Don't expect the world of a church or temple

Learning Point No 277

Many temples and churches have open doors and try to be popular. This is good as only by being attractive will people come to it. 

But a flower too is attractive but what it attracted are insects who do not value the flower but only go to the nectar. They hack care what happens to the flower after getting the nectar. The flower wilts but there is still good outcome and the good outcome is not the intention of the insects. 

The good outcome is that though the flowers wilt and die, seeds are formed and dispersed to far away areas so that new plant and flowers will result. These would benefit others and attract new admirers or followers. Of course, there will always be insects coming to the new flowers. Don't blame the flower for insects coming to it. 

In a temple or church, if good is done, the beauty of the temple or church will  attract people but more often than not, genuine seekers of God are few and far between. The many that come go for the nectar of personal and social gain. 

That is how a saint or prophet starts a temple or church. Only a handful are genuine but the majority rest are out for personal and social gain. But at least they could become wee bit spiritual and good in some way. Otherwise, God knows what would have become of them. 

It is easier to attract and bring together such a loose bunch to kick start a new temple or church than to try to bring together a group of good spiritual men who because of pride that they know better but yet not enlightened (that's why they have pride) will split hairs on what best be done and the temple will never be able to grow and be set up. 

So wise up and do not expect the world of a church or temple. Do not gasp in aghast when you find the pastor or priest charged with incest, embezzlement, corruption or even sexual misconduct. At least whatever good they can do, they could not do if they are not pastors, priests or monks.

Don't expect the world of a church or temple.  Any Bo Tien temple too is the same like any other temple or church.