Creating the Best in Oneself through Generosity : หน้า 169/207
The Warm Hearted Family : หน้า 169/207 Explore how to transform negative traits into positive ones through conscious self-improvement and acts of generosity, as taught by the Lord Buddha.
This text discusses the importance of transforming negative traits like greed and anger into positive ones through conscious self-improvement. It highlights how generations before us practiced daily acts of generosity, such as preparing alms for monks, instilling values of gratitude and compassion in children. The teachings of the Lord Buddha emphasize the accumulation of merit through good deeds, which aligns with the traditional practices of families devoted to spiritual and moral growth. In contrast, modern society often prioritizes selfish ambitions that deteriorate family values and individual character. Starting the day with acts of kindness rather than selfish thoughts can significantly impact personal development and family dynamics. This piece encourages families to embrace altruism early in the day for collective growth and positivity.
On the contrary, those who had once been selfish, angry,
or jealous, and then reversed their conduct by improving
themselves, will possess positive thoughts, speech, and actions.
When good deeds are accumulated, bad habits will turn into
positive ones and they will be creating more of the very best
in themselves. Both adults and children can do this; it just
takes determination and conscientious practice.
The way to create the very best in oneself
The Lord Buddha taught the way to create the very best
in oneself by eliminating greed, anger, and ignorance through
the accumulation of merit. The elements of this way are:
1) Eliminating greed by regular acts of generosity.
A good example can be seen in our ancestors. In those
days, our ancestors would rise before dawn, and then wake
their family to prepare the alms meal for the monks. The entire
family had to get up and contribute. When the monks came to
receive the alms offering, the grandparents would lead the
children to put the meal offering into the monks' alms-bowls.
After the offering, the grandparents would show their
children how to transfer the merit to deceased relatives by
pouring the water of dedication. In doing so, the children would
be instilled with gratefulness and compassion.
In families who lived far from the temple, and were not
part of the route for the monks' alms round, the grandparents
would ask their descendants to prepare food to offer to the
monks, and they would travel to the temple to offer it there. If
they could not travel due to illness, their children would go in
their place. Before leaving the house, the grandparents would
gather their descendants to make a resolution (wish).
Our ancestors wanted their children to be acquainted with
generosity, rather than have minds that were clouded or full
of greed. Waking in the early morning to perform a good deed
refreshes the mind with this positive act. Life is short and full
of uncertainties. Thus, everyone in the family should begin
their day with a radiant mind that thinks only about supporting
others to do more good deeds such as offering alms to the
monks in the morning.
We can see that nowadays it is different. Most people
today wake up with a thought about getting ahead in their
careers, how they can triumph over others. Some have thoughts
of deception throughout the entire day. Some always wake up
late, unable to keep pace with others. These people do not
perform a single good deed throughout their day, in addition
to having gotten up late.
When these situations occur, the whole family is affected.
When one member takes advantage of others at work, he can
do the same to his own family. This situation can worsen when
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Blessing Our Descendants.
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Blessing Our Descendants