Temple, Teachings and Truth in life

No 338 of Living Life Series 1

THE TEMPLE, TEACHINGS AND TRUTH ARE AS VAST AS THE GREAT OCEAN TO REACH OUT TO ALL THROUGH ALL RELIGIONS AND SECTS, THROUGH ALL VIEWS AND WAYS AND THROUGH ALL MEN AS WELL.

THERE ARE NO CHOSEN FEW AND WAYS.

GOD AND SAINTS LIKE LORD BO TIEN ARE LIKE THE GREAT OCEAN TO REACH OUT TO MANY A LAND AND MANY A MAN IN MANY A WAY.

THE ISSUES AND WAYS OF MEN WILL NOT AFFECT THE VAST OCEAN OF THE MISSION OF HEAVEN. THE MORTAL WAYS OF MEN SHOULD NOT BE MISTAKEN AS THAT OF IMMORTAL SAINTS.

THE INTENDED GOOD THAT MEN DO EVEN IN NAME OF GOD OFTEN HAVE MORTAL CONSEQUENCES.

THE OTHER DIVINE TRINITY ......

THE TEMPLE OF LORD BO TIEN IS THE WORLD WE ARE IN WITH THE SKY AS THE ROOF AND ALL UNDER HEAVEN ARE MEMBERS. RELIGIONS ARE THE PILLARS OF THE TEMPLE. LORD BO TIEN IS A MESSENGER OF GOD.

THE TEACHINGS OF THE LORD (MESSAGES) ARE THAT OF RELIGIONS. ALL RELIGIONS ARE GOOD HE SAID AND THEY SERVE MEN TO BRING ALL MEN TO GOD IN THEIR OWN RESPECTIVE WAYS

THE TRUTH OF HIS TEACHINGS IS IN LIFE. HIS MESSAGES REFER TO LIFE - HOW TO LOVE LIFE AND NOT LOATHE LIFE AND HOW TO HAVE PEACE AND NOT DIS-EASE. THE TRUTH IS BEHIND RELIGIONS - HENCE INNER TRUTH. THE DOCTRINE OF TRUTH IS IN THE IMAGE AND THE IMAGE IS THE DOCTRINE. TRUTH TOO IS IN THE BAGUA

IMAGE OF LORD BO TIEN

Balance in life of the events as depicted by the feet on elements is an ever on-going matter in our yin and yang world. To be steady in holding on to balance and  have inner peace come what may is depicted by left hand in salutation. To hold on to this divine way and to share this inner truth to the world through any religions  and sects is depicted by the right hand holding on to sceptre

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BA GUA

The Ba Gua is ageless and summarises the essence of the wisdom of the sages.  There is always cyclical ups and downs. But despite this we can have peace by balancing our inner self and have inner peace amidst the yin (passivity) and yang (activity) in nature and in life from birth to our last breath. Life will then be more whole, smooth and round like the Taiji.

Events in life and nature come in eight possible triplet sets of yin and yang the sages of old did want us to know. They are the trigrams. Let this be the  all pervading focus in meditation and mindfulness for us to have more inner peace  that is divine. We will then be one with God and saints.

TAIJI

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What is your take on mistakes in life?

No 337 of Living Life Series 1

Post dedicated to all who have erred despite having done good. One day of rain does not mean there is no sunshine. In life, there is always both rain and sunshine like the yin and the yang. Also every dark cloud has a silver lining. Do not be disheartened by men for God is with you even if men are not. These men may be no better than you though not in the same boat. All have erred and fallen short of the glory of God. Fear not the judgement of the self righteous. They too are not free from wrong. They may be further from God than you. The far may be near and the near may be far. This did Lord Bo Tien the messenger of God say, not once but over and over again. Read on and feel good. There is always hope and better days and many tomorrows to come. The exalted will be humbled and the humbled will be exalted. Praise Lord Jesus for saying this......Seek the shelter of God and saints. Lord Bo Tien says "With divine blessings, issues however big will be small if they cannot be no issues. Small issues will be no issue." Life is not just a bed of roses, and even roses have thorns. That's life. We need to contend with yin and yang....which too the lord messenger saint did remind in his last message through none other than the late P. Philip the golden wheel missioner who is no saint but every bit of a man like you as well. Cheers and read on and live on......for yourself and for your love ones. That is the nucleus of loving kindness and love for life which we must cherish for every moment and even on the day we pass on.

God Almighty and the saints of all religions

To err is human and to forgive is divine. 

Because, we can err, that is why we are still human beings and not yet in Heaven.

Even God or Divinity closes one eye and gives leeway as men are more short sighted compared to divinity. Men lack and need to develop insight and foresight.

If God is not benevolent, all will be sent to Hell not just at end of life but right now for the transgressions they made.

Men are more intolerant of  weaknesses of other men, and they tend to pass adverse comments, more so when they are in position to judge.

Because of man's shallow wisdom at times bordering on arrogance or even  high pedestal approach, man condemns fellow man when God allows him to learn and grow at own pace and time ---- even if it means man has to make more mistakes in the process.

This does not mean God don't care and won't lift a finger. He does care immensely and that shows out in benevolence to accommodate man's need to have free will and to learn and not be a puppet. A puppet does not live but the manipulator is the one who lives. Man must live and earn blessings

But if man learns not from his slips, man will face same music again and again, not just now but in future, perhaps next life.

Today, misfortune happens to some others for the slips they made. Tomorrow we may be the ones. This goes on and on like musical chair.

Let us be more benevolent of wrong other men may do. We too can at times be wrong. Let no life play out the game of musical chair and leave us lost and downtrodden

One flaw does not make a devil out of a man but a good reminder of his and our mortality and fallibility. The greatest mortal wound is not of body but of the spirit

Mortals will never be perfect when their flesh and blood can never be and more so if they are not strong in spirit. Even for those strong in spirit but not at divine peace, perfection is ellusive and ever seem to fade away like the horizon.

God knows and that is why He gives us many opportunities and many religions and sects. That is why we need to work our way in this life and perhaps in many more to be in Heaven and be enlightened to be with God and saints. For the Heaven we can have here and now is just the Heaven within us when we can be at peace with the yin and yang (the ups and downs) come what may.

Lord Bo Tien

We can do so by being atop and balancing the worldly contingencies, the yin and yang. This is depicted by the Ba Gua and the Taiji in the Ba Gua or even by the feet of Lord Bo Tien astride the elements.

Ba Gua with Taiji

King Yama

Even those in Hell can make good and come out of Hell with help of King Yama and other saints like Ksitigarbha. They nurture them to meditate and contemplate on good not just past good but intended goodness. That is the way for all beings to improve their lot spiritually. This includes the mortal lot that is us the homo sapiens as well.

Ksitigarbha Posat

Some may even say that immortals too can have errors of judgement. So what more for homo sapiens, my dear friends.......

Incidentally Ji Gong broke many of the rules of the Vinaya (rules of conduct for monks) as he ate meat and drank wine and he was asked to leave the monastery. That was a punishment of sorts based on human judgement of the monks in that monastery. But he bore no grudges and continued his ways and services to mankind and was acclaimed as Ji Gong Posat.

Ji Gong Posat, the Living Buddha

He showed immense benevolence especially for those who had been wronged and those who wronged others but who made good or at least intended to make good. Need more be said?

He believes that what goes through the gut is not important as what goes through the heart. We can cultivate perfections of the mind without being bounded by traditions and standard ways. Think about this and ask for His guidance. He  still lives amongst men though he is a heavenly saint and that is why he is Ji Gong the Living Buddha.

Be a judge unto yourself and worry not of being judged by others. Know thyself and be yourself in any endeavour in life, be it spiritual or otherwise. Ji Gong was able to achieve perfections and be saint just by being his own judge, by knowing himself and doing his own way.

Ji Gong and model after Ji Gong the Living Buddha. Better still seek his guidance. You would not be alone. He as well as all heavenly saints will stand by you and be with you.

Even the best of men too will be found wanting and blamed for transgressions of one form or other if not in their present lives, then after they have passed on. So dear friends, do not be dejected and throw in the towel but do see the bright side. Tomorrow is yet another day. There are many tomorrows to come. There is more to life than what you have gone through. The best is yet to be if you fear not the worst from men and look not back at your past especially your past slips in life.

"Namo Ji Gong Posat"

Saints like Lord Bo Tien allow those who have transgressions to make good and even be the leaders of men in temples and churches These men are not the better of the lot and are obviously not above board. They are very human and fallible. Though these men may often disappoint fellow men, the saints rather that they stay in their roles  and do some good than leave their posts and be lost to end up more bad. The benevolence of saints is boundless but that of men is often absent or at best paltry and pathetic.

Lord Bo Tien

Lord Bo Tien even said that we cannot blame insects from coming to the flower. The flower can be any temple or saint. Isn't that beyond normal human ways.....

"Namo Bo Tien Posat"

Taiji

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Endurance is one's innocent glory in the next world

No 336 of Living Life Series 1 

-- this write-up is inspired by and dedicated to Elder Ling Diung Kwong

"................. Many a pride cover those who achieve the light of enlightenment. But the wise are those who never fear of being misunderstood. Endurance is one's innocent glory in the next world." (Quote from Golden Wheel Missioner - Png Philip)

For the finite number  of those who understand the true nature of life and know what should be done, the road to spiritual advancement is sure but needs effort and time. Along the way, there will be distractions and hiccups from the many others in society to dislodge them from the path well trodden by the sages of old. But to evade these many others in society, that is, to deny society and take off into the wilderness is not the way. For everywhere we go, we will be with life, nature and the universe and we can never run away but be with them somehow.

The pride of the one who knows truth and life often may make him want to tell others that they have erred or are not that right. But this pride can at times be misplaced and the more the wise one tries to influence others not ready to listen, the more he finds he is not heard and others may find him odd, stubborn, a sore thumb or rather a stick in the mud.

But he should contain his pride and do what he can to share the truth and the true nature of life. If after that, the many in the society are still not with him, he still can hold on to his understanding, hold his head high and have pride but ...... he should still be with them and be a candle of light and truth for them even if they are not with him. This is more so if the others happen to be his blood and kin.

Moreover, it is divine to treat the many others as kith and kin as well and to have their best interests at heart. Hopefully one day, things may happen and his efforts will bear fruit.

Others may misunderstand him and point fingers at him for being wrong, for wanting to stir up the mud and cause irritation which may even be considered  by these others as mischief by the wise one that is him. Fear not of being misunderstood but persevere and do what can be and should be.

But he should always mean no harm even if others disagree and feel he is doing them harm. Hold on to the pride of spirituality but do not let the pride run wild, get the better of the situation. Do contain it, treasure it and have quiet satisfaction or pride that at least one has understood and is on the way though a long long way.  But it is a sure way to spiritual enlightenement of being and release from rebirths.

Do what one can for those still far behind but often, no more than that. For if one tries to over do, one may be heavily misunderstood and be regarded as a trouble maker, up to mischief in the name of Heaven. 

Endure any gossips and any ill comments for that may be better than creating more gossips and ill wind. Hold fast to the truth and move on but from time to time gently prod others to move closer to more spirituality but don't go more than that.

Just do your part and leave the rest to providence. For that would be more than enough and you would have done allot for the good of the many and out of compassion for the world, albeit that little section or niche of your world.

Hold on to your pride but neither let your pride push you to run others down, nor let others run you down. Do your bit, a wee bit at a time and do what you can. Even if you do not succeed to convince and win others over, that's fine so long as you do what you can.

Don't join them to be not so right but don't leave or forsake them either, more so if they may be kith and kin or your brethren in life or under the same saint.

Let them throw stones at you but do not be hurt or wish to hurt.  For that should not be the case if you are indeed on the road of spirituality and wisdom.

Heaven and saints know though the men you want to help or change may not. Your reward and glory come from being right and being balance and at peace with life and with nature. Men and beings after all are part of nature.

Your rewards are heaped up for you by Heaven and will be reserved for you, either in the latter years of this life or the next.

Sages of old tell us to be with nature and life but not be thrown about by the vicissitudes of nature and life. We should be with nature and at peace amidst the yin and yang --- the joys and woes, the plusses and minuses of society at all times.

We must handle life as depicted by the seated image of Lord Bo Tien with feet astride the yin and yang and with one hand holding on to the truth of life and the other reminding that we be steady and stay focus at all times on the mission of life.

 "Namo Bo Tien Posat"

The wise are those who never fear of being misunderstood. Endurance is one's innocent glory in the next of world.



Gautama Buddha

For example, many frowned and perceived Siddhartha as drop-out of society when he gave up princely life to be an ascetic and beggar upon realising the sheer folly of worldly life. Why must men live blissfully unperturbed by problems of  birth, aging, illness and death and think that these affect others and not themselves?

He could not convince his five spiritual friends when he wanted to eat to sustain life for they thought he was weak in mind and had gone bonkers to eat, for eating meant then that he also had given up the way of the holy ones. They left him but he was sure of what he did was right and feared not being misunderstood. Endurance of even ridicule was necessary and was his innocent glory when he became the fully enlightened "Sama- Sam-Buddha".  Only when he became the fully enlightened Buddha, did they come back to him.

"Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sama sam Buddhasa"

Gautama Buddha

Truly, the wise are those who never fear of being misunderstood. Endurance is one's innocent glory in the next of world. However, the wise are finite and limited compared to the rest. The wise are few and outnumbered  and outdone by the many others. The wise must endure and stay on course to be a blessing to themselves in the end and then to be blessings to those who doubted and ridiculed them previously.

Ji Gong The Living Buddha

Posat Ji Gong too was no stranger to controversy and to being misunderstood.

After the demise of his parents and in war torn times, he was distraught and uprooted. He became queer, and roamed the land from Tiantai to Linan in Zheqiang. Finally, he became a monk at the then Ling Yin Temple and was ordained as Daoji. Thus secluded, he focused his mind on spiritual development. He was determined to serve humanity and went about to lighten the burdens of living for the common man.

On the flip side however, he was still noted for his wayward behavior and often broke the Vinaya - the rules of conduct of the order of monks. He openly ate meat and drank wine. He frolicked with monkeys at the hillside. He sang songs with children in wine-shops. Instead of being in monks robes, he was always dressed like a beggar wearing worn clothes, hat, shoes and always with a fan in one hand and a gourd containing wine in the other. But appearance was deceptive for he was kind hearted and was always dead serious and ready to lend a helping hand to ordinary people.

The monks in the monastery where he was ordained were at wits end and tried time and again to make him toe the line but they could not succeed and had to ask him to leave the monastery to be on his own.

From then on, he perfected the way and became a saint. No one would doubt that. Many of the monks then initially thought he was hopeless as his eccentric outward behaviour was great concern to them. He was no showman and was living proof that what is important is the purity of the heart and not outward show. 

One can appear religious, prime and proper. One could observe even the outward ways of monks and the clergy but what is the point if the heart is far from perfect and pure. He knew the way and cultivated it but his eccentric behaviour of drinking, frolicking and even eating meat puts off many including the clergy. Yet he was of help to the many as he continued to perfect the spiritual way.

He did not allow his pride of knowing the way and being in the way got the better of him. He did not need to impress others by being showy and conforming to the norms. He developed himself in his own way and proved others had misunderstood him.

But being wise, he never fear of being misunderstood. He demonstrated that what is important is what goes through the heart and not what goes through the gut. He was considered useless and had to leave the monastery. But he was sure of himself and he attained enlightenment. He helped many in their problems. Endurance is certainly one's innocent glory in the next world. When he joined the world of posats and became Ji Gong the living posat, no one could doubt him anymore.

"Namo Ji Gong Posat"

Ji Gong Posat

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Let there be the sound of silence amidst the noise of life

No 335 of Living Life Series 1 

The sound of silence can be frightening and eerie to many but may be welcome to some hounded by the noise of the world. It is frightening if we run away from the hustle and bustle of life, more so if we run away from our very self and go for self-punishment and denial. It is welcome if we remain with life and live with the noise but not be affected by it. We need to respect and love life, more so our own

If men can have silence and yet live in the thick and thin of life, in the very noisiness of worldliness with all the hustle and bustle and their irritations, then it is a very different matter and at the apex of achievement at that. We will be with life and the jarring noise of life but we will have relative silence amidst the noise. We will have 'quietitude' amidst tumultous disquiet. That must be the only way. How can that be? Well there is the choice and men have freewill to choose.

Do we want our own soul to be deafened by the excessive decibels of life or do we go for the seemingly dead and haunting silence of going away or giving up of life? We will dread the way of life that has no life when we shun or try to escape from the excessive noise of life that drives us up the wall. We will need to be with life and yet contend with the noise but not be affected by the noisy noise.

Rather than running away and giving up life, let us have more of silence than noise in life, perhaps silent noise at that. We can wear earplugs or if need be ear mufflers to insulate ourselves from the noise of unrest and dis-ease in life. Then life would be more tolerable with relative silence and may even be more peaceful. There will be quiet peace amidst the noise and unease.

Then our mind can have more silence or platitude to assimilate the noise of life that sages of old refer to as the yin and the yang. We will be in harmony with the otherwise stormy rages of  life of yin and yang.  Sages advise that we be with life but not be overwhelmed by life, that we live life and not run away from life or worse still want to snuff out our own life. That will be most unloving and smacks of meanness and illwill to life not just others lives but our very own.

We do not want to get away. We want to be with life to see the beauty of life but not be consumed by the upheavels and noise of life. Then life would be peaceful because we could cut off the deafening noise to lower levels and be better able to be at peace and ease to see and know what life should be and can be, what we can have and what we cannot hve, to balance the two and be atop the yin and yang that abounds. This balance is aptly depicted by the feet of the lord saint atop the elements of life.

The yin  refers to the passivity and softer nature of life and the yang refers to the activity and harsher nature of life.  It is not that one is good and the other not good but both can be good if we are in control and in harmony with them and if we can go about this peacefully and with relative silence amidst the noise and banter of life.  We must be able to contend with the noise of life that comes from all directions and in various frequencies and magnitude. We must not be affected by noisy life. Yet, we must not be deaf to life nor to be deafened by the noises of life.

We must be able to have the often elusive peace and live life. If we cannot change the noise in life, we must not run away from life for there is no running away from life. We will live on and on, be it in this life or the next.

Instead, we must create that sound of relative silence amidst the noise of life by leveraging on ear plugs and mufflers that the religions of the world offer us. There is the same inner truth behind all religions and sects to allow us to meet the need for the sound of silence amidst the noise of life.

Life will always be noisy but the noise of life must not rob us from the joy of life. We must be able to hear, to talk and to communicate and to act amidst the noise of life. We must have more of the peace and joy of life and this has to do with the silence of our souls. We need to have inner peace and quiet by putting into practice the way to inner peace and silence amidst the deafening and demeaning noise in life.

The way is to be with life but not be at the whims and fancies of the ups and downs of life. We must be at the centre of the pakua or taiji of life and stand still and enjoy the serenity, peace and silence amidst the swirling yin and yang. We must allow the yin and yang to be balanced and complementary and to be whole and rounded.

True inner peace and silence come from being with yin and yang and not be away from them. The reason is simply because, nowhere in the universe here or beyond can there be no yin and no yang. We can have silence, peace and ease amidst the yin and yang that is amidst the noise of living and existing, here or in the life hereafter or beyond.

Then we will relish in the sound of silence amidst the noise of life and be with God and saints even whilst in life of flesh and blood and have more of this in any life form beyond that of flesh and blood, be it astral, form or formless, or mere pureness of the Pure Ones.

Let  there be the sound of silence amidst the noise of life. We must not just pray to have this but resolve and go for the silence of the God and saints. Such silence brings inner peace and paves the way to enlightenment and union with Divinity. It is the fruit of the Tao or Way.

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