Morality
087. THE SECOND PARAMITA
Sila (morality) means behaving well at all times, living according to ethical rules or precepts, restraint of the senses and passions, good manners, self-discipline, courtesy, consideration and politeness. Sila is also used as a general term for the daily practice of sustained awareness and mindful actions.
088. THE FIVE PRECEPTS
Most lay Buddhists undertake to abide by the Five Precepts, known as the “training rules” of Buddhism. The precepts are: “I undertake to abstain from taking life; I undertake to abstain from taking what is not given; I undertake to abstain from sensuous misconduct; I undertake to abstain from false speech; and I undertake to abstain from intoxicants as tending to cloud the mind.”
089. MORAL ROOTS
“As the wind blows down a shaky tree, so temptation overthrows him who lives only for pleasure, who is immoderate, idle and weak.”
THE DHAMMAPADA
090. THE PLACE TO LOOK
“Seek not good from without; seek it within yourselves, or you will never find it.”
EPICTETUS (55–135), GREECE
091. MORALITY IN ACTION
“The most important human task is the striving for morality in our actions. Our inner balance and even our very existence depend on it. Only morality in our actions can give beauty and dignity to life.”
ALBERT EINSTEIN (1879–1955), GERMANY/USA
092. ADVICE TO A YOUNG HOUSEHOLDER
The Sigolavada Sutta tells of a meeting between the Buddha and Sigola, a young householder. During their conversation, the Buddha gives Sigola detailed advice on skilful living. Among the Buddha’s lessons are the ways in which a man may squander his wealth, and their consequences.
093. THE SIX DANGERS OF DRINK
“Loss of wealth; increase of quarrels; susceptibility to disease; an evil reputation; indecent exposure; ruining your intelligence.”
THE SIGOLAVADA SUTTA
094. THE SIX PERILS OF ROAMING THE STREETS
“At unseemly hours, a man is unprotected and so are his wife, children and property; he is suspected of crimes; and false rumours are attached to his name.”
THE SIGOLAVADA SUTTA
095. THE SIX PERILS OF GAMBLING
“If the man wins, he is hated; if he loses, he mourns his loss; he loses money; his word has no weight in a court of law; he is despised by his friends and companions; and he is not sought in marriage, for he would make a bad husband.”
THE SIGOLAVADA SUTTA
096. THE SIX PERILS OF CHOOSING BAD COMPANIONS
“Any gambler, libertine, tippler, cheat, swindler or man of violence may become a friend and companion.”
THE SIGOLAVADA SUTTA
097. THE SIX PERILS IN IDLENESS
“A man says, ‘It is too cold,’ and does no work, or ‘It is too hot,’ and does no work. He says, ‘It is too early,’ or ‘It is too late,’ and does no work. He says, ‘I am hungry,’ and does no work, or ‘I am too full,’ and does no work. And while his work is not done, he makes no money, and such wealth as he has dwindles away.”
THE SIGOLAVADA SUTTA