Men wrong in the eyes of the many may well be right.

Learning Point No 329

The ones who succeed to be saint and to lead men somehow were considered not up to the mark during their times as men. By standards and norms of the times, they were wrong in what they did and were often looked down by the clergy of their times. But they succeed even if what they did were wrong and not in keeping with the thinking of their times. 

Gautama as ascetic after giving up royalty lived up to the expectations of gurus of his day and practiced denial of food and necessities of the flesh as it was believed that by doing so he could free himself from the world of flesh and blood and be divine. 

A watered down version of this today is practiced in fasting but fasting pales in comparison to asceticism. 

Due to ascetic ways, he was reduced to skin and bones and in ill health let alone any where near sainthood. Then he realized that he must not deny or mortify his bodily needs even if did not want to pander to the needs of flesh and blood. 

So he gave up both extremes that of asceticism as well as princely indulgence. He followed his own way much to the chagrin of the gurus of his day. 

You can say that he was a rebel and went against the tide. But because he was a rebel and could think differently, he succeeded and is to date the Buddha of the present era. 

Jesus did not toe the ways of the Jews and the expectations of the mighty Roman Empire. He spoke his mind and what he said even contradicted the Old Testament  and the Jewish beliefs then. 

He was a rebel of sorts and stuck to his ways. The might of the Roman Empire was of no deterrence and even death on the cross like common criminals of the day could not stop him. He succeeded beyond all odds and expectations. 

Ji Gong knew that eating meat and drinking wine were unexpected of a monk in the monastery. He knew but did not conform like the monks of his day. Even monks in modern days too would not drink wine or eat meat unreservedly. He did and was like a rebel. But why? 

He wanted to show that sainthood concerned more with the practice from the heart and not outward show. He was seemingly a rebel but actually was a more true follower of the Way than those monks who did not eat meat or drink wine. He succeeded as the Living Buddha. 

In the history of Bo Tien Mission, the medium was a colorful personality and many talked behind his back but he was chosen as a medium. Many think that he is a failure spiritually but who knows that he is a bit like the Buddha, Jesus  or Ji Gong? 

Elder Ling too was often tough and speaking his mind and not in tune on many matters with others. 

If he had not been a rebel, insisted on his way, the aged home would have been closed down with inmates dispersed to bigger homes as per direction of the government. 

Had it not for his ways, the mission premises would never have grown from dilapidated hut to awning, then to simple half brick and half wooden building to massive three storey concrete premises. 

But Elder Ling was not as lucky. He was ostracized from the mission premises soon after the concrete premises rose from the ground. But he never would give up and would always be adamant that others must understand and appreciate his intentions. Heaven would not be blind even if men with eyes see not. 

Great men are seemingly rebels of sorts aren't they?  We are not saying Elder Ling or the medium are great men but they are or were not ordinary. They stand out as being different - rebels of sorts. 

But if they are right, it does not mean others are not right. It is not as simple as that. All can be both right and not so right in other ways. The complex interplay of yin and yang at interlacing levels would make judgement difficult. 

(But if they are wrong, it does not mean they have not been right or are not right because there always will be yin and yang interplay at interlacing levels.) 

Those who are wrong in the eyes of the many may well be right. The far may be near and the near far. This did Lord Bo Tien say. 

Men who are right in the eyes of the many may well be wrong. Many examples abound in the present world. 

They are able to pander to the concerns of many who want to have their senses pleased in a temple and they make them feel that they can use money to buy themselves to sainthood. 

Behind and at the back door, they may out of being intoxicated by self glorification help themselves to public funds. But their wayward ways get the better of them. 

They may get caught up by the laws of the land even if they could nonchalantly take advantage of both the benevolence of God and saints and the idolization of their congregations. 

Men who are right in the eyes of the many may well be wrong. Men wrong in the eyes of the many may well be right. The far may be bear and the near far. This is one statement from Lord Bo Tien that the world will remember for a long time to come. 

(PS: Near and far can be in the same one person. Do reflect and be mindful. Omitofo. God bless.)