Fathers and mothers are known as our first teachers for they are the ones who instill our foundational habits from the very beginning. If they fail to train us, or train us wrongly, we are left with nothing but disadvantage upon disadvantage.
To put it simply — if parents are dishonest, insincere, careless, lazy, untidy, and lacking in responsibility, and we have absorbed those habits of carelessness and disorder from an early age, then only harm can follow. It becomes exceedingly difficult to turn out well.
On the contrary, if our fathers and mothers are attentive, responsible, and thorough in all they do — they need not hold advanced academic degrees — but so long as they are honest and genuine, never sloppy or careless, disciplined in conduct, meticulous and earnest in their work, and truly responsible, that alone is enough. That truly is all that is needed. Such qualities alone open the doors of heaven for us, and represent an immeasurable value in our lives.
Dhamma Teaching to International Buddhist Society (IBS)
February 6th. 2016
