I suppose that I have various covenants with others in my life, but the most important covenant now is the one with my host father. He and I live together in Pleasant Hill and I owe a lot to him. He takes care of me, so I really appreciate him every day.
Before starting this home stay program, I contracted with him. This contract had a literally legal binding force, for example, the cost per month, the minimum term of this program, and various hosing rules.
However, other than the above contracts written in a paper, I made an important covenant with him implicitly. I promised myself “I will behave in a respectful manner with him.” Based on this covenant, I have lived with him in a polite way and respected him from my heart. Surprisingly, he also gradually came to behave in a respectful manner with me. Due to my implicit covenant, he and I could build a good relationship each other. If I had made an only legal contract with him, such a great relationship between us would never have occurred.
Likewise in regard to our society, I suppose that not only legal contracts but also implicit covenants within us are important. I think that a covenant came from our inner voice has stronger power than various laws established by someone. That is because our covenants from inner voice are spontaneous not compulsory. Our covenants are comprised of compassions and devotions to others. If a lot of people make a covenant with others having empathetic hearts, the world will become better, I believe.
Our society is a covenant society rather than a legal society.
