iti.106 Itivuttaka

With Brahmā

This was said by the Lord…

“Living with Brahmā are those families where, within the home, mother and father are respected by their children. Living with the early devas are those families where, within the home, mother and father are respected by their children. Living with the early teachers are those families where, within the home, mother and father are respected by their children. Living with those worthy of adoration are those families where, within the home, mother and father are respected by their children. ‘Brahmā,’ bhikkhus, is a term for mother and father. ‘Early devas’ and ‘early teachers’ and ‘those worthy of veneration’ are terms for mother and father. For what reason? Because mother and father are very helpful to their children, they take care of them and bring them up and teach them about the world.”

Mother and father are called
“Brahmā,” “early teachers”
And “worthy of veneration,”
Being compassionate towards
Their family of children.

Thus the wise should venerate them,
Pay them due honour,
Provide them with food and drink,
Give them clothing and a bed,
Anoint and bathe them
And also wash their feet.

When he performs such service
For his mother and his father,
They praise that wise person even here
And hereafter he rejoices in heaven.

- Translator: John D. Ireland

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato

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With Brahmā

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
“Mendicants, a family where the children honor their parents in their home is said to live with Brahmā.
A family where the children honor their parents in their home is said to live with the old deities.
A family where the children honor their parents in their home is said to live with the first teachers.
A family where the children honor their parents in their home is said to live with those worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods.
‘Brahmā’ is a term for your parents.
‘Old deities’ is a term for your parents.
‘First teachers’ is a term for your parents.
‘Worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods’ is a term for your parents.
Why is that?
Parents are very helpful to their children, they raise them, nurture them, and show them the world.”
The Buddha spoke this matter.
On this it is said:
“Parents are said to be ‘Brahmā’
and ‘first teachers’.
They’re worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods from their children,
for they love their offspring.
Therefore an astute person
would revere them and honor them
with food and drink,
clothes and bedding,
anointing and bathing,
and by washing their feet.
Because they look after
their parents like this,
they’re praised in this life by the astute,
and they depart to rejoice in heaven.”
This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.