Episode 146 - Caring For Our Parents

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Buddha taught that certain factors strengthen the karmic results of our actions. One example is that the effects of actions we do toward certain types of people are intensified because of their special relationship to us and the benefits we receive from them. Our parents are one of these types of people, since we have received so much help from them in the past. Buddha, therefore, advised that we try to take care of our parents and cherish them as much as we can. In this episode, JoAnn Fox relates the teachings on this subject in a way that can also begin to heal our experience of our parents if that is needed.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“There is strength in actions directed toward the three jewels, gurus, those who are like gurus, parents, and the like, for, though you direct no intense thoughts toward them and do them only small harm or help, the ensuing misdeed and merit is great.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">—Je Tsongkhapa </span></p> <p> </p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The elephant called Dhanapālaka </span></em></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Is hard to control when in rut; </span></em></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tied down, the tusker doesn’t even eat, </span></em></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Remembering the elephant forest.</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">—Buddha, The Dhammapada </span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>References</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><a href= "https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Buddha.The+Dhammapada.+Translated+by+Gil+Fronsdale.&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Buddha.</span><em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">The Dhammapada.</span></em> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">Translated by Gil Fronsdale.</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">(Kindie).Shambala, Boston and London, 2011.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Buddha (1986).</span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Dhammapada: Verses