An unabridged reproduction from the book LORD BO TIEN'S GUIDANCE year 2000 publication by Bo Tien mission related temple Bo Tien Temple at Singapore. This was translated from Hokkien Chinese and readers would therefore find the English unpolished and simplistic but serves to provide readers the historical version. Do compare with the abridged and paraphrased version for the benefit of readers the world over who were not present then at the temple at Woodlands on the 13th day of ninth lunar month 1978. The paraphrased version can be read at Lord Bo Tien's 1978 Anniversary Message
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| Old cottage temple at 11 and 3/4 ms 407A Woodlands Road Singapore where the 1978 message was delivered |
Lord Bo Tien said that He was happy that it was the cooperation of the members which had made his His 10th anniversary a success. He was also happy that it was the same cooperation that enabled them to help the needy. He noted that members kneeling before Him were wearing the same coloured clothing, with the same wavelength when inviting Him into the shrine.
He requested for His Image to be brought down to the table before Him. Pointing His finger at the oil lamp and His Image, He said, "The oil lamp represents you and the Image represents Me." While repeating His earlier observation that members kneeling before Him were wearing the same uniform and were in unison inviting Him into the shrine, He asked, "Why must it be only on this occasion? " He remarked that His Image was at the Temple 365 days and yet His presence was not being felt at all. "His Doctrine," He said, "is My Image and My Image is My Doctrine. Should this generation fail to fulfill His Mission, His Image would be lifted up to heaven. The next generation of people or perhaps many generations to come would fulfill it. The cycle of this task would go on until a day when it would succeed.
He illustrated His task as a contractor who was entrusted with a building project. No matter rain or shine, the contractor had to employ workers to complete the building. If the workers failed to cooperate with him or boycotted him, he had to keep on employing new workers to do the job until the whole building project was completed. In another illustration, He likened His task as a plant where its stems were attacked or infested by pests. Constant nurturing and watering of the diseased plant would bring forth new shoots and new life to the plant. In the same way, if the stems of the plant were completely destroyed by the pests, but the roots still remained intact, a new plant would emerge, if there was constantly sufficient rainwater to nurture the roots.
Touching on another aspect of His responsibilities, LORD BO TIEN said that His Image, His Doctrine of Four Pillars and His shrine would spread far and wide. He emphasized, "I am a CHOR CHOO (which in ordinary sense, means a Deity entrusted by God Almighty to carry out His present Mission) and I represent Heaven." We should not be unduly worried what others perceive of the Temple. He urged them to do their part to spread His Doctrine without fear of any obstacles for it was His responsibility to undo them.
The Aged Home was a good charitable deed, which they had accomplished and it was in line with His wish to have it built. Now that the Aged Home had been established, it was time to put forward His Doctrine. He said, "Good deeds are in many forms." At the present place (Woodlands Singapore), it was known that every effort put in had brought forth fruits for all to see and yet many are ignorant of His Doctrine. The setting up of the Aged Home had seen people with many ulterior motives; some for self-interest; others to gain higher status in the society while there were some not expecting any returns. He added that the good deeds done in this life would be repaid perhaps instantly in the present or in future.
In Chong Sim's book the First Draft, the following more paras are attributed to the 1978 message but some of them were in the 1980 message in year 2000 book LORD BO TIEN'S GUIDANCE . (Paras from Chong Sim's book added in this post on 11th Jan 2013)
Lord Bo Tien said, "The arguments and reasoning of human beings are plentiful."He knew the problems each and everyone of us faced and advises us to pray hard for there will be a way open to us. He urged us to think carefully and look deeper into His Doctrine as God Almighty had given Him the mandate to carry out His present Mission. Whether day or night when we opened our eyes, we would see Him and in the same way we would see heaven and His Doctrine.
Soon after LORD BO TIEN said this, there was a gush of wind and this was immediately followed by thunder storm and heavy downpour. He remarked, "This wind represents you and the rain water is for all of you to quench your thirst." He commented that a sea could not be a sea if there was no wind to set the boat sailing. It needed wind, boat and water to get the motion going. Following the comment, He disclosed that a time would come when there would be another BO TIEN TEMPLE set up in city area for the convenience of those living in the city. Be it any ordinary day or years to come, He would like to see the same uniform and harmonious voices around.
Before LORD BO TIEN ascended, He identified himself as second representative of our Deity. He said that the principal deity (the first LORD BO TIEN) should have descended on this occasion. But because of the distortion of mind and the inharmonious sound wave amongst us during the time when we were chanting our invitation prayers, had prevented the principal deity from entering into the shrine. He further urged, "Go and spread my doctrine, do good deeds and understand your fellow men." In this way, He said, "You have my doctrine put into practice." His doctrine, He said, is alive. Be it at home, in society, in a community and in the temple, we could put His doctrine into practice. He then invited the congregation to look at the awning of the Temple (with its pillars) and said, "This is my doctrine." He encouraged us to be patient on all matters for patience could overcome all problems of mankind.
For review articles or posts on and related to the 1978 message, go to
The 1978 message of Lord Bo Tien set the direction for the mission...
The human shortcoming in a church or temple
Did the lord saint decree that his image be burnt if there is no doctrine mission?
The divine resolve
The Spirit of 42nd anniversary at Bo Tien Temple Singapore
In Chong Sim's book the First Draft, the following more paras are attributed to the 1978 message but some of them were in the 1980 message in year 2000 book LORD BO TIEN'S GUIDANCE . (Paras from Chong Sim's book added in this post on 11th Jan 2013)
Lord Bo Tien said, "The arguments and reasoning of human beings are plentiful."He knew the problems each and everyone of us faced and advises us to pray hard for there will be a way open to us. He urged us to think carefully and look deeper into His Doctrine as God Almighty had given Him the mandate to carry out His present Mission. Whether day or night when we opened our eyes, we would see Him and in the same way we would see heaven and His Doctrine.
Soon after LORD BO TIEN said this, there was a gush of wind and this was immediately followed by thunder storm and heavy downpour. He remarked, "This wind represents you and the rain water is for all of you to quench your thirst." He commented that a sea could not be a sea if there was no wind to set the boat sailing. It needed wind, boat and water to get the motion going. Following the comment, He disclosed that a time would come when there would be another BO TIEN TEMPLE set up in city area for the convenience of those living in the city. Be it any ordinary day or years to come, He would like to see the same uniform and harmonious voices around.
Before LORD BO TIEN ascended, He identified himself as second representative of our Deity. He said that the principal deity (the first LORD BO TIEN) should have descended on this occasion. But because of the distortion of mind and the inharmonious sound wave amongst us during the time when we were chanting our invitation prayers, had prevented the principal deity from entering into the shrine. He further urged, "Go and spread my doctrine, do good deeds and understand your fellow men." In this way, He said, "You have my doctrine put into practice." His doctrine, He said, is alive. Be it at home, in society, in a community and in the temple, we could put His doctrine into practice. He then invited the congregation to look at the awning of the Temple (with its pillars) and said, "This is my doctrine." He encouraged us to be patient on all matters for patience could overcome all problems of mankind.
For review articles or posts on and related to the 1978 message, go to
The 1978 message of Lord Bo Tien set the direction for the mission...
The human shortcoming in a church or temple
Did the lord saint decree that his image be burnt if there is no doctrine mission?
The divine resolve
The Spirit of 42nd anniversary at Bo Tien Temple Singapore
Will newer people be better at the mission job?
The oil lamp and the image
Social agenda overriding doctrine focus will cause mission to falter..
Paradoxical behaviour of many in a temple or church...
The eventful post 2004 era
Senior Bro Chong Sim, we salute you
Temple in the city
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