No 678 of Living Life Series 1
A temple is a sacred place and of all places, ego should have no place there. Though we should not bring ego into a temple, in reality, the opposite is true and a temple often manifests in the ugly egos of men.
Even Lord Bo Tien (武天菩萨) says that he is not in his temple to display his majesty but men at helm of a temple have no qualms in doing so. This then leaves much to be desired for then there is less space for purity of the heart as ego has claimed whatever available space there is.
Having said thus far on ego, we must admit and agree that the doors of a temple will never be closed to men with egos. But somehow at least out of respect for the patron saint, do leave it behind and outside even if men could not sublimate their egos.
Strangely enough though, man who has less ego find less need to be in a temple for there is more space in the world he is in. He is at peace with the world. The world is big enough for others to fight for ego space and still leave him with plenty of space to live and have the peace. But a temple may be too cramped from limited space, and he would rather stay out than in.
Having said thus far on ego, we must admit and agree that the doors of a temple will never be closed to men with egos. But somehow at least out of respect for the patron saint, do leave it behind and outside even if men could not sublimate their egos.
Strangely enough though, man who has less ego find less need to be in a temple for there is more space in the world he is in. He is at peace with the world. The world is big enough for others to fight for ego space and still leave him with plenty of space to live and have the peace. But a temple may be too cramped from limited space, and he would rather stay out than in.
No wonder, the good lord did say that those in a temple though near may be far because of their egos. Those who are relatively free from ego are edged out from lack of space, and they though outside and far are near to the lord saint of that temple.
That is why the lord says that the world is the universal temple with sky as roof and religions as pillars. Even if there are myriad times more men in the world than in a temple, the man of less ego has more space to breathe and have the peace than in a man-made temple for the lord saint. How true this is and how ironical it can be?
Which temple should a man of a lord saint be in? The answer is as obvious as can be.
Even for men with egos, why is there the need to clamor and claw for space in of all places a temple? There is certainly space aplenty out there in the world. But the issue is why men of ego prefer a temple instead. Well, the good lord Lord Bo Tien (武天菩萨) says that ants are attracted to the flower for nectar. Blame not the flower for ants and insects coming to it.
But then we must concede that everyone has ego when they are yet to be saints. So all are like ants and insects coming to a flower for nectar. But even then, isn't it that much better to stay out and be in the universal temple where space is aplenty and less or no issue. There will be less likelihood of ego and spiritual space crunch.
Ji Gong (济公) being a saint prefers the world than a man-made temple. The world is his temple. Even your home is part of his temple.
Ji Gong (济公) being a saint prefers the world than a man-made temple. The world is his temple. Even your home is part of his temple.
Like Jesus, he is more for the downtrodden, the fishermen, the poor and the meek and humble. The humble will be exalted and the exalted humbled. Did Jesus sat that?
Men who are humble prefer the world than to be confined to a temple. Surely saints do not like to be confined to temples but will be with all in the whole wide world.
Men who are humble prefer the world than to be confined to a temple. Surely saints do not like to be confined to temples but will be with all in the whole wide world.
