Buddha Gautama predicted that the next Buddha will only come and be born as man when the Dharma he taught is no longer around. For that to happen, the protectors of the Dharma, the monks will no longer act in accordance to the teachings - the Dharma.
In the time span between two historical Buddhas, there will be the arising of many saints like Ji Gong who provide the corrective actions to lead them to the inner truth common to all religions and sects.
But even with their respective contributions, there will be deviations and departure from the truth or doctrine, not that they did not do their parts but that men over time digress and evolve their own belief systems.
This is elaborated on by Lord Bo Tien in the God Knowledge message and the Four Pillar Doctrine. There is need to see the oneness of God and truth behind all religions and sects.
There is need to sow the seeds of grasp of basic truth and correctness so that the next Buddha will be able to be more effective to reach out globally
In the time span between two historical Buddhas, there will be the arising of many saints like Ji Gong who provide the corrective actions to lead them to the inner truth common to all religions and sects.
But even with their respective contributions, there will be deviations and departure from the truth or doctrine, not that they did not do their parts but that men over time digress and evolve their own belief systems.
This is elaborated on by Lord Bo Tien in the God Knowledge message and the Four Pillar Doctrine. There is need to see the oneness of God and truth behind all religions and sects.
There is need to sow the seeds of grasp of basic truth and correctness so that the next Buddha will be able to be more effective to reach out globally
The signs of the social decay of the clergy in religions, be it Buddhism or otherwise are already present. Nowadays, people must pay to win the favor of pastors and priests. They call these love offerings and the sponsoring of church or temple mission ministries. Men must pay clergy like monks and the spiritual masters to get email replies to questions on religion.
Some of the Buddhist and Taoist organisations are asking for payment before they would provide answers and those interested in meditation must pay to attend. The sum or fee charged is not small but can be exorbitant. It is not the money paid but the principles behind that matter.
It is sad for it implies that if you can pay then you can have the religious guidance and answer. It is certainly hard luck to those lacking in money. It seems that their lot is destined to hell.
Even in hell, if their loved loves do not pay monks to conduct services for them, then they cannot bribe their way out of problems with the judges of Hell.
Love by God and saints are channeled through various religions and sects. While running religious organisations require funds, these funds must be raised through charity and voluntary donations and not through sales of services.
All religious services are manifestations of the love of God and saints. When did men start to think that they can in fact buy services or rather sell religious services? The services and love of God and saints are not for sale. This is indisputable.
When money talks in religion and when without paying money to buy services, we cannot get services and guidance, then men are not far from the second coming of the prophets, be it the next coming of a Buddha like Maitreya or the second coming of any other prophet or saint.
Money cannot buy attention of saints. Ji Gong is such a saint. He reaches out to men through man but he will not allow a price to be set and specified for his services and guidance.
We do not pay before he will help. We cannot buy his services and blessings. We are not to pay after he helps and blesses us. He will be upset if we shove money to him when he is in session.
Which saint or posat / bodhisattva wouldn't be upset when he is sincere in helping and blessing? But in churches and temples, there are people who behave as though money can buy them favors of Heaven. Such monetary ways can destroy the heavenly atmosphere of a temple or church and can create hell for religion.
But the reality of life in the world of man is that the man who hosts or facilitates the divine services of a saint like Ji Gong cannot live on fresh air and sunshine. He needs to make a living and for that money is needed.
The answer is to have yin yang balance so that all hell will not break loose for religion just because of money matters. How to have this balance is the crux of issue, isn't it?
Give to man what is due to man and to saint what is due to saint. Man needs money but saint needs no money.
God or any of his saints only wants to help and he is all out to bless us. How do we appreciate him even if he demands none. There are more than one way.
One way is that we can reciprocate by being better men and blessing to others in need. We can make the social milieu more congenial for God /saint and the anointed faithful human host be it a pastor, medium or clergy.
Financial input are just one aspect and other inputs are needed for more holistic approach without making an eyesore out of money which will otherwise discredit Heaven and bring on bad repute for religion.
Religion is no business but the spiritual well being of men is its business. The profit or gain is not measured in money terms but in spiritual terms - the spiritual progress of men and the salvation of souls.
Ji Gong Huo Fo The Living Posat |
Money cannot buy attention of saints. Ji Gong is such a saint. He reaches out to men through man but he will not allow a price to be set and specified for his services and guidance.
We do not pay before he will help. We cannot buy his services and blessings. We are not to pay after he helps and blesses us. He will be upset if we shove money to him when he is in session.
Which saint or posat / bodhisattva wouldn't be upset when he is sincere in helping and blessing? But in churches and temples, there are people who behave as though money can buy them favors of Heaven. Such monetary ways can destroy the heavenly atmosphere of a temple or church and can create hell for religion.
But the reality of life in the world of man is that the man who hosts or facilitates the divine services of a saint like Ji Gong cannot live on fresh air and sunshine. He needs to make a living and for that money is needed.
The answer is to have yin yang balance so that all hell will not break loose for religion just because of money matters. How to have this balance is the crux of issue, isn't it?
Give to man what is due to man and to saint what is due to saint. Man needs money but saint needs no money.
God or any of his saints only wants to help and he is all out to bless us. How do we appreciate him even if he demands none. There are more than one way.
One way is that we can reciprocate by being better men and blessing to others in need. We can make the social milieu more congenial for God /saint and the anointed faithful human host be it a pastor, medium or clergy.
Financial input are just one aspect and other inputs are needed for more holistic approach without making an eyesore out of money which will otherwise discredit Heaven and bring on bad repute for religion.
Yes, money can create hell for religion but without money, corporate religion would never have chance to survive, let alone thrive. Then there will be no institutional religion.
Corporate religion is necessary but is not the main thrust of religion. Religion cannot be trusted if it is wholly corporatised in every aspect like a business.
Religion is no business but the spiritual well being of men is its business. The profit or gain is not measured in money terms but in spiritual terms - the spiritual progress of men and the salvation of souls.