No 762 of Living Life Series 1
In the days of old for Chinese, religion was simple. There was often the emphasis of the family and God and heavenly saints. Each family would just go to a temple to offer respect to God and heavenly saints and request for health, success and wealth.
The thought of anything more than the worldly or mundane would never come into the picture. Enlightenment and sainthood were for the rare few who took up priesthood in a monastery.
The thought of anything more than the worldly or mundane would never come into the picture. Enlightenment and sainthood were for the rare few who took up priesthood in a monastery.
People went about life just like that and for many, religion meant visiting the temples on special occasions or festivals. That was it.
Then came globalization and the religious ways of the West crept in. It became a catching fad to gather in big numbers to sing and praise God. Instead of walking around and kneeling in front of altars, people sat in comfort on benches. They were treated with sermons from the pulpit by priests and pastors. They would stand in to give voice to God and saints. Choirs served them with songs and praises with music. The crowd sang with them with much zest.
From organ music, soon came drum and guitar music. Religion takes on a new ball game altogether. People would even dance, jump and clap. It is just like being in a music hall or theater. It is a wonderful experience to have.
Chinese and other Asians find no problem in attending such fellowship gatherings while still going to their traditional temples and ancestral halls. Everything was so pleasant but some men had a different plan and they say it is God's plan.
They say there is only one choice and men must give up the old ways for the new, otherwise they will incur the displeasure of God, or is it the displeasure of men?
Why can't it be like the old days where people care not what religious label they have. Labels were just for convenience. They simply go to all places of worship and just get along in all religious settings and institutions.
There was harmony and peace. It enables people to celebrate life and religions. Religions are just convenient labels but in reality people just go to all places of worship based on their fancy and whims. Those were in a way the good old innocent days.
Nowadays people and not just priests want to know more of the scriptures but instead of applying the scriptures to add meaning and joy to life, they may argue literally till kingdom come on what to believe. They somehow try to sell or politicize religion. They admire scriptures like admiring a raft and not use it to cross the river of life. The simple innocence of the ordinary folks may thus take a backseat and divides are created.
Men must make efforts to cut down the divides and merge religions as one though yet allowing each to be distinct and attractive. There must be oneness amid diversity. Diversity adds richness and make life more luxuriant and colorful.
This calls to mind the effort of the good lord Lord Bo Tien (武天菩萨) when he descended in 1969 for the mission to save souls through showing the oneness of religions. He started a Chinese temple in his name and all are welcome.
He healed the sick and answered prayers of those who came. They may be from all religions, races, culture or what have we. He answered their prayers and make them that more whole, and more importantly better followers of their respective religions. That is the way to go and the way we should have.
He healed the sick and answered prayers of those who came. They may be from all religions, races, culture or what have we. He answered their prayers and make them that more whole, and more importantly better followers of their respective religions. That is the way to go and the way we should have.
