Revisiting The God Knowledge

No 945 of Living Life Series 1

Let us be loud about being different from others, more so from our neighbors even if we live in the same type of housing. This is the way we want life to be. 

We want our own life, our own views and even for the same religion, we want to be unique and different. That's how people live and view spirituality. 

That's why it comes as no surprise that people will change religion, or even if staying put in the same religion, they will still want to be different and to be loud at this. They will let the world know they have differed. But there is danger of trade-offs. 

As time passes on over the many many centuries, the original essence and teachings of the founders get diluted and religion becomes the archaeological site for people to dig into to find the original teachings. 

It is because people are individualized,  ego-centered and want to be different that they go for the new teachings and perspectives of man at the rostrum and not only that, they go for their own views they prefer. Well then, we are seeing more and more of this going on. The original teachings end up as the archaeological relics of sorts to be rediscovered. This was mentioned by the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 in the God Knowledge in 1969.  

Messages before 1974 - corrected version of The God Knowledge

In his inaugural message a good half a century ago, Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 said: " From time to time in history, saints arose among men to lay down certain rules and regulations to help the masses lead better lives and to incline them towards GOD." 

"Over time, these rules become the tenets of an organised religion, but the idealistic spirit and motive, which prevailed during the founding saint's life time, changed gradually after his passing with arising of sects and differing sectarian styles." 

"This is why often an organisation cannot bring out spiritual truth more effectively and closer to true nature of life unique to each individual in society. Life is an individual concern. Religion is always centered on life and a personal concern. Religious organisations often may end up over time as archaeological departments for people who want to discover the time honored truth." 

"Therefore, I shall not attempt to establish any new religion, cult or organisation. But I shall rekindle and re-invigorate the lost original basic teachings of religions. This will instill a better understanding in them." 

"Dogmas evolved over centuries after the founder's death frequently differ startlingly, unexpectedly, inadvertently and at times even uncannily in emphasis from the preliminary teachings for all religions. These are basically based on the same God and on life but came to be greatly different over time not only with the original teachings but with one another." 

"But even then it must be realized that the fundamentals of all religions and sects remain the same and enduring, because all originate from the same source -- GOD. Thus, when I deliver the GOD knowledge (Jade Emperor's teachings tau-li or tou-li), I shall neither comment (e.g. critique, judge) on existing religion nor commend (e.g. favor, prefer, highlight, be selective, be bias) any as the special one. All are unique and serve the divine plan in their respective way." 

"I want to turn man's mind away from being clouded by sectarian differences, so that man sees with clarity the truth in life. Man must cultivate insight on inner truth aspects that are common to and the basis of all faiths." 

"Be insightful though of this aspect. Every saint and prophet considered the times, the circumstances and the prevailing mentality of the people before delivering appropriate sermon. Every saint or prophet would deliver doctrines in the format and style best suited to the prevailing times, people and needs during their times as men."

Spiritual diversity is here to stay

No 944 of Living Life Series 1

The issues of men are many and plentiful. This the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 says. There are reasons for this but the main reason is lack of understanding. 

But we cannot expect complete understanding among men. That will only come when men are fully enlightened and have complete insight. 

We cannot have only one spiritual institution for all men and to wait till all have complete insight will defeat the purpose, for then will there be the need for religious or spiritual intuition like a house of God and saints? There will be no need. 

For now, we need as many different types of houses of God and saints when men are starting off and far from perfect insight. 

With the same issue like belief in God and saints common to all, men have issues with one another. They will never see eye to eye and will nitpick. Well, this is unavoidable and a necessity though far from ideal. 

But this is what we can have if men is to meet the goal of God and saints to reach out to the myriads across the world and the universe. 

So let there be not one church or temple but many, never mind if there are differences and varied styles, be they right or not so right. So let there be not one religion but many sects and schools of the same religion. If this is not enough, let there be not one religion but many religions motivated by men with different understanding of God and saints. 

We cannot wait for the ideal point to have man-made religious institution, be it religion, sect or school. The reality is that men will always have issues and bones of contention. We will always need many religious institutions within and across religions.

Men all clamor that they think the truth is the way they perceive, just like the story of the blind men and elephant. They even squabble over this and this may create dis-ease. That is men isn't it? 

Why must men quarrel over God and saints? Often this is over the same God and at times even the same saint. Perhaps, it is better to stay different and live and let live. 

When calmness prevail, sense of reality will arise that men can never agree even over the same God or saint and let it be this way. One day, when men outgrow and be more spiritually matured, they will realize that differences should not be a liability but can be assets. 

Is there the need to squabble over God and saints? We do not tell our kin and our neighbors how to live life as we do and to manage their families as we do. So in the case of religion, God and saint, this should be no different. This applies to religious matters as well. 

To each his own and let this be so. Why interfere with personal space? Why try to impose uniformity and try to make all think the same way? Even for the same house of God, few in that house will think alike and there will still be differences. Spiritual diversity is here to stay. 

The good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 said from onset that there is however still that oneness amid the differences of religions and sects. The diversity is there and necessary. It is the only way to reach out to save more souls. 

We cannot wait till men have perfect and unanimous insight or understanding. That will be a long long time away. We have to contend with the different understanding of men for now and meet their needs. 

We have to move on to further the oneness amid the diversity of religions and sects. The world is not made up of one nation or religion but of many nations and religions, yet there is oneness of nations and religions in that there is only one world. 

There is oneness in diversity. We must embrace diversity. Diversity adds color to this world. Spiritual diversity is here to stay. 

How good can goodness be?

No 943 of Living Life Series 1

There is no such thing as right if there is no wrong. What matters is the intention? What matters is why do this or that? 

The mother of all good or bad is the mind. As the mind thinks so will the action be unless there is restraint and reconsideration. 

Many are those who do good with not so good intention. At least there are some good coming out from this but not as good if the intention has been better. 

There is need to do good with pure mind to benefit one and all not only the doer but also as many others around him. Being good does not mean pleasing others or pleasing oneself. 

It means being pure honest and simple, not complicated and confusing which will send the wrong signals. 

Religions have the right intent to do good but religions attract men like insects attracted to the flower for nectar of personal gain. This is alluded by the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨. 

They even may do good for their own good and not really for the good of others. This may arguably still be good but how good can this be? 

Goodness have to do with purity. It is about holistic approach to mind, body and spirit. Give this further thought. 

Well, the hint is that we need to be good in the mind to be good in the spirit. We cannot be good to the spirit and mind without being good to the body. Too much or too little good to the body is not good. Being good in mind without being good to the body is not good for the spirit. 

Purity is the basic goodness and requires us to be good in mind body and spirit. This the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 says is in all religions if we care to be good at knowing better that this is so. This is the message of the oneness of religions - the ultimate divine oneness of purpose despite the varied ways of religions. 

He descended in 1969 to remind the world on this, so that all can not only be good but better than good in their respective religions. All religions mind you are same though different and unique in their respective ways. 

The greatest folly is for men to be in conflict in the name of religions. Men should see all as one and each as unique and outstanding in its own way. The differences are there to appeal to the differences among men. This is the way for God and saints to reach out to more. 

God and saints try to be more good than good by offering us with wide choice of religions and sages. Let us not undermine their pure divine intention with our far from desirable and frankly incredible human weakness which at times border on being inhuman. 

Just do take a look around at the ridiculous conflicts in the name of religion and in the name of God and saints. This is simply not making sense.

Fear factor in life and religion both good and bad

No 942 of Living Life Series 1

There is the fear factor in life and this is a reality. Fear drives people on to overcome the odds but too much fear can paralyze. Fear that life is incomplete and that problems will come our way drives superstition and taboos. 

This form the basis for religion. Religion alleviates fear but somehow as religion is man-made, religion creates fear of its own - the fear of being excluded from Heaven and damned to Hell. 

Religion in popular form is so simple. It is either Heaven or Hell and no shades in between. This seems more effective and able to send the message across that we must be good, avoid evil and purify the mind. 

Having created fear, some are at a lost how to be good enough. They never seem to be good enough and will always be wrong somewhat. They feel dead lost. 

Then men of religion comes in to reassure that that they don't need to be saint and only need be man. They must love God and saint. But alas, love is so awesome that there comes alongside fear of not making good. 

Man of religion comes in to mitigate this. Men proclaim that faith must be there and saint will ensure that the wrong will not weigh men down. God and saints will shoulder the wrong of men and that way men will be good and at least feel good. This seems too good to be true. But it is both true and not so. 

It is true in the sense that followers need only try their best. Whatever wrong they still have may not make them saints but will be offset by the merits of saints so that they will have the promised paradise in Heaven. This is the common basic teaching of religions that the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 wants us to know. 

But thereon, the story goes further. They need to learn and improve. Some saints are even more direct to tell that the paradise is a resting place and men must return and be resurrected as men to cultivate more of the way they learnt at paradise. 

But let's not be too long winded. Let us go the way step by step. For most, paradise is good enough. Why worry about subsequent stages when we have yet to navigate the first stage? 

But for some, there is no substance and meaning if they stay put, as for all intents and purposes, they might have been sent down to practice and cultivate what they learnt in paradise and to go on to the subsequent stages - again one step at a time. 

Why wait for death to be in heaven ?

No 941 of Living Life Series 1

Whatever we want is up there in the head. If we see through life, we will arrive. Have you arrived? If we follow the crowd and flow with the crowd and be pushed along, we will be rushed along in life. Where will there be peace? Halt and stay put and if need be go to the upper stream and have the peace and purity of clear water.

That is why people must have quiet time to meditate and learn to be mindful. They must be in lotus way or whatever position to be alone to experience more of the heavenly peace. That way in between quiet times, they are able to have the habit to be ever mindful and in heaven here and now.

Why wait for death to do so? There is even no guarantee that there will be the heaven after death. This will just be another craving or clinging like yearning for the rainbow. At least for the rainbow we can see but disappears when we try to go near. 

By all means, we can admire the rainbow but please know it is not reachable. If so, why go for the rainbow? Well, some prefer the rainbow and to live in dreams. Dreams after all are what religion is all about. How can there be religion if there are no dreams? 

It is a personal choice of whether to dream on or to be in heaven here and now. It is of course better to bring heaven and God home. We don't need to dream on and on. We need to wake up to the heaven here and now. 

For some, this is heaven but this is not everyone's cup of tea. 

For many, the worldly life of sensuality and living up to the nines even in a house of God is still the attraction and the heaven they want, never mind if it is a dream. Let the dream last forever. 

Perhaps this is the best for them for now and the will of God and saints that they stay that way for now till they are ready in time to come. Let there be the musical and cheers in every day of life, even more so in the house of God. Let this not end. God willing, this will be but how far can this go on and on ? ...

Better to wake up by bringing heaven and God home to us this moment than to dream on. Alas, this too is not everyone's cup of tea, or is it? 

It is the mission of the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 to let men be aware of their religions, that they provide dreams but men of spiritual substance go beyond dreams to have heaven here and now before death. Death is of no consequence and not the prelude to heaven neither is heaven a prelude to death. No one or rather few would even think of the latter. 

There is oneness of religions in bringing heaven to men but beyond that as for dreams, there are many variety of dreams and as such many religions and sects. All religions are one in wanting men to have the heavenly life but they differ in how men can dream on before they can get there. 

Men have to have dreams. Religions attract and sustain men in dreams. Dreams can never be the same for even any two persons but heavenly life is the common pursuit. We can have it now and not have death to have it. 

There must be many religions and sects to provide and sustain men with dreams but all are one in wanting men to have the heavenly now. But wake up from dreams and have the heaven here and now.

We can see the Buddha or God in any setting. It depends on how we dream. But what matters is to wake up and not dream and wake up to the reality that life can be the heaven we are looking for. 

It depends on how we see life. There is a common Chinese saying that if we see through life, we have arrived and we are saints or Buddhas in our own right. Do we see the storm in life or do we see the life beyond the storm?

Bringing heaven and God home

No 940 of Living Life Series 1

Are we dead to life or are we alive to life? Are we alive to life only for the hereafter and dead to the here and now? 

Religions try to distract men from the issues and problems of men by telling them of the dream life they can have in the hereafter. Religions may end up making men dead to the life here and now and live for the afterlife. 

Religions must be able to inject the good life into the here and now. That is why many religions have grand services that are like musicals and where the congregation can join in to make it more rousing and heavenly. 

This is such that this becomes the main event in their weekly routine and the purpose of life for the week is to be in heaven here on earth by being in the house of God if possible few times a week and by having cell group that brings the house of God home. 

That is a marvelous development which even the pioneers of religion never had in their days. This is bringing heaven home and transforming worldly life into heavenly life. 

Men at the rostrum who can do that are by no means ordinary. They are angels of God and saints who have descended to be with men and to uplift the spirit of men. 

But angels too are not free from temptation and they can end up serving the devil in them and making men suck up to them in the name of God and saints. Men can fall prey to them.

Men besotted with them must learn to go for the Word that they talk about and not go for the God in them. This is a must and why is this so? 

They will be disappointed and let down if they go for the God in them. But they will be steady and calm if they go for the Word and neither go for the man in them nor the God in them. 

This is more so when men near to God can let down God. If the congregation goes for the Word and not the man, though not as near or rather more far from God than the man at the rostrum, they are near though far from God than that man at the rostrum. 

Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 reminds us that the far may be near and the near far from God and saints. Though we are not in any heaven, we can bring heaven home. Though far we are near and even in heaven now if we care to go for the Word and not the man. The Word is God, isn't it? 

Of what use is knowing God and man if we don't know The Word? In fact, if we don't know God and man but know the Word, we are better off than if we claim to know God and man but are blind to the Word and are besotted with God and man. 

If we can know and see the Word, we bring heaven home to us and are with God and saints. We don't have to wait till we die and even if we die, there is no certainty of heaven, or is it there for us when we are far from God and saints by being blind to the Word? Without the Word in us, God and saints are not there even if in front of us. 

The Word is the image or saint, and the image or saint is the Word. Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 says so. The Word is Tao 道- the way to be at peace and to bring heaven and God to be with us by being atop and balancing the polarities and issues of life as depicted in the image of the good lord with the feet atop the elements - yin and yang. 

The issues of men are many and plentiful. Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 says. Men must stay atop issues and be in heaven. That way men bring heaven and God home - no need to wait to die to be in heaven and be with God and saints. 

Shallow if no love for all religions. Also no saint loves only his following

No 939 of Living Life Series 1

When we love someone especially a close one like our mother, do we run down others' mothers just to show she is the best mummy we have? This is a big joke as it implies we have many mothers. 

Well, jokes aside and on a serious note, if we need to run down others' mothers to show the colors of our mother, it would reflect how shallow we are in valuing our mother. If our appreciation of our mother is solid, there is no need to run down the other mothers of the world. This is just basic common sense. 

But in religion, some when they have pride over their religion run down the religions of others. This is as though the only way to show how good their religion can be is to run down others' religions. 

The more matured way would be to share the love and beauty of their religion and at the same time point out that others' religions too are as good and to try to find out why followers of other religions are so passionate over their religions. This would make us value our own religions as well as be appreciative of the roles of other religions. 

When we love our mother, we not only do not run down the mothers of others but we also want to believe that the mothers of others too are good. This shows maturity and most importantly, this shows our love for our own mother such that we want to believe that the mothers of others too must be as good at least in their respective ways.

Thus when we love our religion, we not only do not run down other religions but we also want to believe that the religions of others must be good and splendid. We will want to find out why. This is the mature way. 

If you love your own, you  must love those of others too, be it for religion, mother or what have you. Unless your love for yours is so shallow, then you may need to run down those of others. True love means you do not run down those of others. This is maturity and wisdom. True love for one's religion must entail love for all religions. 

If only all in religions can follow the many who are wise and matured, this world will be one in religions. The oneness of religions is what the good lord Lord Bo Tien  武天菩萨 wants all to be mindful of and to value. 

Love for one's religion is shallow and risky if no love for all religions. Likewise if men think that a sage loves and bless only those who worship and idolize him, then something somewhere is just not right. 

The problem lies with men. Men have maligned the sage and belittle the sage. Men must not end up doing disservice to God and saints (sages). Any sage or saint goes all the way to love and bless men unconditionally regardless if they are followers or not. 

Shallow is love for one's religion if no love for all religions. There is also no saint who loves only his followers. In fact the far may be near and the near far. Those in other religions and those not in the following of the saint  may well do what is right and be nearer to the saint than those in the following and religion who are far from doing what is expected by the saint. 

The good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 did say for good reason that the far may be near and the near far. He is the messenger of the oneness of men and the oneness of religions and saints. 

How can one admire one branch 

and not other branches?

How can one believe in one branch 

and not the other branches? 

Shallow if love only one branch

Any man will go for all branches.

Shallow is he who loves only one

be it a branch of a tree

or only one religion 

but many are shallow 

and led by the nose

but is this the case? 

Surely not as many are not spiritual 

though they may seem religious

Keep the silence amid the noises in and around

No 938 of Living Life Series 1

Cultivate silence. Silence speak louder than words. 

Speak only where and when this will serve its purpose. Speaking more than that would be noisy and jarring and may send the wrong message and create bad taste and bad blood. 

Men are by nature not pure and have allot of noises in the head. Still the noises but if this cannot be done for now, at least hold the tongue and keep the silence. 

Do not speak out and risk creating noises for others. Be mindful and think hard. 

The good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 reminds us that the problems of men are many and plentiful because men have long way to go to be pure and simple. They are nosy and noisy. 

They speak too fast and do not hold their tongues. They poke their noses around once too often. They speak their views too readily when others want to be left alone and are happy with their ways and thoughts even if these may not be the best that can be. 

Remember that if we cannot empty the noises from our mind, do not think that the best way is to let them out and speak out. This may attract more noises from others and add to the noises in our head. 

Amid the noises in and around us, hold our tongues and cultivate silence. Silence is golden. Do not be loud. 

Keep your piece for another day if you want to keep the peace and have more of peace. You do not want to end up in pieces, do you? You want to be whole. Then hold your tongue and be silent, not loud and jarring. 

Go placidly amid the noise and haste. That way you will have more life and not just peace. Do what you can and be content. Silence is often best when the noises are too much to contend with. 

Do not add to the noise and haste. You will not be heard even if you try to shout and try to drown the noise and be heard. 

Instead others will find you loud and jarring. You will hurt others and end up hurt as well. Be wise to hold your tongue. The tongue can be sharp and hurt both ways. 

That is the problem when we ourselves are noisy and not silent in the head. We are far from being saint and even saints don't speak aloud unless there is the need and people are ready. We are certainly men and not saints. 

The teachings of all religions are one in wanting us to keep the silence amid the noises in and around. If all abide by this norm, there will be less noise and more peace. There will be harmony and goodwill, if not at least detente despite the different perspectives and approaches. 

There is and should be oneness of religions. This is the awareness Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨wants to awaken among people of all religions. All are one indeed. It is best we know this and be reminded. 

To achieve this, it is necessary to keep the silence. For goodness sake, don't fire away with your mouth. Think before you speak. If uncertain, hold your tongue and keep the silence for now. Silence is golden. 

The good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨like all saints keep the silence when men are at odds with one another and are noisy, loud, jarring and hurtful. Like he says, storms do not last forever and calm will return. Hold on and wait for better times. 

Any noise and action may not help when there is storm and no one can hear you out or be receptive. Worse still is that you may be misconceived and you get the very result or outcome you set out not to have. So it is best to keep the silence amid the noises in and around. 

There to light up. No need a word more for now

No 937 of Living Life Series 1

Let there be sunshine. Let us be the sunshine for others and not be the prophets of doom and gloom. People who know allot and far more than the many in a religion tend to be like that. They tend to be negative about others who know less.

They see the dust in others eyes and fail to see their own even though they have less dust than the many. They do know that much more but still lag behind in practices. 

They know enough to be critical and judge those who know little or almost nothing. Their problem lies in not realizing or practicing enough of what they know. If they have the hindsight of practice, they would be more accommodating to those who are not so fortunate to know more and who indeed are unfortunate to be knowing near nothing even if they are active in a religion or a house of God and saint. 

Those who know allot but practice little do not have the benefit of enough practice of the Word to be the sunshine for others and to be the angels of hope. 

Sometimes and often so, they need not impose the Word but just be around and be radiant even if they cannot yet impart wisdom to the crowd who are not ready and receptive. 

Silence can be golden and mere presence provides the strength and backbone to others. Need not utter a word more. 

Merely there is good enough. Like candle flames their presence allow others to be lighted up and not be in the dark. In time, they will be able to see and know the Word. 

Be there to light up the darkness. No need to utter a word for the time being till others see the need and are ready. That way they do not be over bearing and be imposing. They will not frighten away the multitude. That way, they can be there to contribute their wisdom when matters do not seem right. 

This is in line with the advice of the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 to the more spiritually endowed to be candle light to light up the life of others and shine the way for them to live life more correctly in the Word. 

Many are in religions and in houses of God and saints but just follow the crowd. They are as lost in darkness as the crowd. They prefer the darkness to light. They think that darkness of the night spots of life is heavenly and the very thing religions are all about. 

Those who know more should just be there and make no noise. Being there to light up is good enough. There is no need a word more for now. This applies to any religion and to all religions and houses of God and saints. 

Religions let men have more dreams

No 936 of Living Life Series 1

Sometimes, it is better to choose a religious culture which makes us happy in this life. Whether the teachings bear any truth to the reality that is not important. 

No point knowing the complexities of reality and be awed but be floored. Better to believe in the simply fairy tale than to know the reality if that fairy tale gives hope and not drown us with the harshness of reality of life and death. 

If a fairy tale can lift our spirit like the rainbow, never mind if we cannot reach the rainbow but can see it and marvel at it. The rainbow is real to the beholder from a distance but vanishes if he tries to approach it. 

Religions that appeal to the masses must be like fairy tale and able to spin wonders and lift up the spirit of the masses. But a few level headed ones will not go for the rainbow though they will marvel at it. They know the rainbow is an illusion. 

They would rather go for life and the peace of life. They guard the peace of the spirit and maintain it at all cost. They stay atop life and not be downed by life, come what may. 

Such men see the truth of what they see and know the beauty of the rainbow. They go for solid substantial peace rather than the rich but insubstantial dreams, fairy tales and illusions. 

Religions provide hope and dreams but dreams will be dreams but most will still hang on to dreams even till the last moment when they are at the door of death. 

We do need religions but we need people to face the truth or reality that even God and saints cannot change. We will move from cradle to grave but we can have myriad countless moments of peace if we know how to be atop the ups and downs of life and be free and at peace. 

Go for the peace of every moment of life and not go for the rainbow. But sometimes we need to have sight of the rainbow to mystify us and give us the zest to push on. This though the sages refer to as attachment. 

But we must protest that we are far from the spirituality of the sages. We cannot give up attachment overnight. We still need to dream on but we cannot dream too much but must ever so often pinch ourselves to come out of dreams and live and move on. 

Dreams help but we cannot just dream and not live. Dream not away life but ever so often, do wake up and live. Dreams are stress relieving. 

Religions must provide dreams and relief to people of all times and ages. There is no other way to reach out to more men and elevate their spirits. We need to let men have dreams. Religions provide a wide variety of dreams and that is why religions are never the same outwardly. Religions provide a choice of dreams. You choose a religion that meet your dreams and aspirations in life.

Religions let men dream on but still there is need to go for the basic truth of the need to be good, not bad and to be pure and simple in spirit. This is the common truth behind all religions. 

Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨 the messenger of the common inner truth wants us to be aware of this. We can dream on but do not be lost in dreams and be carried away. We must not lose sight of the inner truth behind all religions.