Children Learn Filial Piety from the Age of Three
How long has it been since you last opened up to your parents and expressed your feelings? Filial piety is a traditional Chinese virtue. Confucius said: “The relationship and duties between parents and children are inherently natural." Although it is natural for parents to love their children and children to respect their parents, it is necessary to educate and nurture children so they understand that they should not delay filial piety. Come see how well the kids have learned!
How long has it been since you last opened up to your parents?
Remy Woo, PreSchool student: My parents’ legs are very stiff. I saw how tired they are after work.
Low Chen Lie, Parent: To me, this is a form of filial piety (Child: Filial piety cannot wait)
Tan Chai Hoon, Deputy CEO of Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore): Tzu Chi advocates the virtue of filial piety. The Chinese character of “filial” appears as a filial son carrying an old man. That’s the meaning of this word. In fact, this oriental value is what holds families together.
Teacher: They had a hard time looking after us. Now that we have grown up, should we thank our parents? Today we are going to learn how to be grateful to our parents.
Tan Chai Hoon, Deputy CEO of Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore): The most precious thing for the Chinese is filial piety. So, we are instilling this virtue in children from young. Through such a ceremony, feeding them, washing their feet, massaging them, and serving tea to parents let the children know that these are not difficult things to do.
Valerie Ong , Parent: Because I am the one serving them drinks at home. This is the first time they serve tea to me, moreover in a kneeling position. So, I’m very touched by that.
Lim Qian Lin, Student：(Why do you serve tea to Dad?) Because I think this is an act of filial piety. Because he is very good to us, he is the one who makes money to give us shelter and food.
"There are two things in life that cannot wait - Fulfilling filial piety and doing good deeds."
