The Dighajanu Sutta (Pali ), also known as the Byagghapajja Sutta or Vyagghapajja Sutta ව්‍යග්ඝපජ්ජ සූත්‍රය, is part of the Anguttara Nikaya (AN 8.54). For Theravadin scholars, this discourse of the Pāli Canon is one of several considered key to understanding Buddhist lay ethics. In this discourse, the Buddha instructs a householder named, a Koliyan householder, on eight personality traits or conditions that lead to happiness and well-being in this and future lives.

Text

Dighajanu seeks householder happiness

In this discourse (Pali: sutta), the townsman Dighajanu says to the Buddha the following:

Happiness in this life

In response, the Buddha first identifies four traits conducive to happiness (Pali: sukha) in this life: In this discourse, the Buddha describes wealth worthy of the householder's protection as being:

Happiness in future lives

Regarding four traits conducive to happiness in future lives, the Buddha identifies accomplishments (sampadā) in: This discourse ends with the following refrain:

Context

This discourse is one of the core texts in the Pali canon for understanding the Buddha's moral expectations of his lay followers.

Right conduct

Bhikkhu Bodhi describes this discourse as one of "a number of texts dealing with different aspects of household life united by an emphasis on right livelihood" (Pali: sammājiva). Bodhi identifies a common thread among such texts as being an emphasis on right conduct, as exemplified by adherence to the Five Precepts. In addition to the precepts, as in the Sigalovada Sutta, this discourse also warns against the dangers of libertinism and commends the keeping of good-hearted friends.

Understanding kamma

In suttas such as this one, Bodhi identifies a second common thread to what might be referred to as the pursuit of a kammic consciousness. Discussing the broader context of Buddhist ethics, Ven. Narada Mahathera states: In this sutta in particular such an awareness is underlined by Dighajanu's concern for happiness in ones future life. Bodhi notes:

Wisdom

Such a realization on the Buddhist path requires more than ethical business conduct. Narada comments: Likewise, in his discourse to Dighajanu, the Buddha identifies wisdom as the ultimate trait for a householder to nurture and embody.