Where children honor their mother and father, those families are said to dwell with Brahmā.

AN 3.31  Sabrahmaka sutta - With Brahmā

“Sabrahmakāni, bhikkhave, tāni kulāni yesaṁ puttānaṁ mātāpitaro ajjhāgāre pūjitā honti. Sapubbācariyakāni, bhikkhave, tāni kulāni yesaṁ puttānaṁ mātāpitaro ajjhāgāre pūjitā honti. Sāhuneyyāni, bhikkhave, tāni kulāni yesaṁ puttānaṁ mātāpitaro ajjhāgāre pūjitā honti.

“Bhikkhus, those families are said to dwell with Brahmā where at home the children honor their mother and father. Bhikkhus, those families are said to dwell with first teachers where at home the children honor their mother and father. Bhikkhus, those families are said to dwell with those worthy of offerings where at home, the children honor their mother and father.

‘Brahmā’ti, bhikkhave, mātāpitūnaṁ etaṁ adhivacanaṁ.

Bhikkhus, ‘Brahmā‘ is a designation for mother and father.

‘Pubbācariyā’ti, bhikkhave, mātāpitūnaṁ etaṁ adhivacanaṁ.

’First teachers’ is a designation for mother and father.

‘Āhuneyyā’ti, bhikkhave, mātāpitūnaṁ etaṁ adhivacanaṁ.

‘Worthy of offerings’ is a designation for mother and father.

Taṁ kissa hetu? Bahukārā, bhikkhave, mātāpitaro puttānaṁ, āpādakā posakā, imassa lokassa dassetāroti.

Why is that? Bhikkhus, mother and father are of great help to their children, for they are protectors, nurturers, and guides of this world.

Brahmāti mātāpitaro,
pubbācariyāti vuccare;
Āhuneyyā ca puttānaṁ,
pajāya anukampakā.

Mother and father are said to be ‘Brahmā,’
they are called ‘first teachers;’
They are also called worthy of offerings,
for they’re concerned for their children.

Tasmā hi ne namasseyya,
sakkareyya ca paṇḍito;
Annena atha pānena,
vatthena sayanena ca;
Ucchādanena nhāpanena,
pādānaṁ dhovanena ca.

Therefore, one should honor them,
and a wise person should respect them;
With food and drink,
with clothing and bedding;
By massaging and by bathing,
and by washing their feet.

Tāya naṁ pāricariyāya,
mātāpitūsu paṇḍitā;
Idheva naṁ pasaṁsanti,
pecca sagge pamodatī”ti.

Because of such service,
towards one’s mother and father;
Right here, wise people praise him,
and after death, he rejoices in heaven.”

Last updated on October 21, 2025