the room with nothing above it, and is never
treated, as ornaments anywhere in the
Buddhist world.
A Buddhist treats the Buddha image with
reverence as he would the Buddha himself.
Whenever we think that matters such as
reverence are not worth troubling over, we are
being careless and not mindful. Always
remember that from practices based on
reverence are born humility - these are
qualities praised by the Buddha.
As soon as the members of a Buddhist home
have cleaned themselves in the morning and
evening, they offer flowers, light the candles
and burn the incense sticks. Placing their palms
together and raising them to their chests or
higher (in anjali). they bow three times, the first
time to the Buddha, the second to the Dhamma
and the third time to the Sangha. After this they
recite the ancient verses in Pali* (the language
spoken by the Buddha himself), in English or in
their own language.
Even if one has no time to do this, one must at
least look at the Buddha image and recall the
Master’s noble qualities with the firm
determination to emulate such qualities.
Beginning and ending the day with expressions
of confidence and reverence for the Triple Gem
helps one to maintain calmness and happiness
throughout the day.
2.A Buddhist Home
A family is a place where minds come in contact
with one another. If there is love and concern
for each other, the home will always be filled
with happiness and laughter. If on the other
hand, there is discord, then the home is
wrecked almost like a garden spoilt by a storm.
How many homes are wrecked by a bitter
tongue of a daughter-in-law, a selfish gesture of
a husband, or the jealousy and malice of asister.
Discordant minds often bring disaster, even if it
isa trifling misunderstanding.
Whenever discord arises within one's family,
one should not blame others but should
examine one's own mind andfollow the right
path.Parents and children
The Buddha taught thatit is not easy for a son
to repay his parents for their love and kindness,
even if he could carry his father on his right
shoulder and his mother on his left for a
hundred years.
And even if he could bathe the bodies of his
parents in sweet smelling ointments for a
hundred years, serve as an ideal son should,
gain a throne for them, and give them all the
luxuries of the world, still he would not be able
to repay them sufficiently for the great
indebtedness of gratitude he owes them.
But there is only one way to repay the great
debt. If he leadshis parents to the Buddha and
explains the Buddha's teachings to them; he
persuades them to give up a wrong course and
follow a right one he leads them to give up
stinginess and enjoy the practice of offering,
then he will be more than repaying them.
Always remember that the Buddha's blessings
abide in the home where parents are held in
respect and esteem. A child should honorhis
parents and do for them all that he is supposed
to do. He should serve them, help them at their
labor, cherish the family lineage, protect the
family property, and hold memorial services
after they have passed away.*Refer to the Handbook of Buddhist by K. Sri
Dhammananda (BMS) for Salutation to the
Buddha, Three Refuges, Five Precepts and
Salutation to the Triple Gem.