The following are excerpts from a speech delivered by Master Cheng Yen on May 17, 1998.

Ladies and gentlemen, Amitabha!

There is a special date in May-Mothers' Day. From the beginning of the month, we hear people reminding each other that Mothers' Day is coming soon. What a warm feeling it is! It shows that people are filled with gratitude towards their mothers. It is the true meaning of the traditional Chinese proverb, "When you drink water, remember its source."

It is really hard work for parents to raise children. However, when children celebrate their own birthdays, do they think of the hardships that their parents endured? Some people say, "When you hold your own baby in your arms, then you will know how much trouble your parents went through to raise you." Is it really so? It is hard to say.

Everything for the Children

This morning, a volunteer in Tzu Chi Hospital made a report on a special case. It saddened me to hear his report. A sick old man was sent to the emergency room in Tzu Chi Hospital. After he woke up, he kept silent as if he had serious worries on his mind. When the volunteer asked him whether he had any children, he mumbled, "Don't ask, there's no point in talking about them." Under the patience and care of the volunteers, the old man was finally coaxed to give them the telephone numbers of his two daughters. The volunteer first dialed the number of his daughter in Hualien and informed her of her father's serious situation. "I am not his only daughter," she answered. "The other one is in Taipei. Why don't you contact her?" So the volunteer called the man's daughter in Taipei, but she only huffed, "He has a daughter in Hualien. Why did you call me?"

The volunteer phoned the daughter in Hualien again and told her that no matter what, she had to come see her father because his condition was quite serious.

She came to the hospital at noontime with a box lunch for her father. On that day, the old man was feeling a little better. The nurse had raised his bed a little bit so that he could sit up halfway, and she had also removed his respirator for the time being. When the daughter came into the ward and saw her father in such good shape, she tossed the lunch box on the table and said, "He can still talk, so what's the big deal?" So saying, she turned her head and walked out.

Even though the old man did not say anything, the volunteers could clearly see the pain in his eyes. He just shook his head and murmured helplessly, "Look at her! What an attitude!" The volunteers wondered why the daughter hated her father so much. They continued to give him good care.

The old man used to own 720 acres of land. He felt he was getting old, so he gave the land and houses to his two daughters, but he kept his cash for himself. His daughters figured that since he had already given them the real estate, he ought to give them the money as well. He explained that he was old and had to keep the money on hand for any emergency, but this did not pacify his daughters.

Some time later, his older daughter told him that her son was going to be married, so she needed some cash. The old man lent it to her on the condition that she return the money after the wedding. That daughter was very unhappy. On the day after the wedding, she returned him the money, but she said, "If something ever happens to you, don't come to me." After that, the father and daughters were like strangers.

Since the old man had already given his houses to his daughters, he had to live in a small shed that had been used to store farming tools. His daughters never took care of him. When Tzu Chi volunteers went to visit him after he left the hospital, they found him huddling miserably in that dark, damp shed.

Look at that poor old man. He had children and property, but no one looked after him when he was sick. In Tzu Chi Hospital, there are too many cases like this. One old patient had eleven children, among whom were doctors, a school principal and a lawyer. All of them were doing well in their careers, but no one would come to look after him.

The same problem happens not just in Tzu Chi Hospital. We frequently hear news reports about lonely old people who die of their illnesses without anyone knowing about it. In one case, a man had been dead for days and was discovered only when a dog pulled his decaying body outside. In today's society, people care more about their children than their parents. There is a saying: "Parents' love for their children is like flowing water." Water always flows downward. Parents are willing to give anything for their children, yet very few people acknowledge the love of their parents or are willing to do anything for them.

Guarding the Treasure

There is a story in a Buddhist sutra. In the city of Sravasti, there lived an old man who had a beautiful white dog. He doted on that dog and always let it sit with him on the couch in his house.

One day the Buddha went into the city to visit the old man, who just happened to be out at that time. When the Buddha entered the door, the dog suddenly jumped up and barked fiercely at him. He would not let the Buddha come close to the couch where he had been lying.

The Buddha spoke calmly to the dog. "In your previous life, you were too attached to your wealth and you guarded it with your life. Now you have fallen into the animal realm, yet you still guard the treasure for your children. It's such a pity that you are so deluded and foolish." When he heard this, the dog lay down again disconsolately, a desolate expression in its eyes.

Having said that, the Buddha left. When the old man came back, he found the dog lying listlessly on the couch. Usually the dog would enthusiastically welcome his master whenever he came home. Why was he so different today? He stroked the dog, but the animal only blinked its eyes.

The man asked his servant what had happened. "The Buddha stopped by not long ago," the servant reported, "and the dog barked at him. The Buddha said something to it, I don't know what, and the dog has been like this ever since." Hearing this, the man ran out angrily to find the Buddha.

The old man stormed into the abode where the Buddha lived and demanded, "What did you say to my dog when you came to my house today?"

The Buddha said, "That dog is the reincarnation of your father." The man stared at the Buddha in disbelief. "If you don't believe me, you can go back and ask him. In his previous life, your father buried some treasure for you."

Half believing and half doubting, the old man went back home. "The Buddha said you were my father before," he said to the dog, "but I don't believe him. Can you prove it to me? Did you really bury something for me?"

The dog went underneath the couch and clawed at the ground with all four feet. The man moved the couch aside and ordered his servant to dig up the ground. It was true. Buried under the ground were several jars of treasure. The old man tearfully hugged the dog. "How much have you suffered? In your previous existence, you guarded your wealth with your life. Why did you have to be reincarnated as a dog to continue guarding this treasure?"

In order to give more wealth to their children, parents can scrimp and save their whole lives and never give anything to anyone else. But can children really comprehend what sacrifices their parents make? As the saying goes, "Nothing but karma remains with you after death." Therefore, it is much better to accumulate merits for children than to pile up treasures for them.

Be Grateful to Your Parents

I always say parents are the models for their children. One day we will all be old. We certainly hope our children will treat us well. Kind parents and good children are the essence of Chinese family ethics. If you don't know the importance of showing your gratitude to your parents, no matter how good your life is now, you can never be sure how your children will treat you when you are old.

When husband and wife love and understand each other, treat their parents well, and teach and love their children wisely, the whole family will be very happy. Many such happy families put together will make a peaceful community.

I hope every Tzu Chi commissioner will take the initiative and encourage all people to appreciate their parents. I hope you will work together in your own communities. You should not only take good care of the elders in your family, but you should also help look after other old folks in your neighborhood. You should treat all old people as you would your own parents, people of your own age as your own brothers and sisters, and all youngsters as your own children. A community in which everyone is friendly and helpful to each other will be harmonious.

I hope all of you will be friendly to your neighbors and promote filial piety in your communities. By doing that you will have a very blessed life.