The first decision to be made ... - Dhamma by Ajahn Jayasāro


The first decision to be made regarding a particular pleasure is whether or not to experience it at all. The criterion here is whether or not doing so will lead to harm to oneself or others, in the short or long-term. We may examine this question, for example, in terms of physical harm, mental harm, harm to relationships, harm to wealth and harm to reputation. Our bottom line as Buddhists is that we renounce any pleasure that would involve breaking our precepts. The second decision concerns to what extent a pleasure that passes the non-harm test may or should be pursued by one who is devoted to the Buddha's path of awakening. Some pleasurable experiences are more uplifting than others. As our time is short and unpredictable, it makes sense to give most importance to those pleasurable experiences that directly contribute to the basic sense of well-being that provides the foundation for effective Dhamma practice. These are, in short, to be found in the feelings of pleasure experienced through acts of generosity, feelings of pleasure accompanying the freedom from remorse, and sense of self-respect that arise from keeping precepts, and the joy and bliss arising through meditation.

The first decision to be made

Source:

https://www.facebook.com/jayasaro.panyaprateep.org/photos/a.318290164946343/1833061243469220/?type=3&theater