How Buddha Taught (Part 3) - Rahula

How Buddha Taught (Part 3) - Rahula


One day, the Buddha visited his son, Rahula, in his cell.

Rahula received the Buddha with due honour, prepared a seat for Him, and brought water to wash the Buddha's feet.

The Buddha took the water little by little in a small vessel, pouring water on His feet with it.

He placed the small vessel upside down and asked Rahula,

"Is there any more water in this little vessel now?"

Rahula replied dutifully and respectfully,

"As the vessel is turned upside down, there is no more water left in it at all."

The Buddha nodded his head and smiled, saying to Rahula,

"Rahula, just as no water remains in a vessel that is upturned, not even a vestige of virtue will remain in a person who utters lies."





"For the person who transgresses in one thing, I tell you, there is no evil deed that is not to be done.

Which one thing?

This : Telling a deliberate lie.

The person who lies, who transgresses in this one thing, transcending concern for the world beyond;

There's no evil he might NOT do."

- The Buddha, Itivuttaka 25





"Easy to do are things that are evil and not beneficial to oneself,

But very difficult indeed, to do, is that which is beneficial and good."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 163





"There is no evil that cannot be done by the liar,

Who has transgressed the one law (of truthfulness)

And who is indifferent to a world beyond."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 176





"Guard against evil speech, control your speech.

Giving up evil speech,

Cultivate good speech."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 232






"Just as rust is formed from iron, and corrodes the iron from which it is formed,

So also, his own deeds lead the transgressor to a lower plane of existence."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 240





"He who destroys life, tells lies, takes what is not given, commits adultery, and is addicted to intoxicating drinks (and things), digs his own roots even in this very life."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 246 - 247





"One who tells lies (about others) goes to niraya (woeful state);

One who has done evil, and says, "I didn't do it", also goes to niraya.

Both of them being evil doers,

Suffer alike (in niraya) in their next existence."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 306