LIVING LIFE SERIES 1

A BO TIEN (武天) MISSION INITIATIVE LAUNCHED ON 28TH SEPT 2010 BY INNER TRUTH NETIZEN 2. THE MISSION IS TO SHOW THE WAY TO HOPE, INNER PEACE AND ULTIMATELY SALVATION FOR ALL BEINGS. THE PURPOSE IS TO SAVE SOULS. IT IS WAY BEYOND NORMAL GOOD WORK LIKE CHARITY AND WELFARE ACTIVITIES. NO ONE SHALL BE SAVED BY GOOD WORKS ALONE BUT BY MORE THAN GOOD WORK. THERE IS NEED TO BE IMBUED WITH THE BASIC DOCTRINE COMMON TO AND BEHIND ALL RELIGIONS AND SECTS. LIVE IN DOCTRINE. DOCTRINE IN LIFE IS PARAMOUNT.

.

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!.

Saturday, September 17, 2016

The all embracing Chinese culture

No 1309 of Living Life Series 1

The Chinese calendar is very revealing of the religious principles behind Chinese society.

The first lunar month is the celebration of the return of the deities after their reunion with God. It is also the celebration of the anniversary of the coming of God into the world.

Soon comes the celebration of the anniversary of Buddha Gautama in the fifth or fourth lunar month, closely followed by that of Ji Gong the Living Buddha as well as the Grave Cleaning month.

Later in the 7th month, there is the month for wandering souls when these poor souls are respected, even worshipped to wish them well and have fulfilment.

There is during this month the celebration of the hell guard deities duo - the Dua Di Ya Pek who grant wishes and bless both men and hell beings. They fulfil roles to add to what God and deities can do for beings.

In the eight and ninth lunar months come the celebration of the deities anniversaries and that of Goddess of Mercy.

Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 anniversary falls on the 13th day of the ninth lunar month.

In the last two months of the lunar year, Chinese culture has integrated Christmas - the celebration of Christ.

The end of the year before the new year is also the celebration of man when Chinese indulge in glutinous rice balls which symbolise the need for wholeness and sweetness in life.

Know the Chinese calendar and you will know the all embracing culture of the Chinese with respect to religions and spirituality.

Even the Islamic new year celebration is around the beginning of the lunar new year. Chinese will rejoice with the Muslim brethren and visit them to join in their joyous occasion.

In addition to Chinese New Year celebration, churches too will have moon cake festivals in the eight month so long as there are Chinese.

Isn't this testimony to the all embracing nature of Chinese culture. It surely is, isn't it?

The aim is to integrate all religious traditions as part of culture and not to segregate and be divisive. All religions are after all one though different. This is the message of the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨.

Lest you forget

Do not make the mistake of idolizing any man who tells you about the Word. He is in the same boat as you even if religion refers to him as a religious leader. Mere mention of a religious leader is as good as encouraging idolising of that man. Why must there be hierarchy in religion? Hierarchy is conventional but may end up as liability rather than a necessity or asset. There should be no caste or hierarchy system in religion. No one is to be considered above another in religion. A religious leader or follower is a servant to serve you and not a leader to be idolised. Do not put him on the pedestal and make a monster out of him.

MAY ALL BE WELL AND HAPPY

May all be well and happy. May they have peace. May our departed friends and kins be well, happy and have divine peace. The main writer wishes the best for all for those near and far. Our kins may be far when they had passed on to better lives but they are near though far. He remembers and wishes his parents Mr Siow Soo Koh and Mdm Tay Hung Siang, his uncles and aunties like Mr Tay Koon Huay, his cousins like Mr Tay Chong Sim and his friends like Mr Philip Png well and have abundance of life. May they be rich in spirit for without such ancestors, there will be no posterity - no us and no you and me. They have blessed us and we must blessed them in return forever and ever.