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The Living Life Series is dedicated to Lord Bo Tien (武天菩萨). 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. 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. 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. We don't even idol worship the image of any saint but reflect on what the image stands for. - the doctrine in the image. Omitofo 阿弥陀佛!.

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Be like God and not just like God

No 905 of Living Life Series 1


Whoever says man cannot respect another man is wrong as many men are grateful for the good works of fellow men. That is how ancestor worship comes about. This is in a way still respect for elders taught by sages of religions and is worthy.
The good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 wants us to go further than that. He says that man can learn from the good of other men and can also benefit from the skills of another man. But what happens if a good man passed on to the other world. How best can men remember him and venerate him for his good works? 

Believe it or not, some worship him but this is unthinkable when even God and saints don't want to be venerated and worshiped. But isn't it respect for elders of sorts? Well this is true. But what is more important is that men understand the doctrine of life that man stood for, be he God, saint or a fellow man who had passed on. 

That is why God says that he is the Word and the Word is him. Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 says likewise that the Word is in his image and his image is the Word. 

Of course, who are we to stop men if men want to worship even men, After all, this is just adoration and transferring of merits to the ones they want to venerate. 

Would it not be better to learn from the good points of God, saints and fellow men so as to better our lot? That would be far more commendable and appropriate.

It is far better to learn how to be like the gods and heroes than to worship and idolize, regardless of who these gods are, be they men or saints. Do not idolize but admire the goodness in them and be like them. 

Do not idolize God but admire the goodness of God and be like God. Do not just like a person or individual but be like him in his goodness. Let the goodness of God be mirrored in us and in our lives.

Liking God is not enough. We need to be like God. Be like God and saints and not just like God and saints, let alone worship and idolize. 
At Bo Tien Temple 武天宫, we may like the likes of men like David Tay, Philip Png, Tay Chong Sim, Chee Sin Hee and Elder Ling Diung Kwong. 
David Tay ever so young
and smiling for the camera.
He rather not be called elder
for that would make him feel older
and there is no such term as young elder
He is ever so young at heart.
If we do like them, we should be like them in the good they have done and in the goodness they have in them. Be like them and not just like them. 

But do not be amazed if we are told that there are those who worship the great Chee for he had taught and benefited them. Indeed, he had and that is the truth. He had done good in his lifetime. He had moved people and captured their hearts. 

They should be like him and not just like him in the same way as all should be like God and not just like God. God never want to be worshiped. It is men who want to worship him. 

Men should learn to be like God and other good men without idolizing and be carried away by idolatry. Perhaps some disagree. If so, it may still be alright if they know what they are doing and where they are heading. They will still be blessed somehow. 

God is all embracing and accepting. Only men who think they know more than other men may not be so. That is why men must be like God and not just like God. 

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