Be down to earth if we want to reach for the sky

No 1333 of Living Life Series 1

We like to wish everyone well. But before we can do so, we should not bear grudges against anyone. 

If we cannot do so, how can we wish him well at same time. That would be contradictory. 

It is like telling someone, God loves him on one hand and at the same time say that he has this or that problem in life because of retribution for not only not accepting God, but also NOT doing so in the their way. 

Many want others to do their way. That is why there are many new sects, temples and churches sprouting every year all over the world. This is the problem of men. 

The good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 observes that the problems and issues of men are many and plentiful. Men create problems even while solving them. 

Men in the name of God and saints tell others that God will bless them but at the same time in the same breath say in the name of God and saint that God and saint will take them to task and they will have to face consequences for their mistakes, Isn't that ironical? 

A tree that wants to touch the sky must extend its roots into the earth. The more it wants to rise upwards, the more it has to grow downwards. 

So to rise in life be it spiritually or otherwise, we must be down to earth, humble and grateful. We must be prepared to do the ground works, be in tune with others, come down to their level, dirty our hands by being hands on, go along with them, not act high and mighty and not go for just the juicy parts. We should start off the day every morning by being mindful of this. We must never be carried away by thinking we know better.

The good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 adds that if a tree has deep roots that reach subterranean water, it will better grow taller, be evergreen and bear fruits more often as it would not be affected by drought or dependent on gardeners. 

Be rooted in goodness and purity and that is even better than be waiting for alms and handouts by others. But there will be many who have to depend on gardeners or saints of life. 

Gardeners or saints do help. But we have to grow our roots and be rooted in purity and goodness - what is referred to by the good lord as the inner truth behind all religions and the teachings of all saints. 

Be like Jesus or for the matter any saint

No 1332 of Living Life Series 1

Let everyday be a new year and let us make our new year resolution. Let us resolve to love life be it our own or others. 

Let us give red packets of love to those we meet or associate with not just on lunar new year but in every day of our life.

Be like Jesus and be forgiving to others who know not what they do. 

Be like Jesus and accept even a criminal on the cross waiting for execution if that man can show he is willing to be good even at the eleventh hour. 

Be like Jesus and love those who do not like us or at least be kind to them. 

Be like Jesus and move around the otherwise despised lowly common folks and those who need help most. 

Be like Jesus and be selfless in serving others. Do not think highly of oneself and expect others to think highly of us before we can think good and be good with others. 

Be like Jesus and not avoid the pariahs or lepers in our midst but attend to them when many others would avoid and stay away from them. 

The same can be said of any prophet or saint of any religion. We must be like them and even a bit like them is better than none. 

A bit more a day will add up. Little drops of water make a mighty ocean. One day too we may be an ocean of love like Jesus and the saints. 

There is the same common good behind the saints of all religions. This the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 says is the inner truth or the common denominator behind all saints of all religions. 

If ever any religion does portray a saint as possessive, jealous and intolerant, be assured that this is not true but the making of men who idolise him and go overboard. 

They do not do justice to the goodness of their saint. Forgive them for they know not what they do. Appreciate at least that they are passionate and highly adore their saint or prophet. They want to share the goodness of their love for their saint. 

But they may put off many who would otherwise hold the saint closer to their hearts. Many do the obvious which is to adore all saints not just one or two but many.

The good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 teaches us 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 time to come."

We must be like Jesus or for that matter any heavenly saint. We must follow the examples of all saints and model after them. Liking anyone of them or modelling after any does not mean we do not like the rest. 

We must not only NOT speak ill of the rest but learn also how to be like the saint by adoring, knowing and learning more from all other saints. That way, we can be more like the saint even the more. 

Be like Jesus or for the matter any saint. Do you get it? 

Religion and culture not meant to blind us to life

No 1331 of Living Life Series 1

There is truth in life and in culture. What more do we need? Nothing. So why religion? 

Religion is only a means, perhaps the excuse but let not the means become the end. 

Life is the end - the true religion we need. 

The values of life are in the chapters of life. The values are enshrined in culture. 

All, be they of this or that religion are one in life yet different like the religions they profess. 

Culture brings out the awareness or mindfulness of the true nature of life and this should be what religion stands for - definitely not to delude us into dreamland and the world of make belief. 

Life is what we need. Religion opens our eyes to life. Culture too as well. But alas some follow religion and culture blindly with eyes wide shut. 

Religion and culture are not meant to blind us to life. There is truth behind life, culture and any religion - the same universal truth but expressed in different ways to make religions and cultures appear different and distinct but yet same in essence. 

This did the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 remind us.  Truth is one  and same but religions and cultures are many and different

Embrace oneness to embrace diversity

No 1330 of Living Life Series 1

The closeness of the lunar Chinese New Year to Christmas makes it easy for many to celebrate both. They are close not only in calendar but also in need for goodness. 

Even those who call themselves Buddhists and Taoists have no qualms in celebrating Christmas. Chinese Christians have no problem in abiding with Chinese culture during the lunar new year and their non-Chinese brethren in churches would go along with them. 

They modify culture to conform with their Christian beliefs. That is the wonderful part. 

This comes as no surprise to those who know the message of the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 who stresses that all religions and cultures are one. 

It is the ability to see the applications of the teachings of any religion in the cultures of other races and religions that makes the difference. 

All are one and one is in all though all are different. When we fail to see this, then problems will arise. If we can see this, then issues will be no issues. 

Even with big issues, at least and at worst, they can become smaller issues. We need to see the oneness of religions and cultures. The good lord echoes the saying of Chinese philosophy of the sages. 

The good lord says thus. If we know the saints and what they stand for, issues will be no issues more so the small issues. Even if big issues, so what? They can by the grace of the goodness heavenly saints stand for be smaller issues even if cannot be no issues.

Do see the oneness in diversity and religions and cultures will cease to be problems but assets. 

Our religion is not the only one. We need to see that there are other religions and all are in fact one in a way. Seeing oneness in diversity is all we need. Embrace diversity. 

The lord of good luck and prosperity is accepted by all but whether he exists or is an entity is a secondary matter. 

What good he stands for or personify is universal to all Chinese and even those who are not Chinese regardless of religion or culture. 

Santa too is real to all, be they Christians or of other faiths. He represents goodness and giving. It matters not if he is not at the North Pole or real. What matters is that he is in the hearts of men. 

Christmas brings warmth to the Winter of life 

and heralds the Spring we know 

when cranes mate and bring more life

that we know as Chinese New Year

when life flowers and bear fruits

and men move up higher in life

And people rejoice

With not one but many a bang of life 

like the firing of fire crackers galore

A saint is a Santa and not a demon

No 1329 of Living Life Series 1

A prophet or saint is often not what some believers make them out to be.  He is often meek humble and identify more with the have-nots than the haves. He moves around with the ascetics, beggars, fishermen and the workers. 

He is loved and welcome by all - like Santa Claus. He is lovable and benign.

He does not impose or threaten. In fact, he often is the one who is threatened and belittled. 

He is more empathetic and persuasive. He treats all alike, be they believers or not. He only wants to bring out the good in men. 

Sad to say, men in their belief in him projects an authoritarian figure and tyrant out of him. 

For example, children in a Buddhist school may be told that if they are lazy and don't study, Buddha will punish them. Some even say a saint will send non-believers and transgressors to hell. 

Men see their ego in a saint and make the saint appear dominating, imposing and unable to stand up to the nonsense in men. 

The good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 says that we should see in a saint the truth of goodness and not the ugliness of badness that is of many men. 

The doctrine or truth is in his image. The image is the doctrine. This the good lord says. 

A saint would even feel sorry for those in hell and even for demons who have gone wayward. 

But the irony is that many men may end up making a demon out of a saint. 

Do justice to saints. Do not make demons out of saints. 

Santa Claus is a good example of what saints are. They give and are blessings to all. 

Santa does not judge and punish. He wants people to be good and does not remove blessings but gives blessings. 

Saints like Santa take all the trouble to bless everyone with gifts - even do not mind dirtying themselves in coming down into the lives of men - just like Santa coming down chimney of soot and burning embers. 

A saint is a Santa and not a demon. He comes into the warmth and fireplace of our lives. The personification of the goodness of a saint through Santa is perhaps one of the greatest achievements of the world. Here comes Santa Claus....

Christmas has always embraced diversity.

No 1328 of Living Life Series 1

With every Christmas and religious anniversary, look who is present to wish all a happy anniversary be it Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with prosperity to one and all. He is the god of fortune to the Chinese.

The god of fortune is Santa, isn't he?. Whatever way we view it, what is Santa in one culture takes on another form or name in another. All are different but yet one and still same. Isn't this a wake-up call?

We do know, don't we? 

Do have a Merry Christmas with tidings for one and all for big days like Christmas. Santa or the god of fortune if we so prefer is the bringer of good tidings. Isn't this obvious? Be it Christmas or Chinese New Year, we must agree that all is about the celebration of life. Religion is about that - how to celebrate life. 

Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 is the messenger of the oneness of religions and the oneness in diversity in a temple. No place for monopoly. But all need to start in one religion or in one or more temples. This does not imply that a specific religion or temple is the only one for all. 

All must embrace diversity. Diversity goes along well with the brotherhood of men in God and saints. Christmas has always embraced diversity. Diversity is the hallmark of the world and of life. It is in the very nature of life.

Self glory and the glorification of God

No 1327 of Living Life Series 1

The good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 reminds us that there are many who go to a temple or religion to do good. 

But even if they do good for their own good, to gain credit to boost their name and status, this does not mean that they are not good. At least, there is some good done though it is better that they do good for goodness sake and not for their own glory. 

Man has the tendency to glorify himself and we all know this is not good. But the good lord said that there will be those who are like that and the good they do is still good but not the ideal. 

Religion today and in the future will be like that. If some do try to stop this in the name of religion, they may and would likely not succeed. 

They will be outnumbered and be swept aside. Others who in the name of good and God will take over. These others have the urge to seek their own good or glory in the name of goodness and God. 

For example, they build nursing and aged homes in name of religion, God and saints when they subsciously do this to boost their own status - their own glory.

They even project their need for glory to God and saints. They see the need for God and saints to have glory. 

Seriously, do God and saints need glory? They do not but men do - more so those who know not enough the truth. 

Ironically, those who know more will not mind others who know less and want to be in religion to do good for their own glory. They know that this is in the nature of men. Religion must accept human nature present in all more so the majority. Without the majority, there will be no religion as an institution.

Alas men who seek self-glory in doing good for others more so through religion and in the name of God and saints will not admit this. They may not even be aware that they are glory seekers. 

They may go one step further. They may insist that God and saints need glory. Glory to God in the highest. Then on Earth, there will be peace among men. 

Does it mean that glory is not for men but if so, do God need glory? The wise of the wise will say that no problem for men to have glory if by being so motivated, at least they will be in religion and be good. No problem then for them to say God need glory if this can motivate them to be in religion. 

Do you get the point? Self glory and the glorification of God are here to stay and have to be - perhaps means to the end but not the end in themselves. But without the means, the end will be more remote to many. 

HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS

No 1326 of Living Life Series 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8do4_RIDkCs

god of fortune brings tidings
like Santa. He is no doubt Santa too

Here comes Santa Claus,

Here comes Santa Claus,

Right down Santa Claus Lane,

Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeer 

Pullin' on the reins.

Bells are ringin', children singin',

All is merry and bright.

So hang your stockings and say your prayers,

'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight. 

Here comes Santa Claus,

Here comes Santa Claus,

Right down Santa Claus Lane,

He's got a bag that's filled with toys

For boys and girls again.

Hear those sleigh bells jingle jangle,

Oh what a beautiful sight,

So jump in bed, and cover your head,

'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight. 

Here comes Santa Claus,

Here comes Santa Claus,

Right down Santa Claus Lane,

He'll come around when chimes ring out,

It's Christmas time again.

Peace on earth will come to all,

If we just follow the light,

So let's give thanks to the Lord above

'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight. 

Earth Deity is also Santa of the Orient
bearing gifts the whole year round.
Isn't every day a Christmas of sorts
to the devout

Here comes Santa Claus,

Here comes Santa Claus,

Right down Santa Claus Lane,

Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeer

Pullin' on the reins.

Bells are ringin', children singin',

All is merry and bright,

So jump in bed, and cover your head,

'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight. 

Peace on earth will come to all,

If we just follow the light,

So let's give thanks to the Lord above

'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight,

So let's give thanks to the Lord above

'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight.

Do we dream on and not face truth?

No 1325 of Living Life Series 1

It is undeniable that stark truth never sells and is usually denied. 

Death is a certainty the moment we are born. But even in the face of death, popular religion denies this and assures in the name of God and saints that we never die but will live. 

We die to truth so that we can think we never die even if we do. Religion is supposed to make us face truth in the eye and not close our eyes to truth. 

Instead of opening our eyes wide open to reality, we close our eyes wide shut and hold on to the delusion that God willing, we will never die. 

But death is a certainty and is as real if not much more real than God. The truth of death is real and behind life and all religions. 

But the beautiful part that is that popular religion says we will never die even if we do die. 

Common sense will tell us that death is for real. The moment we accept this and yet can have the will to be happy come what may, we are enlightened. 

We are closer to God and saints than many men of popular religions. The wise face the truth. The fools deny this and can only be happy if they insist that they never die. 

We will die and let us face this, make up our mind to be at peace and be happy come what may. This is the true religion behind religions. 

This is the inner truth that the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 says is behind all religions and the teachings of all religions. 

We do not wait to be happy and at peace after death but we are happy and at peace even now come what may. We have arrived. We do not wait till we reach the horizon before we can say we have arrived. 

That will never be. The horizon recedes even further. the closer we try to get to it. 

Religion must make us arrive now and not wait even for tomorrow. There will always be yet another tomorrow. 

Popular religion to win us over often make us deny truth. We end up dreaming and out of touch with reality. 

Do we want to dream on or do we stare truth of life in the eyes? But alas, even the writer often prefers to dream on and not face truth. 

We often flow downstream with the tide. Who would go upstream to the upper source for clear water? It is easier to flow along and dream on than to pick up the courage to face reality and go upstream. 

It would be an uphill task... but not to the wise and more discerning. The good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 advises us to have the insight and go upstream against the current to go to the upper source for clear water. 

Christmas and the peace we should have

No 1324 of Living Life Series 1

A big day like Christmas is a celebration. 

It is a celebration of life in the saint for believers. For those who are not, it can still be a celebration of the saint in life. 

The saint of another religion adds to the joy and peace of life. 

Buddha for example is not just for those who live in him and what he stands for. Buddha also adds to the beauty of life to those of other faiths. To them, he is at least a good man and a man that adds to the joy, peace and beauty of life. 

Christmas too is a celebration of life. It is either a celebration of life in Christ or a celebration of Christ in life. 

The good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 reminds us that all saints are good not just for followers but for those who are not. This is the inner truth behind the religions of the world. 

We must respect all saints and all religions. They add to our better understanding of life and bring us closer to inner peace. 

This is the peace in us that is not affected by what goes on around us but a peace that tries to bring on, foster and enhance the often transient peace of the world around us.