Early Monastic Buddhism v2.c38.s3.13

v2.c38.s3.13

Though there is no *Gahapativagga* in the *Dīgha Nikāya*, there are two *suttas* (*Lakkhaṇa* and *Sigālovāda*) which deal with the duties of a gahapati. In the *Lakkhaṇa-sutta*, the virtues or duties of a gahapati are mentioned though not in a systematic form, e.g., a good man should perform good deeds, restrain himself in body, speech and thought, be charitable, observe *uposathas*, take care of parents, Samaṇas and Brāhmaṇas,⁶ practise the four *saṅgahavatthus*,⁷ exert for others' good, both moral and secular,¹ approach Samaṇas and Brāhmaṇas for instructions,² never harbour any anger or hatred,³ try to bring about concord among quarrelsome persons⁴ and help others in increasing their faith, moral virtues, knowledge, charity, religiosity, wisdom, and secular possessions, look upon others with friendly eyes, never utter an untrue, malicious, harsh or useless word, or never cheat others, and so forth.