Namo Taasa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhaasa 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:- the East, the South, the West, the North, the Nadir, and the 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 the East, the South, the West, the North, the Nadir, and the 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 Aryan discipline.”

“How then, Lord, should the six quarters be saluted in the Aryan discipline!”
“It is well, Lord, if the Blessed One would expound the doctrine to me as to how the six quarters should be saluted in the Aryan 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: -

In as much, young householder, as the four vices of an Aryan discipline are eradicated, in as much as he commits no evil deed in four ways, in as much as he pursues not the six sources for dissipating wealth. He thus, avoiding these fourteen evil things covers the six quarters, and enters (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 death, 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.

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 an Aryan disciple is not led to injustice by desire, anger, ignorance, and fear, he commits no evil in these four ways.

What are the six sources for dissipating wealth which he does not pursue?

i)    Indulgence in intoxicants, which cause infatuation and heedlessness, is a source for
      dissipating wealth.

ii)   Sauntering in streets at unseemly hours is a source for dissipating wealth.

iii)  Frequenting theatrical shows is a source for dissipating wealth.

iv)  Indulgence in gambling, which causes heedlessness, is a source for dissipating wealth.

v)   Association with evil companions is a source for dissipating wealth.

iv) 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 : -
 
 

There are, householder's son, these six evil consequences in sauntering in streets at unseemly hours namely :-
 
 
 

There are, householder's son, these six evil consequences in frequenting theatrical shows, namely :-
 
 

There are, householder's son, these six evil consequences in indulging in gambling, namely :-
 
 

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:
 
 

As he lives thus, leaving many duties undone, unacquired wealth he does not get, and acquired wealth dwindles away.
 

The Blessed One said. Having uttered thus, the
Teacher, the Welcome One, furthermore spoke as follows:-

“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.

Vice, 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 drink 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 who does his duties manfully, does not fall away from happiness.
 

These four, householder's son, should be understood as foes in the guise of friends, namely:-

(i)   he who appropriates should be understood as a foe in the guise of a friend.

(ii)  he who renders lip service should be understood as a foe in the guise of a friend.

(iii) he who flatters should be understood as a foe in the guise of a friend.

(iv) 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: -

(i)   he appropriates his wealth,
(ii)  he expects much from little,
(iii) he does his duty when in fear,
(iv) he associates for his own good.
 

In four ways, householder's son should one who renders lip service be understood as a foe in the guise of a friend, namely: -

(i)   he entertains with what is past,
(ii)  he entertains with what is future,
(iii) he treats with what is profitless,
(iv) 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:-
 

(i)   he consents to his evil deeds,
(ii)  he dissents from his good deeds,
(iii) he praises him in his presence,
(iv) 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:-

(i)   he is a companion when one indulges in intoxicants that cause infatuation
      and heedlessness,
(ii)  he is a companion when one saunters in streets at unseemly hours,
(iii) he is a companion when one frequents theatrical shows,
(iv) he is a companion when one indulges in gambling which causes heedlessness.
 

The Blessed One said. Having uttered thus, the Teacher, the Welcome One, furthermore spoke as follows:
 

The friend that carries what is with you, the friend that treats merely with 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.
 

These four, householder's son, should be understood as Warm-hearted friends, namely :-
 

(i)   the helper should be understood as a warm-hearted friend,
(ii)  who is the same in weal and woe should be under-stood as a warm-hearted friend,
(iii) who gives good counsel should be understood as a warm-hearted friend;
(iv) 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 :-

(i)   he guards the heedless,
(ii)  he protects his wealth,
(iii) he becomes a refuge when he is afraid,
(iv) when an occasion arises he provides him with double the amount (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:-

(i)   his secrets he reveals to him,
(ii)  he conceals (his friend’s) secret,
(iii) in misfortunes he does not forsake him,
(iv) 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:-

(i)   he dissuades him from doing evil,
(ii)  he persuades him to do good,
(iii) he makes him hear what he has not heard,
(iv) he points him the path to heaven.
 

In four ways, householder's son, should a sympathiser he understood as a warm-hearted friend, namely:-

(i)   he does not rejoice in his misfortune,
(ii)  he rejoices in his prosperity,
(iii) he restrains one from speaking evil of him,
(iv) he praises one who speaks good of him.
 

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. Who 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 of use in times of adversity.
 

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: -

(i) being supported I shall support them,
(ii) I shall do their duties,
(iii) I shall keep the family lineage,
(iv) I shall act in such a way as to be worthy of my inheritance.
(v) 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: -

(i)   they dissuade them from evil,
(ii)  they persuade them to do good,
(iii) they teach them an art,
(iv) they would give them in marriage to a suitable wife,
(v)  at the proper time they would hand over to them their inheritance.
 

In these are 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:-

(i)   by rising
(ii)  by attending on them,
(iii) by attentive hearing,
(iv) by personal service,
(v)  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: -

(i) they train them in the best discipline,
(ii) they make them receive which is well held by them,
(iii) they teach them every suitable art and science,
(iv) they introduce them to their friends and associates,
(v) they provide for their safety in every quarter.
 

The teacher who are thus ministered 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:-

(i) by courtesy,
(ii) by not despising her,
(iii) by faithfulness,
(iv) by handing over authority to her,
(v) by providing her with ornaments.
 

The wife who is thus ministered to by her husband as the West shows her compassion to her husband in five ways: -

(i) she performs her duties in perfect order
(ii) she is hospitable, “to the people around”
(iii) she is not unfaithful,
(iv) she protects what he brings,
(v) 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:-

(i) by generosity,
(ii) by courteous speech,
(iii) by promoting his good,
(iv) by equality,
(iv) by truthfulness.

The friends and associates who are thus ministered to by a noble scion as the North show compassion to him in five ways:

(i) they protect him when he is heedless,
(ii) they protect his property wealth,
(iii) they become a refuge when he is afraid,
(iv) they do not forsake when in danger
(v) they considerate towards his progeny.

The friends and associates who are thus ministered to as the North by a noble scion show the their compassion towards him in this 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: -

(i)   by assigning them work according to their strength,
(ii)  by supplying them with food and wages,
(iii) by tending them in sickness,
(iv) by sharing with them extraordinary delicacies
(v)  by relieving them at times.

The servants and employees who are thus ministered to as the Nadis by their master, show their compassion to him in five ways:-

(i)   they rise before him,
(ii)  they go to sleep after him,
(iii) they take only what is given,
(iv) they perform their duties satisfactorily,
(v)  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.
 

In five ways, householder's son, should a noble scion minister to ascetics and Brahmans as the Zenith:-

(i)   by lovable deeds,
(ii)  by lovable words,
(iii) by lovable thoughts,
(iv) by not closing the doors to them,
(v)  by supplying their material needs.

The ascetics and Brahmans who are thus ministered to as the Zenith by a noble scion show their compassion toward him in five ways: -

(i) they dissuade 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 and clarify what he has already heard,
(v) they point out the path to heavenly state.

In these five ways do ascetics and Brahmans show their compassion towards a noble scion who minister to them as the Zenith.

Thus is the Zenith covered by him and made safe and secure.
 

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 to 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 to glory may attain.

Generosity, sweet speech,
Doing good to others,
Equality towards all,
And at every place as the case demands.

These four winning ways in the world exist,
As the lynch pin that keeps the car a 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.

Then 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 Doctrine, and the Order, May the Blessed One receive me as a follower; as one who has taken refuge from this very day to life's end.”

SHADU ! SHADU! SHADU!