The world of Tzu Chi February 2020 (Vol.119)

55 TZU CHI 119 * The article is extracted from the book “Still Thoughts (Vol. 2)”. Serene Reflection Question & Answer By Dharma Master Cheng Yen Q: A: Q: A: Q: A: Q: A: My wife had a heart attack because my son talked back rudely to her. There are proper ways to educate our children. Be sure to encourage and praise them when they do things well, and remind them with just a few words when they behave badly. Timing is also very important when you want to correct their behaviour. Times have changed. You should learn new methods of educating your children, just as your children learn new things every day. I am worried about my son. He is 36 years old and still single. Don’t be pushy. You must let nature take its course. Otherwise, you might have regrets in the future. If I make a resolution to do good things for others, will it help improve my son’s karma? It is our duty to do good things, and it will certainly bring good fortune to you if you make a resolution to do things that benefit others. We should bravely face the challenges that are destined to happen in our lives. Our karma, whether it is good or bad, can always serve as a warning to us. It is fixed according to our behaviour. We should never ask for anything we do not deserve to have. ATzu Chi member was very much concerned about his children’s marriages, a situation upon which the Master expounded. Parents give physical birth to their children, but they cannot give them a spiritual life or good fortune. Each person has his own fate. If we are determined to walk the Path of the Bodhisattvas, we must make a strong commitment to extend our love to all living beings for the rest of our lives. All parents should acknowledge the fact that they bear responsibility for their children, but do not exercise rights over them.