HOW TO CHECK & CORRECT OURSELVES
"For reflection, sir."
"In the same way, Rahula, bodily actions, verbal
actions, & mental actions are to be done with repeated reflection.
"Whenever you want to do a bodily action, you should
reflect on it: 'This bodily action I want to do — would it lead to
self-affliction, to the affliction of others, or to both? Would it be an
unskillful bodily action, with painful consequences, painful results?' If, on
reflection, you know that it would lead to self-affliction, to the affliction
of others, or to both; it would be an unskillful bodily action with painful
consequences, painful results, then any bodily action of that sort is
absolutely unfit for you to do. But if on reflection you know that it would not
cause affliction... it would be a skillful bodily action with pleasant
consequences, pleasant results, then any bodily action of that sort is fit for
you to do.
"While you are doing a bodily action, you should
reflect on it: 'This bodily action I am doing — is it leading to
self-affliction, to the affliction of others, or to both? Is it an unskillful
bodily action, with painful consequences, painful results?' If, on reflection,
you know that it is leading to self-affliction, to the affliction of others, or
to both... you should give it up. But if on reflection you know that it is
not... you may continue with it.
"Having done a bodily action, you should reflect on
it: 'This bodily action I have done — did it lead to self-affliction, to the
affliction of others, or to both? Was it an unskillful bodily action, with
painful consequences, painful results?' If, on reflection, you know that it led
to self-affliction, to the affliction of others, or to both; it was an
unskillful bodily action with painful consequences, painful results, then you
should confess it, reveal it, lay it open to the Teacher or to a knowledgeable
companion in the holy life. Having confessed it... you should exercise
restraint in the future. But if on reflection you know that it did not lead to
affliction... it was a skillful bodily action with pleasant consequences,
pleasant results, then you should stay mentally refreshed & joyful,
training day & night in skillful mental qualities.
"Whenever you want to do a verbal action, you should
reflect on it: 'This verbal action I want to do — would it lead to
self-affliction, to the affliction of others, or to both? Would it be an
unskillful verbal action, with painful consequences, painful results?' If, on
reflection, you know that it would lead to self-affliction, to the affliction
of others, or to both; it would be an unskillful verbal action with painful
consequences, painful results, then any verbal action of that sort is
absolutely unfit for you to do. But if on reflection you know that it would not
cause affliction... it would be a skillful verbal action with pleasant
consequences, pleasant results, then any verbal action of that sort is fit for
you to do.
"While you are doing a verbal action, you should
reflect on it: 'This verbal action I am doing — is it leading to
self-affliction, to the affliction of others, or to both? Is it an unskillful
verbal action, with painful consequences, painful results?' If, on reflection,
you know that it is leading to self-affliction, to the affliction of others, or
to both... you should give it up. But if on reflection you know that it is
not... you may continue with it.
"Having done a verbal action, you should reflect on
it: 'This verbal action I have done — did it lead to self-affliction, to the
affliction of others, or to both? Was it an unskillful verbal action, with
painful consequences, painful results?' If, on reflection, you know that it led
to self-affliction, to the affliction of others, or to both; it was an
unskillful verbal action with painful consequences, painful results, then you
should confess it, reveal it, lay it open to the Teacher or to a knowledgeable
companion in the holy life. Having confessed it... you should exercise restraint
in the future. But if on reflection you know that it did not lead to
affliction... it was a skillful verbal action with pleasant consequences,
pleasant results, then you should stay mentally refreshed & joyful,
training day & night in skillful mental qualities.
"Whenever you want to do a mental action, you should
reflect on it: 'This mental action I want to do — would it lead to
self-affliction, to the affliction of others, or to both? Would it be an
unskillful mental action, with painful consequences, painful results?' If, on
reflection, you know that it would lead to self-affliction, to the affliction
of others, or to both; it would be an unskillful mental action with painful
consequences, painful results, then any mental action of that sort is absolutely
unfit for you to do. But if on reflection you know that it would not cause
affliction... it would be a skillful mental action with pleasant consequences,
pleasant results, then any mental action of that sort is fit for you to do.
"While you are doing a mental action, you should
reflect on it: 'This mental action I am doing — is it leading to
self-affliction, to the affliction of others, or to both? Is it an unskillful
mental action, with painful consequences, painful results?' If, on reflection,
you know that it is leading to self-affliction, to the affliction of others, or
to both... you should give it up. But if on reflection you know that it is
not... you may continue with it.
"Having done a mental action, you should reflect on
it: 'This mental action I have done — did it lead to self-affliction, to the
affliction of others, or to both? Was it an unskillful mental action, with
painful consequences, painful results?' If, on reflection, you know that it led
to self-affliction, to the affliction of others, or to both; it was an
unskillful mental action with painful consequences, painful results, then you
should feel distressed, ashamed, & disgusted with it. Feeling distressed,
ashamed, & disgusted with it, you should exercise restraint in the future.
But if on reflection you know that it did not lead to affliction... it was a
skillful mental action with pleasant consequences, pleasant results, then you
should stay mentally refreshed & joyful, training day & night in
skillful mental qualities.
"Rahula, all those brahmans & contemplatives in
the course of the past who purified their bodily actions, verbal actions, &
mental actions, did it through repeated reflection on their bodily actions,
verbal actions, & mental actions in just this way.
"All those brahmans & contemplatives in the
course of the future who will purify their bodily actions, verbal actions,
& mental actions, will do it through repeated reflection on their bodily
actions, verbal actions, & mental actions in just this way.
"All those brahmans & contemplatives at present
who purify their bodily actions, verbal actions, & mental actions, do it
through repeated reflection on their bodily actions, verbal actions, &
mental actions in just this way.
"Thus, Rahula, you should train yourself: 'I will
purify my bodily actions through repeated reflection. I will purify my verbal
actions through repeated reflection. I will purify my mental actions through
repeated reflection.' That's how you should train yourself."
That is what the Blessed One said. Gratified, Ven. Rahula
delighted in the Blessed One's words.
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