Today is not Mother’s day, nor is it Father’s day. It is also not my parent’s birthday. Least of all, it’s also not my birthday. Today, they accompanied me to run an errand to Funan. (Yes, sometimes monks also need stuffs … *grin*)
Here I am back in the monastery, after a meditation class/session with NUSBS in FuHai Monastery, reflecting about the day, thinking about how my parents accompanied me to run an errand to Funan at a short notice. Color me silly, but I found myself teary just reflecting over it.
I just sent them an sms and thought I would share with you all here:
Thanks Mom and Dad! For
accompanying me to Funan today at such a short notice. For giving me your time, incessant care and love since my birth! For giving me this precious human life! For bringing me into Buddhism and giving me away to the Buddha! Thank you! THANK YOU! Thank you! 🙂 🙂
Before this day ends and we rest for the day, do take the time to reflect over the day. Ponder on the kindness, love and care that our parents had showered us. Give thanks. Ponder on the kindness that our friends had given us. Give thanks. Ponder on the assistance that sentient beings have in one way or another assisted us through our day, our life. Give thanks.
Whether you are a Buddhist, a Christian, Hindu, Muslim or Taoist (or believe in any other wonderful faith that I’ve missed out), take the time to give thanks. It does not have to be a special day to give thanks. And yet, on the other hand, everyday is special enough to give thanks!
Give thanks to our parents and fellow sentient beings by
- Saying thank you to them
- Being considerate to them
- Helping them when they need help
- Giving way to them
- Refrain from harming them (like hunting, killing animals, insects etc)
- Respecting their right to their belongings
- Respecting their relationships
- Being truthful to them
- Maintaining clarity of mind by avoiding intoxicants such as drugs & alcohols
- And if you are really up to it, be mindful of your body, speech and mind. That way you can truly be helpful to them and not harm them!
Have a nice day … unless you have other plans! 🙂
I will take you to Funan or Sim Lim anytime 🙂 but I digress. Your 10th point is interesting…. In any case, THANK YOU 🙂
Hi Shifu, the topic of gratitude always touches my heart. 🙂 I am touched by this entry and I really hope that each and everyone of us can also give thanks every day. To our parents, to all mother sentient beings. And of course, to Shifu, for guiding the meditation class in the camp. (though I only manage to hear bits of it today. Hehe) -smiles-
In my country many people do not have parents who care for their children as much as your parents seem to care for you. It is, indeed, when our parents give so much to us, a blessing, and something we children need to cherish.
Everyday I realize how blessed I am to have my parents, and the only way that I can show it, is to be as good to my child as my parents have been to me.
Thank you,
Glenn
My dear friends,
Thank you for all your comments!
YH, I’ll take a rain check on that. 😉
C, you are most welcome for the meditation class. You would be surprised, but I think I learn the most from guiding the class! 🙂
Glenn, indeed one of the best way to show our gratitude to our parents is to be as good to our children as our parents were (and perhaps be even better? 🙂 ).
It is rather important for people to look at their lives and seriously ask themselves if they had done enough for their child as a parent and their parent as a child. Sadly, the society focuses too much on the *I* and lose focus on others around this *I*.
On the bright side, not all is lost. Every day, every moment of our lives, we have a choice to make: To continue our old ways or to change and start caring for people around us.
I believe we can make the right choices. 🙂
agree with what u say
when i read what u share
my tear just drop, thinking of those happy day
i had share with my mother who had passed away 12 years ago
life sucks
but somehow we need to stay postive
by helping other we can also repay our parent kindness n
love given to us
thanks for sharing ven
may your parent be well n happy
may the triple gems continue to protect n inspire all beings
henry tee