Sigālovāda Sutta
# Sigālovāda Sutta

Sigālovāda Sutta is the 31st Sutta described in the Digha Nikaya ("Long Discourses of Buddha"). It is also known as the Sīgāla Sutta, the Sīgālaka Sutta, the Siṅgālovāda Sutta, and the Sigālovāda Suttanta ("The Sigāla Homily").

Buddhaghosa has referred to this sutta as "the Vinaya [Buddhist code of discipline] of the householder." In modern times, Bhikkhu Bodhi has identified this sutta as the "most comprehensive Nikāya text" which pertains "to the happiness directly visible in this present life."

## Sutta summary

### Sigala's honoring his father

The Sigalovada Sutta takes place when Buddha encountered a youth called Sigala in his morning stroll. The young man, in drenched attire, prostrated and worshipped the four compass directions (East, South, West, and North), plus the Earth (Down) and the Sky (Up). When asked by Buddha why he did so, the youth Sigala replied that he had been told by his late father to do so and he thought that it was right to uphold his father's wishes. Buddha then, based on Sigala's point of view, taught him how a noble one (Pali: ariya) should worship the Six directions.

### Avoid evil ways

The Buddha first describes fourteen evil ways that should be avoided by a householder. The Buddha enumerates these evil ways to be avoided as:

* the four defilements of action:

   * taking life (panatipata)

   * stealing (adinnadana)

   * sexual misconduct (kamesu micchacara)

   * lying (musavada)
* the four causes of evil action:

   * sensual desire (kama chanda)

   * hate (dosa)

   * ignorance (moha)

   * fear (bhaya)
* the six ways of squandering wealth:

   * indulging in intoxicants

   * wandering the streets at inappropriate times

   * frequenting public spectacle

   * compulsive gambling

   * malevolent companionship

   * habitual idleness

### Choose true friends

The Buddha then elaborated on the importance of having and being a true friend, as he described what true friends are; and what true friends are not; and, how true friends will aid in attaining a blissful life.

### Protect close relationships

Finally, returning to the topic of the six directions, the Buddha described the Four Compass Direction as : parents (East), teachers (South), spouse (West), and friends and colleagues (North), and the two vertical directions as: ascetics (Up) and the Servants (Down). He elaborated on how to respect and support them, and how in turn the Six will return the kindness and support.

The householder's commitments and the reciprocal acts of those he honors, as identified by the Buddha, are represented below in accordance with the four directions on the horizontal plane (east, south, west and north):

| | North FRIENDS commitments reciprocal acts generosity kind words helpfulness impartiality integrity supportiveness protect your wealth provide shelter loyalty honor your family | |
| - | - | - |
| West SPOUSES commitments reciprocal acts honor her respect her fidelity share authority provide gifts organize duties hospitality fidelity wise budgeting skillfulness | | East PARENTS commitments reciprocal acts support them fulfill their duties honor traditions deserve inheritance honor their passing restrain from evil nurture goodness teach skills arrange marriage provide inheritance |
| | South TEACHERS commitments reciprocal acts rise to greet them attend to them eager receptivity serve them master their teaching thoroughly instruct ensure comprehension provide well-roundedness provide referrals ensure safety | |
| Nadir WORKERS commitments reciprocal acts apt work just wages health care perks leave time rise early stay late no stealing work well allegiance | To the left are shown the householder's commitments to and the reciprocal acts of employees and servants (representing the nadir, below the practitioner's body). To the right are shown the householder's commitments to and the reciprocal acts of religious guides (representing the zenith, above the practitioner's body). | Zenith ASCETICS commitments reciprocal acts loving acts loving speech loving thoughts hospitality material support restrain from evil nurture goodness lovingkindness enlighten clarify teach goodness |

## Contemporary commentaries

Bhikkhu Bodhi has contrasted the Buddha's responsibility-reciprocity statements with modern-day social theory, stating:

   "This practice of 'worshipping the six directions,' as explained by the Buddha, presupposes that society is sustained by a network of interlocking relationships that bring coherence to the social order when its members fulfill their reciprocal duties and responsibilities in a spirit of kindness, sympathy, and good will.... Thus, for Early Buddhism, the social stability and security necessary for human happiness and fulfillment are achieved, not through aggressive and potentially disruptive demands for 'rights' posed by competing groups, but by the renunciation of self-interest and the development of a sincere, large-hearted concern for the welfare of others and the good of the greater whole."
