A man a bit like Ji Gong to save a temple

No 403 of Living Life Series 1

During the days when Ji Gong was a man as Li Xiuyan, many would wonder why a scholar and only son of a wealthy military adviser would decide to enter the monastery after the demise of his parents and yet not keep to the norms. Why the monk Ji Gong who knew the scriptures well  would choose to be crazy in behavior  and what he did like eating meat and drinking wine were incongruous with his adeptness in scriptures and with his being a monk in robes. 

But the truth is that he knew more than the rest and found it disturbing that the rest knew less but acted beyond what they knew or could cultivate. He had many truths to tell of what would happen and how they were wrong. But there was no way he could make them understand and win them over. 

He also do not believe in going along and putting on a front of outward spirituality and for that he had to conform to norms. Many during his time, could not accept what he said as what he said was way beyond their expectations and belief. He was also lower in social heirachy compared to many others in his monastery and to the many in the laity who were prominent in society. 

But one thing stands out is that he knew better and knew more. He had to be abrupt and direct but this only result in ire and disbelief by others in him. It was difficult then for him to explain and to convince. He had to resort to being not abrupt but at times crude and rude. Even then many still did not believe in him. When he said that "what is important is not what goes through the gut but what goes through the heart", many in his time could not accept and they insisted he was wrong and crazy to eat meat and drink wine whilst in monk's robes. 

He had to leave the monastery. He was in fact asked to leave but he continued to be in robes of a monk, albeit his own style and way. His was more like a beggar's garment but yet there was no denying that he was in robes but robes torn and with many areas of patch work. Monks then would not frolic with the beggars and the down trodden but he did. The monks then would help the beggars but remained a distinct class from them. 

On one eventful occasion, he foresaw a gale coming and the upheaval of nature would result in the village in front of a temple being buried  He told the villagers to flee but they thought he was a joker and ignored him. Unable to convince the villagers, he resorted to stealing the bride at a wedding and ran away with the bride. The whole village ran after him and that was how, he saved the villagers and the monks in the temple. 

They thought he was a trouble maker and an outcast not only of the temple but also of society. But he was already a saint at heart and many notches above the rest then. But he was not recognized and they were way far behind in cultivation than him to be able to understand and appreciate him. 

So the only way is to be point blank and to forewarn. This did not go well with the community then and often, he was mistaken as wrong and uncouth. But events and their outcome proved he was right and that he was way ahead of the times and cultivation of even the best spiritual teachers of his time. It took some time for people to acknowledge him as right and not only right but also a  saint, savior  and spiritual elder of men. 

In modern days of 2013, there are many religious men who are religious but far too ignorant. They know that much and no more but acted as though they know the world and took on the leadership of the crowd at a temple or church. 

There are a handful who knew better and could not convince them for they are in the majority and holding sway. These few wise ones could not convince the ignorant rest and would usually have to leave. 

If however a wise one refused to leave, and insisted stubbornly to correct the rest, such a person would be thought as crazy and sheer trouble maker, He would be expelled.  Even if expelled, if the wise one who was misconceived as trouble maker and lunatic of sorts should decide to return to change their ways, there would be hue and cry and even to-and-fro litigation. 

The wise one like Ji Gong in his days as man and monk in China some 1000 plus years ago may decide to be adamant and to help the seemingly ungrateful rest. Truth will prevail. Right will always triumph over the not so right in the long term. Such a person will be a modern day version of Ji Gong but of course they may just even at best be only a semblance of Ji Gong. 

One person in Bo Tien Mission is such a man. He is Elder Ling Diung Kwong age 77 in 2013 and not too far from his end and yet pushing on and on with what is and should be. From the beginning he was at odds even with the appointed spiritual intermediary Philip and two other mediums but the lord saint Lord Bo Tien had faith in him to hold the loose bunch together. He was the only one who was always calm, steady, ever so forthright, direct, straightforward, always speaking his mind and unwavering though coming across as crude, hurtful, brash, antagonistic and uncivil. This earned him the label of unpolished diamond by the lord saint. 

 Lord Bo Tien

Two incidents stood out when there was despair. 

Once at old temple premises, Ling gave the courage to push through the illegal construction of dormitory for aged despite reservations. He succeeded then and even made it legal subsequently and that is because because he was holding the chair and reins of management. 

Then there was call by the  relevant agency for the aged home to be closed and inmates to be dispersed to other bigger homes. The then chair of temple Pete wanted to comply but though no longer in management, Ling took matters in own hand and overruled the move and renegotiated with relevant agency. Pete had the wisdom to toe Ling's advice.

Ling saved the day on those two momentous occasions and made the difference for the temple and mission. The home still stands to this day though it originally was scheduled to be closed by the authorities. There are of course other events which are not covered in this post

Ling was anointed the Head by the lord saint but more often than not, unable to convince the rest with his gifted foresight and insight, he had to resort to being more than ever pushy and crude. Others soon found him not rational and with new generations taking over matters, they just could not stand him any more and they expelled him point blank. The rest to come will soon be history. 

He is a man a bit like Ji Gong to save the  others in a temple or mission though he may rattle others in the process, not just once or twice but most of the time. That was why they expelled him from the temple but this makes little difference and even today (2013) he still pushes head-on with what is right and should be done even if others don't see eye to eye with him and even if others don't want him to get on their nerves. 

For example, he wanted the charitable body to under the umbrella  of the temple body as in the past out of concern on two scores:-

(1) In years to come, the two legally separate institutions occupying same premises may squabble over the premises. 

(2) In perhaps year 2030 when temple premise lease is due for renewal, the funds of the welfare society cannot be pulled together to pay for new lease for the lease as the temple is the sole holder of the lease

This however is too far in the horizon for others and they are very unhappy and rattled by his obsession. To them, it is none of his business and he should not interfere. After all, he has been expelled and why is he still a pain in the neck for them. To them, he is old man and near his end. Why is he so bothersome? 

Now that he is age 77 (2013), how far can he go? God knows. He has guts and he knows what he is doing but not many will agree with this despite the good he had done and his continuing good intentions. Can't he shut up and be less meddlesome? They believe that he is a very old man and should truly retire in every sense of the word and mind his own business. Tell him that and he will give you a tongue lashing. (Oops, not tongue lashing but a lecture or discourse on the mission of Lord Bo Tien. That would be a earful,  painful to the ears and way too much to digest.)  How could he let go when  he read the 1981 anniversary message by Lord Bo Tien in the turqoise colored book LORD BO TIEN TEACHINGS that he must not let the temple mission falter and he must write the history of the mission for posterity.

Some think he is just dumb. Is he dumb? If he is not but a saint,  then his detractors would be dumb-folded that he is after all a saint of sorts, albeit just a wee bit like Ji Gong. If he is dumb, then Ji Gong the Living Buddha was even that much more dumb but nobody would say that. Though during his days as man in China some 1000 plus years ago, Ji Gong was considered an aberration, crazy and nuts in the head. 

Perhaps, Elder Ling needs to pass on to next life before they could appreciate what he was and is doing and from where he is coming from.  But to those who still think he is nuts in the head and mad, Heaven cries in pity when it rains, for they know not what they do.  Elder Ling tries to help but to no avail and had to resort to  being abrasive, blunt and eccentric. May be, they are beyond help but saints like Ji Gong will never say that.  

Even Elder Ling still thinks that they should be given a chance and that's why he allowed them to be in the temple with him but somehow they climbed over his head and bit the hand that nurtured them. They even shooed him away from the temple. Indeed he is a poor soul. Alas, this is not the case. He is not the poor soul but perhaps others are, even if they (those that bit his hands) are not.  These others have lost the blessing of a well run temple based on doctrine thrust if Elder Ling could make it and win them over. 

The day of reckoning is near and even Elder Ling Diung Kwong at age 77 will not be spared. Man of mission and vision must not be bowled over and bogged down by trivialities. They must not make mountains out of mole hills. But in issues that are not trivial,  they must not give up either or face the music down the road of life and death, if not this life, then the next. Avoid being loud, jarring and be perceived as crazy, unless of course there is no other way because realistically we cannot be Ji Gong except a wee bit semblance of Ji Gong.

The issues of man are truly many and plentiful as had and has been said by saints like Lord Bo Tien and Ji Gong Buddha. But a man a bit more like Ji Gong may save the day in any temple or church and all will be well for that temple or church. Let all who know better be a bit like Ji Gong and help the rest, never mind if the rest perceive them as crazy and loud mouth. Truth must prevail.  

Omitofo!

Ji Gong like Lord Bo Tien knows
and cares even if men don't.
The interest of men is his business
even if they don't know him.
Let's hope men will have affinity
to be blessed by him
Omitofo!

Images of Lord Bo Tien do tell a story

No 402 of Living Life Series 1

This image depicts his position when he first descended to make himself  known. This must have happened as early as 1970

This original image highly consecrated and sacred
should be open to public and not put away (locked) in museum
This may symbolically imply putting aside the doctrine
for the image is the doctrine and the doctrine is the image.
 The lord saint said so. But if this is so,
then the image is not the issue but the doctrine is.
What men do to image is secondary to
what they do for the doctrine.
What is right is merely in the minds of men
Perhaps, men should not be too imaginative
and go awry in thinking.

The first ever 12 inch high sitting image made of teak wood. In front of this image, Lord Bo Tien descended to give his sermons for no less than 13 years. 

This highly consecrated and sacred image had been put away from free access public devotion in the museum room and under lock and key. 

On special case by case request, those who wanted could get the key for access to the image. Rightly the permanent easy access to this sacred image might have been  re-instituted. 

In the old temple, after moving out of the main shrine, it was kept in another shrine at the back - designated as the psychic or spiritual shrine. 

It would be sad to put it away under lock and key but some of younger generation generally are nowadays more open minded and liberal. This is perhaps evidence of the generation gap. A new generation will often have different approach and priorities. 

Several 8 inch polymarble images that were consecrated in 1974 or 1975. They were taken up by close members and devotees. They evoke feelings of purity of purpose in life and in mission. There is need to go for the core teachings and values common to all religions and sects. There is need to adopt a pure outlook and go for the white and not the black aspects of religion and its practices. There is need to go for the common interests of members whilst being mindfully aware that members differ in many other areas. 

Like it or not, they do come for many other agenda as well. They can sometimes be likened to insects coming to the flower for nectar and not for the beauty of the flower. We should not blame the flower for insects coming to it. Lord Bo Tien said thus in one of the latter messages just before 1985. 

Because of this, the flower may wither after insects get their nectar for personal gain but seeds that come after pollination will spread the learning of the mistakes to the rest of the world. 

People do take up religion for personal gain and there is no denying of this reality but they must learn to grow, go for and glow the purity of religion as depicted by the white polymarble image. This is the mission for which Lord Bo Tien is the messenger of God. 

Hopefully, there will then be less of wolves in sheep's clothing in temples, churches and religious institutions. Such individuals may misuse their various positions as temple leaders, church pastors, priests and monks. 

Such individuals may be viewed by some as the scourge of religion but they are the very ones which saints and prophets want to attract to their fold to change them to be more balanced in approach --- more God-centric and less self-centric. Thus the balancing act as depicted by the feet of the lord saint (in the polymarble image) on the opposing elements or agenda.

Admittedly, everyone wants personal gain and this is a reality. Those who do not are either fully enlightened ones or denying life (running away from life and society) 

One of the six inch replicas
of the four feet image that was burnt .
This was painted over and
now resides at the home of the writer.
The photo of this replica is used
to grace the various Living Life Series
so as to keep alive the memory
of the big image that was burnt
and sent back to Heaven.
The return of the image to Heaven
will happen when there is paucity 
of doctrine focus and mission. 
The presence of the replica 
of this image in Living Life Series 
augurs well for the doctrine focus 
and the mission through the w.w.w.

Several six inch wooden image replicas of the unpainted 4 foot image that graced the new temple at Jurong. Alas, the big image was burnt and sent back to heaven just because there was crack at base. 

This was despite earlier reiteration and emphasis by Lord Bo Tien that a wooden image would in time crack but this should be of no concern as what is more important is the meaning - the doctrine in the image. 

The doctrine must be in the hearts of men and must be the only basis of the mission. Where there is no doctrine, there will be no temple and no image, for the doctrine is the image and the image is the doctrine. The building if any will then be an empty shell devoid of doctrine thrust and mired down by human frailties. 

It will then be no no longer exemplary and distinct to shine the way for other temples. It will then be one of the many. Isn't this obvious and the plain truth that we have to know and be concerned? The lord saint would not let this come to pass  and even if this should happen, it would not be for long. 

The majestic five foot image of Lord Saint that graces the new concrete temple at Singapore. It was never consecrated via the normal consecration procedures of the past and was just em-placed with simple ceremony. 

But, mind you if you think this was a lapse, the age-old consecrated five archangels of the lord saint was placed in front of the image. The religious advisers of the temple had instituted corrective actions that are thoughtful

The awesome-looking image was specially ordered to replace the cracked image that first graced the closing years at old Woodlands premises and later came over to the new Jurong premises. It made members feel good because it is big and good looking. 

But it is the doctrine at the heart and not the image that matters. Man being man will ever prefer to have a better looking image. This is very understandable when most men are not properly rooted in spirituality and doctrine. 

No wonder the lord saint said that the far may be near and the near far.  He also said that his doctrine is the image. It is the doctrine that matters, not the image. 

The doctrine is in the image and the image is the doctrine. Do not mistake that the lord saint is a general just because the image depicts him to be one. This Lord Bo Tien did say. 

The colorful armour depicts the many races, cultures and people of the world. The coming together of diversity in oneness is awesome, beautiful and colorful.  

The dragon seat is the seat of the holy spirit of God. The lord saint is carrying out the will of God.

The stepping and balancing of the two elements of yin and yang do remind us that life be it spiritual or mundane depends on balancing of the soft and hard aspects - the yin and yang. This is central to Tao - the Way. 

The divine scepter in his right hand is the instrument of the mission entrusted by God to the lord saint to bring about awareness of the same truth and way in all religions and sects. 

The left hand in salutation bids us to be steady and to persevere. He will clear the way for the faithful so that they can attain and maintain the divine inner peace in both spiritual life and worldly life via balancing yin and yang.

The original standing image and pose is the pose he came down with to open the way for the mission. His divine spear cleared the path for setting up the mission on earth. Once set, he would be seated as depicted by the subsequent images.

It must be put on record that whenever the lord saint descended, he would be preceded by The Great Sage Tai Seng commonly referred to as The Monkey God. After all the Great Sage is reputable as the divine one who paves the way for  doctrine mission. The purpose of  the descent of Lord Bo Tien is tied down to doctrine mission. 

The mission of Lord Bo Tien is doctrine based - to invigorate the grasp in all religions and sects of the same inner truth of God and divine peace through mastery of yin and yang, not avoidance of yin and yang which is not possible. This is the same as saying, there must be mastery of life, not running away from life. 

How can anyone run from life or deny life? Inner peace will come about with balance of yin and yang, the mastery of life, be it spiritual or mundane. 

Indulgence in life of the mundane or worldly kind is the other extreme to be avoided beside the denial or running away from life. 

Indulgence or clinging to life too will result in no peace but more unrest in life as one would hanker for more and end up restless with no peace. 

Thus the stepping on and balancing of elements in the image of the lord saint aptly depicts this balance in life of yin and yang - the avoidance of the two extremes of denial of life and the indulgence in life.

It is the heart that matters

No 401 of  Living Life Series 1

Ji gong was an eccentric monk and often appeared crazy because he did not follow norms and convention of the day. But appearance could be deceptive. Underneath  this external or outward facade, he lived up to his principle that what matters is the heart and not what one does or what goes through the gut. He does not believe in outward show but stresses on grasp and practice that comes from the heart. 

He is often depicted in images holding a torn fan and gourd.  He would often be depicted carrying container with two crickets. 

The fan, sometimes referred to as the golden fan is magical in the eyes of devotees. It can fan away negativity or bad fate and fan in the good. There is need to balance the softness yin and the hardness yang of life and bring on positive energy into life, so that there will be more of both good yin and yang and less of the negative or bad yin and yang. This is central to the practice of Tao as summarized and pictorially represented by the Ba gua.

There was a common pastime in China when people would indulge in watching two crickets interacting and fighting. This evoked the understanding in Ji Gong of the constant flux of yin and yang in life - both in one's mind and in the world one lives in The cricket calls to mind the  constant struggle in life. 

We need to develop our strengths and to understand and transform our weaknesses. This constitutes our spiritual  cultivation, be this consciously or otherwise. There is need to be always aware, to be mindful  from moment-to-moment and to be better by the moment, so that we can have insight with understanding, awareness and practice. 

The flask or gourd Ji Gong carries represents two opposite aspects of life - non-attachment of the enlightened as well as the attachment or craving of the material world. When Ji Gong was alive as a man, he carried around a flask. 

From the worldly point and more so when he was known to drink wine, people would always presume it contained wine. However, when he offered the gourd or flask to others, what they drank was not wine, but vinegar, water or another drink. The point to learn is that the same gourd or flask is the container for intoxicants to the worldly but for nourishing drink for those who are insightful and practise Tao - the Way. 

Ji gong tried to teach others not to judge anything based on mere external appearances. There is need not to judge by appearance and actions. There is need to go deeper and be insightful. What is important is the heart. 

It is said in Taoist texts that Ji Gong did not care what people looked like, or where they came from. If they had a good heart, he would try to help them. Even if they don't, this did not stop him from educating them and changing them at heart for the better. 

Thus he was and is ever still a firm believer of the principle of truthfulness from the heart. Others should not judge him by appearance and outward demeanor  He was and is able to drive home the point that others should judge him as compassionate and divine from the good that he could and can do for them. 

The following incident from Taoist text is worth contemplation. Of course, there were many other incidents which demonstrate his compassion from his heart which were misconceived as eccentric and at times even crazy to those who don't know him. 

There was one day when Ji gong and his followers were freezing cold weather and had no usual means to keep themselves warm.  They were in the premise of a temple. To the astonishment of his followers, Ji gong tore down the wooden altar and made a fire out of it. One follower cried out, “What are you doing? That’s our sacred altar!” 

It is said that Ji gong even took down the statue of Buddha and cut it up. The follower was disgusted and cried, “You are cutting Buddha! Don’t do that!” Ji Gong replied, “This statue is not Buddha. This is just wood.” 

To those who don't know him, this incident seems to show his eccentricity  but to those who know him. this is his compassion from the heart, albeit somewhat unorthodox and seemingly that unbecoming and unexpected. But this is him and there is no doubt of that. It is compassion that is at perfection and so is bewildering to those who do not expect that level of compassion. 

What Ji Gong wanted to drive home is that men must let go of material attachments and worldly ways. What really matters is the  heart. Wood will decay over time but compassion is timeless. It touches people at the deepest level and leaves a lasting good impression. It can change life of others for the better in many ways.  Ji gong stresses on the qualities of one’s heart and not appearances and outward show. He has left his indelible mark in our hearts and we regard him as saint. Omitofo. We too must be like him, at least in some way.

Revisiting the Purpose of the Living Life Series

No 400 of Living Life Series 1

The Living Life Series is dedicated to Lord Bo Tien (武天). The doctrine is in His image. The image is the doctrine. He who sees, understands and effects the doctrine sees and knows Him. He who does not see, know and effect the doctrine sees not and knows not the saint even if the saint or His image is beside him. The far may be near and the near may be far. 

Lord Bo Tien

Let the doctrine and the saint be part of our life. The lord saint in your life can be any heavenly saint of any religion, sect or school. 

The doctrine of truth is behind all and this is the Inner Truth that leads all (regardless of their religious affiliation or even if none) to inner peace and heaven on earth here and now and not just in the after life. The ideal worship and devotion is to know and effect the doctrine of God and the saints.

The best gospel is the gospel of life. We learn from our life and the lives of others. The true temple is the world we live in. The sky is the roof of the temple and religions and sects are the pillars of the temple. All under Heaven are in the temple. Needless to say that all the saints we know are in this temple. Ji Gong Posat too is no exception. 

Ji Gong Posat

The whole wide world and web is the temple and must be regarded as a sacred place --- a temple for living and learning. It is more important that everyone that counts plays a role in this universal temple if due focus is to be given to the Mission of Heaven. 

Men must not be distracted by the agenda of men and end up serving the mission of man. That would be a far cry from the Mission of Heaven. 

We worship God and saints, not man however good that man may be. There should be no hero worshiping or idolizing of man whether he is a charismatic pastor, priest, monk, medium or lay leader. Idol worshiping man would be disastrous and can lead to bigotry and terrorism. We don't even idol worship the image of any saint but reflect on what the image stands for - the doctrine in the image. 

The Mission of Heaven must be for the good of the many, for one and all, for believers of all religions, sects and saints and even for the good of those with no spiritual connection. 

There is need to be committed and commitment must come from the heart and not from lip service or just social and charitable services at local level. Lord Bo Tien wants to let the world rekindle the embrace of the inner truth common to all religions. 

Ji Gong Posat too stresses that the heart must be there before we can embrace the world for the good of the world.

 

Ji Gong sets his sight on the world

The mission is the same regardless of religion, sect or saint. You can uphold the spirit of the mission even if you are a Christian, Buddhist, Hindu or Muslim. 

The simple reason is that anyone can let others know God in his or her own way through any religion. Let there be openness and sharing. Let there be oneness despite the diversity and variance of views not just from religion to religion but from sect to sect within the same religion. 

This diversity is the will and design of God and his saints. Even the Vatican through Pope Francis (2013) holds out an olive branch to Christians who are not Catholics and to those who are of other faiths. The Vatican sees the need to extend God's presence in the various sects and faiths.

Vatican City - majestic and divine

The divine charm of Vatican City is second to none
though some would put the Potala Palace 
Lhasa Tibet in the same category. 
Both are like Heaven on earth
for the many who seek to embrace Divinity

Have heart and embrace the world like Ji Gong

No 399 of Living Life Series 1

Ji Gong Posat sets his sight on the world

The ones who have more may end up having less. The ones who have less may end up having more. Let us see how this applied to Ji Gong as man 1000 plus years ago (w.e.f. 2013)

Ji Gong as a man became a monk at a monastery even though he was the only son of a wealthy military adviser in China. He was born Li Xiuyan, ordained as Daoji. 

The monk Daoji abided not by rules of the monastery for monks but by purity of the heart. He did not put on an external front and believed that "what matters is the heart and not what goes through the gut". 

Ji Gong walks the talk. He is all heart

Unlike other monks at the monastery, he had no status and given the lowest role. He had less but end up having more. He had lost his parents and was the only son. On top of that, he had less of status at the monastery but more of heart and cultivation of Tao, even from past lives. He had virtually nothing but as the saying goes "nothing is everything and everything can be nothing. 

This is not absurdity or irrationality but part of the philosophy of reality of duality in the world of duality of yin and yang, softness and hardness, passivity and activity, negativity and positivity. 

The more we have, the more we want and the more empty we feel. The less we have, we may feel deprived and yearn for what others have. This is because we are driven by the ways of society of man. 

A saint like no other

But if we go the way of saints like Ji Gong, what matters is what we have in the heart and not how little or how much we have in worldly terms. If we have little of the world but we have more of the heart, what more do we need to have. We are better off and have more than those who have more but crave for more and always feel empty at heart. 

This is the reality of duality. He who has more has less and he who has less has more. 

Ji Gong is all heart even till this day. As a man many centuries ago, he was rich though poor and beggarly to some. We should be like him. But do not be mistaken that Ji Gong felt poor. He could give off more in ways more than those who are rich in worldliness but poor at heart and spirituality. 

It is even said that though he lived beggarly existence and amongst the poor and downtrodden,  he had much to give even financially to others. Some said that his parents left him money but if this was so, how did he managed his wealth while roaming  at and around Hangchow.

He is with the world and even on the floor with men

We cannot say we literally give up on life and the world to be like Ji Gong. Ji Gong did not give up life and society. In fact, he embraced the world of men by leaving the monastery. He gave up the worldly ways of monks at the monastery. He was himself and was true at heart and true to himself and others. 

Ji Gong holds the world in his hand

There is need for us to embrace the world by being wholeheartedly true at heart and not resort to pretension by actions and outward show. Have heart and embrace the world, like Ji Gong. Be true to what you are and can be. Steer clear of running away from life and lapping up to worldly ways and expectations of men, either of which would be unfruitful. 

To reiterate, do not deny and run from the world. Also do not be carried away by the need to have ever more and to ever have what others have. What is needed is to have heart and be yourself and be true to values you eschew.  There is need to know yourself and be comfortable at that.

The whole wide world is his temple,
not the shrine or monastery

Have no heart and you will be empty and devoid of sense of fulfillment even if you have more of the worldly life and status, for then you will hanker for more and feel empty, unless you have the divine heart and rich in purity, love and compassion and free from clinging, ill will and delusion. 

What matters is the heart and not what goes through the gut. This did Ji Gong say. There is no need to project a holier than thou image. Is there the need to put up a pretentious front that is so different from what you are at heart? Is there the need to over sell yourself as holy and saintly? Even if you are, it is better to be modest and be like one of the many so that others could identify with you and that way mingle with you and learn from you the core values that emanates from the heart.

Ji Gong prefers the floor of the world of men
than a seat in Heaven with the other saints

Have heart and go out to embrace the world, like what Ji Gong did when he was a man 1000 plus years ago at Hangchow China. He is now a saint and his temple is the world of men and he prefers to be on the floor with men as depicted in the portraits above.

Even the main Ji Gong image at Tangkak Johore Malaysia is at the open court yard of the temple and not in the temple shrine proper.  This aptly depicts his leaving the monastery to embrace the world. He rides on a dragon which symbolizes the yin yang dualism of the world. We too must have heart and go out to embrace the world. Have heart and embrace the world like Ji Gong.

Awe inspiring image of Ji Gong
in the open garden at Taiwan temple

Another outdoor standing image of Ji Gong can be found in the garden courtyard of a famous temple at Taiwan. Ji Gong Posat should be venerated in the open as he is in the world we live in. He embraces openness, truthfulness and frankness with no overt ceremonial and outward air of divine prowess  He is of the world of men and appears like any common man. He is truly a free divine spirit in every sense. 

We too can set ourselves free like the dove and be at peace with life open and free under the wide open sky. Seek his help to set you free to embrace the world wholeheartedly, truly, unconditionally and unreservedly from the bottom of the heart so as to harness and grow the boundless divine peace of God within and without. 

Impact of globalization on religious orientation

No 398 of Living Life Series 1

The globalization that engulfs the world has broken down religious barriers and taboos. This has both good and not so good effects or consequences.

The good part is that religions and sects have imbibed the best practices of one another. One such practice is the practice of compassion for fellow beings not just fellow men. This has resulted in proliferation of charitable organisations. 

Another practice is that of meditation and mindfulness. Religions and sects which otherwise have no conventional meditation are now adopting meditation approach in their communication with divinity.

The not-so-good part is that there is need to compare and compete rather than to complement to meet the differing needs of various sector of society and the world at large.  There are even plagiarism of saints and prophets to be included as the predecessor saints and prophets of new saints. After doing so, they proclaim the new saints as sent by God to be the more relevant saints than those of the past. 

Lord Bo Tien is no such saint. He did not and never will say that he is the most relevant saint to replace the saints and prophets we know in the various religions and sects. He is not here to start any new religion or sect but to make each and everyone a better Christian, Buddhist, Taoist, Hindu, Muslim or whatever the existing or preferred religion or sect they may be professing. 

He does not even let us know of his life history but merely let us know that he is a messenger of God to let all know the true common essence or truth behind all religions and sects. All are same and yet different. All have to be different to bring more to God. Religions and sects are not meant to divide and to cause men to go at one another's throats but they unfortunately do, not just infrequently but once too often and this is not the wish of God. 

God and religions 

That is why the followers of Lord Bo Tien are not and never will be 'Botienists' but can be follower of any religion, sect or saint. The writer  himself is a Buddhist, yet a Taoist and a close associate and believer of Ji Gong. 

Ji Gong

This does not make him far from Lord Bo Tien or his ideals summarized as the inner truth that there is Heaven and God as the roof sheltering all men and beings with religions and sects as the pillars. Men can stand closer or lean on any one or more pillars or even if none. Of course if you are at one pillar of this big mansion, you will see things very differently from others who are at other parts of this mansion or universe. Yet all are in the same mansion or universe. 

Lord Bo Tien

Lord Bo Tien's image does not reveal to us how he looked like. He said that just because the image shows him in armour of a Chinese General, this does not mean he is a general or marshal.  But the image personifies the doctrine of inner truth. The scepter is the mission to show that truth of God is one behind the different religions and sects. The uniform with bright colors show the beauty of diversity of beings in all dimensions,  the diversity of races and cultures in the world. All are different but put together they are as awe inspiring and grand as the armour. The seated pose with feet balancing and atop the elements represent the need to balance the life contingencies or dualities of life, the yin and yang - the soft and hard aspects of life, both the good and bad.  Buddhists refer them as life contingencies like gain loss, honor dishonor, happiness sorrow, and what have you.

Incidentally, the writer is a disciple of Ji Gong and that does not make him less of the believer of Lord Bo Tien. Lord Bo Tien said that those who know and are close to the doctrine knows and are close to him. The seemingly far may be near and the seemingly near may be far. Just because, the writer is a disciple of Ji Gong, this does not alienate him from Lord Bo Tien. 

Ji Gong the living saint 

This too does not stop the writer from taking on other religious affiliation or choose to have mix of beliefs at individual personal discretion. Spirituality is between the person and God through any saint or group of saints. It is not between the person and other men in religious institutions. 

Ji Gong the living saint is not of any religion though acclaimed in Buddhist and Taoist pantheons. Anyone of any sect, religious background  or even if none can get his blessings. 

Globalization indeed has effect on religious orientation.

Omitofo

Ji Gong

The way to handle life, more so old age

No 397 of Living Life Series 1

Health in old age should be no issue with proper yin yang balance. But this is more delicate as many aspects need to be handled and there is less buffer or reserve compared to when one is young. This yin yang balance applies not only to the body but to the spirit as well. The aim is to have peace but to have this and to maintain it is more onerous with old age. Peace tends to be more elusive with old age.

Learn to enhance the peace by being more adept in yin yang balance. This though difficult with old age is not impossible in old age. Mind you, even for the young yin yang balance is no child's play but ability to cope with imbalance is more in the young.

Yin refers to the soft or passive aspects and yang to the active aspects. There is good and bad yin as well as both good and bad yang. Buddhists refer them as life contingencies or dualities e.g. happiness and sorrow, health and ill health  gain and loss etc.  

The issues of man are many and plentiful whatever the age. Many issues which are trivial for the young can be significant to the old. Those elderly who succumb  to the many issues in old age and no longer have peace will find old age a battlefield and will give up on life. 

It is often not the overcoming of issues but balancing them that matters, more so with old age. The issues of men are many and plentiful, more so with old age and with ageing. It becomes increasingly not possible to overcome every issue and there is need to moderate, come to terms and accept realities. Balancing the various issues will be increasingly necessary for one to have peace. 

We may need to seek solace and guidance of Heaven so that issues become no issues but often many big issues can only become small issues. Issues big and small will no longer be issues if we know how and if we cultivate yin yang balance and tap on to the blessings of Heaven. This saints like Ji Gong say not once but many times over. 

Namo Omitofo

Go on safe mode if necessary so as not to be overwhelmed. This is more so when one is old.  Cut away the less critical and go for simplicity. Focus on core need and family. It may be good to give up the rest if you are not a fully enlightened Buddha. Don't overdo.

Even Ji Gong a care free roaming monk after being asked to leave Lingyin Temple at Hangchow some 1000 plus years ago had to retreat to stay in Lingsi monastery for his old age. Isn't that a safe mode of sorts and mind you, he already was a saint but still had limitations of the flesh and blood, more so in old age.  

Don't dabble with one too many (issues) and peace will be less elusive. In short, have less and you will have more. Cheers...... Omitofo. 

This is the way to handle life, more so in old age. Learn from the life of Ji Gong when he was man like you and me. 

Having less to have more is another way of saying that trying to have everything is as good as having nothing. This has some bearing with what the sages of old did say that the circle is everything and yet nothing.

With regards to family, it is necessary to be concerned with grown up adult children but remember to 'let go' as grown up children will eschew that. 

They want their own space and do not want to feel controlled and told what to do. Let them decide what they want to do and give them space and latitude. 

Give them a listening ear. But do not try to know too much and be a control freak. The latter would obviously mean more clinging and hanging on to all the bits and pieces of life. This will only stress you in in old age when less can be more and more can mean less. 

But in letting go and going for less, do not deny and ignore, leaving others especially your spouse to handle the lion's share and be burdened. Do not let your spouse or significant others be beasts of burden! The stronger spouse or family member should shoulder more so that yin yang balance in family and for every individual would be easier. There must be sharing but this does not mean equal share but sharing that is based on equitable finite potential and real capabilities

Go for safe mode and deal with the critical. Otherwise you will be at wits end when you try hard as you may and things don't seem right with no peace, let alone the occasional refreshing joy in life  Often this too may be true even for those who are not yet old but who have habit of biting off more than they can chew. 

Good to seek the blessings of saints like Ji Gong. Handling life will be easier but remember Heaven will help those who can show they can help themselves. But no man is an island and need family and kin and above all, man too must admit that he needs God and saints.

PS Do you know that...

...double dragons supporting pearl
is symbolic of yin and yang
each represented by a dragon.
Balance of yin and  yang results in peace
 - the pearl of peace and sainthood

 The Taiji at centre of the Bagua
is a later day depiction of yin yang balance
The harmony comes about when
there is apt balance of yin and yang.
A circle is everything yet it is nothing.
Having more is less and less is more

The eight sets if trigrams
Each trigram is made of three strokes
 continuous or interrupted.
The eight sets spell out the various
combinations of yin and yang