Dīghajāṇu Sutta
The Dighajanu Sutta, also known as the Byagghapajja Sutta or Vyagghapajja Sutta '', is part of the Anguttara Nikaya. For Theravadin scholars, this discourse of the Pāli Canon is one of several considered key to understanding Buddhist lay ethics. In this discourse, the Buddha instructs a householder named, a Koliyan householder, on eight personality traits or conditions that lead to happiness and well-being in this and future lives.
Text
Dighajanu seeks householder happiness
In this discourse, the townsman Dighajanu says to the Buddha the following:Happiness in this life
In response, the Buddha first identifies four traits conducive to happiness in this life:hard-working, being skilled and diligent in ones livelihood;vigilance, protecting ones wealth from theft and disaster;virtuous friendship, associating with and emulating those embodying faith, virtue, generosity and wisdom; and, balanced living, abstaining from womanizing, drunkenness, gambling and evil friendships.In this discourse, the Buddha describes wealth worthy of the householder's protection as being:
Happiness in future lives
Regarding four traits conducive to happiness in future lives, the Buddha identifies accomplishments in:faith, in the fully enlightened Buddha;virtue, as exemplified by the Five Precepts;generosity, giving charity and alms; and,wisdom, having insight into the arising and passing of things.This discourse ends with the following refrain:
Context
This discourse is one of the core texts in the Pali canon for understanding the Buddha's moral expectations of his lay followers.Right conduct
Bhikkhu Bodhi describes this discourse as one of "a number of texts dealing with different aspects of household life united by an emphasis on right livelihood". Bodhi identifies a common thread among such texts as being an emphasis on right conduct, as exemplified by adherence to the Five Precepts.In addition to the precepts, as in the Sigalovada Sutta, this discourse also warns against the dangers of libertinism and commends the keeping of good-hearted friends.
Understanding kamma
In suttas such as this one, Bodhi identifies a second common thread to what might be referred to as the pursuit of a kammic consciousness. Discussing the broader context of Buddhist ethics, Ven. Narada Mahathera states:In this sutta in particular such an awareness is underlined by Dighajanu's concern for happiness in ones future life. Bodhi notes:
Wisdom
Such a realization on the Buddhist path requires more than ethical business conduct. Narada comments:Likewise, in his discourse to Dighajanu, the Buddha identifies wisdom as the ultimate trait for a householder to nurture and embody.