Happy Mother's Day

Mindfulness of Our Parents’ Kindness

I was born through much toil. 

I was nurtured nine months in the womb 

and was suckled three years at the breast. 

My bottom was dried and my diapers were changed. 

I was fed delicacies while they toiled bitterly. 

Only then was I able to grow up. 

They hoped only that I might glorify 

and carry on the family name 

and continue the ritual offering to our ancestors.

But now I have left the home, 

and am gratuitously called a disciple of Shakyamuni 

and have dared to assume the title of Shramana. 

I neither offer delicacies to my parents 

nor sweep the ancestral graves. 

While they live, I cannot take care of their physical needs;

after they depart, I cannot guide their souls. 

In this world, I have thereby hurt them greatly, 

and as they leave this world, I am of no real help. 

To cause them such a double loss is a serious offence. 

How can I possibly avoid the consequences!

I contemplate in this way:

I must always cultivate the Buddhas’ Way through hundreds of kalpas and in thousands of lives and save living beings everywhere thoughout the ten directions and three periods of time. I will rescue my parents in not only this life but my parents of every life. I will take across not only one person's parents but everyone's parents.

~Venerable Master Hsuan Hua

Source: http://online.sfsu.edu