There is much hype on knowing the doctrine, on knowing the scriptures before we can be saved. Scriptures can run into volumes and more are added with time. So it would appear that only the brainy can be saved and the illiterate or less literate will be left behind. This cannot be the case.
Not knowing doctrine is not the issue. In fact the more one reads and studies the doctrine, the more one can be lost amongst the leaves of the forest and not see the forest as a whole.
In the days of Sakyamuni Buddha, there were no scriptures when he was in the physical form of man. There was no mass media, no books and no literature of any sorts. There was even no temple dedicated to any one sect or religion for institutional religion was non-existent. Temples were just shelters for holy men during harsh weather and rainy season. What the Buddha and his monks did was just to help others, say some good advice and presto, such advice made the difference and changed lives.
Modern men like to peddle their religions and show off the vast scriptures in their respective religions. Religion becomes that more ugly, academic and can turn off many. Even for the convinced and converted, the volumes upon volumes of scriptures can be baffling and bewildering.
So where have we gone wrong and what is the solution? Really, the main issue is how spiritual exposure could change a man. For this, is there a need to know doctrine like some academic. The answer is a definite 'No'. There is instead the need to know life and understand life. This is what saints like Ji Gong stress on.
Ji Gong preferred to roam the streets and byways of common folks, mingle with them, laugh, talk, and frolic with them. Common men and even beggars came to know him and he helped them a little here and a little there, and hey presto, this made the difference and they understood that their problems in life are no problems. The solution to life is often simple and difficult to perceive. Their lives changed dramatically and they became happy men.
For example, one simple sentence Ji Gong said makes world of difference to many even today. He said that what goes through the heart is more important than what goes through the gut". Ji Gong lived up to this principle and is still a living example even as a heavenly saint. He ate meat and drank wine, yet no one would deny he is a living buddha or saint.
He was able and to this day is still able to effect miracles. Often the greatest miracles are the simple solutions he offered in the lives of men who were and are lucky to have the affinity to have him in their lives. He made men know their lives. Knowing life and how to balance the various issues in life is the key to have peace at heart, not only for mundane life but for life beyond mundane.
Not knowing doctrine is not the problem. Not knowing life and how to look at life, how to balance life and how to make life simple yet not running from life and society is the problem.
If we know life, we would not want to make life difficult for ourselves and for others. We would not want to boast and seek flattery and recognition from men for the good or charity we do, say in the name of a saint like Lord Bo Tien. We would not push the name of say a welfare society to the fore and win award or acclaim from the notables in high society.
That would be too complex and egocentric and baffling. Why would the follower of a saint say someone who champions the name of Lord Bo Tien want to do that unless his motive is not the peace of his spirit but the weaving of more layers of ego complex into his life. This would only chain him down and not free him from the chains of ego in life.
The solution in life as what saints like Ji Gong want us to know are often the simple solutions or simple ways out of issues. It boils down to understanding life and the simple principle of balancing the events and issues of life what sages of old refer to as the yin and yang, the soft and hard aspects of life, like gain loss, praise blame etc.
The writer is one who studied the Christian Bible in school and got distinction in Religious Knowledge in Malacca, Malaysia. He then went on to study diligently the Theravada Buddhist texts and sutras. He gained much knowledge but was so engrossed in reading and knowing more that he forgot to know life, his own life and life of others.
When he was exposed and was with the representatives of Lord Bo Tien, he was awed and motivated by the messages but there was still way too much for him to digest. He had the faith but not the peace. But Lord Bo Tien opened the way for him to find more of peace and less of unease.
Fate was kind and providence made it possible for him to come upon Ji Gong who do not proselytize or propound the holy texts and verses. He merely reaches out to the heart and stresses that all issues are man made and made worse by man when they forget that it is always the simple solution that matters.
A little help now and then and a little prodding in life confidence are all that matter. Life becomes more simple and pleasant. Life seems to work after all. All the doctrine and scriptures may be good and awesome but what matters is how to know life and make it simple and peaceful. The writer calls this the Ji Gong way.
Not knowing the doctrine is not the issue. Not knowing life and the simple solutions in life is the problem. This has to do with the Ji Gong way.
Do not make a mountain out of a mole hill, and try to excavate it. You may create deep potholes instead. This applies to life of individual or in a temple.
For instance in a temple or church, expelling a founder because you don't like the way he looks or carries himself even if he has wisdom, done good and has potential for more good will only create more problems that are onerous to solve and beg more solutions. Isn't this plain and obvious?
Know societal life and its trappings. Go for the simple and equitable solution. Do live and let live. Do your part and let others do theirs. Work as one amid the differences. Differences somehow are here to stay and will never go away. New ones will crop up even if old ones are no more there.
Omitofo
For instance in a temple or church, expelling a founder because you don't like the way he looks or carries himself even if he has wisdom, done good and has potential for more good will only create more problems that are onerous to solve and beg more solutions. Isn't this plain and obvious?
Know societal life and its trappings. Go for the simple and equitable solution. Do live and let live. Do your part and let others do theirs. Work as one amid the differences. Differences somehow are here to stay and will never go away. New ones will crop up even if old ones are no more there.
Omitofo
