| The number eight is very important for Chinese and | | | | observing these Four Don'ts, etiquette will prevail. |
| the Eight Virtues explained why when a person | | | | Without it, this world will be in total disorder. Therefore, |
| follows the Eight Virtues, he will be very lucky or | | | | we must be mindful in our conduct and at the same |
| fortunate. The pronunciations of "eight" and "prosperity" | | | | time, show respect and love for others. In this way we |
| in Chinese are almost the same and traditionally for the | | | | will have a sound and healthy character. |
| spiritual Chinese people, they connect to The Eight | | | | 6] Righteousness - It is the act of being just and |
| Virtues. Coincidently the Eight Virtues also link closely | | | | upright. In anything we do, our actions must always be |
| with the teachings of Buddhism in its Right Eightfold | | | | in accordance with our conscience. Although there are |
| Paths. The 8 Virtues follow the rank of importance | | | | temptations around us, we must stand firm by our |
| below: | | | | principles. Anything desired must be obtained through |
| 1] Filial Piety - Filial piety is the most important virtue | | | | the right course. If we obtain wealth unscrupulously by |
| among the eight virtues and it is the origin of all good | | | | harming others to benefit ourselves, then retribution will |
| deeds. Without filial piety, it is like a tree without its root, | | | | come to us sooner or later. Thus a superior man does |
| or the water without an origin. Charity begins at home | | | | not crave for ill-gotten wealth, but instead he is |
| and this is true. If a person cannot be good to his | | | | generous in helping needy people and relieving |
| parents, then most likely all other good things done by | | | | distressed. He will not only be respected by the people, |
| him are not real or have ulterior motives. Devotees of | | | | but also bring honor to his ancestors and set good |
| Tao are always asked whether they have the filial | | | | example for his descendants. |
| heart of "Zeng-Zi" (Confucius's disciple, renowned for | | | | 7] Integrity - It means to be pure and upright in our |
| his filial piety. Zeng-Zi is one of the four Confucian | | | | actions. A person with integrity does not have selfish |
| Saints and the author of the Confucian classic Da-Xue | | | | desires and evil thoughts. He does not do things that |
| 'The Great Learning' around 500 BC). | | | | are against his conscience. He is honest with friends |
| 2] Brotherhood - It is the kind of care and concern | | | | and is a responsible person. When dealing with money, |
| found among siblings. They are brought up under the | | | | he is conscientious and meticulous. He does not indulge |
| same roof and have gone through many experiences | | | | in sensual pleasures and is an upright gentleman. Thus, |
| together, be it hardship or happiness. Hence, siblings are | | | | to uphold integrity, we need to exercise greater self |
| closely related just like our hands and legs. The elder | | | | discipline. |
| being generous and lenient, the younger being enduring, | | | | 8] Shamefulness - Everybody has a sense of |
| then there will be brotherly love and the family will then | | | | shamefulness. A person who understands |
| be harmonious and prosperous. | | | | shamefulness will be honest and just in his |
| 3] Loyalty - When we perform any task, we must be | | | | undertakings. If a person does not know about |
| truthful and sincere. The task must be rational and | | | | shamefulness, most likely he may not have an upright |
| legal. We must give our best to complete the task and | | | | mind and actions. We have to be mindful in our |
| be impartial. There should be no false declaration when | | | | speech, action and thoughts so as to refrain ourselves |
| we are reporting or speaking. By being righteous, we | | | | from depravity. We should avoid doing things that may |
| are not afraid to let people see what we are doing. | | | | arouse suspicion, thus creating disgrace and |
| We do not do anything discreditable so as to be | | | | embarrassment and ultimately ruin the reputation of the |
| upright and honorable. We are said to be loyal when | | | | family. |
| we are able to face God or Deities, country and | | | | Our thoughts are the seed of good or bad fortune; we |
| society, parents and spouse with a guiltless | | | | must then rectify them according to the Eight Virtues if |
| conscience. | | | | they are wrong. If we lose our humanity, we are |
| 4] Trust - The word "trust" means having faith in | | | | actually no better than animals. Filial piety and |
| another person's words or character. The success or | | | | brotherhood are the basis of humanity and cultivators |
| failure of a business or career is also based on trust. | | | | must first practise them. If we are filial and obedient, |
| There is a saying, "A word once spoken cannot be | | | | deities and people around will respect us. God and |
| taken back." This means that what is said cannot be | | | | Saints will be happy when the other virtues are |
| unsaid. If we want to gain trust and respect, then we | | | | practiced and there will be no evil and crimes. |
| must keep our promise to others and be earnest in our | | | | On the first virtue, my Heavenly Teacher JiGong said, |
| performance of duties. There must also be unity | | | | "When a mother raises a son or a daughter, she |
| between word and action. With these, trust will then | | | | would never consider what the child can give her in |
| prevail. | | | | the future before she offers her care. Since she has |
| 5] Etiquette - It is the display of refined and courteous | | | | given birth to him, she only knows of loving him and |
| mannerism. If we are impolite, we are degrading | | | | caring for him. She also understands clearly that he |
| ourselves and also lose the respect from others. Our | | | | may disappoint her when he grows up, but she still |
| status and personality can be expressed through | | | | misses him and takes care of him, even to the extent |
| politeness. He who is polite will more likely be modest | | | | of taking on his guilt and dying for him. Dying for him |
| and upright, being courteous to the elders and | | | | without resentment and without regret - this is the |
| benevolent to the younger. If we treat others politely, | | | | heart of a mother, and this is exactly the heart of |
| others will treat us likewise. We shall not do anything | | | | Buddha." |
| that will offend public decency. Confucius said, "See no | | | | Author: T. |
| evil, hear no evil, say no evil and do no evil." By | | | | |