20A-2000 11022000

Date: 11 Feb 2000.

Location: Xian Sheng’s house, Taman Melawati.

Table of Contents

(A) All religions should reject extremism in any form [28:20 – 33:58]
  1. Xian Sheng stated that the teachings of Christians are extreme and confrontational. The central doctrine of Christianity states that Jesus is GOD, and anyone who opposes this view is accused of blasphemy. This doctrine is not open for discussion, and Christians exert full dominance over this narrative. This unquestionable doctrine is what makes Christians extremists.
  2. The Muslims are also extremists, which has led to clashes between Christians and Muslims in sectarian violence marked by riots, arson, and targeted killings in Ambon, the capital city of Maluku Province in Indonesia, from January 1999 until the present day. (Sectarian violence lasted for 6 years till 2005). 
  3. This senseless sectarian violence was fueled by extremism within both communities. If both communities were not inherently extremist and instead practised mutual cooperation and care, there would have been room for negotiation to end the violence earlier. However, due to the extremist nature of both religious communities, reconciliation between them has been unattainable.
  4. Both communities vehemently asserted their righteousness, thereby prolonging the violence between them. If Christians and Muslims could mutually accept and tolerate each other, sectarian violence could have been prevented. However, due to their extremist nature, neither side accepts nor tolerates the other.
  5. The Christians assert that Jesus is GOD, while the Muslims argue the opposite, stating that Jesus is a human being and a Prophet of GOD. 
  6. When someone denies that Jesus is GOD, it greatly agitates the Christians, contributing to one of the reasons for the sectarian violence in Ambon.
  7. Xian Sheng added that it is fortunate that the sectarian violence in Indonesia is contained there and did not spread to Malaysia. He stated that if sectarian violence were to erupt between Muslims and Christians in Malaysia, it would be intriguing to observe the outcome due to the larger population of Malays and their access to weapons. In such a scenario, the Christians would be at a significant disadvantage.
  8. Xian Sheng holds the view that it is ideal for religions to reject extremism in any form. We need to accept that all humans are brothers and sisters, regardless of whether they follow Sikhism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism, Buddhism, or Confucianism. We should treat everyone as brothers and sisters.
  9. If we attend the funeral of our siblings, close relatives, or parents, we must not interfere with or disturb their proceedings. If they have adopted a different religious belief than ours and we are unable to influence them, we should simply observe their funeral rites without insisting on conducting our Baitiangong way of obsequies. 
  10. An exception to this would be if no one else is willing to conduct their funeral rites, in which case we may proceed with the Baitiangong obsequies.
  11. However, if someone else wants to take responsibility for the funeral, it is best to let them do so. As Baitiangong followers, we can always pray for the deceased. 
  12. Xian Sheng expressed the opinion that engaging in a fight to claim possession of the funeral rites for someone who is not a Baitiangong follower is somewhat extreme. 
  13. Xian Sheng advised that if we wish to conduct the Baitiangong way of obsequies for them, it would be necessary to negotiate with the relevant parties, as it is challenging to force others to adhere to our Spiritual Guidelines.
  14. Xian Sheng referred to Bro Ong’s and Sis Tan’s obsequies and mentioned that it would have been easy for us to step away from conducting the obsequies if the son did not permit us. 
  15. As followers, we can pray to the CREATOR for them from any location, regardless of whether we participate in the obsequies. 
  16. Xian Sheng stated that we are not accepting any payments from the family or charging them a single cent. 
  17. He concurred with Bro Foo Cheong Kong’s viewpoint that all individuals involved experience personal losses in terms of transportation, attention span, time, and energy. 
  18. Xian Sheng expressed disappointment that the family failed to consider these factors, especially when compared to the expenses they would have incurred by engaging in a bereavement care service utilising the services of Taoist Monks or making donations to the Christian church for funeral services. 
  19. Once again, Xian Sheng conveyed his disappointment that the family did not comprehend the sacrifices made by Baitiangong followers on their behalf.
  20. Xian Sheng said that the Baitiangong Spiritual Movement has operated for 24 years and highlighted that children should be the important focus of the Spiritual Movement. 
  21. He consistently advised parents to engage in discussions with their children about Baitiangong, rather than resorting to forcing them to pray. 
  22. Xian Sheng argued that if parents involve their children in discussions about why they should pray and the reasons behind praying to the CREATOR, the children would develop knowledge and understanding of Baitiangong. However, if parents rely on physical punishment, such as using a cane, to force their children to pray, the children would not grasp the reasons for praying to the CREATOR. 
  23. Xian Sheng opposes the use of physical punishment, such as employing a cane, by parents. Instead, he advocates for methods such as persuasion, discussion, and positive reinforcement so that their children grow up loving and never leaving Baitiangong, and being willing to sacrifice for it. 
  24. He believes that if followers do not adhere to his advice, it will pose significant challenges for the future of Baitiangong.
(B) take care of your own health and not leave it to GOD [44:41 – 51:17]
  1. Xian Sheng advised the followers to take care of their health and seek appropriate medication if diagnosed with diabetes. Ignoring the condition and continuing to consume foods with added sugars, as well as all types of food, without proper medication, can lead to the situation spiralling out of control.
  2. A doctor who is also a friend of Xian Sheng informed him that individuals who reach the age of 55 should make every effort to eliminate sugars from their diet. Xian Sheng took this opportunity to remind the followers aged 55 and above of the seriousness of heeding the doctor’s advice.
  3. If an individual refuses to reduce their consumption of beverages with added sugars, such as soda and sweetened beverages, they could be at a higher risk of developing Type 1 diabetes. This is because when a person ages, their pancreas may not be able to produce adequate insulin to effectively regulate the elevated blood glucose levels caused by the consumption of sugary drinks and food.
  4. Once again, Xian Sheng strongly advised the followers, particularly those aged 55 and above, to decrease their consumption of foods with added sugars. Xian Sheng shared an example of how he personally reduced his sugar intake by ordering ‘teh kurang kurang manis’ with an emphasis on reducing the amount of sugar added to his hot tea by two times. However, Xian Sheng promptly added that the best option would be to drink an ample amount of plain water.
  5. Xian Sheng once again reminded the followers to take care of their health. If they do not take care of their health now, it would lead to various health problems as they age. 
  6. He posed a question to the followers, asking them when they think they would grow old. This question arose from Xian Sheng’s observation of some followers exhibiting slow and lethargic physical and mental traits, resembling an old person. However, he suggested that by engaging in faster-paced activities, such as working, walking, eating, and performing daily tasks at a faster pace, one could naturally stimulate faster thinking processes.
  7. Xian Sheng stressed the importance of followers taking personal responsibility for their own health rather than leaving it in the hands of GOD to determine their health. 
  8. It is undeniable that when a person’s time is up, they would have to die. Xian Sheng provided the example of Bro Ong, who was last seen in good health, with whom they engaged in a lively discussion while also taking charge of his wife’s obsequies. A person who is in good health, showing no noticeable signs of illness, can unexpectedly pass away when their time is up. In the case of Bro Ong, his wheelchair toppled causing him to hit the back of his head on the floor, and he subsequently passed away shortly thereafter.
  9. Xian Sheng explained that this occurrence could be viewed as a miracle because Bro Ong had expressed his desire to pass away together with his wife, believing it to be the best outcome for him. 
  10. When Xian Sheng was notified that Bro Ong had experienced a head injury and was currently in a comatose state, Xian Sheng prayed to the CREATOR to allow Bro Ong to pass away. 
  11. Bro Ong experienced intermittent periods of coming in and out of his coma, and eventually underwent surgery. However, in Xian Sheng’s opinion, the surgical procedure was unnecessary since Xian Sheng had already prayed for Bro Ong to pass away peacefully. 
  12. Finally, around 3:00 am, Xian Sheng received a phone call informing him of Bro Ong’s demise. He immediately contacted Bro Phuah and Bro Tan to bring the white attire and dressed Bro Ong in preparation for the obsequies alongside his wife.
  13. Xian Sheng expressed his disappointment, stating that it was unfortunate that they had opted for burial at Nirvana Memorial Park in Semenyih instead of cremation. 
  14. He was informed that a single burial plot costs RM20,000, while a double plot costs RM40,000. Xian Sheng highlighted the exorbitant price of RM20,000 for a plot of land. Bro Foo Cheong Kong chuckled and mentioned that good Feng Shui also plays a role in the pricing. Bro Chong Hoi Peng mentioned that the most basic single plot would cost RM6,000. Xian Sheng mentally calculated that a single plot measuring 4 feet by 7 feet at RM6,000 would amount to RM214 per square foot, which is comparable to the price of commercial land in central Kuala Lumpur. Bro Chong added that the price did not include the cost of the tomb’s structure.
  15. Bro Chong raised the issue with Xian Sheng regarding people facing their tombstones to pray to the deceased. Xian Sheng stated that the tombstones should feature a clearly visible inscription, placed in a prominent location, to inform everyone not to pray to the deceased. 
  16. Xian Sheng emphasised that if anyone were to disregard this instruction and pray to the deceased, they would bear the sin themselves. He mentioned that he had asked Bro Tan to verify that the inscription was in place. Regarding the matter of the family altering or subsequently removing the inscription as they do not have an understanding of Baitiangong, Xian Sheng noted that it is their decision, but they would have to face the consequences of their actions.
  17. Xian Sheng expressed his hope that one of Bro Ong’s sons would pray to the CREATOR so that they could guide him in performing the ‘chook fook’ which is the Baitiangong way to pray for the deceased and other observances such as reminding family members and relatives not to pray to the deceased or offer sacrifices like food and burning joss paper paraphernalia for their parents. 
  18. Xian Sheng further mentioned that he had already informed the family about the inscription that clearly states that anyone who prays to the deceased would commit a sin and there was no need to keep reminding them.
  19. Xian Sheng was informed that the family members would be attending the Sunday meditation session, and he expressed his hope that the brothers and sisters would also join them in large numbers.