Wh014. Everyman's Ethics: Four Discourses of the Buddha

Everyman’sEthics

FourDiscoursesoftheBuddha

Adaptedfromthetranslationsof

NaradaThera

BuddhistPublicationSocietyKandySriLanka

TheWheelPublicationNo:14Copyright(c)Kandy;BuddhistPublicationSociety,(1959,1966,1979,1985)

BPSOnlineEdition(c)(2006)

DigitalTranscriptionSource:BPS(ComparedwithAccesstoInsightAccesstoInsightTranscriptionProjectversion.)

Forfreedistribution.Thisworkmayberepublished,

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reformatted,reprintedandredistributedinanymedium.However,anysuchrepublicationandredistributionistobemadeavailabletothepubliconafreeandunrestrictedbasis,andtranslationsandotherderivativeworksaretobeclearlymarkedassuch.

Contents&Sources

SigalovadaSutta:TheLayman’sCodeofDiscipline(DighaNikāya,No.31)

Maha-mangalaSutta:Blessings(SuttaNipāta,vv.258-269)

ParabhavaSutta:Downfall(SuttaNipāta,vv.91-115)

VyagghapajjaSutta:ConditionsofWelfare(AṅguttaraNikāya,Aṭṭhaka-nipāta,No.54)

AdaptedfromthetranslationsandnotesinTheLightoftheDhammabytheVenerableNaradaThera.

Theintroductorynotestothelastthreetextshavebeensuppliedbytheeditorofthisseries.

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S

SigālovādaSutta

TheLayman’sCodeofDiscipline

igālawasthesonofaBuddhistfamilyresidingatRājagaha.HisparentsweredevoutfollowersoftheBuddha,butthesonwasindifferenttoreligion.

ThepiousfatherandmothercouldnotbyanymeanspersuadetheirsontoaccompanythemtovisittheBuddhaorhisdisciplesandhearthenobleDoctrine.ThesonthoughtitpracticallyuselesstopayvisitstotheSangha,assuchvisitsmayentailmaterialloss.Hewasonlyconcernedwithmaterialprosperity;tohimspiritualprogresswasofnoavail.Constantlyhewouldsaytohisfather:“Iwillhavenothingtodowithmonks.Payinghomagetothemwouldmakemybackache,andmykneesstiff.Ishouldhavetositonthegroundandsoilandwearoutmyclothes.Andwhen,attheconversationswiththem,aftersositting,onegetstoknowthem,onehastoinvitethemandgivethemofferings,andsooneonlylosesbyit.”

Finallyasthefatherwasabouttodie,hecalledhissontohisdeathbed,andenquiredwhetherhewouldatleastlistentohispartingadvice.“Mostassuredly,dearfather,Ishallcarryoutanyorderyoumaybepleasedtoenjoinonme,”

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hereplied.“Wellthen,dearson,afteryourmorningbathworshipthesixquarters.”Thefatheraskedhimtodosohopingthatonedayorother,whilethesonwassoengaged,theBuddhaorhisdiscipleswouldseehim,andmakeitanoccasiontopreachanappropriatediscoursetohim.Andsincedeathbedwishesaretoberemembered,Sigālacarriedouthisfather’swish,not,however,knowingitstruesignificance.

Now,itwasthecustomoftheBuddhatorisefromhissleepatfouro’clockandafterexperiencingNibbānicblissforanhourtopervadethewholeworldwithhisboundlessthoughtsofloving-kindness.Itisatthishourthathesurveystheworldwithhisgreatcompassiontofindouttowhatfellowbeinghecouldbeofserviceonthatday.OnemorningSigālawascaughtinthenetoftheBuddha’scompassion;andwithhisvisiontheBuddha,seeingthatSigālacouldbeshownabetterchannelforhisactsofworship,decided:”ThisdaywillIdiscoursetoSigālaonthelayman’sVinaya(codeofdiscipline).Thatdiscoursewillbeofbenefittomanyfolk.TheremustIgo.”TheBuddhathereoncameuptohimonhiswayforalmstoRājagaha;andseeinghimengagedinhisworshipofthesixquarters,deliveredthisgreatdiscoursewhichcontainsinbrief,thewholedomesticandsocialdutyofthelayman.

Commentingonthissutta,theVenerableBuddhaghosasays,“Nothinginthedutiesofahouseholderisleftunmentioned.ThissuttaiscalledtheVinayaofthehouseholder.Henceinonewhopracticeswhathehasbeen

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taughtinit,growthistobelookedfor,notdecay.”AndMrs.RhysDavidsadds:”TheBuddha’sdoctrineofloveandgoodwillbetweenmanandmanisheresetforthinadomesticandsocialethicswithmorecomprehensivedetailthanelsewhere.AndtrulywemaysayevennowofthisVinayaorcodeofdiscipline,sofundamentalarethehumaninterestsinvolved,sosaneandwideisthewisdomthatenvisagesthem,thattheutterancesareasfreshandpracticallyasbindingtodayandhereastheywerethenatRājagaha.’HappywouldhavebeenthevillageortheclanonthebanksoftheGangeswherethepeoplewerefullofthekindlyspiritoffellow-feeling,thenoblespiritofjusticewhichbreathesthroughthesenaiveandsimplesayings.’Notlesshappywouldbethevillage,orthefamilyonthebanksoftheThamestoday,ofwhichthiscouldbesaid.”

ThushaveIheard:

OnoneoccasiontheExaltedOnewasdwellingintheBambooGrove,theSquirrels’Sanctuary,nearRājagaha.

Nowatthetime,youngSigāla,ahouseholder’sson,risingearlyinthemorning,departingfromRājagaha,withwetclothesandwethair,worshippedwithjoinedhandsthevariousquarters—theEast,theSouth,theWest,theNorth,theNadir,andthe

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Zenith.

ThentheExaltedOne,havingrobedhimselfintheforenoontookbowlandrobe,andenteredRājagahaforalms.NowhesawyoungSigālaworshippingthusandspoketohimasfollows:

“Whereforedoyou,younghouseholder,risingearlyinthemorning,departingfromRājagaha,withwetclothesandwethair,worship,withjoinedhandsthesevariousquarters—theEast,theSouth,theWest,theNorth,theNadir,andtheZenith?”

“Myfather,Lord,whiledying,saidtome:Thesixquarters,dearson,youshallworship.AndI,Lord,respecting,revering,reverencingandhonouringmyfather’sword,riseearlyinthemorning,andleavingRājagaha,withwetclothesandwethair,worshipwithjoinedhands,thesesixquarters.”

“Itisnotthus,younghouseholder,thesixquartersshouldbeworshippedinthedisciplineofthenoble.”

“Howthen,Lord,shouldthesixquartersbeworshippedinthedisciplineofthenoble?Itiswell,Lord,iftheExaltedOnewouldteachthedoctrinetomeshowinghowthesixquartersshouldbeworshippedinthedisciplineofthenoble.”

“Well,younghouseholder,listenandbearitwellinmind;Ishallspeak.”—“Verygood,Lord,”respondedyoungSigāla.

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AndtheExaltedOnespokeasfollows:

“Inasmuch,younghouseholder,asthenobledisciple(1)haseradicatedthefourvicesinconduct,[1](2)inasmuchashecommitsnoevilactioninfourways,(3)inasmuchashepursuesnotthesixchannelsfordissipatingwealth,hethus,avoidingthesefourteenevilthings,coversthesixquarters,andentersthepathleadingtovictoryinbothworlds:heisfavouredinthisworldandintheworldbeyond.Uponthedissolutionofthebody,afterdeath,heisborninahappyheavenlyrealm.

(1)“Whatarethefourvicesinconductthathehaseradicated?Thedestructionoflife,householder,isaviceandsoarestealing,sexualmisconduct,andlying.Thesearethefourvicesthathehaseradicated.”

ThusspoketheExaltedOne.AndwhentheMasterhadthusspoken,hespokeyetagain:

“Killing,stealing,lyingandadultery,Thesefourevilsthewiseneverpraise.

(2)“Inwhichfourwaysdoesonecommitnoevilaction?Ledbydesiredoesonecommitevil.Ledbyangerdoesonecommitevil.Ledbyignorancedoesonecommitevil.Ledbyfeardoesonecommitevil.[2]

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“Butinasmuchasthenoblediscipleisnotledbydesire,anger,ignorance,andfear,hecommitsnoevil.”


“Whoeverthroughdesire,hateorfear,OrignoranceshouldtransgresstheDhamma,AllhisgloryfadesawayLikethemoonduringthewaninghalf.Whoeverthroughdesire,hateorfear,OrignorancenevertransgressestheDhamma,AllhisgloryeverincreasesLikethemoonduringthewaxinghalf.

(3)“Whatarethesixchannelsfordissipatingwealthwhichhedoesnotpursue?

(a)indulgenceinintoxicantswhichcausesinfatuationandheedlessness;(b)saunteringinstreetsatunseemlyhours;(c)frequentingtheatricalshows;(d)indulgenceingamblingwhichcausesheedlessness;(e)associationwithevilcompanions;and(f)thehabitofidleness.

(a)”Thereare,younghouseholder,thesesixevilconsequencesinindulginginintoxicantswhichcause

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infatuationandheedlessness:

(i)lossofwealth,(ii)increaseofquarrels,(iii)susceptibilitytodisease,(iv)earninganevilreputation,(v)shamelessexposureofbody,(vi)weakeningofintellect.

(b)”Thereare,younghouseholder,thesesixevilconsequencesinsaunteringinstreetsatunseemlyhours:

(i)hehimselfisunprotectedandunguarded,(ii)hiswifeandchildrenareunprotectedandunguarded,(iii)hispropertyisunprotectedandunguarded,(iv)heissuspectedofevildeeds,[3](v)heissubjecttofalserumours,(vi)hemeetswithmanytroubles.

(c)”Thereare,younghouseholder,thesesixevilconsequencesinfrequentingtheatricalshows.Heiseverthinking:

(i)whereistheredancing?(ii)whereistheresinging?(iii)whereistheremusic?(iv)whereisthererecitation?

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(v)whereisthereplayingwithcymbals?(vi)whereistherepot-blowing?[4]

(d)“Thereare,younghouseholder,thesesixevilconsequencesinindulgingingambling:

(i)thewinnerbegetshate,(ii)thelosergrievesforlostwealth,(iii)lossofwealth,(iv)hiswordisnotrelieduponinacourtoflaw,(v)heisdespisedbyhisfriendsandassociates,(vi)heisnotsoughtafterformatrimony;forpeoplewouldsaythatheisagamblerandisnotfittolookafterawife.

(e)“Thereare,younghouseholder,thesesixevilconsequencesinassociatingwithevilcompanions,namely:anygambler,anylibertine,anydrunkard,anyswindler,anycheat,anyrowdyishisfriendandcompanion.

(f)“Thereare,younghouseholder,thesesixevilconsequencesinbeingaddictedtoidleness:Hedoesnowork,saying:

(i)thatitisextremelycold,(ii)thatitisextremelyhot,(iii)thatitistoolateintheevening,(iv)thatitistooearlyinthemorning,

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(v)thatheisextremelyhungry,(vi)thatheistoofull.

“Livinginthisway,heleavesmanydutiesundone,newwealthhedoesnotget,andwealthhehasacquireddwindlesaway.”


“Oneisabottlefriend;onesays,’friend,friend’onlytoone’sface;oneisafriendandanassociateonlywhenitisadvantageous.

Sleepingtillsunrise,adultery,irascibility,malevolence,evilcompanions,avarice—thesesixcausesruinaman.

Themanwhohasevilcomradesandfriendsisgiventoevilways,toruindoeshefallinbothworlds—hereandthenext.

Dice,women,liquor,dancing,singing,sleepingbyday,saunteringatunseemlyhours,evilcompanions,avarice—thesenine[5]causesruinaman.

Whoplayswithdiceanddrinksintoxicants,goestowomenwhoaredearuntoothersastheirownlives,associateswiththemeanandnotwithelders—hedeclinesjustasthemoonduringthewaninghalf.

Whoisdrunk,poor,destitute,stillthirstywhilstdrinking,frequentsthebars,sinksindebtasastone

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inwater,swiftlybringsdisreputetohisfamily.

Whobyhabitsleepsbyday,andkeepslatehours,iseverintoxicated,andislicentious,isnotfittoleadahouseholdlife.

Whosaysitistoohot,toocold,toolate,andleavesthingsundone,theopportunitiesforgoodgopastsuchmen.

Buthewhodoesnotregardcoldorheatanymorethanabladeofgrassandwhodoeshisdutiesmanfully,doesnotfallawayfromhappiness.”

***

“Thesefour,younghouseholder,shouldbeunderstoodasfoesintheguiseoffriends:

(1)hewhoappropriatesafriend’spossessions,(2)hewhorenderslip-service,(3)hewhoflatters,(4)hewhobringsruin.

(1)“Infourways,younghouseholder,shouldonewhoappropriatesbeunderstoodasafoeintheguiseofafriend:

(i)heappropriateshisfriend’swealth,(ii)hegiveslittleandasksmuch,(iii)hedoeshisdutyoutoffear,(iv)heassociatesforhisownadvantage.

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(2)“Infourways,younghouseholder,shouldonewhorenderslip-servicebeunderstoodasafoeintheguiseofafriend:

(i)hemakesfriendlyprofessionasregardsthepast,(ii)hemakesfriendlyprofessionasregardsthefuture,(iii)hetriestogainone’sfavourbyemptywords,(iv)whenopportunityforservicehasarisen,heexpresseshisinability.

(3)“Infourways,younghouseholder,shouldonewhoflattersbeunderstoodasafoeintheguiseofafriend:

(i)heapprovesofhisfriend’sevildeeds,(ii)hedisapproveshisfriend’sgooddeeds,(iii)hepraiseshiminhispresence,(iv)hespeaksillofhiminhisabsence.

(4)“Infourways,younghouseholder,shouldonewhobringsruinbeunderstoodasafoeintheguiseofafriend:

(i)heisacompanioninindulginginintoxicantsthatcauseinfatuationandheedlessness,(ii)heisacompanioninsaunteringthestreets

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atunseemlyhours,(iii)heisacompanioninfrequentingtheatricalshows,(iv)heisacompanioninindulgingingamblingwhichcausesheedlessness.”


“Thefriendwhoappropriates,thefriendwhorenderslip-service,thefriendthatflatters,thefriendwhobringsruin—thesefourasenemiesthewisebehold,avoidthemfromafaraspathsofperil.

“Thesefour,younghouseholder,shouldbeunderstoodaswarm-heartedfriends:

(1)hewhoisahelpmate,(2)hewhoisthesameinhappinessandsorrow,(3)hewhogivesgoodcounsel,(4)hewhosympathises.

(1)“Infourways,younghouseholder,shouldahelpmatebeunderstoodasawarm-heartedfriend:

(i)heguardstheheedless,(ii)heprotectsthewealthoftheheedless,

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(iii)hebecomesarefugewhenoneisindanger,(iv)whentherearecommitmentsheprovidesonewithdoublethesupplyneeded.

(2)“Infourways,younghouseholder,shouldonewhoisthesameinhappinessandsorrowbeunderstoodasawarm-heartedfriend:

(i)herevealshissecrets,(ii)heconcealsone’sownsecrets,(iii)inmisfortunehedoesnotforsakeone,(iv)hislifeevenhesacrificesforone’ssake.

(3)“Infourways,younghouseholder,shouldonewhogivesgoodcounselbeunderstoodasawarm-heartedfriend:

(i)herestrainsonefromdoingevil,(ii)heencouragesonetodogood,(iii)heinformsoneofwhatisunknowntooneself,(iv)hepointsoutthepathtoheaven.

(4)“Infourways,younghouseholder,shouldonewhosympathisesbeunderstoodasawarm-heartedfriend:

(i)hedoesnotrejoiceinone’smisfortune,(ii)herejoicesinone’sprosperity,

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(iii)herestrainsothersspeakingillofoneself,(iv)hepraisesthosewhospeakwellofoneself.”


“Thefriendwhoisahelpmate,thefriendinhappinessandwoe,thefriendwhogivesgoodcounsel,thefriendwhosympathisestoo—thesefourasfriendsthewisebeholdandcherishthemdevotedlyasdoesamotherherownchild.

Thewiseandvirtuousshinelikeblazingfire.Hewhoacquireshiswealthinharmlesswaysliketoabeethathoneygathers,[6]richesmountupforhimlikeanthill’srapidgrowth.

Withwealthacquiredthisway,alaymanfitforhouseholdlife,inportionsfourdivideshiswealth:thuswillhefriendshipwin.

Oneportionforhiswantsheuses,[7]twoportionsonhisbusinessspends,thefourthfortimesofneedhekeeps.”

***

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“Andhow,younghouseholder,doesanobledisciplecoverthesixquarters?

“Thefollowingshouldbelookeduponasthesixquarters.TheparentsshouldbelookeduponastheEast,teachersastheSouth,wifeandchildrenastheWest,friendsandassociatesastheNorth,servantsandemployeesastheNadir,asceticsandbrahminsastheZenith.[8]

“Infiveways,younghouseholder,achildshouldministertohisparentsastheEast:

(i)HavingsupportedmeIshallsupportthem,(ii)Ishalldotheirduties,(iii)Ishallkeepthefamilytradition,(iv)Ishallmakemyselfworthyofmyinheritance,(v)furthermoreIshallofferalmsinhonourofmydepartedrelatives.[9]

“Infiveways,younghouseholder,theparentsthusministeredtoastheEastbytheirchildren,showtheircompassion:

(i)theyrestrainthemfromevil,(ii)theyencouragethemtodogood,(iii)theytrainthemforaprofession,(iv)theyarrangeasuitablemarriage,(v)atthepropertimetheyhandovertheirinheritancetothem.

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“InthesefivewaysdochildrenministertotheirparentsastheEastandtheparentsshowtheircompassiontotheirchildren.ThusistheEastcoveredbythemandmadesafeandsecure.

“Inthesefiveways,younghouseholder,apupilshouldministertoateacherastheSouth:

(i)byrisingfromtheseatinsalutation,(ii)byattendingonhim,(iii)byeagernesstolearn,(iv)bypersonalservice,(v)byrespectfulattentionwhilereceivinginstructions.

“Infiveways,younghouseholder,doteachersthusministeredtoastheSouthbytheirpupils,showtheircompassion:

(i)theytraintheminthebestdiscipline,(ii)theyseethattheygrasptheirlessonswell,(iii)theyinstructthemintheartsandsciences,(iv)theyintroducethemtotheirfriendsandassociates,(v)theyprovidefortheirsafetyineveryquarter.

“TheteachersthusministeredtoastheSouthbytheirpupils,showtheircompassiontowardstheminthesefiveways.ThusistheSouthcoveredbythemand

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madesafeandsecure.

“Infiveways,younghouseholder,shouldawifeastheWestbeministeredtobyahusband:

(i)bybeingcourteoustoher,(ii)bynotdespisingher,(iii)bybeingfaithfultoher,(iv)byhandingoverauthoritytoher,(v)byprovidingherwithadornments.

“ThewifethusministeredtoastheWestbyherhusbandshowshercompassiontoherhusbandinfiveways:

(i)sheperformsherdutieswell,(ii)sheishospitabletorelationsandattendants[10](iii)sheisfaithful,(iv)sheprotectswhathebrings,(v)sheisskilledandindustriousindischargingherduties.

“InthesefivewaysdoesthewifeshowhercompassiontoherhusbandwhoministerstoherastheWest.ThusistheWestcoveredbyhimandmadesafeandsecure.

“Infiveways,younghouseholder,shouldaclansmanministertohisfriendsandassociatesastheNorth:

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(i)byliberality,(ii)bycourteousspeech,(iii)bybeinghelpful,(iv)bybeingimpartial,(v)bysincerity.

“ThefriendsandassociatesthusministeredtoastheNorthbyaclansmanshowcompassiontohiminfiveways:

(i)theyprotecthimwhenheisheedless,(ii)theyprotecthispropertywhenheisheedless,(iii)theybecomearefugewhenheisindanger,(iv)theydonotforsakehiminhistroubles,(v)theyshowconsiderationforhisfamily.

“ThefriendsandassociatesthusministeredtoastheNorthbyaclansmanshowtheircompassiontowardshiminthesefiveways.ThusistheNorthcoveredbyhimandmadesafeandsecure.

“InfivewaysshouldamasterministertohisservantsandemployeesastheNadir:

(i)byassigningthemworkaccordingtotheirability,(ii)bysupplyingthemwithfoodandwages,(iii)bytendingtheminsickness,

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(iv)bysharingwiththemanydelicacies,(v)bygrantingthemleaveattimes.

“TheservantsandemployeesthusministeredtoastheNadirbytheirmastershowtheircompassiontohiminfiveways:

(i)theyrisebeforehim,(ii)theygotosleepafterhim,(iii)theytakeonlywhatisgiven,(iv)theyperformtheirdutieswell,(v)theyupholdhisgoodnameandfame.

“TheservantsandemployeesthusministeredtoastheNadirshowtheircompassiontowardshiminthesefiveways.ThusistheNadircoveredbyhimandmadesafeandsecure.

“Infiveways,younghouseholder,shouldahouseholderministertoasceticsandbrahminsastheZenith:

(i)bylovabledeeds,(ii)bylovablewords,(iii)bylovablethoughts,(iv)bykeepingopenhousetothem,(v)bysupplyingtheirmaterialneeds.

“TheasceticsandbrahminsthusministeredtoastheZenithbyahouseholdershowtheircompassion

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towardshiminsixways:

(i)theyrestrainhimfromevil,(ii)theypersuadehimtodogood,(iii)theylovehimwithakindheart,(iv)theymakehimhearwhathehasnotheard,(v)theyclarifywhathehasalreadyheard,(vi)theypointoutthepathtoaheavenlystate.

“InthesesixwaysdoasceticsandbrahminsshowtheircompassiontowardsahouseholderwhoministerstothemastheZenith.ThusistheZenithcoveredbyhimandmadesafeandsecure.”


“ThemotherandfatheraretheEast,TheTeachersaretheSouth,WifeandchildrenaretheWest,ThefriendsandassociatesaretheNorth.

ServantsandemployeesaretheNadir,TheasceticsandbrahminsaretheZenith;Whoisfittoleadthehouseholdlife,Thesesixquartersheshouldsalute.

Whoiswiseandvirtuous,Gentleandkeen-witted,Humbleandamenable,

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Suchaonetohonourmayattain.

Whoisenergeticandnotindolent,Inmisfortuneunshaken,Flawlessinmannerandintelligent,Suchaonetohonourmayattain.

Whoishospitable,andfriendly,Liberalandunselfish,Aguide,aninstructor,aleader,Suchaonetohonourmayattain.

Generosity,sweetspeech,Helpfulnesstoothers,Impartialitytoall,Asthecasedemands.

Thesefourwinningwaysmaketheworldgoround,Asthelinchpininamovingcar.Iftheseintheworldexistnot,Neithermothernorfatherwillreceive,Respectandhonourfromtheirchildren.

SincethesefourwinningwaysThewiseappraiseineveryway,Toeminencetheyattain,Andpraisetheyrightlygain.”

WhentheExaltedOnehadspokenthus,Sigāla,theyounghouseholder,saidasfollows:

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“Excellent,Lord,excellent!Itisasif,Lord,amanweretosetuprightthatwhichwasoverturned,orweretorevealthatwhichwashidden,orweretopointoutthewaytoonewhohadgoneastray,orweretoholdalampamidstthedarkness,sothatthosewhohaveeyesmaysee.Evenso,hasthedoctrinebeenexplainedinvariouswaysbytheExaltedOne.

“Itakerefuge,Lord,intheBuddha,theDhamma,andtheSangha.MaytheExaltedOnereceivemeasafollower;asonewhohastakenrefugefromthisverydaytolife’send.”

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Notes

1. Kamma-kilesa,lit.,“action-defilement.”Commentary:“Kammakilesotikammañcataṃkilesasampayuttattākilesocātikammakileso.Sakilesoyevahipāṇaṃhanati,nikkilesonahanati,tasmāpāṇātipāto’kammakileso’tivutto.”[Back]

2. Thesearethefouragati,“evilcoursesofaction”:chanda,dosa,moha,bhaya.[Back]

3. Crimescommittedbyothers.[Back]

4. Akindofamusement.[Back]

5. ThePalioriginalhashere“sixcauses”—twocompoundwordsandonedouble-termphrasearecountedasunits.[Back]

6. Dhammapadav.49:“Asabee,withoutharmingtheflower,itscolourorscent,fliesaway,collectingonlythehoney...”[Back]

7. Thisportionincludeswhatisspentongoodworks:giftstomonks,charity,etc.[Back]

8. “Thesymbolismisdeliberatelychosen:asthedayintheEast,solifebeginswithparents’care;teacher’sfeesandtheSoutharethesameword:dakkhiṇa;domesticcaresfollowwhentheyouthbecomesman,astheWestholdsthelaterdaylight;Northis“beyond”(uttara),so

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byhelpoffriends,etc.,hegetsbeyondtroubles.”—(RhysDavids)[Back]

9. ThisisasacredcustomoftheAryanswhoneverforgotthedead.ThistraditionisstillfaithfullyobservedbytheBuddhistsofSriLankawhomakeceremonialofferingsofalmstothemonksontheeighthday,inthethirdmonth,andoneachanniversaryofthedemiseoftheparents.Meritofthesegoodactionsisofferedtothedepartedaftersuchceremony.Moreoveraftereverypuñña-kamma(goodaction),aBuddhistneverfailstothinkofhisparentsandoffermerit.SuchistheloyaltyandthegratitudeshowntoparentsasadvisedbytheBuddha.[Back]

10. Lit.,“thefolkaround”(parijana)[Back]

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Maha-maṅgalaSutta

Blessings[1]

Thisfamoustext,cherishedhighlyinallBuddhistlands,isatersebutcomprehensivesummaryofBuddhistethics,individualandsocial.Thethirty-eightblessingsenumeratedinitareanunfailingguideonlife’sjourney.Rightlystartingwith“avoidanceofbadcompany”whichisessentialtoallmoralandspiritualprogress,theBlessingsculminateintheachievementofapassion-freemind,unshakeableinitsserenity.Tofollowtheidealsputforthintheseversesisthesurewaytoharmonyandprogressfortheindividualaswellasforsociety,countryandmankind.

“TheMaha-maṅgalaSuttashowsthatBuddha’sinstructionsdonotalwaystakenegativeforms,thattheyarenotalwaysaseriesofclassificationsandanalysis,orconcernedexclusivelywithmonasticmorality.Inthissuttawefindfamilymoralityexpressedinmostelegantverses.Wecanimaginethehappyblissfulstateofhouseholdlifeattainedasaresultoffollowingtheseinjunctions.”(FromTheEthicsofBuddhismbyS.Tachibana,Colombo1943,BauddhaSahityaSabha).

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ThushaveIheard.OnoneoccasiontheExaltedOnewasdwellingatAnathapiṇḍika’smonastery,inJeta’sGrove,[2]nearSavatthi.[3]Nowwhenthenightwasfarspent,acertaindeitywhosesurpassingsplendourilluminatedtheentireJetaGrove,cametothepresenceoftheExaltedOneand,drawingnear,respectfullysalutedhimandstoodatoneside.Standingthus,headdressedtheExaltedOneinverse:

TheDeity:

Manydeitiesandmen,yearningaftergood,haveponderedonblessings.[4]Pray,tellmethegreatestblessing!

TheBuddha:

Nottoassociatewiththefoolish,[5]buttoassociatewiththewise;andtohonourthosewhoareworthyofhonour—thisisthegreatestblessing.

Toresideinasuitablelocality,[6]tohavedonemeritoriousactionsinthepastandtosetoneselfintherightcourse[7]—thisisthegreatestblessing.

Tohavemuchlearning,tobeskilfulinhandicrafts,[8]well-trainedindiscipline,[9]andtobeofgoodspeech[10]—thisisthegreatestblessing.

Tosupportfatherandmother,tocherishwifeandchildren,andtobeengagedinpeacefuloccupation—thisisthegreatestblessing.

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Tobegenerousingiving,toberighteousinconduct,[11]tohelpone’srelatives,andtobeblamelessinaction—thisisthegreatestblessing.

Toloathemoreevilandabstainfromit,torefrainfromintoxicants,[12]andtobesteadfastinvirtue—thisisthegreatestblessing.

Toberespectful,[13]humble,contentedandgrateful;andtolistentotheDhammaondueoccasions[14]—thisisthegreatestblessing.

Tobepatientandobedient,toassociatewithmonksandtohavereligiousdiscussionsondueoccasions—thisisthegreatestblessing.

Self-restraint,[15]aholyandchastelife,theperceptionoftheNobleTruthsandtherealisationofNibbana—thisisthegreatestblessing.

Amindunruffledbythevagariesoffortune,[16]fromsorrowfreed,fromdefilementscleansed,fromfearliberated[17]—thisisthegreatestblessing.

Thosewhothusabide,everremaininvincible,inhappinessestablished;—these[18]arethegreatestblessings.”

Notes

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(DerivedmainlyfromtheCommentaries)

1. ThisSuttaappearsintheSutta-Nipāta(v.258ff)andintheKhuddakapāṭha.SeeMaha-maṅgalaJataka(No.453).ForadetailedexplanationseeLife’sHighestBlessingbyDr.R.L.Soni,WheelNo.254/256.[Back]

2. Anathapiṇḍika,lit.,“Hewhogivesalmstothehelpless”;hisformernamewasSudatta.AfterhisconversiontoBuddhism,heboughtthegrovebelongingtoPrinceJeta,andestablishedamonasterywhichwassubsequentlynamedJetavana.ItwasinthismonasterythattheBuddhaobservedmostofhisvassanaperiods(rainyseasons-thethreemonths’retreatbeginningwiththefull-moonofJuly).ManyarethediscoursesdeliveredandmanyaretheincidentsconnectedwiththeBuddha’slifethathappenedatJetavana.ItwasherethattheBuddhaministeredtothesickmonkneglectedbyhiscompanions,advisingthem:“Whoever,monks,wouldwaituponme,lethimwaituponthesick.”ItwasherethattheBuddhasopoignantlytaughtthelawofimpermanence,byaskingthebereavedyoungwomanKisaGotamiwhobroughtherdeadchild,tofetchagrainofmustardseedfromahomewheretherehasbeennobereavement.[Back]

3. IdentifiedwithmodernSahet-Mahet,nearBalrampur.[Back]

4. AccordingtotheCommentary,maṅgalameansthatwhichisconducivetohappinessandprosperity.[Back]

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http://www.bps.lk/olib/wh/wh254_Soni_Lifes-Highest-Blessings--Maha-Mangala-Sutta.html

5. Thisrefersnotonlytothestupidanduncultured,butalsoincludesthewickedinthought,wordanddeed.[Back]

6. Anyplacewheremonks,nunsandlaydevoteescontinuallyreside,wherepiousfolkarebentontheperformanceofthetenmeritoriousdeeds,andwheretheDhammaexistsasalivingprinciple.[Back]

7. Makingtherightresolveforabandoningimmoralityformorality,faithlessnessforfaithandselfishnessforgenerosity.[Back]

8. Theharmlesscraftsofthehouseholderbywhichnolivingbeingisinjuredandnothingunrighteousdone;andthecraftsofthehomelessmonk,suchasstitchingtherobes,etc.[Back]

9. Vinayameansdisciplineinthought,wordanddeed.Thecommentaryspeaksoftwokindsofdiscipline-thatofthehouseholder,whichisabstinencefromthetenimmoralactions(akusala-kammapatha),andthatofthemonkwhichisthenon-transgressionoftheoffencesenumeratedinthePatimokkha(thecodeofthemonk’srules)orthe“fourfoldmoralpurity”(catu-parisuddhi-sīla).[Back]

10. Goodspeechthatisopportune,truthful,friendly,profitableandspokenwiththoughtsofloving-kindness.[Back]

11. Righteousconductistheobservanceofthetengood

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actions(kusala-kammapatha)inthought,wordanddeed:freeingthemindofgreed,ill-willandwrongviews;avoidingspeechthatisuntruthful,slanderous,abusiveandfrivolous;andthenon-committalofactsofkilling,stealingandsexualmisconduct.[Back]

12. Totalabstinencefromalcoholandintoxicatingdrugs.[Back]

13. Towardsmonks(andofcoursealsototheclergyofotherreligions),teachers,parents,elders,superiors,etc.[Back]

14. Forinstance,whenoneisharassedbyevilthoughts.[Back]

15. Self-restraint(tapo):thesuppressionoflustsandhatesbythecontrolofthesenses;andthesuppressionofindolencebytherousingofenergy.[Back]

16. Loka-dhamma,i.e.,conditionswhicharenecessarilyconnectedwithlifeinthisworld;thereareprimarilyeightofthem:gainandloss,honouranddishonour,praiseandblame,painandjoy.[Back]

17. Eachofthesethreeexpressionsreferstothemindofthearahant:asoka:sorrowless;viraja:stainless,i.e.,freefromlust,hatredandignorance;khema:securityfromthebondsofsensedesires(kama),repeatedexistence(bhava),wrongviews(diṭṭhi)andignorance(avijja).[Back]

18. Theabove-mentionedthirty-eightblessings[Back]

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ParabhavaSutta

Downfall

WhiletheMaṅgalaSuttadealswiththewayoflifeconducivetoprogressandhappiness,theParabhavaSuttasupplementsitbypointingoutthecausesofdownfall.Hewhoallowshimselftobecometarnishedbytheseblemishesofconductblockshisownroadtoworldly,moralandspiritualprogressandlowersallthatistrulynobleandhumaninman.Buthewhoisheedfulofthesedangerskeepsopentheroadtoallthosethirty-eightblessingsofwhichhumannatureiscapable.

ThushaveIheard.OncetheExaltedOnewasdwellingatAnathapiṇḍika’smonastery,intheJetaGrove,nearSavatthi.

Nowwhenthenightwasfarspent,acertaindeitywhosesurpassingsplendourilluminatedtheentireJetaGrove,cametothepresenceoftheExaltedOneand,drawingnear,respectfullysalutedhimandstoodatoneside.Standingthus,headdressedtheExaltedOneinverse:

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TheDeity:

HavingcomeherewithourquestionstotheExaltedOne,weaskthee,OGotama,aboutman’sdecline.Pray,tellusthecauseofdownfall!

TheBuddha:

Easilyknownistheprogressiveone,easilyknownhewhodeclines.HewholovesDhammaprogresses;hewhoisaversetoitdeclines.

TheDeity:

Thusmuchdowesee:thisisthefirstcauseofone’sdownfall.Pray,tellusthesecondcause.[1]

TheBuddha:

Thewickedaredeartohim,withthevirtuoushefindsnodelight,heprefersthecreedofthewicked-thisisacauseofone’sdownfall.

Beingfondofsleep,fondofcompany,indolent,lazyandirritable-thisisacauseofone’sdownfall.

Thoughbeingwell-to-do,nottosupportfatherandmotherwhoareoldandpasttheiryouth-thisisacauseofone’sdownfall.

TodeceivebyfalsehoodaBrahminorasceticoranyothermendicant-thisisacauseofone’sdownfall.

Tohavemuchwealthandamplegoldandfood,buttoenjoyone’sluxuriesalone-thisisacauseofone’s

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downfall.

Tobeproudofbirth,ofwealthorclan,andtodespiseone’sownkinsmen-thisisacauseofone’sdownfall.

Tobearake,adrunkard,agambler,andtosquanderalloneearns-thisisacauseofone’sdownfall.

Nottobecontentedwithone’sownwife,andtobeseenwithharlotsandthewivesofothers-thisisacauseofone’sdownfall.

Beingpastone’syouth,totakeayoungwifeandtobeunabletosleepforjealousyofher-thisisacauseofone’sdownfall.

Toplaceinauthorityawomangiventodrinkandsquandering,oramanofalikebehaviour-thisisacauseofone’sdownfall.

Tobeofnoblebirth,withvastambitionandofslendermeans,andtocraveforrulership-thisisacauseofone’sdownfall.

Knowingwellthesecausesofdownfallintheworld,thenoblesageendowedwithinsightsharesahappyrealm.

Note

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1. Theselinesarerepeatedaftereachstanza,withthedueenumeration.[Back]

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VyagghapajjaSutta

ConditionsofWelfare

Inthissutta,theBuddhainstructsrichhouseholdershowtopreserveandincreasetheirprosperityandhowtoavoidlossofwealth.Wealthalone,however,doesnotmakeacompletemannoraharmonioussociety.Possessionofwealthalltoooftenmultipliesman’sdesires,andheiseverinthepursuitofamassingmorewealthandpower.Thisunrestrainedcraving,however,leaveshimdissatisfiedandstifleshisinnergrowth.Itcreatesconflictanddisharmonyinsocietythroughtheresentmentoftheunderprivilegedwhofeelthemselvesexploitedbytheeffectsofunrestrainedcraving.

ThereforetheBuddhafollowsuponhisadviceonmaterialwelfarewithfouressentialconditionsforspiritualwelfare:confidence(intheMaster’senlightenment),virtue,liberalityandwisdom.Thesefourwillinstilinmanasenseofhighervalues.Hewill,then,notonlypursuehisownmaterialconcern,butalsobeawareofhisdutytowardssociety.Tomentiononlyoneoftheimplications:awiselyandgenerouslyemployedliberalitywillreducetensionsandconflictsinsociety.Thustheobservingoftheseconditionsofmaterialandspiritualwelfarewillmakeforanideal

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citizeninanidealsociety.

ThushaveIheard.OncetheExaltedOnewasdwellingamongsttheKoliyans,[1]intheirmarkettownnamedKakkarapatta.ThenDīghajanu,[2]aKoliyan,approachedtheExaltedOne,respectfullysalutedhimandsatononeside.Thusseated,headdressedtheExaltedOneasfollows:

“We,Lord,arelaymenwhoenjoyworldlypleasure.Weleadalifeencumberedbywifeandchildren.WeusesandalwoodofKasi.Wedeckourselveswithgarlands,perfumeandunguents.Weusegoldandsilver.Tothoselikeus,OLord,lettheExaltedOnepreachtheDhamma,teachthosethingsthatleadtowealandhappinessinthislifeandtowealandhappinessinfuturelife.”

ConditionsofWorldlyProgress

“Fourconditions,Vyagghapajja,[3]conducetoahouseholder’swealandhappinessinthisverylife.Whichfour?

“Theaccomplishmentofpersistenteffort(uṭṭhāna-sampadā),theaccomplishmentofwatchfulness

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(ārakkha-sampadā),goodfriendship(kalyāṇamittatā)andbalancedlivelihood(sama-jīvitā).

“Whatistheaccomplishmentofpersistenteffort?

“Herein,Vyagghapajja,bywhatsoeveractivityahouseholderearnshisliving,whetherbyfarming,bytrading,byrearingcattle,byarchery,byserviceundertheking,orbyanyotherkindofcraft-atthathebecomesskilfulandisnotlazy.Heisendowedwiththepowerofdiscernmentastotheproperwaysandmeans;heisabletocarryoutandallocate(duties).Thisiscalledtheaccomplishmentofpersistenteffort.

“Whatistheaccomplishmentofwatchfulness?

“Herein,Vyagghapajja,whatsoeverwealthahouseholderisinpossessionof,obtainedbydintofeffort,collectedbystrengthofarm,bythesweatofhisbrow,justlyacquiredbyrightmeans-suchhehusbandswellbyguardingandwatchingsothatkingswouldnotseizeit,thieveswouldnotstealit,firewouldnotburnit,waterwouldnotcarryitaway,norill-disposedheirsremoveit.Thisistheaccomplishmentofwatchfulness.

“Whatisgoodfriendship?

“Herein,Vyagghapajja,inwhatsoevervillageormarkettownahouseholderdwells,heassociates,converses,engagesindiscussionswithhouseholders

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orhouseholders’sons,whetheryoungandhighlyculturedoroldandhighlycultured,fulloffaith(saddhā),[4]fullofvirtue(sīla),fullofcharity(cāga),fullofwisdom(paññā).Heactsinaccordancewiththefaithofthefaithful,withthevirtueofthevirtuous,withthecharityofthecharitable,withthewisdomofthewise.Thisiscalledgoodfriendship.

“Whatisbalancedlivelihood?

“Herein,Vyagghapajja,ahouseholderknowinghisincomeandexpensesleadsabalancedlife,neitherextravagantnormiserly,knowingthatthushisincomewillstandinexcessofhisexpenses,butnothisexpensesinexcessofhisincome.

“Justasthegoldsmith,[5]oranapprenticeofhis,knows,onholdingupabalance,thatbysomuchithasdippeddown,bysomuchithastiltedup;evensoahouseholder,knowinghisincomeandexpensesleadsabalancedlife,neitherextravagantnormiserly,knowingthatthushisincomewillstandinexcessofhisexpenses,butnothisexpensesinexcessofhisincome.

“If,Vyagghapajja,ahouseholderwithlittleincomeweretoleadanextravagantlife,therewouldbethosewhosay,‘Thispersonenjoyshispropertylikeonewhoeatsudumbarafigs.’[6]If,Vyagghapajja,ahouseholderwithalargeincomeweretoleadawretchedlife,therewouldbethosewhosay,‘This

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personwilldielikeastarveling.’

“Thewealththusamassed,Vyagghapajja,hasfoursourcesofdestruction:debauchery,drunkenness,gambling,andfriendship,companionshipandintimacywithevil-doers.

“Justasinthecaseofagreattankwithfourinletsandoutlets,ifamanshouldclosetheinletsandopentheoutletsandthereshouldbenoadequaterainfall,decreaseofwateristobeexpectedinthattank,andnotanincrease;evensotherearefoursourcesforthedestructionofamassedwealth-debauchery,drunkenness,gambling,andfriendship,companionshipandintimacywithevil-doers.

“Therearefoursourcesfortheincreaseofamassedwealth:abstinencefromdebauchery,abstinencefromdrunkenness,non-indulgenceingambling,andfriendship,companionshipandintimacywiththegood.

“Justasinthecaseofagreattankwithfourinletsandfouroutlets,ifapersonweretoopentheinletsandclosetheoutlets,andthereshouldalsobeadequaterainfall,anincreaseinwateriscertainlytobeexpectedinthattankandnotadecrease,evensothesefourconditionsarethesourcesofincreaseofamassedwealth.

“Thesefourconditions,Vyagghapajja,areconducivetoahouseholder’swealandhappinessinthisvery

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life.

ConditionsofSpiritualProgress

“Fourconditions,Vyagghapajja,conducetoahouseholder’swealandhappinessinhisfuturelife.Whichfour?

“Theaccomplishmentoffaith(saddhā-sampadā),theaccomplishmentofvirtue(sīla-sampadā),theaccomplishmentofcharity(cāga-sampadā)andtheaccomplishmentofwisdom(paññā-sampadā).

“Whatistheaccomplishmentoffaith?

“Hereinahouseholderispossessedoffaith,hebelievesintheEnlightenmentofthePerfectOne(Tathāgata):‘Thus,indeed,isthatBlessedOne:heisthepureone,fullyenlightened,endowedwithknowledgeandconduct,well-gone,theknowerofworlds,theincomparableleaderofmentobetamed,theteacherofgodsandmen,all-knowingandblessed.’Thisiscalledtheaccomplishmentoffaith.

“Whatistheaccomplishmentofvirtue?

“Hereinahouseholderabstainsfromkilling,stealing,sexualmisconduct,lying,andfromintoxicantsthat

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causeinfatuationandheedlessness.Thisiscalledtheaccomplishmentofvirtue.

“Whatistheaccomplishmentofcharity?

“Hereinahouseholderdwellsathomewithheartfreefromthestainofavarice,devotedtocharity,open-handed,delightingingenerosity,attendingtotheneedy,delightinginthedistributionofalms.Thisiscalledtheaccomplishmentofcharity.

“Whatistheaccomplishmentofwisdom?

“Hereinahouseholderiswise:heisendowedwithwisdomthatunderstandsthearisingandcessation(ofthefiveaggregatesofexistence);heispossessedofthenoblepenetratinginsightthatleadstothedestructionofsuffering.Thisiscalledtheaccomplishmentofwisdom.

“Thesefourconditions,Vyagghapajja,conducetoahouseholder’swealandhappinessinhisfuturelife.

Energeticandheedfulinhistasks,Wiselyadministeringhiswealth,Helivesabalancedlife,Protectingwhathehasamassed.

Endowedwithfaithandvirtuetoo,Generousheisandfreefromavarice;HeeverworkstoclearthepathThatleadstowealinfuturelife.

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Thustothelaymanfulloffaith,Byhim,sotrulynamed‘Enlightened,’TheseeightconditionshavebeentoldWhichnowandafterleadtobliss.”

Notes

1. TheKoliyansweretherivalsoftheSakyans.QueenMahaMayabelongedtotheKoliyanclanandKingSuddhodanatotheSakyanclan.[Back]

2. Literally,“long-kneed.”[Back]

3. “Tigers’Path”;hewassocalledbecausehisancestorswerebornonaforestpathinfestedwithtigers.VyagghapajjawasDighajanu’sfamilyname.[Back]

4. Saddhāisnotblindfaith.Itisconfidencebasedonknowledge.[Back]

5. Tuladharo,lit.,“carrierofthescales.”[Back]

6. Udambarakhādaka.TheCommentaryexplainsthatonewhowishestoeatudumbarafigsshakesthetree,withtheresultthatmanyfruitsfallbutonlyafewareeaten,whilealargenumberarewasted.[Back]

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Foundedin1958,theBPShaspublishedawidevarietyofbooksandbookletscoveringagreatrangeoftopics.ItspublicationsincludeaccurateannotatedtranslationsoftheBuddha’sdiscourses,standardreferenceworks,aswellasoriginalcontemporaryexpositionsofBuddhistthoughtandpractice.TheseworkspresentBuddhismasittrulyis—adynamicforcewhichhasinfluencedreceptivemindsforthepast2500yearsandisstillasrelevanttodayasitwaswhenitfirstarose.

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TableofContents

Titlepage 2Contents&Sources 3

SigālovādaSutta:TheLayman’sCodeofDiscipline 4Notes 26

Maha-maṅgalaSutta:Blessings 28Notes 30

ParabhavaSutta:Downfall 34Note 36

VyagghapajjaSutta 38ConditionsofWelfare 38ConditionsofWorldlyProgress 39ConditionsofSpiritualProgress 43Notes 45

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Wh014. Everyman's Ethics: Four Discourses of the Buddha

Documents

Transcript of Wh014. Everyman's Ethics: Four Discourses of the Buddha