THE DISCOURSE ON
THE TEN WHOLESOME WAYS OF ACTION
Translated to
Chinese by the Tripitakacarya Sikshananda from Khotan
during the Tang Dynasty
Translated to
English by Saddhaloka Bhikkhu
Key'ed in from
hardcopy by TY with permission from publisher
(Yan Boon Remembrance Commitee in Hong Kong)
Thus have I heard. At one time, the Buddha
stayed in the palace of the Dragon King of the Ocean together with an assembly of eight
thousand great Bhikshus and thirty-two thousand Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas altogether.
At that time the World Honored One told the Dragon King saying:
Because all beings have different
consciousness and thoughts, they perform too different actions and as a consequence there
is the turning around in all the different courses of existence. Oh Dragon King, do you
see the variety of shapes and appearances in this meeting and in the great ocean, are they
not different from one another.
Thus among all of them there is none which is not made by the mind, whether it is brought
about by whole-some or unwholesome bodily, verbal, and mental actions, and yet the mind is
formless it cannot be grasped or perceived, but it is the unreal accumulation and arising
of all dharmas which are ultimately without owner, withoutI and mine. Although that which
is manifested by each (being) according to its actions is not the same, there is
nevertheless really no creator in these (actions). Therefore all dharmas are inconceivable
and inexpressible, their own nature is phantom like. The wise ones knowing this ought to
cultivate wholesome actions. Through this the aggregates sense-bases and elements that
will be given rise to, will all be upright and those who will see them will not grow tired
of them.
Oh Dragon King, when you behold the body
of the Buddha born from a hundred thousand of Kotis of merit, with all the marks adorned,
the splendor of its radiance covering the whole of the great assembly, even if there were
immeasurable Kotis of Ishvara and Brahma devas they all would not come again into
appearance.
Those who look with reverence at the
Tathagata's body how can they but not be dazzled. You again behold all these great
Bodhisattvas of marvelous appearance, dignified and pure. All this comes into being
entirely through the merit of cultivating wholesome actions. Again all the powerful ones
like the eight classes of devas and dragons, and suchlike they also come into being
because of the merits of wholesome actions.
Now all beings in the great ocean are of
course and mean shapes and appearances, they all whether small or large performed
unwholesome bodily, verbal, and mental actions out of all kinds of thoughts from their own
minds.
Thus is that each being receives its own
result according to its action.You ought to practice and to study constantly in this way,
and also to bring beings to a thorough understanding of cause and effect and to the
practice of wholesome actions. In this you must have unshakable right view and you must
not fall again into the views of annihilation and eternity.
As to the fields of merit you rejoice in
them, respect them and support them because of this you will also be respected and
supported by men and devas.Oh Dragon King you must know that Bodhisattva has one method
which enables him to cut off all sufferings of evil destinies. What kind of methods is
this? It is constantly, day and night, to recollect, to reflect on and to contemplate on
the wholesome dharmas so as to cause the wholesome dharmas to increase from thought-moment
to thought-moment, without allowing the least unwholesome thought to mingle in. This will
then enable you to cut off all evil forever, to bring the wholesome dharmas to completion
and to be constantly near all the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and other holy communities.
Speaking about wholesome dharmas, the bodies of men and devas, the Illumination of the
Shravakas, the Illumination of the Pratyekas, and the Highest Illumination, they are all
accomplished depending on these dharmas which are to be considered as fundamental.
Therefore they are called wholesome dharmas. These dharmas are the ten wholesome ways of
actions. What are these ten? They are the ability to give up forever killing, stealing,
wrong conduct, lying, slandering, harsh language, frivolous speech, lust, hate, and wrong
views.
Oh Dragon King, if one gives up taking
life hen one will accomplish ten ways of being free from vexations. What are the ten?
i. One give universally to
all beings without fear
ii. One always has a heart of great compassion towards all beings
iii. All habitual tendencies of hate in oneself will be cut off forever
iv. One's body is always free from illness
v. One's life is long
vi. One is constantly protected by non-human beings
vii. One is always without bad dreams, one sleeps and wakes happily
viii. The entanglement of enmity is eradicated and one is free from all hatred
ix. One is free from the dread of evil destinies
x. When one's life comes to an end one will be born as a deva
These are the ten. If one is one who is
able to turn-towards the Highest Perfect Illumination, one will later at the time one
becomes Buddha attain to the ability peculiar to the Buddha, to live as long as one
wishes.Again, oh Dragon King, if one gives up stealing then one will attain to ten kinds
of dharmas which can protect one's confidence. what are the ten?
i. One's wealth will
increase and accumulate and cannot be scattered or destroyed by Kings, robbers, floods,
fires, and careless sons.
ii. One is thought of with
fondness by many people.
iii. People do not take
advantage of one.
iv. Everywhere one is
praised
v. One is above the worry,
that one oneself could be injured.
vi. One's good name
spreads
vii. One is without fear
in public.
viii. One is endowed with
wealth, long life, strength, peace, happiness, and skill in speech, without deficiencies
ix. One always thinks of
giving
x. At the end of one's
life, one will be born as a deva
These are the ten. If one is one who is
able to turn towards the Highest Perfect Illumination, one will later at the time one
becomes Buddha, attain to the realization of the purified great illumination wisdom.
Again the Dragon King, if one gives up
wrong conduct one will attain to four kinds of dharmas which are praised by the wise. What
are the four?
i. All one's faculties are
tuned and adjusted.
ii. One is free from
turmoil and excitement.
iii. One is praised and
extolled by the world
iv. One's wife cannot be
encroached upon by anybody
These are the four. If one is one who is
able to turn towards the Highest Perfect Illumination one will later at the time one
becomes Buddha, attain the mastersign of the Buddha, of a concealed organ.
Again, oh Dragon King, if one gives up
lying then one will attain to the eight dharmas which are praised by the devas. What are
the eight?
i. One's mouth is always
pure and has the fragrance of a blue lotus flower.
ii. One is trusted and
obeyed by all the world.
iii. What one says is true
and one is loved by men and devas.
iv. One always comforts
beings with loving words.
v. One attains to
excellent bliss of mind and one's actions, speech, and thoughts are pure.
vi. One's speech is
faultless and one's mind is always joyful.
vii. One's words are
respected and are followed by men and devas.
viii. One's wisdom
is extraordinary and cannot be subdued These are the eight. If one is one who is able to turn towards the Highest Perfect Illumination, one
will later at the time one becomes Buddha, attain to the true speech of the Tathagata.
Again, oh Dragon King, if one gives up
slandering one will then attain to five kinds of incorruptible dharmas.
What are the five?
i. One attains to an
incorruptible body because no harm can be done to one.
ii. One gets an
incorruptible family because no one can destroy it.
iii. One attains to
incorruptible confidence because
this is in line with one's
own actions.
iv. One attains to an
incorruptible spiritual life because what one cultivates is firmly grounded.
v. One gets incorruptible
spiritual friends because one does not mislead or delude anybody.
These are the five. If one is one who is
able to turn-towards the Highest Perfect Illumination, one will later at the time
one becomes Buddha, gets a holy retinue which cannot be corrupted by any Mara or heretic.
Again, oh Dragon King, if one gives up harsh language then one will attain to the
accomplishment of eight kinds of pure actions. What are the eight?
i. One's speech is
meaningful and reasonable
ii. All that one says is
profitable.
iii. One's words are bound
to be truthful.
iv. One's language is
beautiful and marvelous.
v. One's words are accepts
(by others).
vi. One's words are
trusted.
vii. One's words cannot be
ridiculed.
viii. All one's words are
being loved and enjoyed (by others)
These are the eight. If one is one who is
able to turn towards the Highest Perfect Illumination, be endowed with the perfect
characteristic of the Brahma voice of the Tathagata.
Again, oh Dragon King, if one gives up
frivolous speech then one will attain to the accomplishment of the three certainties. What
are the three?
i. One is certain to be
loved by the wise
ii. One is certain to be
able to answer questions
with wisdom and according
to reality
iii. One is certain to
have the most excellent dignity and virtue among men and devas and one is without
falsehood.
These are the three. If one is one who is
able to turn towards the Highest Perfect Illumination, one will later at the time one
becomes Buddha, attain to the Tathagata's (ability) to predict everything, none (of the
predictions) are ever in vain.
Again, oh Dragon King, if one gives up
lust, then one will attain to the accomplishment of the five kinds of freedom. What are
the five?
i. Freedom of bodily,
verbal, and mental actions because one's six faculties are perfect
ii. Freedom as regards
property because all enemies and robbers cannot rob one.
iii. Freedom with regard
to merit because whatever one wishes one will be provided with.
iv. Freedom of being in
the position of a King, because precious, rare and marvelous things will be
reverently offered to one.
v. The things one will get
will surpass in excellency by a hundred times that what one is looking for, because
in times by-gone one was neither stingy nor envious
These are the five. If one is one who is
able to turn towards the Highest Perfect Illumination, one will later at the time becomes
Buddha, be especially revered in all three realms all (the beings of the three realms)
will all respectfully make offering to one.
Again, oh Dragon King, if one gives up
hatred then one will attain to eight kinds of dharmas of joy of mind. What the eight?
i. One's mind is free from
(the want) to injure and to
annoy (others)
ii. One's mind is free
from hatred
iii. One's mind is free
from (the desire) to dispute and to argue
iv. One's mind is gentle
and upright
v. One has attained to the
mind of loving kindness of a saint
vi. One is of a mind that
always acts beneficially giving peace to beings
vii. One's bodily
appearance is dignified and one is respectfully by all
viii. Because one is kind
and forbearing, one will be born soon in the Brahma World.
These are the eight. If one is one who is
able to turn towards to the Highest Perfect Illumination, one will later at the times one
becomes Buddha, attain to the mind of the Buddha that is free from obstacles. People will
not become tired of looking at him.
Again, Oh Dragon King, if one gives up
wrong views, one will attain to the accomplishment of ten meritorious dharmas. What
are the ten?
i. One attains to genuinely good bliss of
mind and
one gets genuinely good companions
ii. One has deep confidence in (the law
of) cause and
effect and one would rather lose one's
life than do evil.
iii. One takes refuge in the Buddha only
and not in
devas or others.
iv. One is of a straight mind and right
views, and
leaves behind the net of doubts about good
and evil
fortune.
v. One will not be born again in an evil
course of
existence but will always be born as a man
or deva
vi. Immeasurable blessings and wisdom will
increase
sublimely from turn to turn
vii. One will forever leave the wrong path
and tread
the holy path.
viii. The view of a personality will not
arise (in
one) and one gives up all evil actions.
ix. One will abide in unobstructed
understanding.
x. One will not fall into any difficult
conditions.
These are the ten. If one is one who is
able to turn towards the Highest Perfect Illumination, one will later at the time one
becomes Buddha, realize quickly all Buddha-dharmas and accomplish the mastery of the
higher spiritual powers."
At that time the World Honored One further
told the Dragon King saying:
"If there is a Bodhisattva who is
able to give up killing and harming, and practice giving, follow these wholesome actions
at the time he treads the path, he will therefore always be rich in wealth, without
anybody being able to rob him. he will have a long life and not die untimely,
and he will not be injured by any robbers or enemies.
Because he gives up taking what is not
given and practice giving, he will always be rich in wealth without there being anybody
who can rob him. He will be most excelling beyond comparison (in this respect), and will
be able to collect completely all the store of Buddha-dharmas. Because he gives up the
impure way of living and practices giving, he will always be rich in wealth without
anybody being able to rob him. His family will be virtuous and obedient. There will be
nobody who can look at his mother, wife, and daughter with a lustful mind.
Because he gives up false speech and
practices giving, he will always be rich in wealth without anybody being able
to rob him. Giving up all slandering he takes up the true Dharma. That which he does
according to his vows will certainly bear fruit.
Because he gives up speech hat causes
dissension and practices giving, he will always be rich in wealth without anybody
being able to rob him. His family will be harmonious and they (all the members of
the family) have the same aspirations and joys in common and will never unreasonably
dispute (with one another).
Because he gives up coarse evil speech and
practices giving, he will always be rich in wealth without anybody being able to rob him.
At all gatherings people joyfully accept him as their teacher. His words will be received
with trust without opposition.
Because he gives up meaningless speech and
practices giving, he will always be rich in wealth without anybody being able to rob him.
His words are not spoken in vain, but are received with respect by all people. He is able
and skilled in solving doubts and uncertainties. Because he gives up the greedy mind and
practices giving, he is always rich in wealth without anybody being able to rob him.
All he has he gives (to others) with kindness. His confidence is firm and his
understanding well grounded. He is endowed with great authority and strength.
Because he gives up the angry mind and
practices giving he is always rich in wealth without anybody being able to rob him. He
quickly accomplishes by himself the wisdom of the mind that is free from obstruction. All
his faculties are well dignified and all those who see him respect and love him.
Because he gives up the perverted mind and
practices giving, he is always rich in wealth without anybody being able to rob him.
He is always born in family which is possessed of right views, reverence and confidence.
He sees the Buddha, hears the dharma and supports the Community of Monks. He never
forgets or loses the great Illumination Mind.
These are the great benefits obtained by a
Great Being (Mahasattva), who at the time he cultivates the Bodhisattva path,
practices the ten wholesome actions and adorns them without giving.
Thus, oh Dragon King, I am summarising.
Because one adorns the practice of the ten wholesome ways of action with
morality, the meaning and benefit of all the Buddha-dharma can arise and the great
vows are brought to completion.
Because one adorns (the practice of the
ten wholesome ways of actions) which patience, one attains to the perfect voice of
the Buddha and all the marks will be lovely.
Because one adorns (this practice) with
effort, one is able to destroy the Mara enemy and enter into the store of
Buddha-dharmas. Because one adorns (this practice) with meditation, therefore mindfulness,
wisdom, shame, conscientiousness and calm will arise.
Because one adorns (this practice) with
wisdom one is able to cut off wrong views arising from discrimination. Because one
adorns (this practice) with loving kindness no (thought of) anger or harming will arise in
oneself towards any being.
Because one adorns (this practice) with
compassion, one will have sympathy towards all beings and will never get weary of and
indifferent to them.
Because one adorns (this practice) with
sympathetic joy, one's mind when seeing somebody cultivating the good will be free
from envy and jealousy.
Because one adorns (this practice) with
serenity, one will not have a mind that is neither attached to favorable circumstances or
that resents adverse circumstances.
Because one adorns (this practice) with
the four ways of helping (others), one will always be diligent in helping and
teaching all beings.
Because one adorns (this practice) with
the foundations of mindfulness, one will be able to be skillful in the practice of
the contemplation of the four foundations of mindfulness.
Because one adorns (this practice) with
the (four) right efforts, one will be able to cut off and remove entirely all unwholesome
dharmas. Because one adorns (this practice) with the (four) roads to power, one's body and
mind will always be calm and at ease.
Because one adorns (this practice) with
the five faculties, deep confidence will be firmly established, there will be unremitting
effort, one is always free from confusion and from delusion, one is at peace and well
balanced, and all the defilement will be cut off.
Because one adorns (this practice) with
the (five) powers, all enmity will be entirely destroyed and one cannot be harmed.
Because one adorns (this practice) with
the (seven) factors of illumination, one will always well awake to all dharmas.
Because one adorns (this practice) with
the Noble (eightfold) Path, one will attain to perfect wisdom which will always be
present before oneself.Because one adorns (this practice) with calm meditation, one is
able to wash away all the bonds and (latent) tendencies.
Because one adorns (this practice) with
insight meditation, one is able to know the self nature of all dharmas according to
reality.
Because one adorns (this practice) with
the means, one will quickly attain to the fulfillment of the conditioned and unconditioned
happiness.
Oh Dragon King, you should know that these
ten wholesome actions can lead up to the completion of the Ten Powers (of the Tathagata),
of the (Four Kinds of) Fearlessness, of the Eighteen Dharmas that distinguish (the Buddha)
and of all Buddha-dharmas. You should therefore practice and and train with
diligence.
Oh Dragon King, it is like the towns and
villages, they all depend on the great ground where they stand. All the herbs, grasses,
flowers, trees, and woods also depend on the ground for their growth. With these ten
wholesome ways of actions it is the same. All men and devas are established (in
their human and deva nature) depending on them. The illumination of all the Shravakas, of
all the Pratyekas, the way of the Bodhisattva, all Buddha-dharmas they all are attained
and come to fruition due to these ten wholesome great grounds. After the Buddha had spoken
this discourse, the Dragon King of the Ocean, together with the great assembly, all the
devas, asuras, and so on, all rejoiced greatly, received it with confidence and put it
reverently into practice.
---o0o---
Update: 01-12-2001
