The Buddhist World of Southeast Asia: Second Edition

Appendix 1 Sigālaka Sutta: Code of Lay Ethics

205 Appendix 1 SIGĀLAKA SUTTA: Code of Lay Ethics In the Sig¡laka Sutta that is found in the Discourses of the Buddha (Dīgha Nik¡ya III.180), the Buddha ethicizes the Brahmanical custom of worshipping the deities of the four cardinal directions, the zenith, and nadir. The Buddha interprets the six directions as metaphors for different social relationships : parents (east); teachers (south); wife and children (west); friends and relatives (north); servants and workers (nadir); brahmans, and mendicants (zenith). The Buddha’s moral admonitions may strike us as old-fashioned, but we must keep in mind the historical context—hierarchical and patriarchal —in which they were written. Taking the context into account, one cannot but be impressed with the underlying premise of mutual responsibility for social and moral well-being. The Buddha outlines the duties and obligations as follows.1 East Forward direction signifying mother and father whom their children should uphold in five ways: (1) parents have cared for and raised their children, so children should repay this kindness by caring for them; (2) children should help their parents by looking after their affairs; (3) children should ensure the endurance of the family name; (4) children should conduct themselves in ways that make them worthy to receive inherited wealth; (5) after their parents have died, children should make merit on their behalf. The children’s mother and father, having been upheld in the preceding ways, should help their children in five ways by: (1) helping them avoid doing evil; (2) encouraging them to do good; (3) seeing that they receive an education ; (4) finding a suitable mate for them; (5) giving them their wealth at the appropriate time. 206 appendix i South To the right, signifying the teacher whom the pupil should uphold in five ways by: (1) standing up to receive the teacher (as a sign of respect); (2) waiting in attendance on the teacher; (3) paying attention to what the teacher says; (4) being the teacher’s attendant; (5) being a diligent student. The teacher, having been upheld in these five ways should help students by: (1) setting a good example; (2) motivating the student to study; (3) telling the student as much as the teacher knows without holding anything back; (4) praising the students among their friends; (5) making sure that the students are properly supported and cared for. West Signifying the wife whom her husband should uphold in five ways by: (1) praising her and upholding the relationship; (2) not looking down on her; (3) not being unfaithful; (4) giving her charge of the home and family; (5) giving her clothing and presents. The husband’s wife, having been upheld in these ways, should support her husband by: (1) organizing family affairs well; (2) helping her husband’s relatives and friends; (3) not being unfaithful to her husband; (4) looking after the valuables and property; (5) being energetic in her duties. North Signifying friends, good people whom one should uphold in five ways by: (1) sharing things with them; (2) talking agreeably with them; (3) doing useful things for them; (4) being even-minded and without pride; (5) not speaking pretentiously and by being truthful. One’s friends, having been upheld in the preceding ways, should then help as follows by: (1) protecting them from being careless; (2) protecting sigālaka sutta 207 their property and valuables if they are careless and neglectful; (3) providing shelter when there is danger; (4) not abandoning them in times of adversity; (5) taking care of the relatives of one’s friends. Nadir Signifying servants whom their master should uphold in five ways by: (1) arranging work that is suitable and not beyond their capability; (2) providing them with food and other compensation; (3) taking care of them when they are sick; (4) sharing delicacies with them; (5) giving them time off. A master’s servants, having been upheld in these ways, should help their master by: (1) arising before their master and starting their work; (2) quitting work after their master; (3) not stealing from their master; (4) constantly trying to improve their work; (5) praising the virtues of their master. Zenith Signifying samana (religious practitioners) whom their disciples should uphold in five ways by: (1) acting with loving-kindness; (2) speaking with loving-kindness; (3) thinking thoughts with loving-kindness; (4) always welcoming them into their homes; (5) providing them with material requisites...