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 hand,  
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 Ariyan discipline." 

"How then, Lord, should the six quarters be saluted in the Ariyan 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 Ariyan discipline!" 

"Very well, householder, listen and bear it well in mind; I shall speak." 

"Very good, Lord!" responded young Sigala. 
 

In as much, young householder, as the four vices of an Ariyan discipline are eradicated,  
inasmuch as he commits no evil deed in four ways,  
inasmuch 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. 

This 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. 
 

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

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

Who thro' desire, hate or fear, 
Or ignorance doth transgress the Norm, 
All his glory fade away, 
Even as the moon during the waning half. 

Who never thro' desire, hate or fear, 
Or ignorance transgress the Norm, 
All his glory ever increase, 
Even as the moon during the waxing half.

a. Indulgence in intoxicants, which causes infatuation and heedlessness, 
b. Sauntering in streets at unseemly hours is a source for dissipating wealth. 
c. Frequenting theatrical shows is a source for dissipating wealth. 
d. Indulgence in gambling, which causes heedlessness, is a source for dissipating wealth. 
e. Association with evil companions is a source for dissipating wealth. 
f. Addiction to idleness is a source for dissipating wealth.

a.  immediate loss of wealth, 
b.  increase of quarrels, 
c.  liability of disease, 
d.  earning an evil reputation, 
e.  shameless exposure, 
f.  weakening of intellect (which is the sixth) 

a.  he himself is unprotected and unguarded, 
b.  his wife and children are unprotected and unguarded, 
c.  his property is unprotected and unguarded, 
d.  he is subject to suspicion with respect to evil deeds, 
e.  he becomes subject to false allegations. 
f.  he is beset with much misfortune. 

a.  (he inquires) where is dancing? 
b.  where is singing? 
c.  where is music? 
d.  where is recitation? 
e.  where is playing with cymbals? 
f.  where is pot blowing? 

a.  victory breeds hatred, 
b.  being defeated he grieves for his wealth, 
c.  immediate loss of wealth, 
d.  his word is not relied upon in a court of law, 
e.  he is despised by his friends and associates, 
f.  he will not be sought for matrimonial alliance, saying that he 
    is a gambler and is not fit to look after a wife. 

There are, householder's son, these six evil consequences in being addicted to idleness, namely :- 

a.  he does no work, saying that it is extremely cold, 
b.  that it is extremely hot, 
c.  that it is too late in the evening, 
d.  that it is too early in the morning, 
e.  that he is extremely hungry, 
f.  that he is too full. 

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 will 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.

Dice, 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.
 

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

a. he who appropriates should be understood as a foe in the guise of a friend.
b. he who renders lip-service should be understood as a foe in the guise of a friend.
c. he who flatters should be understood as a foe in the guise of a friend.
d. he who ruins should be understood as a foe in the guise of a friend.

a. he appropriates his wealth,
b. he expects much from little,
c. he does his duty when in fear,
d. he associates for his own good.

a. he entertains with what is past,
b. he entertains with what is future,
c. he treats with what is profitless,
d. when there is an immediate need he expresses his inability.

a. he consents to his evil deeds,
b. he dissents from his good deeds,
c. he praises him in his presence,
d. he speaks ill of him to others in his absence.

a. he is a companion when one indulges in intoxicants that cause infatuation and heedlessness,
b. he is a companion when one saunters in streets at unseemly hours,
c. he is a companion when one frequents theatrical shows,
d. he is a companion when one indulges in gambling which causes heedlessness.

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:-

a. the helper should be understood as a warm-hearted friend,
b. who is the same in weal and woe should be understood as a warm-hearted friend,
c. who gives good counsel should be understood as a warm-hearted friend,
d. the sympathiser should be understood as a warm-hearted friend.

a. he guards the heedless,
b. he protects his wealth,
c. he becomes a refuge when he is afraid,
d. when an occasion arises he provides him with double the amount (he needs).

a. his secrets he reveals to him,
b. he conceals (his friend's) secret,
c. in misfortunes he does not forsake him,
d. his life too he sacrifices for his good.

a. he dissuades him from doing evil,
b. he persuades him to do good,
c. he makes him hear what he has not heard,
d. he points him the path to heaven.

a. he does not rejoice in his misfortune,
b. he rejoices in his prosperity,
c. he restrains one from speaking evil of him,
d. he praises one who speaks good of him.

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 a mother to her dear son.

Who so 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, 
the teachers as the South, wife and children as the West, friends and associates as the North, 
servants and employees as the Nadir, ascetics and Brahmanas as the Zenith.

In five ways, householder's son, a child should minister to his parents as the East:-

a. being supported I shall support them,
b. I shall do their duties,
c. I shall keep the family lineage,
d. I shall act in such a way as to be worthy of my inheritance.
e. furthermore I shall offer alms in honour of my departed relatives.

a. they dissuade them from evil,
b. they persuade them to do good,
c. they teach them an art,
d. they would give them in marriage to a suitable wife,
e. at the proper time they would hand over to them their inheritance.

a. by rising,
b. by attending on them,
c. by attentive hearing,
d. by personal service,
e. by respectfully receiving instructions.

a. they train them in the best discipline,
b. they make them receive which is well held by them,
c. they teach them every suitable art and science,
d. they introduce them to their friends and associates,
e. they provide for their safety in every quarter.

In five ways, householder's son, 
should a wife as the West be ministered by a husband:-

a. by courtesy,
b. by not despising her,
c. by faithfulness,
d. by handing over authority to her,
e. by providing her with ornaments.

a. she performs her duties in perfect order,
b. she is hospitable, "to the people around",
c. she is not unfaithful,
d. she protects what he brings,
e. she is industrious and not lazy in discharging her duties.

In five ways, householder's son, 
should a noble scion minister to his friends and associates as the North:-

a. by generosity,
b. by courteous speech,
c. by promoting his good,
d. by equality,
e. by truthfulness.

a. they protect him when he is heedless,
b. they protect his property when he is heedless,
c. they become a refuge when he is afraid,
d. they do not forsake him when in danger,
e. they are considerate towards his progeny.

In five ways should a master minister to servants and employees as the Nadir:-

a. by assigning them work according to their strength,
b. by supplying them with food and wages,
c. by tending them in sickness,
d. by sharing with them extraordinary delicacies,
e. by relieving them at times.

a. they rise before him,
b. they go to sleep after him,
c. they take only what is given,
d. they perform their duties satisfactorily,
e. they spread his good name and fame.

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

a. by lovable deeds,
b. by lovable words,
c. by lovable thoughts,
d. by not closing the doors to them,
e. by supplying their material needs.

a. they dissuade him from evil,
b. they persuade him to do good,
c. they love him with a kind heart,
d. they make him hear what he has not heard and clarify what he has already heard,
e. they point out the path to heavenly state.

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

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 linchpin that keeps the car 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.

"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."

Sigalovada Sutta - The Code of Disciplines for Layperson.
Sutta Pitaka - Digha Nikaya.