Abstract
The article reflects on the tension of two different visions of filiality—Indian and Chinese—and the author's (a convert to Chan [Zen] Buddhism) efforts to resolve these visions within the context of his modern American Buddhist experience. In Early Indian Buddhist narratives a filial child demonstrates gratitude to his or her parents by renouncing worldly pursuits, including remaining celibate, and pursing the spiritual path that will release him or her from samsara. By way of contrast, for the Chinese, a son's primary filiality responsibility is to sire male heirs who will carry on the family lineage and who will honor their ancestors. The article includes his mother's reflections on her encounter with the Asian notions of filiality.
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