A Manual of the Dhamma

Cultivating A Skilful Attitude Having answered the thirteen questions, I will give an admonition so that the right attitude and

Which is the Best Offering? “Of the two types of donation, offerings to the Saṅgha and offerings to the Enlightened

What Are the Factors of Saṅghikadāna? “What are the factors of offerings made to the whole Saṅgha (Saṅghikadāna)? How can

What Are the Effects of Transgressing Morality? “Among the four purifying moralities, what are the bad effects if a monk

The Four Purifying Moralities “Kindly give the detailed factors or characteristics of each of the four purifying moralities (pārisuddhi sīla).

Mixed Kammas Give Mixed Results As mentioned earlier, one who does deeds with mixed motives gets mixed results. Due to

Should Lay Persons Learn the Vinaya? “Should lay persons learn the Vinaya? Does this agree with the Maṅgala Dhamma that

Can A Shameless Monk Become Scrupulous? “If a shameless monk becomes afraid of suffering in saṃsāra, or if he acquires

The Dhamma Saṃvega Method of Blaming We have given guidelines for correct criticism of shameless or immoral persons without personal

Attack Only Unwholesome States One should blame and criticise unwholesome states as follows: greed is shameful, filthy, wicked, degrading, coarse,

The Most Urgent Task Today, every ordinary person possesses the five mental hindrances to a great extent. Due to their

What is Stable Morality? The moral conduct that culminates in the attainment of path consciousness is called stable morality. Morality

The Folly of Ignorant Persons Common, superficial, and temporary morality must not be overvalued, since it is unstable, and not

The Essence of the Tipiṭaka There are only three essential points in the Tipiṭaka: The higher training in morality (adhisīlasikkhā).

Criticising in General Terms To criticise in general terms, without reference to anyone in particular, is exposing of faults. One

Four Beings Worthy of Respect One must show respect to a poisonous snake, a monarch with his retinue, a monk

Should One Worship Shameless and Immoral Monks? “Should a person, knowing a monk to be shameless or immoral, pay respect

The Wisdom of King Saddhātissa Once, King Saddhātissa, knowing a monk to be shameless, controlled his mind and reformed his

The Profundity of the Vinaya How deep and subtle the Vinaya is can be understood from the following examples. A