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Buddhist's Ethics and its Contemporary Relevance : 199
i.e. not to cheat anybody or to adopt corrupt practices. Right-effort includes four sorts of endeavour- (1) not to allow fresh evils, (2) try to obliterate existing evils, (3) try to develop new good idea and virtues. Samyak-karmänta or unselfish actions are needed to materialise the resolution. Seventh is Right-mindfulness means constant self-reminder of the nature of spirit and body, of distressing mental states like doubt, sensuality, malice etc. Last is Right concentration, that has four stages. Third is to experience bliss of equanimity and the fourth is the state of absolute cessation of all suffering. This is the Eight-fold Path contained in the Fourth Noble Truths.
In the old books we also find mention of a triple path consisting of sila or right conduct. Samadhi or right concentration and Prajñā or right knowledge. They roughly correspond to Darśana, Jñāna and Căritra of Jainism.
The sila consists ten obligations binding upon the priest, forbid; (1) the taking of life. (2) the taking of that which is not given. (3) sexual Intercourse. (4) the saying of that which is not true. (5) the use of intoxicating drinks. (6) the eating of solid food after midday. (7) attendance upon dancing, singing, music and masks. (8) the adorning of the body with flowers, and the use of perfumes and unguents. (9) the use of seats or couches above the prescribed height. (10) The receiving gold or silver.
The first five of these obligations are called pañcaśīla. They are repeated by some persons every day at the pansal, especially by the women. The first eight are called the ata-sil, and they are repeated only on pöyadays, or festivals. These obligations are most usually taken in the presence of a priest, who may either be a sāmanera or an upasampadā; but they are from an upāsaka, without the intervention of a priest.
They may be taken either separately or collectively. When taken to be kept separately, though one should be broken, it does not impair the merit of the rests, but when they are taken to be kept collectively, if one be broken, the whole are impaired.
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