All religions are founded on faith. Faith is essential for those who follow the Way. With faith, one’s practice becomes steadfast; without it, or with weak faith, one will eventually falter. Faith strengthens our resolve and empowers our spirit. By approaching our practice with unwavering resolve and a strong spirit, believing and trusting in the Way, we gain the resilience to endure the hardships of cultivation. As the French proverb says, “La foi transporte les montagnes” – “Faith can move mountains.” This illustrates the power of strong faith. When we wholeheartedly trust in Heaven and Buddha, they will undoubtedly respond, for faith is like a vessel that holds water, and divine responsiveness is like the water that fills it. A large vessel can hold more water, a small one less, and if the vessel is cracked or broken (losing faith), it can no longer hold water.
One’s faith is shaped by their understanding. Those who grasp the profound mysteries of the Way possess a firm and unwavering faith, as solid as rock, unbreakable and indestructible.
The faith of those with limited knowledge and narrow perspectives is fragile and wavering, like floating duckweed or drifting clouds, with no firm foundation. A wave of doubt or a gust of criticism can easily shatter it. Such individuals merely imitate others’ beliefs without true understanding, and when faced with challenges, they quickly abandon their faith. This fickleness is dangerous and a grave offense against the very Way they profess to follow. Therefore, before placing our faith in anything, we should diligently investigate and analyze it to determine its trustworthiness (*2). Once we recognize the truth, we must nurture our faith to grow stronger each day, so that even amidst hardships and trials, we remain steadfast and unwavering.
To cultivate happiness within the family, we must nurture the faith of all its members, especially the young. Children, being innocent and untainted by negative influences, are particularly receptive to developing faith in the truth. This is a crucial step in preventing misfortune. Neglecting this early cultivation and waiting until children have grown and accumulated karmic burdens before intervening is like waiting until after a theft to secure one’s belongings. Moreover, when individuals develop faith from a young age, it becomes deeply ingrained and powerful, providing the strength to resist negative influences and temptations.
How then do we cultivate faith in truth within children? First and foremost, parents must possess a genuine and unwavering faith themselves, radiating strength and conviction. This faith must be evident to their children for them to emulate. Children naturally imitate their parents’ behavior and attitudes. If parents instruct their children to revere Heaven and respect Buddha while neglecting these principles themselves, their words will have little impact. Such an approach is like signposts at a crossroads, pointing in various directions while remaining stationary. Travelers following these signs might still lose their way; how much better it is to have a guide. If parents urge their children to believe in Heaven and Buddha without demonstrating genuine faith themselves, how can they expect their children to avoid misconceptions and misguided beliefs?
Many people resort to threats when their children cry, saying, “Stop crying, or the ‘Boogeyman’ will get you!” Such threats harm children’s imagination. The term “Boogeyman” instills fear and creates a distorted image of a cruel and monstrous being that preys on children. This is the first step towards superstition that parents inadvertently introduce to their children.
Children are often curious and defiant. While they may obey their parents outwardly, they might disobey in secret. Instead of threatening with the “Boogeyman,” how much better it would be for parents to say:
“Look up at the vast blue sky. Above it resides the all-seeing Heaven. He created the heavens, the earth, the sun, the moon, the stars, humans, animals, plants, and everything else. His eyes are very bright; He sees everything we do, whether in darkness or in light. He rewards good deeds and punishes bad deeds” (*3).
Such guidance will instill a lasting sense of awe and reverence in children. They will refrain from wrongdoing, whether in the presence of their parents or not, for they will think, “Even if my parents don’t see, Heaven sees all.”
Is this not an effective way to cultivate faith in children? Growing up with reverence for the Creator and imbued with virtuous principles, they will naturally uphold both Heavenly and human ways.
(*1) I have compiled a separate book discussing “Faith” in detail. Here, I will only touch upon the main points.
(*2) The profound mysteries of the Heavenly Way are beyond the full comprehension of our mortal minds, no matter how advanced we become. Even empirical scientists must concede to its depths. Today, our limited understanding of these mysteries is thanks to the compassionate guidance of Heaven, Buddha, Immortals, and Saints through divine communication. These sacred pronouncements, compiled into a unique doctrine, must be accepted as truth, beyond any refutation. For example, the Supreme Being has revealed that there are 72 Earths (excluding the Three Thousand Worlds), and our Earth is ranked 68th. How can we empirically verify this teaching? Those who choose not to believe are free to do so, but for those who have faith in the Way, there should be no room for doubt or skepticism.
(*3) Although children may not fully grasp the concepts of right and wrong, good and evil, they will understand that whatever their parents forbid is something they should not do.
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