That the religions of the world as they stand present to us more of God and Heaven is without doubt despite the differences in approach and emphasis. This can only be good as each religion or sect gives a new angle and at times a more refreshing one at that.
With passing of time, the basic teachings still remain but are elaborated by add-ons. Tenets, rules and interpretations are added and they become the norms and dogmas. (Refer to Lord Bo Tien's Messages before 1974)
While these may be good and present the whole gamut of history of that religion or sect, often they can be restrictive to the ones who are fed up of norms and want to break free and go to the basic on which all religions and sects begin with.
This is not wrong but is good so long as the individual is not lost to divinity but goes to the truth of divinity and able to be enlightened. Often, conventional religions are able to reach out to many but sadly many may be lost in the forest of history, man-made rules and views. They fail to see the truth that religions start off with.
With passing of time, the basic teachings still remain but are elaborated by add-ons. Tenets, rules and interpretations are added and they become the norms and dogmas. (Refer to Lord Bo Tien's Messages before 1974)
While these may be good and present the whole gamut of history of that religion or sect, often they can be restrictive to the ones who are fed up of norms and want to break free and go to the basic on which all religions and sects begin with.
This is not wrong but is good so long as the individual is not lost to divinity but goes to the truth of divinity and able to be enlightened. Often, conventional religions are able to reach out to many but sadly many may be lost in the forest of history, man-made rules and views. They fail to see the truth that religions start off with.
If in life, you are one who cannot adhere or find comfort and headway in the norms of society and considered a failure or drop-out, do not be disheartened. This may even be in spiritual domain and not just mundane domain of life.
Ji Gong Posat was not disheartened when he find he could not conform to the monastic life of a well established temple. He did seemingly all the wrong things, drinking wine and eating meat and was literally booted out but he became a saint and was accepted as a buddha and a deity by both the Buddhist and Taoistic religions, yet he is beyond both religions.
He went to the heart of truth and divinity and believed that what is important is in the heart and not in the way we act. He was no conformist of traditions and dogmas. He had to break free of the bonds of religion.
This he did and he understood God and divinity even better and is now one of the divinity. Yet he lingers around in the realms below Heaven, and enters the lives of many a man or woman. To him, that is more meaningful than being seated in his divine seat in Heaven amongst the buddhas and gods.
He went to the heart of truth and divinity and believed that what is important is in the heart and not in the way we act. He was no conformist of traditions and dogmas. He had to break free of the bonds of religion.
This he did and he understood God and divinity even better and is now one of the divinity. Yet he lingers around in the realms below Heaven, and enters the lives of many a man or woman. To him, that is more meaningful than being seated in his divine seat in Heaven amongst the buddhas and gods.
So dear readers, if you find that you are not finding headway with the norms of life and that being a conformist is onerous, you can be like Ji Gong and go for life be it spiritual or worldly life in your own way. Be a non-conformist but know what you want out of life and get it. To do so, you must not run away from life though you can run away with the dogmas and rules of men.
You can stay away from the rules and ways of men but you must still be with men and more importantly be with life. You can reject societal dogmas and ways but you must not reject life but embrace life. This applies to both spiritual and none-spiritual life. God is life and life is God.
Going away from norms may be good for some. In modern world of 2012 with all the often inhibiting and restrictive norms, there is need to learn from Ji Gong and succeed in life here and now and also in afterlife. You may not be filthy rich or affluent but you can be a success and be acclaimed by men of all walks of life and not by just one religion or sect but by all.
At times in life we must sit back and think why we don't seem to be peaceful and happy. We are buried and entangled by the many conventional man-made norms be it in religion or otherwise.
The founders of religions too are in their own individual special way non-conformists. There is obvious evidence of this.
Gautama Buddha is one who decided not to mortify his body, the norms of the ascetic gurus of his time and went for food albeit in moderation and he became the fully enlightened Buddha under the Bodhi Tree.
Lord Jesus too did not conform to the traditions and norms of his time both Roman and Jewish. He was the object of persecution and was even crucified.
He earns the respect of men as the messiah and highly venerated by both believers and non-believers of the religion which is his gift to all mankind - the gift of life. He did not die but live on in the hearts of many a man.
He earns the respect of men as the messiah and highly venerated by both believers and non-believers of the religion which is his gift to all mankind - the gift of life. He did not die but live on in the hearts of many a man.
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