Christianity
Islam
Judaism
Hinduism
Buddhism
Family & Honoring Parents
The family is the primary unit of religious life, and honoring parents is among the most universally emphasized commandments. Filial piety appears in the Decalogue, the Quran, Hindu dharma, and Buddhist teaching, reflecting a cross-cultural conviction about intergenerational obligation.
Across the World's Religions
Christianity
- Practice
- Honor thy father and mother (5th Commandment)
- Key Text
- Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:20
Islam
- Practice
- Birr al-walidayn — kindness to parents second only to God
- Key Text
- Quran 17:23-24, 31:14
Judaism
- Practice
- Kibud av va-em — honoring father and mother
- Key Text
- Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16; Kiddushin 31a-b
Hinduism
- Practice
- Pitri dharma — duty toward parents; parents as living gods
- Key Text
- Manusmriti 2.227-228; Taittiriya Upanishad 1.11
Buddhism
- Practice
- Supporting parents as highest merit; debt of gratitude
- Key Text
- AN 2.32; Kataññu Sutta (AN 2.31-32); Itivuttaka 106