4. skillful action
the way now I understand is, skillful actions are those which atleast not agitate mind as a byproduct. as a child need some enforced rules from the parent like don’t touch that stove. but once child grew up he realize these rules were there to prevent certain harm. same way once we understand moral behavior skillful action becomes automatic and it became impossible to break five precepts.
there is no running away from cause and effect. you break moral principle and atlest you will face worry, guilt and remorse. and mind filled with affliction is like pot with dirt, no good meal can be cooked in that. so first we need to abstain from negative. which creates proper condition for positive. like not killing gives the rise to compassion and not stealing gives the rise to generosity. and ethical actions shift slowly from what we want to what will most benefit us and others. because when we are obsessed with our own desire, we are primarily motivated by hatred, greed, envy lust and whatnot.
the five precepts from buddha, and it is very important to understand these are not some religious practice but common sense to create stillness in mind -
not killing -
the inclination to harm or hurt someone generally arises out of hatred or fear. when we abstain from intentionally killing even the small beings our respect for life grows and we begin to act with compassion. but there is difference between killing and eating meat ( even though I am vegetarian ). the killing is intentional, well knowing act.
not stealing -
stealing is an expression of our greed and envy. not stealing means making an effort to be honest and to respect other peoples property. on the gross level stealing is easy to recognize. but on the subtle level it could be taking credit for someone else’s idea is also stealing. it is never good to feed the body at the expense of mind.
not engaging in sexual misconduct -
it is more than sexual misconduct it is abstaining form abuses of sense. all of the sense, and sexual misconduct is particularly damaging form sense abuse. sexual misconduct refers includes rapes and having sex against some one else’s wish by manipulating them. having sex with appropriate and consenting partner is not a misconduct.
all the technicality aside people gets into a lot of trouble because of their sexual desire. and the irony is lust can never be satisfied. but the question more often wandered is what’s wrong in having little fun ( atleast as long as they are appropriate and unmarried ). what’s wrong with seeking cheap thrill. but cheap thrill cheapen you and degrade your self worth. casual/confused sex is the easiest way to trap mind into craving and aversion cycle. and then their flipside rejection, embarrassment, frustation, jealousy, insecurity, remorse, loneliness and whatnot. the buddha compare it with lepers. the more your burn your wounds after that temporary release. it is going to get worse. but once you cured it. no power on earth will want a laper to burn himself. only once we understand the insanity of craving and short lived release of fire. what if we abandon the activities like cravings for any sense pleasure. self respect can grow at their place, leaving room for a spirited generous heart.
not using intoxicants -
again these are not some precepts that has to followed. understand how this affect peace of mind and make a common sense choice.
many people uses alcohol for many reason, young people wants to feel like grownups, shy people wants to relaxed and feel more sociable, a troubled mind wants to forget. but since when running solve the problem. it even cause you to loose your sense of decency, your moral principles. your respect in your own heart and in others eyes. you can very easily break other precepts and can crates all the conditions to suffer.
when an unwholesome intention remains a passing thought, you can live in peace but once you put it action, you can never live in peace. try to weight, brief pleasure a wrongful action may yield against the lasting suffering.