Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai
videoconference with disciples • August 11, 2002
(Originally in English)

Q: With children who practice, when should we start and how should we help them not become attached to materialism from an early age?

M: Well, you can tell them about the ephemeral nature of all things and make them see some examples from books, from others, or from nature.

Q: Will the child's mind naturally become detached from material things if we don't pollute it, or do we have to train it that way also?

M: We can train it, but still, if they go to school, if they go out, they will be affected by the society. But at least if they have a good background, they will be able to withstand the pressure and disappointment that life and company will bring to them. It's not that they won't have the disappointment and pressure and loneliness that the company will bring. But they will be able to withstand it. They will be strong enough to understand and overcome the sorrow or unhappiness that arise from these circumstances.

Q: Thank you for that, Master. (Applause)

M: You're welcome.

Q: Many of us have children and they are practitioners and half initiates, and it's always very difficult for us to know how to raise them. The guidelines for us are quite clear, but raising children is transferring your thoughts to someone else. It's very difficult, so thank You for Your advice.

M: You're welcome. I hope it works. In this world, it's never a thing that's absolute or 100%. You can only do your best and be proud that you're doing so. Everything else also is the effect of karma, of society, of the collective consciousness, and God's will, and weather, and the country where you live, the traditions, and the friends that they have and everything else. You can't control everything. So do your best. And be a good parent. Be loving and good. And that's good enough already. These are very fortunate children who are born to spiritual, saintly parents like you are.