Exploring the Path - Pāli Course

…‘‘Cattārome, gahapatiputta, mittā suhadā veditabbā.

… “Son of a householder, there are four friends that are loyal:

Upakāro mitto suhado veditabbo,

One, who is a supporter should be seen as loyal friend;

samānasukhadukkho mitto suhado veditabbo,

one, who remains the same during happy and difficult times should be seen as loyal friend;

atthakkhāyī mitto suhado veditabbo,

one, who provides beneficial advice should be seen as loyal friend;

anukampako mitto suhado veditabbo.

and one, who is full of sympathetic goodwill should be seen as loyal friend.

Catūhi kho, gahapatiputta, ṭhānehi upakāro mitto suhado veditabbo.

There are four reasons why one, who is a supporter, should be seen a loyal friend:

Pamattaṃ rakkhati,

pamattassa sāpateyyaṃ rakkhati,

bhītassa saraṇaṃ hoti,

uppannesu kiccakaraṇīyesu

taddiguṇaṃ bhogaṃ anuppadeti.

He takes care in case of carelessness;

he protects one’s possessions in case of carelessness;

he provides refuge in case of fear

and in case of any urgent errand to be undertaken he provides with twice as much.

Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, catūhi ṭhānehi upakāro mitto suhado veditabbo.

These are the four reasons why one, who is a supporter, should be seen as a loyal friend.

Catūhi kho, gahapatiputta, ṭhānehi samānasukhadukkho mitto suhado veditabbo.

There are four reasons why one, who remains the same during happy and difficult times, should be seen as a loyal friend:

Guyhamassa ācikkhati,

guyhamassa parigūhati,

āpadāsu na vijahati,

jīvitaṃpissa atthāya pariccattaṃ hoti.

He shares his secrets;

he keeps secrets to himself;

he does not forsake one during hardship and he would sacrifice his own life for one.

Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, catūhi ṭhānehi samānasukhadukkho mitto suhado veditabbo.

These are the four reasons why one, who remains the same during happy and difficult times, should be seen as a loyal friend.

Catūhi kho, gahapatiputta, ṭhānehi atthakkhāyī mitto suhado veditabbo.

There are four reasons why one, who provides beneficial advice, should be seen as a loyal friend:

Pāpā nivāreti,

kalyāṇe niveseti,

assutaṃ sāveti,

saggassa maggaṃ ācikkhati.

He keeps one away from evil;

he enjoins one in doing good;

he informs about things not heard and

he points the path to heaven.

Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, catūhi ṭhānehi atthakkhāyī mitto suhado veditabbo.

These are the four reasons why one, who provides beneficial advice, should be seen as a loyal friend.

Catūhi kho, gahapatiputta, ṭhānehi anukampako mitto suhado veditabbo.

There are four reasons why one, who is full of sympathetic goodwill, should be seen as loyal friend:

Abhavenassa na nandati,

bhavenassa nandati,

avaṇṇaṃ bhaṇamānaṃ nivāreti,

vaṇṇaṃ bhaṇamānaṃ pasaṃsati.

He does not rejoice in one’s misfortune;

he rejoices in one’s fortune;

he hinders anyone who speaks bad about one

and praises who speaks in one’s favor.

Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, catūhi ṭhānehi anukampako mitto suhado veditabbo’’ti. ……

These are the four reasons why one, who is full of sympathetic goodwill, should be seen as loyal friend.

(Chaddisāpaṭicchādanakaṇḍaṃ)

Kathañca, gahapatiputta, ariyasāvako chaddisāpaṭicchādī hoti?

(Section about the protection of the six directions):

And how, householder’s son does the ariyasāvako protect the six directions?

Cha imā, gahapatiputta, disā veditabbā.

The six directions should be considered in this way:

Puratthimā disā mātāpitaro veditabbā,

dakkhiṇā disā ācariyā veditabbā,

pacchimā disā puttadārā veditabbā,

uttarā disā mittāmaccā veditabbā,

heṭṭhimā disā dāsakammakarā veditabbā,

uparimā disā samaṇabrāhmaṇā veditabbā.

One’s mother and father should be understood as the eastern quarter; one’s teachers as the southern; one’s wife and children as the west;

one’s friends and companions as the north;

one’s servants (and employees) as the nadir and ascetics and Brahmins as the zenith.

Pañcahi kho, gahapatiputta, ṭhānehi puttena puratthimā disā mātāpitaro paccupaṭṭhātabbā –

There are five ways in which, householder’s son, a son should minister upon mother and father as the eastern quarter:

bhato ne bharissāmi, kiccaṃ nesaṃ karissāmi,

By ‘having received their support I will support them’;

kulavaṃsaṃ ṭhapessāmi, dāyajjaṃ paṭipajjāmi,

‘I will perform duties for them’; ‘I will maintain the lineage and tradition’;

atha vā pana petānaṃ kālaṅkatānaṃ dakkhiṇaṃ anuppadassāmīti.

I will prove worthy of the inheritance’ ‘after their passing away I will give donations on behalf of the dead’.

Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, pañcahi ṭhānehi puttena puratthimā disā mātāpitaro paccupaṭṭhitā pañcahi ṭhānehi puttaṃ anukampanti.

And there are five ways in which, householder’s son, mother and father thus ministered upon by their son protecting the eastern quarter should support him out of compassion:

Pāpā nivārenti,

kalyāṇe nivesenti,

sippaṃ sikkhāpenti,

patirūpena dārena saṃyojenti,

samaye dāyajjaṃ niyyādenti.

They restrain him from evil;

inspire him to do good;

teach him some skills;

find a suitable wife for him and

when the time comes, hand over his inheritance to him.

Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, pañcahi ṭhānehi puttena puratthimā disā mātāpitaro paccupaṭṭhitā imehi pañcahi ṭhānehi puttaṃ anukampanti.

These are the five ways in which, householder’s son, mother and father thus ministered upon by their son protecting the eastern quarter support him out of compassion.

Evamassa esā puratthimā disā paṭicchannā hoti khemā appaṭibhayā.

In this way the eastern quarter is fully protected, made safe and free from fear.

Pañcahi kho, gahapatiputta, ṭhānehi antevāsinā dakkhiṇā disā ācariyā paccupaṭṭhātabbā –

There are five ways in which, householder’s son, a pupil should minister upon his teacher as the southern quarter:

uṭṭhānena

upaṭṭhānena

sussusāya pāricariyāya

sakkaccaṃ sippapaṭiggahaṇena.

by rising in salutation;

by waiting on him;

by inquisitiveness to learn; by serving him;

by perfecting the skills that were taught.

Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, pañcahi ṭhānehi antevāsinā dakkhiṇā disā ācariyā paccupaṭṭhitā pañcahi ṭhānehi antevāsiṃ anukampanti –

And there are five ways in which, householder’s son, a teacher thus ministered upon by his pupil protecting the southern quarter should support him out of compassion:

suvinītaṃ vinenti,

suggahitaṃ gāhāpenti,

sabbasippassutaṃ samakkhāyino bhavanti, mittāmaccesu paṭiyādenti,

disāsu parittāṇaṃ karonti.

educate him well so he gets well trained;

help him to grasp what has been taught;

develop him thoroughly in all skills;

recommend him amongst friends and companions; protect him from all sides.

Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, pañcahi ṭhānehi antevāsinā dakkhiṇā disā ācariyā paccupaṭṭhitā imehi pañcahi ṭhānehi antevāsiṃ anukampanti.

These are the five ways in which, householder’s son, a teacher thus ministered upon by his pupil protecting the southern quarter should support him out of compassion.

Evamassa esā dakkhiṇā disā paṭicchannā hoti khemā appaṭibhayā.

In this way the southern quarter is fully protected, made safe and free from fear.

Pañcahi kho, gahapatiputta, ṭhānehi sāmikena pacchimā disā bhariyā paccupaṭṭhātabbā –

There are five ways in which, householder’s son, a husband should minister upon his wife as the western quarter:

sammānanāya

anavamānanāya

anaticariyāya

issariyavossaggena

alaṅkārānuppadānena.

by respecting her;

by not disparaging her;

by not being unfaithful;

by handing over full authority to her;

by bestowing adequate embellishment.

Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, pañcahi ṭhānehi sāmikena pacchimā disā bhariyā paccupaṭṭhitā pañcahi ṭhānehi sāmikaṃ anukampati –

And there are five ways in which a wife, thus ministered upon as the western quarter should support him out of compassion:

susaṃvihitakammantā ca hoti,

saṅgahitaparijanā ca,

anaticārinī ca,

sambhatañca anurakkhati,

dakkhā ca hoti analasā sabbakiccesu.

By properly attending to her work;

by duly looking after the servants in a sympathetic manner; by not being unfaithful;

by taking good care of the provisions;

by skillfully and industriously fulfilling her duties.

Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, pañcahi ṭhānehi sāmikena pacchimā disā bhariyā paccupaṭṭhitā imehi pañcahi ṭhānehi sāmikaṃ anukampati.

These are five ways in which a wife, thus ministered upon as the western quarter should support him out of compassion.

Evamassa esā pacchimā disā paṭicchannā hoti khemā appaṭibhayā.

In this way the western quarter is fully protected, made safe and free from fear.

Pañcahi kho, gahapatiputta, ṭhānehi kulaputtena uttarā disā mittāmaccā paccupaṭṭhātabbā –

There are five ways in which, householder’s son, a clansman should minister upon friends and colleagues as the northern quarter:

dānena

peyyavajjena

atthacariyāya

samānattatāya

avisaṃvādanatāya.

By distributing gifts,

upholding kind speech;

by supporting their welfare;

by maintaining impartiality;

by acting in accordance to one’s words.

Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, pañcahi ṭhānehi kulaputtena uttarā disā mittāmaccā paccupaṭṭhitā pañcahi ṭhānehi kulaputtaṃ anukampanti –

And there are five ways in which friends and colleagues, thus ministered upon as the northern quarter should support him out of compassion:

pamattaṃ rakkhanti,

pamattassa sāpateyyaṃ rakkhanti, bhītassa saraṇaṃ honti, āpadāsu na vijahanti, aparapajā cassa paṭipūjenti.

By taking care of him in case of indolence; by looking after his property in case of his indolence; by offering him refuge in case of fear; by not deserting him in case of trouble and by taking care of his family.

Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, pañcahi ṭhānehi kulaputtena uttarā disā mittāmaccā paccupaṭṭhitā imehi pañcahi ṭhānehi kulaputtaṃ anukampanti.

These are the five ways in which friends and colleagues, thus ministered upon as the northern quarter should support him out of compassion.

Evamassa esā uttarā disā paṭicchannā hoti khemā appaṭibhayā.

In this way the northern quarter is fully protected, made safe and free from fear.

Pañcahi kho, gahapatiputta, ṭhānehi ayyirakena heṭṭhimā disā dāsakammakarā paccupaṭṭhātabbā –

There are five ways in which, householder’s son, a nobleman should minister upon servants and workers as the nadir:

yathābalaṃ kammantasaṃvidhānena bhattavetanānuppadānena

gilānupaṭṭhānena

acchariyānaṃ rasānaṃ saṃvibhāgena

samaye vossaggena.

By arranging their work in accordance to their abilities; by providing them properly with food and wages; by supporting them in case of illness;

by sharing with them special delicacies and allowing them appropriate time off.

Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, pañcahi ṭhānehi ayyirakena heṭṭhimā disā dāsakammakarā paccupaṭṭhitā pañcahi ṭhānehi ayyirakaṃ anukampanti –

And there are five ways in which servants and workers, thus ministered upon as the nadir

should support the nobleman out of compassion:

pubbuṭṭhāyino ca honti,

pacchā nipātino ca,

dinnādāyino ca,

sukatakammakarā ca,

kittivaṇṇaharā ca.

By getting up before him;

by getting to bed after him;

by accepting the remuneration given by him;

by performing their work appropriately and by taking care about his report and renown.

Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, pañcahi ṭhānehi ayyirakena heṭṭhimā disā dāsakammakarā paccupaṭṭhitā imehi pañcahi ṭhānehi ayyirakaṃ anukampanti.

These are the five ways in which servants and workers, thus ministered upon as the nadir should support the nobleman out of compassion.

Evamassa esā heṭṭhimā disā paṭicchannā hoti khemā appaṭibhayā.

In this way the nadir is fully protected, made safe and free from fear.

Pañcahi kho, gahapatiputta, ṭhānehi kulaputtena uparimā disā samaṇabrāhmaṇā paccupaṭṭhātabbā –

There are five ways in which, householder’s son, a clansman should minister upon ascetics and Brahmins as the zenith:

mettena kāyakammena

mettena vacīkammena

mettena manokammena

anāvaṭadvāratāya āmisānuppadānena.

By upholding kindness in physical action;

by upholding friendliness in speech;

by maintaining metta in mind and

by keeping their doors open for them and by providing them accordingly with food.

Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, pañcahi ṭhānehi kulaputtena uparimā disā samaṇabrāhmaṇā paccupaṭṭhitā chahi ṭhānehi kulaputtaṃ anukampanti –

And there are five ways in which ascetics and Brahmins thus ministered upon as the zenith should support the clansman out of compassion:

pāpā nivārenti,

kalyāṇe nivesenti,

kalyāṇena manasā anukampanti,

assutaṃ sāventi,

sutaṃ pariyodāpenti,

saggassa maggaṃ ācikkhanti.

They restrain him from evil;

inspire him to do good;

they show compassion and benevolence to him in their thoughts; they teach him in what he hasn’t heard and establish him in what he has heard;

they point out the way to heaven.

Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, pañcahi ṭhānehi kulaputtena uparimā disā samaṇabrāhmaṇā paccupaṭṭhitā imehi chahi ṭhānehi kulaputtaṃ anukampanti.

These are five ways in which ascetics and Brahmins thus ministered upon as the zenith should support the clansman out of compassion.

Evamassa esā uparimā disā paṭicchannā hoti khemā appaṭibhayā’’ti. …

In this way the zenith is fully protected, made safe and free from fear.” …