Today’s
Enlightening Entertainment
will be presented in
Aulacese (Vietnamese),
with subtitles in Arabic,
Chinese, English,
French, German,
Hungarian, Indonesian,
Italian, Japanese,
Korean, Malay,
Mongolian, Persian,
Portuguese, Russian,
Spanish, and Thai.
In Aulacese
(Vietnamese) culture,
cải lương
(modern folk opera)
is a popular theater art
that dates back about
three centuries, when
the flourishing South
was a new land.
Among those who
settled in the South at
that time were musicians
from the royal palace in
the ancient capital Huế.
Since then, the kind
of ceremonial music
often heard in the palace
became more
widely known
among the populace.
Eventually, new songs
were composed.
Many amateur
musical groups were
formed, adopting music
and song as a form
of elegant entertainment.
From about 1912
to 1915,
the artists of these
musical groups began
to combine
gestures to their songs.
Since then,
a new genre called
ca ra bộ was born.
Performers conversed;
sometimes a song would
be used as dialogue.
Ca ra bộ continued
to develop to create the
theatrical art that is now
called modern folk opera.
The orchestra
for Aulacese modern folk
opera usually consists of
the six-string guitar,
the moon lute,
the pear-shaped lute,
two-string fiddle,
sixteen-string zither,
and monochord zither.
The themes of Aulacese
modern folk opera
highlight humanitarian
and moral values.
The dialogues
are profound,
the song lyrics and tunes
are rhythmic and rich
in melody.
These are some
of the reasons cải lương
(modern folk opera)
has an enduring place
in the hearts
of the Aulacese people.
In the Lunar New Year
2007, during an
outdoor gathering with
our Association members
in Formosa (Taiwan),
Supreme Master Ching Hai
was moved
to spontaneously
sing a folk opera song
“Spiritual Practice
is a Source of Blessing”
written by
Mr. Viễn Châu,
which she knew by heart
since her youth.
We now invite you
to listen to an excerpt of this
folk opera song through
the voice
of Supreme Master
Ching Hai.
Kneeling down, she sobs
in the main hall
of worship
As the temple bell sounds
the hour of prayer
O young devotee, why
do you wish to be a nun?
Finding comfort
in the scriptures,
and acquainting yourself
with spiritual practice?
But how can you
achieve enlightenment
when earthly traces
are still evident on your
seasoned countenance?
Are you
rid of worldly debt
or are still entangled?
Did you
renounce the world
because glory and fame
have lost their appeal and
life seems like an abyss?
Or was it because of
a fleeting moment
of jealousy and distress
that you intend
to hide yourself
behind the temple’s gate
to bury your grief
and forget your sorrow?
On Enlightening
Entertainment,
Supreme Master
Television is pleased
to introduce different
forms of arts
from Âu Lạc (Vietnam),
as well as from other
countries in the world,
in order to share
the beauty and cultures
of the peoples
on our planet.
“Filial Loquat-Leaf
Medicine”
extols the greatly pious
Dương Cẩn, a dedicated
son to his elderly mother.
Willing to undertake
any sacrifice for
his beloved parent,
Dương Cẩn moved
Heaven and touched
the hearts of many
by his righteous
and filial devotion.
Thus, he was helped
and blessed.
We now invite you
to enjoy part 1 of
the modern folk opera
“Filial Loquat-Leaf
Medicine,” written by
playwright Bửu Truyện.
This opera will be
presented in four episodes,
with performances
by Kim Tử Long
as Dương Cẩn,
Tài Linh as Hồng Cúc,
Linh Tâm as District Chief,
Út Bạch Lan
as Trần Thái,
Bửu Truyện
as Diệp Thiên Sĩ,
Trinh Trinh as Tiểu Thúy,
Phước Sang as Cam Thảo,
Bạch Long as Táo Tàu,
Xuân Yến as Thục Địa,
Công Minh
as Fortune Teller,
Hồng Thắm as the Mother,
Thành Phương
as Herbalist Nhẫn Nhục,
and other artists.
Thank you for joining us
on today’s
Enlightening Entertainment.
Please stay tuned to
Supreme Master
Television.
Words of Wisdom
is coming up.
Farewell for now, and
we’ll see you next time.
A mother waits heart-weary
at the door
The child in hunger
cries for its softened rice
I feed your mother,
serving as her son,
and like a father
teach our child to read.
Pitying her fatherless child,
her heartbroken tears
shed through the night.
For years, her son
devoted to his studies.
Without a word of lament,
she’d endured
all hardships, hoping
that her young son would
achieve academic success.
The Dương family now
had someone
to burn incense
for the ancestors.
Mother, you’ve walked me
a long way already.
Please return in peace.
I still feel fine.
It’s all right to
walk a few more miles.
Mother!
You’ve seen him off for
a long distance already.
I’m afraid
that you’re feeble and
may collapse on the way.
As a man,
I’m weighed down with
the three main duties.
You’ve waited years
to repay the favor
of upbringing.
Every night,
I pray to the high Heaven
that your name will be
on the honored list.
I’ll greet you
with my embrace
upon your return in glory.
O son, grow up quickly
to help the world
like your father did.
You and Mother have
walked me far enough.
Take Mom home
before it rains.
It’s all right.
I still feel fine.
When the ferry comes to
take you across the river,
I’ll go back at ease.
The weather has changed
these few days.
I worry that you’ll fall ill,
partly due to
your longing for me on
a thousand-mile journey
to the far capital city.
Whom can you rely on
for news of your son?
You’ll be waiting
one full moon
after another.
I feel tormented
thinking of your plight.
O Cẩn, although
it pains my heart,
I must see you off
to the capital, in hope
that you’ll achieve
academic success.
How I pity that
you’re restlessly anxious!
Tears of sorrow
keep rolling down.
Your longing for him
is indescribable.
I’m concerned about your
long-distance journey
all alone.
I’m not knowledgeable
about the situation
at the examination.
I pity you for being
concerned about everything.
I pray that
my son attains his dream.
Love and respect
your father always.
How I love you, Mother!
You’ve braved
all kinds of hardships
to provide for my study.
When food was scarce,
you gave up your meal
for me, regardless of
your languishing form.
You saved
every grain of rice
and every sweet potato
for simple meals
to pass the day.
I’ve always been
by your side
to care for you,
winters and summers.
Now that I must
leave you, I’m tearful.
It rends my heart
to hear your words
of deep affection.
Try hard to score highest
on your exam.
Heaven wouldn’t betray
the righteous.
May your name be
on the roll of honor.
Your return in glory will
bring joy to the villagers.
Please protect
my aged mother from
the elements in my stead.
Don’t over-worry;
be at ease.
I only ask that
you forget not the village,
the river,
the bamboo grove,
and small boats.
Now that I must part
with you, my sorrow
is indescribable.
I long for the day
of our reunion.
O Mother,
even the Great Mountain
is incomparable
to a father’s love.
Even the Long River
isn’t equal
to a mother’s kindness.
Such is a lonely feeling
to be away
from my homeland,
but images of
our village’s rice fields
are deeply imprinted
in my mind.
Ma’am,
the boat has arrived!
Really?
Hand your master
his belongings! (Yes.)
Dương Cẩn. (Yes.)
Have a safe journey, son.
I bow to you
and depart now.
Cam Thảo, dear!
My aged mother’s life
is full of hardships.
I rely on you
to take good care of her.
I’ll keep in mind
what you said.
Mother!
Here at the ferry,
the sun is overlooking
your shoulder.
Seeing you off,
I long for the day you
attain academic honors.
I look forward to the ferry
back on the Long River.
My return in glory
will make up
for your time of waiting.
Now, I bid farewell,
Mother!
Let not your form languish
in longing for me.
Wait for my returning day.
Be determined to
overcome all hardships,
and your future
will be very bright.
We’ll reunite in happiness
upon your return.
I’ll pray to high Heaven
every night that
you have a safe journey.
As a man, I aspire high,
hoping to attain
rank and fame
to repay my parents
the favor of raising me.
Farewell, Mom!
Summer sun passes,
comes autumn rain.
Longing for my son,
I’m tired and restless.
My heart is weeping tears
of sorrow.
Pitying my son
in a faraway land
makes me uneasy.
Ma’am, please try
to sit up to take this bowl
of medicine, so
you may recover quickly.
Take it, please.
I feel so sorry for you.
You’ve endured hardships
because of me.
How do you feel?
If you love me,
please don’t let
your health deteriorate.
Young master
will be heartbroken to
see you in this condition
upon his return.
Rain drips, wind blows
through the leaves.
I miss you so much,
Dương Cẩn.
Where are you, son?
Who’d expect our family
to go through
topsy-turvy time?
Time works great
changes so swiftly.
O Ma’am, our homeland
and village of old, alas!
I feel tormented thinking
of my son’s wandering life
in the far land.
When night herons call,
you gaze at the distant sky,
yearning for
the faraway son.
The sky is obscured
by rainstorms,
know you not how I feel?
O Ma’am!
Do you not hear your
mother’s loving words,
Dương Cẩn?
Villagers welcome
the new mandarin Dương
in his homecoming.
Relatives on both sides
offer him
their congratulations.
Villagers welcome
the new mandarin Dương
in his homecoming.
Relatives on both sides
offer him
their congratulations.
Who’d expect
that the world changed
in this manner?
One now has
both rank and wealth,
yet his mother languished
from tearful longing
for her son.
Congratulations,
First Laureate,
on your glorious return.
May I welcome you
to my palace.
I appreciate your offer.
But I’d like to return
to Thùy Dương Hamlet
to inquire on my gentle
mother’s well-being.
If so,
allow me to send people
back to the palace
to prepare a banquet
in advance for you.
Thank you. Guards!
Head to
Thùy Dương Hamlet now!
Order obeyed!
Everyone stops here;
let me go in
to present myself
to my mother.
Order obeyed!
Mom,
your son is back now!
O Thảo, where are you?
Where is my mother?
Oh God!
What has happened
to my mother?
Thảo! Mom!
My heart is broken.
Know you not,
O high Heaven?
Who devised this separation
of mother and son?
O Mom, where are you?
Oh, so dispirited,
I feel chilled all over.
I didn’t covet rank to
leave you in loneliness.
You saw me off,
expecting my return.
A homecoming in glory
would honor my family
and please my kind mother.
Now that I don
a mandarin’s cape,
you lead a wandering life.
What good is it to live and
be scorned by the world?
First Laureate,
please lessen your grief.
You should summon
all village elders to find out
what happened in detail.
Please help me,
District Chief.
Just give your order,
I’ll do everything.
Servants? (Yes.)
Summon all elders here
right away!
We, villagers,
wish to congratulate
First Laureate.
Be at ease!
Please stand up, Elders!
Respected Elders,
please explain clearly,
so His Excellency
understands everything.
Where does
Mrs. Trần Thái dwell now?
And why is this house...
Your Excellency,
this house
was sold long ago.
Who bought it?
Mr. Tương Tào
who lives 10 houses
away from here.
Summon him here!
I’ve been here all this time.
I paid money
to buy this house.
Please clarify the situation.
I bought it to help her
when she was racked
by her illness.
She ran out of money
for a herbalist.
So she had to
sell the house for
her medical treatment.
I felt sorry for her facing
a threatening situation.
And then?
Your Excellency,
she handed over
her house and land.
Cam Thảo helped her
walk about the village.
Oh God!
I’m a mandarin
who let my mother
wander about!
How could Heaven
forgive the sin
of filial impiety?
First Laureate.
Mother,
where are you now?
The mandarin robe
will be tarnished
with bad reputation.
What a disgrace! I fail
to fulfill my filial duty.
I’ve sent people out to try
to find her everywhere.
Please try
to suppress your grief.
What good is
rank and honor,
if one fails
to fulfill his moral duty
and becomes a mockery
for life.
O Mother,
I have no desire for wealth
when you wander
in hardship and poverty.
I just wish to
care for my kind mother
until her last day.
My mother
isn’t any different
than a withering tree with
bare branches amidst
a snowy winter evening.
Though rivers and seas
are vast, I can’t be
like a bird freely soaring
with the wind.
I have no right to
abandon an old tree and
dream a life of my own.
Autumn passed,
winter comes.
Why must Heaven
send much bitterness
and misery to the poor?
Have some porridge
in place of rice
to alleviate hunger.
Try to swallow it or else
your health will deteriorate.
Last night,
I saw the angel of death;
I chased him away
from here.
You should take
this bowl of medicine;
Try to wait for my master
who will come back
sooner or later.
O Dương Cẩn,
where are you now?
Where is my mother?
Rank and honor are
but illusion.
Without you, Mother,
my life will be miserable.
O wind, don’t blow
and chill my heart.
O leaves, why fall
to sadden the ground?
O Mother!
Your Excellency,
there’s a country girl
who claims to know
Lady Trần’s whereabout.
Where is that person?
Let me see her right away!
Guards? (Yes.)
Summon that young lady
here!
I’m Tiểu Thúy.
I bow to congratulate
Your Excellency.
No need for protocol.
Where is my mother now?
Tell me quickly!
She dwells behind
Bửu Sơn Temple
in Ân Thọ Village.
Bửu Sơn Temple
in Ân Thọ Village?
Follow me there, everyone!
Mom, I’m coming to you.
O Mom! I’m back, Mom.
Oh God!
It’s young master’s voice.
Master!
Where is my mother?
She’s bedridden.
Come in, master.
Mom! Oh God!
What’s happened
to my mom?
Mom, I let you suffer
for an entire long year.
How brazen-faced
I am to carry on living?
Please forgive me, Mom.
Who is it?
It’s your son, Mother.
Oh God! My dear son!
I let you suffer
for nearly a year.
While I lived in luxury,
you led a destitute life.
Laden with sin,
I don’t even come close
to the trees and plants.
I have never blamed you.
It’s all fated by Heaven.
If I can see you today,
it’s thanks to Cam Thảo’s
complete devotion.
O Thảo, because of me,
you’ve endured hardship
for nearly a year,
taking care of
my aged mother
in her late years.
O young master,
I’m like someone who
has just had a nightmare.
I cherish life greatly.
Though poor,
I vow to repay the favor
of my upbringing.
How had I the heart to
abandon your aged mother?
Oh, such sincere
and noble words!
I vow to remember
your kindness for life.
You get to see
your mother already,
why are you still sad?
I bow to you, Mom,
as I’ve failed
to fulfill my filial duty.
I’m so happy
to see you again.
Your return in glory
and brocade robe
honors your parents.
I’m fortunate
to have this young lady to
help me with my illness.
I’m deeply indebted to her.
I’m grateful to you.
I’ll never forget this favor.
Never mind!
Loving others
is loving yourself.
There is saying:
“The whole leaves
protect the torn ones.”
By loving me,
she got herself into trouble.
Her father scolded her
repeatedly without pity.
In love, one is willing
to cross the mountain,
river, and pass.
It’s touching to see
how this young couple
bonds in love.
Feeling sorry for myself,
I was sleepless
many nights.
With your blessing,
the cinnamon and
japonica tree thrive lush.
If it is so, I’m satisfied.
Be at ease, Mom,
I will take care.
Now, please go with me
to the palace.
This is a token of my love
and esteem for you.
Please drink
this cup of affection.
Soon, I’ll have to
return to the capital city.
Please be so kind
as I’ll rely on your help
for everything.
Please have no concern.
I promise
to help wholeheartedly.
Please!
Please!
Only 3 more days
and I must return
to the capital city.
I’m due to be back
at the court and so must
part with my loved one.
I feel uneasy to be away
from my mother,
but I dare not
neglect national affairs.
I’m in agony,
not being able to care
for my mother as a son.
Please have pity
and help me during
this time of distress.
There’s nothing to worry,
younger brother Mandarin.
Once I promised,
I will always remember.
I’ll take good care of
your mother back here.
Hasten back to the capital
in peace of mind.
It’s trouble, O master!
What happened?
Her lady... she... she...
What’s the matter
with my mother?
She’s having
breathing difficulty.
What?
Summon all the doctors
immediately.
What to do?
How can I save my mom?
I feel tormented,
looking at you, Mom.
Your eyes are motionless,
your breath weakens.
I have no heart
to let you pass away.
O high Heaven, please
understand a son’s plight.
I have yet to requite
a mother’s favor.
Oh high Heaven,
how have I the heart
to leave my mother?
Mother, what should I do?
Gentle brother,
you need to stay calm!
Don’t act hastily.
It’s heart-breaking
to look at my mother.
O brother,
who wouldn’t feel painful
at the time of separation?
What is the meaning
of my life if you’re gone?
What am I to do, Mom?
O high Heaven!
Can you understand
the feeling of a loving son?
What can I say?
It’s heart-breaking
to look at her.
Alas, what can I do
when the lamp is dry
and its wick dying out?
How I cherish
my aged mother!
What can we do
to help her escape death?
Mother!
You need to live
to take care of her
till her ripe old age.
It’s hard for my
gentle mother to escape.
Ah! I remember now.
There is a very good
doctor called Nhẫn Nhục
in Hoài Âm Village.
Who knows?
He may have a skilful hand.
Then go there right away,
Miss. Servants? (Yes!)
Take her there quickly.
Respected doctor,
please tell me clearly
my mother’s condition.
She’s gravely ill,
partly because of
wrong treatments, so
her condition becomes
more serious every day.
It’s hopeless. It’s all right.
Prepare this prescription
for her.
But this will just
prolong her life;
it’s not a cure.
All right!
While there is life,
there is hope.
Prepare the medicine
quickly, Thảo!
Today’s
Enlightening Entertainment
will be presented in
Aulacese (Vietnamese),
with subtitles in Arabic,
Chinese, English,
French, German,
Hungarian, Indonesian,
Italian, Japanese,
Korean, Malay,
Mongolian, Persian,
Portuguese, Russian,
Spanish, and Thai.
In Aulacese
(Vietnamese) culture,
cải lương
(modern folk opera)
is a popular theater art
that dates back about
three centuries, when
the flourishing South
was a new land.
Among those who
settled in the South at
that time were musicians
from the royal palace in
the ancient capital Huế.
Since then, the kind
of ceremonial music
often heard in the palace
became more
widely known
among the populace.
Eventually, new songs
were composed.
Many amateur
musical groups were
formed, adopting music
and song as a form
of elegant entertainment.
From about 1912
to 1915,
the artists of these
musical groups began
to combine
gestures to their songs.
Since then,
a new genre called
ca ra bộ was born.
Performers conversed;
sometimes a song would
be used as dialogue.
Ca ra bộ continued
to develop to create the
theatrical art that is now
called modern folk opera.
The orchestra
for Aulacese modern folk
opera usually consists of
the six-string guitar,
the moon lute,
the pear-shaped lute,
two-string fiddle,
sixteen-string zither,
and monochord zither.
The themes of Aulacese
modern folk opera
highlight humanitarian
and moral values.
The dialogues
are profound,
the song lyrics and tunes
are rhythmic and rich
in melody.
These are some
of the reasons cải lương
(modern folk opera)
has an enduring place
in the hearts
of the Aulacese people.
In the Lunar New Year
2007, during an
outdoor gathering with
our Association members
in Formosa (Taiwan),
Supreme Master Ching Hai
was moved
to spontaneously
sing a folk opera song
“Spiritual Practice
is a Source of Blessing”
written by
Mr. Viễn Châu,
which she knew by heart
since her youth.
We now invite you
to listen to an excerpt of this
folk opera song through
the voice
of Supreme Master
Ching Hai.
Kneeling down, she sobs
in the main hall
of worship
As the temple bell sounds
the hour of prayer
O young devotee, why
do you wish to be a nun?
Finding comfort
in the scriptures,
and acquainting yourself
with spiritual practice?
But how can you
achieve enlightenment
when earthly traces
are still evident on your
seasoned countenance?
Are you
rid of worldly debt
or are still entangled?
Did you
renounce the world
because glory and fame
have lost their appeal and
life seems like an abyss?
Or was it because of
a fleeting moment
of jealousy and distress
that you intend
to hide yourself
behind the temple’s gate
to bury your grief
and forget your sorrow?
On Enlightening
Entertainment,
Supreme Master
Television is pleased
to introduce different
forms of arts
from Âu Lạc (Vietnam),
as well as from other
countries in the world,
in order to share
the beauty and cultures
of the peoples
on our planet.
“Filial Loquat-Leaf
Medicine”
extols the greatly pious
Dương Cẩn, a dedicated
son to his elderly mother.
Willing to undertake
any sacrifice for
his beloved parent,
Dương Cẩn moved
Heaven and touched
the hearts of many
by his righteous
and filial devotion.
Thus, he was helped
and blessed.
We now invite you
to enjoy part 2 of
the modern folk opera
“Filial Loquat-Leaf
Medicine,” written by
playwright Bửu Truyện,
with performances
by Kim Tử Long
as Dương Cẩn,
Tài Linh as Hồng Cúc,
Linh Tâm as District Chief,
Út Bạch Lan
as Trần Thái,
Bửu Truyện
as Diệp Thiên Sĩ,
Trinh Trinh as Tiểu Thúy,
Phước Sang as Cam Thảo,
Bạch Long as Táo Tàu,
Xuân Yến as Thục Địa,
Công Minh
as Fortune Teller,
Hồng Thắm as the Mother,
Thành Phương
as Herbalist Nhẫn Nhục,
and other artists.
Dương Cẩn bid farewell
to his mother
to go to the capital city
for the royal exam.
Upon becoming
the First Laureate,
he returned to
his ancestral homeland
in glory but discovered
that his mother
had been seriously ill.
He tried to find ways
to cure her but all the
physicians in the area
were unable to treat
her terminal condition.
Fortunately,
a herbalist by the name
of Nhẫn Nhục
gave some medicine
to help maintain her life
a little while longer.
Thank you for joining us
on today’s
Enlightening Entertainment.
Please stay tuned to
Supreme Master
Television.
Words of Wisdom
is coming up.
Farewell for now.
The nightwatch drum
beats steadily.
Night herons cry
in the misty night.
The crescent moon
casts aslant its light.
I weep the night long,
pitying my mother.
My tears flow
as I think of my ill fate.
How heartless Heaven is
to separate us!
Mom’s back bends
further as she ages.
I have yet to fulfill
my filial duty.
The favor of my
upbringing is as immense
as the East Sea.
I would die for you
if I could.
Such an agonizing pain
I feel!
If Heaven grants it,
I’ll die for Mother.
I’m also heart-broken
seeing your plight.
Don’t you have pity,
O Heaven?
O big brother!
The wind rustles
among the trees.
Is it my mother’s
whispering a lullaby
to send me into sleep?
Drifting white clouds
are afloat,
as if my gray-haired
mother is coming back
from the other world.
She endured all kinds
of hardships
to raise her son.
Her eye lids darkened
from many
sleepless nights,
sewing clothes
for her young child.
She quickly swallowed
her bowl of cold rice
at late night
upon hearing
the wild rooster’s crow.
How I feel sorry
for my mother
who became a widow
at a young age!
Bless the good people,
O Heaven.
I vow to die in her place.
I’m forever grateful to you
for taking care of
her during my absence.
O Heaven far-off,
hear you not the lament
of the virtuous?
Why sow sorrow upon
the honest and loyal,
causing tears of grief
to shed from separation
with loved ones?
I feel sorry
for my master’s
ceaseless longing
for his gentle father.
Now, your mother
is about to pass away
from her serious illness.
It’s said that everything
is fated by Heaven.
May God and Buddha
witness the sincere prayer
of a filial son.
O mister! Wake up!
Water!
Give me some water.
Water?
Wait just a moment.
Here it is.
Here is the water.
Drink it, mister.
Thank you very much.
Mister, do you need
anything else?
I haven’t had a grain
of rice for many days.
Where are
your wife and children?
I’m a wanderer who
relies on alms to live.
I couldn’t even
take care of myself,
how can I be married?
All right.
Wait for me just a moment.
I’ll bring you some food.
Here is some rice.
Tiểu Thúy!
Quickly roll out
the sedge mat and
prepare a tray of food
for him. Be quick!
Yes, master.
Please follow me, Elder.
Please come in
to have your meal,
and here are
two silver bars.
Please take it for your
traveling expenses.
Auspicious sign!
He’s indeed a filial son.
May I ask if you’ve
finished your meal,
so that I can clean it up?
It’s truly a humble offering
by a generous heart
to help the one in need.
To love others
isn’t any different
than to love yourself.
Don’t worry.
Please take it.
It’s just
“the whole leaf covering
for the torn ones.”
You’re also a very
kind-hearted person.
As humans, we should
love one another.
Giving up
a bowl of porridge...
Why should I regret it?
Your mother taught...
A child should be filial.
A kind person like
her must live very long.
She is about to pass away,
ironically!
What illness
that is so serious?
I also have no idea either.
Then invite a doctor.
We did.
My master invited
so many doctors.
She keeps taking medicine,
but doesn’t get better.
Can you go ask
to let this old man
check her pulse?
It’s not possible, mister.
Never mind, all the
doctors have given up.
And you?
What are you staring at?
Who knows?
It could be a patient’s
merit or my luck, right?
Why don’t you
practice medicine, but
became a beggar instead?
I only beg for charity,
not for materials or food.
But, isn’t this
tray of food not...
Look!
Take another look at it.
All the food
is left untouched.
I only smelled it,
not eating;
so the food is still there.
Look at it!
Strange! How odd!
It was all gone before.
Could it be...
All right!
Don’t waste time.
Go quickly tell him!
Hurry up!
Respected Doctor,
my gentle younger
brother just told me.
Please have compassion
and save her.
You’re like
a beacon of light,
leading the way
for the desperate.
I feel sorry for my
emaciated mother
who fell ill from
longing for her son.
I must praise
your being a gentleman
of complete loyalty
and filial piety.
This is also fated.
I pray that
my mother will overcome
all mishaps in life.
I’d sacrifice this
physical body if needed.
There’s a saying,
“With good affinity,
people will meet
even thousands of miles
apart.”
Don’t worry.
Let me feel her pulse.
Here!
Tie this red thread
around the patient’s wrist.
Do it quickly!
When the mind is restless,
stamina is unstable.
Speech is unintelligible.
She often speaks gibberish
when dreaming at night.
Swollen lungs
and infected intestine
cause pain.
Water stored in the body
obstructs blood flow.
O God!
Many side effects appear
depleting energy.
A disordered chi
(energy flow)
causes disharmony.
It’s hopeless.
How is my mother,
respected Doctor?
When she was young,
she strained herself
mentally and physically.
Plus all the physicians
diagnosed incorrectly,
so her conditions
became worse everyday.
Your Excellency,
if not skillfully treated,
she will not make it.
O God!
If my mother
couldn’t make it
because of her fate,
I’d like to follow to care
for her in the other world.
What for to live
without motherly love?
Mother!
I beg you not to grieve.
Let’s find a way
to cure her.
O God!
Please let me die in place
of my aged mother.
The Creator has arranged
such a miserable fate!
Filial duty unfulfilled
is a man’s disgrace.
Your tears may fill up
the Yellow River,
yet can’t stop
the working of the Creator.
I advise you
to not feel distressed
as this is the law
for human beings.
All the anger, hatred,
sorrow and love,
all the crying and laugher
are but transient
and illusive events
of worldly life.
The law of cause and effect
follows us like
form and its shadow.
This world is
a vast sea of misery.
The boat of filial piety
staggers at the hidden
rocks in swirling waters.
Any challenge to you
will be like a trap.
I’m only afraid
you’re not sincere at heart.
Respected Doctor,
I vow in the witness
of Heaven and Earth:
If my mother passes away,
I’ll end my life too.
Please help me this time.
Even if my body
is destroyed,
I won’t forget your favor.
Her severe illness
saddens me greatly.
Her age is high;
her strength is waning.
But high Heaven
beholds your sincerity.
With a virtuous life,
you’ll overcome this.
This I offer you
to help her temporarily.
It also depends
on her merit and affinity.
Here, quickly mix this pill
with water for her to
drink before it’s too late.
I’m deeply grateful to you.
O Mom!
Is it you, Dương Cẩn?
I’ve caused you
all a lot of trouble.
Not at all, Mom.
I’m happy that you’ve
regained consciousness.
You’ve made me
so worried these few days.
I feel much better, son.
Mom,
you should lie down
for the medicine
to work better.
Thảo,
bring her the rice porridge.
Let me go outside
to thank him
for saving her life.
Respected Doctor,
you’re truly compassionate.
Please accept my
two bows of gratitude.
Oh! You’re welcome.
But that medicine only
saves her life for now.
To cure completely...
It’s very difficult!
Respected Doctor,
please have pity
to tell me clearly.
I’m not afraid of its cost,
in all sincerity.
As a filial son,
I must find a remedy
for her illness.
To completely
cure her illness
is more like searching
for the moon in the sea,
or finding a pearl
in the mountains,
which is foolish,
or picking the stars
in the sky,
or locating something
a thousand seas away.
Have compassion
and show me the way
to obtain it
to save my kind mother.
This remedy is not for sale,
nor is it offered
by anyone.
To find it is more like
finding a needle
in the sea bed.
Respected Doctor,
please have pity
to tell me clearly.
I won’t regret even if
I must risk my life.
All right!
I must praise
your filial piety.
But you must follow
my instructions to find
the precious medicine
to cure her completely.
Yes,
I vow to do everything
to save my mother.
All right, listen here!
First, you must be
vegetarian and recite
the Buddha’s name.
Second,
you must undergo
a severe ordeal.
Third, you must
completely forsake
all worldly dust –
rank and honor.
Completely forsake
all world dust –
rank and honor?
So? How do you think?
Respected Doctor,
I’ll adhere to what you said.
All right.
You must go all the way
to the Black Wind
Mountain.
By all means,
find the medicinal
loquat plant and bring it
back to cure her.
But you must keep
in mind the following:
First, no knife or sword
can be used
to uproot the plant.
You must use your hands.
Secondly, expose it
to sunlight in day time
and dew at night time.
Water it every 3 hours.
Thirdly, allow no one
to touch its trunk,
or else, it will lose its effect.
Is it clear?
Yes, I’m clear.
But how to discern
which plant is
the medicinal loquat?
That’s not difficult!
When your blood
penetrates the plant,
its trunk will change color.
And here is
the medicine book,
my gift for you.
I hope you can save lives
and accumulate merits.
I’m very grateful.
But what is your name,
Master?
Master! Master!
Diệp Thiên Sĩ.
My sorrow and loneliness
all this time
Intensified by the
mournful rain and wind.
If Heaven takes pity on me,
let not storms
befall our family.
I love my mother;
your hair is white,
skin wrinkled
and back bent.
You’ve endured
hardships because of me.
Since childhood,
I’ve studied classics
and history.
Now that I am successful,
how can I forget
your favor of raising me?
Loyalty and filial piety
have torn me apart.
The King’s merit and
country’s debt weigh
upon my shoulders.
I now enjoy glory,
honor, and wealth.
My father’s favor
is as high
as the Great Mountain.
My mother’s hardship
during my upbringing,
I have yet to requite.
How can I enjoy
a luxurious life
and let you die?
O Heaven, please
witness my sincerity.
I’ll put aside fame
and gain to uphold
filial piety.
Fame and gain
are but dust.
As a human,
one must realize
his filial obligation.
Indebted to the King,
yet I won’t be able to
fulfill a subject’s loyalty.
I bow to thank His Majesty.
I have no heart to let
my mother pass away.
Thus, my royal uniform
I must send back
to the court.
Your Majesty,
please see to this heart.
Please allow me to
discharge my filial duty.
I mind not countless perils
in search for the
medicinal herb loquat.
Dương Cẩn! (Yes.)
I’m on my knees,
waiting for your instruction.
Dương Cẩn! (Yes.)
How can you dare
to do that?
Doing so is disloyal.
Mom, but I can’t let you...
Be quiet, Dương Cẩn!
(Yes.)
What I taught you
is now like throwing mud
into the pond.
Are you acting
against my words?
I brought you up,
hoping that you attain
honor and position.
Many years in hardship
spent to end up again
in a bleak life.
O Mom!
You’ve suffered so much
all because of me.
How could I neglect you
to lead a high life?
Ma’am,
since your illness
is incurable, my master
is determined to find
the loquat medicinal plant...
You think it’s easy to find?
It’s because of me that
you commit disloyalty.
Why should I live on
to cause you trouble?
Mom!
I beg you, Mom,
please don’t do that.
I will do as you said
right away.
She’s old now and
doesn’t have long to live.
How have you the heart
to cause her
more mental distress?
Don’t worry, ma’am.
My master
will reconsider it.
I order you to return to
the capital immediately.
O Mother!
But your illness...
I can’t leave you, Mom.
I know it’s difficult
for you because of
my hopeless condition,
so you’re determined
to set out to find the cure.
Are you all right, Mom?
But, son, one’s fate
is destined by Heaven.
How many people
could live a long life?
Don’t forsake
all your title and honor
because of me and
become an unfilial son,
a disloyal subject.
Mom!
When you were born,
I wished that
you grew up quickly
and study hard.
I longed for the day
you promptly leave
for the capital.
I’m deeply indebted
to my aged mother.
I’m heart-broken
thinking of our separation.
If you depart, my life
will be very lonely.
Alas, a mother’s love
is so noble.
Consider it carefully,
master, as not
to blight your future.
She endured hardships
day and night to provide
for your years of studies.
How could you
sadden her to tears
seeing her son
ruining his entire future?
O master, the dream
of title and honor
is like drifting
smoke and clouds,
like an inn where
people come and go.
Don’t forget the
posthumous ill fame.
You’ll fail to fulfill
both loyalty
and filial obligation.
But you’re aged and frail,
how has he the heart
to watch you wither?
You brought him up
and cared for him
through rain or shine.
Don’t be sad.
Has any human
lived forever?
One can’t change
one’s fate.
Uphold loyalty
to your country,
and I won’t feel ashamed
with your father
in the other world if
I happen to pass away.
O master, no one could
escape life and death.
Who could lengthen his
or her stay in the world?
After packing up,
I’ll set out on the road.
I’ll inform you
of my departure date
for the capital city.
Tiểu Thúy! (Yes.)
Go pack up quickly
for me! (Yes.)
Thảo! (Yes.)
Invite the District Chief
over. I need to
discuss a matter with him.
Yes, I’ll go right away.
Mom!
My son.
O master,
the District Chief is here now.
All right,
let me receive him.
Please go inside
to care for her.
Greetings, big brother!
The sun hasn’t
set over the mountain,
yet I already
trouble you again.
It’s all right.
We’re best friends,
so don’t be formal
when you need me.
There’s something
important I wish to ask
for your help.
I wonder if you’d accept.
Gentle brother,
what is that matter?
Tell me right away.
As close friends,
don’t take
precautionary measures.
Though we aren’t related
by blood,
I’ve always respected you
for setting a good
example of filial piety.
If you have pity for me,
please make a trip
back to the capital city.
I’m at fault with...
But what is your fault?
I wish to fulfill
my filial obligation,
so I’ve decided
to resign as a mandarin.
What?
Resigning your post?
That’s impossible!
Don’t defy the laws.
Serious offence
will bring death
to your three families.
Looking at you,
I burst into tears.
You’re willing to forsake
all title and honor
to realize filial duty.
Thank you for your
words of true love.
But there is a saying:
“Money saved
for rainy days,
children raised
to care for the elder.”
One brings up a child
to depend on later.
How have I the heart
to let my mother die?
I remember
when I was in her arms,
my mother’s milk
was flowing gently
into my body.
Oh, what a beautiful image!
What a noble spirit!
A filial and righteous
heart cares not for high-
ranking court position.
Please help report
to His Majesty,
kind brother.
Trust me on this trip
to the capital.
I’ll help you even if
it costs me my life.
Please accept
this respectful bow.
I now entrust
my aged mother to your
care while I’m away.
I’m intent on
finding the medicine
to save her from death.
Indeed,
there are lofty souls
among the coarse
in this world.
I praise you for
discerning the pure water
from murky ones.
There’s a saying,
“Love others
as you love yourself.”
Worry not while
you’re away from home.
Your mother now
is just like my mother.
I’m very grateful,
big brother.
But this I hide
from my mother.
So please keep it a secret
for me.
Be at ease while
you search for a cure.
I firmly believe
that Heaven has eyes.
Big brother!
Beloved younger brother!