When members
of the family love and respect one another, the home will be
as beautiful as a flower garden. But if they are constantly
in conflict with one another, the home becomes like a garden
after a storm. When discord arises within the family, its members
should ask themselves whether they have shown concern for each
other by carrying out their respective responsibilities, whether
as a parent, child, husband or wife.
There is
happiness and harmony in the home when parents do their best
in bringing up their children, taking good care of them and
educating them, and when the children appreciate their parents'
efforts in providing for their security and well-being. Filial
love is a form of respect that children have for their parents.
A child may express his gratitude and respect towards his parents
by:
(i) supporting
them; (ii) taking upon himself the duties that they have to
perform; (iii) protecting the family property; (iv) preserving
the family honour; (v) making offerings in honour of them and
transferring merits to them after their death.
The feeling
of parents towards their children is one of tender compassion.
Parents protect their children and wish them well. Parents can
guide and help their children by:
(i) restraining
them from unwholesome behaviour; (ii) teaching them moral values;
(iii) providing for their education; (iv) helping them to make
a good marriage; (v) letting them inherit the family wealth
at a proper time.
Marriage
is a partnership that allows the husband and wife to share their
individual strengths and talents. As husband and wife form the
nucleus of the family, a harmonious and successful marriage
contributes to the stability and happiness of the family as
a whole. An ideal marriage can be achieved if a husband shows
love and respect for his wife by:
(i) being
courteous to her; (ii) appreciating her; (iii) being faithful
to her; (iv) sharing authority with her in family matters; (v)
giving her presents.
In return,
the wife should reciprocate with love and respect for her husband
and assist him by:
(i) managing
the household well; (ii) being hospitable to his friends and
relatives; (iii) being faithful to him; (iv) taking care of
the wealth of the family; (v) being industrious in her work.