Christian point of view on idols

SilentWitness SG

whats jehovah Witness? Jesus claims himself to be both God n man? err...then who is God 's son?

An Eternal Now SG

You should ask in Eternal Hope: http://christians.sgforums.com

As for Jehovah Witness, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus#Jehovah.27s_Witnesses,

"Jehovah's Witnesses believe Jesus to be God's (or Jehovah's) son, rather than being God himself. Jehovah's Witnesses believe he was the same divine created being as Michael the Archangel,[89] [90] and that God made him a perfect human by transferring his life to the womb of Mary.[91] During the time Jesus was on earth he was simply a man, not a god-man.[92] They also believe that he is "the word" of John 1:1. This is understood to mean that he is God's spokesman, likely the one speaking in God's name to Adam, and to the Israelites in the wilderness.[93] In line with this, they point out that the Bible presents him as the only way humans can approach God. They include words like 'in Jesus name' in every prayer.[94]They view the term "Son of God" as an indication of Jesus' importance to the creator and his status as God's "only-begotten (unique) Son,"[95] the "firstborn of all creation,"[96] the one "of whom, and through whom, and to whom, are all things."[97] They believe that Jesus died on a single-piece torture stake, not a cross.[98] They believe that he is currently ruling in heaven as king of God's heavenly Kingdom, and will soon extend his rule to earth for a reign of peace. [99] They also believe he is now immortal[100] and can never die again.[101]"

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In Singapore, Jehovah Witness is banned because they do not allow their members to participate in National Service.

seow SG

This friend of mine has just completed his o levels last year. Laughing

sinweiy SG

Originally posted by yamizi:
That quote of respecting the virtue and not the robe is found in the Dhammapada itself. In fact PKS had once printed this small pocket-size Dhammapada, very nicely done, not sure do they still print it nowadays.

Better to see one fault in oneself,
Than a thousand faults in others.
- Dhammapada

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sinweiy SG

Originally posted by sinweiy:
Hua Yen sutra's
Bodhisattva Samantabhadra

The supreme practices of Samantabhadra I vow that when my life approaches its end, all obstructions will be swept away; I will see Amitabha Buddha, And be born in his land of Ultimate Bliss and Peace. When reborn in the western land, I will perfect and completely fulfill, without exception, these great vows, To delight and benefit all beings. The assembly of Amitabha Buddha is completely pure; When from a matchless lotus I am reborn, I will behold the Buddhas Measureless light as he appears before me To bestow a prediction of Buddhahood. --Avatamsaka (Hua yen) Sutra

fyi, the First PL Patriarch of Dharma realms(fa jie) is Samantabhadra (since He's the first to mentioned it in Fa jie(mind-ground) of Avatamsaka Sutra).

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Isis SG

Idols can be just some stone.
Idols can be symbolic of something.

Well
if you take it as nothing, it becomes nothing.
if you take it for something, it becomes something.

It all boils down to how you see it.

sinweiy SG

Originally posted by Isis:
It all boils down to how you see it.

indeed.

shared with you one well-known story between the famous Chinese scholar Su Dongpo and his good friend Zen Buddhist Master Foyin.

One day, Su Dongpo and Zen Master foyin was meditating in the monastery. When they finished, Su asked Foyin, "what do you see in front of you?"

"An enlightened Buddha!" Fo Yin smiled, "and what do you see?"

"A pile of bull shit!" Su Dong Po was making fun of Fo Yin. Su and Foyin often debated on Buddhism and philosophy and Foyin always defeated Su. Su thought this time he won!

Su Dong Po went home with a light heart. At the door, he met his little sister. She asked why her brother looked so happy.

"Because I won this time."

"How?" his little sister asked.

Upon hearing the story, Su's sister commented,

"My dear brother, you lost again."

"What?" he protested.

"Foyin has reached the state of a Buddha's mind. That is why he saw you as a Buddha. On the other hand, you had nothing but bull shit in your heart. As a result, you saw everything else as shit"

as u can see, Master Foyin see Su Dongpo as Buddha. if one have reached the state of a Buddha's mind, u see everyone including 'jesus' as Buddha.

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Spnw07 SG

This is rather off-topic but I wish to express my personal views on those who had mentioned about Master Chin Kung in this topic.

Official records: There is a scripture, I forgot its name in English or Pali; I think it is called Di4 zhang4 shi2 lun2 jing1. It is mentioned that regardless of whether a venerable is one who has observed perfectly all precepts or has broken all or has not sworn to observe any at all in the first place, we should refrain from expressing doubts about a venerable in a public arena. One should reflect any personal concerns about a venerable's character or knowledge in private with that particular venerable and most importantly, in a respectful manner and tone.

Personal views: I too have some doubts of my own when watching some of Master Chin Kung's vcds. But I have no doubt at all that he is indeed a learned master of Buddhism, and one who is working tirelessly to educate the public on traditional values like filial piety, mutual respect and compassion for all. I can only say that I am a person with average mental, emotional and spiritual intelligence, and therefore I cannot understand and thus accept some of the high-level Buddhist concepts that is explained by him in those audio-visual materials. It is my problem, not Master Chin Kung's.

I hope as mark of respect to a venerable, or any venerable, which is a live symbol of the Sangha Gem, it's best that we avoid using abbreviations or short forms to address the name of a Master.

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