Kinsmen of the Sun!
Young grief stricken Singala washed himself in the water among the crowd of yogis making their ablution. Quietly he waited for the dawn with the these Kinsmen of the Sun; and did his best to imitate their asanas. Sobriety and emotions made his body shudder.
“Householder’s son, why are you revering the quarters in this way?”
Singala replied, “Sir, on his deathbed my father said to me: ‘My dear, please revere the quarters.’ Honoring, respecting, and venerating my father’s words, I rose early and left Rajagaha; now with my clothes and hair all wet, I raise my joined palms to revere the various quarters—east, south, west, north, below, and above!”
“Householder’s son, that’s not how the six directions should be revered in the training of the enlightened ones.”
“But sir, how should the six directions be revered in the training of the enlightened ones? Please teach me this!” asked Singala.
The Sun’s early morning light warmed them; and the young yogi listened well as the Buddha explained; “Householder’s son, a noble disciple gives up the corrupt deeds of killing living creatures, stealing, sexual misconduct, and lying! They give up doing any bad actions out of desire, hate, delusion, or fear! They give up the drains of wealth — drinking alcohol, late nights, partying, gambling, bad friends, and laziness! When they’ve left those bad things behind and have the six directions covered — they’re practicing to win in both worlds, and they succeed in this world and the next. When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in a good place, a heaven realm.
These six directions should be recognized: Parents are the east, Teachers the south, Partners the west, Friends and Colleagues the north, Servants and Workers below, and Ascetics and Brahmins above. By honoring these quarters a householder does enough for their family!
The astute and the virtuous, the gentle and the articulate, the humble and the kind: they’re the kind who win glory! The diligent, not lazy, those not disturbed by troubles, those consistent in conduct, the intelligent: they’re the kind who win glory! The inclusive, the makers of friends, the bountiful, those rid of stinginess, those who lead, train, and persuade: they’re the kind who win glory!
Giving and kindly words, taking care here, and treating equally in worldly conditions, as befits them in each case; these ways of being harmonious in the world are like the spokes of a rolling chariot! If there were no such ways of being harmonious, neither party would be respected and honored for what they’ve done for the other. But since these ways of being harmonious do exist, the astute do regard them well, so they achieve greatness and are praised!
East! Children serve their Parents by supporting those who supported them, doing their duty for them, maintaining the family line/name, taking care of the inheritance, and when they have passed away - making an offering on their behalf! Meanwhile, Parents serve their Children by keeping them from doing bad, supporting them in doing good, training them in a profession, connecting them with a suitable partner, and transferring the inheritance in due time!
South! Students serve their Teachers by rising for them, serving them, listening well, looking after them, and carefully learning their profession! Meanwhile, Teachers serve their Students by making sure they’re well educated and well drilled in memorization, explaining all the knowledge of the profession, introducing them to their friends and colleagues, and providing protection in every area!
West! Partners serve their Spouses by treating them with honor, not looking down on them, not being unfaithful, relinquishing authority to them, and by presenting them with adornments. Meanwhile, Spouses serves their Partners by being well-organized in their work, managing the household, not being unfaithful, preserving the earnings, being deft and tireless in all their duties!
North! Cordial-people serve their friends and colleagues by giving, kindly words, taking care, equality, and not using tricky words. Meanwhile, Friends and colleagues serve Cordial-people by guarding their person when they’re negligent, guarding their property when they’re negligent, keeping them safe in times of danger, not abandoning them in times of trouble. and honoring their descendants!
Below! Bosses serve their workers by organizing work according to ability, paying food and wages, nursing them when they’re sick, sharing special treats, and giving time off work. Meanwhile, Workers serves their bosses by arriving to work first, leaving work last, not stealing, doing their work well, and promoting a good reputation!
Above! Laypeople serve Ascetics and Brahmins by performing loving deeds of body, speech, and mind, not turning them away at the gate, and by providing them with material needs. Meanwhile, Ascetics and Brahmins serve Laypeople by keeping them from doing bad, supporting them in doing good, thinking of them with kind thoughts, teaching them what they don’t know, clarifying what they have already learned, and explaining the path to heaven!”
Abridgment of Singalasutta DN 31