《太上真一報父母恩重經》

Interpretation of the "Supreme True One Scripture on Repaying Parents' Profound Kindness":

In the Seven-Jeweled City of the Western Nā Kingdom, within the Lapis Lazuli Palace, the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (the highest deity in Daoism) was, as usual, expounding scriptures and teachings to countless celestial immortals. At that time, an immortal named Superior Wisdom stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and inquired of the Celestial Worthy: "Through many lifetimes of cultivation, I have often heard the true Dao, yet I still fail to comprehend the karmic connection of repaying parents' profound kindness. I beseech Your Eminence to reveal this wondrous teaching, that future cultivators may have guidance."

The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning replied: "Listen with tranquil heart. All living beings in this world attain human form through their parents' pregnancy and nurturing. A mother endures immeasurable suffering during ten months of pregnancy; during childbirth, her bones separate, and some even lose their lives in the process. In raising children, parents tirelessly cleanse filth without complaint, willingly suffering themselves to ensure their child's comfort. The weight of parental kindness is truly beyond measure."

"Should anyone perform extensive zhaijiao (Daoist sacrificial rituals) for their parents, publish true scriptures, or recite classics to encourage virtuous conduct, both they and their parents shall receive blessings: obtaining longevity, having provisions naturally provided, and enjoying mental peace. For deceased parents, performing fasting rituals and scripture recitation within forty-nine days (the traditional mourning period) can help their souls avoid purgatorial suffering and ascend directly to the celestial realms."

"When parents fall ill, establishing a ritual space and cultivating with sincere devotion can bring recovery; when facing disasters, ghostly disturbances, or frightening nightmares, purification of body and mind with devout fasting can dispel misfortunes. On one's own birthday, one should silently contemplate parents' kindness in giving life and nurture, repaying their hardships through fasting and virtuous deeds. Practitioners who follow these ways avoid falling into hell realms and attain genuine realization."

"You should propagate this scripture to teach all beings. Never allow anyone to slander the scripture or harbor doubts, for such offenses create immeasurable negative karma." Hearing this, Immortal Superior Wisdom and the celestial assembly rejoiced and praised, vowing to protect all who uphold this scripture, and recited hymns of celebration.

This passage comes from the Taishang Zhenyi Bao Fumu Enzhong Jing (Scripture of the Most High True Unity on Repaying the Heavy Kindness of Parents), which emphasizes how practitioners should be grateful for parental kindness, and how reciting this scripture can awaken wisdom and lead to immortality.

The general meaning conveys:

The Supreme Great Compassionate Celestial Worthy (the highest deity in Daoism) embodies parental compassion toward all beings. This scripture on repaying kindness enables listeners to awaken their wisdom. Those who diligently practice it will soon embark on the path to immortality. Here, only a brief praise of the scripture's merits is given, concluding with reverent homage to the Celestial Worthy.

(Note: In Daoist tradition, "repaying parental kindness" extends beyond gratitude to one's earthly parents—it also includes reverence for the Dao as the fundamental source. Scripture recitation is a vital Daoist practice, believed to accumulate merit and awaken wisdom.)