A Presentation based on an email received many years ago. It aims to impart to the younger generation the importance of gratitude and filial piety. The texts are in English. (Download the PowerPoint ppt for animation effects.) For the Video with narration and explanation in Hokkien please check out the Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fznRR1NvpKY

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My Dear Son …

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There will be one day that you see me
old, ( I am already grey! ) … please
have patience and try to understand me
…

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If I get dirty … if I cannot dress…
have patience.
Remember the hours
I spent teaching it to you.

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If, when I speak, I repeat the same things, tens of times…
please try to… listen, if not with your ears,
then with your heart.
When you were small, I had to answer you
a thousand and one times,
many, many questions until you were satisfied…

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For many years, we as a family tried our best to
walk the Noble Path guided by the Dhamma and
our Precepts. You must now
walk this Path firmly and steadily,
and in turn you must help others too.

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??
??
When you see my ignorance on new technologies…
give me the necessary time
and not look at me with a mocking smile…
the oldest and most applicable technology is the
Dhamma, it is still the best, learn it well..

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I taught you how to do so many things… to eat good food,
to dress well… to confront life… to know what is right
from wrong… the beautiful Dhamma… to question…

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School and college can teach you
science, maths and business, but we
taught you the Buddha’s Teachings.
I hope you had learnt well…
and is applying it..

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When at some moment I lose the memory or the thread of
our conversation… let me have the necessary time to
remember… and if I cannot do it, do not become nervous…
as the most important thing is to be with you …
You may even now teach me back

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If ever I seem to test your patience, recall
how your daddy and I were taught
“patience”
in raising you and your siblings……

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When my tired legs
do not allow me to walk...

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… give me your hand…
the same way I did
when you had your first steps.

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And when someday you find me spending much time just
sitting in meditation, looking at my mind…, it is not that I
reject your company, it’s just that I’m trying to know
myself better.. Despite all these years, I am still learning.

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Try to understand that like a sand clock flowing
fast, I do not have the luxury of time,
so every moment is precious;
whether spent with you or alone.

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Some day you will discover that, despite our mistakes,
your daddy and I, always wanted the best things for
you and that we tried to prepare the way for you..

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You must not feel sad, angry or
frustrated when seeing my faults. Try to
be next to me, to understand me and to
help me as I did it when you were young.

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Help me to walk… this Noble 8-Fold Path,…. with
love and patience, just as I tried to help you.
I will pay you by a smile and by
the immense love I always have for you.

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I Love You My Son.
May You Walk The Noble Path
with great Metta in your heart.
With Metta,
Mother
The End
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin
Adapted from the contents of an
Email received many years ago