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

อธิบายบทตั้งTo explain: It teaches that keeping the precepts is a cause of happiness at every stage of life, from youth to old age. One kind of happiness from virtue is the ease of mind of knowing that one has not done wrong or harmed others. In the Nāga Vagga of the Dhammapada, this saying appears together with the teaching that firmly established faith, the attainment of wisdom and not doing evil all bring happiness.

ขยายความบทตั้งVirtue brings happiness in several ways. One who does not harm, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or drink intoxicants that lead to heedlessness does not create trouble through these actions. When he recalls his own conduct, he has reason to feel at ease and does not need to hide wrongs he has not done. Moreover, honesty and not taking advantage of others help build trust in living together.

ขยายความบทตั้งHowever, keeping the precepts does not mean that life will have no suffering or problems at all. A virtuous person may still fall ill, suffer loss or meet with disappointment. But virtue prevents him from adding to his troubles through his own wrongdoing, and it gives him a principle for living honestly. Even as the body changes with age, the ease of mind that comes from good conduct remains valuable.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๑The wise one knows what is beneficial and what is harmful, and so guards virtue in its purity, refusing to break the precepts in exchange for some small gain. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Khuddaka Nikāya, Itivuttaka:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑To explain: "The wise" means those who have wisdom and know how to consider what is beneficial and what is harmful. "Should guard their virtue" means should keep body and speech restrained according to the precepts they observe. The saying teaches the wise to see the importance of good conduct and to keep the precepts intentionally, with understanding of their benefits, not merely following others without knowing why.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑In the Sukhapatthanā Sutta, the Buddha said that the wise, wishing for three kinds of happiness, should guard their virtue. These are praise, the gaining of wealth, and rebirth in heaven after death. This teaching shows that virtue supports benefits both in the present and in the future. The wise should therefore consider the results of their conduct far-sightedly and not abandon what is right for momentary pleasure or immediate gain.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑Regarding praise, honesty and not harming others are conduct that the wise commend, and they help build trust in living together. Regarding wealth, not being corrupt and not being heedless form a foundation that supports honest livelihood and the protection of one's property; a secure life also requires diligence, ability and appropriate spending. Rebirth in heaven is the future benefit mentioned in the discourse. The wise therefore see the value of virtue both as a good to be practised and as a cause of happiness to be built up.

ตัวอย่างในชีวิตIn daily life, a family whose members are honest with one another, do not harm one another and do not deceive one another has a good foundation of trust. One who does not drink alcohol does not spend money on drinking and does not cause trouble through his own intoxication. A student who does not steal from friends or lie does not have to hide such wrongs. When he grows up and still keeps his good conduct, he can be a good example for the next generation.

สรุปTo conclude: Those who wish for happiness should therefore train themselves to keep the precepts as the normal way of life, not neglecting them just because no one is watching, and should regularly examine their own conduct. If they make a mistake, they should admit it, correct it and be careful not to repeat it. Keeping the precepts consistently builds the causes of ease of mind and peaceful living together, which are valuable from today until old age. This accords with the Dhamma saying set forth as the theme at the beginning:

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