Lessons In Practical Buddhism - Sirimangalo.Org

mind-states, we will constantly return to evil deeds and the
guilt and remorse that follow. Based on such guilt, we
reaffirm our belief in self and the self-hatred that goes along
with it. Once we develop clear understanding of reality, we
will realize that our past deeds are done and gone and that
there is no self that carries the guilt, only the impersonal
repercussions that need not be a cause for further
defilement. We will come to understand the impersonal
nature of both the evil deeds and their results and will lose
all inclination for and attachment to either. Until such
realization comes to us, however, we are all faced with the
danger of both evil deeds themselves and the remorse that
comes along with them.
The danger of receiving blame from others is equally
frightening as long as we cling to the idea of self. It’s easier
to blame others for their bad deeds than to see one’s own
faults; even those who hate themselves will try their best to
hide their faults and make effort to criticize the faults of
others to avoid attention to their own. Often it makes us feel
better about ourselves to know that others are on the same
level. As for those who hold themselves higher than others,
they will use their poor judgement of others as a means of
supporting their own feelings of superiority. Such people
delight in finding fault in others for the slightest offense, or
even for a non-offense.
Again, in the Dhammapada, the Buddha reminds us:
sudassaṃ vajjamaññesaṃ, attano pana duddasaṃ.
paresaṃ hi so vajjāni, opunāti yathā bhusaṃ.
attano pana chādeti, kaliṃva kitavā saṭho.
Easily seen are the faults of others; one’s own faults,
however, are hard to see.
For others one winnows their faults like chaff;
one’s own, though, one hides as a deceitful cheat hides
unlucky dice
– Dhp 252
This sort of activity is common among those who have never
taken up the practice of meditation, and the stress and
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