EMBRACE THE HEART OF REPAYING PARENTAL KINDNESS WHEN MAKING OFFERINGS TO BUDDHAS AND BODHISATTVAS
Caller: It is often said in Buddhist scriptures that it is close to impossible to repay the kindness of parents. Could you kindly enlighten us, Master?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Is it difficult and painful for your father and mother to raise you?
Caller: Yes.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Should you repay the kindness of parents?
Caller: Yes.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Exactly! Repaying the kindness of one’s parents is an act of filial piety. This explains why in the past, there were many filial children who were able to ascend to heavens and become heavenly deities. We are indebted to our parents for their kindness of raising us, and to the Bodhisattvas for their kindness in educating and guiding us. Whatever the case, we should remain grateful.
It’s challenging to repay the kindness of parents. However, as Buddhist disciples, the term ‘parents’ extends beyond those who gave birth to and raised us. In fact, anyone who guides us is considered a parent. And why do we regard Guan Yin Bodhisattva as a mother? Because Guan Yin Bodhisattva nurtures us, right? Why do we regard the Buddha as our father? This is because He teaches us to abandon suffering, attain happiness, and guides us to be virtuous individuals? Do you understand now?
Therefore, we must be eternally grateful for the kindness of our parents. For our sake, they make great sacrifices and even shoulder our karmic burdens. Given our hefty karmic obstacles, we should repent, make offerings to the Triple Gems, uphold the precepts, practise the act of giving, and engage in Buddhist cultivation; all these are ways to repay the kindness of our parents.
Consider this, when you become a good person, don’t you think your parents will accumulate more merits?
As a matter of fact, it’s not just your biological parents who gave birth to and raised you; even I, your Master, am considered your parent, right? Therefore, we must understand the concept of ‘having gratitude for the four kindness’. Many Bodhisattvas exemplify great filial piety; the filial devotion of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is particularly well-known. Hence, we must fulfil our filial duties not only to our biological parents but also to our ‘parents’ from above – that is, the Bodhisattvas in heaven. Do you understand?
Caller: Yes.
Source: Wenda20180511 20:01, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program