We talk about living a life of significance and leaving behind a legacy that will have positive impact on our children and descendants.
Well, here are the "Six Instructions" for the Wen clan 温氏圣谕六训 which mirrored the 'Placard of Instructions to the People' promulgated by the 1st Ming Emperor Hung Wu 洪武帝 (Zhu Yuanzhang 朱元璋) who dealt with local administration of justice by village elders and directed that in every village a disabled, very old or bind person, led by a young boy should walk the streets, ringing a copper bell with a wooden clapper and chanting the "Six Instructions" (Source : Rayne Kruger. All Under Heaven - A Complete History Of China. West Sussex, England : John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2003) :
孝顺父母，尊敬长上，和睦乡邻，各安生理，教训子孙，勿作非为。
The 1st instruction : 孝顺父母 - Maintain filial obligations
The 2nd instruction : 尊敬长上 - Respect for elders
The 3rd instruction : 和睦乡邻 - Harmonious relations with neighbours
The 4th instruction : 各安生理 - Work peacefully for your own livelihood
The 5th instruction : 教训子孙 - Instruct and discipline sons and grandsons
The 6th instruction : 勿作非为 - Do not commit a wrongful deed
Comments, input, suggestions and critiques are most welcome. This is to ensure we impart the correct lessons as originally intended.
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