The Five Archangels

No 10

The five archangels comprising the north, south, east and west with the fifth as the operator angel has graced the altar of the lord saint but with call for simplicity so that more could feel good, they will not be represented as heads on a metal rod but perhaps in more dignified form. Some say they are everywhere where a heavenly saint of God resides and there is no need to add to complexity. Where the image of the saint resides, they will be there even without any symbolic figurine representation. But they are of great sentimental value for those who have taken part in spiritual cleansing ceremonies in the first 12 years of the mission from 1970. Ceremony includes fire walking on red or white hot charoal and arm piercing. These are no longer observed and not all pioneers underwent the cultural practices. The writer has great respect for the roles of the archangels but how can this respect be translated....

Lord Bo Tien took on a Chinese cultural temple set -up to explain that the same inner truth in all religions are also present in a Chinese temple. All religions teach us to be good and to be God worthy. Don't point fingers and don't judge a book by the cover. It is the substance that counts.

But simplicity and discarding of too many layers of passed down cultural practices may do some good but moderation and balance would be wise to maintain that link with the past and the ancestors way of doing things. What is of paramount importance is that those involved and the many others must be comfortable with the practices. The practices must inspire that awe and spiritual fervour, not fear and confusion.