Section outline
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Lesson 3.5.3 Upālisuttaṃ, Part Two – How to Avoid Wrong Action
The core principle of sammākammanto (right action) is that avoiding negative acts paves the way for positive ones, leading to a life of peace and harmony. The chosen selection of the Upālisutta highlights this dual aspect of renouncing harmful deeds while performing wholesome ones. Everyone desires peace and happiness, a truth echoed in these rousing verses: "You should train yourself here in this world in sīla well, because based on applied sīla, everything can be achieved that is within our reach. Therefore the wise should protect sīla well who aspire the three kinds of happiness: Praise, attainment of prosperity and rejoicing in heavenly fields hereafter." Yet, from time immemorial, this world is teeming with examples that seem to demonstrate the opposite! It is the teaching of the Buddha that offers a way out!