In short: the Buddha said: "Mendicants, I say that these two individuals cannot easily be repaid. What two? Mother and father." (AN 2.33). Not even carrying them on your shoulders for a hundred years, or making them rulers of the earth, would be enough, because "they raise them, nurture them, and show them the world." What does repay them, he said, is helping them grow in faith, ethics, generosity and wisdom.
The debt that can't be paid
"You would not have done enough to repay your mother and father even if you were to carry your mother around on one shoulder and your father on the other, and if you lived like this for a hundred years… Why is that? Parents are very helpful to their children: they raise them, nurture them, and show them the world."
AN 2.33
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What does repay them
"But you have done enough, more than enough, to repay them if you encourage, settle, and ground unfaithful parents in faith, unethical parents in ethical conduct, stingy parents in generosity, or ignorant parents in wisdom."
AN 2.33
The greatest gift isn't money or care alone, though both matter. It is helping the people who gave you life to find something good for their own hearts. Gently, without preaching: sharing a practice, a kind word, an example.
The highest blessing
"Caring for mother and father, kindness to children and partners, and unstressful work: this is the highest blessing."
Snp 2.4 · All the blessings: Maṅgala Sutta · Duties in the family: Sigālovāda Sutta.
Three things to do this week
- Call or visit, and say one specific thank-you.
- Share something good you've found: a verse, a short practice, a walk together.
- On their birthday, send a blessing. (A Buddhist birthday blessing)
Try it
Send a teaching card to your mother or father: open Your teaching and choose For someone, "with thanks".
Questions people ask
What does Buddhism say about parents?
That they are very hard to repay: 'Parents are very helpful to their children: they raise them, nurture them, and show them the world' (AN 2.33). The Buddha also lists 'caring for mother and father' among the highest blessings (Snp 2.4).
How can you repay your parents according to the Buddha?
Not with wealth or service alone, but by helping them grow in faith, ethics, generosity and wisdom (AN 2.33).