Ep. 184 – Our Unskillful Actions: Doing More Good Than Bad
Oct 18, 2023
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Joseph Goldstein discusses the Buddha's teachings on avoiding unwholesome actions and performing good actions to purify the mind. He breaks down the different categories of unwholesome actions and explores the concept of meritorious actions. Goldstein emphasizes the wisdom in fearing danger and provides examples of wholesome actions. The podcast touches on motivation, compassion, and awakening, as well as the destructive power of covetousness. It also emphasizes the practice of generosity and the importance of wise attention.
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Quick takeaways
Avoiding unwholesome actions and performing good actions are fundamental teachings of the Buddhas.
Purifying the mind involves recognizing and transforming unwholesome mental states into wholesome ones.
Deep dives
Avoid what is unwholesome
The teachings of all the Buddhas emphasize the importance of avoiding unwholesome actions, performing good actions, and purifying the mind. The central aspect of the Buddha's teachings is to refrain from unwholesome actions that cause suffering to oneself and others. The Buddha outlined ten unwholesome actions, which include killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct. These actions are harmful and rooted in greed, hatred, and delusion. The Buddha urges us to carefully consider our actions, not letting them be automatic or habitual. By avoiding unwholesome actions, we can alleviate suffering and create a foundation for inner peace and happiness.
Perform good actions
In addition to avoiding unwholesome actions, the Buddha encourages the cultivation of wholesome actions. The main wholesome actions are generosity, morality, respect, service, listening to the Dhamma, and meditation. Generosity involves sharing our time, energy, and resources with others. Morality entails refraining from harming others through our body, speech, and mind. Respect involves valuing and honoring that which is worthy of respect. Service is the willingness to act for the welfare of others. Listening to and teaching the Dhamma allows for the purification of the mind and the generation of wisdom. Lastly, meditation supports the development of concentration and insight. By performing these wholesome actions, we create the conditions for happiness and cultivate a sense of well-being in ourselves and others.
Purify the mind
The purification of the mind is a crucial aspect of the Buddha's teachings. It involves recognizing and transforming unwholesome mental states into wholesome ones. The Buddha identified three unwholesome actions of the mind: covetousness, anger, and wrong view. Covetousness refers to the never-ending desire and dissatisfaction that prevents us from experiencing true contentment. Anger and hatred harm both ourselves and others and prevent the cultivation of loving-kindness and compassion. Wrong view, the misunderstanding of the law of karma, leads to unskillful actions and the inability to navigate through life with wisdom. By purifying the mind from these unwholesome actions, we can experience greater peace, clarity, and freedom.
The teachings of all the Buddhas
The teachings of the Buddha are timeless and universal. Throughout history, Buddhas have emphasized the importance of avoiding unwholesome actions, performing good actions, and purifying the mind. The teachings have remained consistent, pointing to the fundamental truths of suffering, the causes of suffering, and the path to liberation from suffering. The simple yet profound teachings of the Buddha call for deep self-reflection and mindful awareness of our actions, speech, and thoughts. By following these teachings, we can alleviate suffering, cultivate inner happiness, and strive towards awakening.
Joseph Goldstein dissects the Buddha’s most simple but fundamental lessons: to avoid what is unwholesome, to perform good actions, and to purify the mind.
This dharma talk, recorded on September 26, 1991, was originally published on Dharma Seed.
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In this talk, Joseph:
Acknowledges that even the most simple lessons are not easy
Breaks down the three unwholesome actions of the body, the four unwholesome actions of speech, and the three unwholesome actions of mind
Touches on the Hindu concept of punya, or doing meritorious actions to plant the seeds of happiness
Maintains that there is a wisdom in fearing danger
Provides us with examples of wholesome actions that we can perform
“Avoid what is unwholesome, perform good actions, purify the mind. This is the teachings of all the Buddhas.” – Joseph Goldstein