91. BUDDHA SPEAKS ABOUT PARENTS

108 Buddhist Parables

“O Monks, there are two persons that cannot easily be repaid. Who are they? One’s mother and father. Even if one were to carry one’s mother on one shoulder and one’s father on the other shoulder for a life span of a hundred years, one still would not have done enough for one’s parents, nor would one have repaid them.

“Even if one were to establish one’s parents as the supreme lords and rulers over this great earth abounding in the seven treasures, one still would not have done enough for one’s parents, nor would one have repaid them. For what reason? Parents are of great help to their children; they bring them up, feed them, and teach them about the world.

“But if, when one’s parents lack faith, one encourages, settles, and establishes the parents in faith; if, when one’s parents are immoral, one encourages, settles, and establishes the parents in virtuous behavior; if, when one’s parents are miserly, one encourages, settles, and establishes the parents in generosity; if, when one’s parents are unwise, one encourages, settles, and establishes the parents in wisdom — in such a way, one has done enough for one’s parents and repaid them.”

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