Showing posts with label honor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label honor. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Thursday, October 30, 2025
King strips, forces out 'Prince' Andrew
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| Prince Andy? Yeah, he was here with us all the time. Right, Jeff? You remember him. - Yes, Don. |
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Andrew stripped of 'prince' title and will move be forced out of Royal Lodge | BBC News
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| Prince Andrew hosted Israeli spies Epstein and Maxwell at Royal Lodge after warrant issued. |
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| He's an embarrassment to us. Why doesn't he Di? |
Buckingham Palace says the King "has today initiated a formal process," and his brother will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.
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| Elite pedo ring gets away with it |
"These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the [child molestation and BDSM brutality] allegations against him," the Palace said.
Andy "gave up" [was stripped of in private but allowed to say he had himself voluntarily given up] his other royal titles earlier this month after more questions about his private life [as a womanizer using royal grounds and guards to facilitate his liaisons as if he were Pres. Bill Clinton or something].
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| Yeah, I know he raped her. I helped. -Maxwell |
Prince Andrew has always [very shoddily] denied the claims [humiliating himself and the Crown by trying to do so on TV and coming off as a complete liar and incompetent stuttered who was as guilty as guilty could be].
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| At least WE survived the scandal, Jeff. |
Also this month, emails from 2011 re-emerged, showing Prince Andrew in contact with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein months after he claimed their [beautiful secret] friendship ended. [Who does he think he is, Pres. Donald "John" Trump?]
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| I'm royally f*****d. And the House of Windsor can naff off! The Queen, too! |
For more news, analyses, and features visit: www.bbc.com/news Subscribe: http://bit.ly/1rbfUog. And whatever you do, do not speak ill of the Royals who will not stand for it from Yanks. #Royals #PrinceAndrew #BBCNews #GhislaineMaxwell #Mossad #Israel #CIA #Blackmail #ChildMolestation #PedophileIsland #JeffreyEpsteinIsStillAlive #LittleSaintJames #CoverUp #KashPatel #DanBongino #FBI #Extortion #ElitePedophileRing #SarahFerguson #DukeOfYork #Divorce
Sunday, June 15, 2025
Father Homer reborn. How to treat parents
- What is Father's Day and when is it? (When is it?) In the US, it is celebrated on the third Sunday in June
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| Siddhartha Gautama, Scythian Shakyamuni |
Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One [the Buddha] was living near Savatthi at Jetavana in Anathapindika's monastery.
Then in the forenoon, having dressed, he took bowl and [double] robe, and entered the city of Savatthi for alms.
Now at that time the Brahmin Aggika Bharadvaja was at home preparing a fire ceremony to make oblations (burnt offerings) to his God.
The Blessed One came to that Brahmin's residence. And the Brahmin, seeing the Blessed One from afar, yelled at him:
The Blessed One came to that Brahmin's residence. And the Brahmin, seeing the Blessed One from afar, yelled at him:
"Stay there, shaveling! Stay there, wretched wandering ascetic! Stay there, outcast!"
When he spoke this way, the Blessed One said to the Brahmin: "Do you know, Brahmin, who an outcast is and what the conditions are that make one an outcast?"
When he spoke this way, the Blessed One said to the Brahmin: "Do you know, Brahmin, who an outcast is and what the conditions are that make one an outcast?"
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| The Buddha was much respected. |
- [The abusive terms used by the Brahmin and the respectful address that follows need a word of explanation. The Brahmin had just prepared his offering to his God, Great Brahma, when his eyes fell upon the Buddha. To the Brahmin the sight of a wandering ascetic (samana), a shaven-headed recluse, is an unlucky omen. So he burst into angry words. The Buddha, however, was unruffled and spoke to him gently in words with a soft cadence. The Brahmin was apparently ashamed of his unskillful outburst and, repenting of his folly, addressed the Buddha courteously. Commentary: Note the Buddha's emphasis on anger and hatred in his very first stanza.]
"Listen then, Brahmin, and pay attention. I will explain."
"Yes, Venerable Sir," replied the Brahmin.
1. "Whoever is angry, harbors hatred, and is reluctant to speak well of others [discredits the good of others], perverse in views, deceitful — know that person as an outcast.
2. "Whoever in this world kills living beings, once born or twice born,* in whom there is no sympathy for living beings — know that person as an outcast.
- [*Dvijam, birds, are "twice-born" in that they are first born as an egg and then are born again out of their shells when they hatch.]
3. "Whoever destroys and besieges villages and hamlets and becomes notorious as an oppressor — know that person as an outcast.
4. "Be it in village or forest, whoever steals what belongs to others, what is not freely given — know that person as an outcast.
5. "Whoever having actually incurred a debt runs away when pressed to pay it, saying, 'I owe no debt to you' — know that person as an outcast.
6. "Whoever, coveting anything, kills a person going along the road, and grabs whatever that person has — know that person as an outcast.
7. "One who for one's own sake or for the sake of another or for the sake of wealth, utters lies when questioned as a witness — know that person as an outcast.
8. "Whoever by force [rape] or with consent [adultery] associates with the spouses of relatives or friends — know that person as an outcast.
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| Good karma: Treat parents like buddhas. |
10. "Whoever strikes and annoys by [harsh] speech, mother, father, brother, sister, mother-in-law, or father-in-law — know that person as an outcast.
11. "Whoever, when questioned about what is good, says what is detrimental, and talks in an evasive manner — know that person as an outcast.
12. "Whoever, having committed an unskillful deed, wishes that it may not be discovered by others, and commits harm in secret — know that person as an outcast.
13. "Whoever, having gone to another's house and partaken of choice food, does not honor that host by offering food when receiving a visit — know that person as an outcast.
14. "Whoever deceives a Brahmin priest or wandering ascetic or any other mendicant [alms person] by uttering lies — know that person as an outcast.
15. "Whoever when a Brahmin or wandering ascetic appears during mealtime angers that person by harsh speech and does not offer that person [any alms] — know that person as an outcast.
16. "Whoever in this world, shrouded by ignorance, speaks harsh words (asatam) or falsehood [asantamtipi patho (SnA)] expecting to gain something — know that person as an outcast.
17. "Whoever, debased by pride, exalts oneself and belittles others — know that person as an outcast.
18. "Whoever is given to anger, is miserly, has base desires, and is selfish, deceitful, shameless, and fearless [in doing what is unskillful] — know that person as an outcast.
19. "Whoever reviles the Enlightened One [the Buddha], a disciple of the Buddha, a recluse, or a householder — know that person as an outcast.
20. "Whoever not being an enlightened person, a consummate one, pretends to be one, is a thief in the whole universe — the lowest of outcasts.
21. "Not by birth is one an outcast; not by birth is one a Brahmin. By deed one becomes an outcast, and by deed one becomes a Brahmin.
22. "Know by the example now cited [the fact that by birth one is not an outcast]: There was an outcast's son, Sopaka, who became known as Matanga.
23. "This Matanga attained the highest fame difficult to gain. Many were the warriors (kshatriyas) and Brahmins who went to attend on him.
24. "Mounting the celestial chariot [the Noble Eightfold Path, and driving] along the passion-free high road, [Sopaka, now a monk], reached the Brahma realm having given up sense-desires.
25. "His [lowly] birth did not prevent him from being reborn in the Brahma realm. There are Brahmins born in the family of preceptors, kinsmen of [Vedic] hymns.
26. "They are often seen committing unskillful deeds. In this life itself they are despised, in the next they are reborn in an unfortunate state of existence. High birth does not prevent them from falling into a woeful state or from censure [here and now].
27. "Not by birth is one an outcast; not by birth is one a Brahmin. By deed one becomes an outcast, and by deed one becomes an Brahmin."
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| Honoring the worthy ones is good karma. |
"Excellent, O Venerable Gautama, excellent! O Venerable Gautama, it is just as if a person were to set upright what had been overturned, or were to reveal what had been hidden, or were to point the way to one who had gone astray, or were to hold an oil lamp to the dark so that those with eyes might see things, even so in many ways has Venerable Gautama expounded the Dharma, the Doctrine.
"I go for guidance (sarana) to Venerable Gautama, the Dharma, and the [Arya-] Sangha [the community of those disciples along the stages of enlightenment]. May Venerable Gautama accept me as a lay follower who has gone for guidance from this day onwards so long as life lasts."
- The Simpsons; Ven. Piyadassi Thera (trans.), Vasala Sutra: "The Discourse on Outcasts" (Sn 1.7, PTS Sn 116-142), 1999, edited by Ashley Wells, Dhr. Seven, Pat Macpherson, Wisdom Quarterly, orig. published 6/21/20
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Spring Begins: Vernal Equinox (3/20)
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| Tibetan Buddhist Goddess White Tara (among other Taras), whose name means "star" |
(NBC News) Deadly storms expected across USA as millions brace for tornadoes before spring
No one seems to have told the rest of the country, but where the sun sets (West Coast), the sun rose this morning to a new spring. Everything is green and sunny, cool and moist, and a person's thoughts lilt towards thoughts of
Do the basics: Put on all white. Find a quiet spot apart from distractions. Use this spot over and over again. It becomes powerful. Set down a mat and cushion (a bundle of leaves or grass is enough to get the tailbone higher than the knees). Sit. Inhale deeply. Release. Do it again a few times, without forcing the air out. It's just about letting go completely, so completely that the body hangs as if held up by a clothing hanger, not stiff, not slack.
Straighter is more comfortable, even though it doesn't seem like it at first. Posture is important to attention. Bring (advert) the attention to the present moment, this moment, and to stay in just this moment, remain aware of the breath. Which breath? This breath, just the one happening now all by itself. Become the watcher (not the commenter, fixer, improver, slowdowner, or anything else), just the watcher. This is mindfulness -- clear awareness of the present without evaluation.
Set a time limit in advance and keep it. Even if it would be nice to go longer because it is going so well, know the time of rising. Even if it is going horribly with raving lunatic thoughts of a psychopath with lurid fantasies and wrath, lust and revenge, delusion and a lightshow, know the time of rising. The mind will thank you later.
It is easy to say that "meditation is NOT about thinking." That's clear. That's easy to see. Don't indulge thought; just let them be by turning your attention to this subtle breath that keeps changing. What is difficult to grasp is that "meditation is NOT about not-thinking." Not-thinking may happen. It doesn't matter. As that is not the goal, if it doesn't happen, it's okay. Giving attention to one object and bringing attention back and back again and again ("Begin again" as Sharon Salzberg says) is what is important.
The mind like a petulant and insolent child will resist. Let it. Bring it back. Do not scold it or become upset. Let it be. Surrender completely to this moment, whatever is in this moment, not being moved to do anything no matter what the mind says it must do. See what happens. Could the mind be wrong no matter what it feels or demands or insists is true?
We'll never see things as they really are so long as we keep believing that we already are seeing them that way. We have never been seeing them that way. If we had, we'd awaken. We'd be enlightened, which is to say, Dependent Origination would make sense. And it doesn't, does it? (Hint: It's a practice, not a theory). That's a whole different kind of meditation called insight (vipassana) after getting good at this kind, which is called serenity (samatha). Don't jump ahead. Let it go. (If all else fails, sign up for a free 10-day Goenka retreat. Everyone should do at least one in life).
Comrades, leave me here a little, while as yet 't is early morn:
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| Now it's called March equinox in the U.S. |
The Spring Equinox, also known as the vernal equinox, is one of the four solar festivals of the year. The equinox — which translates roughly in Latin to “equal night” — is when the sun sits vertically above the equator, making day and night equal across the planet.
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| Persephone, Goddess of Spring (animalia-life) |
The Spring Equinox officially marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and there are celebrations around the world to usher in longer days and springtime. [This is the real traditional New Year's Day, when the Earth (Tierra, Gaia, Bhumi) renews herself in preparation for another cycle.]
In some cultures, this day also marks the beginning of the new year, which in Iranian (original Aryan) culture is called Nowruz. The Spring Equinox is a brilliant time for new beginnings [like maybe a nice spring cleaning], no matter how one celebrates on March 20th.
Here are some Spring Equinox Activities... More
- This is the best time to begin a regular meditation practice, graduating to walking meditation, mindfulness in nature, and deep stillness to see things as they really are.
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| An outfit just for practice helps. |
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| You're a baby in white, so go easy. |
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| Whoa, what a trip! What was that? I want that again! |
Ten minutes is a good start time, slowly working up to an hourlong sit. That seems impossible now, but in time, whaddyaknow, it suddenly is possible. What changed? I'dunno. This practice is about persistence. It does itself and then there is no effort. The enemies of that are expectations, unsettled greed or desire for achieving something, and the Five Hindrances. They will come to hinder. They are already present. They can be overcome. But whether or not they have been overcome, persist. This is spring. This is the beginning. Have "beginner's mind" in place of the "monkey mind" that usually rules the cage. Smile. It helps.
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| Instructions are confusing because it's so simple. |
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| Feed me, Phone-Momma! Feed me more!! |
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| How did Siddhartha Gautama do it? |
TODAY IS ALSO
- SPRING BEGINS - March 20, 2025
- SPRING EQUINOX - March 20, 2025
- MARCH EQUINOX - March 20, 2025
- GREAT AMERICAN MEAT OUT DAY
- INT'L DAY OF HAPPINESS - March 20
- ALIEN ABDUCTION DAY - March 20
- ASTROLOGY DAY - March 20, 2025
- FEAST OF SAINT JOSEPH - March 20
- DOGS IN YELLOW DAY - March 20
- NATIONAL PROPOSAL DAY - March 20
- KISS YOUR FIANCE DAY - March 20
POEM: "Locksley Hall"
By Alfred, Lord Tennyson
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| Greco-Roman Cora |
Leave me here, and when you want me, sound upon the bugle-horn.
'T is the place, and all around it, as of old, the curlews call,
Dreary gleams about the moorland flying over Locksley Hall;
Locksley Hall, that in the distance overlooks the sandy tracts,
And the hollow ocean-ridges roaring into cataracts.
Many a night from yonder ivied casement, ere I went to rest,
Did I look on great Orion sloping slowly to the West.
Many a night I saw the Pleiads, rising thro' the mellow shade,
Glitter like a swarm of fire-flies tangled in a silver braid.
Here about the beach I wander'd, nourishing a youth sublime
With the fairy tales of science, and the long result of Time;
When the centuries behind me like a fruitful land reposed;
When I clung to all the present for the promise that it closed:
When I dipt into the future far as human eye could see;
Saw the Vision of the world and all the wonder that would be.—
In the Spring a fuller crimson comes upon the robin's breast;
In the Spring the wanton lapwing gets himself another crest;
In the Spring a livelier iris changes on the burnish'd dove;
In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love. More
- Buddhist temple: Angkor Wat on the Equinox
- NationalToday, March 20, 2025; Alfred, Lord Tennyson (The Poetry Foundation); Ashley Wells, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Dhr. Seven, Jen B. (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
The king comes to see the Buddha
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| Seated Buddha of the Future depicted as Central Asian king: Bodhisattva Maitreya (wiki) |
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SUTRA: Kosala (2)
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| The forest-dwelling Buddha |
He traveled by carriage as far as the ground allowed then dismounted and entered the park by foot. On that occasion a number of monks were engaged in walking meditation in the open air.
King Pasenadi approached them and asked: “Venerable sirs, where is the Blessed One, the Arahant, the Supremely Enlightened One dwelling? For I wish to see him.”
“Great king, that is his dwelling, the one with the closed door. Approach it quietly. Without hurrying, enter the porch, clear your throat, and tap lightly on the bolt. The Blessed One will open the door for you.”
King Pasenadi did so, and the Blessed One opened the door. Then he entered, bowed at the Blessed One’s feet, and covered them with kisses and caresses, pronouncing his name:
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| The happy king meets the Buddha. |
“I am King Pasenadi of Kosala, venerable sir, I am King Pasenadi of Kosala!”
“Great king, what reason do you have for showing such honor to this body, displaying such an offering of love and kindness?”
“Venerable, it is out of gratitude and thankfulness that I show supreme honor toward the Blessed One and display such an offering of love and kindness to him.
(1) “For, venerable, the Blessed One is practicing for the benefit of many, for the happiness of many; he has established many in the ennobling (enlightening) method, that is, in the way of the good Dhamma (Doctrine), in the way of the wholesome Dhamma. This is one reason I show supreme honor toward the Blessed One and display such an offering of love and kindness to him.
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| Buddha as Central Asian king |
(2) “Venerable, the Blessed One is virtuous, of mature conduct (behavior), of noble (enlightened and royal) conduct, of wholesome conduct, possessing wholesome conduct. This is another reason….
(3) “Venerable, for a long time the Blessed One has been a forest-dweller who resorts to remote lodgings in forests and jungle groves. Since that is so, this is another reason….
(4) “Venerable, the Blessed One is content with any kind of robe, alms food, lodging, and medicines and provisions for the sick. This is another reason….
(5) “Venerable, the Blessed One is [enlightened and therefore] worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of reverential salutation, an unsurpassed field of merit for the world. This is another reason….
(6) “Venerable, the Blessed One gets to hear at will, without trouble or difficulty, talk concerned with the austere life that leads to the elimination of defilements, that is conducive to opening up the heart, that is, talk on fewness of desires, on contentment, on solitude (withdrawal), on not getting bound up with others, on arousing energy, on virtuous conduct, on concentration (stillness), on wisdom, on liberation, on direct knowledge and vision of liberation. This is another reason….
(7) “Venerable, the Blessed One gains at will, without trouble or difficulty, the four meditative absorptions (jhānas) that constitute the 'higher mind' and are pleasant abodes in this very life. This is another reason….
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| Death behind rebirth, even in heaven |
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| When the 31 Planes of Existence are condensed into just six categories, we get this depiction |
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| Countless worlds in 31 general categories |
(9) “Venerable, with the divine eye, which is purified and surpasses the human, the Blessed One sees beings passing away and being reborn, inferior and superior, beautiful and ugly, fortunate and unfortunate, and he understands how beings fare in accordance with their karma (deeds) thus: ‘These beings who engaged in misconduct by body, speech, and mind, who reviled the noble ones, held wrong views, and undertook karma based on wrong views, with the breakup of the body, after death, have been reborn in the plane of misery, in a bad destination, in the lower world, in hells, whereas these beings who engaged in skillful conduct by body, speech, and mind, who did not revile the noble ones, who held right views, and undertook karma based on right views, with the breakup of the body, after death, have been reborn in a fortunate destination, even in a heavenly world.’ Thus with the divine eye, which is purified and surpasses the human, he sees beings passing away and being reborn, inferior and superior, beautiful and ugly, fortunate and unfortunate, and he understands how beings fare in accordance with their karma. Since that is so, this is another reason….
(10) “Venerable, with the destruction of the taints, the Blessed One has realized for himself with direct knowledge, in this very life, the taintless liberation of mind, liberation by wisdom, and having entered upon it, he dwells in it. Since that is so, this is another reason I show supreme honor toward the Blessed One and display such an offering of love and kindness to him.
“Now, venerable, we must be on our way. We are busy and have much to do.”
“As you see fit, great king, and at your own convenience.”
Then King Pasenadi of Kosala rose from his seat, paid homage to the Blessed One, circumambulated him, keeping his right side toward him in a mark of respect, and departed.
- Source: suttacentral.net
- Bhikkhu Bodhi (trans), Dutiyakosala Sutta (AN 10.30); Dhr. Seven (ed.), Wisdom Quarterly
Monday, January 1, 2024
The Buddha's advice to laypeople (DN 31)
Ven. Sujato (trans.), Siṅgāla Sutta, "The Buddha's Advice to Laypeople" (DN 31) (suttacentral.net) edited by Dhr. Seven, Amber Larson (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
Advice to the young householder
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| Guidance for Lay Practitioners (Buddha Weekly) |
- Sigālaka (“little jackal”) only appears in this discourse.
With his clothes and hair wet, he raised his joined palms to revere the various quarters — east, south, west, north, below, and above.
- Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa 5.5.1 recommends offerings to Agni in the east, Indra or Soma in the south, the All-gods in the west, Mitra and Varuṇa in the north, and Bṛhaspati in the middle. The quarters themselves are divine, since one can travel them and never reach the end (Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad 4.1.5). In Buddhism, the quarters are said to be inhabited [ruled over] by the respective Four Great Sky Kings as per DN 32.
Then the Buddha put on his robes in the morning and, with bowl and outer cloak, entered Rājagaha for alms. He saw Sigālaka revering the quarters and said to him, “Householder’s son, why are you revering the quarters in this way?”
“Venerable sir, my father on his deathbed said to me: ‘My dear, please revere the quarters.’
- Sigālaka blindly followed this request without considering the real meaning (as urged by Chāndogya Upaniṣad 1.3.11) because his father was a Buddhist and had wanted his son to follow the Buddha, but Sigalaka had no interest in such matters and was only doing this morning ritual because it was a deathbed request.
1. The Six Directions
“Householder’s son, that’s not how the six directions should be revered in the training of the noble [the arya or enlightened, awakened] ones.”
- It is unusual to find “six” directions. Normally it is the four quarters, then eight (with intermediate directions), then ten (adding above and below). Praśna Upaniṣad 1.6 lists the six, then the intermediate directions.
“But, venerable sir, how should the six directions be revered in the training of the noble ones? Please teach me this.”
“Well then, householder’s son, listen, apply your mind well, and I will speak.”
“Yes, venerable sir,” replied Sigālaka. The Buddha then said:
“Householder’s son, a noble disciple gives up four corrupt deeds, refrains from bad deeds on four grounds, and avoids six drains on wealth. When one has left these 14 bad things behind, one has protected the six directions.
- The Buddha outlines the contents of the discourse to follow. One is practicing to win in both worlds, to succeed in this world and the next (wherever that may be in any of the 31 Planes of Existence). When one’s body breaks up, after death, one is reborn in a good place, even in one of the many heavenly realms (sagga).
2. Four Corrupt Deeds
What four corrupt deeds has one given up?
- The Buddha’s teaching or Dharma is structured to reinforce memorization. He gives the number of items (twice), so listeners will notice if any are missing: List the items, restate the numbers, then restate the items once more in verse.
That is what the Buddha said. Then the Awakened One, the Teacher, went on to say:
“Taking life, taking what is not given,
speaking falsehoods, and sexually
misconducting oneself:
Wise people praise not these things.”
3. Four Grounds
“On what four grounds does one not do bad deeds (unskillful karma)?
- First, we learned what the unskillful deeds were, and now we learn why people do them. One engages in misdeeds prejudiced by favoritism, hostility/cowardice, and stupidity (lobha, dosa, moha or liking, aversion/fear, delusion). When a noble disciple is not prejudiced by favoritism, hostility/cowardice, and stupidity, one does not do bad deeds on these four grounds.”
That is what the Buddha said. Then the Awakened One, the Teacher, went on to say:
“If one acts against the Dharma
out of favoritism, hostility/cowardice, or stupidity,
one’s fame shrinks,
like the moon in the waning half of the month.
If one does not act against the Dharma
out of favoritism, hostility/cowardice, and stupidity,
one’s fame swells,
like the moon in the waxing part of the month.”
4. Six Drains on Wealth
“What six drains on wealth does one avoid?
- “Drains on wealth” is apāyamukha, literally “openings for departure.” This is emphasized here since Sigālaka wants to be a good son and not squander the family fortune for which he is newly responsible.
“Habitually engaging in the following things is a drain on wealth: drinking alcohol; roaming the streets at night; frequenting entertainments; gambling; bad friends; laziness.
5. Six Drawbacks of Drinking
“There are these six drawbacks of habitually drinking alcohol.
- Now each of the six drains on wealth are expanded and explained.
“Immediate loss of wealth, promotion of quarrels, susceptibility to illness, disrepute, indecent exposure, and weakened wisdom as the sixth. These are the six drawbacks of habitually drinking alcohol.
6. Six Drawbacks of Roaming the Streets at Night
“There are these six drawbacks of roaming the streets at night. One, one’s partners, one’s children, and one’s property are all left unguarded. One is suspected of misdeeds (crimes). Untrue rumors spread about one. One is on the receiving end of many things that entail suffering. These are the six drawbacks of roaming the streets at night.
7. Six Drawbacks of Entertainments
“There are these six drawbacks of frequenting entertainments. One is always thinking, ‘Where is there dancing? Where is there singing? Where is there music? Where are there stories? Where is the applause? Where are drums being played?’ These are the six drawbacks of frequenting entertainments.
8. Six Drawbacks of Gambling
“There are these six drawbacks of habitually gambling. Winning breeds enmity. The loser mourns the loss of money. There is immediate loss of wealth (by losing). A gambler’s word carries no weight in public assemblies. Friends and colleagues treat one with contempt. And no one wants to marry a gambler, thinking, ‘This individual is a gambler — unable to support a partner.’ These are the six drawbacks of habitually gambling.
9. Six Drawbacks of Bad Friends
“There are these six drawbacks of bad friends (keeping bad company). One becomes an associate and companion with those who are addicts, carousers, drunkards, frauds, swindlers, and thugs. These are the six drawbacks of bad friends.
10. Six Drawbacks of Laziness
“There are these six drawbacks of habitual laziness. One does not get work done, thinking, ‘It’s too cold! It’s too hot! It’s too late! It’s too early! I’m too hungry! I’m too full!’ By dwelling on so many excuses for not working, one does not make any more money, and the money one already has runs out. These are the six drawbacks of habitual laziness.”
That is what the Buddha said. Then the Awakened One, the Teacher, went on to say:
“Some are just drinking buddies,
Some call you dear, dear friend,
But a true friend is one
Who stands by you through thick and thin.
Sleeping late, sexual misconduct,
Making enemies, doing harm,
Bad friends, and avarice:
these are six grounds for the ruin of a person.
With bad associates, bad companions,
Bad behavior, and bad resort,
One falls to ruin
In this world and the next.
Dice, women, drink, song, and dance,
Sleeping by day and roaming the streets at night,
Bad friends, and avarice:
these six grounds ruin a person.
One plays dice and drinks liquor,
Consorts with women loved by others.
Associating with the worse rather than the better,
One diminishes like the waning moon.
A drunkard, broke, and destitute,
Thirsty, drinking in bars,
Drowning in debt,
One will quickly lose one’s way.
- Kāhiti is third person singular future of karoti.
When one is in the habit of sleeping late,
Seeing night as the time to rise,
And always getting drunk,
One cannot maintain the household life.
‘It’s too cold, too hot,
too late,’ one says.
When the young neglect their work like this,
riches pass them by.
- The subcommentary explains atthā as dhanā (“riches”).
But one who regards heat and cold
as nothing more than a handful of grass —
one does one’s duties well,
and happiness never fails.”
11. Fake Friends
“Householder’s son, recognize these four enemies disguised as friends: the taker, the talker, the flatterer, the spender.
“One can recognize fake friends who are all take on four grounds:
- One’s possessions end up theirs.
- Giving little, they expect much.
- They do their duty out of fear.
- They associate for their own advantage.
“One can recognize fake friends who are all take on these four grounds.
“One can recognize fake friends who are all talk on four grounds. They’re hospitable in the past (speaking of past favors). They’re hospitable in the future (promising future favors). They’re full of meaningless pleasantries. When something needs doing in the present, they point to their own misfortune and inability to do anything to help. One can recognize fake friends who are all talk on these four grounds.
“One can recognize fake friend who are flatterers on four grounds: They support doing bad and doing good. They praise one to one’s face yet put one down behind one’s back. One can recognize fake friends who are flatterers on these four grounds.
“One can recognize fake friends who are spenders (wastrels) on four grounds: They accompany one when drinking, roaming the streets at night, frequenting entertainments, and gambling. One can recognize fake friends who are spenders on these four grounds.”
That is what the Buddha said. Then the Awakened One, the Teacher, went on to say:
“One friend is all take,
another all talk;
one is just a flatterer,
and one is a friend who wastes.
A wise person understands
these four enemies for what they are
and keeps them at a distance,
as one would avoid a risky road.”
12. Good-Hearted Friends
“Householder’s son, recognize these four good-hearted friends: the helper, the friend in good times and bad, the counselor, and the one who is compassionate.
“One can recognize good-hearted friends who are helpers on four grounds: They guard one when one is negligent. They guard one’s property when one is negligent. They keep one safe in times of danger. When something needs doing, they provide one with twice the resources needed. One can recognize good-hearted friends who are helpers on these four grounds.
“One can recognize good-hearted friends who are the same in good times and bad on four grounds: They share their secrets. They keep one’s secrets. They do not abandon one in times of trouble. They would even give their lives for one’s welfare. One can recognize good-hearted friends who are the same in good times and bad on these four grounds.
“One can recognize good-hearted friends who are counselors on four grounds: They keep one from doing bad. They support one in doing good. They teach one what one does not know. They explain the path to rebirth in heavens (sagga). One can recognize good-hearted friends who are counselors on these four grounds.
“One can recognize good-hearted friends who are compassionate on four grounds: They do not delight in one’s misfortune (downfall). They delight in one’s good fortune (success). They keep others from criticizing one. They encourage one’s praise. One can recognize good-hearted friends who are compassionate on these four grounds.”
The Buddha spoke this matter. Then the Awakened One, the Teacher, went on to say:
“A friend who’s a helper,
one the same in both pleasure and pain,
a friend of good counsel,
and one of compassion
A wise person understands
these four friends for what they are
and carefully looks after them,
like a mother nurses her own child.
The wise and virtuous
shine like a burning flame.
They gather riches like bees
roaming around collecting nectar.
And their riches stack up
like a termite mound rising.
Gathering wealth in this way,
a householder has enough for family.
And one holds on to friends
by dividing wealth in four.
One portion one enjoys now,
two parts one invests,
and the fourth one saves
for times of need.”
- The investment is spoken of terms of replenishing inventory for continued success as a merchant.
13. Protecting the Six Directions
“And how, householder’s son, does a noble disciple honor the six directions?
- Having explained the six drains on wealth, the Buddha moves on to the next item in the table of contents.
“These six directions one recognizes: parents as the east, teachers as the south, partner and children as the west, friends and colleagues as the north, servants and workers as beneath, and ascetics and Brahmins as above.
- Why? The directions are symbolic: Parents are the east because that is where the sun begins as one rises. Teachers are the south (dakkhiṇā) because they are owed an offering (dakkhiṇā). Family (spouse and children) is one’s legacy, so they are the west just as the setting sun. Good friends are the north because they keep one upright and on track on the way up. Servants are below (the earth) because they support one and make life possible. And spiritual teachers are the above (the heavens) because they lead one to transcendence.
“A child supports parents as the eastern quarter in five ways, thinking: ‘I will support those who supported me. I will do my duty (dharma) for them. I will maintain the family lineage (customs, reputation). I will take care of the inheritance. When they have passed away, I will make offerings on their behalf.’
“Parents supported by children in these five ways in turn show compassion to them in five ways: They keep them from doing wrong. They support them in doing good. They train them in a profession (livelihood so they can support themselves independently). They connect them with a suitable partner. They provide an inheritance in due time.
“Parents served by their children in these five ways in turn show compassion to them in these five ways. And that is how the eastern quarter is protected, kept safe and free of peril.
“A student supports teachers as the southern quarter in five ways: by rising for them (as a sign of respect), by serving them, by listening well, by looking after them, and by carefully learning their lessons.
“Teachers supported by students in these five ways in turn show compassion to them in five ways: They make sure they are well educated and well drilled in memorization. They clearly explain all the knowledge of the lesson. They introduce them to their associates and colleagues. They provide for their protection in every place.
- “Protection in every place” (disāsu parittāṇaṁ) refers to when students have completed their studies and gone off to travel, teachers do what they can do to ensure their safety in other regions.
“Teachers supported by their students in these five ways show compassion to them in these five ways. And that’s how the southern quarter is protected, kept safe and free of peril.
“A spouse supports a spouse as the western quarter in five ways: by honoring, by not looking down on, by being faithful, by giving authority to, and by presenting with adornments.
- Marriage is, of course, based on mutual care and respect, not on dominance and obedience.
“The other spouse in turn supports a spouse and shows compassion to him in five ways: One is well-organized in work. One manages the domestic help. One is faithful. One preserves the other’s earnings. One is deft and tireless in performing duties. A spouse served by a spouse in these five ways shows compassion in these five ways. And that is how the western quarter is protected, kept safe and free of peril.
“One supports friends and colleagues as the northern quarter in five ways: giving, kindly words, taking care, impartiality, and not using tricky words. Friends and colleagues served in these five ways show compassion in five ways: They guard one when one is negligent. They guard one’s property when one is negligent. They keep one safe in times of danger. They do not abandon one in times of trouble. They honor one’s descendants.
“Friends and colleagues served by one in these five ways show compassion to one in these five ways. And that is how the northern quarter is protected, kept safe and free of peril.
“One supports servants and workers as the lower quarter in five ways: by organizing work according to ability, by paying food and wages, by nursing them when sick, by sharing special treats, and by giving time off work.
“Servants and workers supported by one in these five ways shows compassion in five ways: They get up first and go to bed last. They do not steal. They do their work well. And they promote a good reputation. Servants and workers supported in these five ways show compassion in these five ways. And that is how the lower quarter is protected, kept safe and free of peril.
“One supports wandering ascetics and Brahmins as the upper quarter in five ways: by loving deeds of body, speech, and mind, by not turning them away at the gate, and by providing them with material needs. Wandering ascetics and Brahmins served in these five ways show compassion in six ways: They keep one from doing wrong. They support one in doing good. They think of one with kindly thoughts. They teach one what one does not know. They clarify what one has already learned. They explain the path to the heavens.
“Wandering ascetics and Brahmins supported in these five ways show compassion in these six ways. And that is how the upper quarter is protected, kept safe and free of peril.”
The Buddha spoke this matter. Then the Awakened One, the Teacher, went on to say:
“Parents are the east,
teachers the south,
spouses and children the west,
friends and colleagues the north,
Servants and workers below,
Ascetics and Brahmins above.
By honoring these quarters
a householder does enough to be a householder.
The wise and the virtuous,
the gentle and the well-spoken,
the humble and the kind:
they are the ones who win glory.
The diligent, not lazy,
those not disturbed by troubles,
those consistent in conduct, the intelligent:
they are the ones who win glory.
The inclusive, the makers of friends,
the generous, those rid of stinginess,
those who lead, train, and influence:
They are the ones who win glory.
Giving and kindly words,
taking care here,
and treating equally in worldly conditions,
as befits one in each case;
these ways of being in the world
are like an axle pin upon which the world turns.
If there were no such ways of being,
neither mother nor father
would be respected and honored
for what they do for their children.
But since these winning ways do exist,
the wise regard them well
and so achieve greatness
and are praised.”
When this was said, Sigālaka the householder’s son said to the Buddha: “Excellent, sir, excellent! It is as if one were righting what had been overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with clear eyes were able to see what is there! Just so the Buddha has made the Dhamma clear in many ways. I go for guidance to the Buddha, to the Dhamma, and to the [Noble] Saṅgha. From this day forth, may the Buddha remember me as a lay follower who has gone for guidance for life.”
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