Dhamma for Laypersons: Cultivating Good Habits : หน้า 24/207
The Warm Hearted Family : หน้า 24/207 Explore the four essential habits of a person embodying Dhamma for Laypersons, leading to self-reliance and better family dynamics.
A person who has the Dhamma for Laypersons
(Gharavas-dhamma) must display four regular habits:
1. Habit of Responsibility - Whatever the task at hand,
he must do it to the best of his ability, in terms of quality,
time, budget, and caring for the quality of mind.
2. Habit of self-training and self-improvement - The
study and research in various areas to improve one's
knowledge, ability, and virtue for continuous progress.
3. Habit of endurance - Whatever the task, he is able to
overcome all obstacles until the task is complete, regardless
of weather, illness, or conflict, as well as withstanding
temptations or infatuations of the mind.
4. Habit of sacrifice and generosity - Whatever the
task, the group takes priority over the individual. This includes
sacrificing one's own belongings to others who need it most,
sacrificing one's convenience and comfort to take on
responsibilities that no one else wants to do, and eliminating
one's negative emotions to maintain a good family
environment. One must sacrifice one's individuality in this
way for the betterment of the group and must have acquired
these habits at a young age. Otherwise, others will not be able
to depend on him.
Only a person who has Dhamma for Laypersons or these
four good habits can become a self-reliant person, a good shelter
for others and a good family leader.
The Four Levels of Beauty
Our grandparents not only taught us how to depend on
ourselves, they also taught those who plan on marriage to select
the right person to be the mother or father of our children.
Typically, we can only observe physical beauty, not the
deep inner beauty of the mind. But our grandparents also taught
us to look for the deep inner beauty of the mind. They placed
beauty into the following four categories:
1 Level: Beauty of Appearance - This is the beauty of
our dress, makeup, lipstick, hairstyle, and apparel in accordance
with the times and fashion. It is external beauty that soon will
go out of season or will no longer be preferred. This beauty
can be purchased or borrowed from others.
2nd Level: Beauty of Body - This is the beauty of the
body in terms of our figure, skin, face, hairstyle, fingers, etc.
It is individual beauty that can not be purchased or borrowed
from others. It does not last and will deteriorate with age. It is
not a guarantee of whether a person is good or bad.
3rd Level: Beauty of Manners - This is the beauty of
both appropriate speech and action towards others. This
includes being courteous, modest, respectful, polite, cheerful
and friendly to others. However, if these manners are not truly
from their heart, it is considered insincere. There are proverbs
The Warm Hearted Family
How to Manage Family Life
The Warm Hearted Family
47
How to Manage Family Life