Cause and Effect

There is a verse in the Tip of the Writing Brush that people may be reluctant to accept as true.

Never think in the least that curses, demons,

or evil spirits exist in this world. 14-16

With the recent tragedies in the world of innocent people, many people want to understand why a powerful God who created the Universe lets tragedies occur. For many people an opposite force of evil, like Satan and demons may partially appease their understanding of the illogical. But in the Tip of the Writing Brush, another explanation is given:

There can be no help for what you have done self-centeredly.   

I can only look on caringly. 16-32

Whatever may happen, bear no grudge,   

it is what each of you has done to yourself.  17-60

This interpretation states that bad things occur because of our own actions and thoughts. God has no control over our actions and thoughts, and more important has no control over their consequences. Let me further explain the law of cause and effect.

When we think or act bad (greed, arrogance, and self love), it plants the seed of suffering in the future. When we think or act good, it also plants a seed, germinating in joy.  As like all laws of science that operate in nature, it is self regulating with no interference, even from God.

But one may question why an innocent child suffers the wrath of  this so called law of nature.  We can put out the theory of reincarnation; or we can also theorize that our bad thoughts and acts germinate into suffering not as a boomerang, but inflict suffering randomly on the innocent?

Imagine what would happen if the thief saw his future suffering, would he continue to commit the crime? Imagine all of the world believing in the law of cause and effect; there  would only be joy in the future! But because the lapse between the cause and effect may be long, this understanding may be difficult.

But how do we help people understand this relationship? Or more important, can God  help people understand the relationship between cause and effect? Can praying help?  More to come in future blogs!

 

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The Body of God

 

In the Tip of the Writing Brush is a verse that has profound meaning. It is so important to comprehend that it is written twice.

I shall teach you step by step that this world is

the body of God. Ponder, and see it true. 3-4, 3-135

Imagine God is the body, and every human being is a part of God, like the cells in the body. When all the cells are healthy, the body is healthy.  It may be the same relationship. When all humans have a pure mind (no greed, arrogance, or self love) and are spirited, the mind of God will also be spirited (happy). Another verse supporting this idea:

If the minds of the world are spirited in all matters,

the mind of God, also will be spirited. 4-20

For God to be spirited and happy, the whole world must be pure of mind (lack of greed, arrogance, and self love) and spirited.

Another interpretation is that we are all components of God. When we all purify our minds and work with each other, God becomes whole, and spirited.

When the minds of all the world are spirited,

God and human beings will be of one mind 7-111

What does this mean? How can we make God happy? It means that we should strive to remove greed, arrogance, and self-love from our minds. It is not only important to save us, but everyone in the world. It is only when all of God’s parts (children) come together, when the world will truly become joyous.

 

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Arrogance

I remember once when I was much younger, and when I had much more hair.  I had just finished driving 4 aggravating hours on the freeways of Southern California. With my disheveled appearance, looking upwards above my official military style sunglasses to see. I pressed the up arrow on the elevator of a pseudo luxury hotel. The elevator door opened; there were a few children, and a couple of adults as I entered the elevator. Since access to the buttons was blocked, I remember asking someone to press my floor number. I remember to this day a white elderly gentleman, with a swimming trunk, and protruding abdomen abruptly looking at me with disdain, and stating with a heavy European accent“ Say please when you ask”. At that moment, I could feel the eyes of everyone on the elevator staring at me. I wanted someone to come to my aid, but the grimace of the stranger kept on increasing. Before I could compose myself and defend myself from the scrutiny of this stranger, the elevator door opened for my floor. As I exited, I could still feel the glare of the stranger, and the silence of the others.

Until recently, I had relived the occurrence many times. I know that I had said please as I usually do. But maybe the gentlemen did not hear me. But what right did he have to correct me?  In the Tip of the Writing Brush is the following verse.

Take no short cuts, have no greed or arrogance.

Just take the true and straight path. 5-30

Arrogance by definition is an attitude of superiority. To judge someone because of appearance or action is arrogance. This elderly man did not know anything about me, and presumed that I did not have manners. He had arrogance in his heart at that moment.

Many times even if we think that we have the information about a particular person, we do not have all the information. That is why we must never be arrogant and judge a person as good or bad. Only God may make that decision. That is why we cannot have enmity for people whose action that we cannot understand or do not approve. I think sometimes they help us realize our evils (greed, arrogance, and self love) in our minds. It is with the mind set, that instead of acting against them, we should set out to purify our minds first; and then pray to God to sweep the evils (greed, arrogance, and self love) of others.

 

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The Purpose of Life is………

Some one once said “The purpose of life is to have a purpose in life”.  How profound this statement is. When we have a purpose, it gives us energy and hope; and when we don’t have a purpose, the world slows down and we become lethargic and lose hope, like the transients that waste on our streets.

But what is this purpose in life that we seek?  Is it to accumulate money, power, material wealth, pleasure, or knowledge? All of these goals will give us satisfaction and apparent happiness for a while; but will it last?   In the Tip of the Writing Brush is the following verse:

The reason God began human beings     

was the desire to see you lead a joyous life.  14-25

So the purpose of life is to live a joyous life. But what is a joyous life? Is it a life of wealth, power, and pleasure? According to the Tip of the Writing Brush, the joyous life only comes when we eliminate greed, arrogance, and self-love from our minds. It is a life where all our prayers to help others come true.

If only your mind becomes truly pure,

There will be no failure in any thing. 7-103

From this pure mind, we can help others. When we live a life without greed, arrogance, and self love, our accomplishments (education, prosperity, etc.) will be true joy. It is this world of people helping each other to reach our goals that we must firmly believe. It is this purpose that will give us lasting hope and energy to help each other, so that all mankind will someday live the joyous life.

The purpose of life is to live the joyous life.

 

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God’s Guidance

George grew up in the southeast part of Fresno California. He was raised in an one parent home. He was the youngest of the siblings. His mother was in and out of drug rehabilitation; and he was in and out of foster homes. He like many of the youths in the area struggled through school but eventually dropped out. He struggled to survive by working at part time jobs, but eventually  succumbed to the drugs in the streets. First a consumer, and then a part time distributor to support his consumptions. Life was uneventful until he had a girlfriend and child to support. Eventually he fostered a relationship with a high school buddy who was stealing automobiles and dismantling them for parts. Life was good for George. He had money, drugs, and a happy family at home. But one day, on a fateful day, his good fortune ran aground. He was in the process of stealing a car when he was shot and killed. A short obituary. A short and meaningless life?

How can someone like George be helped? How can God help George? Suppose God punishes George every time he does or thinks something bad? I would think that George would become a good boy. But this would be like someone forcing George to behave, and not from George’s own volition. George would still has a selfish mind, and like a imprisoned man, will return to his evil ways when unencumbered from God’s reign.

Suppose some one told George that his thoughts and actions did germinate in the future, but not immediately. Every bad action resulting in suffering, and every good thought or action resulting in joy. For George, the relationship between the two may be too obscure due to the long period between cause and effect. George will not understand and will continue on the path to suffering.

Then how can God help George see the error of his ways?  How about  if God shows George his future.  In the Tip of the Writing Brush is written:

This time, I shall make your future known in this life:

look at the disorder of the body. 5-2

Ponder over your suffering of the body

and then ponder the mind that leans on God. 5-9

Suppose God places illness or disorders on our bodies in relationship to how we are using our minds. If we have evil (greed, arrogance, and self love) in our minds, God places illness on our bodies. When we reflect and ponder why we have these illness, then we can remove greed, arrogance, and self love from our minds. With the removal of these evils, our illness is  returned back to God.

But there is a caveat. George must believe that God created mankind to live a Joyous life. Without this understanding from the heart, George may mistaken God’s guidance as God’s punishment, and not be able to remove the evils in his heart.  When  George realizes that it is God’s guidance, then by his free will, he will be able to sweep the greed, arrogance and self love from his mind. When this occurs, he has planted the seed of happiness in the future. It will be a wonderful life for George!

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The Purpose of life/addition to

There is a  hexagonal stone pillar, when completed, the heavens will open and golden nectar will flow, overflowing the special vessel placed on top of the structure. When this occurs, mankind will be able to live as long as he or she wishes without illness or disorders. This is promised by God in the Tip of the Writing Brush, but with a caveat. Mankind must purify his or her mind of greed, arrogance and self love.

This pillar represents the creation of human beings

As proof of My beginning of human beings,

I shall put the Pillar (Kanrodai) into place. 17-9

But the structure represents not just proof that God created  human beings, but it represent something more important. It represents God’s purpose for the creation of human beings.

In the verses of the Tip of the Writing Brush, God  emphasizes the origin becoming (naru) of mankind. This is the conditions before the creation of mankind, especially the purity of the instruments that were used to create mankind; and the thoughts of God before the creation.

The construction of the Pillar represents God’s effort to save the world. It shows people not only where human beings were initially created, but more important, the reason why humans were created. When the world becomes aware that mankind was created to live a joyous life, it will be easier for people to eliminate greed, arrogance, and self love. This knowledge of the origin  will facilitate our prayers to sweep evil from our minds.

This future pillar becomes not only a physical focal point of our prayers, but also holds the answer to the purpose of life.

The reason God began human beings     

was the desire to see you lead a joyous life.  14-25

Only when we believe this from our innermost heart, can we cleanse our minds. It is with this mind that we pray to God to sweep the evils (greed, arrogance, and self love) from the minds of all mankind. As the minds of the world mature, the construction of the pillar will also become closer to construction. When the minds of the world are purified, the pillar will be completed, and peace will finally settle on the earth.

 

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The Purpose of Life

There is a  hexagonal stone pillar, when completed, the heavens will open and golden nectar will flow, overflowing the special vessel placed on top of the structure. When this occurs, mankind will be able to live as long as he or she wishes without illness or disorders. This is promised by God in the Tip of the Writing Brush, but with a caveat. Mankind must purify his or her mind of greed, arrogance and self love.

This pillar represents the creation of human beings

As proof of My beginning of human beings,

I shall put the Pillar (Kanrodai) into place. 17-9

But the structure represents not just proof that God created  human beings, but it represent something more important. It represents God’s purpose for the creation of human beings.

In the verses of the Tip of the Writing Brush, God  emphasizes the origin becoming (naru) of mankind. This is the conditions before the creation of mankind, especially the purity of the instruments that were used to create mankind; and the thoughts of God before the creation.

The construction of the Pillar represents God’s effort to save the world. It shows people not only where human beings were initially created, but more important, the reason why humans were created. When the world becomes aware that mankind was created to live a joyous life, it will be easier for people to eliminate greed, arrogance, and self love. This knowledge of the origin  will facilitate our prayers to sweep evil from our minds.

This future pillar becomes not only a physical focal point of our prayers, but also holds the answer to the purpose of life.

The reason God began human beings     

was the desire to see you lead a joyous life.  14-25

 

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What is a spirited mind?

What is the spirited mind? Is it the opposite of a depressed mind? Have you had days that everything seemed lackluster, and you had difficulty performing your daily tasks? On the other extreme, I am sure that we all have had days where everything felt perfect with the world. Do chemicals in our bodies cause these moods? I know sometimes a strong cup of coffee gets me in a great conversational mood. Or is it the environmental conditions that cause these moods? For example, mechanical breakage of my car always brings upon a negative attitude. But I would consider this not a mood, but a worry of the unknown, the cost of the repair. These uncertainties may eventually accumulate to cause depression. So how do we become spirited?

In the Tip of the Writing Brush is the following verse

Day by day, I shall make every effort solely for

the preparations to make everyone in the world spirited. 10-81

Making the mind spirited day by day,

God will work to make the world be filled with joy. 11-56

According to the verses, God will help us become spirited and fill the world with joy. But how will God make the minds spirited? The following verses state that God will help us sweep evil (greed, arrogance, and self love) from our minds, making the heart pure.

How will those minds be purified?

God will rush out to places near and far. 10-4

Step by step, God will enter bodies

And begin free and unlimited workings (sweep evil away). 10-5

A purified mind may be a prerequisite to become spirited. When are minds are free from greed, arrogance, and self love, it may be easier to become spirited. It is God who will purify the minds of the world, making it easy for us to become spirited.

Won’t it be great to be spirited everyday for the rest of our lives! With mankind becoming spirited, the joyous world of everyone helping each other will also unfold. Got waits for the day that both human beings and God are both spirited. Begin by praying to God to help us remove greed, arrogance, and self love from our hearts.


“Evil sweeping, save us please, Universal Saving God”

 

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Fortify the Mind

Most religions in the world advocate the purification of the mind from sin or evil (greed, arrogance, and self love).  It is from this state of mind that we can realize a joyous future.

In the New Testament is a following quote from Jesus:

6:19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: 6:20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 6:21for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also.

In the Tip of the Writing Brush is the following verse:

If your innermost heart accords with the mind of God,

I shall exert myself in your favor forever. 13-99

What do you think this path is about?

It is to cleanse the heart of everyone in the world. 16-57

It is this message that the religions of the world must spread to the world. It is the heart (mind) we must fortify and protect from the evils (greed, arrogance, and self love).  It is not the treasures of the earth (money, prestige, real estate, and authority) that is primary. These ornaments we cannot take to our next destination; but many believe that it is the soul including the heart that continues forever. But whether the soul returns to this earth, or rises to the heavens, the purification of the heart is the most important goal. Let’s all work toward this goal of the purification of the mind; and let God decide what neighborhood (heaven or earth) we live joyously for eternity.

 

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Why do good people suffer?

The story of Job in the Old Testament recounts the story why sometimes good people suffer, and why bad people prosper.  At the end, the questions still remain unsolved, with the unlimited knowledge of God incomprehensible to man.  But in the Tip of the Writing Brush, it is written

This is a world constructed on reason

So I shall press upon you everything with the reason in verse. 1-21

As Job’s friends tried to explain to Job why God had inflicted this so called punishment on an innocent and good man, I will try to explain using verses from the Tip of the Writing Brush.

There are two types of sufferings. One is suffering brought upon by actions (sins) that we have caused. This was one on the explanations given to Job by his friends.  This may be called causality, or the law of cause and effect.  This is like a seed (good or evil action) that is planted, and will germinate (suffering or joy) in the future.  If one believes in reincarnation, this with the concept of causality may explain Job’s sufferings. Even with prayer, this law of causality cannot be altered.

Another type of suffering is God’s guidance. In the Tip of the Writing Brush is written:

Day by day, disorders will come to your bodies. Ponder it.

God is informing you of your mistaken mind. 4-42

This is illness or disorder that is placed by God as guidance. God places these disorders to remove greed, arrogance, and self-love from our minds. These sufferings can be altered with the removal of greed, arrogance, and self-love from our minds.

In summary, when bad things happen, we can believe that God is good, and we are not able to understand God’s unlimited knowledge of his actions; or we can believe that God has no control of our actions or thoughts, and their consequences. But God due to his parental love guides us by illness or disorders to sweep our minds of greed, arrogance and self-love. When we remove these evils from our minds, our actions and thoughts will bring about joy in the future.

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