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SINGALA SUTTA

(Discourse to Singala)

TEN SUTTAS FROM DIGHA NIKAYA

BURMA PITAKA ASSOCIATION

1984

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         242. Thus have I heard:

         At one time the Bhagava was staying near Rajagaha in (the monastery of) the Bamboo Grove, the sanctuary where black squirrels were fed. Now at that time, Singalaka (i.e, the young Singala), the son of a householder, rising early in the morning, and having gone out from Rajagaha, in wet clothes and with wet hair, worshipped with palms together the various directions such as the East, the South, the West, the North, the Nadir and the Zenith.

         243. Then the Bhagava. having rearranged his robes in the morning, took his alms-bowl and great robe and entered Rajagaha on his alms round. On seeing Singalaka, the son of a householder, who had risen early in the morning and had come out from Rajagaha in wet clothes and with wet hair, worship ping with palms together the various directions such as the East, the South, the West, the North, the Nadir and the Zenith, the Bhagava spoke to him thus:

         Young householder, rising early in the morning, having come out from Rajagaha, in wet clothes and with wet hair, wherefore do you worship with palms together the various directions such as the East the South, the West, the North, the Nadir and the Zenith?

         "Venerable Sir, my father said to me on his death-bed, 'My dear son, worship the directions. Venerable Sir, respecting, revering, reverencing and honouring my father's words, I rise early in the morning, go out from Rajagaha in wet clothes and with wet hair, worship with palms together the various directions such as the East, the South, the West, the North, the Nadir and the Zenith."


The Six Directions

         244. Young householder, in the Ariyan Teaching the six directions are not to be worshipped in this manner.

         "How then, Venerable Sir, are the six directions to be worshipped in the Ariyan Teaching? May it please the Bhagava. to teach me the six directions which are to be worshipped in the Ariyan Teaching."

         In that case, young householder, listen and bear it well in mind. I shall teach you.

         "Very well, Venerable Sir," replied Singalaka, the householder's son. And the Bhagava spoke as follows:

         Young householder, the noble disciple refrains from four acts of defilement; he does no evil which is instigated by four factors; and he does not indulge in six practices causing dissipation of wealth. Thus avoiding these fourteen evil things, he covers the six directions and follows the path for success in both the worlds. He has accomplished his tasks for this world as well as for the next. After death and dissolution of the body, he is reborn in a happy deva world.


The Four Acts of Defilement

         245. And what are the four acts of defilement that the Noble disciple abstains from?

         The destruction of life, young householder, is an act of defilement; stealing is an act of defilement; sensual misconduct is an act of defilement; telling lies is an act of defilement. These are the four evil acts of defilement which the noble disciple abstains from.

         After the Bhagava had spoken these words, he uttered these verses:

         Young householder, killing, stealing, telling lies and committing adultery are called the four evil acts of defilement. The wise never praise them.

Four Factors Instigating Evil Acts

         246. What are the four factors by which the noble disciple is not led astray to commit evil acts? Instigated by partiality, evil is committed; instigated by anger, evil is committed; instigated by ignorance (of what is right or wrong), evil is committed; and instigated by fear, evil is committed. But, young householder, as the noble disciple is not led astray by these four factors, namely, partiality, anger, ignorance and fear, he does not commit evil.

         After the Bhagava had spoken these words, be uttered these verses:

         Young householder, whosoever commits an evil act out of partiality, anger, fear or ignorance, his fame and following will fade away just like the moon in the waning half of the month; whosoever does not commit evil out of partiality, anger, fear or ignorance, his fame and following will grow day by day even as the moon in the waxing half of the month.


Six Practices Causing Dissipation of Wealth

         247. And what are the six practices causing dissipation of wealth which the noble disciple does not indulge in?

         Young householder, indulgence in intoxicants which cause inebriety and negligence leads to dissipation of wealth; sauntering in streets at unseemly hours leads to dissipation of wealth; frequenting shows and entertainments leads to dissipation of wealth; addiction to gambling which causes negligence leads to dissipation of wealth; associating with bad companions leads to dissipation of wealth; habitual idleness leads to dissipation of wealth.

Six Evil Consequences of Indulgence in Intoxicants

         248. Young householder, there are these six evil consequences of indulgence in intoxicants which cause inebriety and negligence: actual loss of wealth in this very life; liability to be involved in quarrels; susceptibility to illness and disease; loss of good name and reputation; indecent exposure of body; impairment of intelligence. Young householder, these are the six evil consequences of indulgence in intoxicants which cause inebriety and negligence.


Six Evil Consequences of Sauntering in Streets at Unseemly Hours

         249. Young householder, there are these six evil consequences of a person sauntering in streets at unseemly hours: he himself becomes unprotected and unguarded; his wife and children become unprotected and unguarded; his property becomes unprotected and unguarded; he becomes suspected of committing grimes and evil deeds; he becomes subjected to false accusations; he will have to face many troubles. Young house holder, these are the six evil consequences of sauntering in streets at unseemly hours.

Six Evil Consequences of Frequenting Shows and Entertainments

         250. Young householder, there are these six evil consequences of a person frequenting shows and entertainments: "Where is the dancing? Where is the singing? Where is the music? Where is the recitation? Where is the playing of cymbals? Where is the beating of drums?" He makes these enquiries and goes there (thereby neglecting his responsibilities,). Young householder, these are the six evil consequences of frequenting shows and entertainments.

Six Evil Consequences of Gambling

         251. Young householder, there are these six evil consequences of a person being addicted to gambling which causes negligence: as a winner he begets enmity; as a loser he grieves over his loss; there is actual loss of wealth in this Very life; his word is not relied upon in a court of law; he is despised by his friends and companions; he is not sought after as a partner in marriage because people say, 'He is a gambler, he can not support a wife'. Young householder, these are the six evil consequences of gambling which causes negligence.

Six Evil Consequences of Associating with Bad Companions

         252. Young householder, there are these six evil consequences of a person associating with bad companions: there are those who gamble, those who are libertines, those who are drunkards, those who are swindlers, those who are cheats, and those who are aggressive and violent. Only these people form his circle of friends and companions. (He therefore suffers, in this life and in the next, the evil consequences of associating with them.) Young householder, these are the six evil consequences of associating with bad companions.


Six Evil Consequences of Habitual Idleness

         253. Young householder, there are these six evil con sequences of a person indulging in habitual idleness: he does no work, saying it is too cold; he does no work, saying it is too hot; he does no work, saying it is too late in the evening; he does no work, saying it is too early in the morning; he does no work, saying he is too hungry; he does no work, saying he is too full. Thus making such lame excuses, he leaves many duties undone, not acquiring new wealth, but wasting away such wealth as he has already accumulated. Young householder, these are the six evil consequences of habitual idleness.

         After the Bhagava had spoken these words, he uttered these verses:

         There are drinking companions; there are those who are friends only in one's presence. (These are not true friends.) There is one who proves to be a comrade in times of crisis. This is indeed a true friend.

         Sleeping till the sun is high; committing adultery; begetting enmity; engaging in unbeneficial activities; keeping evil companions and being extremely stingy. These are the six causes bringing ruin to a man.

         He who has bad friends and evil companions who is given to bad ways and is moving in bad circles is heading for ruin both in this world and the next.

         Playing dice, womanising, drinking, dancing and singing; sleeping during- daytime; sauntering at unseemly hours; (evil companions and stinginess); these six causes bring ruin to a man.

         Playing dice; indulging in drinking; misbehaving with women who are dear as life to other men, with women who are sought after by the base and are shunned by the wise; the fame and following of such people fade away just like the moon in the waning half of the month.

         The destitute drunkard, feeling thirsty, frequents liquor shops. As a stone sinks in water, he becomes immersed in debt to be soon disowned and rejected by his relatives.

         He who habitually sleeps in the day, is not wakeful at night,* is always drunk, and is debauched cannot manage a household.

         ( * Is not wakeful at night: this follows the Commentary which has 'rattinutthana dessina', lit., 'is not in the habit of rising at night.' The Pali Text has 'rattimutthana dessina' which would mean 'dislikes rising at night.' )

         Chances and opportunities pass by the young man who says it is too hot, too cold, too late and leaves things undone.

         But for him who does not consider cold or heat any more than a blade of grass and who dutifully attends to the affairs of men, happiness and prosperity do not decline.


False Friend

         254. Young householder, these four should be regarded as false friends pretending to be true friends: a person who only takes from one (and does not give in return); a person who only renders lip-service by making empty promises; a person who flatters; and a person who is an associate in activities that lead to loss of wealth.

         255. Young householder, a person who only takes from one should be known as a false friend pretending to be a true friend, by four characteristics: he only takes from one (and does not give in return); he wants much in return for giving only a little; he renders service only when he gets into trouble; he attends on one only for his own advantage.

         Young householder, a person who only takes from one (and does not give in return) should be known as a false friend pretending to be a true friend, by these four characteristics.

         256. Young householder, a person who only renders lip-service by making empty promises should be known as a false friend pretending to be a true friend, by four characteristics: he speaks about what he could have done for one; he speaks about what he would do in the future for one; he tries to please one with empty promises; and when occasion actually arises to render his assistance, be expresses his inability to do so.

         Young householder, a person who only renders lip-service by making empty promises should be known as a false friend pretending to be a true friend, by these four characteristics.

         257. Young householder, a person who flatters should be known as a false friend pretending to be a true friend, by four characteristics: he approves of the evil actions of his friend; he approves also of the good actions of his friend; he praises him in his presence; and he speaks ill of him in his absence.

         Young householder, a person who flatters should be known as a false friend pretending to be a true friend, by these four characteristics.

         258. Young householder, a person who is an associate in activities that lead to loss of wealth should be known as a false friend pretending to be a true friend, by four characteristics: he is a companion when indulging in intoxicants that cause inebriety and negligence; he is a companion when sauntering in streets at unseemly hours; he is a companion when frequenting shows and entertainments; and he is a companion when indulging in gambling which causes negligence.

         Young householder, a person who is an associate in activities that lead to loss of wealth should be known as a false friend pretending to be a true friend, by these four characteristics.

         259. Thus spoke the Bhagava. And having spoken these words, be uttered these verses:

         The friend who only takes, the friend who only renders lip service, the friend who flatters, and the friend who brings about loss of wealth,—the wise should know these four as false friends and avoid them from a distance as from a path of danger.

True Friend

         260. Young householder, these four should be regarded as true-hearted friends: he who is helpful: he who is the same in prosperity and adversity; he who gives good counsel; and he who understands and sympathizes.

         261. Young householder, he who is helpful should be known as a true-hearted friend, by four characteristics: he protects the inebriated friend; he protects the property of the inebriated friend; he is a refuge for the friend who is in trouble; and when unforeseen needs arise, he comes to the aid of the friend with twice the required assistance.

         Young householder, he who is helpful should be known as a true-hearted friend, by these four characteristics.

         262. Young householder, he who is the same in prosperity and adversity should be known as a true-hearted friend, by four characteristics: he confides his secrets in his friend; he keeps the secrets of his friend; he does not forsake his friend when in trouble; he sacrifices even his life for the sake of his friend.

         Young householder, he who is the same in prosperity and adversity should be known as a true-hearted friend, by these four characteristics.

         263. Young householder, he who gives good counsel should be known as a true-hearted friend, by four characteristics: he restrains his friend from doing evil; he encourages his friend to do good; he tells him about profound matters which his friend has not heard before; and he shows his friend the way to the realm of the devas.

         Young householder, he who gives good counsel should be known as a true-hearted friend, by these four characteristics.

         264. Young householder, he who understands and sympathizes should be known as a true-hearted friend, by four characteristics: he does not rejoice in the misfortunes of his friend; he rejoices over his friend's prosperity; he restrains others from speaking ill of his friend; and he commends those who speak well of his friend.

         Young householder, he who understands and sympathizes should be known as a true-hearted friend, by these four characteristics.

         265. Thus spoke the Bhagava. And having spoken these words, he uttered these verses:

         The friend who is helpful, the friend who is the same in prosperity and adversity, the friend who gives good counsel, and the friend who understands and sympathizes, - the wise should know these four as true-hearted friends and cherish them with devotion as a mother cherishes the child of her own bosom.

         The wise man of virtue shines bright like a blazing fire.

         The riches of a person who acquires his wealth it harmless ways like a bee which gathers honey with out damaging the flowers grow as an ant hill grows.

         Having acquired wealth in this manner, the young man able to set up a household should divide his wealth into four portions; in this manner he can make friends:

         He should spend and enjoy one portion; he should use two portions to run his business; and the fourth should be reserved for use in emergencies.

Covering the Six Directions

         266. Young householder, how does the noble disciple cover the six directions? Young householder, these six directions should be known thus: the parents should be looked upon as the East, the teachers as the South, wife (and children) as the West, friends and associates as the North, servants and employees as the Nadir and samanas and brahmanas as the Zenith.

         267. Young householder, in five ways should a son minister to the parents as the Eastern quarter thus: My parents have supported me, I shall support them in turn; I shall manage affairs on their behalf; I shall maintain the honour and tradition of the family; I shall make myself worthy of the inheritance; and furthermore, I shall offer alms on behalf of the departed parents.

         Young householder, the parents, attended upon in these five ways as the Eastern quarter by their children, look after the children in five ways: they restrain them from evil, they encourage them to do good, they give them education and professional training, they arrange suitable marriages for the children, and hand over property as inheritance to them at the proper time.

         Young householder, in these five ways the children attend upon their parents and the parents look after their children in these five ways. It is thus that the Eastern quarter is covered and made safe and secure.

         268. Young householder, in five ways should a pupil minister to a teacher as the Southern quarter: by rising from the seat to greet and salute the teacher; by attending and waiting upon the teacher; by obeying the words of the teacher; by offering personal service to the teacher and by learning and receiving the teacher's instructions with respectful attention.

         Young householder, the teacher, attended upon in these five ways as the Southern quarter by the pupil, looks after the pupil in five ways: he instructs the pupil well in what should be instructed; he teaches well what should be taught; he trains the pupil in all the arts and sciences; he entrusts the pupil to his friends and associates, and provides for protection in every quarter.

         Young householder, in these five ways the pupil attends upon his teacher as the Southern quarter and the teacher looks after the pupil in these five ways. It is thus that the Southern quarter is covered and made safe and secure.

         269. Young householder, in five ways should a husband minister to a wife as the Western quarter: by being courteous to her and addressing her in endearing terms; by showing respect to her and not disparaging her; by being faithful to her; by giving her control and authority over domestic matters; by providing her with clothing and ornaments.

         Young householder, the wife, looked after in these five ways as the Western quarter by the husband, attends upon the husband in five ways: she discharges well her various duties; she is hospitable and generous to kith and kin from both sides of the family; she is faithful to her husband; she manages well what he earns and brings to her; she is skilled and industrious in performing all her tasks.

         Young householder, in these five ways the husband looks after his wife as the Western quarter and the wife also attends upon her husband in these five ways. It is thus that the Western quarter is covered and made safe and secure.

         270. Young householder, in five ways should a man of good family minister to his friends and associates as the Northern quarter: by giving generously; by being pleasant and courteous in speech; by being helpful; by treating them as he treats himself; by being true to his words and promises.

         Young householder, the friends and associates, looked after in these five ways as the Northern quarter by a man of good family, look after him (in return) in five ways: they protect the inebriated friend; they guard over his property when he is inebriated; they come a refuge when he is in trouble; they do not forsake him in his troubles; they even help his descendants.

         Young householder, in these five ways a man of good family looks after his friends and associates as the Northern quarter, and the friends and associates also look after him in these five ways. It is thus that the Northern quarter is covered and made safe and secure.

         271. Young householder, in five ways should a master minister to his servants and employees as the Nadir: by assigning the work in accordance with their ability and physical strength; by giving them food and remuneration; by looking after them in sickness; by sharing with them choice food; by granting them leave at times.

         Young householder, the servants and employees, ministered to as the Nadir by their master in these five ways, attend upon him in five ways: they rise before him; they go to sleep after him; they take only what is given; they perform their duties well; they uphold his good name and fame.

         Young householder, in these five ways the master looks after his servants and employees as the Nadir, and the servants and employees in return also attend upon their master in these five ways. it is thus that the Nadir is covered and made safe and secure.

         272. Young householder, in five ways should a man of good family minister to the samanas and brahmanas as the Zenith: by deeds of loving kindness; by words of loving kindness; by thoughts of loving kindness; by keeping the house open to them; by supplying them with material needs (such as alms-food).

         Young householder, the samanas and brahmanas, ministered to in these five ways as the Zenith by a man of good family, bring benefit to him in six ways: they restrain him from evil; they exhort him to do good; they protect him with loving kindness; they teach him (the profound matters) that he has not heard before; they explain and make clear to him (the profound matters) which he has heard before; they show him the path to the realm of the devas.

         Young householder, in these five ways a man of good family ministers to the samanas and the brahmanas as the Zenith and the samanas and the brahmanas also bring benefit to him in these six ways. It is thus that the Zenith is covered and made safe and secure.

         273. Thus spoke the Bhagava. And having spoken these words, he uttered these verses:

         The mother and the father are the East; the teachers are the South; wife and children are the West; friends and associates are the North.

         Servants and employees are the Nadir; samanas and Brahmanas are the Zenith; the man of good family who is the head of a household should worship these six directions.

         Whoever is skilled and wise (in worshipping these six directions). and is full of moral virtues, gentle and keen-witted, meek and humble, gains fame and followers.

         Whoever is energetic and not indolent, unshaken in adversity, constantly employed in making a livelihood, endowed with resourceful intelligence, gains fame and followers.

         Whoever is benevolent, seeks and makes good friends, understands what is spoken (by a benefactor) is not stingy or jealous, leads and guides by giving helpful counsel and reasoned advice, gains fame and followers.

         There are these benevolent practices, namely, generosity and charitableness, pleasant speech, helpfulness to others, impartial treatment to all as to oneself as the case demands; in this world, these four benevolent practices are like the linchpin of a moving carriage.

         Were these benevolent practices non-existent (in the world), the mother would not receive honour and respect from her children; the father would not receive honour and respect from his children.

         Because the wise observe these four benevolent practices in every way, they reach eminence, and gain praise and admiration.

         274. When the Bhagava had spoken thus, Singala, the young householder, said as follows:

         'Venerable Sir, excellent (is the dhamma)! Excellent (is the dhamma)! Venerable Sir, it is as if that which is overturned is set right, or that which has been hidden is revealed, as if someone were pointing out the road to one who has gone astray, or holding a lamp amidst the darkness so that 'those who have eyes may see', even so has the Bhagava shown the dhamma in various ways.

         "Venerable Sir, I take refuge in the Buddha, I take refuge in the Dhamma, I take refuge in the Samgha. May it please the Bhagava to receive me as a lay disciple from this very day to the end of life."

End of Singala Sutta, the Eighth Sutta

Comments on Salient Points in the Singala Sutta; by U Ko Lay


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20December1999

 


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DN 1, v. 28