Parable: Praising the Father's Virtuous Conduct
Hundred Parables Sutra
Parable: Praising the Father's Virtuous Conduct
Once there was a man who praised his father’s virtue to the multitudes saying, “My father is humane and kind. He harms no one and he never steals. He speaks directly and truthfully and he also practices giving.”
Hearing this, the stupid man said, “My father is more virtuous than yours.”
The group then asked him, “What is your father’s virtuous conduct? Please tell us about his deeds.”
“When he was young he severed all sexual desire, “the stupid man replied.
The others said, “If your father cut off sexual desire when he was young, how did he beget you?” Then they laughed uproariously.
This is like ordinary ignorant people of the world who wish to praise the virtue of others but who are unrealistic and end up being ridiculous. They are like the stupid man who, although well-intentioned in wishing to praise his father, made an absurd mistake.
