Respect for Parents and Bodhisattvas (EA20.10)

Thus have I heard. At one time the Buddha was staying in Śrāvastī, at Jetṛ’s Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park. Then the Exalted One said to the monks:

“There are two kinds of practice by means of which an ordinary worldling obtains great merit, reaps outstanding karmic rewards, finally tastes the Deathless and realises the state of the Unconditioned. Which are the two?

“a) Treating one’s father and mother with great respect; it is because of honouring these two persons that one obtains great merit and reaps outstanding karmic rewards. And, furthermore, one obtains great merit and … rewards by

“b) Treating a bodhisattva who has to wait for only one more birth before realising Buddhahood with great respect.

“It is, O monks, because of practising generosity towards these two groups of persons that one obtains great merit … and finally realises the state of the Unconditioned.

“Therefore, monks, one should be mindful of one’s filial duty and treat one’s father and mother with great respect. Thus, O monks, you should train.”

After listening to the Buddha’s words, the monks were pleased and respectfully applied themselves to practice.

Translated from Sanskrit to Chinese by Dharmanandi.

Originally published as Ekottarikāgama XXVIX, Buddhist Studies Review 19.1, 2001–2, pp. 49–55. Translated from the Chinese version by Thích Huyên-Vi in collaboration with Sara Boin-Webb and Bhikkhu Pāsādika.

Transcription by Nola Webb, 2014.

Prepared for SuttaCentral by Bhikkhu Sujato.