Buddhism EP. 11 : Ten Unwholesome Actions ???
There are three unwholesome actions of body, four of speech, and three of mind that must be avoided. http://winne.ws/n24995
Let’s study together thru the conversation of the students who really need to know about “Buddhism”
Alan : Porn, you said that in order to
avoid suffering, we have to refrain
from unwholesome actions.
In Buddhism, what actions are
considered unwholesome ?
Porn : Regarding unwholesome actions,
there are 3 types of actions:
body, speech and mind.
There are :
- 3 unwholesome actions of body
- 4 unwholesome actions of speech
- 3 unwholesome actions of mind
that must be avoided.
The 3 unwholesome actions of
body are:
1) killing
2) stealing
3) sexual misconduct.
The 4 unwholesome actions of
speech are:
1) lying
2) slander
3) harsh speech
4) gossip
The 3 unwholesome actions of
mind are:
1) covetousness
2) ill will
3) wrong view
There are 10 unwholesome
actions altogether.
Alan : Did the Buddha state the effect of
each unwholesome action ?
Porn : Yes, he did. His statements on the
effects of both wholesome and
unwholesome actions can be
found in many discourses. And
the general statement is
“doing good brings good,
doing evil brings evil”.
Alan : I agree with this statement.
But I saw some people who
benefited from their
unwholesome actions. How does
Buddhism explain these cases ?
Porn : Well, the effects of actions may be
evident either in the short term
or in the long term. The
manifestations of the actions of
kammas are traditionally divided
into 3 varieties :
1) in this very life,
2) in the next life,
3) only after several lives.
When kamma manifests its effects
in this lifetime, we can see its fruit
within a short time. But we
cannot see the long term effects
of kamma.
Alan : Who can know about them ?
Porn : Only the Buddha or His prominent
disciples who have highly
experienced insight meditations
are able to perceive the long term
effects of kamma. Therefore,
good Buddhists always believe in
and practice according to what
the Buddha taught.
Alan : Could you tell me about the fruit
of taking the life of a living being?
Porn : According to the Scriptures, the
fruit of killing can take various
forms such as
- rebirth in hell,
- living a shortened life,
- separation from loved ones,
- fear
- paranoia
- and so on.
The weight of kamma is modified
by these 5 conditions
1) persistent and repeated
2) done with great intention
3) done without sorrow
4) done towards persons with
extraordinary qualities
such as Buddha and the
arahants
5) done towards persons who
have been of benefit to us
such as our parents and
teachers.
Alan : I see. The fruit of killing a man
would be greater than an animal.
Porn : Yes, of course. A human-killer will
undoubtedly be reborn in hell.
For an animal-killer, if his or her
kamma is not weighty enough
to result in rebirth in hell, it will
result in unhealthy or shortened
life as a human being. It is
noticeable that the effect is
similar to the cause.
Alan : And what about the fruit of
stealing and sexual misconduct ?
Porn : Well, stealing is generally
motivated by greed or desire.
This action, stated in several
discourses, will lead to rebirth
as a hungry ghost. If it is not
weighty enough to result in that,
it will result in poverty as a
human being. And the actions
of sexual misconduct will, at least,
result in marital distress or an
unhappy marriage.
Alan : Most people often tell lies. What
about the fruit of telling lies ?
Porn : The effects of these unwholesome
actions are dependent on the
5 conditions mentioned.
However, there is a Buddha’s
saying: He who declares that
to have happened which
happened not, goes to hell.
Alan : Understanding the Law of
Kamma is quite useful.
Porn : Yes, it encourages us to refrain
from unwholesome actions and
try to do wholesome actions.
Thanks & Regards : AJ S. Srisopa (Cr. All Dhamma teachers)
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