Itivuttaka (2.31)
Unwholesome and Wholesome

Purport by Madhyama

The following verse is the actual utterance of Gotama Buddha recorded in the Buddhist Canonical text called Itivuttaka(2.31). It is a simple Buddha’s admonition but it is a golden pathway to be reborn in the heaven. Beginners in Buddhist practices  ought to commence his path of cultivation of Dhamma thus:

Having abandoned bodily misconduct
Verbal misconduct
Misconduct of the Mind
And whatever else counts as a fault
Not having done what’s not skillful
Having done much that is (skillful)
At the break-up of the body
The discerning one is reborn  into heaven

Purport:

‘Itivuttaka’ is the actual utterance of Gotama Buddha. It is the ‘Thus Uttered Discourses’ of Gotama Buddha. The number ‘2’ indicates the category of the ‘Group of Two’ discourses of the Buddha  whilst the second number ‘31’ indicates  the 31st discourse of the Buddha in the canonical text of Itivuttaka.

It is compiled and arranged like the format of the Numerical Discourses of the Buddha (Aṅguttara Nikāya) of the Tipiṭaka of the Theravāda tradition..

 This condensed discourse of the Buddha is actually the exposition of the Ten Wholesome Course of Actions ( Dasasīlas). The Dasasīlas incorporate three wholesome bodily kammas, four wholesome verbal kammas and three wholesome mental kammas. A practioner of the Dasasīlas are assured a rebirth into the heavenly realm of existence  upon death. The Dasasīlas are to be practised in the spirit promulgated by Gotama Buddha thus: Avoid evils and do Good. In the mundane or exoteric dimension, it is the preparation for rebirth into the heaven. In the supramunane or esoteric dimension,  it is the foundation or cornerstone  to the mental purification and self-actualization of the soteriological goal of Nibbāna. This exposition of the Buddha in verse is the exoteric or external dimension of Buddhism – kammatic Buddhism. It ought to be undertaken before the Buddhist practioners proceed with the esoteric or internal dimension of Buddhism- the Nibbānic Buddhism. The core of esoteric aspect of Buddhism is mental development or meditation (bhāvanā) culminating in the purification of the mind. The mind is purified when illusive Self or Ego has been annihilated by the development of Wisdom of Insight into things as they really are. Sentient beings do not perceive things as they really are.

The Ten Wholesome Course of Actions (Dasasīlas), promulgated by Gotama Buddha, are to be practised thus to maximize blessings:

1. Restrain oneself from the  destruction of lives and practice the virtue of lovingkindness and compassion  
2. Restrain oneself from taking what is not given and practice generosity or charity
3. Restrain oneself from improper sexual relations and practise blamelessness or shamelfulness
4. Restrain oneself from false speech and practise honesty and Truthfulness
5. Restrain oneself from backbiting and utter unifying speeches
6. Restrain oneself from harsh speech and utter gentle, caring speeches
7. Restrain oneself from gossiping and utter beneficial or constructive speeches
8. Restrain oneself from greed and practise liberality
9. Restrain oneself from hatred or anger and practise tolerance, endurance and patience
10. Eliminate delusion and develop Right View or Wisdom