How can we help kids from buddhist perspective?

Balancing family life and the Dhamma, in pursuit of a happy lay life.
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mjaviem
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How can we help kids from buddhist perspective?

Post by mjaviem »

Hi everyone.

Is there anything we can do for them from the buddhist point of view? Any teachings they could understand and which could help them with their lives? Anything that could trigger an interest about the Buddha and his Dhamma?
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammā Sambuddhassa
befriend
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Re: How can we help (our) kids from buddhism?

Post by befriend »

Teach them the danger of gossip. Lying, no one will trust them. Putting yourself in other people's shoes. The bliss of charity.
Take care of mindfulness and mindfulness will take care of you.
JohnK
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Re: How can we help (our) kids from buddhism?

Post by JohnK »

Consider the Buddha's teaching to his own son.
https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/MN/MN61.html
Those who grasp at perceptions & views wander the internet creating friction. [based on Sn4:9,v.847]
sunnat
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Re: How can we help (our) kids from buddhism?

Post by sunnat »

Walk the talk. iow meditate.
BKh
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Re: How can we help (our) kids from buddhism?

Post by BKh »

This website has lots of Dhamma material specifically for kids. Two podcasts for kids. Youtube videos, events, etc.

https://www.serenecolombo.org/

Kids have an unbelievable ability to understand the Dhamma. Any teaching is useful and appropriate if taught correctly. They are naturally very concerned about morality and dong good actions.
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Alino
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Re: How can we help (our) kids from buddhism?

Post by Alino »

Only by our own example.

If we apply Dhamma in our daily life, and if we explain to our childrens why in this situation we acted like this (non-greed, non-hatred, non-delusion) and not like that (greed, hatred, delusion) - it will be our best gift to them.

But if we will teach them Dhamma, but our bodily, verbal and mental conduct will be contrary to it - chilndren will remember how you acted, and not what you have said.
We don't live Samsara, Samsara is living us...

"Form, feelings, perceptions, formations, consciousness - don't care about us, we don't exist for them"
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confusedlayman
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Re: How can we help (our) kids from buddhism?

Post by confusedlayman »

tell the kids (if they are teens and 16 plus) to not have x with their classmates ... this problem is happening everyday in western world and also in some eastern world

tell them not to lie
tell them not to have friends with stupid and bad classmate
tell them to not to do drugs or alcohol
tell them not to kill
tell them heaven and hell may be real
I may be slow learner but im at least learning...
ToVincent
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Re: How can we help (our) kids from buddhism?

Post by ToVincent »

Alino wrote: Fri May 07, 2021 3:43 am Only by our own example.

If we apply Dhamma in our daily life, and if we explain to our childrens why in this situation we acted like this (non-greed, non-hatred, non-delusion) and not like that (greed, hatred, delusion) - it will be our best gift to them.

But if we will teach them Dhamma, but our bodily, verbal and mental conduct will be contrary to it - chilndren will remember how you acted, and not what you have said.
:goodpost: :goodpost: :goodpost:
In this world, there are many people acting and yearning for the Mara's world; some for the Brahma's world; and very few for the Unborn.
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mjaviem
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Re: How can we help (our) kids from buddhism?

Post by mjaviem »

Yes all replies are good advice. I want to make a special mention to the advice about reading Rahula sutta which is very appropriate.
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammā Sambuddhassa
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Aloka
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Re: How can we help (our) kids from buddhism?

Post by Aloka »

The following resources might be helpful:
How Can the Buddha’s Teachings Inform Contemporary Education?
https://www.drbu.edu/news/ajahnjayasaro-feb2021

and a video "Buddhist Education with Ajahn Jayasaro":



:anjali:
SarathW
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Re: How can we help (our) kids from buddhism?

Post by SarathW »

ToVincent wrote: Sun May 23, 2021 3:21 pm
Alino wrote: Fri May 07, 2021 3:43 am Only by our own example.

If we apply Dhamma in our daily life, and if we explain to our childrens why in this situation we acted like this (non-greed, non-hatred, non-delusion) and not like that (greed, hatred, delusion) - it will be our best gift to them.

But if we will teach them Dhamma, but our bodily, verbal and mental conduct will be contrary to it - chilndren will remember how you acted, and not what you have said.
:goodpost: :goodpost: :goodpost:
Agree.
What we lacking in Sri Lanka is that people who talk Dhamma do not follow it either.
For instance, Sri Lankan Buddhist monks still carry the cast difference, some of them do not follow their own teaching. So adults do not have trust in monks and children do not have trust in adults.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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Aloka
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Re: How can we help (our) kids from buddhism?

Post by Aloka »

JohnK wrote: Fri May 07, 2021 12:54 am Consider the Buddha's teaching to his own son.
https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/MN/MN61.html
:goodpost:


.
GoWiththeflowavatar
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Re: How can we help (our) kids from buddhism?

Post by GoWiththeflowavatar »

I would teach the child loving-kindness to themselves as the world around them could be filled with criticism and negativity. A person who knows loving-kindness well, treats themselves well and can offer the same to others.

As you may know they will sleep well, be treated well, and have a good complexion as promised in the metta sutta. A parent would be wise to teach their child loving-kindness for themselves and ultimately be a good example for the world.
Dhammavamsa
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Re: How can we help (our) kids from buddhism?

Post by Dhammavamsa »

Maybe just let them choose by themselves?

I think the western world really hate religion indoctrination.
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SarathW
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Re: How can we help kids from buddhist perspective?

Post by SarathW »

Dhammavamsa wrote: Tue Jun 15, 2021 7:18 am Maybe just let them choose by themselves?

I think the western world really hate religion indoctrination.
This is not a good strategy.
We have to expose them to all religious beliefs and let them chose what they want.
85% of the world population have some belief in religion.
As a social animals, we should be able to appreciate the beliefs held by different people.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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