Thus have I heard;
On one occasion the Blessed one was dwelling in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrels' Sanctuary, near Rajagaha.
Now, at that time,young Sigala, a householder's son, rising early in the morning, and departing from Rajagaha, with wet clothes and wet hair, salute with joined hands, the various quarters, namely: East, South, West, North, Nadir and Zenith.
The blessed One, having robed Himself in the forenoon, took bowl and robe, and entered Rajagaha for alms. Seeing young Sigala saluting thus, He Spoke to him as follows;
"Wherefore do you, householder's son, rising early in the morning and departing from Rajagaha, with wet clothes and wet hair salute with joined hands these various quarters -East, South, West, North, Nadir and Zenith?"
"My father, Lord, whilst dying said to me:The six quarters, dear son, you shall salute." "And I, Lord, respecting, revering, reverencing and honouring my father's word, rise early in the morning, and leaving Rajagaha,with wet clothes and wet hair, salute, with joined hands, these six quarters."
"It is not thus, householder's son, the six quarters should be saluted in the Noble discipline?"
"How then, Lord, should the six quarters be saluted in the Noble discipline?"
"It is well, Lord, if the Blessed one would expound the doctrine to meas to how the six quarters should be saluted in the Noble discipline!"
"Very well, householder, listen and bear it well in mind; I shall speak."
"Very good, Lord!" responded young Sigala.
And the Blessed One spoke as follows;
Inasmuch, young householder, as the four vices of a Noble discipline are eradicated, inasmuch as he commits no evil deed in the four ways, inasmuch as he pursues not the six sources for dissipating wealth, he, thus, avoiding these fourteen evil things covers the six quarters, and enter ( the path ) leading to victory in both worlds; he is favoured in this world and in the world beyond. Upon the dissolution of the body, after, he is born in a heavenly realm.
What are the four vices that he has eradicated? The destruction of life, householder, is a vice; and so are stealing, sexual misconduct, and lying. These are the four vices that he has eradicated. This the Blessed One said, having uttered thus, the Teacher, the Welcome One, furthermore spoke as follows;
Killing, stealing, lying and adultery. These four evils the wise never praise.
In which four ways does one commit evil deed ?
Led by desire to injustice does one commit evil.
Led by anger to injustice does one commit evil.
Led by ignorance to injustice does one commit evil.
Led by fear to injustice does one commit evil.
Since a noble disciple is not led to injustice by desire, anger, ignorance and fear, he commits no evil in these four ways.
This the Blessed One said. Having uttered thus, the Teacher, the Welcome One, furthermore spoke as follows:
Who thro' desire, hate or fear
Or ignorance doth transgress the dharma,
All his glory fadeth away,
Even as the moon during the waning half
Who never thro' desire, hate or fear,
Or ignorance transgresseth the dharma,
All his glory ever increaseth,
Even as the moon during the waxing half
What are the six sources for dissipating wealth which he does not pursue?
Indulgence in intoxicants, which cause infatuation and heedlessness, is a source for dissipating wealth.
Sauntering in the streets at unseemly hours is a source for dissipating wealth.
Frequenting theatrical shows is a source for dissipating wealth.
Indulgence in gabling, which causes heedlessness, is a source for dissipating wealth.
Association with evil companions is a source for dissipating wealth.
Addiction to idleness is a source for dissipating wealth.
There are, householder's son, these six evil consequences in indulging in intoxicants which cause infatuation and heedlessness, namely;
immediate loss of wealth
increase in quarrels
liability to disease
earning an evil reputation
shameless exposure
weakness of intellect
There are, householder's son, these six evil consequences in sauntering the streets at unseemly hours namely;
he himself is unprotected and unguarded
his wife and children are unprotected and unguarded
his property is unprotected and unguarded
he is subject to suspicion with respect to evil deeds
he becomes subject to false allegations
he is beset with much misfortune
There are, householder's son, these six evil consequences in frequenting theatrical shows, namely;
he inquires where is dancing ?
where is singing ?
where is music ?
where is recitation ?
where is playing with cymbals ?
where is pot blowing ?
There are, householder's son, these six evil consequences in indulging in gambling, namely;
victory breeds hatred
being defeated, he grieves for his wealth
immediate loss of wealth
his word is not relied upon in court of law
he is despised by his friends and associates
he will not be sought for matrimonial alliance, saying that he is a gambler and is not fit to look after a wife.
There are, householder's son, these six evil consequences in associating with evil companions, namely;
any gambler, any glutton, any drunkard, any swindler, any cheat, any bandit is his friend and companion.
There are, householder's son, these six evil consequences in being addicted to idleness, namely;
he does not work, saying that it is extremely cold
that it is extremely hot
that it is too late in the evening
that it is too early in the morning
that I am extremely hungry
that I am too full
As he lives thus, leaving many duties undone, unacquired wealth he does not get , and acquired wealth dwindles away.
This the Blessed One said. Having uttered thus, the Teacher, the Welcome One, furthermore spoke as follows;
In Summary.......
One is a liquor-friend; one says,"friend, friend," only to one's face; one is a friend and an associate only when an occasion arises.
Sleeping till sunrise, adultery, irascibility, malevolence, evil companions, avarice, - these six causes ruin a man.
The man who has evil comrades and friends, is given to evil ways, to ruin doth fall in both worlds - here and the next.
Dice, women, liquor, dancing, singing, sleeping by day, sauntering at unseemly hours, evil companions, avarice - these six causes will ruin a man.
They play with dice and consume intoxicants, go to women who, unto others, are dear as their own lives associate with the mean and not with elders - they decline just as the moon during the waning half.
Who is drunk, poor, destitute, athirst whilst drinking frequents the bar, sinks in debt as a stone in water, swiftly will bring disrepute to his family.
One who by habit sleeps by day, and keeps up at night, is ever intoxicated, and is gluttonous, is not fit to lead a household life.
Saying that it is too hot, too cold, too late and leaving things undone; the opportunities for good go past such men.
He who does not regard cold or heat any more than a blade of grass and does his duties manfully, does not fall away from happiness.
he who appropriates should be understood as a foe in the guise of a friend.
he who renders lip-service should be understood as a foe in the guise of a friend
he who flatters should be understood as a foe in the guise of a friend
he who ruins should be understood as a foe in the guise of a friend
In four ways, householder's son, should one who appropriates, be understood as a foe in the guise of a friend, namely;
he appropriates his wealth
he expects much from little
he does his duty when in fear
he associates for his own good
In four ways, householder's son should one who renders lip services, be understood as a foe in the guise of a friend, namely;
he entertains with what is past
he entertains with what is future
he treats with what is profitless
when there is an immediate need he expresses his inability
In four ways, householder's son, should one who flatters be understood as a foe in the guise of a friend namely;
he consents to his evil deeds
he dissents from his good deeds
he praises him in his presence
he speaks ill of him to others in his absence
In four ways, householder's son, should one who ruins be understood as a foe in the guise of a friend, namely;
he is a companion when one indulges in intoxicants that cause infatuation and heedlessness
he is a companion when one saunters in streets at unseemly hours
he is a companion when one frequents theatrical shows
he is a companion when one indulges in gambling which cause heedlessness
This the Blessed One said. Having said thus, the Teacher, the Welcome One , furthermore spoke as follows:
That friend that carries what is with you, the friend that treats merely words, the friend that flatters and he who befriends in ruining you- These four enemies the wise recognise as such, and avoid them from a distance as a perilous path.
the helper should be understood as a warm-hearted friend
who is the same in weal and woe should be understood as a warm-hearted friend
who gives good counsel should be understood as a warm-hearted friend,
the sympathiser should be understood as a warm-hearted friend.
In four ways, householder's son, should a helper be understood as a warm- hearted friend, namely;
he guards the heedless
he protects his wealth
he becomes a refuge when he is afraid
when an occasion arises he provides him with double the amount that he needs
In four ways, householder's son, should one who is equal in weal and woe be understood as a warm- hearted friend, namely;
his secrets he reveals to him
he conceals (his friend's) secret
in misfortunes he does not forsake him
his life too he sacrifices for his good
In four ways, householder's son, should one who gives counsel be understood as a warm- hearted friend, namely;
he dissuade him from doing evil
he persuades him to do good
he makes him hear what he has not heard
he points him the path to heaven
In four ways, householder's son, should a sympathiser be understood as a warm- hearted friend, namely;
he dose not rejoice in his misfortune
he rejoices in his prosperity
he restrains one from speaking evil of him
he praises one who speaks good of him
This the Blessed One said, Having uttered thus, the Teacher, the Welcome One, furthermore spoke as follows:
The friend who is a helper, the friend in weal and woe, the friend who gives counsel, and the sympathising friend -
These four friends let the wise recognise, as such and be thoroughly devoted to them as a mother to her dear son.
Whoso is wise and virtuous shines like a blazing fire.
To him who amasses wealth in the way a bee collects honey riches accumulate as an anthill that gradually grows.
Accumulating wealth thus, the layman who is fit to lead a household life should divide his wealth into four parts. Truly he binds friends to himself. With one portion let him enjoy, two portions let him set apart for business, the fourth portion let him deposit so that it may be use in times of adversity.
How, householder's son does a noble disciple cover the six quarters ?
These six quarters should be understood. The parents should be understood as the East, teachers as the South, wife and children as the West, friends and associates as the North, servants and employees as the Nadir, ascetics and Brahmans as the Zenith.
In five ways, householder's son, a child should minister to his parents as the East;
being supported I shall support them
I shall do their duties
I shall keep the family lineage
I shall act in such a way as to be worthy of my inheritance
furthermore I shall offer alms in honour of my departed relatives
In five ways, householder's son, the parents who are thus ministered to by their children as the East show their compassion;
they dissuade them from evil
they persuade them to do good
they teach them an art
they would give them in marriage to a suitable spouse
at the proper time they would hand over to them their inheritance
In these five ways do children minister to their parents as the East and the parents show their compassion to their children. Thus is the East covered by them and made safe and secure.
In five ways, householder's son, a pupil should minister to a teacher as the South;
by rising
by attending to them
by attentive hearing
by personal service
by respectfully receiving instructions
In five ways, householder's son, do teachers who are thus minister to by pupils as the South show their compassion;
they train them in the best discipline
they make them receive which is well held by them
they teach them every suitable art and science
they introduce them to their friends and associates
they provide for their safety in every quarters
the teacher who are thus minister to as the South by their pupils show their compassion towards them in these five ways. Thus is the South covered by them and made safe and secure.
In five ways, householder's son, should a wife as the West be ministered by a husband;
by courtesy
by not despising her
by faithfulness
by handing over authority to her
by providing her with ornaments
The wife who is thus ministered to by her husband as the West show her compassion to her husband in five ways;
she performs her duties in perfect order
she is hospitable to the people around
she is not unfaithful
she protects what he brings
she is industrious and not lazy in discharging her duties
In these five ways does the wife show her compassion to her husband who ministers to her as the West. Thus is the west covered by him and made secure and safe.
In five ways, householder's son, should a noble scion minister to his friends and associates as the North;
by generosity
by courteous speech
by promoting his good
by equality
by truthfulness
The friends ans associates who are thus ministered to by a noble scion as the North show compassion to him in five ways;
they protect him when he is heedless
they protect his property when he is heedless
they become a refuge when he is afraid
they do not forsake him when in danger
they are considerate towards his progency
The friends and associates who are thus ministered to as the North by a noble scion show their compassion towards him in these five ways. Thus is the North covered by him and made safe and secure.
In five ways should a master minister to servants and employees as the Nadir;
by assigning them work according to their strength
by supplying them with food and wages
by tending them in sickness
by sharing with them extraordinary delicacies
by relieving them at times.
The servants and employees who are thus ministered to as the Nadir by their master, show their compassion to him in five ways;
they rise before him
they go to sleep after him
they take only what is given
they perform their duties satisfactorily
they spread his good name and fame
The servants and employees who are thus ministered to as the Nadir show their compassion towards him in these five ways. Thus is the Nadir covered by him and made safe and secure.
by lovable deeds
by lovable words
by lovable thoughts
by not closing the door to them
by supplying them material needs
The ascetics and Brahmans who are thus ministered to as the Zenith by a noble scion show their compassion towards him in five ways;
they dissuade him from doing evil
they persuade him to do good
they love him with a kind heart
they make him hear what he has not heard and clarify what he has already heard
they point out the path to heavenly state
In these five ways do ascetics and Brahmans show their compassion towards a noble scion who ministered to them as the Zenith. Thus is the Zenith covered by him and made safe and secure
This the Blessed One said. Having uttered thus, the Teacher, Welcome One, furthermore spoke as follows;
The mother and father are the East,
The teachers are the South
Wife and children are the West
The friends and associates are the North
Servants and employees are the Nadir
The ascetics and Brahmans are the Zenith
Who is fit to lead the household life
These six quarters he should salute
The wise and the virtuous person
Gentle and of deep understanding
Humble and docile
Such a one glory may attain
Energetic and not indolent
In misfortune he is unshaken
Humble in manners and intelligent
Such a one to glory may attain
Who is hospitable, a maker of friends
Liberal and unselfish
A guide, an instructor, a leader
Such a one glory may attain
Generosity, sweet speech
Doing goods to others
Equality towards all
And at every place as the case demands
These four winning ways in the world exist
As the lynchpin that keeps the car rolling
If these in the world exist not
Neither the mother nor the father receive honour
or respect through their children
Since these four winning ways
the wise consider in every way
To eminence they attain
and praise they rightly gain
When the Blessed One spoke thus, Sigala , the householder's son said as follows;
" Excellent, Lord, excellent! It is as if, Lord, a man were to set upright that which was overturned, or were to reveal that which was hidden, or were to point out the way to one who had gone astray, or were to hold a lamp amidst the darkness - so that those who have eyes may see. Even so, has the doctrine been expounded in various ways by the blessed One.
I, too, Lord, take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha, May the Blessed One receive me as a follower; as one who has taken refuge from this very day to life's end."
