Four Gratitudes. According to ancient scriptures, the four gratitudes are: Gratitude to Parents, Gratitude to the Ruler, Gratitude to the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha), and Gratitude to All Sentient Beings. Now, to make the teaching of sentient beings more suitable to modern times, the Four Gratitudes, as taught by the Master, have been slightly modified as follows: Gratitude to Ancestors and Parents, Gratitude to the Country, Gratitude to the Three Jewels, Gratitude to Fellow Citizens and Humanity. Buddhist scriptures say: “Above, repay the four great gratitudes; below, alleviate the suffering of the three realms.” (Note: According to practitioner Ly Binh Nam, the meaning of “four great gratitudes” in this scripture is: Gratitude to the Buddha, Gratitude to the Teacher and Ancestors, Gratitude to Father, Gratitude to Mother).
The Master always reminds us:
“Let’s remind you of the four gratitudes,
Don’t let hem fade so you can be listed at the Investiture.”
(Setting Foot on the Tonkin)
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