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DISCOURSE 64
207 the Dharma and old people. Even the friends and relatives of parents are to be adored in the same manner. All these are included in Guruvarga (the class of venerable seniors). These venerable seniors have to be honoured in five ways mainly.
(1) When they come near you, you stand near them respect
fully. (2) You must make polite enquiries about their welfare. (3) You must sit still near them. (4) You must not mention their names in improper places. (5) You must not hear others calumniating them,
The family in which the members observe these principles of conduct (the youngsters adoring the elders and the elders deserving the worship) will be actually fit to carry out special spiritual austerities.
CHILDREN SHOULD ADORE AND REVERE EVEN THOSE WHOM THEIR PARENTS REVERE
The sphere of politeness is wide. The number of people who deserve to be worshipped is large. Father and mother are, of course, worthy of being worshipped. Even those whom parents respect are worthy of being worshipped by children. The teachers in schools, colleges and universities should be worshipped. The cultured and enlightened people in society and in the city are fit to be worshipped. All these kinds of people should be given respect and esteem. Courtesy and obedience must be shown to them. But the first and foremost duty of children is to show regard and reverence to their parents; and to keep up that attitude towards their parents always.
The feelings of affection and regard for parents will appear in the hearts of children only when they realize their duties and when they realize the value of the benefactions bestowed upon them by them. If children always think of the duties of their parents; and if parents always sing the song of the duties of their children; then the feeling that parents are to be worshipped will not be present in children; and parents also will not be
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