Dharma talk Educating today's young generation in the 102nd Seven-day Retreat

In the morning of April 30th, 2024, Senior Thich Quang Thanh, Standing member of Directing Council of (VBS) Vietnam Buddhist Sangha - Head of Central Buddhist Educating Board of VBS - Head of Central International Buddhist Board of VBS - Head of Directing Board, cum Head of Ho Chi Minh City 's Buddhist Board - Deputy Director, secretary-general of Vietnam Buddhist Institute in HCMC, had a dharma talk on the title of “Educating today's young generation” to the mass at the Wheel Dharma Building's Main-Hall in the 102 nd Seven-day retreat.

After attaining enlightenment, Shakyamuni Buddha spent 49 years spreading the Dharma and depending on conditions. As a wise man, wherever he goes, the sentient beings there are enlightened because he uses His wisdom to educate. Being disciples of the Buddhism, so we should learn from His example in educating our children and the younger generation with wisdom instead of emotions.

To educate sentient beings, the Buddha depends on the conditions, the time, or the different nature of each person to help them so that everyone can attain enlightenment. Nowadays, when we advise our children, they do not really obey, or listen of respect but do not fully implement it.

The higher science advances, the more degraded human morality becomes. Educational methods in the past and today are different. Nowadays, we need to listen to our children's thoughts to know what they need and want in order to guide them to the right place and the right thing they are looking for. When we love our children with love, we make ourselves and them suffer even more. Therefore, we need to love our children with the wisdom of Buddha so that the family is always happy and the children develop themselves more.

At the same time, young people should behave skillfully and ethically, live gratefully, not disappoint their parents, and strive to be worthy of being a filial child.

The Senior encourages all listeners to read in the Singālovāda Sutra which the Buddha taught about moral standards, duties and behavior for each person.

At the end of the lecture, He reiterated: to successfully educate the young generation in modern times, parents should note:

- Share with children what they want to hear, instruct them what they need.

- Remember the image of Buddha: He always used wisdom to educate, not love.

- Parents are children's first teachers, teach beautiful lines. Parents are the most important for young people just starting to approach life, so we should try to set an example for our children. Use the Buddha's teachings and His behavior to apply them flexibly for our children to follow.

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