Date: 7 May 2000.
Location: DBKL Crematorium, Cheras
Table of Contents
(A) Some individuals sense that their time is coming to an end.
- Xian Sheng was informed that Brother Chiew Kok Foo had jokingly told his mother he was going to a distant place and would never return home.
- Sometimes, words spoken in jest can turn into reality. Perhaps Brother Chiew had a precognition, much like Sister Lee Lee from Baixian Office, who passed away recently.
- Xian Sheng rhetorically inquired about what Sister Lee Lee had mentioned to her co-workers. She had suggested that Sister Wong Chew Peng quickly learn her office responsibilities to avoid being scolded by Xian Sheng after her passing.
- Hardly a week passed before she passed away after being struck by a car.
- Sister Lee Lee, who worked in the Baixian office, was only 19 years old – the same age as the deceased, who was also 19.
- Xian Sheng repeated that she had urged her co-workers to quickly learn her office responsibilities, or they would be in trouble and risk being scolded by Xian Sheng after her passing. She passed away less than a week later, having been struck by a car.
- This was much like Brother Chiew jokingly telling his mother that he was going to a distant place and would never return home.
- Are these circumstances purely coincidental, or perhaps they are something we could not know, but they somehow sensed it and inadvertently hinted to others about their impending death?
- This is something the living are not privy to, yet after its revelation, it becomes a reality. Sister Lee Lee had told her co-workers to quickly learn her office tasks before her passing, and what she said came true.
- At a recent meditation session held at Xian Sheng’s house, someone commented that the two brothers, Ah Loy and Xiao Ti, would only attended when they needed Xian Sheng’s help with a problem. Strangely, a few days later, a problem did occur – Brother Ah Loy’s son, Brother Chiew, was involved in a car accident. Although the situation was peculiar, the comments were speculative at best.
- Returning to Brother Chiew and Sister Lee Lee, they may have had a moment of sixth sense, knowing that their time was coming to an end, something completely oblivious to the rest of us. Looking back after their passing, we can now piece together the entire jigsaw puzzle.
(B) What is a good death and a bad death?
- Xian Sheng asked if death from being hit by a car would be painful. A sister responded that it would, but Xian Sheng said it would not.
- He asked the sister how she knew and teasingly questioned whether she had ever been hit by a car. The sister replied that one would lose consciousness after being struck. Xian Sheng confirmed that once unconscious, a person would no longer feel or know anything.
- Xian Sheng repeated his question, asking whether it was a good or bad way to depart. He maintained that it was still better, compared to what he had seen happen to an elderly woman in the past.
- The elderly woman’s illness had caused severe, deep wounds on her face, from which larvae (likely maggots) were practically jumping out. Her suffering was so intense that Xian Sheng felt chills just by looking at her. Someone was cleaning her wounds with cotton and antiseptic, causing the larvae to jump out, narrowly missing Xian Sheng. Xian Sheng admitted that the experience had frightened him.
- The elderly woman had endured illness and suffering for a long time before she passed away, in contrast to Brother Chiew, who died instantly after being struck by a car.
- What do we consider a painful death and a good death? Some people argue that being hit by a car is not a good way to die. Xian Sheng asked, if being hit by a car is not a good way to die, would they then consider the elderly woman, who was so ill that a large hole had formed in her face with larvae jumping out, to have died a good death?
- Xian Sheng asked if anyone had ever seen larvae inside overripe “nangka” (jackfruit). These larvae would jump out of a spoilt jackfruit.
- Xian Sheng referred to Brother Ong Swee Tow as another example of a slow, painful death. He had to have one leg amputated, then the other, yet he remained alive for a long time before eventually passing away.
- Finally, Xian Sheng concluded by asking what is considered a good death and what is considered a bad death.
- He stated that there is no choice between a good death and a bad death, as when an individual’s time comes, they will pass away in any manner – whether from a car accident, in their sleep, or in any other way.
(C) Birth, ageing, sickness and death are not the problems.
- Xian Sheng reminded everyone that humans must go through the process of “生老病死” (birth, ageing, sickness, and death).
- Death is not the problem. Living is not the problem. Ageing is not the problem. Sickness is not the problem. The problem lies in whether we “認接” (recognise, acknowledge, or accept) the Head of the household.
- To illustrate the disastrous consequences for a person who failed to recognise the Head of the household, Xian Sheng repeated his earlier example: if he were the head of the household of the crematorium and refused to allow anyone to enter, could he do so? Xian Sheng answered that he could, and he would lock the door to deny entry, so no one would be able to enter. Could he refuse to conduct business today and lock the main gates? He replied that he could, as he is the Head of the household.
- We must ask ourselves a critical question: is there a Head of the household for Heaven, Hell, and the universe, which consists of the suns, moons, planets, and stars, all made from the five elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth?
- We must ask ourselves how the five elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, which make up the suns, moons, planets, and stars, came into existence. How did humans come about? Is there a CREATOR?
- If the CREATOR exists, but we do not recognise, acknowledge, or accept HIM, the CREATOR would similarly reciprocate, and there would be nothing we could do (to enter Heaven after we pass away.)
- Xian Sheng stated very frankly that the CREATOR would only welcome us if we recognise, acknowledge, and accept HIM.
(D) We help the Baitiangong Spiritual Movement by bringing along our children.
- Xian Sheng stated that although we all wish to help develop the Baitiangong Universal Spiritual Movement, we have failed to bring our children along to Sunday meditation or any other activities.
- He questioned whether we would only bring our children when there are problems, but leave them at home when there are none. Xian Sheng advised against this, stating that we must bring them from a young age to Sunday meditation (join the children classes) to learn the teachings of Baitiangong, so that when they grow up, they will have a deep understanding of Baitiangong and will not convert to other belief systems.
- It is very important, especially for young children, that they learn about Baitiangong. Therefore, we must bring our children with us and not attend alone.
- Xian Sheng referred to Brother Ong Swee Tau and his wife, who consistently participated in Baitiangong activities, but failed to bring their children along. Despite praying for over 20 years, none of their children followed them to pray to the CREATOR.
- How to tackle the issue of who would pray for them after they have passed away? Xian Sheng urged us to ask ourselves this question.
- Ideally, our children should be the ones praying for us. They should kneel and pray as follows: “GOD, my father has passed away. If he has committed any sins in life, we request the CREATOR to forgive, pardon, and lessen his sins. If he is deserving, grant him a good place in Heaven.”
- Ideally, every succeeding generation should do the same. Our children and grandchildren should kneel and pray twice a day.
- Xian Sheng explained the twice-daily routine as follows:
1. Recite the Baitiangong prayer.
2. Pray for all the saints in Heaven to be granted a better place in Heaven. Pray for all the saints, regardless of whether they were Christians, Muslims, Taoists, Buddhists, Hindus, or followed any other religion during their lives. This routine includes us, our children, our grandchildren, and all generations to come. We then pray for all our ancestors, which would also include us after we have passed away.
3. “GOD, if our ancestors committed any sins during their lives, we request GOD to forgive, pardon and lessen their sins. If they are deserving, grant them a good place in Heaven.” - Xian Sheng reiterated that this way of praying and requesting the CREATOR to forgive our ancestors would also include us after we have passed away. This practice applies to us, our children, our grandchildren, our great-grandchildren, and all future generations.
- This way of praying is very important, and we should never underestimate its significance.
- This is why it is so important for us to bring our children along, so they can understand what Baitiangong is. This way of praying and requesting forgiveness for all our ancestors must be passed down through the generations.
- We will eventually and inevitably leave this world. How we leave it is not important; what matters is that our soul can be saved. This is the key message that Xian Sheng wanted to share with us.
- Xian Sheng concluded by saying that our purpose today is to pray for the deceased, without any alternative motives. He named the deceased as Brother Chiew Kok Foo, aged 19, and Brother Hwang Swee Huat, aged 65, and repeated how we should pray for them.
(E) Better hope the deceased does not complain to the CREATOR about us.
- For those conducting funeral rituals for deity worshippers, they must put on a smile (for the bereaved family, relatives, and friends). Deep down, they are also smiling as they know they will receive payment after the funeral.
- However, we refuse any form of payment. We conduct the obsequies free of charge.
- Some people say that anything done for free has no value, whereas anything that requires payment is seen as having great value.
- In fact, if people thrive by deceiving others, they should stop when it comes to the deceased.
- Nevertheless, it is crucial that we do not deceive anyone at all. The reason is that while we may be able to deceive someone when they are alive, we certainly cannot deceive them once they have passed away.
- Xian Sheng explained that if a person burns a 5 million hell note for the deceased, it is they who will be in trouble, not the deceased. The deceased’s soul will know that this person has been deceitful. When the deceased was alive and asked for RM500 or RM1,000, this person refused to give it. Now that they have passed away, this person burns a 5 million note for them, which is completely useless to them.
- Xian Sheng asked, “Who are you trying to deceive? Are you trying to deceive the deceased? You can no longer deceive them.”
- This person better hope the deceased does not criticise them in death. Xian Sheng explained that the deceased resides in a dimension closer to the CREATOR. If the deceased complains about them, then they will be in trouble.
- Xian Sheng ended his sermon by inviting the congregation to pray and make requests to the CREATOR for Brother Hwang Swee Huat, aged 65, and Brother Chiew Kok Foo, aged 19.
Date: 7 May 2000.
Location: Xian Sheng’s house, Taman Melawati
(F) Obsequies provide us an opportunity to “Do good”.
- Obsequies provide us with an opportunity to “do good” by allowing us to pray for the deceased.
- Therefore, we need to ask our Elder and ACC why they did not provide us with the opportunity. (Xian Sheng mentioned this because some followers did not receive any notification from their Elder or ACCs regarding the recent obsequies.)
(G) Carry out the obsequies together to minimise travel and time.
- Xian Sheng announced the joint obsequies for Brother Hwang Swee Huat, aged 65 and Brother Chiew Kok Foo, aged 19.
- We conducted the obsequies for the two deceased together. Xian Sheng advised that, in future, if similar situations arise, we should also hold joint obsequies together to avoid wasting time with everyone attending two separate services at different locations.
- Ideally, they should also be cremated at the same crematorium, so the brothers and sisters do not have to travel to two separate crematoriums.
- Unfortunately, the cremations were conducted separately at two different crematoriums today: one at the MBPJ Crematorium on Jalan 51a/229, PJ, and the other at the DBKL Crematorium on Jalan Kuari, Cheras.
- However, the obsequies were conducted together at the old Kwong Tung Funeral Parlour in KL.
(H) Chinese funerals are wasteful.
- Xian Sheng heard that the 65-year-old Brother Hwang Swee Huat had already donned the burial garments and was preparing to undergo a Taoist funeral ritual.
- Xian Sheng was uncertain, as the information he received was incomplete regarding the wife’s sudden decision to switch to Baitiangong way of obsequies after recognising it as the right way, despite having already donned the burial garment.
- Xian Sheng wanted to know if the family’s sudden decision to change was financially motivated.
- Someone mentioned that they had maintained the original casket, which cost more than RM4,000.
- Xian Sheng inquired about the current expenses for Baitiangong’s obsequies. He was told that, excluding the casket, the expenses were less than RM1,000, compared to the Taoist funeral, which exceeded RM20,000.
- Since the family cancelled the Taoist funeral at the last minute, they only had to pay RM8,000 to the funeral parlour. Had they proceeded with it, they would have had to pay the full amount, exceeding RM20,000.
- Irrespective of the circumstances, Xian Sheng remarked that most Chinese funerals are wasteful.
- Xian Sheng was still intent on discovering the real reasons for the family’s shift from a Taoist funeral to Baitiangong’s obsequies, questioning whether the waste of so much money was the cause.
- He wanted confirmation as to whether the burial garment worn by the deceased had been removed and replaced with the plain white garment, in accordance with Baitiangong’s way of obsequies.
- As for the girlfriend of Brother Chiew Kok Foo, who died with him in the car accident, Xian Sheng heard that the situation was reversed: the Baitiangong white garment she wore was taken off and replaced with a Taoist burial garment.
- The situation with the girlfriend was odd, as her mother had chosen to conduct Baitiangong obsequies and had her dressed in white garments. However, her father disagreed, insisting that their daughter’s tragic death warranted a Taoist funeral. Consequently, her white garment was replaced with a standard burial garment.
- Xian Sheng asked what had happened to the white garment and was informed that it had been thrown away. He said there was no need to dispose of it, as it could have been cleaned and reused for future funerals. He then realised that it was likely thrown away because of bloodstains from her injuries.
- Xian Sheng highlighted that this was the first time in Baitiangong history that two deceased individuals had their garments changed.
- The new millennium, the year 2000, had indeed been a strange one so far. He noted that we had a pair of husband and wife who passed away together, and now a pair of deceased individuals who had their garments changed.
- Apparently, all sorts of bizarre things can happen in the human world.
(I) Baitiangong is right, but …
- Xian Sheng expressed his dismay that we could not perform the Baitiangong way of Obsequies to pray for Brother Chiew’s girlfriend, emphasising the importance of praying for the deceased.
- Despite the circumstances, Xian Sheng stressed the importance of praying for Brother Hwang and Brother Chiew.
- Xian Sheng expressed his hope that the family, relatives, and friends of the deceased who had listened and seen how Xian Sheng conducted the Baitiangong way of Obsequies, would wake up.
- Xian Sheng asked the brothers and sisters whether those who had witnessed the Baitiangong way of Obsequies would actually wake up. A sister shared her observation that they had paid attention to Xian Sheng’s sermon. Xian Sheng also believed that some of them had listened.
- Xian Sheng conveyed significant news that Brother Hwang’s wife had said she would invite them to her home in the next few days to purge all the idols, as she wanted to start praying to the CREATOR. Although Xian Sheng did not seem entirely convinced by her desire, he nevertheless listened to her request.
- Xian Sheng asked the congregants whether she was sincere in her desire to pray to the CREATOR. If she were, they would have gained a new follower in the Spiritual Movement.
- Her son even mentioned that the way we conducted the obsequies was right, after hearing Xian Sheng’s explanation.
- Xian Sheng shared his personal experience with the driver of our hearse, known by his nickname “Tall Guy.” We had engaged his services for many years, and he had witnessed numerous obsequies at the Old Kwong Tung Funeral Parlour. He enjoyed joking with Xian Sheng, whom he called “Old Chew.” Once, Xian Sheng sat in his hearse and asked him when he would finally wake up, as he had repeatedly told Xian Sheng that Baitiangong was the right way. However, after he passed away, the family chose a Taoist funeral instead of the Baitiangong way. Xian Sheng questioned what truly constitutes “right” before one is compelled to act on it, noting that “Tall Guy” clearly wasn’t convinced it was “right” enough to leave instructions for his family to conduct his funeral in the Baitiangong way.
- A sister mentioned that the hearse driver was part of the funeral services industry and, as such, benefited greatly from the gifts given by his colleagues.
- Xian Sheng acknowledged that a hearse driver stands to gain from his association in the industry but argued that if “Tall Guy” claimed the Baitiangong way of Obsequies was right, he should have left specific instructions for his family.
- Xian Sheng offered an alternative explanation, proposing that “Tall Guy” might have been merely entertaining him by claiming that the Baitiangong way was very right. In fact, Xian Sheng shared that he had heard similar views from other hearse drivers, who also said that the Baitiangong way was right.
- Ultimately, how much of what is right is needed to convince people to act on it? If a person does not change, how can they sincerely say it is right?
- Xian Sheng stated that it is crucial for us to conduct preaching classes to persuade people to pray to the CREATOR. Convincing others that it is right to pray to the CREATOR is no easy task.
- Many people would tell us to our faces that Baitiangong is right, but behind our backs, they would boldly claim that Baitiangong is not right. Xian Sheng asked us how we should reconcile this.
- This is why, when someone tells us that Baitiangong is right, we oblige them and move on, but we must keep preaching wherever we go. Whether they believe or not, we must not engage in arguments or challenge them.
- Xian Sheng concluded by emphasising the importance of persevering in preaching wherever we go, hoping that one day, people would wake up.
(J) Fear of praying to the CREATOR.
- Xian Sheng inquired if Brother Hwang Swee Huat had heard of Baitiangong in the past. He was told that Brother Tan An Bin had shared the teachings with him. (While waiting for Brother Tan to arrive and brief them on Brother Hwang’s situation, Xian Sheng engaged the followers in an academic discussion.)
- Xian Sheng hoped that Brother Hwang understood Baitiangong’s teachings, because if he did not… Even if Brother Hwang had understood Baitiangong, it would have been useless if he had not put it into practice.
- He posed another question: whether Brother Hwang and his family had indeed prayed.
- There are people who will tell us to our faces that Baitiangong is right, while others pray in secret. They kneel down to pray to the CREATOR but conceal it from everyone else.
- Xian Sheng asked if there were people who prayed in secret. He replied that there were indeed such people, as they were too shy to pray openly.
- There are even people who, when faced with difficulties in life, will finally kneel down and pray to the CREATOR for help. Xian Sheng is aware of such cases, where they only pray when difficulty arise.
(K) It is crucial to develop the Spiritual Movement.
- Xian Sheng lamented that, after 24 years, the growth in followers remained relatively slow. While there had been progress in Kuala Lumpur, with many newcomers joining, there was little to no growth in Johor and Ipoh. He questioned what could be done to improve the situation in these areas.
- It is crucial to develop the Spiritual Movement.
- Therefore, if we ever hear someone say that Baitiangong is good or that Baitiangong is right, we should follow up on their progress by visiting them and sharing more teachings, with the hope that they will eventually awaken and express their desire to pray to the CREATOR.
- Xian Sheng hoped that the desire of the late Brother Hwang Swee Huat’s wife, who believed that Baitiangong was right and expressed her wish to pray to the CREATOR, would be fulfilled.
- She said that she would invite Baitiangong brothers and sisters to her home in the coming days to perform iconoclasm to purge all the idols, so she could begin praying to the CREATOR.
- Since she had made the request, Xian Sheng obliged, but it remained to be seen whether she would stay true to her desire.
(L) Idle chats can turn into a reality?
- The key parties in developing the Spiritual Movement are the brothers and sisters in Baixian, followed by the Council of Elders and the ACCs.
- If we heard that Brother Hwang’s wife and son had shown interest in Baitiangong but failed to follow up by visiting them, it would be a missed and wasted opportunity, as we do not know how to capitalise on it.
- Today, at the crematorium, Xian Sheng saw Brother Ah Loy, his children, and a large group of relatives who had turned up.
- Xian Sheng asked whether the responsible parties in Baitiangong could investigate to find out what percentage of Brother Loy’s numerous relatives are praying to the CREATOR.
- When Xian Sheng invited Brother Ah Loy’s elder son to join our activities, he simply replied that his father was praying to the CREATOR. Xian Sheng interpreted this response as meaning that he did not need to pray, as his father was praying on behalf of the entire family.
- Xian Sheng said that Brother Ah Loy’s son clearly does not understand the meaning of “同枱食飯，各自修行” (Eating at the same table, but each pursuing their own spiritual path), as he claimed that his father does all the praying, essentially shifting the responsibility of praying on behalf of the family onto his father. Xian Sheng then posed a question to the followers: What about him?
- Xian Sheng asked whether any Elders or ACCs had visited the families of Brother Xiao Ti and Brother Ah Loy, as they both have large families. Xian Sheng added that if all the family members were followers of Baitiangong, it would greatly contribute to its growth.
- Xian Sheng pointed out the problem as whether their family members are praying to the CREATOR, and the solution is to assign someone to preach to them.
- Xian Sheng emphasised the need for more communication with Brother Ah Loy and Brother Xiao Ti.
- Nevertheless, Xian Sheng was aware that the two brothers rarely attended Sunday meditation.
- During their recent rare attendance, a few followers mentioned that the two brothers would never show up unless they had problems. Sure enough, problems emerged for them after their visit.
- Xian Sheng found it odd that the two brothers had a tendency to show up only when there were problems, and sure enough, problems followed after their visit. Xian Sheng also mentioned this during today’s sermon at the crematorium.
- Xian Sheng asked how we would explain this odd phenomenon mentioned by a few followers, that the two brothers would never attend except when they were facing problems.
- Xian Sheng clarified that when the two brothers attended, there were no problems. It was only after their attendance that Brother Ah Loy’s son and his girlfriend perished in a car accident.
(M) We cannot judge others. We leave it to GOD to decide.
- Xian Sheng was unsure of how to comment on Brother Chiew’s passing. He had been told that Brother Loy’s son was known for his habit of driving at dangerously high speeds.
- If he had driven at dangerously high speeds that day, it would imply that he was the cause of his girlfriend’s death, who was with him.
- Xian Sheng was told that whenever his mother was in his car, she would stop him, step out, and leave him to drive alone.
- He also heard that the son drove down the steep and winding road from Genting Highlands without braking, making dangerous swerves around the bends. He is, therefore, a danger to other drivers as well.
- Xian Sheng remarked that some situations are hard to explain.
- His accidental death was of his own making. Given his tendency to drive fast, it is very likely that he brought about his demise. Had he driven within the speed limit, both his and his girlfriend’s deaths could have been avoided.
- Xian Sheng asked the followers for their views, highlighting the importance of using their analytical minds to determine if Brother Chiew was right or wrong. He also asked what they thought would happen to his soul if they found him wrong. Nonetheless, Xian Sheng mentioned that his soul would need to be reincarnated again.
- However, if they find him to be right, we pray and ask the CREATOR to forgive, pardon, and lessen his sins, and if he is deserving, grant him a good place in Heaven. Nonetheless, this is our standard request to the CREATOR for all the deceased, whether they are right or wrong.
- Xian Sheng said, “We leave this to the CREATOR to decide. It is not for us to decide for them.”
- We can only pray for him, regardless of whether he is right or wrong. Our only recourse is to pray for him.
- If he were indeed driving dangerously at high speeds, he could certainly be blamed for being in the wrong, as there is always an element of danger associated with speeding.
- Thankfully, he only caused the death of himself and his girlfriend, as a head-on collision with another vehicle would have likely led to the death of its occupants.
- Due to his habit of driving at dangerously high speeds, he is in the wrong because of his reckless human nature.
(N) Is death fated, since Brother Chiew had foretold his death to his mother?
- We cannot say that a person is fated to die in a certain way since death is part of the natural course of birth, ageing, illness, and death.
- Xian Sheng had witnessed accidents that he said could have been avoided had the drivers not been speeding. They were involved in the accidents because of their speeding. He asked, “Who is at fault here?” Xian Sheng replied that the fault lay with the drivers for speeding.
- There is nothing we can do for them, other than pray for them.
- Since Brother Chiew told his mother that he was going to a distant place and would never return, could this have been a revelation to him that his time to leave Earth was imminent? Xian Sheng replied that it was possible.
- Recalling the final days of Sister Lee Lee, she told Sister Wong Chiew Peng that she should learn her tasks as she would eventually leave them one day. Xian Sheng asked why she would imply that she was going to die, given that she was still so young.
- Could it have been sixth sense that alerted her to her impending death?
- Why would a young girl say, “In the event of my death,” urging her colleagues to learn her job so they would not be scolded by Xian Sheng for not taking over her role properly?
- It would seem as though she knew in advance, just like Brother Chiew Kok Foo, who also seemed to know beforehand about their impending deaths.
- It is therefore possible that an individual could somehow sense, to a certain extent, their impending death and reveal it to others.
- Nonetheless, when a person habitually drives at dangerously high speeds, they are constantly in a state of danger.