Buddha's teachings to laity
Also called: Sigalovada Sutta · Topic: Buddhism, Jainism and Heterodox Traditions · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 4 "Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings"
Meaning
The Buddha did not teach only monks. He also guided the laity, meaning ordinary people living at home, such as kings and gahapatis (householders). He saw the social world as made by humans, not created by gods. So he believed it could be improved by fair and kind behaviour. His advice set out duties toward parents, teachers, wife, servants and renouncers. This advice is found in the Sutta Pitaka, in the text known as the Sigālovāda Sutta.
Example
The Buddha told the householder Sigāla to treat servants in five ways: give them work that matches their strength, supply food and wages, care for them when they are sick, share special food with them, and give them leave. He was also told to serve renouncers with affection in action, speech and thought, and to meet their daily needs.
Don't confuse with
- Vinaya Pitaka: these are rules for monks and nuns in the sangha. The Sigāla advice is moral guidance for householders.
Related concepts
- Four Noble Truths
- Dukkha
- Anicca
- Anatta
- Pratityasamutpada
- Middle path
- Eightfold Path
- Nibbana
- Sarnath
- Panchashila of Buddhism