Mother and Father (sutra)

John D. Ireland, § 106. "With Brahma" (Itivuttaka 4.7; Iti 109); Wisdom Quarterly

Perhaps the average American family falls short of the ideal explained to Sigala below.

  

Rahula, Yasodhara, and Siddhartha

This was said by the Buddha... "Living with Brahma [the supreme] are those families where, within the home, mother and father are respected by their children. Living with the early devas are those families where, within the home, mother and father are respected by their children. 

   

"Living with the early teachers are those families where, within the home, mother and father are respected by their children. Living with those worthy of veneration are those families where, within the home, mother and father are respected by their children. 

  

"'Brahma,' disciples, is a term for mother and father. 'Early devas' and 'early teachers' and 'those worthy of veneration' are terms for mother and father. For what reason? 

  

"It is because mother and father are very helpful to their children; they take care of them, bring them up, and teach them about the world."

   

Mother and father are called "Brahma,"
"Early teachers," and "worthy of veneration,"
Being compassionate towards
Their family of children.
Thus the wise venerate them,
Pay them due honor,
Provide them with food and drink,
Give them clothing and a bed,
Anoint and bathe them
And also wash their feet.
When one performs such service
For mother and father,
They praise that wise person even here
And hereafter that person rejoices in heaven.

 

The East: Life Begins with Parents' Care

Excerpt, Dhr. Seven, Wisdom Quarterly translation (Sigalovada Sutta, DN 31)
I. "In five ways, young householder [Sigala], should a child minister to mother and father as the east:

1. I shall support them, having formerly been supported by them.
2. I shall fulfill their obligations when they are no longer able to.
3. I shall keep up the family tradition.
4. I shall make myself worthy of my inheritance.
5. I shall, when they depart, make charitable offerings to benefit them.

"In five ways, young householder, do the parents thus ministered to as the east by their child show their compassion:

1. They restrain you from doing harm.
2. They encourage you in what is wholesome.
3. They provide for your education enabling you to become independent.
4. They offer you appropriate help in selecting the best marriage possible.
5. They, at the appropriate time, hand over your inheritance.

"In these five ways does a child minister to one’s parents as the east, and the parents show their compassion to that child. Thus is the east honored and upheld by householders and made safe and secure in the way of the nobles." More