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Three Fires to Abandon and Three Fires to Honour
Everyday life

Three Fires to Abandon and Three Fires to Honour

Tayo aggī pahātabbā · tayo aggī sakkatvā

Three destructive fires that burn the mind, and three "fires" to tend with care — parents, family and dependants, and the virtuous.

6 points

In the Mahāyañña Vagga of the Book of Sevens, the brahmin Uggatasarīra prepares a great sacrifice, with hundreds each of bulls, goats and rams tied up for slaughter, and comes to question the Buddha. The Buddha answers that one who kindles such a sacrificial fire, even before killing, has already raised three knives — of body, speech and mind.

He then teaches that there are three fires to abandon — lust, hatred and delusion — and three fires to honour and tend well: the fire worthy of offerings (mother and father), the householder's fire (children, wife, servants and workers), and the fire worthy of gifts (virtuous ascetics and brahmins). As for an ordinary wood fire, at times it must be kindled and at times put out.

After hearing this, Uggatasarīra goes for refuge and releases all the animals to eat green grass, drink cool water and feel the cool breeze.

  1. 1

    The fire of lust Rāgaggi

    One overcome by lust engages in misconduct of body, speech and mind and goes to a bad destination, so this fire is to be abandoned, not honoured.

    Applying it in daily life

    Notice whether wanting leads you to do or say things you normally wouldn't. If so, this fire is burning.

  2. 2

    The fire of hatred Dosaggi

    One overcome by hatred engages in misconduct in all three ways, so this fire is to be abandoned.

    Applying it in daily life

    This fire spreads fastest. Cut off its fuel by stepping away from the conversation before you say something you can't take back.

  3. 3

    The fire of delusion Mohaggi

    One overcome by delusion engages in misconduct in all three ways without realising it, so this fire is to be abandoned.

    Applying it in daily life

    It is a fire without smoke — you can't see it burning. Periodically ask someone you trust how you've seemed lately.

  4. 4

    The fire worthy of offerings — mother and father Āhuneyyaggi

    Mother and father are the reason we are alive, so they should be honoured, respected and well cared for.

    Applying it in daily life

    Call or visit your parents without needing a reason, and listen to the stories they repeat all the way through. That is honouring the first fire.

  5. 5

    The householder's fire — family and dependants Gahapataggi

    Children, spouse, servants and workers should be well cared for and honoured, because their lives are bound up with ours.

    Applying it in daily life

    Pay wages on time and fairly, and speak respectfully to those who work for you. According to the discourse, this too is a form of worship.

  6. 6

    The fire worthy of gifts — the virtuous Dakkhiṇeyyaggi

    Ascetics and brahmins who refrain from intoxication and heedlessness, are established in patience and gentleness, and tame themselves, deserve to be honoured and supported.

    Applying it in daily life

    Support those who genuinely practise well. Look at their conduct, not their fame or amulets.

Try it in daily life

This discourse changes the question from "What ritual should I perform?" to "Whom should I care for?" The worship that truly bears fruit is caring for parents, for family and those who work for us, and for those established in Dhamma — not burning offerings or killing animals.

Try taking stock of your three fires this month: how much time have you given your parents? Are the people in your home and those who work for you treated fairly? Have you supported those who do good? Meanwhile, watch that the three destructive fires in the mind don't spread.

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