The Four Virtues of Self-Improvement : หน้า 121/207

2. Self-improvement (Dama) “The second virtue is to always improve oneself. I kept improving myself professionally. From an ignorant person, I kept advancing myself until I was able to be a good provider, own my own business, become proficient in my career, and keep abreast of people around me and world events. I was able to control myself not to succumb to vices, to refrain from imbibing, smoking, lying and cheating on your mother. These are the values which I have acquired that lead to wisdom.” 3. Physical and mental endurance (Khanti) “Enduring physical and mental hardships is the third virtue. No matter what the root causes are, I was able to endure physical hardships, weariness, pain, and mistreatment. On top of this, I was able to resist temptations. A monk once said that whoever is able to endure these hardships would be strong, charismatic, and successful. And this is how I have acquired my wealth.” 4. Elimination of negative emotions and stinginess (Cāga) “The fourth virtue teaches us to rid oneself of bad tempers and stinginess. I always maintain my good mood and try to lend a helping hand to others. These qualities have endeared me to my relatives, neighbors, superiors, and subordinates. And when I started my own business, they were ready to return the favor and warned me of the pitfalls. This is how I have acquired my good friends. *Adhering to these four virtues has enabled me to advance my career, to elevate my status, to provide for my family, and to take care of your grandparents. And when your great-grandparents were still alive, I made sure that they offered food to the monks every day to ensure their passings to heaven. Now that they are gone, I will keep sending merits to them until I am no longer capable of doing so.\n “And if you intend to improve yourself morally, as well as your aptitude, in the way that I have been doing all my life, then you will stop wondering what the purpose of life is. We are here to shut the door to hell, to keep bettering ourselves, and to perform only good deeds, until we are rid of all defilements and finally go to Nibbana.”\n After finishing this chapter, what are you going to tell your children?