Downfall of Man

Downfall of Man


The following are the conditions which The Buddha lists down as the causes of a man's downfall :


The 10 Causes of a man's Downfall

1) He who loves The Dhamma progresses; He who is averse to it, declines.


2) The wicked/evil are dear to him, With the virtuous he finds no delight; He who prefers the creed of the wicked, such is his decline.


3) Fond of sleep, Fond of company, Indolent, Lazy and Irritable.


4) Though well-to-do, they support NOT their father and mother who are old and past their youth.


5) To deceive by falsehood to anyone is the cause of one's downfall.


6) To have much wealth and food, but to enjoy it all alone — this leads to one's downfall.


7) To be proud, haughty and conceited - whether of birth, wealth or class, leads one to one's downfall.


8) To be a rake, a drunkard, a gambler, To be intoxicated, to wander in the streets at unearthly hours, and to squander/waste away one's earnings.


9) Not to be content with one's spouse/partner, But to be involved with others - whether young or old - this is the cause of one's downfall.


10) Being past one's youth, one takes a young spouse/partner and yet be unable to sleep out of jealousy and fear — This constitutes one's downfall.


11) To place in authority a woman, or a man given to drink and squandering — This causes one's downfall.


12) To be of noble birth, with vast ambition BUT of slender means, and yet to crave for rulership — This causes one to Fall.


Knowing well the above, let NOT one commit them.

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/narada/wheel014.html#para

- The Buddha, The Parabhava Sutta




"He who destroys life,

Tells lies,

Takes what is NOT given,

Commits adultery,

And is Addicted to intoxicants,

Digs in his own roots

Even in this very life."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 246-247




"4 Misfortunes befall A Careless Man who commits Adultery :

Demerit, Disturbed sleep, Blame,

And Suffering in a woeful state."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 309




"A man who gives way to pleasure will be swept away by craving,

And his thoughts will make him suffer,

Like waves."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 339




"A man's joys are always transient,

And since men devote themselves to pleasure,

Seeking after happiness,

They undergo birth and decay."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 341