Where do we find God’s Truth?

Posted on January 25, 2014 by heaventruth

What would happen if you found a book that claimed to be written by God? Suppose it was written in a different language, in a different time, and in a different culture and land. Suppose this book held the secrets of life, and the ingredients to a happy life. How easy or difficult would it be to decipher the contents of the book? How exciting it would be to find the answers to life’s mysteries.

Unfortunately some would interpret the book based on their own beliefs, incorporating their rituals and past human interpretations. This will eventually have the tendency to dilute the truths contained in the book. Others will have too much faith in their own religion, and would leave the contents unread, and label it as blasphemy. Only a few will begin to decipher the book, as originally written, and without much preconceived knowledge. It would be like trying to decipher a code, like when the double helix of the DNA molecule was discovered. But this code would reveal the secrets to our happiness, and also show why we suffer.

Some would say that this sacred book is the Bible or the Koran.  There is another book called the Tip of the Writing Brush (Ofudesaki). It is said to contain God’s truths.

 

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Patience is Virtue

Posted on January 19, 2014 by heaventruth

Is it worth the time to change someone’s mind? Has anyone ever thanked you for showing him or her his or her mistake? “Thank you Mr. Jones for showing me my error” No, they will fight to their last breath to defend themselves even if they know they have wronged. Why even spend your precious time to argue with people? Their minds have already been determined.

It is the same with religion. We cannot change how others think, especially when it comes to religion.  Reasoning and logic go out the window. Then how do we bring people closer to God?  In the Tip of the Writing Brush, it is said that we cannot bring people into our faith by ourselves. It is God who prepares them, and brings them to us when they are ready. We must spread the truth, but we must be patient. We must not argue with others when they are not ready. We must have faith in God.

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The Grass is Greener on the Other Side

Posted on January 19, 2014 by heaventruth

The “Grass is greener on the other side” is a familiar quote. In religion, many people prepare their lives for an afterlife which is depicted and understood  as a paradise. For some, this concept may give them the impetus to lead a exemplary life style to prove their worthiness to enter this paradise. While others may ignore their present lives, only preparing themselves selfishly for the afterlife.

In our daily lives we often think that another job may bring us happiness. We covet that new car that our neighbor just bought. If my spouse was like the imaginary spouse on a television show, how life would be better. The grass appears to be greener on the other side. But is it really?  The new job, is it better?, The new car becomes old, and you eye another one. Your second marriage becomes like your first. Maybe the grass is not greener.

Maybe it is better to fertilize your present grass. What does this mean? It may not be the fault of others, or the lack of material wealth that is making you unhappy. It may be that evil (greed, arrogance, and self love) thoughts have pervaded your mind. Sweep these thoughts from you mind. Fertilize your mind with good thoughts. When this happens, the grass becomes greener on your side.

What ever goals you have (enter heaven, heaven on earth, marriage,  or a satisfying job), find joy in what you have now. Cultivate your mind and eliminate the evils (greed and arrogance). When this happens, the grass becomes greener where you are or wherever you go.

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The law of causality

Posted on January 18, 2014 by heaventruth

In the world, there are sunny (joyous) days , and cloudy (suffering) days. Every type of day is manifested by our minds. With each manifested day, if we go through with a purity (no greed, arrogance, and self love) of mind, then every day will eventually become a sunny day.

* Verse from Osashizu (Tenrikyo Church)

 

 

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The temptation to sin

Posted on January 17, 2014 by heaventruth

An itch is like a temptation. Oh how it feels so good to scratch the itch. We know that succumbing to the itch is harmful to us in the long run.  Scratching causes redness, inflammation, and sometimes our skin becomes infected. But many of us seek the immediate pleasure of the scratch. We don’t think about the complications that arise from scratching.

It is the same with the temptations to sin that bombard us daily. We see sex, the infidelities, and the outlandish life styles of the rich and the powerful on any media. We are tempted to experience the immediate gratification of these evil acts. We do not think about the long-term consequences of our immediate actions.

Like the resistance to scratch the itch, it takes much patience and perseverance to resist the temptations to sin.  It is like a struggle within us, between the good and the evil in resisting or succumbing to our temptations. Without God’s help, it is very difficult to resist these temptations to drinking, gambling or other addictions; it is difficult to remove the evils like greed, arrogance, and self love.  We must ask God or pray for his assistance.  With God’s help we can resist the itch to sin.

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The pleasures of sin

Posted on January 16, 2014 by heaventruth

We all know what is unhealthy. We know that too much sugar, fat and salt are bad for us. We know that staying active is important for our health. Yet many of us consume more sugar, fat and salt than ever. We consume our times sitting on our rear ends on the computer or watching television. Too much of these vices cause diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and other maladies. Why do we Americans continue on the road of suffering when we know what causes these sufferings?

A delicious meal is hard to resist, whether it be at a four star restaurant, or at the local hamburger establishment. They saturate these meals with sugar, fats and salts, making it difficult for customers to resist these unhealthy meals. The poor become more susceptible because of their lack of money to buy healthy foods. The fast food industry capitalizes on the poor by making inexpensive meals that have the qualities that satiate their appetite quickly, but also lead to morbidity.

It is difficult to resist what causes pleasure. In this case, it is the pleasure of eating, and relaxing. Even though many understand the relationship between these foods and our health, immediate satiation or satisfaction wins over long-term health.

It is the same with sin. Everyone knows that sinning may lead to suffering; but it difficult to resist.  Everyone can name most of the sins. In our religion, these evils are greed, arrogance, and self love.  These sins usually give us short-term pleasure. And like the food industry that tempts us to eat unhealthy food, there are many companies and organizations (media, government, and private enterprises) that tempt us daily to commit sins. We seek immediate gratification and pleasure, but do not see the future that they lead to.  Our immediate gratification obscures the future.

It is a difficult to avoid the evil pleasures of life, but we must see the future that they lead to. Whether it is heaven, or heaven on earth, study your scriptures.  Knowing the future may lead us to resist the pleasures of evil.

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Where Was God?

Posted on January 14, 2014 by heaventruth

Why is there evil and suffering in this world? Where was God in 9-11? Where was God when the holocaust was occurring? Where was God when the Black Plague was killing millions of people. There are two concepts of God. One is that God can prevent evil and suffering, but chooses not to. This makes him not so good. The second school of thought is that God wants to prevent evil and suffering but he cannot. This makes God not all-powerful as depicted in the sacred literatures.

But which theory is correct? Can we fathom that both theories are partially correct. It may be that God wants to prevent evil and suffering, but he chooses not to, in the majority of cases. How can we fathom a God that chooses not to help us?

The answer may be explained by answering the question  “what causes human sufferings in the world?” Does God cause this suffering, or do we cause our own suffering? We can definitely see the immediate effects caused by greed, arrogance, anger and self-love in this world. But do these evils also have a boomerang effect on the evil people that perpetrate these negative acts.  Do our evil thoughts and actions come back to bite us?

For many, it is difficult to admit that we have sinned in this life, or in previous lives if we believe in reincarnation. We cannot fathom that our sufferings are the result of our own actions and thoughts. We would rather blame others, or even have an unrelenting faith, believing it is God’s will. How can an innocent child suffer? Is it cruel to believe that it is the result of his or her past life? On a subject for thought, even a serial murderer was an innocent child at one time. Does age make a difference when the effects of causality appear?

Causality appears to explain the sufferings and evils in this world and explains why a good and powerful God does not interfere with our free will.  Causality also gives us hope for the future. Good thoughts and actions will bring forth joy. We can have a joyous world with everyone helping each other.

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Where was God?

Posted on January 13, 2014 by heaventruth

Why is there evil and suffering in this world? Where was God in 9-11? Where was God when the holocaust was occurring? Where was God when the Black Plague was killing millions of people. There are two concepts of God. One is that God can prevent evil and suffering, but chooses not to. This makes him not so good. The second school of thought is that God wants to prevent evil and suffering but he cannot. This makes God not all-powerful as depicted in the sacred literatures.

But which theory is correct? Can we fathom that both theories are partially correct. It may be that God wants to prevent evil and suffering, but he chooses not to, in the majority of cases. How can we fathom a God that chooses not to help us?

The answer may be explained by answering the question  “What causes human sufferings in the world?” Does God cause this suffering, or do we cause our own suffering? We can definitely see the immediate effects caused by greed, arrogance, anger and self-love in this world. But do these evils also have a boomerang effect on the perpetrators in this life, and in the next live if we were to believe in reincarnation?

For many, it is difficult to admit that we have sinned in this life, or in previous lives. We cannot fathom that our sufferings are result of our own actions and thoughts. We would rather blame others, or even have blind faith, believing it is God’s will. How can an innocent child suffer? Is it to cruel to believe that it is the result of his or her past life?

Causality appears to explain the sufferings and evils in this world and explains why a good and powerful God does not interfere with our free will.  But it also gives us hope for the future. Good thoughts and actions will bring forth joy as a result of the law of causality. Remove greed, arrogance, anger, hate, and self love from your hearts.

Posted in Buddhist, Catholic, causality, Christian, Christianity, evil, God, Heaven's Truth Church, Hindu, Hinduism, innen, Islam, karma, prayer, reincarnation, Sokai Gakkai, Tenrikyo, Where is God? | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

We are all family

Posted on January 5, 2014 by heaventruth

When we are young, we care about only ourselves; but as we get older, we care about our parents and siblings.  As we become adults, we have our children to take care of. In our golden years, we have our parents, siblings, children and their children. If we were capable to live longer, we will have many more people to be concerned about.  With more people, we sometimes have more stress and anxiety in our lives. Of course, we also have the potential of having more joy. When it comes to family, we usually treat each other differently than nonfamily.

I wonder how much stress and anxiety God has in taking care of his children?  With the abundance of greed, arrogance and selfishness in the world, I wonder how God feels about his children? God would want us to treat each other like if we were related.  In the Osashizu it is stated that there is no such term as “family” in the path of joy.

In the path of joy, there is no distinction between family and nonfamily. Everyone is God’s child.  Treat everyone, as they are your brothers or sisters. Remove greed, arrogance, and self love when dealings with others, whether it be family or nonfamily.

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Who is the arrogant one?

Posted on January 3, 2014 by heaventruth

Today there was a radio station taking comments about the family who were trying to keep their “brain dead” child on life support. People were calling in calling the family arrogant and selfish for trying to maintain that slight hope for a miracle.  Even the radio host was commenting that there has been no case in the history of mankind where a brain dead person had regained consciousness. He did not understand why the family was holding on to such a hopeless situation.

But are we forgetting about the resurrection of Jesus Christ? If doctors had monitored his brain waves after taking him off the cross, they would have found him “brain dead”.  But according to the Bible, he came back to life and continued his ministry.

It is ironic that people, who have so much faith in the Bible, have such opposition to a family’s belief in a miracle. Can they be the arrogant and selfish ones?

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