Unit Seven: Family and Society

Honouring the Six Directions

One day, according to the Sigalovada Sutta, the Buddha saw Sigala bowing to the six directions, that is, east, south, west, north, above and below, immediately after his morning bath. Sigala had promised at his father’s deathbed to observe this ritual faithfully. It was then believed that when people practised this ritual, they were honouring the gods residing in the six directions. As a result, these gods would be pleased and would bestow good luck, happiness and prosperity on them.

The Buddha, however, explained to Sigala the meaning of paying respect to the six directions. He said that the east represents the parent; the south, teacher; the west, spouse; the north, friends; above, religious teacher; and below, employee. The six directions represent the six types of human relationships, namely those between parent and child, teacher and pupil, husband and wife, friends, religious teacher and disciple, as well as employer and employee. Thus honouring the six directions means fulfilling one’s reciprocal responsibilities in each of these relationships. As every person assumes several roles in life whether as a parent, a child, a friend or employer, he has to be aware of and fulfil his responsibilities in each of these roles.

Summary

Buddhist insights and practices are based on understanding the true nature of things. Buddhism is essentially the pursuit of Truth, known as the Dharma. Concepts such as ‘Karma’, ‘Notself’, ‘Dependent Arising’ can be realised through experiential knowing, by the practice of meditation or mental culture. Nirvana is the purifying and freeing of the mind of greed, hatred and ignorance.