Digha Nikaya 31
Sigalovada Sutta 06
The Discourse to Sigala -- The Layperson's Code of Discipline

i. "they restrain him from evil,
ii. they persuade him to do good,
iii. they love him with a kind heart,
iv. they make him hear what he has not heard,
v. they clarify what he has already heard,
vi. they point out the path to a heavenly state.
"In these six ways do ascetics and brahmins show their compassion towards a householder who ministers to them as the Zenith. Thus is the Zenith covered by him and made safe and secure." Thus spoke the Exalted One. And when the Master had thus spoken, he spoke yet again:
"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 brahmins are the Zenith;
Who is fit to lead the household life,
These six quarters he should salute.
Who is wise and virtuous,
Gentle and keen-witted,
Humble and amenable,
Such a one to honour may attain.
Who is energetic and not indolent,
In misfortune unshaken,
Flawless in manner and intelligent,
Such a one to honour may attain.
Who is hospitable, and friendly,
Liberal and unselfish,
A guide, an instructor, a leader,
Such a one to honour may attain.
Generosity, sweet speech,
Helpfulness to others,
Impartiality to all,
As the case demands.
These four winning ways make the world go round,
As the linchpin in a moving car.
If these in the world exist not,
Neither mother nor father will receive,
Respect and honour from their children.
Since these four winning ways
The wise appraise in every way,
To eminence they attain,
And praise they rightly gain."
When the Exalted One had spoken thus, Sigala, the young householder, 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 explained in various ways by the Exalted One.
"I take refuge, Lord, in the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha. May the Exalted One receive me as a lay follower; as one who has taken refuge from this very day to life's end."
 
Notes
1. kamma-kilesa, lit., 'actions of defilement.' [Go back]
2. These are the four agati, 'evil courses of action': chanda, dosa, moha, bhaya. [Go back]
3. Crimes committed by others. [Go back]
4. A kind of amusement. [Go back]
5. The Pali original has here "six causes" as two compound words and one double-term phrase are counted as units. [Go back]
6. Dhammapada v. 49: "As a bee, without harming the flower, its colour or scent, flies away, collecting only the honey..." [Go back]
7. This portion includes what is spent on good works: gifts to monks, charity, etc. [Go back]
8. "The symbolism is deliberately chosen: as the day in the East, so life begins with parents' care; teacher's fees and the South are the same word: dakkhina; domestic cares follow when the youth becomes man, as the West holds the later daylight; North is 'beyond' (uttara), so by help of friends, etc., he gets beyond troubles." -- (Rhys Davids) [Go back]
9. This is a sacred custom of the Aryans who never forgot the dead. This tradition is still faithfully observed by the Buddhists of Sri Lanka who make ceremonial offerings of alms to the monks on the eighth day, in the third month, and on each anniversary of the demise of the parents. Merit of these good actions is offered to the departed after such ceremony. Moreover after every punna-kamma (good action), a Buddhist never fails to think of his parents and offer merit. Such is the loyalty and the gratitude shown to parents as advised by the Buddha. [Go back]
10. lit., 'the folk around' (parijana). [Go back]