Paying Homage to the Six Directions

‘Well, Venerable Sir, how should one pay homage (respect) to the six directions according to the noble discipline? It would be good if The Perfectly Enlightened One were to teach me the proper way to pay homage (respect) to the six directions according to the noble discipline.’

Young Householder, it is by abandoning the four defilements of action, by not doing evil from the four causes, by not following the six ways of wasting one’s substance, through avoiding these fourteen evil ways that the Noble Disciple covers the six directions, and by such practice becomes a conqueror of both worlds, so that all will go well with him in this world and the next, and at the breaking-up of the body after death, he will go to a good destination, a heavenly world.

What are the four defilements of action that are abandoned?

Taking life is one, taking what is not given is one, sexual misconduct is one, false speech is one.

These are the four defilements of action that he abandons.

What are the four causes of evil from which to refrain?

Evil action springs from craving, it springs from anger (ill will), it springs from ignorance (unknowing of true reality), it springs from fear.

If the Noble Disciple does not act out of craving, anger (ill will), ignorance (unknowing of true reality) or fear, he will not do evil from any one of the four causes.

And which are the six ways of wasting one’s substance that he does not follow?

Addiction to strong drink and sloth producing drugs (substances that cause heedlessness) is one way of wasting one’s substance, haunting the streets at unfitting times is one, attending fairs is one, being addicted to gambling is one, keeping unwholesome company is one, habitual idleness is one.

And how, Householder’s son, does the Noble Disciple protect the six directions?

These six things are to be regarded as the six directions.

The east denotes mother and father. The south denotes Teachers. The west denotes wife and children. The north denotes friends and companions. The nadir (down) denotes servants, workers, and helpers. The zenith (up) denotes Ascetics and Brāhmins.

Duties to Minister to the Eastern Direction

There are five ways in which a son should minister to his mother and father as the eastern direction.

(He should think:)

(1) Having been supported by them, I will support them.

(2) I will perform their duties for them.

(3) I will keep up the family tradition (craft/business).

(4) I will be worthy of my heritage.

(5) After my parents’ deaths, I will distribute gifts on their behalf.

And there are five ways in which the parents, so ministered to by their son as the eastern direction, will reciprocate:

(1) they will restrain him from evil,

(2) support him in doing good,

(3) teach him some skill,

(4) find him a suitable wife (life partner), and

(5) in due time, hand over his inheritance to him.

In this way the eastern direction is covered, making it at peace and free from fear.

Duties to Minister to the Southern Direction

There are five ways in which pupils should minister to their Teachers as the southern direction:

(1) by rising to greet them,

(2) by waiting on them,

(3) by being attentive,

(4) by serving them,

(5) by mastering the skills they teach.

And there are five ways in which their Teachers, thus ministered to by their pupils as the southern direction, will reciprocate:

(1) they will give thorough instruction,

(2) make sure they have learned what they should have duly learned,

(3) give them a thorough grounding in all skills,

(4) recommend them to their friends and colleagues, and

(5) provide them with security in all directions.

In this way the southern direction is covered, making it at peace and free from fear.

Duties to Minister to the Western Direction

There are five ways in which a husband should minister to his wife as the western direction:

(1) by honoring her,

(2) by not disparaging her,

(3) by not being unfaithful to her,

(4) by giving authority to her,

(5) by providing her with adornments.

And there are five ways in which a wife, thus ministered to by her husband as the western direction, will reciprocate:

(1) by properly organizing her work,

(2) by being kind to the servants,

(3) by not being unfaithful,

(4) by protecting stores, and

(5) by being skillful and diligent in all she has to do.

In this way the western direction is covered, making it at peace and free from fear.

Duties to Minister to the Northern Direction

There are five ways in which a man should minister to his friends and companions as the northern direction:

(1) by gifts,

(2) by kind words,

(3) by looking after their welfare,

(4) by treating them like himself, and

(5) by keeping his word.

And there are five ways in which friends and companions, thus ministered to by a man as the northern direction, will reciprocate:

(1) by looking after him when he is inattentive,

(2) by looking after his property when he is inattentive,

(3) by being a refuge when he is afraid,

(4) by not deserting him when he is in trouble, and

(5) by showing concern for his children.

In this way the northern direction is covered, making it at peace and free from fear.

Duties to Minister to the Nadir Direction

There are five ways in which a master should minister to his servants and workpeople as the nadir (down):

(1) by arranging their work according to their strength,

(2) by supplying them with food and wages,

(3) by looking after them when they are ill,

(4) by sharing special delicacies with them, and

(5) by letting them off work at the right time.

And there are five ways in which servants and workpeople, thus ministered to by their master as the nadir, will reciprocate:

(1) they will get up before him,

(2) go to bed after him,

(3) take only what they are given,

(4) do their work properly, and

(5) be bearers of his praise and good repute.

In this way the nadir is covered, making it at peace and free from fear.

Duties to Minister to the Zenith Direction

There are five ways in which a man should minister to Ascetics and Brāhmins as the zenith (up):

(1) by kindness in bodily deed (actions),

(2) by kindness in speech,

(3) by kindness in thought (intentions),

(4) by keeping open house for them, and

(5) by supplying their bodily needs.

And the Ascetics and Brāhmins, thus ministered to by him as the zenith, will reciprocate in six ways:

(1) they will restrain him from evil,

(2) encourage him to do good,

(3) be kind-hearted and compassionate towards him,

(4) teach him what he has not heard,

(5) clarify what he has already heard, and

(6) point out to him the way to heaven.

In this way the zenith is covered, making it at peace and free from fear.

(Reference: DN 31)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he explains a traditional ritual, through his own Teachings, that had been performed by the local people for many generations referred to as “Paying Homage to the Six Directions”. He essentially recasts this ritual to eliminate the ritualistic aspects of “Paying Homage to the Six Directions” and instead, guides and encourages Students to practice Teachings that will produce wholesome benefits for their life (i.e. wholesome Kamma).

Each direction identifies a different group of people whom a Practitioner should honor and respect.

The east identifies the parents or caregivers as these are individuals who bring us up and show us the world providing countless necessities to sustain our life. It is not easy to repay one’s caregivers for the tireless efforts they apply to help us come into the world getting started in the right direction with guidance and wisdom to improve our life.

The south identifies Teachers who share their knowledge to help us improve our life. Whether it be a school Teacher, a Teacher who shared a unique skill, or even a Teacher who is sharing these Teachings with you. Without Teachers who are willing to patiently share their knowledge, humanity would quickly crumble. It is only when we are polite, kind, friendly, and respectful to Teachers that we are then able to continue to see individuals willing to teach providing us with knowledge to improve our life.

The west identifies wife (life partners) and children as these are individuals who help to support us in our life providing motivation and encouragement to do wholesome deeds in the world.

The north identifies friends and companions as with good wholesome friends and companions, an individual can be influenced in wholesome ways to continue their journey towards the Enlightened mental state.

The nadir (down) identifies servants, workers, helpers (employees) as these individuals help one to accomplish their goals and objectives. With wholesome relationships between an employer and employees, the team can be predicted to create success and continue their success as a team.

The zenith (up) identifies Ascetics (Ordained Practitioners) and Brāhmins (Priests) who are the individuals that are taking the responsibility to lead a purified life then sharing The Teachings with Household Practitioners to be able to learn, reflect, and practice Teachings to improve their own life on The Path to Enlightenment. It is through having polite, kind, friendly, and respectful relationships with this group of individuals that a person can be predicted to continue to learn and develop their life practice through a strong foundation in these Teachings.

Gotama Buddha provides guidance for how we should practice virtuous behavior or wholesome moral conduct towards each of these groups of people and through doing so, one would accomplish wholesome outcomes (i.e. wholesome Kamma).

Through being impolite, unkind, unfriendly, or disrespectful to our caregivers, Teachers, life partners and children, friends and companions, employees, and those who share these Teachings, an individual would find it impossible to attain Enlightenment. An individual would struggle through life as they would not have the guidance needed to develop a solid foundation in these Teachings.

This Teaching from Gotama Buddha provides all of us basic virtuous moral conduct that can be practiced to ensure the best possible wholesome outcomes with all of these important groups of people whom we need in our life and rely on for beneficial results (i.e. wholesome Kamma).

Detailed explanation on practicing True Love: Love Without Attachment is available in Chapter 15 of this same book series found in the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment” (Volume 1).