法苑珠林 20.39

20.39

又尸迦羅越六向拜經云。佛在世時有長者子。名尸迦羅越。早起洗浴著衣六方各向四拜。佛入王舍城。越遙見之。佛到家問之。何為六向拜。此應何法。越言。父在時教我不知何應。佛言。父教汝禮不以身拜。越便長跪言。願佛為我解此六意。佛言。聽之。其有長者黠人。能持四戒不犯者。今世為人所敬。後世生天上。一不殺生。二不偷盜。三不愛他人婦女。四不妄言兩舌。貪恚愚癡不能制此四意者。名為月暗。如月盡時光明稍冥。能自制惡意者。如月初生。其光稍明。至十五日盛滿時也。

Furthermore, the Sūtra on the Six Directions of Worship Spoken to Singāla says: When the Buddha was in the world, there was a householder's son named Singāla. Rising early, he bathed, dressed, and bowed four times toward each of the six directions. The Buddha entered the city of Rājagṛha, and Singāla saw him from afar. The Buddha arrived at his house and asked him, "Why do you bow toward the six directions? What practice is this supposed to correspond to?" Singāla said, "When my father was alive, he taught me to do so; I do not know what it corresponds to." The Buddha said, "What your father taught you was not to worship with physical bows." Singāla then knelt down and said, "I pray that the Buddha will explain these six meanings for me." The Buddha said, "Listen to this: If there is an elder or wise person who can uphold the four precepts without violation, in this life they will be revered by others, and in a future life will be born in heaven: first, do not kill living beings; second, do not steal; third, do not lust after the women of others; fourth, do not speak falsely or with a double tongue. If greed, hatred, and delusion prevent one from controlling these four intentions, it is called the dark moon: just as when the moon wanes, its light gradually dims. One who can control evil intentions is like the newly born moon: its light gradually brightens, until on the fifteenth day it is at its fullest."