EDUCATING CHILDREN WELL IS ALSO SOWING SEEDS OF GOODNESS
Master Jun Hong Lu: In the past, many parents were deeply filial to their elders, setting an example that influenced their children from a young age. Unsurprisingly, as these children grew old, they followed in their parents’ footsteps and were filial in return. This is a clear example of a virtuous reward later in life, resulting from a wholesome cause planted in one’s early years.
Conversely, there are many parents who are not only self-centred, but also do not hesitate to scold their elders in front of their children. They are even rude enough to address their elders as “an old fart”, “a useless old fart”. Little do they realise that, in time, when they are old and seriously ill, the mistreatment that they receive from their children could be far worse. In fact, they might even be kicked out of their homes. Clearly, they are responsible for the consequences of their actions, having failed to properly educate their children from a young age.
Therefore, educating your children is in a way planting a wholesome cause for yourself. If your child is unfilial towards you, who can blame but yourself for having planted the evil cause? This aligns with the saying, “An unfilial child is the fault of the father”. This implies that parents are responsible for the unfilial behaviour of their children. This is why it is important for all Buddhists and spiritual cultivators like us to understand the workings of the law of karma.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms (Radio Program), Volume 1 Chapter 25