The Filial Piety Sutra: 4 of 6

After saying the ten virtuous kindness, The Buddha again told Ananda and the multitude, “After contemplating the living beings …”

“… I found that some are born with wisdom, but there are those who are dull and stupid, who never think of the deep kindness of their parents.”

“They are disrespectful towards their parents and are not filial. Most of them are rebellious, lacking of kindness and righteousness. This is really sad …”

“For ten months while she is carrying the child, the mother is most uncomfortable just as if she is carrying a heavy burden.”

“Like a chronically ill invalid she has to undergo all kinds of torture during the delivery …”

“After the delivery, the kind mother is again worried about his safety …”

“She can only be at ease when she knows that he is safe. She than carries the child wherever she goes.”

“She breast-feeds the child and washed the filth. Even though she is so tired, her heart is full of joy.”

“She lets the child sleep at the dry place while she willingly remains at the wet spot.”

“For three years, she nourishes the baby with milk which is transformed from her own blood.”

“As the youngsters mature into adults, they are taught about propriety, righteousness and virtuous conduct by their parents.”

“They arrange marriages for them, pass on to them the property besides teaching them business affairs.”

“Hoping that the children will soon be settled and independent, the parents prepare to toil zealously.”

“Parents never expect their children to repay their kindness, neither do they mention it.”

“When a son or daughter becomes ill, parents are worried and afraid to the point that they may even fall ill themselves.”

“They remain by the child’s side providing constant care, and only when the child gets well are the parents happy once again.”

“The parents sacrifice themselves, hoping that their off-spring will soon be matured. But there are those unfilial children who do not care to look after their parents.”

“They neglects the mother’s advice. At times they may get angry and shout rudely just as though facing the enemies.”

“They bully the elders, hit and scold the brothers. For they will never value the love of the family nor show courtesy. It is indeed sad to witness this.”

“Even though they attend school, seldom will they follow the teachers’ and parents’ advice. They are rebellious and like to go against their brothers.”

“They never greet their parents when traveling to and from home. They will only act and speak proudly and rudely.”

“They ignore the warning of the parents and act impulsively without seeking advice. The elders forgive them as they fell that these children are still young and ignorant.”

“Later, their behavior changes from bad to worse, and they are obstinate and cruel. Never will they accept and advice. Instead they give rise to animosity and hostility.”

“They leave the good friends and join the bad company. They are influenced by the evil people easily and mistaken the false as true.”

“Such children may be enticed by others to leave their families and run away to live in other towns, thus denouncing their parents and rejecting their native town …”

“They may become salesmen or civil servants who languish in comfort and luxury.”

“Some may get married in the new town and forget the hometown totally. They will never give a thought to their origins.”

“And there are some unlucky ones who befriend the evil men in the new town. They are harmed by their friends who make use of them to carry out evil deeds …”

“Or they join the gangsters to rob and kill. So finally they end up being locked up in the jail.”

“Some may serve heavy sentence of imprisonment and die in jail. Others may be tortured by poverty, disasters and sicknesses.”

“They are being looked down and abandoned by others. Finally they die and rot in the street.”

“Their bodies are exposed to sun and rain. They are separated from their next of kin forever and unable to repay the parental kindness.”

“Nor will they ever know how their ageing parents mourn for and worry about them.”

“The parents may grow blind from weeping or from extreme grief and despair.”

“Some parents are infected with asthma while others neglect their business affair all because of their worries over the children.”

“They may pass away, but even when they become ghosts, their souls still cling to this attachment and are unable to let go.”

“Other unfilial children do not study diligently. Instead they are more keen to mix with evil ones and practice deviant teaching.”

“Those wicked children practice all villainous deeds, bully and harm others.”

“They drink, gamble and go against the laws. Even their brothers are wronged by others.”

“And hence causing great misery to their parents. They will leave the home early in the morning and only return after mid-night.”

“They never greet their parents, neither do they care about their welfare. The parents lead a lonely life all by themselves.”

“They do not enquire after their well being, instead they may burden them with worries.”

“A child should give extra care to his father or mother who is widowed. Instead the unfilial child leaves them to suffer cold and starvation.”

“Such children simply neglect the parents’ will being and let them suffer all misery.”

“Children should be filial to their parents. But the unfilial child neglects them and hence the parents are ashamed and embarrassed as they are afraid others may laugh at them.”

“Yet, such offspring may lavish wealth and food on their own wives and children, disregarding the toil and weariness involved in doing so.”

“The lonely parents are left behind as the unfilial son try only to fulfill their wives’ wishes.”

“They pay no attention to the advice given by their parents. Without any respect they argue and fight back and thus wound their hearts.”

“Before the marriage, some daughters are quite filial to their parents. But gradually they become rebellious after their marriage.”

“The parents may just give a little comment on her and she will become extremely hateful!”

“She is so close to her husband and children but keeps her parents at a distance!”

“They may follow their husbands and move to other towns, leaving their parents behind.”

“She acts just as though she has cut off all ties from the parents. Her parents are so worried that they feel as if being hung upside down!”

“Parents are always thinking of their children. Their love for them is immeasurable …”

“… and indescribable! Indeed it is not easy for unfilial children to repent for their sinful actions!”