The Filial Piety Sutra: 6 of 6

The Buddha said, “Disciples of the Buddha, if you wish to repay their kindness, then for the sake of your parents print this Sutra. If one can print one copy, then one will get to see one Buddha.”

“If one can print ten copies, then one will get to see ten Buddhas. If one can print one hundred, one thousand or ten thousand copies, then one will get to see one hundred, one thousand or ten thousand Buddhas.”

“The Buddhas will always protect those who donate to print this Sutra so as to benefit all sentient beings. With The Buddha’s strength, the donors and their parents will be born in the heavens and never to fall into the hells.”

After listening to the teaching, Ananda and the multitude, including the Heavenly Dragon, Eight-fold division and Wheel-Turning King were very sorrowful. They were ashamed of themselves.

Repentantly they said to The Buddha. “From now onwards until the future, throughout thousands of millions of kalpas …”

“We would rather have our bodies be pulverized into fine dust, than go against the Sagely Teaching of The Thus Comes One.”

“We would rather have our tongues plucked out and ploughed with a iron rough let the blood flow profusely like a river, …”

“… Throughout thousands of millions of kalpas, than go against the teaching of The Buddha. We would rather travel to and fro in the wheel of sharp knives …”

“… And be stabbed by the knives, than go against The Buddha’s teaching. Even if our bodies were to be wrapped tightly with iron netting and undergo extreme torture, …”

“Throughout thousands of hundreds of millions kalpas, we will not go against The Thus Come One’s teaching. We would rather have our bodies mince into fine particles …”

“… With our skin, flesh, veins and bones disintegrating completely, throughout many thousands of hundreds of kalpas, than go against The Buddha’s teaching!”

The Venerable Ananda arose calmly from his seat and respectfully asked The Buddha, “World Honored One! What is the name of this Sutra? Please tell us so that we can uphold and practice it accordingly.”

The Buddha told the multitude, “This Sutra is known as ‘The Sutra Of The Difficulty In Repaying The Deep Parental Kindness’, and I hope all of you will uphold and practice it accordingly!”

At that time, after listening to The Buddha’s instructions, Ananda and all the disciples, the heavenly Dragons and Eight-Fold Divisions and others, were very joyful as their mind was open to the way.

They decided to abide by The Buddha’s Teaching. They would forever practice filial piety as their sole duty. Finally, they made obeisance to The Buddha and withdrew.