won buddhism

45. The Founding Master said, “There are four ways for parents to teach children. The first is called Teaching through the Mind. First of all, have your children follow after their parents’ minds and keep their minds righteous, gentle and serene through religious faith. The second is Teaching through Action. The parents themselves must first practice and conduct themselves reasonably, so that their practice and conduct naturally become the model for their children. The third is Teaching through Words. This is a way to teach children by explaining to them the many wise dicta and the exemplary conduct of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, sages, saints, and great and far‐sighted people, and it is a way of leading children by giving them reasonable explanations for Facts and Principles. The fourth is Teaching through Strict Severity. This teaching is not to be used often, and only on thoughtless children. Therefore, in teaching children at home, as they grow from infancy to adulthood these four ways of teaching may be of great help for parents in educating their children to be good.”

from The Scripture of the Founding Master, Chapter 4, v. 45

46. The Founding Master said, “In teaching children, first, parents should be an example for the children of how to respect their elders and how to guide younger people. If parents themselves are disrespectful or undutiful to their own parents, or act in any unreasonable way before their children, they will lose their dignity and their influence upon the children. Second, parents should behave with propriety before their children. If the children do not hold reverence toward their parents, the parents will have difficulty in controlling the children properly. Third, parents should be affectionate to their children while keeping their propriety. If parents are only serious and show no affection or love, the children will never respond truly to the parents. Fourth, parents should be trustworthy and keep their word at all times. If the children lose trust in their parents, the instructions of the parents will not be observed strictly. Fifth, proper and reasonable praise or rebuke is necessary. If children are praised or rebuked improperly, parents will not be able to guide them into a true self‐awakening. Sixth, parents should inspire right faith in the minds of their children. Children without faith will be easily trapped by temptations in the course of their growth. Seventh, from early in childhood, one should encourage a mind dedicated to the public interest, for if one does not encourage it, the sprout of selfishness will naturally grow. Eighth, parents should keep their children from criticizing or slandering other people, or else their attitude will become imprudent and cause misfortune by misusing their mouths. Ninth, parents should train their children to refrain from accepting even a petty thing unjustly. Otherwise, their imprudent habits will be rooted deeper.”

from The Scripture of the Founding Master, Chapter 4, v. 46