Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.
This is a GUIDED MEDITATION ON EMBRACING OUR PARENTS - that contemplates our attitudes and actions towards them; the importance of their role and responsibilities, especially in our formative years; how we respond as they grow older; and how we can repay the debt.
The Sabrahmaka Sutta (AN 3.31) on how parents should be respected like Brahmā and the Kataññu Suttas (AN 2.31 - 2.32) on gratitude to our parents underpin this guided meditation.
The Buddha says:
- “‘Brahmā,’ bhikkhus, is a designation for mother and father. ‘First teachers’ is a designation for mother and father. ‘Giftworthy’ is a designation for mother and father. For what reason? Mother and father are helpful to their children: they raise them, nurture them, and show them the world.” - Sabrahmaka Sutta (AN 3.31)
- "I tell you, monks, there are two people who are not easy to repay. Which two? Your mother & father. Even if you were to carry your mother on one shoulder & your father on the other shoulder for 100 years, and were to look after them by anointing, massaging, bathing, & rubbing their limbs, and they were to defecate & urinate right there [on your shoulders], you would not in that way pay or repay your parents." - Kataññu Suttas (AN 2.31 - 2.32)
To read these suttas - https://suttacentral.net/an3.31/en/bodhi and https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an02/an02.031.than.html
Theruwan saranai. Blessings of the Triple Gem.
