an.3.31 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

Brahmā

(1) “Bhikkhus, those families dwell with Brahmā where at home the mother and father are revered by their children. (2) Those families dwell with the first teachers where at home the mother and father are revered by their children. (3) Those families dwell with the gift-worthy where at home the mother and father are revered by their children.

“‘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.”

Mother and father are called “Brahmā”
and also “first teachers.”
They are worthy of gifts from their children,
for they have compassion for their offspring.

Therefore a wise person should revere them,
and show them due honor,
serve them with food and drink,
with clothes and bedding,
by massaging and bathing them,
and by washing their feet.

Because of this service
to mother and father,
the wise praise one in this world
and after death one rejoices in heaven.

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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With Brahmā

“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 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.
‘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.
Parents are said to be ‘Brahmā’
and ‘first teachers’, it’s said.
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,
in this life they’re praised by the astute,
and they depart to rejoice in heaven.”