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Philosophy Note
by Master Phap Lu
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One summer day I came upon my grandfather
working in his garden. I paused watching as he worked up and
down the rows of plants because I was curious and didn’t
understand what he was doing. So, I asked him to explain.
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“My dear grandson, taking care of the
garden is the same as taking care of your children and your
students” he explained. “ The branches that are in bloom are
in fact growing disorderly and must be cut early so they
don’t waste the plants’ food and energy and so that it grows
in the proper shape. This is like children who are
disorderly, they must be disciplined and shown the correct
path. |
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I uproot the plants from poor soil and move
them to richer soil just as we relocate our young from an
unfavourable group or neighbourhood and introduce them to a more
pleasant neighbourhood or positive group of friends where they
will have a better chance at life.
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I water the dry plants that have dying
branches because they still have living energy inside them.
Just like failing students, they are not hopeless. Kindness
exists inside them and with extra care and love, they can be
revitalized”. |
The lesson I learned was to teach our students
with love, kindness, motivation and discipline. Taekwon-do can
help practitioners maintain good health, enhance mental
discipline and strengthen their focus and confidence.
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