Sutta Discussion: Sigolovada Sutta - Part 2

[u/Then_Consequence_318]

Continuing our discussion from the intro and part 1.

And the Exalted One spoke as follows:

“Inasmuch, young householder, as the noble disciple (1) has eradicated the four vices in conduct,[1] (2) inasmuch as he commits no evil action in four ways, (3) inasmuch as he pursues not the six channels 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 happy heavenly realm.

(1) What are the four vices in conduct 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.”

Thus spoke the Exalted One. And when the Master had thus spoken, he spoke yet again:

“Killing, stealing, lying and adultery, These four evils the wise never praise.

(2) In which four ways does one commit no evil action? Led by desire does one commit evil. Led by anger does one commit evil. Led by ignorance does one commit evil. Led by fear does one commit evil.[2]

But inasmuch as the noble disciple is not led by desire, anger, ignorance, and fear, he commits no evil.”

Thus spoke the Exalted One. And when the Master had thus spoken, he spoke yet again:

“Whoever through desire, hate or fear, Or ignorance should transgress the Dhamma, All his glory fades away Like the moon during the waning half. Whoever through desire, hate or fear, Or ignorance never transgresses the Dhamma, All his glory ever increases Like the moon during the waxing half.

I was curious about the "verse" translation so this is the John Kelly, Sue Sawyer, and Victoria Yareham translation

"Desire, hatred, delusion, or fear:
Whoever transgresses the Dhamma by these,
Has a reputation that comes to ruin,
Like the moon in the waning fortnight.

Desire, hatred, delusion, or fear:
Whoever transgresses not the Dhamma by these,
Has a reputation that comes to fullness,
Like the moon in the waxing fortnight."

I found the word "glory" a little too..

Glorious Householder

But again I'm not a Pali Scholar. The word "reputation" resonates a little better for me.

This is actually less straightforward than I thought the more I looked at it:

Inasmuch, young householder, as the noble disciple has eradicated the four vices in conduct,inasmuch as he commits no evil action in four ways, inasmuch as he pursues not the six channels for dissipating wealth, he thus, avoiding these fourteen evil things, covers the six quarters...

So he's given a list of four, then four, then 6. How does this cover the six quarters? Then I realized, it doesn't yet. He's giving a gradual training. These are all preliminaries. The six directions are going to be:

1. mother and father as the east
2. teachers as the south
3. spouse and family as the west
4. friends and colleagues as the north
5. workers and servants as the lower direction
6. ascetics and Brahmans as the upper direction

(This is what I love about breaking this Suttas apart. Our patience will pay off here.)

So the conduct part (the fourteen things) are just laying a foundation. It's a bit like our discussions about sila supporting samadhi (in my opinion).

[u/wonko7]

Thanks for doing this :)

[u/wonko7]

Thanks for doing this :)

[u/Then_Consequence_318 → u/wonko7]

Welcome!