Many who have long lives
have lived for decades
and been through three generations.
They witness the generational ways.
The first generation belonged to religion
that they are born into and brought up in
You can say that this is their culture.
They speak their mother tongue.
but often not passionate about religion.
The second generation is different.
They grow up in another language
so as to take advantage
of the new world they are exposed to.
They were exposed to the new culture
and the religion that came with it
but still stuck to the religion of parents.
They have one foot here and the other there.
Some venture out further.
They changed religion
and were frowned at
but they are still ingrained
in the culture of their parents.
The third generation grew up
in two languages and cultures.
They identified more with global culture
made possible by the adopted language.
They had no qualms at all
in making the religion
of the adopted language
their religion
and this determined
how they modify their culture.
They are not passionate
about religion.
It is just their culture
Religion is just culture
Culture is religion
They are near to their religion
but yet may be far from religious
The near may be far...
Didn't the good lord
Lord Bo Tien say?
we are in or profess
but what matters is
that we know the values
that we are supposed to have
regardless of the religion
we embrace and profess.
The same values are there
and always will be there
in whatever religions
that are prevailing.
The religion we are in
often depends on the trend
and the culture of the generation.
But frankly there is no change
in basic values and teachings -
basic goodness present
at the core of all religions.
All religions are one in goodness
though different they may be.
The culture we are in
predetermines the religion
we profess and practice.
Often we are not passionate
but just flowing with the tide
