"I must not covet my neighbour’s wife"

Learning Point No 229

"I must not covet my neighbour’s wife." This is the fifth of seven universal precepts introduced by Lord Bo Tien to the pioneers of his mission and is common to many religions and sects. ( Messages before 1974 )

 

But even in many a temple or church, not only do members covet but they even cross the line to adultery.

 

Instead of coveting, members should help to preserve the sanctity and wholesomeness of the marital union of their neighbours or fellow members.

 

The husband or wife should be upset if the spouse is not keeping to the vows of marriage but it would be more unimaginable if he or she does encourage the adultery of the spouse. This tainted unthinkable may happen not only in society but in many temples or churches.

 

On-lookers should neither chastise nor condone but they ever more should facilitate righteousness and corrective actions, that is, damage control if the damage is done and  can no longer be corrected.

 

The saint of the temple or church will still welcome them to play useful roles in a temple or church. Lord Bo Tien said that the flower should not be blamed for insects coming to it. He also said that if a saint chooses, he may even embark on training such individuals. This is the prerogative of the heavenly saint.

 

Bystanders should neither judge nor pass cutting derogatory remarks but learn from the lives of such men and pleasantly encourage them if they are on the mend to return in their new found relationships to the fold of adhering to the 5th of the seven basic precepts referred to by Lord Bo Tien.

 

Bystanders should learn from the lives of others so as to better live their own lives in more gracious wholesome ways. They should be as benevolent and forgiving as the saint towards the person who once did wrong but thereafter faithful to the latter subsequent spouse. Failure to do so would be unkind and ungracious. This too did the lord saint want us to learn and know.

 

Incidentally if a married man commits sexual misconduct and adultery outside marriage, he will face consequences and may be shamed in public eyes. But if he mends his ways and is able to be faithful  to his wife ever the more and the wife is gracious and kind enough to be benevolent to give him the chance to mend, that would be worthy of the blessings of God  and saints.

But Man may not be as benevolent though Man tries to be a little bit of God. That is why there is less of tit for tat in the legal system of advanced countries.  

Often, it is sad truth that a person may have done one wrong, adultery, but that person ends up being chided and punished in more ways than one. God and saints will not do that and may not punish at all for to err is human though that person will obviously reap what he sows.

Man will do the unthinkable and go for overkill and be punitive because man is not saint. In fact what men do to chide and deride the one who committed adultery may be manifold worse and unjustified.

It will be more than an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Thus the actions men execute to the one who committed adultery may be frowned at by Heaven. Man has to learn that to err is human and to forgive is divine. Man has to be gracious but this will take time to cultivate. When will man learn?