For anyone to perform goodness, they must begin with cleanliness. To instill a deep appreciation for the Dhamma in children from a young age, they must first be trained to maintain their own cleanliness. Do not view teaching children to clean as training them for menial labor; it is not.
Cleanliness is the fundamental work of life and is considered a Universal Goodness. No one in the world enjoys filth. If a person develops a habit of being messy or dirty, it becomes very difficult for them to excel in anything else.
Therefore, if you have children or grandchildren, train them in these areas first:
- Cleanliness: They must know how to clean themselves and their belongings—even their toys.
- Orderliness: Beyond cleanliness, they must learn to organize their things.
- Politeness: They must be respectful and polite to everyone.
- Punctuality: They must learn to be on time.
- Meditation and Chanting: They must regularly chant and practice meditation.
These are the 5 Universal Goodness. They serve as the essential foundation that enables one to attain the Dhamma of the Lord Buddha. If a person has yet to master these five basic virtues, it will be difficult for them to truly understand the deeper teachings of the Buddha.
June 10th, 2014
