Archives Dhamma 102
AllChoosing Virtuous Friends and AssociatesEmotional IntelligenceIntegrity in Conduct and the Principles of Wholesome SpeechMerit-Making and Unwholesome KammaMiscellaneousPrinciples of Decision-Making and Mental TrainingPrinciples of Self-Care in Times of Illness and the Preservation of One's PossessionsProfessional Advancement for Both Superiors and SubordinatesRespect and EmpathyThe Art of AdmonishmentThe Benefits of Propagating BuddhismThe Development of Good HabitsThe Development of Knowledge Alongside VirtueThe Resolute Cultivation of Wholesome ConductThe Role of the Family as a Kalyāṇamitta (Virtuous Friend) Toward Children
Do Not Deceive, Even in Jest
The Blessed One addressed the Venerable Rāhula thus: “Rāhula, just as an overturned vessel retains not even a drop of water within it — so too, Rāhula, one who lies knowingly and deliberately retains not the slightest vestige of goodness.…
One Who Deceives Is Capable of Every Manner of Wrongdoing
Saccā — truthfulness — is the quality of earnestness and sincerity, of straightforwardness and transparency, of unwavering consistency free from duplicity and moral crookedness. It is the expression of one’s true and essential nature, and it stands as the very…
A Person of Integrity Gives Their Utmost to All That They Undertake
One who possesses saccā — truthfulness and integrity of character — carries within their heart a simple yet unwavering principle: “Whatever one undertakes, one must perform to the very best of one’s present ability.” And yet, let it never be…
Focusing on Flaws Does Not Mean Finding Fault
The term focusing on one’s flaws is nowadays commonly understood to mean finding fault with others — but this is not its true meaning. Its full and original meaning is this: to set the mind in a state of loving…
What Causes a Nation to Prosper?
In certain countries, the people are genuinely committed to observing rules and regulations with great diligence. How have they trained their people to be this way? It is this: beyond observing the rules and regulations themselves, when they see others…
Using Criticism as an Instrument for Self-Examination
The Lord Buddha gave this admonition to the bhikkhus: if anyone were to speak critically — whether of the Lord Buddha Himself, of oneself, or of the community — His counsel was this: do not be hasty in anger. Instead,…
Nothing Can Uplift the Spirit as Swiftly as the Spoken Word
The elders and venerable ones have offered this reflection as a reminder for the cultivation of mindfulness: “When dwelling alone, guard well your thoughts; when dwelling among companions, guard well your words.” Even speech that is well-intentioned, when offered without…
Do Not Offer Counter-Counsel in the Same Moment
When a companion comes to admonish us, and we find within ourselves a matter we have likewise been wishing to bring to their attention — let this be firmly held in mind: one must not return counsel for counsel in…
It Is Out of Love That One Offers Counsel
Whenever another comes to admonish us — whether their counsel proves to be well-founded or mistaken, or even when we have committed no wrong yet they have misunderstood our conduct and come to warn us nonetheless — let us look…
