not be there in the past and in the future as well.

True, there will be better moments in the past and the future but do remember that the present if  not valued  will be gone forever and what little we can have in the present will not be the same with what we can have in the future.

Yes, the future can be better but that which is better may not be the same goodness that we have for now.  We need to cultivate and value the here and now. We too need to value the future by preparing for the future, even if this be a precious little bit of effort for some who need to tend to the present, let alone worry for tomorrow.

We do need to do things within our resources. We need to  take stock of our pluses and minuses, and work within our means, not beyond our means. We can only have this or that.

The same applies to our fellow men. One man's meat is another man's poison. So the saying goes. Of what use is beef to a person who is allergic to beef?  Better to be ordinary and yet special in our own way for what we have may be the best for now.

Lust not after the garden on the other side. Dear friends, do be at peace with life and value what you have, make do with what you can have and make good with life.

Issues in life are many and plentiful. This is just being human. But do take stock of what you can have. Like in a buffet, you cannot have all and too many will make you puke and finish you off in a way.

Out of say ten issues, if half or slightly more you can have, count yourself lucky and blessed. Be contented.

Remember what Lord Buddha said, "Health is the highest gain, contentment the greatest wealth, self confidence the greatest friend ..." 

Remember too the universal prayer. "To all heavenly saints I greatly adore. I belive in your existence and thy glory is in the thought of men. I seek for thy protection and guidance so as to live better for the time to come."

The saints are our blessings. Lord Bo Tien said that He is like the vast ocean and no amount of  mud and debris of human problems can overwhelm His reach and compassion for beings.

He is always there for us whether we know him or far from him. The far may be near and the near may be far.  Far and near are dear to Him and all heavenly saints. This He did say.

The one who understands life understands Him. He who does not know life and truth does not know Him.

Lord Bo Tien

He said that life is our gospel and for the gospel to be complete, there must be the yin and the yang, the complementary polarities in our own individual life. We must be at peace with life and its polarities

What is good for one may not be good for another. Each man has his own life to lead and has his own assets, strengths, handicaps, limitations and weaknesses.

Know thyself and then you will know the saint. To know God and Heaven, you must know yourself. This is simple but not perceived by many when they fail to see the nature of life is simple. Only when we see the simple truth of life can we have insight on the very nature and truth of life. Life need to be simple and only by realising this can we have insight.

What your neighbour can have is what he can have based on his efforts and resources. This may not be what you can have for you are of different world so to speak. We ned to know this as a simple truth of life.

Know the truth of your life and you will know truth in life which has to do with GOD and saints.

Bro Philip said, "Only the wise seek the fulfilment of ancient wisdom. Yet the profound truth is so simple but difficult to perceive." Thus have we heard and thus must we know.

Resentment follows envy and saps away our resources and focus in life.

Though poor you may be rich and though others may be rich, they may be poor and worse off. "The humbled may be exalted and the exalted may be humbled." This Biblical saying in a way is the same as what the lord saint Lord Bo Tien's advice to us.  "The far may be near and the near may be far"

Even Posat Ji Gong would say the same. His advice to every individual he guides is ever simple and has to do with life but such advice though simple is often insightful. This is in keeping with the truth which has to do with grasp and insight of the grass of our own life and not the grass on  the other side.

Simple but often insightful is Posat Ji Gong's advice

Ji Kong helps by pointing out to you that you can try to have what others have but which you may not be in position to have now or even in immediate future due to health or other limitations.

To tell you in the face would be unkind and unwise. So like most saints, he blesses you with what you wish to undertake. But when you meet obstacles and could not cope, he gives you peace and let you have wisdom and insight that what you already have is already your Shangrila of sorts.  You should treasure them though you could improve on them by working to reduce your limitations say health issue, age etc.

This way you do not bite off more than you can chew. You will be able to  better your resources and able to harness joy even here and now by reducing your handicaps, by working with what you have and steering clear of what you should not have or may have difficulty procuring due to your handicaps or limitations.

He lets you know yourself and then you will have peace not only in the mundane world but in spiritual aspects as well. Knowing yourself is to know life and to know how to be at peace and have Heaven on earth even before kingdom come.  That is life, isn't it?

By knowing self we know life and the the world beyond self. By  knowing the truth of life, we know the divinity and lord saints like Lord Bo Tien. Only then can we be near the saints even if we are not next to them or their temples. This did Lord Bo Tien say.

Also, do remember what Lord Bo Tien told us that there will always be issues or obstacles in life. This is only human but we must be on top of issues. How to do so? There are three ways. We can handle issues on our own as individuals. We can seek the help of the divine so that big issues will become small issues even if they cannot be no issue. We can get the fellowship and assistance from others, that is, our fellow brethren. Then, it will be easier for us to be at peace in spirit and in body. We will be less inclined to think that the grass seems greener on the other side.

Cheers. Do go for the green green grass of home however incomplete and lacking it may be but if you tend to it at least it will still be there and there is prospect of it growing as well.

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Issues in life are many and plentiful

No 284 of Living Life Series

The issues and problems of life are many and will go on and on. But this is what life is all about. With every sunrise, there will be sunset and with every joy, there will be a let down. With every calm sea, there will be storm. With every storm, surely calm sea will return again. This is the nature of life and the very nature of  mundane existence.

Isn't this tiresome and trying and some will say exasperating.  Lament not but have faith that  such life experiences need not be a bane but a boon if  we hold the correct outlook and perspective.

Also we are not alone. We can stand together with our fellow brethren or beings. Even  a domesticated pet like a cat or a dog can be fellowship in life. To live in the correct environment can be a blessing by providing that fellowship. Like what Lord Bo Tien said in one of the anniversary sermons of old, we must stand together like the particle that make the pillar and be pillar of strength in life come what may. This is the way to weather the twists and turns and the storms of life. This is the way, the truth and the light.

More than that men are not alone. Heaven above us provide us shelter.

Big issues will be small issues even if they cannot be no issues. Small issues will be no issue. This did saints like Lord Bo Tien say. 

Do pray to the saints for their guidance to open the way and often there will be more than one way open for us. 

Those with heart to pray, the saints do know and those who seek for blessings, the saints do come to their  assistance. But  where possible, do be calm, steady and positive for help is at hand always as the universal prayer below would want us to believe.

To all heavenly saints,

I greatly adore.

I believe in your existence

and thy glory is

in the thought of men.

I seek for thy protection

and guidance

so as to live better

for the time to come

Do remember that a saint is like the great ocean. A saint is an ocean of merits and blessings. No amount of mud of ill-fate will be too much for the ocean to wash away and when calm takes over, the water of our life will be calm, serene and lovely to reflect and inject into our life, the blueness and majesty of the heavenly sky. This too did Lord Bo Tien want us to remember of all heavenly saints.

Lord Bo Tien did remind us that we are like candle flames which when alone may not withstand the wind but when sheltered by the saints, will glow even brighter amidst even a storm.  Even a breeze may cause the flame to flicker.

Whilst flames need to be sheltered thus, do also remember that many hands make light work and collection of candle flames can shine forth better than the solitary candle flame. Do help one another and complement one another. Surely there must be skills which our neighbour has which we don't have and vice versa. This is the way to go and is common sense.

To all heavenly saints,

I greatly adore.

I believe in your existence

and thy glory is

in the thought of men.

I seek for thy protection

and guidance

so as to live better

for the time to come


Protection dear brethren is the shelter of the flame of our life by the saints.

Guidance includes understanding of life and life as it unfurls is the living gospel. Truth is as simple as that and when we can see the simplicity of life, we can more readily gain insight. When we make life complex, we are lost in complexity and cannot have insight. Ji Gong Posat upholds simplicity and his advice often is simple but often insightful.

Simple but often insightful is Ji Gong Posat's advice
He goes for the simple essence in life

Lord Bo Tien as the messenger of The Inner Truth tires to tell us that in reality all religions are one and the same though different for there is one Divinity. All religions and sects have one common purpose and that is to bring salvation to men. This is the only way and all the various ways constitute this one way.

Lord Bo Tien and The Inner Truth

THE INNER TRUTH

Oneness of world religions. One truth behind many approaches, hence inner truth. Simple yet difficult to perceive. Diversity effects outreach for good of many. One heavenly saint's* role as messenger to stress oneness of faiths. Faiths and sects are pillars of Divinity. Differences enrich, add color, liveliness and spirit. Not divisive but complementary. Blogger honours the saint's divine mission. Truth realisation yields tranquility in life.


Universal prayer sumises essence in nutshell. "To all heavenly saints I greatly adore. I believe in your existence and thy glory is on the thought of men. I seek for thy protection and guidance so as to live better for the time to come."

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Revisit of Lord Bo Tien's 1974 message

No 283 of Living Life Series 1




'Today (13th day of the 9th lunar month 1974) marks once again the Saint's Anniversary descent. Over the last year you the members would have noticed many events and incidents.

A temple being new has to face many challenges as it grows and evolves.

The precepts and doctrines may not be new and different from that of others. However, a new temple like this temple can have approaches which can appear to be very different and contrasting. This can give rise to concerns and opinions simply because they may not be readily understood and accepted.

There will be disquiet. It is alright to object or to differ. Some just cannot understand at the current point in time. This is beneficial for all and members must convey this clearly to them. Moreover, concerns and objections arise because of inability to understand and grasp. They do not indicate lack of faith in the saint. Once elucidated and clarified, they will have no more doubts and be within the folds of the fraternity even more steadfastly and with confidence and commitment.

Amongst the members of any fraternity will be persons with varied interests, skills and persuasions. There will be many in various levels of training, trials, cultivation and learning. Do understand that not all endeavours will meet expectations and result in some form of good outcome. There will be shortfalls, disappointments and surprises. Do learn to accept, to tolerate, to be not troubled but to be calm and steady.

Followers and well wishers of a temple or organisation must learn to accept that not all the wishes and aspirations, be it personal or otherwise, be granted or supported when they pray to their saint. There are some who come with troubled and heavy hearts while others may not have this heaviness of heart. However, like those who come to this Temple, they come to seek for something from the saint.

Do understand that there is the element of fate, which, in some instances, any heavenly saint might not be able to alter significantly. This fact, if accepted earlier would be better for all. In addition, do not forget that it is the characteristic of (transient) life to have feelings of happiness and sadness. This is the very nature of life. Every being or man will experience the ups and downs in life. Heaven can often and otherwise do something. Saints can be of assistance and blessings but men must accept fate and the hallmarks of life with its ups and downs.

There is, however, a simpler method in which prayers can be realised and met. As there will be large gathering in a temple or fraternity, there is bound to be someone amongst the group who could be able to contribute his services to fellow brethren. To this end, members of the gathering or group should network, have fellowship and be supportive to one another. They should help one another and be blessing to one another.

A temple too will attract people of various characteristics, some good and some not so good. These will be contrasted for all in the group and be noticeable. Learn and absorb as much of the good points of others. Do also learn from the weaknesses and mistakes, so that these will not be repeated in their own life.

The anniversary message of the principal saint Lord Bo Tien should be heeded for the good of the present and for the future. The pointers apply to all organisations and temples . The message is universal and timeless."

Message re-phrased

and re-scoped in English
for relevancy for all
by inner truth netizen
from Singapore 

PS This blog posting like all other blog postings dwells on the inner truth behind life as re-expounded by the lord saint Lord Bo Tien. They do not represent and reflect the official views of any organisation or sub-group but the perspectives of inner truth netizen, Singapore based on the inner truth concept. The perspectives though may overlap significantly with that of one or more of many organisations or sub-groups. In addition, they are also not primarily meant to focus on or be portrayal of doctrines and teachings of any one or more of the various specific religions or sects  

THINKING ALOUD

There will always be issues or obstacles in life. This is only human but we must be on top of issues. How to do so? There are three ways. We can handle issues on our own as individuals. We can seek the help of the divine so that big issues will become small issues even if they cannot be no issue. We can get the fellowship and assistance from others, that is, our fellow brethren.

The above will go the mile for us to be on top of issues but as long as we are in the world of humans, we will continue to have issues to contend with. The three ways of blessings are (1) bless with own endeavour, (2) blessing from saints and (3) blessings from our fellow brethren. There are, in addition, many more added ways to further help us to manage issues and obstacles in life.

MERIT WAY 

We need luck or providence to be on our side. We must have merit store to tap on. We can enhance the store by seeking the benevolence from the divine. They can bless us via tranfer of merits. But we must be mindful not to be harnessing demerits by living in frustrations for frustrations only forment more frustrations. We dig into our misery and create more hell for our own life. We must create heaven on earth and not hell on earth. We must fill the cup of our life with water of good merits and not pollute the water of the cup with sediments or mud of woes.

MANAGING FATE

All of us have both good and bad in life. There will always be happiness and sorrow, gains and loss, win and defeat, health and ill-health etc. The list goes on. We must not dwell helplessly into our ill fate but try to resolve, ameliorate or at least contain and come to terms with it. We should not amplify it but focus on our good fate and ensure more of the good to come. We have to create wealth, both worldly and spiritually. We too have to deplete or miminise our bad fate. This concept may be foreign to many and controversial somewhat but nevertheless worth mention. We can do so by fasting, observing austerity of life on certain days, give up comfortable life for a day or two to attend to the unfortunate, give up our meals occasionally and save the money for the destitute. The two fold advantages are obvious. We voluntarily allow our bad fate to take fruition in small bites and in a managed and controlled way. At the same time, we create good fate by doing good acts for mankind and hopefully all beings. (Good deeds include donating coffin, becoming a monk or priest will bring good fate for the doer and the family lineage as well.) Both thoughts and actions count. Sincerity and commitment are determinants of extent of good fate. But in doing austerities, self --affliction, penances or self discipline to attempt to somewhat deplete the bad fate elements, we must not go overboard to extreme of self-injury, self -depreciation and destruction. We must not injure or harm our body and soul (spirit, if you like). We must strike a comfortable and easy balance and be at peace with the two extremes of indulgence and denial of self as aptly depicted by the image of lord saint Lord Bo Tien balancing the two elements with his feet. So in short, there are two ways to manage fate, deplete the bad fate in managed way in small bites or instalments and creating more of the good fate so that the bad has less chance to manifest.

GOD AND SAINTS DO OPEN UP NOT JUST ONE WAY BUT MORE WAYS

"Heaven opens the ways for us but we need to choose and walk the one way of our choice." 

Often, we forget that our mortal capabilities are finite and are watered down versions of our potiential due to duress during crisis and lack of spiritual cultivation of inner peace. On our own, we may not be able to significantly modulate fate and overcome crisis. True, we need to help ourselves before Heaven can help us or before Heaven's help or blessings can be effective. Divinity will help but issue is whether we are so engrossed with and burried under our life and issues that we become blind or not receptive to the divine helping hand. We must nurture the Divinity in us and let it grow. We must seek divine providence to open more ways for us to move on when beset with life obstacles that seem daunting. Heaven will provide us with saints to open ways out for us. But we do need to be aware of this divine grace but often we fail to do so. We need to gather the pieces of our shattered life to be one whole and move on. We need to live our own life and make the choice of which way to tread on. The worst is to ignore all the life events which show to us the possible ways open up and set out for us by Divinity. We need to make the choice and tread the way we choose. We cannot resign our inner core to indecision and wallow in misery and let all hell break loose. We need to pick our self up when we fall and move on to live our own life. Only by doing so can our big issues become small issues with the blessings of Heaven. Heaven can usually open more ways for us. We must thank Heaven that we are given choices. Otherwise we will be more like puppets and not have free will.

MIND SET CHANGE 

We must purify our mind so that we are less attached and crave less or, if possible, no more. We must not create actions that will bring reactions especially bad ones. This does not mean not living the life of this world but means we live wisely in this world and be at peace with our self and the world. We must not leave life but live life in peaceful and balanced way as depicted by the lord saint's image. When we can do so, our rebirths get less frequent and we will be in heavens with longer and longer near eternal life spans and eventually enlightened like the saints, buddhas and arahats.

MANAGING OUR TOTAL ENVIRONMENT - SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL

Sometimes, our past lives result in the tendency for us to live in certain social and physical environment. We live in country where war or strife is unavoidable. We live in terrain where there will be volcanos, floods, tornados and earthquakes. Can we manage these? Can we not be in such situations or places? The answer begs more questions. But, generally, we should be able to choose and place ourselves in more favorable environment. We can change , can' t we? You the reader know the answer. Your answer is as good as mine or anyone else. Do have confidence and be on your way to inner peace and heaven on earth. [PS Fengshui is about managing the social and physical environment. But do not be carried too far into the practice though.]

PROPER MENTAL DISPOSITION FOR ACCESS TO DIVINITY 

Saints up high are all embracing and nurturing. They are not judgemental as many humans would be. We must see this truth. We should neither see the man in saint nor the saint in man. God and saints are above man. This reality is comforting for we know they will bless us if we pray whole-heartedly to them even if we have our dark side. They do not exclude us just because of our human weaknesses. They nurture the spontaneity in us to be good so that we increase the length, breadth and depth of goodness. Thus it is to be expected that they look after the welfare of all. 

We should not feel guilt and preclude ourselves from the blessings of Heaven just because we have human flaws or dark side. Often, this erroneous mental stance distances us from divinity and divine blessings in our life. Saints see the good in us and not condemn us for the bad. That is why all of us have every chance to be good and to be with saints. Even those in hell and even those who, in eyes of fellow men are far from spiritually correct, may still be embraced by saints to be assigned spiritual roles or to be blessed. 

Often we wonder why heaven is blind, why the bad seems to be rewarded but the reality is that we do not have helicopter vision of the saints. We are not far sighted and do not have 360 degree vision to know the past, present and future of these men. We tend to view them as rotten, simply because what are most obvious are the rotten aspects of them here and now. 

Do be mindful that the saints up high are not men and we should not see men in saints nor expect saints in men. Thus we must have the correct mental disposition in order to be able to access divinity. We must narrow the gap that distances us from the heavenly saints.

Lord Bo Tien and The Inner Truth

  

THE INNER TRUTH


Oneness of world religions. One truth behind many approaches, hence inner truth. Simple yet difficult to perceive. Diversity effects outreach for good of many. One heavenly saint's* role as messenger to stress oneness of faiths. Faiths and sects are pillars of Divinity. Differences enrich, add color, liveliness and spirit. Not divisive but complementary. Blogger honours the saint's divine mission. Truth realisation yields tranquility in life.

Universal prayer sumises essence in nutshell. "To all heavenly saints I greatly adore. I believe in your existence and thy glory is on the thought of men. I seek for thy protection and guidance so as to live better for the time to come."
  

Simple but insightful

No 282 of Living Life Series

Ji Gong Posat's advice is simple but often insightful

"His  advice may be simple but in fact, they are mostly insightful"  This is the conclusion of many who have encounters with Ji Gong.

Old temple at Woodlands

"Only the wise seek the fulfilment of ancient wisdom. Yet the profound truth is so simple but difficult to perceive." This was said by the late brother P. Philip at old Bo Tien Temple.

New temple premise entrance

Many seek the wisdom of life through religions and want to know what the pioneers and sages of old know. They often envision that the truth is complex and mystical and beyond the reach of the ordinary man.

New temple premises

What they fail to realise is that they do not have to look far but to look at the life here and now. Ji Gong just goes about doing that and points out the day to day issues of a person's life, the good and bad habits and the person's attitude towards others in their life.

That way, he was able to give insight on what went wrong and how to get on with life as well as how to be at peace and have joy in the little things in life. Often, the frustrations and problems faced by a person is often due to insight of his own life and ways.

Often when we seek divine help for a better future, we may be told that the better future is near and may yet be far but certain factors must be in place.

One of these is to realise that life itself is the gospel for the individual.

Another is that we must love life, not only our own but others as well.

Also, we must not waste away our life and we must make do with what we can have and not expect the sky.

What is within reach by one may not be by another. Resources differ from person to person. Envy not therefore and lust not for what is in the garden of life of your neighbour. No two have the same life. This is life.

Be at peace with what you have and be at peace with what you want and can have in the next step in your life.  

These too were mentioned by Lord Bo Tien, by any saint in Heaven and by all religions under Heaven.

Another factor is fate and affinity from past lives, what we refer to as fate. Often, we hear that good will come to us and we can succeed to do this or that if some benefactor from afar comes into our life. This may be a saint or deity like Lord Bo Tien or Ji Gong the living buddha.

Lord Bo Tien says in simplicity that everyone must be like the candle flame to light up the life of others and that a collection of candle flames can do better than a lone candle.

Lord Bo Tien

Ji Gong the living buddha too makes use of the simple seventh month festival in Singapore to say we should multiply our good deeds by donating an item for auction to raise funds for the good of the many both in flesh and blood and in spirit - the aged and nursing homes and the myriad souls and spirits that visit us and are amongst us.

Ji Gong  - Simple but insightful is his advice

Divine advice to be effective must apply for both mundane and supra-mundane life. It must be simple and yet insightful. The  ever recurring problem is that adherents of any religion in upholding their respective faith tend to dwell in philosophical and often out of this world spiritual jargon that seems so profound and difficult to perceive. Saints and prophets do not do that. Otherwise, how can divinity reach out to the masses?

Alas, dear readers, truth is actually that simple but many blinded by ignorance won't believe that it is actually that simple. This is the issue for all in life and life itself is the true gospel. Thus is and ever will be the nature of life and life is truth itself. Life like truth is simple but it is simplicity that fosters insightfulness.

Men spun the cobweb of pride, ignorance and deceit  get caught up with complexity and make life and truth appear ever complicated, remote like the rainbow and not within the reach of the ordinary men other than the top level clergy and  modern day "pharisees". They the latter "pharisees"  merely inject aura of mystique and mystery that smacks of awesomeness far removed from simplicity and truth of divinity.

Simplicity colors the way, the truth and the light. The prophets and founders of religions are simple men and do not talk from the high pedestal of life. (Even Lord Buddha rose from the status of ascetic or beggar though born of noble princely heritage)   They talk with men and are with men. After all God is in man and man is with God. We may say divine nature is in man and man is with nature always and ever more.

The late Bro P. Philip of Bo Tien Temple embodied the simple spirit of the ordinary men. He lived the life of a man and had all the trappings of man but he is the pioneer of the Temple of Heaven. Some may praise him but others may differ.

But his life is the gospel for us to learn of the goodness and otherwise of men and how he as ordinary man leading the simple life can be more than ordinary.

As with many great men (amongst whom the living saint Ji Gong is one), Bro. Philip's life was an enigma to some but he was an inspiration to many. He was no saint but yet he was saintly in his own ways. We do admit that his life was simple like any man and not saintly as many would expect but he could make it and that is why there is the temple and the blog site by inner truth netizen 2. Together with administrative founder elder, the two were a complementary pair to make things work though by no stretch of imagination were they saints.

"Only the wise seek the fulfilment of ancient wisdom. Yet the profound truth is so simple but difficult to perceive." This was said by the late brother P. Philip at old Bo Tien Temple.

Let us follow the footsteps of saints like Ji Gong. Let us be simple but insightful. Then, even if one is a beggar or poor, one would be rich in  peace and blessings of heaven.

A rich man who strives and lives in fear of not having enough will be restless and far from peace because he lacks simplicity and insightfulness.

That is the reason why spiritual pioneers were often from humble background or at least they had to go down to the basic simple life of the average men before they could be rich in divine peace though relatively lacking in worldly trappings. This is food for thought for all to eschew, isn't it?

Ji Gong the Living Buddha

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Benevolence for wrong doers

No 281 of Living Life Series 1 

Whoever said that God and saints favor the good and ostracise the bad? This is the wrong portrayal of Divinity

Whoever said that fear is good for many to be closer to God and saints?  This too is not a good portrayal of God and saints and is  reminiscent of the days when cave dwellers worship thunder and lightning our of fear.

In fact the truth is that men fall short of the glory of God and saints and need to be guided and loved by Divinity so that they can be like God and saints

Often we hear of the benevolence of Divinity without which on our own we may not make good in life whether spiritual or mundane.

Even if not spiritual inclined, the man of the world can look up to Heaven for blessings and blessings do not come only when we fear Heaven for that would be untruthful of the true nature of Heaven.

The various saints  direct their focus on those who are in the wrong in some way or other. Unlike men, they do not pass judgement and condemn. They show benevolence to men who are wrong doers and shun by fellow men.

Ji Gong the Living Buddha is one such saint. No wrong doer who approached his help will be shun but will be cared for and taken care of, more so if the wrong doer is able to turn to a new leaf. The consequences of wrong will not turn to ill-fate with the intervention of the posat Ji Gong, otherwise revenge and vengeance will be exacted from one life for that happened in past life. Those in hell or plagued by demonic hatred will grow more hatred and be not appeased. Hatred will never be appeased by hatred but by love it will be quelled, especially by divine love of heavenly ones like Ji Gong and all other saints

God and saints are benevolent and not judgemental. Only men may be judgemental and critical of fellow men. They may do so in the name of God and saints and usurp the roles of  God and saints

The benevolence of  Ji Gong towards wrong doers is well known and He will help those to disentangle them from the web of past fate and misdeeds. He looks after as many as he can if fate and affinity are favorable.

But like what Lord Bo Tien reminded us, those with heart to worship the saint, the saint doth know and those who seek in earnest with wholeheartedness, the saint will take heed and be with them. No distinction is made on the basis of goodness  or not of the individual.

Men should be like saints and show benevolence to wrong doers. Otherwise those in the wrong will tend to be wrong and those in hell will tend to gravitate deeper into hell.

Of a truth, even those in Hell fire will be encouraged by Lord Yama and his fellow judges of Hell to think of the good that they have done when they were men. If they can do so with true and sincere heart and not have guilt and fear, they will  exit from Hell and be given a second chance.

Men in their human life must have true sincerity when they appeal to saints for benevolence. All hell that break lose in their human life will be averted. Big issues will be small issues even if they cannot be no issues. Small issues will be no issue. This was reiterated by saints like Lord Bo Tien.

Ji Gong the living Buddha is well known for his benevolence towards wrong doers but to have affinity for His divine help, they must have sincerity and earn that affinity with His lordship.

JI GONG THE LIVING BUDDHA

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