AVOIDING THE TEN EVILS

  THE Buddha said: "All acts of living creatures become bad by ten

things, and by avoiding the ten things they become good. There are

three evils of the body, four evils of the tongue, and three evils

of the mind.

  "The evils of the body are, murder, theft, and adultery; of the

tongue, lying, slander, abuse, and idle talk; of the mind,

covetousness, hatred, and error.

  "I exhort you to avoid the ten evils: . Kill not, but have regard

for life. . Steal not, neither do ye rob; but help everybody to be

master of the fruits of his labor. . Abstain from impurity, and

lead a life of chastity. . Lie not, but be truthful. Speak the

truth with discretion, fearlessly and in a loving heart. . Invent not

evil reports, neither do ye repeat them. Carp not, but look for the

good sides of your fellow-beings, so that ye may with sincerity defend

them against their enemies. . Swear not, but speak decently and

with dignity. . Waste not the time with gossip, but speak to the

purpose or keep silence. . Covet not, nor envy, but rejoice at the

fortunes of other people. . Cleanse your heart of malice and

cherish no hatred, not even against your enemies; but embrace all

living beings with kindness. . Free your mind of ignorance and be

anxious to learn the truth, especially in the one thing that is

needful, lest you fall a prey either to scepticism or to errors.

Scepticism will make you indifferent and errors will lead you

astray, so that you shall not find the noble path that leads to life

eternal."