Mission Statement Revisited

No 330 of Living Life Series 1

The lord saint's mission is not just charity. If this was so, then there is no need for the mission, for charity already exists in society and in many a temple or church. Charity is always right and necessary but is only one aspect to make the mission more whole like the Taiji with yin and yang.

Taiji The Great Ultimate

 

The mission is to save souls through the Inner Truth also referred to as the Four Pillar Doctrine. The doctrine is to bring a reawakening in the basic truth behind and common to all religions that their pioneers championed.

There is need to recognise that religions, temples and churches may be different but the inner truth behind is one and the same though this might have been buried by the passage of time

The mission is not about human and worldly agenda but about the wish and direction of GOD and Heaven to save souls NOT just through a new saint, a new religion or a new sect but through the existing saints, religions and sects including any new ones. (Do note that the lord saint did not initiate any new religion or sect)

God and saints and their religions

The lord saint is like a vast ocean that reaches out to many a land. The far may thus be near and the near may be far..... The lord saint said also that the mission is the Mission of Heaven and not that of man.

The decisive marker of whether the mission is that of Heaven or that of man lies in whether the doctrine is in the man. When there is doctrine, there is inner peace and love for all views and all men. Only then will there be the Mission of Heaven.

With the Mission of Heaven, there is peace and love for all even for those who hold differing views and faiths. With the mission of man, there is no infectious peace but only dis-ease due to exclusivity and partisan approach that will naturally add on to the many issues of men.

The issues and problems of men are many and plentiful. This did the lord saint said. With inner peace from balancing and harmonising the yin and yang to achieve the Great Ultimate, the Taiji, the issues even if present no longer perturb and ruffle the mind of the wise.

Why? Simply because with putting into practice the doctrine via the balancing of yin and yang like the feet of the lord saint atop and balancing the elements, there is peace like the calm lake. Big issues do become small issues even if they cannot be no issue, and small issues become no issue.

This is even more the case  and there is even more serenity and peace when we seek the shelter of saints as told to us by the lord saint. This is the inner peace that all must have in life. The candle flame of life sheltered by the saints will grow and glow ever more steadily and calmly.

Lord Bo Tien,
the messenger of God
for the Mission of Heaven

The doctrine is in His image and His image is the doctrine

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Let the spirit of the Four Pillar Doctrine govern our lives

No 329 of Living Life Series 1

If loving kindness is the basis of the mission of a heavenly saint of a temple or church, then after several decades of the temple or church's existence, there must be that spirit of love amongst the members both past and present even if the spiritual values and insight may differ from person to person or between groups that form within the social fabric of the institution.

The members or following of the saint of that temple or church would have ingrained in them that love or bond that would not be shaken even if they do differ in approaches and views on issues.  The ability to be one and to love despite differing ways is wholesome and reflective of true endearing loving kindness.

Lord Bo Tien

The advice by Lord Bo Tien to any organisation, temple or church is to cherish and extend love not just to the society at large but also this loving kindness must begin within a temple or church and extend outwards. Also ,if brethren somehow differ in understanding, there should be no need to be upset for any doubt exists because some could not understand or somehow understand differently to result in doubt and disbelief. Let questions and queries be raised and if there is no resolution, pray to Heaven to open the way. But always have that love and respect not only for one's own views but also for the views of others.

This process is good for both those who are more right or otherwise so long as love exists for fellow men. For through doubt and disagreement in atmosphere of loving kindness, there will arise more insight of the truth especially the doctrine of inner truth of God and saints behind all religions and sects.

The Four Pillar Doctrine states that all religions in the four cardinal directions can differ in dogmas and approaches but still have the same inner truth.  That inner truth is that there is need to help all beings in their issues and problems and ultimately to save their souls and bring them to God. This is the same as saying that there is one Rome but there are many roads that lead to Rome.

We do not expect religions to be the same. The prophets of religions have their own separate ways to hold their followers and bring them to God. Followers of one religion must be matured and insightful to know that and agree to disagree and to respect differences and styles.

There must be that underlying divine love that will enable them to do so and this is the loving kindness that will endear them to God and saints. There must be love even if there are differences. This is characteristic of true love.

Love for example between husband and wife means the ability to love spouse even if both husband and wife do not see eye to eye in many issues. We set our spouses free and let go if we truly love them. We do not hold on to them and chain them.

The same applies to family love. Love within family means family members can hold differing views and yet have family bond.

If we love someone, we allow them to disagree. If we disagree, we can still like one another. That is true and sustainable fellowship.

A temple or church of any saint must uphold the Four Pillar Doctrine. Followers and adherents of such a temple or church must live by example. Charity begins at home ground. Followers must love one another before they can love others in society and help the needy and destitutes out there. 

Followers who accept the obvious differences of religions and yet know their oneness in God too must accept oneness despite differences amongst those who are followers and adherents of their own. There is need to agree to disagree and to love others like members of the same family where family members still gel and love as a family whilst still having periodic scuffles and holding differing views on issues.

Love begins at home and true love means we accept others for what they are even if they hold differing views from us. This is the spirit of the Four Pillar Doctrine that followers of various religions must accept they are different and yet love one another because they must know that they belong to the same God and are family after all. Let the spirit of the Four Pillar Doctrine govern our lives.

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The Great Ultimate

No 328 of Living Life Series 1

The Taoist symbol below is the taiji and can be translated at best as the ‘Great Ultimate'. It depicts the forces of yin (passive) and yang (active).

The Taiji or Great Ultimate

The dark or black portion depicts the forces of yin such as femininity, night, introversion, coldness, darkness and the earth.

The bright or red portion portion depicts the forces of yang, such as masculinity, day, extroversion, brightness and heaven..

The forces function with the characteristics of one or more of the five basic elements: water, fire, wood, metal and earth. 

The movement and transformation of yin and yang produce cycles of changes. They occur on their own and are lways there. 

The balance and integration (merger) of yin and yang give rise to the perfect stage of Tao practice -- the Taiji or Great Ultimate.

Lord Bo Tien in 1984 message pointed out to the Taoist Octagon or Pakua in the centre of which is the Taiji, which showed two fish-like symbols the yin and the yang. Both must exist and come together as a whole. Revisit of 1984 message of Lord Bo Tien

If there was only one, then there will be no balance and peace. Man must seek the inner peace through balance of yin and yang.

The balance and mastery of handling yin and yang will bring calm, serenity and peace of spirit in an individual. Even if there is bad fate, the mastery by merging and balancing good and bad will moderate the bad and sort of even things out for peace in life, come what may. It is not through the change of yin and yang but through change in the ability to better handle them.

A temple or organisation likewise must find balance in the yin and yang elements of people that constitute the temple. Only then will there be peace and harmony.

This adds further significance to the advice by the lord saint in the same 1984 message on the flower and the ants. A flower will attract ants as it has nectar. This is not the fault of the flower. The flower cannot turn away ants or insects that come to the flower for nectar. A temple or church too cannot be selective and turn away the ants amongst men.

To be realistic, without ants amongst men there would be no need for a temple and its mission. It is for the wrong and wayward tendencies of men that temples and religions are set up to attract them and hopefully to change them for the better. They are not for the goody amongst men but more so for the baddy amongst men, the so-called ants or insects amongst men.

So what if a lord saint like Lord Bo Tien chooses to train them. A saint has the prerogative to decide that a criminal or thief take on leadership. The saint may well decide to train such a man or many such men. So we should not be surprised if we find that those who make up the management in a temple or church are not up to the mark or not doing what need to be done.

A temple or spiritual organisation needs to attract both yin and yang and this is as the case with all nature. Only when there is merger of the yin and yang of the different shades and color of people will the mission be complete and be able to move on and reach out far and wide, like the great ocean to many a land.

The lord saint and his mission to save souls by teaching the practice of Tao to achieve the Taiji or Great Ultimate is like the great ocean that reaches out to many a land. No yin and yang can stop that for the lord saint is master of yin and yang. Moreover the mission is the Mission of Heaven and not the mission of man.

In conclusion, let us remember that the image of the lord saint with feet atop and balancing the yin and yang to bring them together and harmonise also depicts the Tao Way to attain the Great Ultimate - the Taiji

The Taiji in centre of the Ba gua

Do cross reference by reading The cement for concrete pillar for any mission is love...

Also read Make or break is up to us and know why Taiji or Great Ultimate is so named

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The true meaning and practice of loving kindness

No 327 of Living Life Series 1.

God and saints

The true meaning and practice of loving kindness is best exemplified by Gautama Buddha. His cousin Devadata was envious of him, tried to be his rival by cultivating psychic, having up his own following and  even set out to harm him by rolling a boulder to harm the Buddha. But of course this did not work and in Mahayana text, the Yellow Jambhala averted the potential harm. But what is most noteworthy is that the Buddha never harbour negative thoughts and even think lovingly of his cousin Devadata predicting that in lifetimes to come, his cousin will be a buddha as well. This is loving kindness or Metta which we must all aspire to.

Members of a spiritual organisation must always take cognisance of why they are in the organisation. The purpose is to be spiritual and to be closer to God and saints. There is need to love and to be loved by God and men.

The greatness of the members lies not only in what they can do for wider society but  also in what they can do for fellow men in their immediate family and institution like in a temple or church. That is probably more important.

The charity and good works for the wider society should be just one manifestation of true love for life what we may refer to as loving kindness for life. There should be that same sense of love not just for the needy and destitute in wider society but more substantially  love to be shown for life  more closer to them example love of the fellow brethren and followers of the one same saint in that temple or organisation.

There should not be any self-righteousness that only they are right and others who differ are wrong. Instead, there should be more of that divine-like unconditional love for men in their institution who may have erred or those who may hold distinct differing views. For such people too have done good in their own ways and are capable of more good. In the first place perhaps, these men may not have been wrong.What if they are also right in another perspective which the self righteous fail to grasp.

There must also not be guilt or hatred even for oneself even if one has done wrong such as thinking others are wrong. For guilt effectively means little or even no iota of love for oneself. Hatred or dislike has no place in a spiritual organisation. Hatred even if a little for brethren in mission is sad and unbecoming. How can we have loving kindness when we cannot show the same to our own brethren in the mission to save the needy and the lost souls?  

Loving kindness means we accept others for what they are and not expect others to be what we want them to be. We too must accept ourselves for what we are and we must not chastise ourselves for our own shortcomings for that will mean lack of love for ourselves and for certainly be sure meanness to ourselves. We will end up having low self esteem. (Do refer to the 1975 message of Lord Bo Tien. Revisit of 1975 message of Lord Bo Tien )

The same applies to spouses. If we love our spouses, we should set them free to even do us wrong at times. Do not be possessive and worse still let our anger have free rein to ruin our marriages. We should not want our spouses to be under our clutches and to see eye to eye with us in every issue. That will spell the end of individuality and spontaneity as well as a lively relationship built on love. 

The same goes with the spiritual organisation we belong to. We should never expect others to hold the same views as us and 'kow tow' (worship) us.  We should show love to them as brethren in mission even if they do not see eye to eye with us. We want them to be frank and open --- never mind even if they may appear hurtful.

We should likewise accept that all religions and sects however different are doing their part for God to save souls and those in difficulties. Each has its own way to hold on to their followers as what Lord Bo Tien said to us in the Inner Truth message.

This is alternatively referred to as the Four Pillar Doctrine of the oneness of God and the separateness or distinctiveness of religions and faiths to appeal to diverse sectors of society to save souls and bring them to God. We should love others religions as much as we love our own, just like we must love and believe in what we hold true and at same time respect that others need not agree with us.

We should not let our tongues loose and belittle or pour scorn on others or on other religions and sects. That will not at all be loving kindness and make mockery of all the great works of compassion. That will not do justice to the good names of our divine father the Lord God and His saints.

Lord Bo Tien in 1984 reminded us that we must not expect one shade and color amongst men in society but go for plurality of shades and explosion of colors. We must accept the yin and the yang even in His temple and that differences are good  and are learning points in the gospel of life. They allow us to better practise loving kindness. Revisit of 1984 message of Lord Bo Tien

Loving kindness will fly out of the window the moment we have dagger eyes for those who see not eye to eye with us in the work of God - the Mission of Heaven of which saints like Lord Bo Tien are divine messengers

We must first learn to love our fellow men and our kins before we can love the world --- however wanting and less deserving they may be. Charity or love begins at home ground more so for the followers of the lord saint Lord Bo Tien. Loving kindness means we show love and concern for our fellow men even if they see not eye to eye with us. A temple that promotes love and compassion for wider society must live by example by promoting love amongst members of the temple

To be able to do so and have love for others, you must not even hate yourself by having guilt if you have done wrong. You must love yourself even if you have done wrong by moving on and doing better. Only by loving yourself can you love others as yourself. If you have little or no love for yourself and blame yourself, then you will do the same to others as well. How much we love others depends on how much we can love ourselves. This is what Lord Bo Tien said in his 1975 message on the danger of guilt. Likewise, you must not dislike let alone hate and excommunicate others who scold us, did us wrong or do not see eye to eye with you.  That will not be loving kindness and it would make mockery of whatever great works of charity you can help do in the name of your temple or church. 

Loving kindness is more than great charity works but  means we accept and love our fellow men even if they see not eye to eye with us. We should let them free to even disagree with us. Mind you they are not even our enemies. God even wants us to love our enemies. Let us harmonise with others who hold differing views and be wholesome like the yin and yang fish-like symbols of the pakua.

Temples and churches like any religious body are generally able to practise as close as possible to the true meaning of loving kindness and have close fellowship and bonding of love amongst members and followers. Only then can they be true in practice of loving kindness in depth and not just pander to superficial societal ways, inclinations and weaknesses. We need more of such wholesome loving kindness that will bring men and religions together as a whole despite the yin and yang differences and distinctiveness

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Your choice of God or Man

No 326 of Living Life Series 1

Go by the way of God and saints, and we will have to cater to the interests of all men even those who see not eye to eye with us. God is benevolent and so must we be likewise if we want to have God and saints in us and we in God and saints.

Go by the way of men, and we will end up attending to our own sectoral interests and alienating others who see not eye to eye  with us. Men is not like God and saints and the devil in men will rear its ugly head. Men then will go an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth

Go for God's mission and all will have place in the sun of God and saints. Even the far will be near for easy is it please God and saints for there is no bargain with God and saints

Go for Man's mission and only a handful have that chance to be in the sun of not God but of man. Even the near to Man will be far for sure for it is not easy to please man for Man will bargain and exact a pound of flesh for every pound plundered

Go by the way of God and saints and even those in Hell will not be damned for they too can mend and be whole as well.

Go by the way of men and even those who could be in Heaven may be damned for the shortcomings and be in Hell even on earth and ever so unwholesome, ever so fettered and in chains.

Go for God today and you will lap in God's benevolence even if you wrong God ever so often. God is ever forgiving and ever giving.

Go for mens' whims and fancies and you may be at their mercy if you do them the slightest wrong or merely because you do not see eye to eye with them and have really done no wrong other than not pleasing them

Who would you choose? Who is easier to please?  Go for God and saints but not for men if you can and if you are wise my dear friends.

As for men there are the better ones though not perfect. Associate with the wise in men. This the Lord Gautama said in the Blessing Sutra (Mangala Sutra)

Let not men sit in judgment of men if you have the way but let God judge men. If God be the judge, more peace and leeway you can have.

In an assembly of men for God and saints, let the leaders be servants to all men and not the men be servants to the leaders. Lord Jesus be praised for His call for servant leaders in a spiritual assembly of men. This is why the second of seven precepts of God introduced by Lord Bo Tien for his followers is to believe in what saints preaches. (Refer to The Precepts  and Revisit of Messages by lord saint before 1974)

What is your choice? God or Man. If you choose God, you have all of these three - free will, God's love even when you do wrong and you still have men. But if you choose Man, God is still there waiting for you the poor souls of a man enslaved by fellow men

Take refuge in God and saints. Be a free spirit and soar in life. Choose the leadership of God and saints and be like the dove to fly free.

Take refuge in Man and you will often be in the clutches and chains of Man.

Why? Dear friends, there is the yin and yang in men. Be with GOD and learn to be atop and to balance the whims and fancies of Man and be at peace as you are with God and saints even amongst men.

Let the image of Lord Bo Tien show you how with his feet atop the elements of yin and yang of men.

 

Or be like the divine pearl of the pakua encompassing the fish-like symbols of yin and yang to make life wholesome, round and complete, perhaps not only for the individual but for catering to the diverse needs of society in a temple or church.

A temple or church must cater to the needs of all sectors and its management committee must be representative of the yin and the yang as well. They must serve the congregation and welcome all not only those who see eye to eye with them but also those who somehow do not.  (Refer to Revisit of 1984 message of Lord Bo Tien)

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The cement for concrete pillar for any mission is love

No 325 of Living Life Series 1

Reference Revisit of Messages by lord saint before 1974

Lord Bo Tien way before 1974 passed down seven basic precepts which would be found in one form or other in various religions. The second precept advises us to believe in the teachings of saints (post No 153 - Nov 6th 2010 The Precepts). Lord Jesus is no exception. He has many wise teachings that even non Christians can value

Many fail to realise the significance of Lord Jesus saying that we must love our enemies and offer the left cheek if they slapped our right cheek. We should not go for an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth as in the old testament of the Bible.

What is meant by the Messiah Lord Jesus is that after his coming, the more divine way is to love without reservations and if you love someone say your son and if he slapped you, would it help the situation if you slapped him back?

Of course, you would be disappointed by your son that he had slapped you even if you as the father had wronged him. You should explain and regret what you did wrong if indeed you were wrong in a way, but if he was still angry and you  needed to show your unreserved love. how could you do so? If you chose to run away but after that, the next day he was still sizzling with anger, what next? Surely, you did not want to break up with him and make matters worse. As what Lord Jesus said, you might offer him the other cheek to show your love and this might save the situation.

This is the same as what Buddhists and Taoists as well as Hindus refer to as loving kindness in their own respective ways.

This is the extent that God and saints would love us. Even if we are wrong, and blame God, God will harbour no bad feelings and will not run away from us. He will stay with us and don't mind our bad mouthing Him, figuratively slapping him on the other cheek and on both cheeks over and over again. This way we know He loves us and harbour no bad feeling of us and we could depend on him.

If ever we fail in life, it is not because He fails us but  that we fail ourselves. But please don't blame God for goodness sake. What we need is to imbibe that divine love God has for us and be a little bit of God ourselves by not blaming others or be angry with others even if they did us wrong or don't toe our line. 

Brethren, for example, if members of a temple or church are sadly enough unhappy with one another, they should still show love for one another and not forsake and excommunicate one another.

The mission of a temple or church is big enough for everyone and each must do their part. They don't have to do the same part for there are more parts than there are members. The work for God is that much more and requires the commitment by all members and even non-members.

Why go for the limit and go for an eye for eye and a tooth for tooth? Worse still is to deny a place in the sun for fellow brethren they don't like.

Love lights up the tree of life and is the cement for the concrete pillar for any mission. Lord Jesus led the way by showing how to love and what is the extent of love - especially how to live and love those who do not see eye to eye with us.

Lord Bo Tien said in 1984 that the members of an organisation must live and let live. The yin and yang must make one whole and yet are different.

Some are more yin and others less yang. If we expect only one approach and one narrow interpretation or one clique culture, all others would effectively be denied places in a mission where the brotherhood of diversity of yin and yang is of critical importance. This lack of wholeness of yin and yang will spell the downside of the mission for that organisation. (Read article 315 dated 28th Oct 2011 - Revisit of 1984 message of Lord Bo Tien)

Luckily in the Mission of Heaven, undertaken and led by Lord Bo Tien, this song of human weakness is not replayed time and again. Otherwise, how can mission members expect all religions and sects to be different in their respective ways and still work as one for the same inner truth of God and for the universal ecumenical need to help beings in difficulties and ultimately to save souls of beings.

The mission to save souls calls for more than one way and more than one view to bring more to God. In fact, there is need for as many ways and views as possible.

This requires those who want to take part in the inner truth mission to likewise come from diverse factions, persuasions and capabilities. Otherwise, there will be no mission as the mission followers would not be setting good example of having diversity and not abiding by the inner truth mission to show the oneness of religions - oneness in diversity.

Diversity does not need to be divisive but can be complementary. The composite of diverse approaches and interpretations can harmonise like the yin and yang making up the wholeness of the divine pearl of the pakua, namely the Taiji, the Great Ultimate. (Do cross reference by reading The Great Ultimate)

Bagua or pakua

Taiji - The Great Ultimate

If there be no love for the diverse persuasions and approaches in society or a mission, there will be no mission. We must even love our foes. Members of a mission or society certainly are no foes even if they hold opposing views. Lord Jesus is right and He is better able to project the need for love amongst men, more so if they belong to the same cause or mission.

Love is the cement to bring all to be a concrete pillar for God's work - the Mission of Heaven. The cement for concrete pillar for mission is love and that makes the mission divine, otherwise how can it be Mission of God. 

Without  diversity of yin and yang in members of a mission,  and without unfettered love amongst men of that mission, the mission will end up not as mission of God but selfish mission of myopic men with one clique or faction taking over and casting out other factions. 

Lord Bo Tien reminds us that members of a mission are like the sand particles and if not cemented into a concrete pillar will be blown away by the wind. Praise God once again for heavenly saints and we must believe in the teachings of saints --- as per the second precept of seven basic precepts told to us by Lord Bo Tien, the messenger of God. (Read The Precepts and Revisit of Messages by lord saint before 1974)

Lord Bo Tien

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Understanding and maximising yin and yang

No 324 of Living Life Series 1

There is the active and passive aspects in life as in nature. These are not necessarily bad or good but we need both to be whole. The yin and yang refer to the passive and active aspects.

Yin is not negative but refers to the softer aspects and yang is not positive but refers to the more out going and dynamic aspects.

Some refer to yang as military or 'boo' which is action orientated. Often but not always correct, yang or 'boon' personality is conceived as the successful type.

Yang can be both good and bad. The same applies to yin. Yin too does not necessarily lead to bad results or failure. It is often good as well. There are good and bad yin as there are good and bad yang. Those with insight of yin and yang prefer not to talk of good and bad.

Yin refers to the passive and 'boon' aspect'  which is more mind orientated, more passive but is no less important. We too can succeed in a way just by adopting passive and docile yin or boon way.

But in reality there is no such thing as being only yin or yang, for there is yang within yin and yin within yang. Thus we see the little dot within the tadpole like symbols of yin and yang in the pakua.

Progress and success are possible by either way, be it by more yin or by more yang but for more and to reach lofty levels, we must go for the dynamic balance of yin and yang.

This does not mean equal portions of both but depending on the situation or individual as well as the context of age and times, the balance may be anywhere between the yin and yang. 

Too much of yin or yang may be unhealthy or at best not optimal but in reality, what is optimal is relative to the person and situation. What is optimal balance for one person may not be for another and for the same person may not be on another occasion

Some people can find that balance with more yin than yang and they are the 'boon' type (academic, civil orientated, tactical) and some find that balance in life by being more outgoing, action orientated by being more yang. They are the 'boo' type (action, executive, field, operational, military or martial).

In a way, it may be true but not always that introverts are yin and extroverts are yang. Not all yang persons are extroverts as one can be action orientated without being extroverts. 

The yang person may well live a life away from others and not a social mixer and has little or no charisma. In short, some yang persons are introverts though many may be extroverts.

The yin personality may need not be introverts but can be part and parcel of active society but plays and leads passive life in that society. They are more tactical and often not be in the limelight or forefront of matters.

In a society, institution or temple, for maximising the interests of one and all and for advancing the common good and not sectional interests, the organisation must comprise of all sectors and interests groups and must be run by committee made up of good mix of leaders from the various sectors and interests groups. In short there must be balance of yin and yang not only in the organisation membership but also in the committee running the organisation. This is emphasized  by Lord Bo Tien in 1984 message and this message applies to the world.

"He then pointed out to the Taoist Octagon or Pakua, which showed two fish-like symbols the yin and the yang. Both must exist and if there was only one, then there will be no balance and peace. Man must seek the inner peace through balance of yin and yang. A temple or organisation must find balance in the yin and yang elements of people that constitute the temple. Only then will there be peace and harmony. "

Extract from article 315 dated 28th Oct 2011 -
Revisit of 1984 message of Lord Bo Tien

The need for yin and yang elements of people in a temple is depicted by the yin and yang dragons. Originally sages had depicted the pearl as carried by the phoenix and the dragon but later as both yin and yang are of equal importance, yin and yang are depicted as dragons

They support the pearl. The pearl is the doctrine, the inner truth common to and underlying all religions. It is lighted up like a torch or flame as the doctrine lights up the life of beings.

We can maximise both spiritual and mundane life in an individual or society by maximising yin and yang through good grasp and balancing of yin and yang so as to achieve success and peace.

The lord saint's seated pose image depicts the saint stepping on and balancing the yin and yang. You would therefore understand why He said to us that the doctrine is in His image and the image personifies his doctrine.

Lord Bo Tien

He is also supported in his divine mission to help beings by a host of warriors  who are either "boon" or "boo" or both. These are terminologies which have reference to yin and yang.

In the main altar of a temple with His image, traditionally there must be three images at the altar--- one centre image of a Buddha, the lord saint's image on right of the Buddha image, and Goddess Kuanyin on the left of the Buddha image (or on your right if you are facing the three images). This is meaningful and reminds us to balance the "boon" and "boo" to be enlightened like the Buddhas.

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The lord saint, his temple and his messages meant for all under Heaven

No 323 of Living Life Series 1

There are many churches and only one Jesus Christ. No one can stop others from praying and saying praises to Lord Jesus on the ground that they do not belong to a church or a particular church.

Likewise a Chinese temple like any Bo Tien Temple or Kuanyin Temple, cannot stop others from praying to either Lord Bo Tien or Goddess Kuanyin.

The teachings of Goddess Kuanyin are not privy to a special identified Kuanyin temple

Thus the teachings and the messages by Lord Bo Tien are not just for members in a temple under his name but also for many outside in the world as the sky is the roof of His universal temple and all under are in His temple. 

Any saint and his messages do not belong to the temple or church named after him but is meant for the world.

Thus Lord Bo Tien said that his true temple is universal and for all.  It is people (and not a building) that make up his temple.

The sky is the roof of his temple and the whole wide world is his temple. Religions are the pillars of this universal temple and all under Heaven are in the temple.

There must be people of different persuasions and approaches in this universal temple. His temple caters for all and not exclusive to a group. A building, alas, is only a building for men and not the universal temple. These Lord Bo Tien often reminds us

The doctrine in his messages is the lord saint himself and he who knows the doctrine knows the lord saint. The image is the doctrine and the doctrine is the image. This holds true for any heavenly saint as well.

A lord saint, his temples and his messages are meant for all under Heaven. Even in any building or temple with a saint's name, there must be people with varying yin and yang attributes to make up the following and management in that organisation.

Monopoly and uniformity of views however desirable are not what the lord saint expects. Where there is such monopoly or uniformity, then, there will be discrimination. Such discrimination is not the way of a saint but the way of men lacking in grasps of doctrine and practice. 

Likewise GOD do not expect one religion or sect to represent him and He sanctions many religions and sects to reach out to all via as many ways as can be so as to help as many who are in difficulties and ultimately to save souls.

Lord Bo Tien is carrying out the Mission of GOD  and says that the doctrine of the inner truth common to all religions will spread far and wide even if in the eventuality of its not being valued by some.

In 1983, the lord saint Lord Bo Tien said that in time, if after years of messages, somehow members still could not understand the need to be doctrine based in what they did and could do, they should perhaps light three jos sticks for forgiveness and return the doctrine to heaven so that the messages might go to 49 successful spiritual organisations. This is perhaps said to drive the importance of knowing and valuing the doctrine. This applies to any organisation of any saint.

Revisit of 1983 message of Lord Bo Tien   EXTRACT: If in a temple such as this temple, the followers cannot understand all these clearly and effectively (putting them into effect and practice), then these doctrines and values should be returned to Heaven and be sent to many other temples where others may be able to benefit. If the past era of 13 years teachings make no difference to the wisdom of the followers of a temple, then they might as well be burnt to return them to Heaven. The way to do so figuratively is to let many other temples, perhaps 49 others, over time span of perhaps 49 days have the blessings of universal truth by symbolic ritual of lighting three joss sticks to Heaven under the open sky.

Like any prophet or heavenly saint, a saint, his temple or church and that saint's messages are not exclusive to a select few or group but meant for all under Heaven. This we need to know and must know even if a little doctrine do we know. A little is not enough and we must know more. In whatever religion or sect  we may be in or even if none, we must live by the doctrine, in the doctrine and be alive with the doctrine. You may say that we need to live by divine principles of life

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The two precepts for respect

No 322 of Living Life Series 1

Reference  post No 153 - Nov 6th 2010 The Precepts 

(2) I must believe in what all the Saints preach in words, thoughts, deeds and all that are written.

(6) I must respect my parents and all those elder than me.

If we are to read the messages of Lord Bo Tien many times, we would realise that the messages do not just apply to His temple but more so to the societies in the world.

For instance in 1974, He said that people of differing capabilities and endowment must work and live together even if they have differences. They  complement one another. They can learn from the lessons of life --- of their own lives and of the lives of others. They can learn from strengths and weaknesses in one another's lives and be richer from the experiences not just from their own lives but also from the lives of others.  

( Revisit of Lord Bo Tien's 1974 message 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.)

Also in 1975, He gave the eternal advice that irrespective of differing views and abilities, all in society must bundle up together like a collection of candles (big and small and of various shades and colors) to better light up lives. Together, despite differences, they can better complement one another so as to reap wholesomeness for the whole society as mentioned in 1974 message

Revisit of 1975 message of Lord Bo Tien 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."

Never mind if there are marked disagreements and lack of consensus. They need to learn to love one another and this meant accepting that they may not agree and ever  need to live and let live.

In 1978 and later 1984, He elaborated that there must be yin and yang in nature and in the universe. The presence of diversity and differences as well as similarities is only natural and a characteristic of the universe. Together they make one whole as in the pakua

(A revisit of the 1978 message of Lord Bo Tien  Extract from 1978: The oneness of purpose and actions contrast with the diverse background of members. This stands out as noteworthy reminder of oneness in diversity)

Pa kua or Ba gua

(Revisit of 1984 message of Lord Bo Tien  Extract from 1984: He then pointed out to the Taoist Octagon or Pakua, which showed two fish-like symbols the yin and the yang. Both must exist and if there was only one, then there will be no balance and peace. Man must seek the inner peace through balance of yin and yang. A temple or organisation must find balance in the yin and yang elements of people that constitute the temple. Only then will there be peace and harmony.)

What is needed is to have peace and harmony amidst the diversity. Then society will be that much more whole. Society will be that more gracious with people accepting one another for what they are and for what they could not yet be.

God and saints can do so. A flower can accept insects for coming to the flower for nectar. A saint will never turn us away because of our weaknesses.

(Revisit of 1984 message of Lord Bo Tien  Extract from 1984: A heavenly saint is like the flower and the least expected amongst men will be attracted to the saint like ants and insects to the flower. This is not the wrong doing of the flower but nature's way of survival and existence. That the least expected should be at the helm or in the following of a temple is not the folly of a heavenly saint and Heaven but Heaven's way to reach out to all more so the more lost in society. But the folly of men should not be regarded as Heaven's folly.)

God will accept us to His church or temple even if they are crooks. Lord Bo Tien in 1983 did say the same that if he wants to even a crook can be a leader in his temple if He chooses to change that person. This is the prerorative of the saint. Man in society cannot decide that those with different views from them or have disabilities or weaknesses cannot be in that society, temple or church.

(Revisit of 1983 message of Lord Bo Tien The lord saint said that people should not judge and frown at the profile and personalities of members of a temple or spiritual organisation. The purity and excellence of the members and leaders may not be at par with and measure up to the purity and excellence of the doctrine of Heaven. The choice or judgement call on who can be leaders and members lies with the heavenly saint of the temple or spiritual organisation. Even a thief can be chosen as a facilitator of the organisation if the founding saint wants to train and teach him.)

If God and saints are so accommodating and tolerant as well as benevolent to the perceived wrongs, men of faith and spiritual cultivation should be a bit like that if they cannot be more like that.

If God is like man and so petty and judgmental, then no one will be worthy of the kingdom of Heaven and no one is worthy of going to a church or temple.

It is said that even those in Hell will if they can be a little more good, be reborn or leave Hell.

In the basic precepts, the lord saint said that all must respect their parents and those elder than them. We must realise that they too are not perfect and may have done wrong, and we should not be victim of their wrong though we must still respect them as parents or elders.

In another precept, the lord saint reminds us to respect and believe what saints preach in words thoughts and deeds. Sometimes our human mind will like to ignore and feel that they are irrelevant to the incident or situation at hand.

God and saints of all religions

But it is wiser to respect the saints for what they preach in the context of the society and situation. We need to believe in them especially when they like lord saint said things that were yet to come and that would surely come if we do not heed their messages.

It is right that we think for ourselves as to what is right but we need to be wise. If we respect parents and those older than us, how much more need we to respect the saints and what they have to tell us in their divine messages.

That is precisely why there are two separate precepts for respect specified by Lord Bo Tien -- one is the 2nd precept, believing in and respecting what saints preaches and another the 6th precept is to respect parents and elders. However, we need not expect elders and parents to be perfect but respect is still due.  (For the second and sixth precepts, go to The Precepts)

Even with the helping hands of heavenly saints, sometimes due to element of fate, we cannot avoid bad events altogether. But at least we must have faith in saints. Big issues will be small issues even if they cannot be no issues and small issues will be no issues with a little bit shelter by the saints.

(Reference A revisit of the 1977 message of Lord Bo Tien  "Do pray earnestly and wholeheartedly to the saints and the saints will know. Seek their blessings in earnest and they will come to your side. Big issue will be small issues even if they cannot be no issue and small issues will be no issue.")

At the same time, we must learn to understand life and the truth of life. Then, we will learn how to balance and be atop of the ups and downs, the yin and yang and be at inner peace. (For more of this, do read The way to inner peace.)  This is not only depicted by the pakua but also by the feet of the seated image of Lord Bo Tien on top of and balancing the elements. Cheers 

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