Exploring the Path - Pāli Course

Here, young man, a certain woman or man takes the life of living beings, is murderous, with hands full of blood, bent on violence and without sympathy for all beings. Because one undertakes and performs such kind of actions after the breakage of the body, after death one reappears in the lower fields, in states of suffering, perdition and hell. In case, after the breakage of the body, after death one does not reappear in the lower fields, in states of suffering, perdition and hell then one arrives in the human field, then wherever one appears, one will encounter a short life.

Such, young man, is the conduct that results in a short life: – one takes the life of living beings, is murderous, his hands full of blood, bent on violence, without sympathy for all beings.

Here, young man, a certain woman or a man rejects the killing of living beings, abstains from the taking of life. One dwells with stick and sword laid down, modest, feels sympathy for their welfare and compassion towards all living beings. Because one undertakes and performs such kind of actions after the breakage of the body, after death one reappears in the heavenly fields. In case after the breakage of the body, after death one does not reappear in the heavenly fields, then one arrives in the human field, then wherever one appears, one will encounter a long life.

Such, young man, is the conduct that results in longevity, that is – one rejects the killing of living beings, abstains from the taking of life and lives with stick and sword laid down, modest, feels sympathy for their welfare and compassion towards all living beings.

Here, young man, a certain woman or a man is harassing other beings with the hands, by stick, with stone or sword. Because one undertakes and performs such kind of actions after the breakage of the body, after death one reappears in the lower fields, in states of suffering, perdition and hell. In case after the breakage of the body, after death one does not reappear in the lower fields, in states of suffering, perdition and hell then one arrives in the human field, then wherever one appears, one will encounter a life full of illness.

Such, young man, is the conduct that results in a life full of illness: – one harasses other beings with the hands, by stick, with stone or sword.

Here, young man, a certain woman or a man stays away from harassing other beings with the hands, by stick, with stone or sword. Because one undertakes and performs such kind of actions after the breakage of the body, after death one reappears in heavenly fields. In case after the breakage of the body, after death one does not reappear in heavenly fields, then one arrives in the human field, then wherever one appears, one will encounter a healthy life.

Such, young man, is the conduct that results in a healthy life: – one does not harass other beings with the hands, by stick, with stone or sword.

Here, young man, a certain person (woman or man) is often prone to anger and annoyance. If corrected even a little, one gets equally angry, agitated, and obstinate and one rolls in anger, hatred and bitterness. Because one undertakes and performs such kind of actions, after the breakage of the body, one reappears in the lower fields, in states of suffering, perdition and hell. In case after the breakage of the body, one does not reappear in the lower fields, in states of suffering, perdition and hell then one arrives in the human field. Wherever one appears, one’s appearance will be ugly.

Such, young man, is the conduct that results in unsightliness: – one is often prone to anger and annoyance. If corrected even a little only one gets equally angry, agitated, obstinate and one rolls in anger, hatred and bitterness

Further, young man, a certain woman or a man is not prone to anger and annoyance. Even if criticised a lot one doesn’t turn equally angry, agitated, and obstinate and he does not roll in anger, hatred and bitterness. Because one undertakes and performs such kind of actions after the breakage of the body, one reappears in higher fields, in heavenly spheres. In case after the breakage of the body he does not reappear in higher fields, in heavenly spheres, then one arrives in the human world. Wherever one appears, one’s appearance will be graceful.

Such, young man, is the conduct that results in beauty: – one is not prone to anger and annoyance. Even if criticised a lot one does not turn angry, agitated, and obstinate and one doesn’t roll in anger, hatred and bitterness.

* Cūḷakammavibhaṅasuttaṃ: Cūḷa + kamma + vibhaṅa + suttaṃ: Short + kamma + explanation, determination + sutta.