Indian Antiquary Vol 12

Author(s): Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 35

JANUARY, 1883.1 THE WHOLE DUTY OF THE BUDDHIST LAYMAN.
25
wander about the streets at night; he is your companion in theatre-going, he is your companion in dicing. The rapacious friend, the insincere friend, the friend who speaks only to please, and he who is a companion in vicions pleasures-recognizing these four to be false friends, the wise man flees far from them as he would from a road beset with danger.
These four, young man, are true friends-the watchful friend, the friend who is the same in prosperity and adversity, the friend who gives good advice, and the sympathizing friend.
In four ways the watchful may be known to be a true friend :-He protects you when you are off your guard; he watches over your property when you are careless; he offers you an asylum in time of danger; and when work has to be done, he gives you the means of doubling your wealth.
In four ways the friend who is the same in prosperity and adversity may be known to be a true friend :-He confides to you his own secrets; he faithfully keeps yours; he forsakes you not in trouble; and he will lay down his life for your sake.
In four ways the good counsellor may be known to be a true friend :-He restrains you from vice; he exhorts you to virtue; he imparts instruction, and points the way to heaven.
In four ways the sympathizing friend may be known to be a true friend :-He grieves over your misfortunes; he rejoices in your happiness; he restrains those who speak ill of you.
The watchful friend, the steadfast friend, the good counsellor, and the sympathizing friendrecognizing those four to be true friends, the wise man cleaves to them as the mother cleaves to her infant son.
The wise man endowed with righteousness, shines like a flaming fire. He who gathors wealth as the bee gathers honey, his wealth shall accumulate as the ant's nest is built up; and with wealth thus acquired he will bring no dishonour upon his family. Let him apportion his property into four, and so let him cement friendships. With one portion let him maintain himself; with two let him carry on his business; the fourth let him treasure up, it will serve him in time of trouble. But in what way does the disciple of holy sages guard the six quarters P Know, young man, that these are the six quarters. Parents are the east quarter, teachers are the
south quarter, wife and children are the west quarter, friends and companions are the north quarter, spiritual pastors are the zenith, and servants and dependents are the nadir.
In five ways, young man, a son should minister to his parents, who are the east quarter. He should say I will support them who have supported me, I will perform their duties, I will guard their possessions, I will make myself worthy to be their heir, and when they are gone I will pay honour to their memory. And in five ways the parents show their affection for their son. They keep him from vice, they train him in virtue, they provide him with a good education, they unite him to a suitable wife, and in due time make over to him the family heritage. And thus is the east quarter guarded and free from danger.
In five ways the pupil should honour his teachers, who are the south quarter: By rising in their presence, by ministering to them, by obeying them, by supplying their wants, and by attentively receiving their instruction. And in five ways the teachers show their affection for their pupil. They train him up in all that is good, they teach him to hold fast knowledge, they instruct him in science and lore, they speak well of him to his friends and companions, and protect him from danger in every quarter.
In five ways should the wife, who is the west quarter, be cherished by her husband. By treating her with respect, by treating her with kindness, by being faithful to her, by causing her to be honoured by others, and by furnishing her with suitable apparel. And in five ways the wife shows her affection for her husband. She orders her household aright, she is hospitable to kinsmen and friends, she is a chaste wife, a thrifty housekeeper, and skiful and diligent in all her duties.
In five ways should the honourable man minister to his friends and companions, who are the north quarter. By liberality, courtesy and benevolence, by doing to them as he would be done by, and by sharing with them his prosperity. And in five ways do they in turn show their attachment for their friend. They watch over him when he is off his guard, they watch over his property when he is careless, they offer him a refuge in danger, they forsake him not in misfortune, and show kindness to his family.
In five ways the master should provide for