Here is a touching story about mother and her son:

Once upon a time there lived an old woman who was so frail that she could do no work. Her son observed that his mother still ate a lot and was a burden on the household. He decided that the burden was too heavy on him and he could no longer able to support her.

The thought of abandoning her began to occupy his mind and one day he resolved to act on this unrighteous thought. He lifted his mother up onto his back and carried her towards the nearby mountain. As he climbed the mountain track, he could hear the sound of twigs snapping.

Aha! he thought, She must be leaving markers so she can find her way home. Without giving any attention to his mother, the son continued on, further and further into the mountain. Eventually, after the long and exhausting climb, they came to a lonely and desolate spot. The man put his mother down on the ground and said coldly to her.

This is where we part. Now you can look after yourself. His mother looked up and spoke to him kindly.

On the way up the mountain I snapped many twigs to mark the way we came. So long as you follow them carefully on your way down, you wont get lost.

For a while the son was completely stunned, unable to say a word. At last, overcome with remorse and shame, he broke down and wept. It was as if he had suddenly awakened from a terrible nightmare. He immediately knelt down before his mother, repented and begged her forgiveness. Then he gently lifted her onto his back and carried her home with unfailing care, respect and love.

There is a saying: All parents are alike at heart. This story is an example of a mothers heart. The mother shows no hatred or anger knowing her son is about to abandon her. She goes so far as to leave markers for him to ensure his safe return. This unconditional love is very real and moving. It can make a hard and cold hearted man weep. It is not surprising that such love can awaken a callous son to his true responsibilities. It is the very basic of filial piety towards the aged parents that everyone has it by nature. Even the animals have it like the young crow feeding its mother.

A Saint said, Understanding what is gained in the course of our own actions is far superior to that which comes through other peoples words of advice. The reprimands of our conscience are far more severe than any other punishments.

Unfortunately, in todays society, it is too easy to find callous sons. There are plentiful out there. This tells us something that men have lost their conscience and many people can do the same to their mothers. Leaving their parents at the old folks home can be almost equivalent to that story. The only difference is cruelty is not really shown but mother will shed silent tears. According to the law of Karma, the same will happen to the one when his turn arrives.

The great emphasis placed on scientific progress tends to replace ancient truths. Concrete objects and tangible rewards assume greater value than intangible qualities such as virtue. We fail to perceive the difference between reality and illusion. The eternal inner essence is being questioned or disbelieved. We based our judgements and analyses on physical measurement when, in fact, the truth is not how much we have in terms of money or possessions but the amount of good deeds, virtues and wisdom that we have gained. In the teachings of Tao, first is to be good and love your parents by being a filial son and the second is brotherly love.

Why did the man in the story abandon his mother? He could see only that she was old and senile and therefore a drain on the household resources. He could see her only as a burden. In other words, he was more concerned about material things than about spiritual values and the natural principle of life. Life is formed and influenced by both spirit and matter. Spirit, however precedes matter. The intangible is the controlling element behind the tangible. If it is the other way round, then we have problem. Life will not be at peace and the person cannot be truly a good man. What he thinks is only to benefit himself.

In the Wisdom of Vegetable Roots, it is written:

Virtue is the master of capability. Capability is the slave of virtue. Being capable but having no virtue is like the state of a household when the master is away. Without supervision, the servants dominate the household. How can such a household not be chaotic?

If a person has fulfilled the principle guiding human relationships, then that person is close to the Heavenly Tao. The Eight Virtues are the ladder to heaven. Forsaking the righteous path and the heavenly ladder leads only to destruction. It can also be said that the path of enriching our virtue and accumulating merits lies in the day to day muddle of our ordinary lives. It is our dealings with other people, our actions and our responses to the incidents in our daily lives. Charity begins at home, first be good to your mother.

Author: T.A Chew