‘Well, Venerable Sir, how should one pay homage (respect) to the six directions according to the noble discipline? It would be good if The Perfectly Enlightened One were to teach me the proper way to pay homage (respect) to the six directions according to the noble discipline.’

Young Householder, it is by abandoning the four defilements of action, by not doing evil from the four causes, by not following the six ways of wasting one’s substance, through avoiding these fourteen evil ways that the Noble Disciple covers the six directions, and by such practice becomes a conqueror of both worlds, so that all will go well with him in this world and the next, and at the breaking-up of the body after death, he will go to a good destination, a heavenly world.

What are the four defilements of action that are abandoned?

Taking life is one, taking what is not given is one, sexual misconduct is one, false speech is one.

These are the four defilements of action that he abandons.

What are the four causes of evil from which refrain?

Evil action springs from craving, it springs from anger (ill will), it springs from ignorance (unknowing of true reality), it springs from fear.

If the Noble Disciple does not act out of craving, anger (ill will), ignorance (unknowing of true reality) or fear, he will not do evil from any one of the four causes.

And which are the six ways of wasting one’s substance that he does not follow?

Addiction to strong drink and sloth producing drugs (substances that cause heedlessness) is one way of wasting one's substance,