Going to The Temple

Purpose of going to a temple:
(Based on a Dharma Talk)

One should go temple with the purpose of cultivation. Cultivation of one's mind. One's original mind. One's wisdom mind. One should not be expecting anything else. One should go with open mind to cultivate one's mind - one's wisdom mind by hearing the Dhamma. One should not expect any special treatment, or favors or anything else.

At one time Vimalakrirti, a lay disciple of Buddha was sick. Buddha asks one of his formost desciple Sariputra to make a visit to Vimalakirti to enquire about his health. Vimalakirti, though a lay decisple and a house holder, was very advanced in prajna (wisdom) and had comprehended the Dhamma very well. Though he was well-to-do, he lead a very simple life. Sariputra went to Vimalakirti's house with a large retinue of monks.

Vimalakirti did not have enough chairs or place for everyone. Everyone had to stand. Sariputra felt insulted that he had to stand. Vimalakirti reads Sariputra's mind and asks him, "Sariputra! Have you come here for a seat!? Or have you come here to hear Dhamma?".

Hearing this Sariputra realizes! He was full of remorse. That is the same case with most of us. We go to temple expecting something as trivial as a seat and miss the most important thing! We like to be treated .. treated spcially. We do not go with the right mind .. and in the process we miss the purpose of going to the temple!