Divine Dwellings: Churches and Pagodas?

Đền đài có phật không?, translated by Akira.

In churches and pagodas, commonly seen as divine abodes, one encounters solely statues and relics, devoid of the direct presence of divine beings. This absence stems from the fact that God, Buddha, and other deities transcend earthly confines, choosing to dwell within the vast expanse of the cosmos rather than limiting themselves to such small, humble structures.

Despite this profound truth, humans, often fixated on the superficial, construct temples and elevate statues and relics as sacred symbols, labeling churches as the “house of God” or pagodas as the “Buddha’s temple.” In their earnest but limited understanding, they attempt to contain the infinite within the finite.

Due to humans’ penchant for superficiality, Divine beings tolerates them, allowing them to construct temples and worship idols. However, human greed and materialism lead them to venerate idols as if they were real, turning idol worship into a profitable business. As a result, spiritual beings allow demons to cause disturbances even within sacred places of worship, revealing the absence of any divine presence there.

After being possessed by a demon for an extended period, a girl was brought to the Vatican seeking help from the Pope. He tried to expel the demon in the name of God but was unsuccessful. However, this failure doesn’t imply a lack of power or presence on God’s part; rather, it suggests that within the Vatican’s walls, the presence of God is absent. The divine presence, residing high above in the cosmos, did not respond to the Pope’s pleas. In essence, the Pope couldn’t establish communication with the divine.

In the main hall of the temple, the monk also placed a wooden bell on the head of the possessed to drive out the demon within him, but the demon deflected the bell and scornfully insulted the monk.

Master Ba and his disciples attempted to subdue the demon with cold water, claiming it didn’t listen, only to have the demon strike them in the face before the onlookers. Some Western monks, using holy water for battle, were either killed or injured by the demon.

These scenes, both laughable and tear-inducing, illustrate how spiritual beings teach ignorant monks who believe themselves to be morally upright. They also serve to demonstrate that places of idol worship often harbor malevolent forces rather than any enlightened beings.

A test of intelligence for novice practitioners

Some individuals possess only a superficial understanding of the mystical realm, having only partially grasped spells and charms, yet they aspire to wield power by attempting to suppress demons for personal recognition. However, those burdened with heavy karma, lacking virtue, and ignorant of spiritual principles often find their shortcomings laid bare by demons, who may even retaliate with curses or fatal consequences. Hence, the mystical domain is not a playground for the inexperienced. Merely possessing tools, spells, or charms, or performing rituals like exorcisms using seals, incantations, holy crosses, or holy water, does not grant mastery over spiritual forces. Similarly, invoking the names of Buddhas, Saints, or the Supreme Being does not automatically empower one to exorcise demons. Instead, one must reflect on their own merits and spiritual journey. They should consider whether their actions align with their role and whether their invocations are answered. If their prayers remain unanswered, it’s unwise to recklessly engage in solitary battles with demons, risking their life in pursuit of false bravado…

At first glance, the outward appearance of monks may lead people to think they are genuinely devout, but it’s only when you see how they fare in battles against demons that their true nature becomes clear. Spiritual beings will continue teaching this supernatural lesson until they understand it.

In the world of charlatans and channelers, many lack culture, spiritual knowledge, and integrity; their moral character is below average, reflected in their demeanor and gloomy appearance. Yet, they often act arrogantly, always boasting and putting on a show of moral superiority when delivering divine teachings. Educated individuals hear their grandiose claims and witness their shallow teachings, hence they look down upon them. This is why they’re referred to as “shadows” or “shells” (conduits for transient spirits.)

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