At the end of the first phase of mission 13 years from 1969 (the first year of his descent), the lord saint Lord Bo Tien reminded us to think and reflect on life and salvation of the soul when he proclaimed that mission members had entered the era of twin dragons supporting pearl.
Lord Bo Tien |
The three divine phrases are:-
(1) Negotiating mountain, seas, sun and drought of life
(2) Deep into the forested mountain to reach the city gate
(3) Twin dragons supporting pearl.
Mountains refer to the developments of life all men undergo in life. We reach top of mountains when we succeed in examinations, get good jobs or promotions. We come down mountains when we fail in examinations or jobs, but when we pass examinations and do well or get new jobs, it is like climbing to the top of another another mountain. We climb mountains in early life.
When we establish ourselves in life, we reach the sea stage of life. But seas are not always calm and there will be storms from time to time. In retirement and old age, we face the drying up of life and often feel the harshness of the ageing process. There seems to be no more challenges but only disappointments of sorts in old age. This is like the scotching sun and drought of the desert. Of course, there will be the occasional oasis even in old age and retirement.
The first phrase thus describes the nature of life in the various stages.
The second phrase describes the need to reach spiritual civilisation while living the worldly life of man. The worldly life is likened to the forested mountain. Spiritual life, like the grand city gate can be chanced upon while we live and tread in the jungle of worldly or mundane life. The gate of spiritual civilization lies deep in the jungle or mountain.
The third phrase describes what we must do once we reach the gate of the city of spiritual civilization. We learn the doctrine of the Way or Tao We must balance the yin and yang dragons of life to have the pearl of divine peace. The opposing polarities, the ups and downs in life are the yin and yang. They are like the dragons we must control and be atop so as to have divine peace which is the divine pearl.