* God gives us children to train our latent talent of being a teacher. You have to know everything if you have a child. The more you know, the wiser your child will become, and more definite his direction. Most parents in the world do not know much. They themselves are not steady, are unclear about their direction, morally not stable, and not wise enough. This is why we grew up and became so wishy-washy. This is why the whole world continues to be so wishy-washy, fighting only for wealth and fame, virtually without thinking. They do not realize only spiritual food can satisfy us the most. Everyone is still greedy and sinking, because they are not satisfied with anything. They are not satisfied with the highest position, the greatest wealth. All because they have not experienced the vital essence. Now, if more of us, the adults, would practice spiritually, truly and accurately got in contact with our inner nature, understand morals and wisdom, our children would grow up in a splendid way. Should the whole nation pursue spiritual practice, all the children would become saints, saints from childhood. Subsequently, the whole world would be in peace, virtually no need for any weapons. Everything would develop prosperously and naturally.

* Parents are the initial teachers, the most important teachers. They raise the children from when they are small; the initial stage is the most vital. Therefore, parents are the best teachers of children. If they are not guided to the right path then, how can we do it later? They will have already travelled a long way, too far away to be pulled back. So we ourselves must be clear about the path we are walking on before we can guide our children. What you have taught them, the books you let them read, the friends you advised them to have, and the conditions and background that you provided for their growth, will eventually be reflected in the result. He is born carrying the genes of past lives. If you do not help him to improve from childhood, guiding him to a better direction, later he will act according to his previous genes. He will be exactly as he was before. Doesn’t matter how many hundred times he was born, he remains the same type of person, or even worse. Because his genes are bad, he attracts bad things, and he becomes worse and worse.

* Sometimes, you can find some valuable teachings when watching the television. Therefore, before showing a cartoon to the children, watch it yourself beforehand and understand it well. Sometimes, you have to explain it to the children. Don’t think that the children cannot understand. They can, if you explain it to them. I have played with many children and found that they are just like adults. I respect them very much. Sometimes, I am so shocked that I dare not treat them too casually. They are really smart, often surprising the adults. This reminds us that they also have a soul, a Buddha within. We should not recklessly remark that they are only kids. Of course, every child is different. However, should we know how to teach them, they would all behave well. If we don’t know how to treat them, they observe our weakness and start being mischievous. Once their mischief becomes a habit, it is difficult to change them. If you do not teach them well and put them on the virtuous path while they are small, it will be too late to correct them afterwards. However, educate them, and show them a sacred and correct path.

From “Be the Teacher of Your Own Children”
News 98, Pearls of Wisdom
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai
Hsihu Center, Formosa • October 9, 1994
(Originally in Chinese)

* Find ways for them to play. Playing with your children is not just going out and buying many expensive toys all the time. On the contrary, if you bring them along more often and let them work with you, their IQs will improve; they will become smarter, livelier, and more careful. Also, they will understand their parents' work more clearly. Later, you will be able to communicate with them easily. Whatever you say they will understand your loving efforts.

* As children grow older, the more you share with them the happier they are. It’s not that buying many toys for them makes them happy. If you play with them, then they are happy. Of course, they like toys, too, but toys cannot replace parents?love. If you play with them each day, talk with them more, explain things to them more, they will become very smart and be one with their parents. When they grow up they will be like friends, because they have been with their parents. Whatever you do, they will know. When you just mention it, they will understand. There’s no need to wait until they grow up because by then it will be very difficult to explain if you are used to communicating only by throwing toys at them.

From “Be the Teacher of Your Own Children”
News 98, Pearls of Wisdom
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai
Cambodia • March 27, 1996
(Originally in Chinese)