Why Human Beings Are Seen to Be Unwholesome and Wholesome?

Then the Brāhmin Student Subha, Todeyya’s son, went to The Perfectly Enlightened One and exchanged greetings with him. When this courteous and friendly talk was finished, he sat down at one side and asked The Perfectly Enlightened One:

‘Master Gotama, what is the cause and condition why human beings are seen to be unwholesome and wholesome? For people are seen to be short-lived and long-lived, sickly and healthy, ugly and beautiful, uninfluential and influential, poor and wealthy, low-born and high-born, unwise and wise. What is the cause and condition, Master Gotama, why human beings are seen to be unwholesome and wholesome?’

Student, beings are owners of their actions, heirs of their actions; they originate from their actions, are bound to their actions, have their actions as their refuge. It is action that distinguishes beings as unwholesome and wholesome.

‘I do not understand in detail the meaning of Master Gotama’s statement, which he spoke in brief without expounding the meaning in detail. It would be good if Master Gotama would teach me The Teachings so that I might understand in detail the meaning of Master Gotama’s statement.’

Then, Student, listen and attend closely to what I shall say.

‘Yes, sir’ the Brāhmin Student Subha replied.

The Perfectly Enlightened One said this:

Here, Student, some man or woman kills living beings and is murderous, bloody-handed, given to blows and violence, merciless to living beings. Because of performing and undertaking such action, on the dissolution of the body, after death, he reappears in a state without basic necessities, in an unhappy destination, in perdition, even in hell. But if on the dissolution of the body, after death, he does not reappear in a state without basic necessities in an unhappy destination, in perdition, in hell, but instead comes back to the human state, then wherever he is reborn he is short-lived.

This is the way, Student, that leads to short life, namely, one kills living beings and is murderous, bloody-handed, given to blows and violence, merciless to living beings.

But here, Student, some man or woman, abandoning the killing of living beings, abstains from killing living beings; with rod and weapon laid aside, gentle and kindly, he resides compassionate to all living beings. Because of performing and undertaking such action, on the dissolution of the body, after death, he reappears in a happy destination, even in the heavenly world. But if on the dissolution of the body, after death, he does not reappear in a happy destination, in the heavenly world, but instead comes back to the human state, then wherever he is reborn he is long-lived.

This is the way, Student, that leads to long life, namely, abandoning the killing of living beings, one abstains from killing living beings; with rod and weapon laid aside, gentle and kindly, one resides compassionate to all living beings.

Here, Student, some man or woman is given to injuring beings with the hand, with a clod, with a stick, or with a knife. Because of performing and undertaking such action, on the dissolution of the body, after death, he reappears in a state without basic necessities, in an unhappy destination, in perdition, even in hell. But if instead he comes back to the human state, then wherever he is reborn he is sickly.

This is the way, Student, that leads to sickliness, namely, one is given to injuring beings with the hand, with a clod, with a stick, or with a knife.

But here, Student, some man or woman is not given to injuring beings with the hand, with a clod, with a stick, or with a knife. Because of performing and undertaking such action, on the dissolution of the body, after death, he reappears in a happy destination, in the heavenly world. But if instead he comes back to the human state, then wherever he is reborn he is healthy.

This is the way, Student, that leads to health, namely, one is not given to injuring beings with the hand, with a clod, with a stick, or with a knife.

Here, Student, some man or woman is of an angry and irritable character; even when criticized a little, he is offended, becomes angry, hostile, and resentful, and displays anger, hate, and bitterness. Because of performing and undertaking such action, on the dissolution of the body, after death, he reappears in a state without basic necessities, in an unhappy destination, in perdition, even in hell. But if instead he comes back to the human state, then wherever he is reborn he is ugly.

This is the way, Student, that leads to ugliness, namely, one is of an angry and irritable character, even when criticized a little, he is offended, becomes angry, hostile, and resentful, and displays anger, hate, and bitterness.

But here, Student, some man or woman is not of an angry and irritable character; even when criticized a little, he is not offended, does not become angry, hostile, and resentful, and does not display anger, hate, and bitterness. Because of performing and undertaking such action, on the dissolution of the body, after death, he reappears in a happy destination, in the heavenly world. But if instead he comes back to the human state, then wherever he is reborn he is beautiful.

This is the way, Student, that leads to being beautiful, namely, one is not of an angry and irritable character, even when criticized a little, he is not offended, does not become angry, hostile, and resentful, and does not display anger, hate, and bitterness.

Here, Student, some man or woman is jealous, one who is selfish, resentful, and feels bitter about the gains, honor, respect, appreciation, salutations, and veneration received by others. Because of performing and undertaking such action, on the dissolution of the body, after death, he reappears in a state without basic necessities, in an unhappy destination, in perdition, even in hell. But if instead he comes back to the human state, then wherever he is reborn he is uninfluential.

This is the way, Student, that leads to being uninfluential, namely, one is jealous, resentful, and feels bitter towards the gains, honor, respect, appreciation, salutations, and veneration received by others.

But here, Student, some man or woman is not jealous, one who is not selfish, resentful, and feels bitter about the gains, honor, respect, appreciation, salutations, and veneration received by others. Because of performing and undertaking such action, on the dissolution of the body, after death, he reappears in a happy destination, in the heavenly world. But if instead he comes back to the human state, then wherever he is reborn he is influential.

This is the way, Student, that leads to being influential, namely, one is not jealous, resentful and feels bitter towards the gains, honor, respect, appreciation, salutations, and veneration received by others.

Here, Student, some man or woman does not give food, drink, clothing, carriages, garlands, scents, ointments, beds, dwelling, and lamps to Ascetics or Brāhmins. Because of performing and undertaking such action, on the dissolution of the body, after death, he reappears in a state without basic necessities, in perdition, even in hell. But if instead he comes back to the human state, then wherever he is reborn he is poor.

This is the way, Student, that leads to poverty, namely, one does not give food, drink, clothing, carriages, garlands, scents, ointments, beds, dwelling and lamps to Ascetics or Brāhmins.

But here, Student, some man or woman gives food, drink, clothing, carriages, garlands, scents, ointments, beds, dwelling and lamps to Ascetics or Brāhmins. Because of performing and undertaking such action, on the dissolution of the body, after death, he reappears in a happy destination, in the heavenly world. But if instead he comes back to the human state, then wherever he is reborn he is wealthy.

This is the way, Student, that leads to wealth, namely, one gives food, drink, clothing, carriages, garlands, scents, ointments, beds, dwelling and lamps to Ascetics or Brāhmins.

Here, Student, some man or woman is stubborn and arrogant; he does not pay homage (respect) to one who should receive homage (respect), does not rise up for one in whose presence he should rise up, does not offer a seat to one who deserves a seat, does not make way for one for whom he should make way, and does not honor, respect, appreciate, and venerate one who should be honored, respected, appreciated, and venerated. Because of performing and undertaking such action, on the dissolution of the body, after death, he reappears in a state without basic necessities, in perdition, even in hell. But if instead he comes back to the human state, then wherever he is reborn he is low-born.

This is the way, Student, that leads to low birth, namely, one is stubborn and arrogant; he does not pay homage (respect) to one who should receive homage (respect), does not rise up for one in whose presence he should rise up, does not offer a seat to one who deserves a seat, does not make way for one for whom he should make way, and does not honor, respect, appreciate, and venerate one who should be honored, respected, appreciated, and venerated.

But here, Student, some man or woman is not stubborn and arrogant; he pays homage (respect) to one who should receive homage (respect), rises up for one in whose presence he should rise up, offers a seat to one who deserves a seat, makes way for one for whom he should make way, and honors, respects, appreciates, and venerates one who should be honored, respected, appreciated, and venerated.

Because of performing and undertaking such action, on the dissolution of the body, after death, he reappears in a happy destination, in the heavenly world. But if instead he comes back to the human state, then wherever he is reborn he is high-born.

This is the way, Student, that leads to high birth, namely, one is not stubborn and arrogant; he pays homage (respect) to one who should receive homage (respect), rises up for one in whose presence he should rise up, offers a seat to one who deserves a seat, makes way for one for whom he should make way, and honors, respects, appreciates, and venerates one who should be honored, respected, appreciated, and venerated.

Here, Student, some man or woman does not visit an Ascetic or a Brāhmin and ask: Venerable Sir, what is wholesome? What is unwholesome? What is blameable? What is blameless? What should be cultivated? What should not be cultivated? What kind of action will lead to my harm and discontentedness for a long time? What kind of action will lead to my welfare and peacefulness for a long time? Because of performing and undertaking such action, on the dissolution of the body, after death, he reappears in a state without basic necessities, in perdition, even in hell. But if instead he comes back to the human state, then wherever he is reborn he is unwise.

This is the way, Student, that leads to being unwise, namely, one does not visit an Ascetic or Brāhmin and ask such questions.

But here, Student, some man or woman visits an Ascetic or a Brāhmin and asks: Venerable Sir, what is wholesome? What is unwholesome? What is blameable? What is blameless? What should be cultivated? What should not be cultivated? What kind of action will lead to my harm and discontentedness for a long time? What kind of action will lead to my welfare and peacefulness for a long time? Because of performing and undertaking such action, on the dissolution of the body, after death, he reappears in a happy destination, in the heavenly world. But if instead he comes back to the human state, then wherever he is reborn he is wise.

This is the way, Student, that leads to wisdom, namely, one visits an Ascetic or Brāhmin and asks such questions.

Thus, Student, the way that leads to short life makes people short-lived, the way that leads to long life makes people long-lived; the way that leads to sickliness makes people sickly, the way that leads to health makes people healthy; the way that leads to ugliness makes people ugly, the way that leads to being beautiful makes people beautiful; the way that leads to being uninfluential makes people uninfluential, the way that leads to being influential makes people influential; the way that leads to poverty makes people poor, the way that leads to wealth makes people wealthy; the way that leads to low birth makes people low-born, the way that leads to high birth makes people high-born; the way that leads to unwise makes people unwise, the way that leads to wisdom makes people wise.

Beings are owners of their actions, Student, heirs of their actions; they originate from their actions, are bound to their actions, have their actions as their refuge. It is action that distinguishes beings as unwholesome and wholesome.

When this was said, the Brāhmin Student Subha, Todeyya’s son, said to The Perfectly Enlightened One:

‘Magnificent, Master Gotama! Magnificent, Master Gotama! Master Gotama has made The Teachings clear in many ways, as though he were turning upright what had been overturned, revealing what was hidden, showing the way to one who was lost, or holding up a lamp in the dark for those with eyesight to see forms. I go to Master Gotama for refuge and to The Teachings and to The Community of Monks. Let Master Gotama remember me as a Household Practitioner who has gone to him for refuge for life.’

(Reference: MN 135)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares the “cause and effect” relationship between actions that we perform and the results they generate.

These Teachings are not being shared to fear anyone into learning and practicing these Teachings but instead, explaining what true reality is, so that a Practitioner is then able to make improved decisions through improved wisdom.

Notice that The Buddha does not share a Teaching unless someone asks him a question. When asked, The Buddha shares the truth to help his Students acquire wisdom.

In this Teaching, The Buddha is sharing how “beings are owners of their actions, heirs of their actions; they originate from their actions, are bound to their actions, have their actions as their refuge. It is action that distinguishes beings as unwholesome and wholesome”. In other words, there is no action that we perform that does not have some result. And, we are unable to run and hide from that result, unwholesome or wholesome. All actions produce a result. Through the wisdom of these Teachings, Practitioners can discover the qualities of mind and actions that are unwholesome and those that are wholesome. It is one’s actions that determine if they are unwholesome or wholesome.

Essentially, all The Buddha’s Teachings are guiding one to deeply understand The Natural Law of Kamma and through that wisdom, one will make wiser wholesome decisions producing wholesome outcomes.

The Buddha explains how various actions lead to certain results. Keep in mind that there is no being or entity that is overseeing The Natural Law of Kamma. This natural law functions on its own without intervention or judgment by any being.

Rather than believing what you are learning in this Teaching, instead, reflect on what is being shared.

The Buddha is providing actions performed that have certain results.

Killing living beings results in a being having a short life span. Do not believe this but instead, look at the natural world around you to determine if this is truth or not so that you can acquire wisdom.

Have you or have you ever known anyone who has destroyed life repeatedly? Did it lead to a short life span? Perhaps you might think of individuals involved in all types of killing, not just killing that is considered illegal but all killing as The Natural Law of Kamma does not function based on societal laws created by humans.

Think of world leaders who, in the past, were dedicated to killing and look at the result of their life. Consider soldiers who are sent into battle. Think of the animal world such as snakes, lions, bears, etc., these animals generally have shorter life span than animals like elephants or turtles which do not kill for food.

Now, apply this same method of reflection on The Teachings to discover the truth on each individual Teaching shared by The Buddha, specifically those in this Teaching.

The Buddha shares that beings who injure other beings are sickly. Those who are angry and irritable are ugly. Jealous beings are uninfluential.

You can take time, effort, and energy to gradually investigate each aspect of these Teachings to reflect through looking at the world around you to determine if what The Buddha is sharing is the truth so that you can acquire wisdom. In this way, you are not believing these Teachings but instead, you are investigating them to independently discover the truth to acquire wisdom.

Remember, these Teachings are not to be believed but instead, one can learn, reflect, and practice to observe the truth for yourself.

Now that you have learned this Teaching, now it is time to reflect.

As you reflect on these Teachings and outcomes, one can come to the conclusion that The Buddha’s Teachings are the truth and with this new found wisdom choose to no longer make decisions that would include any of these unwholesome qualities while training the mind to practice the wholesome qualities shared by The Buddha. As you do, the condition of the mind and your life will gradually improve as more people will interact with you in wholesome ways because that is what you are doing, making wholesome choices to interact with people and conduct your life through the wisdom of these wholesome Teachings.

As you can see, The Buddha is not attempting to fear, guilt, or shame anyone into learning and practicing his Teachings but instead, sharing the truth of what will or will not happen in one’s life now and in the future should one continue to choose to make decisions to include any of these into your life practice.

His Teachings are not attempting to control anyone, because that is not possible. Instead, his Teachings are providing guidance based on the truth of The Natural Law of Kamma for one who chooses to learn, reflect, and practice this “better way of life” so that you can experience peacefulness, calmness, serenity, and contentedness with joy through not causing harm in the world so that, over time, no harm will come to you.