No 216 of Living Life Series 1
(Faith in context of the followers and disciples of Lord Bo Tien)
1) We have faith that if we do this, we will get that. Faith is not just based on logic but on experience and confidence arising from both logic and experience.
2) We have faith in Lord Bo Tien not just because of logic but because of experience. Part of this experience is based on our faith in experience of others. But this alone will not bond us to have faith. What then could have anchored us to have faith? Logic alone can work either ways. It can give rise to belief but it can also lead to cynicism and scepticism. Logic or human intellect depends on which side we want to look at. Rationalisation can be convincing and very much depends also on personality of person advocating a stand on an issue. What anchors us is the bond between the Lord Saint and the individual be it devotee or disciple.
3) For the devotee, who comes to temple on a few occasions a year, the bond comes from prayers being answered. Some may scorn at this but for the person whose prayers were answered, the experience is unmistakable. Often, the faith of devotee, who knows nothing of the doctrines of Lord Bo Tien is beyond logic and rationalisation. His faith may be more solid than and surpasses that of a disciple of Lord Bo Tien. This gives meaning to often quoted statement that “the near may be far and the far may be near”
4) For the disciple, he has both experience and logic.
Logic refers to the understanding of teachings of religions based on the approach of Lord Bo Tien, who says that all religions are the same and are good.
But it is faith that provides pillar of strength.
Faith for the disciple is based on experience beyond his prayers being answered, more so when the disciple cannot be depending on answering of prayers for all the issues in his life in general and spiritual practice in particular.
The Lord cannot live the life for the disciple, and he has to live the life himself. In fact, he has to put the teachings into practice, and develop himself spiritually.
Often the disciple may wonder why his prayers were not answered.
The true disciple would be more concerned with putting the teachings into practice. He would not seek favour or ask that his prayers be answered. Instead, he does not rely on prayers.
He is more interested in putting into practice the teachings and at same time doing good for others by doing his part for the mission.
Practice is life long and long term. Practice means to be selfless and to love others as much as loving oneself.
Doing his part for the mission is actually integral part of practice. Practice reaps results here and now, in the individual and in how others feel about him. This is enriching experience that gives him faith
He is at peace and in harmony with others, be it in spiritual life or in mundane life. He creates his own blessings, and therefore does not depend on prayers.
He will be well liked and blessed by all be they members of his family, his work colleagues or his society.
Even invincible beings known and unknown to him will like him and bless him.
Lord Bo Tien will bless him, and there is no need for him to merely pray for himself and for his own needs.
When the good disciple prays in his daily devotions, he prays for others not just his friends and family but for all beings.
This is over and on top of actions to help others.
He also understands that some things in life are predetermined but that does not stop him from helping and praying for others.
He can help others and foster others to help one another. He can also pray for divine help for them. Some things are fated but if the good disciple prays for others, “big issue becomes smaller issues” even if fated.
The disciple’s faith comes from practice and practice means helping others. Because of his true discipleship, he plugs himself into the Mission of God, and into the mainstream of the omnipresence and omnipotence of God, which some religions termed Divine Aura or Holy Spirit.
An example of the manifestation of this is the spiritual art of power, which is experienced to give faith to some one when he or she takes on discipleship via taking incense water. The disciple is being initiated into the divine aura or energy when he takes on discipleship.
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