The Perfection of Morality - Conduct of Akitti

If we consider the perfections developed by the Buddha life after life, as related

in the “Basket of Conduct”, we can see that our own development of the

perfections is still very insignificant compared to his development, that there is

an immense difference. Therefore, we should continue further to develop all the

perfections. We should not have expectations with regard to right understanding

of the characteristics of nama and rupa which arise and fall away very rapidly at

this moment. The truth cannot be realized immediately, but understanding must

be developed very gradually during an endlessly long time.

We read at the end of the Commentary to the “Conduct of Akitti”:

“There may be confidence in him (the Bodhisatta),

confidence that it is possible to be freed from dukkha,

but one may merely express words about this confidence

and not act accordingly by the practice in conformity with the Dhamma

just as the Buddha did"

Thus, it is not sufficient merely to have confidence in the perfections the Buddha

developed during his former lives, but we should also apply these perfections in

daily life. We may express our confidence by words but, even though we speak

with kusala citta, if we do not act accordingly by the right practice, we shall not

reach the goal.

We may consider the perfections that we are beginning to develop. We are

interested in listening to the Dhamma and learning about the practice in

accordance with the Dhamma. We need the perfection of energy, viriya,

in order to be able to listen. If there is no energy or right effort, we do not come

to listen to the Dhamma, but we rather listen to another subject that gives us

pleasure and entertainment. When we listen to the Dhamma we also need the

perfection of patience, khanti, because sometimes we have to listen to what

does not interest us so much. Without patience we cannot develop the other

perfections such as the perfection of morality, síla. Without the perfection of síla

we shall transgress morality by our deeds and speech.