[1]
One day
the Buddha came to Rahula, pointed to a bowl with a little bit of water in it,
and asked: “Rahula, do you see this bit of water left in the bowl?”
the Buddha came to Rahula, pointed to a bowl with a little bit of water in it,
and asked: “Rahula, do you see this bit of water left in the bowl?”
Rahula
answered: “Yes, sir.”
answered: “Yes, sir.”
“So
little, Rahula, is the spiritual achievement of one who is not afraid to speak
a deliberate lie.”
little, Rahula, is the spiritual achievement of one who is not afraid to speak
a deliberate lie.”
[2]
Then the
Buddha threw the water away, put the bowl down, and said: “Do you see, Rahula,
how that water has been discarded?
Buddha threw the water away, put the bowl down, and said: “Do you see, Rahula,
how that water has been discarded?
“In the
same way, one who tells a deliberate lie, discards whatever spiritual achievement
he has made.”
same way, one who tells a deliberate lie, discards whatever spiritual achievement
he has made.”
[3]
Again, he
asked: “Do you see how this bowl is now empty?
asked: “Do you see how this bowl is now empty?
“In the
same way, one who has no shame in speaking lies is empty of spiritual achievement.”
same way, one who has no shame in speaking lies is empty of spiritual achievement.”
[4]
Then the
Buddha turned the bowl upside down and said: “Do you see, Rahula, how this bowl
has been turned upside down?
Buddha turned the bowl upside down and said: “Do you see, Rahula, how this bowl
has been turned upside down?
“In the
same way, one who tells a deliberate lie turns his spiritual achievement upside
down and becomes incapable of progress.”
same way, one who tells a deliberate lie turns his spiritual achievement upside
down and becomes incapable of progress.”
[5]
Therefore,
the Buddha concluded, one should not speak a deliberate lie even in jest.
the Buddha concluded, one should not speak a deliberate lie even in jest.
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