Buddha's Teaching : The Path of Virtue

The Path of Virtue

• The Buddha once explained to the Pariv-rajakas the Path of Virtue.
• He told them that the path of virtue meant the observance of the virtues called : 

(1) Sila; 
(2) Dana;
(3) Uppekha; 
(4) Nekkhama; 
(5) Virya; 
(6) Khanti; 
(7) Succa; 
(8) Adhithana ; 
(9) Karuna ; and 
(10)Maitri.

• The Parivrajakas asked the Buddha to tell them what these virtues meant.
• The Buddha then proceeded to satisfy their desire.
• " Sila is moral temperament, the disposition not to do evil and the disposition to do good ; to be ashamed of doing wrong. To avoid to do evil for fear of punishment is Sila, Sila means fear of doing wrong.
• " Nekkhama is renunciation of the pleasures of the world.
• " Dana means the giving of one's possessions, blood and limbs and even one's life, for the good of others without expecting anything in return.
• " Virya is right endeavour. It is doing with all your might whatever you have undertaken to do with never a thought of turning back, whatever you have undertaken to do.
• " Khanti is forbearance. Not to meet hatred by hatred is the essence of it. For hatred is not appeased by hatred. It is appeased only by forbearance.
• " Succa is truth. A person must never tell a lie. His speech must be truth and nothing but truth.
• " Adhithana is resolute determination to reach the goal.
• " Karuna is loving kindness to human beings.
• " Maitri is extending fellow feeling to all beings, not only to one who is a friend but also to one who is a foe : not only to man but to all living beings.
• " Upekka is detachment as distinguished from indifference. It is a state of mind where there is neither like nor dislike. Remaining unmoved by the result and yet engaged in the pursuit of it.
• "These virtues one must practice to his utmost capacity. 
• That is why they are called Paramitas (States of Perfection).