No 1567 of Living Life Series 1
We go to a Chinese temple. Just believe. Do what others do. Ask no questions. Donate to temple. Sometimes it is called oil money to keep the oil lamp lighted up. This is the tradition.
This is how to give to God or heavenly saint. But God will never need money. Only man will need money. Nevertheless, do not think too much. Go with good intentions. Have no doubt on what we do if we can. Our life is like the oil lamp. Keep it burning. Life must go on.
This is how to give to God or heavenly saint. But God will never need money. Only man will need money. Nevertheless, do not think too much. Go with good intentions. Have no doubt on what we do if we can. Our life is like the oil lamp. Keep it burning. Life must go on.
Bo Tien 武天 says that the oil lamp represents us. The image if any represents the heavenly saint and what he stood for, rather than who he is.
The big urn for jos sticks (usually at the first hall facing the frontage) represents God - the Lord of the Sky. Some children think God as the grandfather up there. Doesn't all these ring a bell?
Very similar practices in various cultures but outwardly different. Tithes instead of oil money. Instead of image in front of devotees in the main hall, there is the pulpit.
Instead of urn outside, there are songs and hymns with speaker systems to send praises to God above - the father up there and the father of all men.
Well, the differences lie in the culture or religion but still the same despite the difference. This opens up floodgate of choices. Isn't this good? More will be attracted to God with more choices.
Bo Tien 武天 says that the same principles of devotion takes different forms in different cultures, times and religions. Behind the devotion is the same underlying need to be good and pure at heart - to have inner peace. The same inner truth is in all religions cultures and even in different time eras.
We must think aloud - same or different? More choices to widen our perspectives of life can be good for many but not to some who are not ready.
We need more religions, more sects, and more temples of all kinds to widen our perspectives of God and spirituality.
We can learn from all to be better at being what we are, better in the religion or sect or temple we are in, or perhaps even change religion sect or temple to be better inspired. All these are in line with what Bo Tien 武天 has been telling us.
We must think aloud - same or different? More choices to widen our perspectives of life can be good for many but not to some who are not ready.
We need more religions, more sects, and more temples of all kinds to widen our perspectives of God and spirituality.
We can learn from all to be better at being what we are, better in the religion or sect or temple we are in, or perhaps even change religion sect or temple to be better inspired. All these are in line with what Bo Tien 武天 has been telling us.
