3.3.7

Lesson 3.3.7 Ambalaṭṭhikarāhulovādasuttaṃ, Part Two – How to Train Oneself and to Confess Shortcomings to One’s Elders

In the second part of the Ambalaṭṭhikarāhulovādasutta the Buddha continues to advise his son, Rāhula. He stresses that not only past, current and intended actions need to be reflected on appropriately, in regards to their effect, but likewise all speech and thoughts. The Buddha especially emphasises the importance to reflect upon one’s mental states, all thoughts that enter the avenues of the mental processes, in respect to their potential profitable or unprofitable intention, i.e., the harm they would create for oneself, for others or for both. He concludes with some advice which has been an extremely wholesome practice in ancient times called ‘growth in the Noble One’s discipline’ (vuddhi ariyassa vinaye). This can be compared to confessing one’s sins to the priest in the Christian faith with some chastisement for reconciliation involved; here one proves insight into one’s misdemeanour — even if only mental — along with the expression of firm resoluteness to prevent any recurrence in future.