Master Rui-Lie Lee - Many people are unfilial, and they don't know 孝順小故事

(English subtitles) Lectured by Daoist teacher Rui-Lie Lee (李瑞烈, 1921-2015).
Subtitles:
Let me cite a little story to you. This is a real story, but I will not mention his name. Because these people, the leading role, are still there, I'm embarrassed to say the names but only mentioned the location and nothing else.
I have an old friend, living in Keelung (north of Taipei). When he was young he worked in the mines. But working in the mines was tiring, and he fell ill with lung disease and passed away.
1:00
After he passed away, she was so determined that his wife never remarried. When he died, his two sons were still young and in elementary school. She nurtured them patiently until they grew to adulthood. After growing up, the eldest son succeeded his father and worked in the mines. The younger one is more active and proactive, striving in his own business. Later, his business expanded to the south, so he moved to Kaohsiung. Gradually, his business expanded to the south, so he moved to Kaohsiung and ran a company. Although it's not big, he had a well-off family.
2:00
He likes to preach and brag sometimes. What is he bragging about? He often said, how should we in the world be filial to our parents? He spoke proudly. Once he met me. I used to go around. In the past, going to Kaohsiung was like walking into the kitchen for me.
When I went there, he said, Sir, I like to listen to your sermon very much. I really dislike those people who are not filial to their parents. I don't associate with people who don't honor their parents. You're in no position to say that, I told him on the spot, everyone else was in a position to say that but you. Oh, sir, are you saying I am not filial? Whether you are filial or not, you know it in your heart. Sir, I won't let you go unless you tell me clearly. Why am I not filial to my parents? My father passed away when I was in childhood, so I couldn't do my filial duty.
3:00
However, my mother was at my elder brother’s house, and I send them money each month for her expenses. Sometimes, I want to bring her to Kaohsiung, but she won't, he said thus. This is due to your unfilial behavior, I said, Do you know why your mother wouldn't come? Why doesn't she come? You are not filial.
Hum, is it right? My mom is odd. The food at my brother's house is not delicious at all, and it is difficult for him to make ends meet working in the mines. I persuaded her to live here, but she escaped in just one week because she didn't get used to living here. Am I treating her bad?
I knew that the elders like to watch TV opera. In the past, there was Taiwanese opera once in the afternoon and once in the evening.
4:00
I worry that she would scramble with those kids for TV shows. I specially installed another one in her room. That is for her alone, and no one will compete with her. That is for her alone. So how bad do I treat her? Thus, you don't know the truth of filial piety. So I said you are not qualified to talk about filial piety. Do you know the reason why your mother don't come here? I asked him first. Why on earth your mother wouldn't come here? There is no reason at all, my mom is odd originally. Besides, I mail money to my brother each month. If counting the money I sent, my brother makes more money. He wanted to argue. It's useless you argue with me, I said, just ask you one thing.
5:00
When eating, have you helped your mother pick up the dishes? I ask you. Sir, is that right? Dishes are on the table, she can pick up anything she likes. Why is it so troublesome. Why is it so troublesome that I need to pick up for her? Let me ask you another word. I've been treated by you a few times. I saw that you always pick up dishes for your sons when eating.
Children are young, it's parent's obligation to pick up dishes for them. As parent, you have obligation to pick up dishes for children. As son, you don't have obligation to pick up dishes for parents? Sir, what you said doesn't make sense. That's ok, it doesn't make sense, I said, Or, let me ask you. You often go to movie with family on weekend and holiday.
6:00
Have you ever invited your mother? Sir, you have no idea, my mom's temper is odd. We ask her to watch movie, but she wants to watch opera. But my boys love watching Western Gunfights. They don't fit. So when I invited my mom she would refuse and say go on your own. It's unpleasant. Then I specially install a TV set in her room. If she likes opera, she can watch as much as she wants. I don't interfere in her affairs.
Your filial piety is just superficial, I said. Basically you don’t know what your mother is thinking. When you were in elementary school, your father died, right? Yes. Your mother has raised you since you were in elementary school. She cared about her sons with all her heart.
7:00
It doesn't matter if you have father, because she would care him too. But your father died, and she became a widow and cared her sons with all her heart.