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Vol. 11 · pages 481–485

The Buddha and His Dhamma

This text was extracted automatically from the official PDF of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar: Writings and Speeches, so it may contain small errors. Always check the original page before quoting.

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462 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES he is ever thinking where is there dancing ? Where is there singing ? where is there music ? where is recitation ? where are the cymbals ? where the tamtams ? 13. “Six are the perils for him who is infatuated with gambling : as winner he begets hatred, when beaten he mourns his lost wealth, his actual substance is wasted, his word has no weight in a court of law, he is despised by friends and officials, he is not sought after by those who would give or take in marriage, for they would say that a man who is a gambler cannot afford to keep a wife. 14. “Six are the perils from associating with evil companions : any gambler, any libertine, any tippler, any cheat, any swindler, any man of violence is his friend and companion. 15. “Six are the perils of the habit of idleness : he says it is too cold and does no work, he says it is too hot and does no work, he says it is too early or too late and does no work, he says I am too hungry and does no work, he says I am too full and does no work. And while all that he should do remains undone, new wealth he does not get, and such wealth as he has dwindles away. 16. “A religion to be a religion of man must teach him to know who is a true friend. 17. “Four are they who should be reckoned as foes in the likeness of friends ; to wit, a rapacious person, the man of words not deeds, the flatterer, and the fellow-waster. 18. “Of these the first is to be reckoned as a foe in the likeness of a friend: for, he is rapacious, he gives little and asks much ; he does his duty out of fear, he pursues his own interests. 19. “A man of words who is not a man of deeds is to be reckoned as a foe in the likeness of a friend : For, he makes a friendly profession as regards the past, he makes friendly profession as regards the future, he tries to gain your favour by empty sayings, when the opportunity for service has arisen he avows his disability. 20. “The flatterer is to be reckoned as a foe V

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463 VINAYA FOR THE LAITY in the likeness of a friend: for, he both consents to do wrong, and dissents from doing right ; he praises to your face ; he speaks ill of you to others. 21. “So also the fellow-waster companion is to be reckoned as a foe in the likeness of a friend ; for, he is your companion when you frequent the streets at untimely hours, he is your companion when you haunt shows and fairs, he is your-companion when you are infatuated with gambling. 22. “Four are the friends who should be reckoned as sound at heart: the helper ; the friend who is the same in happiness and adversity ; the friend of good counsel ; the friend who sympathises. 23. “The friend who is a helper is to be reckoned as sound at heart : because, he guards you when you are off your guard, he guards your property when you are off your guard, he is a refuge to you when you are afraid, when you have tasks to perform he provides a double supply of what you may need. 24. “The friend who is the same in happiness and adversity is to be reckoned as sound of heart: because, he tells you his secrets, he keeps secret your secrets, in your troubles he does not foresake you, he lays down even his life for your sake. 25. “The friend who declares what you need to do is sound of heart; because, he restrains you from doing wrong, he enjoins you to do what is right, he informs you of what you had not heard before, he reveals to you the way of heaven. 26. “The friend who sympathises is to be reckoned as sound at heart; because, he does not rejoice over your misfortunes, he rejoices over your prosperity, he restrains anyone who is speaking ill of you, he commends anyone who is praising you.” Thus speaks the Exalted One. 27. “Instead of teaching him to worship the six quarters, a religion which is a religion of man must teach him to respect and revere his parents, his teachers, his wife and children, his friends and companions, his servants and workmen and his religious teachers.” V

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464 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES § 3. Vinaya for Children 1. “A child should minister to his parents saying: ‘Once supported by them I will now be their support, I will perform duties incumbent on them; I will keep up the lineage and tradition of my family, I will make myself worthy of my heritage.’ For, the parents show their love for him, they restrain him from vice, they exhort him to virtue, they train him to a profession, they contract a suitable marriage for him, and in due time they hand over his inheritance.” § 4. Vinaya for Pupil 1. “A pupil should minister to his teachers by rising from his seat, in salutation by waiting upon them, by eagerness to learn, by personal service, and by attention when receiving their teaching. For, teachers love their pupil, they train him in that wherein he has been well trained, they make him hold fast that which is well held, they thoroughly instruct him in the lore of every art, they speak well of him among his friends and companions. They provide for his safety in every quarter.” § 5. Vinaya for Husband and Wife 1. ‘ “A husband should minister to his wife by showing respect, by courtesy, by faithfulness, by handing over authority to her, by providing her with adornment. For, the wife loves him, her duties are well performed, by hospitality to the kin of both, by faithfulness, by watching over the goods he brings, and by skill and industry in discharging all her business. 2. “A clansman should minister to his friends and companions by generosity, courtesy and benevolence, by treating them as he treats himself, and by being as good as his word. For, his friends and familiars love him, they protect him when he is off his guard, and on such occasion guard his property, they V

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465 VINAYA FOR THE LAITY become a refuge in danger, they do not forsake him in his trouble and they show consideration for his family.” § 6. Vinaya for Master and Servant 1. “A master should minister to his servants and employees by assigning them work according to their strength, by supplying them with food and wages, by tending them in sickness, by sharing with them unusual delicacies, by granting leave at times. For, servants and employees love their master, they rise before him, they lie down to rest after him, they are content with what is given to them, they do their work well, and they carry about his praise and good fame. 2. “A clansman should minister to religious teachers by affection in act and speech and mind, by keeping open house to them, by supplying their temporal needs. For, religious teachers restrain him from evil, they exhort him to good, they love him with kindly thoughts, they teach him what he had not heard, they correct and purify what he has heard.” § 7. Conclusions 1. When the Exalted One had thus spoken Sigala, the young householder said this: “Beautiful, Lord, beautiful! As if one should set up again that which had been overthrown, or reveal that which had been hidden, or should disclose the road to one that was astray, or should carry a lamp into darkness, saying: They that have eyes will see ! Even so hath the Truth been manifested by the Exalted One in many ways. 2. “And I, even I, do go to him as my refuge, and to the Truth and to the Order. May the Exalted One receive me as his lay-disciple, as one who has taken his refuge in him from this day forth as long as life endures.” V

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466 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES § 8. Vinaya for Girls 1. Once the Exalted One dwelt near Bhaddiya in Jatiya Wood; and there Uggaha, Mendaka’s grandson, paid him a visit and, after saluting, sat down at one side. So seated, he said to the Exalted One: 2. “ Lord let the Exalted One accept a meal at my house tomorrow, he as fourth (with us three).” 3. The Exalted One accepted by his silence. 4. Then Uggaha, seeing the Exalted One had accepted, rose from his seat, saluted, and took his leave, keeping the Exalted One on his right. 5. Now when the night was over, the Exalted One, robing himself in the morning, took his bowl and cloak and went to Uggaha’s house, and there sat down on the seat made ready. And Uggaha served with his own hand and satisfied the Exalted One with plenty of food. 6. And when the Exalted One had removed his hand from his bowl, he sat down at one side. Thus seated, he said: 7. “ Lord, these girls of-mine will be going to their husbands’ families; Lord, let the Exalted One counsel them, let the Exalted One advise them, for their good and happiness for many a day !” 8. Then the Exalted One spoke to them and said: “Wherefor, girls, train yourselves in this way: ‘To whatsoever husband our parents shall give us—wishing our weal, seeking our happiness, compassionate— because of compassion for him we will rise up early, be the last to retire, be willing workers, order all things sweetly and be gentle voiced. Train yourselves thus, girls.’ 9. “ And in this way also, girls: ‘We will honour, revere, esteem and respect all who are our husband’s relatives, whether mother or father, recluse or godly man, and on their arrival will offer them a seat and water. Train yourselves thus, girls.’ 10. “And in this way also girls: ‘We will be deft and nimble at our husband’s home-crafts, whether they be of wool or cotton, making it our business to V