ABHIDHAMMA IN DAILY LIFE - Abhidhamma.com

Sincere wish is a mental factor; it is unlike greed because there is neither craving nor attainment
involved. It is merely a wish to do or to acquire which occurs prominently in all living beings.
When an infant has a desire to go to his mother, he will gesture with outstretched arms. The wish
to travel, to see, to eat, to touch, to know, to understand, all fall into the wish..
When one wishes to realize Nibbána, to become a great disciple, a chief disciple, a Buddha, a
King, a rich man, a Deva, a Brahma, a Bhikkhu, or hermit, to give charity, to observe precepts, to
do good deeds, etc. all such are wishes and aspiration. Of course, there are feeble and vigorous
degrees of will.
Those without an earnest wish to soar to great heights will not endeavor with due effort. In order
to instigate an earnest wish, we must first think of the beneficial outcomes of a certain endeavor.
Only when there is the incentive then there will be the propelling force that incites your effort.
Then we begin to realize that a desire cannot be fulfilled by merely wishing or praying. This
finally leads to diligent effort that will bear fruits.
Conclusion
May all readers of this book cultivate effort, and earnest faith of the highest degree on the
wholesome (kusala) path. May I spend my time always performing wholesome deeds with
wholesome will and effort in every future existence. May all my acquaintances be endowed with
goodwill moral desire and diligent effort at all times.
Consciousness influences the mind. So let no person lives in laziness, in forgetfulness. Instigate
yourself by strong will until you attain Nibbána. Every good consciousness can be developed in
your mind if you foster wholesome will.
5. 0 Chapter Five
Nature Character (Carita)
Or Habitual Conduct
In The Previous four chapters, we have explained the nature of mind (cittas) and consciousness
(cetasika). These two concerned with good or bad thoughts in our present lives, but also with
traits and predisposition accumulated in the past existences. Those who had accumulated good
traits are blessed with good mentalities in this present life. In addition, it is difficult to tame the
bad minds of those that had amassed bad traits in the past lives.
It is true that we can harness our bad predisposition by associating with the wise but once we are
parted from the wise and have our own way, we usually give in to the bad habits accumulated
from the countless past existences. We lose our morality when not in the company of the
virtuous just as molten wax hardens when deprived of heat. It is like straightening a dog’s tail
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