This story [of Maudgalyāyana and his mother] reminds us that we vow to save all beings as bodhisattvas; when Maudgalyāyana selfishly attempts to help only his own mother his spiritual powers do not work, but when he works for the good of everyone who is suffering his spiritual powers are effective. So we pray for the living, but also the deceased, so all may find the path to enlightenment.