Sis. Santi Cheang giving a sharing based on the Ambalatthikārāhulovāda Sutta.

On Sunday 6 March Sis. Santi Cheang gave a sharing based on the Buddha’s advice to Rāhula at Ambalaṭṭikā  in the Ambalatthikārāhulovāda Sutta (Majjhima Nikāya 61).  In the sutta, the Buddha admonishes his young son, Venerable Rāhula, on why one should never utter a falsehood, not even in jest.  The Buddha exhorts Rāhula:  “So, too, Rāhula, when one is not ashamed to tell a deliberate lie, there is no evil, I say, that one would not do”.

The Blessed One then taught the importance of deep reflection to determine whether an action is wholesome or not.  Like looking in a mirror, our reflection will enable us to ‘see’ and analyse whether an action is beneficial or harmful to oneself, to others, or to both oneself and others.

A group discussion on why it is important to reflect on our actions.

Thus, we must reflect before we act, while performing an action, and after the action has been taken.  The Buddha said: “Therefore, Rāhula, you should train thus: We will purify our bodily action, our verbal action, and our mental action by repeatedly reflecting upon them.”  Wholesome actions which result in pleasant consequences will enable us to “abide happy and glad, training day and night, in wholesome states”.  We thank Sis. Santi for the insightful sharing. Sadhu anumodana.

There was plenty of enthusiasm during group discussion.