What a temple should not be

Learning Point No 299

A temple without spiritual activities is just an empty building devoid of divine presence even with a few festivals a year and people going there to offer jos sticks. 

A temple building with only welfare activities but no spiritual activities is devoid of the spirit of God and saints. Welfare activities need not be in a temple. 

Thus a building designated as a temple but only have welfare activities like aged home and collection of provisions for welfare distribution to society is no longer a temple but at best a welfare organisation. 

A temple which takes pride in welcoming a community leader or philanthropist more than the temple saint on the occasion of the saint's anniversary or mission day does make one question the purpose of its existence. It is more a secular community centre or grass root organisation.

A temple with only merry making and loud music is more an entertainment or social hub than a place of God and saints. This is more so when the priest or pastor is charismatic and more a good entertainer than a man of God and saints.

A temple with spiritual activities but no charity or welfare activities and no social gatherings is not in touch with society. It too will not be able to justify its very purpose and existence. 

In the view of Lord Bo Tien, any Bo Tien temple is meant to be a model temple for other temples to follow. It will not be any of the above. 

It's focus is on doctrine mission and understanding of the basic doctrine as the basis of all religions and sects. 

The doctrine is the basis of spirituality and welfare activities. Doctrine is the live wire to ignite spiritual, welfare, social and community activities under the umbrella of the temple. All activities are in one temple organisation. 

As such, a Bo Tien temple cannot promote use of jos sticks as this will not be congenial for visitors and residents of the aged home that is in the same building. There must be peace, quiet and clean air even with many under the same roof. 

It must reflect that the sky or heaven is the roof of the temple and all religions are pillars of the temple. The use of urns and joss sticks would have to be phased out as these are not consistent with many religions and sects.

All Bo Tien temples have done well and serve as good role models for others to emulate. But there is  indeed more room for improvement. They do need to be closer to the concept of the universal temple that the lord saint described in his mission day messages.