Why Kusala is more powerful than Akusala?

Discussion of Abhidhamma and related Commentaries
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SarathW
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Why Kusala is more powerful than Akusala?

Post by SarathW »

Among the Balas some are good; almost all of them
are good. Ahirika-bala and Anottappa-bala are Akusala. It is
said in the books that Akusala cannot eradicate Kusala, but
Kusala can eradicate Akusala. Magga is Kusala. Magga can
eradicate Akusala. But no Akusala can eradicate Kusala. We
are fortunate. Otherwise we would not get Kusala.

Page 37

http://buddhispano.net/sites/default/fi ... es-III.pdf
Last edited by SarathW on Tue Nov 18, 2014 1:23 am, edited 1 time in total.
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chethinie
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Re: Wh Kusala is more powerful than Akusala?

Post by chethinie »

We are fortunate indeed :smile:
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phil
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Re: Wh Kusala is more powerful than Akusala?

Post by phil »

Thanks Sarath

Maybe this solves something I have pondered on occasionally. If we appreciate Abhidhamma, we understand that since kusala must arise accompanied by alobha and many other factors, kusala must be relatively rare, and akusala cittas much more prevalent than we would like to think especially those that might appear to be kusala but are rooted in attachment. So that being the case how is liberation possible, perhaps it has something to do with the fact that kusala, while relatively rare, is also more powerful at its best, so to speak. That might be a topic for a different forum, though. The point about wholesome cittas needing to be rooted in detachment is relevant to an Abhidhamma forum, though, and points at the relative rarity of truly kusala cittas as opposed to pleasant lobha-rooted imposters/near enemies.

Phil
Kammalakkhano , bhikkhave, bālo, kammalakkhano pandito, apadānasobhanī paññāti
(The fool is characterized by his/her actions/the wise one is characterized by his/her actions/Wisdom shines forth in behaviour.)
(AN 3.2 Lakkhana Sutta)
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Bhikkhu Pesala
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Re: Wh Kusala is more powerful than Akusala?

Post by Bhikkhu Pesala »

The Question is also answered in the Debate of King Milinda.

The Power of Evil
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Sati1
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Re: Wh Kusala is more powerful than Akusala?

Post by Sati1 »

Bhikkhu Pesala wrote:The Question is also answered in the Debate of King Milinda.

The Power of Evil
:goodpost:
Sati1

----
"I do not perceive even one other thing, o monks, that when developed and cultivated entails such great happiness as the mind" (AN 1.30, transl. Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi)
"So this spiritual life, monks, does not have gain, honor, and renown for its benefit, or the attainment of moral discipline for its benefit, or the attainment of concentration for its benefit, or knowledge and vision for its benefit. But it is this unshakable liberation of mind that is the goal of this spiritual life, its heartwood, and its end," (MN 29, transl. Ven Bhikkhu Bodhi)
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phil
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Re: Wh Kusala is more powerful than Akusala?

Post by phil »

Bhikkhu Pesala wrote:The Question is also answered in the Debate of King Milinda.

The Power of Evil

Thank you Bhante.

Phil
Kammalakkhano , bhikkhave, bālo, kammalakkhano pandito, apadānasobhanī paññāti
(The fool is characterized by his/her actions/the wise one is characterized by his/her actions/Wisdom shines forth in behaviour.)
(AN 3.2 Lakkhana Sutta)
SarathW
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Re: Wh Kusala is more powerful than Akusala?

Post by SarathW »

Thank you Bhante.
I found the following as well.
:)
===========
“Which is the greater, merit or demerit?”
“Merit, O king. One who does wrong feels remorse
and realises his mistake, thereby demerit does not increase.
However, one who does merit feels no remorse; and gladness
and joy arise, and so rejoicing he will be at ease, being
relaxed he will feel contented, being content his mind will
be easily concentrated, being concentrated he will see
things as they really are. In that way merit increases. So
merit is much greater. Demerit is relatively insignificant.”

P69

http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/milinda.pdf
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
SarathW
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Re: Why Kusala is more powerful than Akusala?

Post by SarathW »

Some info about Punna (good), Papa (evil) and Kusala (wholesome) Akusala (unwholesome) is given in P255:

http://ftp.budaedu.org/ebooks/pdf/EN345.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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thera
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Re: Why Kusala is more powerful than Akusala?

Post by thera »

http://www.theravadabuddhismforlife.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Dhammanando
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Re: Why Kusala is more powerful than Akusala?

Post by Dhammanando »

Hi Thera,

There are over 20 articles on the page you have linked to. Which in particular is relevant to this thread?
Yena yena hi maññanti,
tato taṃ hoti aññathā.


In whatever way they conceive it,
It turns out otherwise.
(Sn. 588)
SarathW
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Re: Why Kusala is more powerful than Akusala?

Post by SarathW »

Bhante
What is your opinion in regard to this OP?
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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Dhammanando
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Re: Why Kusala is more powerful than Akusala?

Post by Dhammanando »

SarathW wrote:What is your opinion in regard to this OP?
I don't have one. It's the kind of "Why?" question that I wouldn't ask.
Yena yena hi maññanti,
tato taṃ hoti aññathā.


In whatever way they conceive it,
It turns out otherwise.
(Sn. 588)
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