Selected Sutras on the Venerated Rahula (vegan), Part 2 of 2

Let’s continue with the Ambalaṭṭhikarāhulovādasutta, which expounds on the importance of training and advancing in spiritual practice as life is impermanent.

“‘When someone is not ashamed to tell a deliberate lie, there is no bad deed they would not do, I say. So you should train like this: “I will not tell a lie, even for a joke.” What do you think, Rāhula? What is the purpose of a mirror?’ ‘It’s for checking your reflection, sir.’ ‘In the same way, deeds of body, speech, and mind should be done only after repeated checking. […]

If, while checking in this way, you know: “This act with the body that I am doing leads to hurting myself, hurting others, or hurting both. It’s unskillful, with suffering as its outcome and result.” Then, Rāhula, you should desist from such a deed. But if, while checking in this way, you know: “This act with the body that I am doing doesn’t lead to hurting myself, hurting others, or hurting both. It’s skillful, with happiness as its outcome and result.” Then, Rāhula, you should continue doing such a deed. After you have acted with the body, you should check on that same act: “Does this act with the body that I have done lead to hurting myself, hurting others, or hurting both? Is it unskillful, with suffering as its outcome and result?” If, while checking in this way, you know: “This act with the body that I have done leads to hurting myself, hurting others, or hurting both. It’s unskillful, with suffering as its outcome and result.” Then, Rāhula, you should confess, reveal, and clarify such a deed to the Teacher or a sensible spiritual companion. And having revealed it, you should restrain yourself in future. But if, while checking in this way, you know: “This act with the body that I have done doesn’t lead to hurting myself, hurting others, or hurting both. It’s skillful, with happiness as its outcome and result.” Then, Rāhula, you should live in rapture and joy because of this, training day and night in skillful qualities. […]

All the ascetics and brahmins of the past, future, and present who purify their physical, verbal, and mental actions do so after repeatedly checking. So Rāhula, you should train yourself like this: “I will purify my physical, verbal, and mental actions after repeatedly checking.”’ That is what the Buddha said. Satisfied, Venerable Rāhula approved what the Buddha said.”