Let’s study together thru the conversation of the students who really need to know about “Buddhism”

Alan : Porn, last time you talked about

            ten unwholesome actions and

            their effects.  What about

            wholesome actions, how are they

            classified?

Porn : Well, wholesome actions can be

            explained in two ways.  One way is

            by avoiding the ten unwholesome

            actions.  That is, avoiding killing,

            stealing, sexual misconduct and

            the rest.  The other way is by

            doing wholesome actions;namely

            generosity, good conduct,

            meditation, humility, service,

            sharing merit, rejoicing in others’

            merit, listening to the Dhamma,

            teaching the Dhamma, and

            straightening one’s own views.

Alan : So, there are ten wholesome

            actions altogether?

Porn: Yes, the second explanation is

            known as meritorious actions.

            These actions produce wholesome

            effects.  It is said in the Scriptures

            that generosity results in

            prosperity, listening to the

            Dhamma and meditation practice

            result in wisdom.  The wholesome

            actions have similar wholesome

            effects.

Alan : Doing good always brings good.

Porn : Yes, you are right.  The Buddha

            also said: As one sows, so shall

            one reap.

Alan : That sounds quite rational.

Porn : When one gets used to doing

            wholesome actions, one will not

            do otherwise for fear of evil

            effects.  Regarding the fruits of

            wholesome actions, Buddhism

            teaches us to pay attention to

            giving.  The more you give, the

            less selfish you become, at the

            same time you can help others

            and society.  The Buddha also

            said, “Giving brings friendship”,

            and “A giver is always beloved”.

            Generosity will bring you

            happiness in this life-time and

            it will result in wealth in your

            next life too.  Actually, if one

            was born wealthy, it is possible

            for him or her to avoid unlawful

            work or career.  Such a state

            should be conducive to a person’s

            moral behavior.

Alan : How can one avoid doing

            unwholesome actions and

            always do wholesome actions?

Porn : It is recommended that regular

            meditation practice and listening

            to the Dhamma will make us

            habitually do wholesome actions.

            These two activities will result in

            wisdom both in this lifetime and

            in the next. They will be conducive

            to our right view.  Consequently,

            we will realize what is right, what

            iswrong, what is wholesome or

            unwholesome, what we should

            do or should not do.  In short,

            we can always refrain from

            unwholesome actions.

Alan : You are saying that meditation

            practice is essential for everyone,

            aren’t you?

Porn : Yes, it’s a must.  Alan, for practical

            purpose, the ten wholesome

            actions have been divided into

            three ways of practice :

           - generosity,

            - morality and

            - meditation practice.

Alan : Porn, I think that everyone wants

            to be good.  The persons who do

            evil, maybe they are forced by

            certain circumstances or

            because of their ignorance.

Porn : This is why Buddhism teaches us

            to associate with a wise man and

            a good friend instead of fool or

            a bad person.

Alan : It’s not easy for the poor to have

            an opportunity to associate with

            a wise man or a good friend

            because most of them live in

            bad surroundings.

Porn : From my experience, I have

            found a lot of poor people who

            behave morally and lawfully.

            Conversely, I have found a large

            number of rich people live their

            lives immorally and unlawfully.

            However, the one who was born

            in a well-off family has a better

            chance to go good than those

            who were born in poverty.

            Buddhism teaches that what we

            have done in this lifetime will

            condition our future existence,

            do you remember that?

Alan : Yes, of course.  Does this mean

            that Buddhism believes in rebirth?

            Do you believe so?

Porn : Yes, certainly.  Alan, let me go

            back to the wholesome actions

            again.  I believe that habitual

            wholesome actions will protect

           the doers from unwholesome

           actions.  It is the same concept

            as there is no darkness in the

            brightness.

Alan : I think so. Porn, it’s been

            worthwhile talking about the

            Dhamma with you.

Porn : Thank you.

Thanks & Regards : AJ S. Srisopa (Cr. All Dhamma teachers)