Bất Hiếu Không Thể Tu Hành Đắc Đạo – Chữ Hiếu Đứng Đầu | GV Huynh Út Hường

During a Buddhist Dharma sharing session on the anniversary of the death of one's ancestors (June 10th, Year of the Horse), the speaker focused on explaining the four opening verses, beginning with the reminder: "Strive to cultivate and attain enlightenment to save your ancestors, escape the realm of delusion and reach the realm of immortals." This is not only advice for individual practice, but also clearly shows the path to repaying the profound gratitude owed to grandparents and parents across many lifetimes. First, the word "strive" is explained as an effort to surpass the ordinary. In life, people can strive to work harder to provide for their basic needs; in the spiritual path, believers must strive even harder to cultivate, improve themselves, and progress step by step. Practice cannot stop at simply listening to Dharma teachings; it must involve applying the teachings to one's life. When one's own practice is successful, one can then support their family, save their ancestors, and extend compassion to all. The lecture also clarified the meaning of "ancestors." These are not just fixed generations, but symbolize our grandparents and parents from many lifetimes. According to Buddhist principles, all sentient beings could have been our parents and relatives, and all could be future Buddhas. Therefore, those who understand the Dharma do not harbor discrimination, hatred, or only think of their own family. However, boundless compassion does not mean neglecting one's responsibilities at home. Household chores must be taken care of, parents must be looked after, before together we can perform meritorious deeds and help others. To attain enlightenment, practitioners must rely on the scriptures and practice the Buddha's teachings and the Master's words correctly, not speaking according to their own opinions. The lecture emphasizes Right View and Right Thought in the Noble Eightfold Path. Right View helps us no longer see life through delusion, but clearly see its impermanence: even beautiful houses will eventually decay, and even young and healthy people will change. We don't need to wait for flowers to wither to know they will fade; nor do we need to wait until we are sick to remember that human life is finite. Right Thinking helps the mind avoid chasing after wrongdoings, fame, and useless things. For lay practitioners, the lecture clearly shows that it is still possible to practice and attain enlightenment. Practitioners still work to earn a living, but they do not let material life overshadow their spiritual path. The spirit emphasized is to prioritize the spiritual path and downplay worldly concerns; although the body remains within family and society, the mind must transcend delusion. Lay practitioners should practice generosity, precepts, patience, diligence, meditation, and wisdom—the six virtues on the Bodhisattva path. In the Pure Land Dharma, practitioners should focus on reciting the Buddha's name, maintain a pure mind, act with compassion, and avoid anger, jealousy, greed, or selfishness. The most moving aspect of the lecture is the reminder of filial piety. While parents are alive, children should seek ways to guide them towards enlightenment and practice, while also caring for them to prevent hunger, poverty, illness, and fostering harmony within the family. When parents pass away, opportunities for spiritual practice become more difficult. Therefore, don't wait until it's too late to think about showing filial piety. Of all good deeds, filial piety is paramount; disrespecting one's parents makes it impossible to attain enlightenment. Therefore, the anniversary of a death should be an occasion for prayer, charitable acts, and spreading Buddhist teachings, not for feasting, singing, or creating further transgressions. Each person should strive to practice while they are still alive, live up to their filial duty, liberate themselves, and dedicate their merits to their grandparents and parents.