Listening to an article on Radio 4 this morning, attacking the tutoring of pre-school children, I was reminded of this explanation, by Daisaku Ikeda, of a relevant parable from the Lotus Sutra.
Every child is precious. The Lotus Sutra tells the parable of the three kinds of medicinal herbs and two kinds of trees. There are many different kinds of plants; their shape, size and nature come in myriad varieties. Some plants grow fast while others take time to mature. In this parable, however, the heavens rain upon all the plants equally, nurturing their growth. And the plants blossom and bear fruits according to their own unique character.
This parable symbolizes the Buddha’s vast compassion to nurture all living beings despite their differences. All children are different; each possesses his or her wonderful unique quality. We must pour upon all children our great love and compassion so that each child can blossom, true to his or her unique quality.
~ Daisaku Ikeda
Whilst we should nurture children’s’ growth, we should also give them all the opportunity to remain children as long as possible.
The Search For Enlightenment 
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