Digha Nikaya 31 
Sigalovada Sutta 04
The Discourse to Sigala -- The Layperson's Code of Discipline

i. "he does not rejoice in one's misfortune,
ii. he rejoices in one's prosperity,
iii. he restrains others speaking ill of oneself,
iv. he praises those who speak well of oneself."
Thus spoke the Exalted One. And when the Master had thus spoken, he spoke yet again:
"The friend who is a helpmate,
the friend in happiness and woe,
the friend who gives good counsel,
the friend who sympathises too --
these four as friends the wise behold
and cherish them devotedly
as does a mother her own child.
The wise and virtuous shine like a blazing fire.
He who acquires his wealth in harmless ways
like to a bee that honey gathers, [6]
riches mount up for him
like ant hill's rapid growth.
With wealth acquired this way,
a layman fit for household life,
in portions four divides his wealth:
thus will he friendship win.
One portion for his wants he uses,[7]
two portions on his business spends,
the fourth for times of need he keeps."

* * *

"And how, young householder, does a noble disciple cover the six quarters?
"The following should be looked upon as the six quarters. The parents should be looked upon 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 brahmins as the Zenith.[8]
" In five ways, young householder, a child should minister to his parents as the East:
i. "Having supported me I shall support them,
ii. I shall do their duties,
iii. I shall keep the family tradition,
iv. I shall make myself worthy of my inheritance,
v. furthermore I shall offer alms in honour of my departed relatives.[9]
"In five ways, young householder, the parents thus ministered to as the East by their children, show their compassion:
i. "they restrain them from evil,
ii. they encourage them to do good,
iii. they train them for a profession,
iv. they arrange a suitable marriage,
v. at the proper time they hand over their inheritance to them.
"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, young householder, a pupil should minister to a teacher as the South:
i. "by rising from the seat in salutation,
ii. by attending on him,
iii. by eagerness to learn,
iv. by personal service,
v. by respectful attention while receiving instructions.
"In five ways, young householder, do teachers thus ministered to as the South by their pupils, show their compassion:
i. "they train them in the best discipline,
ii. they see that they grasp their lessons well,
iii. they instruct them in the arts and sciences,
iv. they introduce them to their friends and associates,
v. they provide for their safety in every quarter.

page05 >>