Preparing for a Blessed Life: Insights from a Senior Monk : หน้า 174/207

"for example, if we are certain of our integrity regarding our generosity, we can bless a person in this way: *With the truth of the alms I have offered to the monks all year long, may you have abundant provisions. Or, based on the truth of offering my possessions to aid the monks, may you also possess wealth.*" The Respected Senior Monk’s Viewpoint After the clear explanation, the respected senior monk shared his belief that: "Those who become grandparents or are respected individuals must now prepare for a way to give a powerful blessing, should the occasion arise. Do not disappoint them with a blessing that sounds like they are listening to a parrot." "If we have not offered alms to the monks yet, we should begin now because this wholesome deed can eliminate our stinginess. If we are easily irritated, strictly observing the precepts can eliminate bad tempers and stubbornness. Those who are still stubborn should study Dhamma and regularly practice meditation in order to develop the very best in themselves. "However, if we have practiced generosity, observed the precepts, and regularly practiced meditation, we can depend on these wholesome deeds to create our holy blessing. For instance, you may say that, “May you receive the merits I have done and achieve prosperity, good health, and wisdom.” "It is not too late for elderly individuals who lack good deeds to develop virtue by chanting the ‘Itipiso’ 108 times or meditating all night. When children ask for our blessings the next morning, we will possess at least some good deeds; doing them within one night is better than having nothing to bless them with. But afterwards, we should do it regularly every day. In the end, their lives will be embraced with the very best." After studying this subject, readers should understand how to prepare themselves for the last chapter of life. It is like we have to pretend that we are old now in order to develop ourselves. Because when we become old, it is difficult to change our bad habits; so we must improve ourselves by ridding our minds of greed, anger, and ignorance. When the last chapter of life arrives, we will be ready to become a person worthy of respect to our own descendants. We will be a source of wisdom for them to study and follow.