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

อธิบายบทตั้งTo explain: This saying praises the excellence of virtue. "Unsurpassed" means supreme, with nothing higher. In this context it emphasises the value of good conduct as something important and worthy of honour, because virtue helps a person restrain body and speech, refrain from harming others, and is an essential foundation for living together in peace.

ขยายความบทตั้งVirtue is valuable to society because it restrains actions that cause trouble. When people refrain from killing and harming one another, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and drinking intoxicants that lead to heedlessness, the causes of conflict and damage are reduced and trust in living together increases. Keeping the precepts is therefore not only a private matter, but also a responsibility towards the peace of the community.

ขยายความบทตั้งBesides its benefit for living together, virtue is also a foundation that supports training the mind and developing wisdom. One who keeps the precepts has reason not to be troubled by his own wrongdoing. This freedom from remorse helps the mind become ready for training in concentration, and when the mind is steady, it supports careful and accurate reflection on things as they really are. This also requires study, training and right reflection. Virtue, concentration and wisdom are thus qualities that support one another in developing life.

ขยายความบทตั้งIn the Sīlavīmaṃsana Jātaka and its commentary, a venomous snake is praised as virtuous because it does not bite or harm anyone. This story uses the quality of not harming to show the value of virtue: even an animal that people fear is praised when it does not harm others. People should therefore see the importance of restraining their conduct and not use their strength or abilities to cause trouble for anyone.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๑Virtue, meaning good conduct and restraint of body and speech, supports life at every age and continues to accomplish benefit right up to old age. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Saṃyutta Nikāya, Sagāthāvagga:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑To explain: The word "virtue" (sīla) means good conduct, the restraint of body and speech so that they are proper, by refraining from harmful actions and words. As for the words "right up to old age", they mean until one reaches old age. The saying "sīlaṃ yāva jarā sādhu", meaning "Virtue brings benefit to fulfilment right up to old age," teaches that virtue has value and supports life at every stage of life. Whether one is a child, an adult or an elderly person, keeping the precepts is always good and always brings benefit.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑In the Jarā Sutta of the Saṃyutta Nikāya, Sagāthā Vagga, a deity asked the Buddha what it is that brings benefit to fulfilment until old age, and he replied that it is virtue. The commentary explains this point by comparison with external ornaments, to show that virtue is a beauty fitting for people of every age, in childhood, in middle age and in old age. Although the beauty and strength of the body change with time, the value of good conduct does not diminish merely because a person grows older. One who keeps the precepts can therefore maintain his goodness until old age.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑The benefit of virtue lies not only in gaining the love or praise of others, but also in not causing trouble through harming others, dishonesty and lying. One who keeps the precepts has reason to feel at ease when he recalls his own conduct. Moreover, honesty and not taking advantage of one another help to build trust in living together. Keeping the precepts continuously is therefore a training that makes good conduct firmer, and it supports both oneself and society.

ตัวอย่างในชีวิตIn daily life, a community where people are honest and do not steal from or harm one another has a good foundation for safety and a pleasant life. Working people who are not corrupt and do not deceive help build trust in working together. Students who do not take their friends' belongings without permission, do not lie and do not bully others help make the classroom a place where everyone can live together comfortably. These examples show that the value of virtue appears in the lives of people of all ages.

สรุปTo conclude: Those who wish to live well should therefore keep their virtue firm, together with developing the mind and wisdom, and encourage others to see the benefit of not harming through appropriate words and by setting a good example. When each person takes responsibility for his own conduct, he helps support a peaceful society. This benefit both to oneself and to the community shows the excellence of virtue. This accords with the Dhamma saying set forth as the theme at the beginning:

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