Dhamma for Laypersons and the Four Levels of Beauty : หน้า 24/207

A person who has the Dhamma for Laypersons (Gharāvās-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 Warm Hearted Family 46 ------------------------------------------------------------ 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: 1st 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 47