DEAR CHILDREN,

It marked the World Elders day on the 01st of October and also this is week of Elders.
Most members is our human family wholeheartedly remember the elderly week.

No one is there to escape from the reality and the nature. If one does not die in the prime of one’s life, one definitely and undoubtedly will meet the true nature of life.

Twenty five centuries ago, the Great Teacher, the Buddha has emphasised the true nature of the life and has vividly explained the changes of our human body in various expositions of the natural phenomena and the truths.

Specially, in the exposition of the Truths which delivered to his fellow members of the community of maha sangha, Venerable sariputta Maha Thera has clearly described the nature of physical changes of living beings.

The ageing of the beings in the various orders of beings, their old age, brokenness of teeth, grey of hair, wrinkling of skin, decline of life, weakness of faculties – this is called ageing.

However, the system of treating and respecting elders goes back to the history of humanity. Even before the Buddha’s era, elders are the foremost advisers and mentors in our well- cultured and well – mannered society.

Our Great Master the Buddha has mentioned the values and importance of respect and taking care of elders.

Parents, elders, teachers, monks and nuns are the pre-eminent citizens that should be treated with respect and honour. We should treat them well, not because of age or they are old but because of their innermost and human qualities.

Person can be matured by ageing but if the person is not matured with noble and spiritual qualities, he or she is empty.

Some elders are the architects of many inheritances which we benefit today.
We must be very grateful to them.

May all beings be well and happy!
 

By: Ven. Horowpothane Sathindriya Thera,

        Samadhi Buddhist Vihara

        Campbellfield  -  Victoria.

                AUSTRALIA.