第十二条原则：儿童教育，谨之于始
[12] [The] Twelfth Principle: [For] Children’s Education, [With] Cautiousness Then From [The] Beginning
小儿从有知识时，即教以孝悌忠信、礼义廉耻之道，及三世因果、六道轮回之事。
Young children, from when [they] have [the ability to learn] knowledge, [should be] immediately taught [with the] path of filial piety, [fraternal] respect, loyalty, trustworthiness, propriety, righteousness, integrity [and] shamefulness, and [the] three periods’ causes [and] effects, [with] matters of [the] six paths’ rebirths.
令彼知自己之心，与天地鬼神佛菩萨之心，息息相通。起一不正念，行一不正事，早被天地鬼神佛菩萨悉知悉见，如对明镜，毕现丑相，无可逃避。庶可有所畏惧，勉为良善也。
Enable them [to] know [that] their own minds, [are] with [the] minds of [the] heavens’ [and] earth’s ghosts [and] gods, Buddhas [and] Bodhisattvas, closely connected [with] one another. Giving rise [to] one thought [that is] not right, doing one matter [that is] not right, [they are] already by [the] heavens’ [and] earth’s ghosts [and] gods, Buddhas [and] Bodhisattvas, all known [and] all seen, like facing [a] bright mirror, completely appearing [with their] ugly expressions, without ways [to] escape [from them]. Hopefully, [they] can have that feared, [to] encourage [them] to be kind [and] good too.
无论何人，即婢仆小儿，亦不许打骂。教其敬事尊长，卑以自牧。
Regardless [of] anyone, even if [a] servant’s young[er] child, also not allowing [him or her to be] beaten [or] scolded. Teach them [to] respectfully serve seniors [and] elders, with humility self-governing [themselves].
务须敬惜字纸，爱惜五谷、衣服、什物，护惜虫蚁。禁止零食，免致受病。
[They] must respect [and] treasure words [on] paper, cherish [the] five grains [of millet (粟), soya bean (豆), sesame (麻), barley (麦) and rice (米)] [i.e. not waste food and drink], clothing [and] miscellaneous objects, protect [and] cherish insects [and animals]. Prohibit [them from] fragmented eating [i.e. snacking between meals], [to] avoid leading [to] receiving [of] sicknesses.
能如此教，大了决定贤善。若小时任性惯，概不教训，大了不是庸流，便成匪类。此时后悔，了无所益。
[If] able [to] like this teach, [when] grown already, [they will] definitely [be] wise, capable [and] kind-hearted. If when young wilful habitually, [with] all not taught [and] admonished, [when] grown already, [if] not being mediocre [and] incompetent, then becoming robbers [or those not upright. At] this time regretting, [it will be] completely without any benefit.
古语云：「教妇初来，教儿婴孩。」以其习与性成，故当谨之于始也。天下之治乱，皆基于此，切勿以为老僧腐谈，无关紧要也。
[An] ancient saying says, ‘Teach daughters-in-law [when they] first arrive [married, and] teach children [when they are] babies.’ With their habits and dispositions accomplishing, thus should [there be] cautiousness then from [the] beginning. [As the] order [and] chaos [of the] world, [are] all based on this, [you] must not [be] with [seeing of this] old monk’s views [as] adhering to old ideas, [to be] unrelated [to what is] important.
净土宗十三祖印光大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
《一函遍复》
(One Letter [As A] Common Reply)
Namo Amituofo : Translation by Shen Shi’an
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第十一条原则：恪守妇道，孝敬慈爱
The Eleventh Principle: Strictly Complying With Women’s Path, Of Filial Respect And Kindly Love
https://purelanders.com/2021/10/14/11-the-eleventh-principle
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结语
Concluding Remarks
https://purelanders.com/2021/10/14/13-concluding-remarks-of-one-letter-as-a-common-reply
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Complete Text:
《一函遍复》
One Letter As A Common Reply
https://purelanders.com/yihan
