อารัมภบทI shall now explain and expand upon the meaning of the Dhamma theme written above, as a guide for study and practice.

อธิบายบทตั้งTo explain: The words "evil deeds" mean all kinds of evil, both those within the mind, such as greed, anger and envy, and those expressed through body and speech, such as harming others, stealing and lying. The word "stain" means dirt, a blemish that makes something that was once clean become dull and tarnished. This saying teaches that evil is a true stain that tarnishes life, both in this world and in the next.

ขยายความบทตั้งExternal stains, such as dust or dirt on the body and clothes, can still be washed away with soap and water, but the stain of evil cannot be washed away with water, because it clings to the mind, clings to one's reputation, and follows the doer into the next existence. In this world, one who does evil loses his reputation, is shunned by society, lacks the trust of others, and his own mind is not at peace, always anxious that his wrongdoing will come to light. In the next world, the results of evil lead to a woeful destination. Evil is therefore a true stain, more serious than any other stain.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๑True happiness does not have to come from owning things but arises from not doing evil. One who refrains from evil in body, speech, and mind is at ease and has nothing to fear. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Khuddaka Nikāya, Dhammapada:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑To explain: This saying teaches that not doing evil brings happiness. The words "not doing evil" mean abstaining from all evil, by body, by speech and by mind. "Happiness" here means ease of body and ease of mind, a sense of freedom, with nothing to fear or worry about. This saying of the Buddha shows that happiness does not necessarily come from possessing things, but can arise from not doing what is bad.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑The happiness that arises from not doing evil is a deep and stable happiness. One who does not do evil sleeps soundly, does not have to fear that his wrongdoing will be revealed, does not have to be suspicious of others, and does not have to lie to cover up wrongdoing, so his mind is light and at ease. On the contrary, one who does evil, even if he obtains what he wants, has a mind burning with fear, shame and remorse. In the Dhammapada, this saying of the Buddha appears together with the words: virtue brings happiness until old age, firmly established faith brings happiness, and the attainment of wisdom brings happiness. This shows that not doing evil is the foundation of all happiness.

ตัวอย่างในชีวิตIn real life, one who was once corrupt in his work, even after he has served his legal punishment in full, still carries his lost reputation with him, which makes it hard for him to find a new job. A student who once copied in an examination and was caught is regarded with distrust by teachers and friends for a long time. One who once lied to his friends and was caught may not be believed by anyone, even when he later tells the truth. These are stains in this world that can clearly be seen.

สรุปTo conclude: Those who love themselves should therefore keep their lives clean and not allow evil to soil them. And if they have already slipped, they should quickly realise their wrongdoing, correct it, and resolve to do even more good, so as to make that stain fade. This accords with the Dhamma saying set forth as the theme at the beginning:

ปิดท้ายThus has the meaning been explained, as set forth above.