A Good Friend

A trusted friend is the best relative.

----------

Ven Ananda (to the Buddha):

“Venerable Sir, friendship with the good, companionship with the good, inclination towards virtue can bring about half-fulfillment of the practice of the life of purity.”

The Buddha (replied):

“Don’t say so, Ananda; don’t say so Ananda! Friendship with the good can bring about complete fulfillment of the practice of the life of purity.

Indeed, Ananda, through me as a good friend, beings who are subject to rebirth escape from rebirth; beings who are subject to aging escape from aging; beings who are subject to illness escape from illness; beings who are subject to death escape from death; beings who are subject to grief, lamentation, pain, distress and anguish escape from grief, lamentation, pain, distress and anguish.

Having a good friend can bring about complete fulfillment of the practice of the life of purity.”

----------

Eight qualities of a good friend are:

- Confidence

- Morality

- Knowledge

- Generosity

- Diligence

- Mindfulness

- Concentration

- Wisdom

----------

Five duties of a good friend are:

- to be generous

- to speak with courteous

- to be helpful

- to be impartial

- to be sincere

----------

A Good Friend

- Gives what is difficult to give.

- Does what is difficult to do.

- Pardons what is difficult to pardon.

- Shares his/her private affairs to his/her friend.

- Hides private affairs of his/her friend.

- Does not leave a friend in trouble.

- Does not show disrespect to a poor friend.

- Is loveable and agreeable.

- Is reverential.

- Develops the heart of his/her friend.

- Gives advice.

- Accepts advice.

- Shares insightful and reflective thoughts.

- Does not encourage his/her friend to be involved in inappropriate acts.

:)

Shin Acara

----------

Ref:     - Dhammapada 204, Sukhavaggo, Kuddaka-nikaya

- Kalyanamitta-sutta, kosala-samyutta, Samyutta-nikaya

- Anguttara-tika, Anguttara-nikaya etc.

- Singala-sutta, Pathikavagga, Digha-nikaya

- Mitta-sutta, Anguttara-nikaya (3)

- Pathama-mitta-sutta, Anguttara-nikaya (7) 

- Ditiya-mitta-sutta, Anguttara-nikaya (7)

Picture from (1 June 2011): 

http://www.carmenguedez.com/greeting_cards/friends-painting-card.html