5 Life Blessings from the King
“We will reign with righteousness for the benefit and happiness of the people of Siam.” Throughout the past and up to the present, the “righteousness” that His Majesty has spoken of refers to the “Ten Royal Virtues”, which consist of generosity, morality, charity, integrity, gentleness, perseverance, non-anger, non-violence, patience, and non-deceitfulness. To honor and follow in the footsteps of our father, the TerraBkk team would like to share 5 life blessings from the King for the Thai people as a guiding compass towards success and goodness as follows:
1. Generosity and SacrificeThis means sacrificing royal assets for public benefit, both in supporting the religion and alleviating poverty for the people as a routine. The King’s generosity also includes imparting knowledge so that the people can use it as a sustainable means of livelihood.
“Sailing teaches people to think and act for themselves. When we go sailing and the boat doesn’t move, no one will come to teach us. We have to think for ourselves, to understand where the wind is coming from. With such strong winds, can we handle it? If we can, we will fight, but if we cannot, we will still try, and the boat may capsize. If the wind is light, what should we do to make the boat move? And if there is no wind, what should we do? We must wait a moment for the wind to come.”
“If we know how to sail and understand the direction of the wind, if we have this knowledge, Thai children will be able to apply it in their lives and work without ever facing losses because they understand the techniques of living. Thai children will learn to think and act for themselves.” This was His Majesty's address on April 19, 1966.
2. Morality and Good ConductThis refers to the goodness of body, speech, and mind that the people can see in every action of the King. Every society acknowledges and respects an education system that produces skilled individuals, but often forgets that being skilled is not complete without being good.
The King has warned and pointed out four flaws that may lead skilled individuals to make mistakes:- “Flaws in careful consideration” because they focus solely on achieving success.
- “Flaws in respect and consideration for others” because they consider themselves superior.
- “Flaws in moderation” because they aim to stand out.
- “Flaws in ethics and understanding right from wrong” because they seek only personal gain.
His Majesty stated, “In addition to teaching people to be skilled, it is essential to educate them to be good as well. Only then will our country have quality individuals who are both skilled and good to serve the nation.”
3. Gentleness and PolitenessHe is a monarch who does not hold himself above others, especially the people. He shows respect to monks and those older in age and wisdom. He listens to problems, advice, and resolves issues with reason, kindness, and gentleness.
Problem-solving requires understanding the root cause of the issue, which comes from dialogue and inquiry. This is another aspect of His Majesty's work to solve the nation's problems by visiting and inquiring in real areas without holding himself above others. This approach makes His Majesty's problem-solving sustainable without altering the foundations of culture, traditions, and beliefs.
4. Perseverance and DiligenceHe demonstrates diligence in performing royal duties with patience, free from laziness, for the benefit of the people and the nation. He does not give up, even when he is unwell, showing us his perseverance on many occasions.
He sets an example through royal projects and inventions, each of which requires both time and perseverance to overcome obstacles.
“Today we may not see results, but do not be discouraged. Just because we did not see results today does not mean we will not see them tomorrow. Today we do, tomorrow we do, next week we do, next month we do. Results may come next year, or in two or three years.” This was His Majesty's royal address on October 27, 1973.
Knowledge comes from education and must be applied with perseverance and determination until that knowledge is profound and can be used for the benefit of the people in the country. This is what His Majesty exemplifies.
5. Integrity and FairnessHe maintains justice and does not allow injustice to deviate from what is right, both in royal conduct and royal judgments. He does not waver or yield to any bias and does not act contrary to royal traditions.
His Majesty is a researcher; whatever he does, he must investigate until he knows the truth deeply. Khun Thong Daeng, his loyal dog, remains close to ensure safety, and an important quality is his gratitude towards his mother, Mali, from whom he has been nourished since he served. His Majesty wrote about Khun Thong Daeng to illustrate gratitude and not forgetting kindness, contrasting him with others who, upon becoming important, often forget themselves and look down on those who have helped them.
Whenever the country faces a crisis or problem, the Thai people know that ultimately, the problem will be resolved because the Thai people have their King, and the King has the Thai people in his heart always.
