盂蘭盆經讚述 1.20

1.20

[The sūtra says:] "'you should, for the sake of the parents of seven past generations as well as present parents who are in perilous distress,'" / The commentary says: Explaining the intention of practice. "Should, for the sake of the parents of seven past generations" means repaying distant kindness, namely, the parents of seven lifetimes. "Present [parents]" means benefiting near kindness, namely, the parents who gave birth to oneself. While the kinship extends through seven generations, demonstrating how difficult it is to disobey the support of heaven and earth, the kindness reaches to the multitudes in the netherworld, showing that nurture is boundless. Thus, Maudgalyāyana's aspiration was small, praying only for his close kin; the Great Sage's compassion was broad, extending his love to seven generations.