Buddhist study: Guidelines for being a good person part 1

The Buddhist “Guidelines for Being a Good Person” was written by ancient Chinese sages. There will be eight parts to this study so if you have not yet subscribed to the column here please take a moment to do so. Just find the subscribe button near the author's photo and click it, no spam will haunt your email we promise. Every time a part is published then it will automatically notify you in an email. The Buddhist “Guidelines for Being a Good Person” teaches us the standards for being a good human being.

First, it teaches us to respect and love our parents and to be kind to our brothers and sisters. Second, it teaches how to interact with people and how to go about our daily tasks properly. It also teaches us to be the type of person that any and everyone can trust. Furthermore, it teaches us to love all sentient beings and to keep company with a kind, virtuous people.

After having learned how to do all these, we can expand our knowledge by studying the arts and literature going beyond our horizons. In Buddhism it matters not what your age or status is in life, we all have parents and we will keep these parents for this life whether they are alive or not. And in Buddhist when a parent dies it is proper to remember them in sadness for three straight years and to never forget the anniversary of their death.

Remember them in sadness does not mean we become depressed and stay that way, it just means we keep their passing in the forefront of our minds and maybe do something to remember them from time to time. The first part of this study will be:

Respecting and loving our parents at home

-When our parents call us, we should answer them right away.
-When they tell us to do something, we should do it promptly.
-When our parents instruct us, we should listen respectfully.
-When they scold us, we should sincerely accept what they say.
-We should make sure that our parents are warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
-In the morning, we should greet them and show them that we care. At night, we should make sure that they are resting comfortably.
-Before going out, we should let our parents know. When we return, we should tell them that we are back.
-We should lead a routine life, and we should not be constantly changing our mind in whatever we do.
-Even when a matter is trivial, we should not act without permission or just do as we please. If we do so, then we are no longer a dutiful child.
-We should not hide any possession, no matter how small, from our parents. If we do, they will feel hurt.
-When something pleases our parents and is proper, we should try our best to provide it for them.
-When something displeases our parents, we should remove it.
-If we injure ourselves, we will make our parents worry.
-If we do something un-virtuous, they will feel ashamed.
-When our parents love us, it is easy to be respectful and loving.
-When they do not love us, respecting and loving those means we have a noble heart.
-If our parents do something wrong, we should urge them to change. Do so with a kind expression and caring voice.
-Should our parents not accept our advice, try again when they are in a better mood. If they still do not listen, our sincere tears will show them how deeply we care. Should they get angry with us, do not hold it against them.
-When our parents are ill, we should make sure that they take the right medicine.
-Care for them night and day, and do not leave them alone.
-For three years after our parent’s passing, we should remember them in sadness.
-We should live simply and not adorn our home. Avoid merry-making, meat, and alcohol.
-We should arrange our parent’s funeral in a proper manner.
-We should always honor them as if they were still alive and, especially on the anniversary of their death, remember them with a sincere heart.

Sometimes the hardest part about being Buddhist is remaining moral, and proper in what the Buddha taught was the right way, the virtuous way and the way leading to enlightenment. Parents today can be ignorant and when the child is not on the same page as the parent upon growing up, it can cause some pretty harsh issues. Especially for American families that have children that are of one belief or way of life and parents that are of a different way.

This can cause some head bunting and sometimes harsh words can be thrown back and forth. As a Buddhist, we have to abstain from these things however possible. We have to be the bigger being and show the other side that there is a better way than that of the world, how they handle confrontations. So by following these guidelines you will be improving yourself and showing those around you the proper way.