Historical version of the 1983 message of Lord Bo Tien

Bo Tien Temple Outreach No 4

Message of Lord Bo Tien transcribed verbatim from Chinese Hokkien and reproduced  from the late Senior Brother Tay Chong Sim's first draft book "My interpretation of Lord Bo Tien's Messages". He obtained the original scripts of messages from Bro Pete Kong. Message authenticity cross checked with the one published in book LORD BO TIEN'S GUIDANCE published year 2000 by Bo Tien Temple Singapore. Do compare with the paraphrased version Lord Bo Tien's 1983 Anniversary Message where the message had been edited for it to be more appropriate for general world consumption and for better English structure. Portions of message that have no bearing to the world at large were omitted. The historical version however gives better insight and grasp for those who want to know more but the English may be simplistic and sometimes badly structured as they were translated from Chinese Hokkien dialect.

 

 

 

The saint said that human beings did not create Heaven. Take a flower, it can  be beautiful on the exterior. However, the internal parts of the flower may not be beautiful. Hence Nature's creations such as this flower are not perfect. What is created by nature is also not static and changes could take place.

When a strong wind in the ocean blows in one direction, only a large wave developed in the centre of the ocean can break the energy of the wind and calmness could then be achieved.

The Doctrine of our Temple is to guide people to live a fruitful life. The Saint emphasized that the sky is the roof of His Temple and that Tien (天) in Bo Tien means He represents 'Tien' (天) which is Heaven. Hence only Heaven can be the judge of human beings. Therefore man cannot compare and judge another man. The Mission is to serve Heaven and not human beings. If the Doctrines of the Temple for the last 13 years cannot be understood by the followers, then  they must go to 49 numbers of  successful Buddhist and Kuan Yin temples in 49 days and with three lighted joss sticks. The 13 Doctrines should then be burnt so as to return them to Heaven

His Doctrines are the teachings and serve as guidance to the followers and if not understood, is like throwing them into the drain. If the followers still cannot understand the Doctrines, then whenever it rains , it means that Heaven is crying in pity for those followers who do not understand His teachings.

He emphasized that the followers must keep their hearts pure at all times. He then illustrated that Sam Chong (with pure heart and sincerity) went all the way to the West to obtain Buddha's Dharma for enlightenment of people (and succeeded in his mission). Whether the medium or person relaying the doctrine is liked by all or not, he has nothing to do with the Doctrine. The crux of the issue is the Doctrine and not the person relaying it. (Those who come for doctrine and temple / mission must have pure heart.)

He said that He was happy to meet all of you, regardless of the place. He said that His teaching was not made to complicate His followers. He repeated that a human being should not judge  or criticise another human being but to lead or advise him or her to understand the Temple's Doctrine. He said that we must show a good example to other people. His descent tonight (that night) was to talk to us as He wanted  us to follow the example of Sam Chong's journey to the West.

The temple medium is not the Saint or represents the Saint. It is the Temple  that represents the Saint's Doctrine and the temple medium is used as a channel to communicate to the followers. His descent tonight (that night) is to present Buddha's practice and doctrine. He then said that He will be descending later in the form of the original Saint to meet the followers.

The Saint descended the second time at 2 a.m. on 18.10.1983. The Saint asked for His Image and inform His followers that the Image represents His Doctrine. He said that as Heaven is His home, the place to pray to Him is immaterial and it is the heart of each follower that is important.

He said that His descent tonight (that night) is because of His Mission for 14 years so as to clear the 'dirt'. He can choose anybody to be His medium. Even a thief can be chosen as a medium if the Saint wants to train and teach him.

His instructions to burn the 13 years of His Doctrine in front of 49 successful Buddhist and Kwan Yin temples is to 'prove' that He is the Saint and not the medium. Whether people like or dislike the medium is immaterial. He only wants His Doctrine to be heard by all. The temple is you and you are the Temple. Do not use the Temple's Doctrine to mix up with people.

Though a flower is created by Heaven, yet it is not perfect. However his Doctrine is pure. He cited that Lord Buddha had passed down His Doctrine to all the people, whether they are thieves or not and regardless of their background. Whoever goes against His Doctrine goes against Heaven's law. He repeated that the sky is the roof of His Temple and the Doctrine is His heart.

He then chose the 1st and 15th day of the month to perform the burning of His Doctrine in front of 49 temples. He then directed all followers, whether they are right or wrong, to take three joss sticks and pray to Heaven to ask for forgiveness.

He then said that if we are together and stable, no one can shake us. A medium is only a human being. Whoever chosen by Him to communicate is to be decided by Heaven.

The past years messages were to teach and guide us so that we will not go against Heaven. His coming down to spread the Doctrine is for Heaven and Earth and not human beings. He said that Lord Buddha had to pass through 5 generations to attain Buddhahood. Human beings have weaknesses and should not use appearance to face society. He again advised us not to take (misconstrue) Temple (mission issues) as (those of)  human beings and human beings (issues) as (that of) Temple. He also advised us not to confuse spiritual craft and His Doctrine.

He then said that after 49 days, if we still cannot understand His Doctrine, then when it rains, Heaven will weep in pity for us for not being able to understand His Doctrine.

He said that the original Saint cannot descend tonight (that night) as the medium had not taken three days of vegetarian meals. What is happening now is just like we are stripping our hair, hands and legs and this should not be allowed to happen.

There is no need to have His flags or large crowds to welcome Him, so long as the hearts of the followers are pure. He descended tonight (that night) because of the Temple (mission) and not because of people. He repeated that the sky is His roof and when the sun shines, people will work and when the moon comes, the people will rest. When it rains, trees will grow and will provide shelter.

He then likened us to be the pillars of His Temple (mission) and if the Doctrine is not used and understood, then it would be returned to Heaven. He hoped that we have good principles.  He then directed that the medium be informed that if the mind and heart is straight and pure, even if the wind is strong, he will not be shaken. He then said that next year we can invite Him again even in the open space as long as our hearts are sincere.

Before ascending, He parted the following:

The Doctrine should be in our hearts.

Buddha had to pass through 5 generations to attain Buddhahood.

Sam Chong had lost part of Buddha's Dharma in the river and the lost parts  can be recovered if Heaven wanted these to be recovered. Then they can be recovered.

 

Posts and articles related to the historical version of 1983 message:

Senior Bro Chong Sim, we salute you  

The better of the lot too have erred and must wake up...

The problems before 2004 and impact on mission after 2004...

Do let God sense prevail.

Twilight glow or gloom is up to us.

Be what you are and yet make it

More to be added with time...