Ambalattika Rahulowada Sutta (Summary)

Whenever you want to do a bodily action, you should reflect on it:

“This bodily action that I want to do, would it leads to self-affliction, to the afflictions of others, or to both? Would it be an unskillful bodily action with painful consequences and painful results?”

If on reflection you know that it would lead to self-affliction, to the affliction of others, or to both and it would be an unskillful bodily action of that sort is absolutely unfit for you to do. But if on reflection you know that it would not cause self-affliction, would not lead to affliction of others, or to both and it would be a skillful bodily action with pleasant consequences and pleasant results, then any bodily action of that sort is fit for you to do.

While you are doing a bodily action, you should reflect on it:

“This bodily action that I am doing, is it leading to self-affliction, to the afflictions of others, or to both? Is it an unskillful bodily action with painful consequences and painful results?”

If on reflection you know that it is leading to self-affliction, to the affliction of others, or to both and it is an unskillful bodily action of that sort is absolutely you should give-up. But if on reflection you know that it is not causing self-affliction, is not leading to affliction of others, or to both and it is a skillful bodily action with pleasant consequences and pleasant results, you may continue with it.

Having done a bodily action, you should reflect on it:

“This bodily action that I have done, did it leading to self-affliction, to the afflictions of others, or to both? Was it an unskillful bodily action with painful consequences and painful results?”

If on reflection you know that it led to self-affliction, to the affliction of others, or to both and it was an unskillful bodily action that you should confess it, reveal it, lay it open to the Teacher or a knowledgeable companion in the holy life. Having confessed it you should you should exercise restraint on the future. But if on reflection you know that it did not not cause self-affliction, did not led to affliction of others, or to both and it was a skillful bodily action with pleasant consequences and pleasant results, then you should stay mentally refreshed and joyful, training day and night in skillful mental qualities.