The Wisdom of Ancestral Teachings on Family Values : หน้า 170/207

family members fight over property or money. This causes the decline of the very best in the family and problems can only increase. Since our ancestors fully understood this fact, they led their descendants to offer alms to the monks every morning. This good deed commences the day. Children who are taught to be giving and supportive of others do not exhibit greed, show jealousy, or exploit others; their minds become positive and radiant from the time the sun rises. Through this means, greed will be completely eliminated. Through generosity, the very best can be created in oneself. 2) Eliminating anger by observing the precepts regularly. When the grandparents would wake at dawn, prior to preparing the alms meal, it would be their morning routine to gather the family and housemaids to do the morning chanting. After the chanting, they would continue by requesting the five precepts' in front of the Buddha image (as His representative). For family members who would wake up 10 minutes late, thereby missing the morning chanting, the grandparents would not allow it to pass; instead, everyone would request the five precepts while they waited for the monks to arrive for the Not to kill living being, not to commit adultery, not to tell lies, not to knowingly consume alcohol or intoxicants alms offering. After the alms offering, they would all dedicate the merits they had just performed (alms offering and the intention of keeping the precepts) to their ancestors immediately. Then they would all do the morning chanting together. At this point, we can see that the grandparents tried to instill goodness in the family, not allowing the defilements to succeed. The family would become acquainted with the intention of keeping the five precepts on a daily basis as a way to develop morality. They would make promises to themselves not to break the five precepts throughout the entire day. Moreover, they would not be ignorant, flirtatious, or cause trouble for others. Although some disagreements may have been unavoidable, no matter how serious the situation became, they would control themselves as best as they could and would reasonably settle the argument. Descendants who are taught well in childhood will not give in to temptations (Roads to Ruin) at all. By observing the five precepts they will live a peaceful life. On the contrary, today's society is filled with violence. When people are offended by others, they quickly reply with hostility. Their hot tempers are ready to erupt and seek revenge with others at anytime, leading to endless hatred. With their wisdom and vision, our ancestors deeply understood this truth and its cause and effect. By teaching The Warm Hearted Family 338 Blessing Our Descendants. The Warm Hearted Family 339 Blessing Our Descendants