In the sacred worldview of the Binabaylan, behavior is not merely a product of social conditioning—it is a reflection of one’s inner balance, ancestral wisdom, and spiritual alignment with the forces of nature. This blog explores the layered question: Who truly shapes the behavior of a person? Is it the family, the school, the church, or the environment?

The Family: First Teachers of Behavior

The family is the first school of life. Parents are the primary molders of a child’s behavior, values, and worldview. Through daily interactions, discipline, affection, and example, children learn how to relate to others and to themselves. In Filipino Indigenous spirituality, parents are not just caregivers—they are spiritual intermediaries, entrusted with the sacred task of nurturing the soul of the child.

The Church: Shaping the Parents

If parents shape the behavior of children, then the church must shape the behavior of parents. The spiritual community, whether called a church, temple, or shrine, holds the responsibility of guiding adults in their moral, emotional, and spiritual development. In the context of Templong Anituhan, the church is a vessel of Diwata wisdom, offering rituals, teachings, and sacred practices that help parents embody the values they wish to pass on.

The Environment: Mirror of Society

Behavior is also influenced by the broader environment—friends, media, culture, and community norms. These external forces can either reinforce or challenge the values taught at home and in spiritual spaces. A society that honors nature, respects elders, and uplifts the spirit will naturally cultivate individuals with compassionate and balanced behavior.

The Church’s Behavior: Guided by Nature and Diwata

A profound question arises: What shapes the behavior of the church itself? In Aghamic spirituality, the answer is clear—the laws of nature and the guidance of the Diwata. The church is not merely an institution; it is a living body that listens to the rhythms of the earth, the whispers of the wind, and the messages of the divine spirits.

The behavior of the church must reflect:

• Balance among the elements (Fire, Water, Air, Earth)
• Harmony with the realms (Kaitaasan, Kailaliman, Kaibabawan)
• Responsiveness to the needs of the people and the planet

The Aghamic Charter: A Moral Compass for Templong Anituhan

To formalize this sacred responsibility, the Aghamic Charter of Templong Anituhan was drafted. It outlines the moral and spiritual foundations of the temple’s behavior as a guide to society. Key principles include:

• Nature is Sacred – The temple must protect and honor it.
• Diwata are Intermediaries – Their will is discerned through ritual and reflection.

-The Temple is a Guardian of Balance – Among elements, realms, and relationships.

• The Temple is a Healer of Society – Through compassion, justice, and spiritual care.

The Charter also affirms the role of Binabaylan as spiritual exemplars, tasked with living out Aghamic ethics and guiding others toward inner and communal harmony.

A Call to Sacred Parenting and Leadership

In this light, parenting becomes a sacred vocation, and spiritual leadership becomes a communal responsibility. The family, the temple, and the environment must work together to shape behavior that reflects the divine image within each person.

Let us remember: To shape behavior is to shape the soul. And in the tradition of the Binabaylan, this shaping is done not through control, but through connection—to the Diwata, to the Anito, to nature, and to one another.