Different religions advocate the idea of one God. However, they speak individually of their own gods. Wouldn't that be more than one God, and how do we reconcile this?
Every religion advocates its own God. Christianity speaks of the Heavenly Father, Hinduism talks of Krishna, Islam of Allah and Taoism on the Emperor God of Heaven. But they agree on one thing: there is only one God. But if you were to add the number of Gods quoted by them, it is certainly more than one! How do we reconcile this particular state of affair? Unknowingly, all of these religions are actually referring to the same God! It is easy to see that the four fingers and thumb belong to the same hand, and that a coin has two sides. However, it is not too obvious that religions share the same origin. This is due to the long historical, cultural and human factors which had shaped the religions. n ancient time, God had sent the messengers to various parts of le world to teach mankind. However, each of them had appeared at different times. They had used different methods of teaching to suit the prevailing circumstances. They therefore appeared to be preaching differently. Further, the adulteration of their teachings by the followers makes matters worse. Today, the teachings of the messengers have often been misunderstood and misquoted. This in turn gives rise to claims of one religion better than another. Thus from the above, one can see that there is actually only one God. We worship and address God differently in our own ways.
It is important to realize that God is neither a Buddhist, Christian, Taoist nor a Hindu. God has no religion. Religion is man made and is only applicable on Earth. God does not select man on the basis, of his faith. Remember, God makes man in his own image and with his own breath. He only selects man on the basis of his godly virtues!
What is a Buddha/Angel?
Contrary to popular belief, the term 'Buddha' is not specific to Buddhism only. It comes from the Sanskrit word Budh' which means 'to know'. A Buddha is therefore 'One who has awakened', or Enlightened One This is its usual definition. The Buddha which most of us are familiar with is Sakyamuni Buddha. sakyamuni means the Sage of the This is the tribe v. which he belonged to. At times, he is also called Gotama Buddha. Gotama is the family name. The other Buddhas that are mentioned at times in books are Amitabha, Maitreya (Laughing Buddha), and ji Gong. However, the Kingdom (of God) extends the definition of a Buddha to include peerage (title). Peerage is awarded by the Kingdom according to one's cultivation level, and the service of merits one performs. It is given to those who had successfully cultivated, and carried out great service. In the Kingdom there are myriad of heavenly beings besides Mother. Messengers like Jesus, Lao Zi, Confucius and Kuan Yin are also Buddhas! Buddhahood is the highest peerage. Other peerages in descending order of ranking are bodhisattva, immortal, arhat etc. For Christianity there is no detailed breakdown 'on these peerages. The term "angel" is used to describe all these heavenly beings generally. It is vital that we Cultivate now to accimulate merits to enable us to attain a peerage later on!
Tao Temple appears Chinese, doesn't it? Due to their culture and practices, the Chinese are somewhat more susceptible to the Truth than others. The majority of Mother's Shrine is set up by the Chinese. Accordingly, the Shrine usually has a Chinese setting. There is flexibility here. The Shrine could also have a more 'Western' setting if so desired by the shrine keeper (the person setting it up). However, it is important to realize that God has no race and religion. God is also formless. The Truth is the essence of all religions. Hence, it is imperative for one to view and understand the Shrine in the correct perspective. If not one would miss the essence of the Truth, and perceive it as just another Chinese religion.
Every religion advocates its own God. Christianity speaks of the Heavenly Father, Hinduism talks of Krishna, Islam of Allah and Taoism on the Emperor God of Heaven. But they agree on one thing: there is only one God. But if you were to add the number of Gods quoted by them, it is certainly more than one! How do we reconcile this particular state of affair? Unknowingly, all of these religions are actually referring to the same God! It is easy to see that the four fingers and thumb belong to the same hand, and that a coin has two sides. However, it is not too obvious that religions share the same origin. This is due to the long historical, cultural and human factors which had shaped the religions. n ancient time, God had sent the messengers to various parts of le world to teach mankind. However, each of them had appeared at different times. They had used different methods of teaching to suit the prevailing circumstances. They therefore appeared to be preaching differently. Further, the adulteration of their teachings by the followers makes matters worse. Today, the teachings of the messengers have often been misunderstood and misquoted. This in turn gives rise to claims of one religion better than another. Thus from the above, one can see that there is actually only one God. We worship and address God differently in our own ways.
It is important to realize that God is neither a Buddhist, Christian, Taoist nor a Hindu. God has no religion. Religion is man made and is only applicable on Earth. God does not select man on the basis, of his faith. Remember, God makes man in his own image and with his own breath. He only selects man on the basis of his godly virtues!
What is a Buddha/Angel?
Contrary to popular belief, the term 'Buddha' is not specific to Buddhism only. It comes from the Sanskrit word Budh' which means 'to know'. A Buddha is therefore 'One who has awakened', or Enlightened One This is its usual definition. The Buddha which most of us are familiar with is Sakyamuni Buddha. sakyamuni means the Sage of the This is the tribe v. which he belonged to. At times, he is also called Gotama Buddha. Gotama is the family name. The other Buddhas that are mentioned at times in books are Amitabha, Maitreya (Laughing Buddha), and ji Gong. However, the Kingdom (of God) extends the definition of a Buddha to include peerage (title). Peerage is awarded by the Kingdom according to one's cultivation level, and the service of merits one performs. It is given to those who had successfully cultivated, and carried out great service. In the Kingdom there are myriad of heavenly beings besides Mother. Messengers like Jesus, Lao Zi, Confucius and Kuan Yin are also Buddhas! Buddhahood is the highest peerage. Other peerages in descending order of ranking are bodhisattva, immortal, arhat etc. For Christianity there is no detailed breakdown 'on these peerages. The term "angel" is used to describe all these heavenly beings generally. It is vital that we Cultivate now to accimulate merits to enable us to attain a peerage later on!
Tao Temple appears Chinese, doesn't it? Due to their culture and practices, the Chinese are somewhat more susceptible to the Truth than others. The majority of Mother's Shrine is set up by the Chinese. Accordingly, the Shrine usually has a Chinese setting. There is flexibility here. The Shrine could also have a more 'Western' setting if so desired by the shrine keeper (the person setting it up). However, it is important to realize that God has no race and religion. God is also formless. The Truth is the essence of all religions. Hence, it is imperative for one to view and understand the Shrine in the correct perspective. If not one would miss the essence of the Truth, and perceive it as just another Chinese religion.