There is place for the unwholesome in religion

No 1488 of Living Life Series 1

There are many who flock to a religious institution like ants and insects to a flower for nectar. This is mentioned by Bo Tien 武天. 

What self centeredness and worldly needs of ego they could not have enough in the world out there, they go to a temple or religious institution for more of the same. 

But this is still alright if they do good even if they do so for their own good. 

What can be undesirable is when they misuse the name of God in vain and go more to quench their own thirst arising from their personal agenda or what we refer to as "I thoughts." 

But if temples or religious institutions do not welcome them, they do not have safe outlets for their self centered pursuits. At least in a temple or place of worship, they do learn to have some religious conscience to act as a brake for them not to go too far and create more problems for others. 

God in any religion would welcome them never mind if they are not up to the mark. At least, there is opportunity for them to make good and be better. 

Also, there would be more likely to meet those who are wiser and not bogged down by self centered approach. Don't you think so? 

We must rejoice that the self-centered are attracted to religion. That will provide chance for redemption and make the not so good more good, better than what they are. 

This is the message of Bo Tien 武天 who says that we need many religions and sects to help people to be better than what they are. Don't you think so? Won't you agree? 

The alpha and the omega in life, truth, God and saints

No 1487 of Living Life Series 1 

Doctrine is God. God is the Doctrine 

The alpha is the omega. The omega is the alpha. 

Alpha and omega are one in God and all saints and prophets. 

God is both alpha and omega. 

The nature of life tells us more of life than anyone or any book can tell us. 

God is in nature, in the world in us and outside us. God is the Word and the Word or Truth is everywhere in life.

Truth leads us to have peace and true peace is inner peace come what may. 

Truth is the way and truth is God. God is truth. Alpha and omega are one and therefore also one in God. Call this yin and yang if you prefer. God is the everything. God is the alpha and the omega. 

The image of Bo Tien 武天 is the Doctrine, and life is the Doctrine. The truth in life is the alpha and omega. 

God or any heavenly saint like Bo Tien 武天 is the doctrine in life that is about the alpha and omega. 

The common ground in life

No 1486 of Living Life Series 1 

Everyone is important and has role to play to bring about more peace and happiness not only for himself but to others. 

This some refers to as loving kindness and compassion which must include being kind and loving for himself and not just others. 

No one is to sacrifice himself neither should anyone sacrifice even others for one's own selfish good. 

Everyone has to be correct and be helpful to one another and to complement one another for the common good. 

God and humanity cannot depend on one person but all must pull resources and their different abilities for the good of one and all. This is the purpose of religions. This is the common ground in life.

Religions have their various strengths and ways which are meant not to divide people but to complement one another for the good and welfare of the many. 

Followers of any religion or temple must set good examples to promote this universal goal. This is the thrust of the mission of life which is crystallised to all regardless of religion by Bo Tien 武天. 

The end result must be that everyone is better than what they are - better in whatever religion, church, temple, culture or society they are in. 

Wow, isn't this the way to have life in life?

No 1485 of Living Life Series 1 

Do not mix up what we want and what we can have for life. 

Often we can only go for what we can have, be it in job or after work life. 

This is because our ideals may not be realisable due to various constraints such as time and lack of opportunities. 

Also, we cannot impose our world on others. We will be outnumbered and decimated. 

But at same time others should not impose their world on us. If they do so, they too will be outnumbered and in conflict with many others. 

There will be no satisfaction and peace that way. There will be no life in life. 

But whether it is us or them, all have to belong to the world which we share. This is a harsh reality. 

But this does not stop us from being ourselves, from having our own world outside work, job and beyond social interactions with family and others after job hours. 

What matters is that we must take charge of the world within us and not let this be in conflict with world around us. 

We have to be part of the world we are in but we can and must have peace and control of the world within us - what we refer to as the spirit or mind. 

This way we can succeed both in the internal world within us and at same time we can have the same modus operandi to apply to the material world. 

We will be able to have reasonable success in material life of the world outside us and of which we are mere digits. Yes, the way for inner peace enables us to succeed and be at peace with the universe of the world external to the world of our mind. 

This is the explanation of Bo Tien 武天. He says that the way to spiritual enrichment if applied to mundane world will ensure success comfortable for enrichment of the spirit. We need to master the world within us, enrich it and have the inner peace. 

Bo Tien 武天 adds that we need not forgo the world outside us and be celibate, monks and nuns. It would be more challenging that way to be no nun, no monk no celibate but just family men of men of society. Though more challenging as lay persons in worldly life, we will still be able to have inner peace and spiritual bliss. 

There is no physical or worldly renunciation but embracing the world by having inner peace within us and taking on the world with inner peace come what may, regardless of polarities of yin and yang.

Fate of the limited innocence that follows us to this life

No 1484 of Living Life Series 1 

Men when young are able to find satisfaction easily and look up to those older and capable persons with awe and respect even if the older ones have flaws. 

They see not the flaws and even if they are aware, these are overlooked. 

But the picture changes when they mature in age. They are no longer simple and more difficult to satisfy. 

They find fault easily with others and even with those whom they used to look up to when they were young. 

They have become more complex and complicated by "I thoughts." 

They think highly of themselves and find fault easily with others as though they themselves are faultless. 

This has to do with not seeing the true nature of life, the inner truth and need for inner peace as well as being being perceptive of yin and yang as mentioned by saints like Bo Tien 武天. 

They no longer know that simplicity is the mother of all virtues, peace and fulfillment. What do we expect from such men? 

Nothing but more troubles and problems. Any saint like Bo Tien 武天 will say that the problems of men are many and plentiful. 

The simplicity of men become buried by many layers of worldly dirt and they no longer can have simple life and inner peace. Bo Tien 武天 says that they have to dig away the many layers like archaeologists to reach the truth that is in life, that is in them and that is what many refer to as God in them.

The problems of all men even those in the mission of Bo Tien 武天 illustrate and testify to the truth and teachings of Bo Tien武天that is in life and applies to all religions, cultures and society. This reality is universal. 

When will we learn?

No 1483 of Living Life Series 1 

A person who errs in life will never admit but will blame others and the devil instead. This is as though doing so will absolve him from consequences of his actions - as though there will be no effect when there is the cause. 

Cause and effect is universal and applies to whatever we do, speak and think.

Such a person thinks too highly of himself and is full of "I thoughts" 

As long as he has this ego centred thinking, he will create more problems for himself in time to come. 

Then he will continue to blame others and not realise why life is like that. 

He may even think God is testing him and forsaken him when it is he himself who create problems and issues. When will people learn?

The problems of men are many and plentiful. This is due to "I thoughts" which consume many. Unfortunately, they even bring this consummate ego to a religious organisation and create problems even within the same religion or institution. This is pointed out by God and saints. This is stressed by Bo Tien 武天 as the concern in any religion and any temple. 

Respect for parent figures in life and in religion

No 1482 of Living Life Series 1 

Respect for elders is a core teaching of Bo Tien 武天 that is to be found in all religions and religious organisations - even in social organisations. 

Whether they are perfect or saintly is not a concern though desirable and ideal. 

One of few pioneer senior elders to remember if respect for elders as an important tenet of Bo Tien 武天 precepts is to be taken seriously, Ling Diung Kwong was and is senior elder and founder of Bo Tien 武天 mission. 

He and the rest are sources of inspiration to many. He has done good in the setting up of mission and was singled out by Bo Tien 武天 as pivotal to the kick start of the mission.

Young Ling in his heyday a police inspector then provided 

dynamic leadership with never say never attitude. 

He nurtured the young, the rich and the poor, the well heeled 

and those who needed to be better than what they were. 

He welcomed all to the mission without discrimination 

even if some may not be mission oriented but more personal motivated. 

He did his best to motivate all but still accepted anyone to be in the fray.

 But he knew he was and is no saint.. No one should idolise him or damn him

Like parents to a family, we must uphold them and be filial and grateful to them regardless of what they are now. 

We cannot disown parents but continue to uphold them even if they are not saints. Like anyone of us, they are still human with yin and yang, sometimes more yin and sometimes more yang. This too is in the teachings of any religion, so did Bo Tien 武天 say.

The various articles are meant to set readers thinking. What is right and what is wrong depends on context, situations and what is needed. Right can be wrong and wrong can be right. Plurality embraces this duality but this is no paradox at all. Sages of old in China refer to this as aspect of yin and yang.

Life by knowing mother nature - the God essence

No 1481 of Living Life Series 1 

We may look for happiness and peace in life through friends. But true friends we can hardly have. Even our kins and close ones are in world of their own. 

Where can we have true friends? We can have associates or fair weather friends in life, be they at work, at home or in religion. 

We will never truly have peace in life if we depend on others. We have to remember that self confidence is the greatest friend. 

If we cannot depend on ourselves, we have no peace and fulfilment in life. 

Let us be our own greatest friend. Then, we will radiate smiles, confidence and charisma which like a flower will attract others to us just like a flower which attracts insects to it - (quote from Bo Tien 武天)

But be wary of fair weather friends. They are good for socialisation but will not give us peace and happiness. 

For peace and happiness, none can give us except ourselves. 

Even worldly items are means to this end but not the end. These will need to serve our needs to add life and peace to us. 

These should not be our masters to burden us down to more and more. We must be on top and in control and not let the worldly items dictate and be on top of us and sink us with more and more of such items. We can however make use of these to get more peace and meaning out of life. 

We are of the world and need to be in the world. We need to work, live and socialise. But let not what are outside us dictate our life happiness and peace. 

To run away from world and its worldly items will never be possible. Wherever we go, we are still in the world. But we have to depend on self to create a better world for ourselves and we start with peace in us and not expect peace around us before we can have peace. 

This is the way of the wise. The wise follow the yin and the yang, the polarity nature of the world, working half the day and resting for the other half. The world and us constitute the yin and yang and these two must work in synchrony, harmony and in tandem.

The wise find themselves their own greatest friends and by doing that they have more friends but are aware that friends cannot give what we ourselves need. We have to seek what we want in the world within us. 

Even we cannot find God out there but we can have more of God in us. Inner peace is the manifestation of God in us. Go for inner peace in us and no way we can have peace out there for if we seek without, peace will be elusive like the rainbow. Let the rainbow be in us. Let God be in us. Cheers

This is the way to handle life. This is mother nature. This is the nature of God essence. This sums up the correct way of life based on insight of mother nature in us and around us. Let us live life by knowing mother nature - the God essence.

We need to live the way of life based on insight of mother nature, the God essence. This is the truth behind and driving all religions. Bo Tien 武天 refers to this as the inner truth in life and in all religions. All religions are one in this inner truth. 

Thought for the day

No 1480 of Living Life Series 1

Thought for the day. 

Be thankful for what we have, for the family members, colleagues at office or fellow church or temple associates. 

Feel for those who seem not nice to us or who seem to irritate us. 

Let us not be hasty in telling others for their wrongs or irritating ways. They may have problems which cause them to be so. 

They may be irritating but we should not make matters worse by being irritating to them and make them even more irritating. That will make life worse for all. 

That is due to, "I thoughts" which always assume a person is right and others wrong and that others need to be told off. 

What happens with the convergence of many who think they are right and others wrong. The coming together of "I thoughts" can be catastrophic. There will be no peace and harmony that way be it at work, at home or at church or temple. 

This is stressed by Bo Tien 武天. This applies to people of whatever religion or temple or church they may be in.  

A discussion on the ills of "I thoughts"

No 1479 of Living Life Series 1

The problems of man are many and plentiful. The cause lies in the "I thoughts." Religion comes in handy to help man to be free from problems. 

But the irony is that men bring the "I thoughts" to religion and will create problems for religion. If such men manage religion, men creates problems for men and create problems within a religion and between religions. They bring woes to religion. This is contrary to the teachings of God and saints. 

The great sages of ancient past came to the world to enlighten men so that men know why they as men have problems and no peace. The prophets and sages meant to do this and not end up as founders of religions - not to create religions in the strict sense of the word religion. 

Religions are by men and can cause divides and schisms, all because of the "I thoughts." Isn't this ironical? No wonder, it is said that the devil will take over and displace God, prophets and the saints. 

Well, the truth is that the devil is in men due to their "I thoughts." Isn't this pathetic? Blame not the Evil One when man is his own devil.

The "I thoughts" have to do with the ego and the need to have more advantage out of life even at the expense of others.

The same "I thoughts" create problems in family work and society. 

How can life and the world be trouble free? But we can do our part by having less "I thoughts" and have less problems. We can have inner peace even if there is no peace around us due to the myriad "I thoughts" of men.

If we encourage and grow the "I thoughts" from cradle to grave, it is forgone conclusion that we will do so for the departed ones by wailing, whining and asking the departed ones not to leave. This will go some way to make the departed unwilling to leave. 

The consequences is that the departed ones will have more "I thoughts" and will end up as wandering spirits or worse still go to hell where people with high degree of "I thoughts" which promote wrongdoings go to. So have no excuse to have "I thoughts." This will be better for the spiritual aura of the living and the departed. 

The "I thoughts" include living in and holding on to the past and present and refusing to let go. It also includes holding onto the dream of heaven in the afterlife with the thinking that nothing need to be done but mere belief in the notion that heaven is God given. We must of course learn from the past but not live in the past. The way to go is to create new and better life for all. 

Focus on the blessings we already have. What we have is more important than what we don't have as yet. If we value what we have, we are blessings to ourselves and to others around us. This will sow the seeds of more blessings to come. 

Waste not our time and health. Time is the greatest blessing but health is even more important than this greatest blessing. Without health, the blessings we have will no longer be blessings. 

Go not for the wants of life. Go for the peace and calm which make us less wanting for this and that. Inner peace goes with less wants and more contentment. We have less of "I thoughts." 

We are what we think. If we find life wanting, we have no inner peace and we are blind to whatever blessings we have. The greatest blessing is free and is of course "time." Without time we cannot have the rest like a job and what we can have in life - even inner peace. 

Time is not something we can buy, so also is health. Rest is needed and rest is half the day and half of life. Rest promotes health - physical and mental. 

Worldly blessings are only means to the end and not the end in themselves. Mistake not the means as the ends if we want a meaningful life. 

We should not judge others on our own standards or ways. This will not bring peace and a meaningful life. Why? The culprit, the "I thoughts" will be behind this judgemental approach which may cause problems. It will be a matter of time, if not now but later. There is no fixed template for everyone. What works for one person may not work for another. 

Parents tend to dictate template of life on children and when children become adults, they tend to dictate their template of life on elderly parents; all because of "I thoughts." The "I thoughts" cause unhappiness and all parties involved just find no meaning and peace in life. They turn to religion but they bring their "I thoughts" into the fold of religion and create divides and unhappiness in religion. Yes, the "I thoughts" bring hell to the living even before they are in hell.

The one with "I thoughts" expect the sky out of others but the sky will drop on him instead. He will not be a blessing to himself let alone for others. But he is the one who needs help and guidance by Heaven. He as what Bo Tien 武天 says is far from God but yet near to God as such a man God wants to change him for the better. 

The way is to give up the "I thoughts." There is no other way. This is the truth that God and saints of any religion want him to realise. This is the way to make sense out of life. He will learn in due time.

The revealing aspect of life of men is that men can put up a show of helping others when there are close ones who need their help more. They neglect close ones and even chastise them for their own problems. 

This is more evident during the Chinese seventh month festival of the Hungry Ghosts when Chinese openly burn offerings and bid high at festival auctions to raise funds for the following year's festival. 

At other times, they give love offerings to church and temples without any preset conditions. But when come to close ones they are reluctant to give more to close ones and to make matters worse, they play God to chastise them for not making it in life. 

Men tend to play God and chastise others who are close ones in family, church cell groups and in society. They contribute to more problems more so to the very ones close to them who need help. They help others but are cold towards those close to them. This is in the nature of Man and has to do with the endless or bottomless need to satisfy the ego which sages of ancient China refer to as "I thoughts."