Disclaimer: This translation does not guarantee complete accuracy, please confirm with the original page text.
22
Taraavath Sutra - Auspiciousness and merit are the cause of bondage, and inauspiciousness and sin are the cause of influx. The bodily conduct, as mentioned earlier, is both auspicious and inauspicious. The auspiciousness and inauspiciousness of actions depend on the intention behind them. An activity performed with a good intention is auspicious, while an activity driven by a bad intention is inauspicious. The auspiciousness and inauspiciousness of karmic bondage are not dependent on the time being auspicious or inauspicious; for believing so would mean that all actions would be deemed inauspicious, and none would be considered auspicious. This is because even an auspicious act may lead to inauspicious bondage due to the obscuration of knowledge and the bondage of karmas at the eighth and other stages of existence.
Violence, stealing, and lying are inauspicious bodily activities, while compassion, charity, and the practice of celibacy are auspicious actions. Speaking the truth, however, can be inauspicious when it involves harsh, deceitful, or cruel expressions, while speaking soft, gentle, and respectful truth is auspicious. Engaging in the contemplation of others' harm and distress is inauspicious mental conduct, whereas contemplating the welfare and happiness of others is auspicious mental engagement.
The statement of the above Sutras must be understood in the context that auspicious conduct is linked with the nature of merit and inauspicious conduct is linked with the nature of sin. This is important to note in relation to the delusion and passions involved.