| Matrimonial Discourses in Buddhism |
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At one time the Bhagava was staying near Rajagaha in ( the monastery of ) the Bamboo Grave. Now at that time, Singala (i.e the young Singala) the son of a householder, rising early in the morning, and having gone out from Rajagaha, worshipped with palms together the various directions, such as the East, the South, the West, the North, the Nadir and the Zenith.
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Then the Bhagava, having rearranged his robes in the morning, took his alm bowl and great robe and entered Rajagaha on his alm round. On seeing Singaha, the son of a householder, who had risen early in the morning and had come out from Rajagaha, worshipping with palms together the various directions, such as the East, the South, the West, the North, the Nadir and Zenith, the Bhagava spoke to him.
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The Buddha taught him how the noble disciple refrains from four acts of defilements. The four acts of defilements that the noble disciple abstains from are as follows;
1. The destruction of life
2. Stealing
3. Sexual misconduct and
4. Telling lies
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Those wrong ways of doing like killing, stealing telling lies and committing adultery are called the four acts of defilement and the wise never praise them.
The Buddha taught Singala on how the noble disciple covers the six directions. These six directions should be known that that the parents should be looked upon as the East because they are the first to do good to the sons and daughters. And the teachers should be looked upon as the South because they deserve to be honored. Wife and children are termed the West as they usually follow the husband. Friends are termed the North as one can overcome difficulties depending on friends. Servants and employees are termed the Nadir because they attend upon him at his foot. Samanas and brahmanas are termed the Zenith because they are in high position of benefactors.
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The Buddha continued teaching on how a son should minister to the parents as the Eastern quarter in the five ways. That is because my parents have supported me, I shall support them in turn; I shall manage affairs on their behalf; I shall maintain the honor and tradition of the family; I shall make myself worthy of the inheritance; and further more I shall offer alms on behalf of the departed parents. The fact of why the parents should be attended in these five ways as the Eastern quarter by their children is that they look after the children in five ways;
1. They restrain them from evil
2. they encourage them to do good
3. They give them education and professional training
4. they arrange suitable marriages for the children and
5. They hand over property as inheritance to them at the proper time
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In these five ways, children attend upon their parents and the parents look after their children in these five ways. It is thus that the Eastern quarter is covered and made safe and secure.
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This also means that the parents (the Eastern quarter) are guarded by five kinds of duty for children And the danger of the evil conducts with regard to the parents are dispelled. So the parents (the Eastern quarter) are in peace, safe and secure.
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See Also :
Mingala, some aspects of being auspicious
Mingalar Hsaung, the Marriage Ceremony
Some Legal Aspects of Marriage Under Myanmar Customary Law
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