The two prong approach for salvation

Learning Point No 394

It is disheartening that many will not be able to attain enlightenment in one lifetime unless they have cultivated the Tao or Way over countless lifetimes. 

Also we are assuming that there are no mistakes and backtracking along the way. That would put us back by many lifetimes of progress. 

It is easy to say that what we need is to have made the little moment-to-moment progress in being that more peaceful come what may, that is, despite the countless ups and downs in life - the yin (passive) and yang (active). 

Many will end up in despair and just deny life and not live life. This is as bad as or worse than being swept around by the ups and downs of life. 

Also knowing the doctrine is not the same as practising. Many know and talk as though they have arrived. They may in reality be far from the Way than those who know a little and practise that little they know. 

Those who know little or have little often are better than those who know the world of religion but are far behind in cultivation of peace. 

It is because of the plight of the many be they on the right or wrong approach in life that saints like Jesus and Amitabha give hope by saying that we have pure heart and just believe in the saints. 

Belief in saints and the doors of Heaven will open to embrace and welcome the many. This appears to be contradiction but it is not as it may promote helplessness and sloth and torpor - giving up and clinging to God and saints.

Just remember that saints could by their limitless mind energy create realms in Heaven for souls to go to and from there cultivate the Way. The pre-condition is belief and calling on the name of the saint. 

Thus we have heaven for each religion and sect. This is the Bodhisattva / saints' way to save souls. 

But from time to time some in Heaven need to come down for specific purpose for the human life is rich with learning opportunities. Are we such people? There is no way to know but we may infer. But do not daydream. 

Just believe and call on the names of the saints. Omitofo is the catch word of many. Calling out to Amitabha is good and all problems will be no problems or less problematic. 

But we must go beyond just belief and try to cultivate the Way a millimetre at a time. Little progress is better than no progress. 

We must go by both approaches - belief in saint and attempting to cultivate in this lifetime as well. This two prong approach is best for the good of the many. 

We can effect this approach through any religion or saint. The choice is ours. God is a good provider of religions and saints.