In MN117, there is the description of mundane right view…
"There is what is given and what is offered and what is sacrificed; there is fruit and result of good and bad actions; there is this world and the other world; there are mother and father; there are beings who are reborn spontaneously; there are in the world good and virtuous recluses and brahmins who have realised for themselves by direct knowledge and declare this world and the other world.’ "
A person who has this mundane right view can be said to be truly grateful. How so?
Gratitude is the taking up of the responsibility for what has been given.
An authentic responsible person who is given a gift recognises his duties in regards it/katannu. He uses the gift responsibly and carefully. This is how he honours the giver or gives thanks/katavedi.
Even though it may be quite rude, If a person does not say ‘thank you’ or show any sign of appreciation when receiving the gift, it is not wise to judge him too quickly, because it is by seeing how that person uses the gift which will reveal his gratitude or not.
When having been given a gift does one use it with care or does one disregard ones duties of having received it?
Does one recognise or disregard ones responsibility in the ability of intentionally acting or the ability to create wholesome and unwholesome consequences?
One has received the knowledge that there is ‘the possibility of rebirth’, what will you do with that knowledge? Can you appreciate the knowledge and act responsibly just in case there is rebirth?
Do you recognise your responsibility towards receiving life from your parents? How do you live your life?..heedfully?..responsibly? How do you use this opportunity?
And as the Buddha says 'that it is difficult to repay our parents and the only way is to…AN2.33
"you have done enough, more than enough, to repay them if you encourage, settle, and ground unfaithful parents in faith, unethical parents in ethical conduct, stingy parents in generosity, or ignorant parents in wisdom.”
…and how else can you do that other than by being accomplished in those things yourself.
One has also searched and received the knowledge that ‘there is freedom from suffering and a way to get there’…what will you do with that knowledge that there is a possibility of freedom from suffering?
You could choose to not really believe it, or deny it, but then whatever happens next will be your responsibility i.e you will be responsible for your not being free and your choosing to stay in samsara.
You could choose to have confidence in the Buddha’s teaching and completely give yourself to the practice or not?
The Buddha has given teachings which apparently lead to freedom, what will you do with those teachings? Will you be grateful and thankful towards the Buddha by doing what he says? Or will you just say ‘thank you’ Buddha, light some incense, bow down to the shrine and sing a song…and then go do the things which the Buddha said you shouldn’t do?
Is the expression of gratitude or being grateful in saying thank you? Or is it the acknowledgement and taking up of one’s duties and responsibilities in regards to what has been received i.e using all given opportunities and possibilities for developing wholesomeness and not doing anything unwholesome?
Gratitude, the acknowledgement of responsibilty, is the using Wisely what has been given.
If a person refuses to acknowledge one’s responsibilities, then that person will be one who goes about reckless, doing whatever they feel is right i.e whatever makes them happy or gives them pleasure, disregarding wise counsel in every corner. They will feel that they deserve everything and owe nothing in return.