A person’s birthday is often seen as a celebration, a time to rejoice for another year of life. However, in reality, it is also a moment to reflect and honor those who gave us life. One of the most important people in our lives is our mother.
Listen to this lesson ablove
A Different Perspective on Birthdays
We often say “Happy Birthday” on this day, but if we look deeper, it might actually be a time to say “Condolences for Your Birthday.” This day marks the passing of another year, where our mother grows older and we grow further away from her. It’s a truth that few of us really consider.
The Ancient View of Birthdays
In the past, people didn’t refer to birthdays as “Sinh Nhật” (literally “birth date”); instead, they used the term “Sinh Thần” (“birth spirit” or “birthday honoring”). A more profound term was “Mẫu Nan Nhật” (“Mother’s Difficult Day”), where “Mẫu” means mother, “Nan” means difficulty, and “Nhật” means day. This term reminds us that the day of our birth is the day when our mother endured the greatest hardships and pain to bring us into this world. It is a day to remember and honor the sacrifices our mothers made.
Birthdays: Don’t Forget the Gift for Mom
On our birthdays, we may expect gifts from others, but have we given a gift to the most important person—our mother? Without her, would we even be here today to receive those birthday wishes and presents? We must realize that a birthday is not just a time to receive gifts, but also a time to show gratitude to the one who gave us life.
The Gift from the Heart
If you truly understand the value of your birthday, you will find a way to give your mother a special gift. This gift may be a physical one, but more importantly, it should be words of sincere thanks and deep gratitude for the one who carried and cared for you all these years.
Conclusion
A birthday is not just a time for congratulations and gifts. It is an opportunity for us to express our gratitude to our mother—the one who gave us life. Remember, no matter how many presents we receive, if we don’t give a gift to our mother, we have not completed an important part of our journey in life.
Lesson by Venerable Thích Pháp Hoà