Sigālovāda Sutta
The Sigālovāda Sutta, ‘The Discourse of Advice to Sigala’ from the Dīgha Nikāya, is the fullest and most important exposition of the Buddha’s social teachings (D.I,180-193). In it he details what might be called his ethics of human relationships. The relationships dealt with are all the most important ones in most people’s lives – children and parents, teachers and disciples, husbands and wives, friends and friends, employers and employees and the clergy and laity. The purpose of the advice and guidance he gave, the Buddha said, was to promote security, harmony and freedom from fear (khemā appaṭibhāya). Of these relationships, the one the Buddha gave most attention to is that between friends, probably because ideally, all the relationships one has with people should gradually develop into friendships.
