Let us be more open and logical about religion, not that religion is not open or logical when in fact any religion in the world is profound and rich in teachings. The point is that it is very necessary to keep an open mind and be able to think through and be more mindful as well as to think independently. We must also learn to understand teachings in context.
The unfortunate part is that the moment a man says he is a member of a religion, it is expected of him to toe the line and echo what others believe. Isn't there double talking or double standards of sorts - conflict between to believe on one hand and the other to question and be convinced? Often, this is made worse when applied in new contexts different from that of the lifetimes and localities of the sages
But like it or not, men of religion expects others in their religion to believe and not to question. The scenario may result in the unthinkable. In time, many may just ape what others do and know not what and why they are doing. They might even add more to what are being done and they say these are what are traditions. Others have been doing so and why must we not do so. This become the justification. There is no need to know why and to understand at all.
This too often happens in Asian cultures like the Chinese. When one day, some others point out to them that they know not what they do and perhaps are pointless in carrying on traditions, they wake up and decide to give up and join the bandwagon of those who point out their blindness in religious practice. This is good and we should be happy for them but then are they jumping from the fire pan into the fire? There are always two sides to the coin.
In fact, the great founders or sages that have religions created in their names were not conformists and blind followers. They did not set out to say that existing religious thoughts and ways were wrong but they found that there were much to be desired.
They wanted to improve on the thoughts and ways of the day and they did so. They were not starting something new. That was not their primary intentions.
But after their passing, men insisted that what they had taught were something totally new when what they the sages wanted was to improve on what was existing and as such the existing old teachings. The sages wanted to show that there is more to the spiritual culture of their societies. They wanted to add on new dimensions and approaches.
Men in society who were the followers of the sages in their so-called cleverness and brainwave proclaimed religions. What their sages taught were to be new religions and what that were existing before what they taught were the old religions.
The reality is that the sages did not have such intentions. What they the sages wanted was to improve on the thinking and ways of men in spiritual matters. The sages wanted to uplift the richness of the spiritual culture of their community or race during their lifetimes.
Thus if sages like Buddha and Jesus are here today, wouldn't they be surprised and taken aback? Well, this is a matter of opinion.
The sages wanted to improve the spirituality of the community they lived in. They succeeded but men generations later had better ideas. They created and divide men - with the believers of the old as belonging to one religion and the believers of the new as another.
The unfortunate part is that the moment a man says he is a member of a religion, it is expected of him to toe the line and echo what others believe. Isn't there double talking or double standards of sorts - conflict between to believe on one hand and the other to question and be convinced? Often, this is made worse when applied in new contexts different from that of the lifetimes and localities of the sages
But like it or not, men of religion expects others in their religion to believe and not to question. The scenario may result in the unthinkable. In time, many may just ape what others do and know not what and why they are doing. They might even add more to what are being done and they say these are what are traditions. Others have been doing so and why must we not do so. This become the justification. There is no need to know why and to understand at all.
This too often happens in Asian cultures like the Chinese. When one day, some others point out to them that they know not what they do and perhaps are pointless in carrying on traditions, they wake up and decide to give up and join the bandwagon of those who point out their blindness in religious practice. This is good and we should be happy for them but then are they jumping from the fire pan into the fire? There are always two sides to the coin.
In fact, the great founders or sages that have religions created in their names were not conformists and blind followers. They did not set out to say that existing religious thoughts and ways were wrong but they found that there were much to be desired.
They wanted to improve on the thoughts and ways of the day and they did so. They were not starting something new. That was not their primary intentions.
But after their passing, men insisted that what they had taught were something totally new when what they the sages wanted was to improve on what was existing and as such the existing old teachings. The sages wanted to show that there is more to the spiritual culture of their societies. They wanted to add on new dimensions and approaches.
Men in society who were the followers of the sages in their so-called cleverness and brainwave proclaimed religions. What their sages taught were to be new religions and what that were existing before what they taught were the old religions.
The reality is that the sages did not have such intentions. What they the sages wanted was to improve on the thinking and ways of men in spiritual matters. The sages wanted to uplift the richness of the spiritual culture of their community or race during their lifetimes.
Thus if sages like Buddha and Jesus are here today, wouldn't they be surprised and taken aback? Well, this is a matter of opinion.
The sages wanted to improve the spirituality of the community they lived in. They succeeded but men generations later had better ideas. They created and divide men - with the believers of the old as belonging to one religion and the believers of the new as another.
If only men can just drop the need for religious labels and just embrace whatever beliefs and practices as well as whatever sages that can benefit and be blessing to them, this world would be more wholesome.
For example, in the field of science, is there such categories as Indian science or Chinese science. Why can't we handle spirituality without categorization and divides? After all, spiritual truth is one regardless of communities, and simply knowing and understanding one another's ways enhance our grasp of spirituality.
But the moment we use the labels of religions, it becomes a sad state. Many expect members of religion A not to believe in the teachings of religion B. This is the folly of men out of devotion to their sages but not the making or wish of the original sages. Religion is in a way the making of men and not the making of God and sages.
Do understand spirituality cannot be divided but perhaps division is a necessity of men for them to show they are different and they need to be different.
Truth is one but men may come from differing angles and be divided as religions. Religions are the making of men. There is oneness of God and truth behind the religions of the world. This is the Inner Truth Message of the good lord Lord Bo Tien (武天菩萨).
Truth or Spirituality of sages is one but religions of men are many. This is the reality we have to live with but we must be mindful and conscious of this reality. There is the parallel in the saying that humanity is one but yet the races and nations of men are many. We do have to contend with reality but still hold on to oneness, be it of men or of truth behind religions of men.
Truth is one but men may come from differing angles and be divided as religions. Religions are the making of men. There is oneness of God and truth behind the religions of the world. This is the Inner Truth Message of the good lord Lord Bo Tien (武天菩萨).
Truth or Spirituality of sages is one but religions of men are many. This is the reality we have to live with but we must be mindful and conscious of this reality. There is the parallel in the saying that humanity is one but yet the races and nations of men are many. We do have to contend with reality but still hold on to oneness, be it of men or of truth behind religions of men.
