Get up in the morning before your parents,
At night, go to bed only after they have gone to sleep.
When you realize that time is passing you by and cannot be turned back, and that you are getting older year by year,
You will especially treasure the present moment.(18)
Wash you face when you get up in the morning,
And brush your teeth.
After using the toilet,
Always wash your hands.
You must wear your hat straight,(19)
And make sure the hooks(20) of your clothes are tied.
Make sure socks and shoes
Are neatly and correctly worn.
Place your hat and clothes away
In their proper place.
Do not carelessly throw your clothes around,
For that will get them dirty.
It is more important that your clothes are clean,
Rather than how extravagant they are.
When with an elder or people of importance, wear what is suitable for your station.
At home, wear clothes according to your family traditions and customs.
When it comes to eating and drinking,
Do not pick and choose your food.
Eat only the right amount;
Do not over-eat.
You are still too young,
Do not drink alcohol.
When you are drunk,
Your behavior will turn ugly.
Walk composed, with light and even steps.
Stand up straight and tall.
Your bows should be deep, with hands held in front and arms rounded.
Always pay your respect with reverence.(21)
Do not step on doorsills.
Do not stand leaning on one leg.
Do not sit with your legs apart or sprawled out.
Do not rock the lower part of your body while sitting down.
Lift the curtain slowly,(22)
Do not make a sound.
Leave yourself room when you turn,
Make sure you do not bump into a corner.
Hold carefully empty containers
As if they were full.(23)
Enter empty rooms as if
They were occupied.(24)
Avoid doing things in a hurry,
As doing things in haste will lead to many mistakes.
Do not be afraid of difficult tasks,
But do not become careless when a job is too easy.
Keep away from rowdy places,
And do not ask about things that are abnormal or unusual.
When you are about to enter a main entrance,
Ask if someone is inside.
Before entering a room,
Make yourself heard so that those inside know someone is approaching.
If someone asks who you are,
Give your name.
To answer `It is me’ or `Me’
Is not clear.
Before borrowing things from others,
You must ask for permission.
If you do not ask,
It is stealing.
When borrowing things from others,
Return them promptly.
Later on, when you have an urgent need,
You will not have a problem borrowing from them again.
related post: Chapter 4 – Be Trustworthy
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(18) There is an old Chinese proverb: "A unit of time is as precious as a unit of gold, but you cannot buy back one unit of time with one unit of gold". It means that time is precious, and a person cannot buy time with money.
(19) Guan "冠" means hat. In ancient China when a male wore a hat, it meant he had passed the age of becoming an adult.
(20) In ancient China, in place of buttons, people used hooks. When dressed, hooks had to be tied.
(21) Bai "拜" means paying respect. In ancient China, people paid their respect to other people by bowing, holding one hand over the other which is closed, or prostrating on the ground.
(22) In ancient China, the curtain was made of bamboo strips woven together. They were used to shelter a room from view.
(23) Even though a container may be empty, out of reverence to things, whether living or not, one should treat it with respect and handle it with care.
(24) In ancient China a virtuous man always behaved properly, regardless of whether he was alone or with others.
Source Of Information:
《Standards for Being a Good Student and Child》, translated by Pure Land Learning College Translation Association, printed in August 2012, distributed by Amitabha Buddhist Society Malaysia (92, Jalan Pahang, 53300 Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
*** The information provided above does not contain personal opinion of this blog.
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