ABHIDHAMMA IN DAILY LIFE - Abhidhamma.com

6.6.2 a Comparison
Morality is more virtuous than Charity /We can compare the magnitude of joy felt by a recipient
of gifts and that of a man pardoned from death. The latter will surely be thousands of times far
more jubilant than the former. In the same way, the joy of condemned man who was pardoned
from capital punishment is vastly different. The former can in no way compare with the latter.
6.6.3 Abstinence from Theft (AdinnaCharity Virati)
People experience intense distress when their belongings are stolen or robbed. On a large scale
the ruling monarch and the royal family together with the citizens of a country feel very much
distressed when their land is invaded and conquered by others. The conquered country becomes
poorer and poorer because they cannot use their natural resources of their own land. So robbing
or stealing causes affliction and misery to the victims. If people refrain from stealing, this would
be riddance of such distress from this world. Therefore abstinence from stealing is a morality,
which frees all human beings from suffering and woe and creates physical as well as mental
peace.
6.6.4 Abstinence from Sexual Misconduct (Kamesu Miccha Cara Virati)
Ordinary worldlings (puthujjana) are usually fond of sensual pleasures especially the pleasure of
touch and bodily pleasure. No sensible person would share, let alone give away his source of
sensual pleasure i.e. his spouse. Every man is very much attached to his better half, and is never
hesitant to defend her fiercely. He might be able to tolerate loss of material property to a certain
extent, but not the least misdemeanor on his wife. Therefore to abstain from sexual misconduct
(adultery) means abstaining from causing pain and suffering to other people. Abstinence from
adultery or sexual transgression will thus bring peace and calm to everyone living in this world.
6.6.5 Abstinence from Lying (Musavada Virati)
Those who have the experience of being cheated, swindled or told lies will suffer from some
form of wrath, though somewhat subtle. The adverse effects of being cheated are obvious. Some
liars are so well versed in their trade that they can even cheat the whole country. Today, many
sectarian leaders propagate their faith professing it the absolute truth. Therefore millions of
people are led astray from lying therefore amounts to protecting people from suffering.
6.6.6 Abstinence from Taking Intoxicants (Surapana Virati)
One who consumes some form of intoxicant will of course suffer from ill effects in his next
existences. However, if he just drinks by himself and causes no harm to others it is tolerable.
Most drinkers drink alcoholic beverages. When they are drunk they will not hesitate to breach
the other precepts. They are willing to quarrel, to kill, to steal to tell lies. Just as a ringleader will
not commit any criminal offences himself, but make his gangsters do the evil deeds, alcohol or
intoxicants cause addicts to commit atrocities without restraints. They would hesitate to commit
murder, rape, arson, theft, etc. Becoming a chronic alcoholic means following the path of
abandonment and causing suffering to one's immediate family. Later this alcoholic causes misery
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