Or else when we have passed away

they’ll give an offering on our behalf.

Seeing these five reasons

astute people wish for a child.

And so true persons,

grateful and thankful,

look after their parents,

remembering past deeds.

They do for their parents,

as their parents did for them in the past.

Following their advice, looking after those who raised them,

the family customs are not lost.

Faithful, accomplished in ethics,

such a child is praiseworthy.”

Numbered Discourses 5.40 4. With Sumanā Great Sal Trees

“Mendicants, great sal trees grow in five ways supported by the Himalayas, the king of mountains. What five? The branches, leaves, and foliage; the bark; the shoots; the softwood; and the hardwood. Great sal trees grow in these five ways supported by the Himalayas, the king of mountains.

In the same way, a family grows in five ways supported by a family head with faith. What five? Faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom. A family grows in these five ways supported by a family head with faith.

Supported by the rocky mountain

in the wilds, the formidable forest,

the tree grows

to become lord of the forest.

So too, when the family head

is ethical and faithful,

supported by them, they grow:

children, partners, and kin,