Part 21 (1/2)

”What, however, is good? 5

”Abstaining from killing is good; abstaining from theft is good; abstaining from sensuality is good; abstaining from falsehood is good; abstaining from slander is good; suppression of unkindness is good; abandoning gossip is good; letting go all envy is good; dismissing hatred is good; obedience to the truth is good; all these things are good. 6

”And what, my friends, is the root of the good? 7

”Freedom from desire is the root of the good; freedom from hatred and freedom from illusion; these things, my friends, are the root of the good. 8

”What, however, O brethren, is suffering? What is the origin of suffering? What is the annihilation of suffering? 9

”Birth is suffering; old age is suffering; disease is suffering; death is suffering; sorrow and misery are suffering; affliction and despair are suffering; to be united with loathsome things is suffering; the loss of that which we love and the failure in attaining that which is longed for are suffering; all these things, O brethren, are suffering. 10

”And what, O brethren, is the origin of suffering? 11

”It is l.u.s.t, pa.s.sion, and the thirst for existence that yearns for pleasure everywhere, leading to a continual rebirth! It is sensuality, desire, selfishness; all these things, O brethren, are the origin of suffering. 12

”And what is the annihilation of suffering? 13

”The radical and total annihilation of this thirst and the abandonment, the liberation, the deliverance from pa.s.sion, that, O brethren, is the annihilation of suffering. 14

”And what, O brethren, is the path that leads to the annihilation of suffering? 15

”It is the holy eightfold path that leads to the annihilation of suffering, which consists of, right views, right decision, right speech, right action, right living, right struggling, right thoughts, and right meditation. 16

”In so far, O friends, as a n.o.ble youth thus recognizes suffering and the origin of suffering, as he recognizes the annihilation of suffering, and walks on the path that leads to the annihilation of suffering, radically forsaking pa.s.sion, subduing wrath, annihilating the vain conceit of the ”I-am,” leaving ignorance, and attaining to enlightenment, he will make an end of all suffering even in this life.” 17

XLVI.

AVOIDING THE TEN EVILS.

The Buddha said: ”All acts of living creatures become bad by ten things, and by avoiding the ten things they become good. There are three evils of the body, four evils of the tongue, and three evils of the mind. 1

”The evils of the body are, murder, theft, and adultery, of the tongue, lying, slander, abuse, and idle talk; of the mind, covetousness, hatred, and error. 2

”I exhort you to avoid the ten evils: 3

”I. Kill not, but have regard for life. 4

”II. Steal not, neither do ye rob; but help everybody to be master of the fruits of his labor. 5

”III. Abstain from impurity, and lead a life of chast.i.ty. 6

”IV. Lie not, but be truthful. Speak the truth with discretion, fearlessly and in a loving heart. 7

”V. Invent not evil reports, neither do ye repeat them. Carp not, but look for the good sides of your fellow-beings, so that ye may with sincerity defend them against their enemies. 8

”VI. Swear not, but speak decently and with dignity. 9

”VII. Waste not the time with gossip, but speak to the purpose or keep silence. 10