ABHIDHAMMA IN DAILY LIFE - Abhidhamma.com

human being". However, he could not complete his sentence. He uttered only one word "Na".
This man repented for having done unwholesome deeds.
The painful consequences of bad deeds do not wait to materialize in the future existences as in
the case of the four rich lads who said, "Du", "Sa", Na" and "So". In the present life too the
doers of bad deeds will be gnawed away by thoughts of their evil deeds. They will feel as if their
bodies are burning to the extent that they perspire profusely.
Don't Leave Room For Remorse
Example - Strive Hard While There Is Ample Time
Everyone has to acquire education, wealth, and merit according to ability and skill. For such
acquisition, opportunities and time are available only when one is young. If he has squandered
away the good opportunities and time, he will come to wreck and ruin. There is a saying, "Strike
while the iron is hot." The country folk say, "Sow the seeds when there is rain".
Even if you realize too late that you have not done meritorious deeds, you should not lament for
it. It is never too late to mend. Belated mindfulness is better than total neglect.
There is the story of an executioner who carried out death penalties during the time of the
Buddha. He served the king in this way until old age when he was unable to discharge his duty
and resigned from his office. The Venerable Sariputta happened to meet him when he was close
to death and preached the Noble Dhamma to him. However, the old man could not concentrate
on the Dhamma because there was too much a contrast between what unwholesome deeds he did
and the Noble Dhamma he was hearing.
Knowing the true situation, the Venerable Sariputta asked, "Did you execute the condemned
criminals on your own will or by the orders of the king" He replied: "I had to carry out the
commands of the king. I did not kill them on my own will". Then the Venerable Sariputta said,
"If so, is there offence" and continued his preaching. The old man began to think that he
seemed to be free from guilt and his mind became calm. While listening to the Dhamma, he
reached the stage of a Junior Stream-winner Culasotapanna) and he was reborn in the celestial
plane (Deva Loka) after his death.
Note: The old executioner, admittedly, had taken many lives. However, the Venerable Sariputta
had asked helpful questions to extinguish remorse. When remorse disappeared the old man was
able to concentrate his mind on the true Dhamma attentively and was reborn in the abode of
celestial beings. Taking lessons from this story, people should not regret for the evil deeds they
have done and the wholesome deeds they have not done, but try not to let fresh unwholesome
kamma to arise, and make effort to perform good deeds from the time they come to know of this
fact.
2.1.12. Sloth – (Thina) and 2.1.13. Torpor - Middha )
Sloth - Sluggishness (Thina) of mind and body, and torpor (middha) or dullness of mind and
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