Reverent Respect: The Foundation of a Beautiful Soul

On a late weekend afternoon, the city was shrouded in dust and filled with the relentless honking of cars. Minh sat in his car, having just left a meeting that had lasted all morning. Exhausted, he leaned his head against the seat, watching the streetlights begin to flicker on outside. Suddenly, his phone rang, displaying "Mother" on the screen. He sighed deeply, pressed answer, and said, "Hello, Mom? I am very busy. Please call me back later." Then he hung up before she could say anything else.

Minh was a successful businessman with great wealth and a packed schedule. He had grown up in a poor family where his parents were farmers who sacrificed everything so he could receive a proper education. Yet now that he had it all, he felt an emptiness in his life. He no longer remembered when he last visited his parents, nor when he last expressed gratitude or apologized. He had also forgotten the teachers who had once devoted themselves to educating him.

One evening, after his guests had departed, Minh sat alone in his study and opened the cabinet for wine. The lamp illuminated his gaunt face. He suddenly recalled words from a dharma talk by his teacher: "Reverent respect is a beautiful mental quality necessary for us to live rightly and beautifully in this world." But he had long since forgotten this truth. He did not respect his parents because he viewed them merely as poor farmers who knew nothing about modern life. He did not respect his teachers because he saw education as a commercial transaction: "I pay money, they sell knowledge."

Then, old memories came flooding back. He remembered his childhood, how his father would gently guide him whenever he made mistakes, and how his mother would tenderly comfort him. He recalled his school days, when his teachers patiently explained lessons, never giving up even if students were lazy or mischievous. But now, he had become a careless, selfish person who only cared about himself.

The next day, Minh decided to return to his hometown to visit his parents. As he stepped through the gate, he saw his parents sitting on the porch, their hair completely white and their backs bent with age. His heart tightened with pain. Seeing him, his mother hurriedly stood up, her eyes lighting up: "You are home? Let me cook rice for you right away." His father remained silent, but a contented smile appeared on his toothless face.

During the meal, Minh spoke with emotion: "Mom, Dad, I am sorry. I have been too careless and have forgotten my reverence for you. From now on, I will live differently. I will be grateful, respectful, and loving toward you both." Tears rolled down his mother’s wrinkled cheeks, while his father nodded and patted his son’s shoulder.

After that trip home, Minh changed completely. He rearranged his schedule to spend more time with his family. He also sought out his former teachers to offer sincere thanks. He began attending dharma talks, learning to cultivate beautiful qualities within his mind/heart.

One weekend afternoon, Minh sat in his car again, but this time he was on his way back to his hometown. He opened the window, breathing in the fresh air of the countryside, feeling a strange peace. He smiled and thought silently: "How fortunate that I realized this in time. Reverent respect is the foundation for a beautiful soul, and it is the most precious thing in life."

### The Meaning of the Story

This story highlights the importance of reverent respect, one of the beautiful mental qualities necessary for living rightly and beautifully in this world. Reverent respect is shown through obedience, gratitude, and placing oneself in a humble position relative to those worthy of honor, such as parents, teachers, national leaders, and genuine spiritual masters. When we possess reverent respect, our souls open to many other beauties in life, allowing us to find true joy and happiness. If we lack this respect, let us begin immediately, reminding ourselves each day to keep our minds pure and beautiful.

Compiled from the dharma talk by Venerable Thich Chan Quang