Is our belief the only belief for others?

No 1107 of Living Life Series 1

Human beings are creatures of ego and are attached to what they have and believe. They will go all out to show that what they have and believe are better than what others have. 

They want others to envy them and if they are more kind somewhat they will want others to be like them. They want others to believe what they believe. 

In reality, often what others have or believe may be as good or even better for these others. But being creatures of ego, they will think that their belief or their religion is better and worse still, they may think that others are wrong and must be saved from their wrong. 

So when a saint like Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 comes along and say that all religions are good, that we must believe in all saints, that God is behind all religions and that there is the common inner truth or doctrine of goodness behind all, this seems to be a wet blanket. 

This is against the current. This is such a let-down and may seem to put them down somewhat and they will not buy the message that all are one though not one. 

They would rather have the challenge to show that they are better and some even think they are the only one to be correct. They will argue till kingdom come and disrupt the peace. They will go to the end of the world to show that they are right. 

They will even say that contemplative prayer is meditation if meditation catches on in society, more so when they lose some of their lot to the fad of yoga and meditation. This is just to make their belief more attractive and to have more pull. This is to add weight to their conviction that their belief is the only belief for others. 

The goal of meditation then changes focus from inner peace and clarity independent of saints to more faith and focus on the exclusiveness of their saint for others. They may well say that their meditation style is the most effective when in fact there are many styles and all are as good. 

The focus of meditation is on purity and clarity and has in time to go beyond worship of saints - not bring them emotionally closer to saints but closer to being saints.

It is only a matter of choice as to which style is better for the individual. But they want to say their belief is the only belief for others as well. 

Is one's belief the only belief for others? Is our belief the only belief for others? Even if it is, people will not see it in the same way. They will split hairs and even spill blood. Men are so problematic. The good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 says that the problems of men are many and plentiful. 

The good lord did even say that people should not worship him. Then there will be less reasons for men to create problems. Of what use is it for men to champion him but create more problems of men? 

If you say 'no' to the good lord but 'yes' to all saints and beliefs, then you are near to him though far from him. The good lord says that the far may be near and the near far. 

Likewise, in the worldly sense, if you champion your own country as the one and only one for the world and put down others, then will this be beneficial even to you? 

Be it spiritual or otherwise, is our belief the only belief for all? All we need is to have a little common sense which sages of old refer to as Tao 道. 

When animalistic emotion the lower level response has the better of us, we lose common sense, we are like serpents hissing and threatening, we impose our beliefs on others and we inflict pain, fear and guilt. 

Then when this don't work, the same emotional zeal lead us to say that we can do all the wrong we want but at spur of the moment if we believe in a saint and the saint like the pack leader of an animal pack will save us by his grace. All we need is to surrender to him and to be in his territory. He will take over our lives. 

In some way, there is obvious benevolence and good in this thinking. This is not wrong in many instances if there is real and genuine change of spirit in the person and he gains peace. 

But do not at anytime say that others who do good but believe not in a saint need to be saved as their good is not good enough until they embrace the saint we adore. Where is the logic or common sense? 

We must not give in to our innate animal emotions and push aside logic or common sense. That is not what we should be. Let there be logic or common sense.

When logic or Tao 道 takes over, we realize that all beliefs and views have their places in life and in society. We learn and love others for what they are and we become better at what we are and what we believe. We also help others to be better at what they are and believe. 

That is what the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 wants the world to have. There is absolutely no need to know him or worship him. He who knows what is true and correct is at peace with all the peoples and beliefs of the world. He who knows truth knows the lord and he who does not, knows not the lord. 

No need to make a pack leader out of the lord or for that matter any saint. Be thinkers and not just blind followers. Be logical and not emotional. 

Be a saint like him, even a weebit is good enough for now. Then we will grow the peace in us and in others. All will be winners and arrive if there is logic or Tao 道. 

All will have more of peace when emotions don't have the better of us. Let not emotions run our life and belief system, and undermine the good name of the saints from whom we learn the belief. Our belief may be good for us but is not going to be the only belief that will be good for others. Let us be logical. 

Godliness is the end, not God, saint or the lord

No 1106 of Living Life Series 1

Many who came to a temple of the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 came because they believe in what he is doing which is to do good for fellow men, more so the destitutes and the sick. 

They came not to worship but to seek his help or to join him in helping others. People of different walks of life and of different religions do that but this does not make them followers of the good lord but only followers of the good cause or mission championed by the good lord. 

Afterall, the good lord did say he is not here to start a new religion or sect or to be a new saint or deity for men. He is here to show that there is God and goodness that we can promote in life. 

This does not require us to be in the same religion of the people who is effecting the good cause or mission. Goodness or Godliness is beyond and not determined by the religion one professes though religion can be the motivator. 

Religion is the means to the end but not the end in itself. The end is goodness and Godliness. If one cares not who the good lord is but simply shares in the passion of his mission to promote goodness and Godliness, he is near though far from the good lord or for that matter God and all heavenly saints. 

If one is besotted with God or a heavenly saint but has no passion for goodness and Godliness, then though near, he is yet far from God and saint. This the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 did say on the near and the far. 

The far can be near and the near far. In fact, those who have no regards for him but only for the God or saint of their religion and yet have passion for the same goodness the good lord talks about is near though they think they are far from him. 

The good lord is not here to show his divine majesty or to win worshippers or to start a new religion or for that matter to champion any.  

Godliness is the end, not God, a saint or the good lord. But often, many go for the God and saint but not the Word God and saint stand for, let alone live in the Word. They are not into Godliness and far from God and saints though they think they are near.

A saint comes not to destroy the law or the prophets but to fulfil

No 1105 of Living Life Series 1

The good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 stresses that all religions are about God and goodness. Religions reach out to more people so that there are enough opportunities for bringing out the goodness and God in all. 

All should see the oneness of religions. If all understand this, they will be better at what they are - the religion or sect they are in. All will appreciate the efforts of all saints and religions in sparing no effort to reach out to the masses so as to save more souls. 

Jesus is clearly the leading light for the many who believe in him. They welcome him into their lives. Their individual body is like the temple for the lord. Let none defile the sanctity and integrity of such a temple. 

May all be temples for God and respective saints regardless of their religions or sects. They will have more inner peace and radiate this peace to others. Jesus is a leading light to make men be temples of holy spirit of inner peace. There is no doubt about this.  

The teachings of the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 enlighten all to be better in the religion they are in. The teachings make Christians better at being Christians and love and understand Lord Jesus even more. They will have more peace that way. 

It is anytime better for Christians to be better at being Christians than to be shallow Buddhists or Taoists. Then they can shine and be torch to lead others to God and saints through any religion these others may be in. 

Through such exemplary ones, others can learn why Jesus is the light, the way and the truth and enable them to be better at what they are - in the religion, life and culture they are in, even if these others accept Christ but do not call themselves Christians. They continue to be in whatever religious culture or practices they are in. 

It is not far fetch to say that there is Buddha in Christ and Christ in God and all heavenly saints. If there is the good in us and we are filled with inner peace and become the temples or vessels of holy spirit of inner peace, there too is the Christ in us even if we are not professed Christians. 

We are at home with any saint - Christ included. Christ too is at home in us and with us. We are the vessels of the holy spirit of inner peace. We may be as near to Him or perhaps nearer to Him than those who think they are near to him. The near may be far and the far near. This did the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 say.

This is no different from the established practice of Hindus and Taoists to pray to Buddha though they are not Buddhists. This is consistent with the spirit of openness to accept what is good from other religions. This is echoed by the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 that we believe in all heavenly saints.

That is why there is this prayer. "To all heavenly saints we greatly adore. We believe in your existence and thy glory is in the thought of men. We seek for thy protection and guidance so as to live better for the times to come." 

After all, didn't Jesus say that he came not to replace the law but to fulfill the law? He came not to replace other saints but he came to fulfil and to further the work of the saints. 

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy but to fulfil." This will add to the peace that men should have. Jesus adds to the peace so that it is easier for every man to have inner peace. He came not to replace other saints and religions but to make their legacy more whole and more effective - to fulfil... 

Then there will be less conflicts and more oneness. Conflicts within religion and across religions are not congenial to peace and will make it more trying for a person to have inner peace. Saints are thoughtful even if some men are not. 

They came to fulfil and further the work of the prophets and saints and not to destroy or replace them or their work. This is their thoughtfulness. 

All of whatever religion should be like that. The work is the word or teachings on God and goodness by the prophets. This is often referred to as the law - the teachings of the prophets of old. 

A saint comes to add on to the teachings. Sure enough, he comes to explain and add on to the law of the prophets and saints. He comes not to replace the saints or prophets of old but to add on and further their work - to fulfil their work. 

A saint comes to fulfil the law laid down by the prophets and not to destroy the law or the prophets. 

Inner peace for all not just the select few

No 1104 of Living Life Series 1

There are four ways to have more of inner peace. Contentment brings joy and satisfaction for life. Health matters than anything else. Self confidence is better and more reliable than friends. Inner peace is better than all there is in the world. Didn't the Buddha and all saints broach on this?  

Lord Jesus is one of them and to many is the only one that stands up in their lives. 

Contentment in having him is all that matters. He alone is enough and complete. No need for more. This is his promise but he is not here to eliminate other saints but to fulfil their undertakings - not here to replace the law but to fulfil the law. 

Health through a simple life centered on his love is central. Without a simple life, life may be complicated and demanding, adding pressures to life at expense of health. 

Self confidence in the love of Jesus is more important than having fellowship of fellow believers. It is also a blessing to fellow believers. 

Inner peace by having Jesus in our very spirit is everything we need to have. Love in Jesus takes up our whole spirit and in that sense, believers have no space for the rest but does not mean there are no other saints. But with Jesus, is there the need for more? 

Jesus is all we need. This is his promise. Men tend to be weak and not focussed  Men tend to drift and do what they want which may not be what they should if saints have their way. This is what is wrong in many a man.  

There is need to over involve men so that their minds are not distracted and have less chance to be wrong. Even then, this still happens. The focus is not to discredit other saints but to hold on to followers so that they be better at being good through say a saint like Jesus.  

Thus with any religion or sect, there are rules or dogmas to hold on to people. These are not meant to be divisive and cause conflicts among religions and sects. This did the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 say that each religion will have its own unique ways to hold on to its people. 

All religions are about God and goodness. Religions reach out to more people so that there are enough opportunities for bringing out the goodness and God in all. 

All should see the oneness of religions. If all understand this, they will be better at what they are - the religion or sect they are in. All will appreciate the efforts of all saints and religions in sparing no effort to reach out to the masses so as to save more souls. 

Be like a saint. Go all the way so more could have inner peace. 

What is wrong with many a man?

No 1103 of Living Life Series 1

The good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 says that the problems and issues of man are many and plentiful and without doubt, this is due to the wrong perception of what is best for him in life. 

Man goes for more of the world, more of material and physical needs, more of what the others have that he don't yet have. In reality, he has much more than many. 

Man goes for the horizon but the horizon recedes as he approaches it. He is always in want and never seem to arrive. He is not at peace. That is man. 

He turns to religion but if religion cannot promise to meet what he wants, he turns to one that can do so. That is why the prosperity gospel catches on. 

But is this the answer? It seems to be as at least he is in a house of God and saints and has the fellowship of others with whom he can share his experiences in life. 

Like what the good lord says, the man is like the insect who comes to a flower for nectar for personal gain. Without doing so, he will never be at the flower. He will never be in a house of God. 

His not so noble approach is a blessing in disguise. Man goes to religion for the wrong reason - for meeting more worldly needs. Man never seems to have enough and is not at peace. 

A man may condemn another for doing this. But God and saints don't condemn. Instead, they may go along with the wishes of man and hope that one day, man will outcome the insatiable appetite for the world. 

Even if that man does not arrive at this loftiness, at least he grows in faith and devotion. He will turn to God and saints and not to be lost to the more ungodly and ungainly. 

He is lost but not so lost as he is in a house of God and saints - never mind if he is into the wrong gospel of life, namely prosperity gospel to prosper himself. He will hopely learn when he ends up prospering and lining the pockets of the one at the helm. 

He will learn when there is no peace he gets with more of the world. More can be less and less can be more if more peace there be at heart. 

There are four ways to have more of this peace. Contentment brings joy and satisfaction for life. Health matters than anything else. Self confidence is better and more reliable than friends. Inner peace is better than all there is in the world. Didn't the Buddha and all saints broach on this?  

Religions too must be blessing to one another

No 1102 of Living Life Series 1

Just because a religion does not broach on certain teachings does not mean that followers of the religion cannot entertain such teachings more so if it is mentioned in other religions. 

This is the same as not accepting the findings of scientists in a country just because they are the findings of scientists in other countries. 

Logic or common sense must prevail and ultimately what is practiced by a person of one particular religion will include teachings and practices of other religions. 

The good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 since his descent in 1969 has emphasized that we learn from one another, be in religion or otherwise. 

That way we can be blessing to one another. Religions can enhance effectiveness of one another even though each religion is a strength or blessing to itself. 

Learn from one's own life and religion. Learn from others' lives and their religions. 

Religions as institutions must learn from one another in strengths and weaknesses. That way all will grow in strengths. 

They are to all intents and purposes one though separate and different. The inner and basic teaching is one but the elaboration, explanation and presentation may differ. 

The mission of the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 is to show this oneness of inner truth behind religions.

To have life by being on top of life

No 1101 of Living Life Series 1

As sure as the sun rises, it must set. Man too must rise to work and set home to rest. This happens every day. Thus said the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨. 

With birth, there is death. With death, there is birth. We call this rebirth. For the good, they are reborn in spirit in heaven. But for many, this is not the end-all. 

As long as this is birth, they must have their end to start a new beginning again perhaps as man. Isn't this tedious and awful? 

But to the wise who see this, this is a blessing in disguise. They are not defeated. They live on unaffected by birth and death, unaffected by the swing of yin and yang. They stay atop the ups and downs, the rise and fall. 

They are at peace and one day that peace means that they cease to want to be born and with no birth, where can there be death? Then they are saints. 

Contemplate thus from moment to moment. Live not to die and not to be born again. Live to be alive to the moment. Matters not if a moment dies and a moment is born. Be atop and be aware of life from moment to moment. Not die to the moment and want to be born to the next. 

Be not the moment but be the peace that is there, regardless of the moments. If this mindfulness we can have, then there is rest and this is best. Then we stay still even if time moves on. 

We do not wish birth of the next moment just to let the next moment die on us. We are above the march of time, of passing and coming, of ups and downs. 

We still and calm our mind. We are like still water crystal clear and calm. We are at peace come what may. We have life by being atop life and not be mired and swung around by life. 

Mind you, we do not do nothing. We are not dead to life. We are at peace. Life is never dull but more meaningful. We count blessings in the everything in life not just the big things but the little things. 

We become more aware to life. We are more productive and more alive to life. 

Isn't this what every religion ultimately wants us to have? No wonder the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 says this is the inner truth behind all religions - the need for insight of life and to cultivate moment to moment mindfulness and peace in life come what may. 

Basic goodness is a must have regardless of belief

No 1100 of Living Life Series 1

Often the person who is devoted to God and saints may be more at peace and closer to God and saints than the one who knows more but less devoted and not at peace. 

The latter knows more doctrine but does not practice what he knew. He does not live in doctrine. He is not at peace. 

The former knows not the correct doctrine but is devoted. He is easily at peace and this peace of spirit allows him to develop further and see things as they truly are over time. He may know little but the little he knows is better than the lot the latter knows. 

Even the historical Buddha tells us that what he taught is like the leaves in his hand and what he has not taught is like the leaves in the forest. 

But what matters is that the little we know enables us to live life in peace. More can be less and less can be more. 

In fact the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 descended first in 1969 to say that we only need to know the simple basic truth of goodness common to and behind all religions. This is the must have. All the rest are good to have. 

Popular religions that stress singularly on devotion and little else even though they have substantial doctrines and texts are more effective in reaching out to many than those that talk at length on doctrine and texts only to awe but end up flooring and pissing off the men on the street.

On religion and the mission of the good lord

No 1099 of Living Life Series 1

The best religion for the English educated is still English based one for the non-English man - not that other religions are not good enough but that this is more in tune with the global culture which is English based. Moreover, he is educated more in English.

But if the practitioner is of Asian background, then there is heavy influence of Asian culture. The belonging to a religion does not restrict the practitioner from following his cultural roots. 

Though a man may profess a religion in one country, he is very different and yet the same as another of same religion in another country. 

Thus if respect for elders is a cultural trait, then this will stay on. If going to any temple of any religion is the norm in the culture, then the individual will continue doing so. 

Anyway, the followers of a saint or prophet in ancient days never needed to refer to himself as belonging to any religion but only as followers of the saint or prophet or more so as followers of his culture based on his race. 

Thus though the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 descent in 1969 is to show the oneness despite diversity of religions and that he favors none in particular, he has to descend among people of a certain culture. Thus the image of the good lord is a Chinese looking one. 

His mission is to make people better in whatever religion or culture they may be in, by knowing the inner truth basic and common to all religions and cultures. It is not to favor or champion any culture or religion. 

Imperfection is perfection for the world and for life

No 1098 of Living Life Series 1

The only way for man to survive in a changing world is for men to be changing as well. This means that to survive, man too must be imperfect. If man is perfect, then there is no need to learn and change. 

If man is perfect, man will dominate over the world and deplete resources, alter balance and this will result in man getting himself out of existence. Imperfection is the only way for man to continue in existence. 

If a man attains perfection, then he is out of orbit of the world. He no longer has rebirth. Then he has enlightenment or sainthood. He can linger on in life to be around to guide and help others. Then man ranks among God and saints. 

If ever there be God or whatever is almighty, he cannot create the perfect man or world. But he can create imperfection with yin and yang at play so that man can survive as species but grow old, fall sick and die as individual. 

This allows others to be born as men on Earth where they learn to cope with imperfection and find peace with imperfection even at point of death. 

This concept of yin and yang the interplay of polarities or opposites is dealt with by all religions and cultures though not referred to as yin and yang. 

This is part of the common truth behind all religions and cultures that the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 referred to when he descended in 1969 at Singapore to tell us the Inner Truth that all religions are one though different and imperfect, yet appealing and able to reach out and meet the diverse needs of the many. 

The imperfection of religions should not be reason for disharmony and discord but imperfection is the only way for the world and for man as individual to improve his lot. 

God and saints are perfect through imperfection. Imperfection is perfection or the world we know will not be there and we will not be what we are and cannot be what we want to be. Imperfection is the one perfection for the world and for the life we know. 

Do not play God with God and saints

No 1097 of Living Life Series 1

Often many of our prayers are not answered by God and saints. 

There are many reasons why this can happen. 

One is that God and saints help those who help themselves. God and saints open the way but we must walk the way. We must help ourselves as much as we want God and saints to help us. 

The good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 adds further that among us there are those with skills and assets and we must help one another. 

If we do not help ourselves and if we do not help one another, do not say that God is not answering our prayers. God and saints will usually open the way for us to tread on.

But even then there is the element of fate which we cannot avoid. Issues will be smaller issues even if they cannot be no issues. This the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 reassures.

Remember however that God and saints cannot be at our beck and call. Then man becomes God telling God and saints what to do. God and saints do what is best for us at their own time and in their way - not in our way and may not be immediately. 

We should not demand instant help and tell God what to do. We should never play God with God and saints. 

Is there God in all religions?

No 1096 of Living Life Series 1

Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 in his first sermon in 1969 says that there is God and all religions are sanctioned by God. But some think that there is no God because there is no creator of the universe. 

That some do not buy the belief that God is the Creator does not make the first sermon absurd. It does not rubbish his first sermon known as the Inner Truth and this sermon is pivoted on God.

Many do believe God is creator and among them some say God is part creator. The logic may differ from people to people. But whatever the logic behind, there is the same God. 

Whether he is creator or not, this God helps men. But caution though that God helps NOT in what men want out of him but in what God thinks are best for men. Otherwise God ends up as the servant of man and man becomes the God telling him what to do. 

This illustrates that the logic that is logic to some may not be the logic to others. But whatever the logic people adhere to, there is the same God and he can guide men. 

The good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 says that there is the same God behind all religions. Whether he is the creator or not is another matter. 

Using logic in religion has its upside and downside. But if we are logical enough, that is, Tao 道 enough, we will realize that there is God in all religions but the concept of God differs. 

That God is no creator does not make him less in stature as God. It does not mean that there is no God. 

On the risk of Tao 道 or logic in religion

No 1095 of Living Life Series 1

Is there the need to rationalize religion? Won't this be too bothersome and undermine the ability of religion to bring in the crowd? 

There is only one way to reach out to the many and to popularize religion. Just cut off the rationalization and the philosophy. Make religion simple and appealing. 

Appeal to the child in every man and woman. Just believe. 

When people are ready for more, then God and saints will reach out to them, or rather, they will reach out to God and saints through contemplative meditation. 

All religions and all ways of reaching out to the many are necessary, otherwise many will be left out in the cold and be lost to God and saints. 

That is why there is need for religions, sects and schools. In fact, the more there be, the better for the many. 

This is what the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 wants us to know ever since he descended in 1969 in Singapore. 

There is the need for Tao 道 or logic in religion but at the same time this can be the undoing of religion. 

The Tao 道 that is Tao道 for the wise few may not be the Tao 道 for the many. The Tao道for the many simply is not Tao 道 for the few insightful. 

The logic that is logic for the wise may not be the logic for the many. The logic for the many is simply not logic enough for the few insightful.

On the risk of schism in men of religion

No 1094 of Living Life Series 1

Do not think that if we do things in one way, others who do it in other ways are wrong. Of what use is it to us if we insist that only our way works and is the only way? 

This is contentious and borders on bigotry. But bigotry is here to stay as some men of faith are insecure and unsure of themselves. Men often want others to do what they do and that somehow is reassuring to them. 

This implies that there is the doubt in them about what they believe and practice in their religion. They even split hairs and have separate sects or denominations with each claiming it is more right than the rest. Is this what God and saints want? 

That is why the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 says enough is enough. There is no need to even believe in him but it is good enough to learn from him that all religions and sects are focusing on what is good for beings and how to save souls. The doctrine of what is good is not the purview of any group. 

Thus the good lord stresses that he is not here to be a new saint or to start a new religion or sect but by convenience, he had to descend in 1969 in one. There is no need to worship him or fawn on him. 

Know the common doctrine of what is good behind all religions and not only will we know him but God and all saints. Thus the goods lord sums up for us that with regards to him, "The doctrine is the image. The image is the doctrine." Know the doctrine and know God and saints. 

Many end up knowing the man who articulates well at the pulpit. They know the man better than they know God and saints. They go for the charisma of the man. 

They know not the holy texts but the stories the man tells. They end up starting a whole new denomination or temple because what the man says is independent of what other denominations or temples refer to. Thus this adds to the schism in men of religion. 

But having said that, the truth is that without variations and independent thinking, religion will appeal only to a handful. How would religions reach out to the many? 

So what may seem wrong to some may be right to others or at least a blessing in disguise. Truth is not one-sided. 

If people can see the oneness in diversity, then there will be no schism because there will be no ill-will but peace and harmony across religions and sects. Isn't this the message of the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨? 

There is risk of schism only if there is ill-will. If there is goodwill, then there is no risk of schism in men of religion. 

Sugar coating pain and end in life at expense of reality

No 1093 of Living Life Series 1

Make religion shine out the good side of life if you want religion to catch on with society. 

Life is no bed of roses. Even a bed of roses has thorns. Religion can paint a rosy picture but somehow the fundamental or original teachings of the founder saint will come forth and intrude on the rosy picture humanity wants religion to paint. 

This is a sure reminder that there are polarities in life and that add to the uncertainty in life. The plight others face will affect us eventually in one way or another. 

But men of religion know this but cannot speak forth this nature of life which affected even notables like Jesus and Buddha. This will piss off men rather than bring men to religion. 

But men who wrote the scriptures no matter how they try to give a rosy picture could not deny that the prophets or saints too have their share of problems in life. They do die or end up crucified. 

Yet followers cannot accept that they too will have pain and the end. They stress not on the pain and end but the living on beyond the pain and end. They sugarcoat the pain and end of life but the danger is that men may get carried away. 

The good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 says that regardless of religion we are in, there is no escaping from the yin and yang - the ups and downs in life. 

Where there is calm, there will be storms. When there is storm, this will be followed by calm seas. What matters is not to be over jubilant with calm seas and be flustered by storms. There is need to cultivate mindfulness to have inner peace come what may.

This should be for every moment in life. Have no guilt if we seem to be unable to make it most of the time. Just try and as we know little drops of water make a mighty ocean. Turn  to God and saints for support if needed but avoid the crutch mentality.

Surely we can have this inner peace of the saints or at least some semblance of this in any religion of the world. This the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 says is common to and behind all religions. This is achievable in any religion. This has to do with the inner truth behind all religions and cultures. 

But the problem is that many like to think they can depend totally on God and saints. They end up with crutch mentality. 

They need to sing and dance away the blues in life - in a way not much different from the rain dance the ancestors of men did when there is drought. Dancing lifts up the spirit. So we must know why people shout, sing and jump in a house of God and saints. This can be a subject for contemplative meditation. 

Is it an issue for religion to serve worldly needs?

No 1092 of Living Life Series 1

Many turn to religion as a backup for what they cannot have in this world. Religion is made use off to try to fulfill the ideals which men cannot attain in this world. Religion is being used to meet worldly desires. 

Religion provides the fellowship that is often missing in this world. But the reality is that religion is dependent on men. The realities of the world will show out if a person sticks to religion for comfort and when that happens, he will be disillusioned with religion. 

The ugliness of men will show out anywhere in the world. It will surface too in religion as institution.

Perhaps, the man will hold on to the ideals by changing from religion to religion or by changing from sect to sect or by switching to another house of God and saints. Religion keeps the dreams and ideals of men alive. 

But in the first place, is his ideals sound when what he cannot get from the world, he wants to get it from religion? If he is asking for the world, then religion is not the correct place to get it. 

He is at best like insect coming to a flower for nectar. This did the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 say. The man comes to religion for worldly needs and gains and he calls this spiritual. 

Religion is no place for worldly needs but the problem is that it is serving worldly needs. Is it an issue for religion to serve worldly needs? 

In a way not, as it may be better to join them. Ignorance can be bliss. Knowing a bit more can be troubling at times. Sometimes, it is best to join the crowd and daydream than be awake to the harshness of life. 

When we take up a religion, we are not turning away from the world but we want to have more of the world. God and saints know that. They let us do what we want in the name of religion.

Thus ironically, religion enhances our desires for more of the world and of course, this comes in the name of God and saints. That is the lousy part.

The best part is this. Some leaders, priests or pastors are so law abiding and above board in the day. They beg and collect alms or tithes by day but count gold in the silence of the night. 

They preach and champion sexual prudence - no sexual misconduct but live a double life by night. All these are because they go to religion to meet worldly needs - the needs of the flesh. 

Many are not ready for Tao 道- common sense

No 1091 of Living Life Series 1

The thought of the realities of life can be daunting. People know that death, ageing, illness and the various woes of life will be there. But they want to think that these will not affect them and religions are quick to promise paradise free from these if they will only belief. 

All they need do is belief. It is as easy as that. But some don't buy this and have doubts based on common sense. 

But believers insist that common sense don't apply. They too have doubts about the usefulness of logic or common sense. 

Whatever the case, the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 assures that we should welcome those with doubts. Doubts arise because of the need to know more and this is not at all bad but indeed good. Doubts are not wrong to have. God and saints are not upset if we have doubts.

Doubts open the way to insight but not always the case. For some, they need just to believe and are not ready to go beyond that. They cannot have insight through common sense or logic which the ancients refer to as Tao 道. 

Tao 道 is just common sense found in all religions, cultures and behind life but many are not ready for Tao 道 - not ready to have common sense or logic. This is because they just want to go against logic and think that all will be well so long as they believe in God and saint. 

To them, paradise is God given and there is no need to cultivate it. Logic or common sense is too painful and breaks their hearts. They want to dream on and want others to join them in their dreams. There is strength in numbers and this adds to confidence.

Common sense is always there but somehow for religion, it is best not to have common sense if this can affect their beliefs and shatter their confidence and faith. Many just pray to saints like Goddess of Mercy and this is all they need to do and want to do. 

They don't think they should be saints like the saints. To them that is absurd. The saints know this and go along with them and will assure them that they will be in heaven with them in afterlife when they will be taught on how to have insight through common sense or Tao 道. 

Where they end up in Heaven may be the fringe which some refer to as purgatory. They may need to come down as humans to put to practice what they have learnt. 

If more blessed, they may be in heaven for awhile. This is the fate of many faithful who refuse to be logical and therefore lack Tao 道. No one can escape from cultivating common sense which the sages of old refer to as Tao 道. 

We are born with ability to think and be logical in life. How is it that religion can be the exception? How come religion becomes no longer the purview of common sense? 

Tao 道 is supposed to be in life and religion but the Tao 道 many refer to in religion may not be the Tao 道we should have. The Tao 道 is common sense but the thinking in religion often is no longer common sense. 

No wonder, the sages in old China say that Tao 道 is often not the Tao 道 many know. When some are passionate in religion, Tao 道 can elude them. They are no longer down to Earth in thinking. They are lost in their passions. 

To be religious, we must keep an arms length away from passions associated with religions. We must be logical, calm and cool and not be passionate about religion and end up bordering on irrationality. 

This is not that there is no need for faith but that faith must not be blind. Faith must be based on experience, evidence and confidence. 

Faith must withstand testing by logic and investigations. Tao 道 or common sense must be behind faith. Doctrine has to do with common sense or logic.

Faith in God and saints must be based on the Word. The Word is all about logic and is in and behind all religions even from the beginning. 

The good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 says that He is the Word and the Word is him. He who knows the Word knows a saint. He who does not know the Word knows and sees not a saint even if the saint or his image is in front of him. 

Tao 道 or logic is the Word. He who does away with logic or common sense knows not God and saint even if he is passionate about God and saint. Like many, he is not ready for Tao 道 - common sense. 

Many are not ready for the Word or Tao 道no matter how passionate they may be with God and saints. They just believe but not live in the Word. They push aside Tao 道 so as to believe ever the more. 

But without Tao 道, how far can they go. They only end up head over heels over God and saints. Men may think this is what God and saints want out of men. 

They think God and saints are like men - power and attention crazy. God and saints are not into the politics of popularity like many who are men. They are not into the numbers game.

But in reality they prefer that we live in Tao 道 - the Word rather than be crazy over them. However, they go along with those who fawn over them and have compassion for them. 

God and saints are not into the numbers game. They are not interested in numbers of believers but only that we live in Tao 道 and be on the way to sainthood to be with God and saints to light up the way for the masses. 

Go for the holy texts not the sermons

No 1090 of Living Life Series 1

The holy scriptures should be referred to by the devout if they want to know the Word of God and saints. 

But even the scriptures must be written through men and not by God or saints. Men however like to think that they were written by God and saints. 

In a way, the texts are written by wise men who may be apostles or saints. But with passing of centuries, the texts are no longer as appealing as they were written in the contexts of the ancient times. 

Thus, people find sermons by priests and pastors to be more appealing than the Word in the texts. They may be based on the Word but no longer the Word of God and saints. 

If we want to really know what God and saints teach, do read the scriptures or holy texts and understand the context of the ancient times before deciding how the teachings apply to our context and the times. 

Remember that gospel truth does not mean we accept the literal meaning. As what the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 says that it is alright to have doubts. Doubts arise because we do not fully understand. 

The Buddha adds that we must not believe merely on the strength of who is behind what was said. But more important is to know who is saint and God and who is man. 

Man is no God or saint and God or saint is no man. So go for the texts and not what is in the sermon of man. 

Unfortunately, many would rather go for the sermon than the holy texts. Go for the holy texts not the sermons. Go for the Word by God and saints, not the word of men even if they are of God and saints.