“Be quick in doing
what’s admirable.
Restrain your mind
from what’s evil.
When you’re slow
in making merit,
evil delights the mind.

If a person does evil,
he shouldn’t do it again & again,
shouldn’t develop a penchant for it.
To accumulate evil
brings pain.
If a person makes merit,
he should do it again & again,
should develop a penchant for it.
To accumulate merit
brings ease.

Even the evil
meet with good fortune
as long as their evil
has yet to mature.
But when it’s matured
that’s when they meet
with evil.
Even the good
meet with bad fortune
as long as their good
has yet to mature.
But when it’s matured
that’s when they meet
with good fortune.

Don’t underestimate evil
(‘It won’t amount to much’).
A water jar fills,
even with water
falling in drops.
With evil—even if
bit by bit,
habitually—
the fool fills himself full.

Don’t underestimate merit
(‘It won’t amount to much’).
A water jar fills,
even with water
falling in drops.
With merit—even if
bit by bit,
habitually—
the enlightened one fills himself full.

Like a merchant with a small
but well-laden caravan
—a dangerous road,
like a person who loves life
—a poison,
one should avoid
—evil deeds.

If there’s no wound on the hand,
that hand can hold poison.
Poison won’t penetrate
where there’s no wound.
There’s no evil
for those who don’t do it.

Whoever harasses
an innocent man,
a man pure, without blemish:
the evil comes right back to the fool
like fine dust
thrown against the wind.

Some are born
in the human womb,
evildoers
in hell,
those on the good course go
to heaven,
while those without effluent:
totally unbound.

Not up in the air,
nor in the middle of the sea,
nor going into a cleft in the mountains
—nowhere on earth—
is a spot to be found
where you could stay & escape
your evil deed.

Not up in the air,
nor in the middle of the sea,
nor going into a cleft in the mountains
—nowhere on earth—
is a spot to be found
where you could stay & not succumb
to death.” – Buddha

This passage from the teachings of the Buddha offers a profound reflection on the nature of karma and ethical conduct. It emphasizes the importance of swift and persistent action in doing good and avoiding evil, highlighting the cumulative impact of our actions, however small they may seem. Below is an analysis that explores the thematic elements and philosophical implications presented in this text.

1. The Urgency of Virtuous Action

The passage begins with a call to be quick in doing what is admirable and to restrain the mind from evil. This urgency underscores a key principle in Buddhist ethics: the immediate need to cultivate good habits and virtues. Delaying virtuous actions allows for the proliferation of negative thoughts and behaviors, which the Buddha warns will delight the mind.

2. The Cumulative Nature of Actions

The text uses the metaphor of a water jar filling drop by drop to describe how both evil and merit accumulate over time. This imagery serves to remind us that every small action contributes to a larger outcome, whether good or bad. Just as a single drop of water seems insignificant, so too can small acts of kindness or malice seem trivial at the moment. However, over time, these actions fill the metaphorical jar, leading to significant life outcomes.

3. The Delayed Consequences of Actions

The passage reflects on how both good and evil deeds may not immediately manifest their full consequences. Evil may seem fortunate until it matures and reveals its true harmful nature, whereas good might initially appear unrewarding until it matures and yields positive outcomes. This aspect of the teaching encourages patience and perseverance in virtuous behavior, even when immediate results seem discouraging.

4. The Inevitability of Consequences

The Buddha stresses that there is no escape from the consequences of one’s actions. No geographical or physical escape can absolve one from the outcomes of their deeds. This universality and inevitability of karma highlight the importance of ethical living and the need for mindfulness in all actions.

5. The Protection Offered by Virtue

Drawing an analogy with a hand holding poison, the Buddha states that poison cannot penetrate a woundless hand, just as evil cannot affect those who do not engage in it. This teaching advocates for purity and integrity as shields against the repercussions of negative actions.

6. The Fate of Individuals Based on Their Actions

The text concludes with reflections on the destinations of beings based on their actions—human, heavenly, hellish, or totally unbound (enlightened). This segmentation reinforces the Buddhist belief in samsara (the cycle of rebirth) and the moral law that one’s actions directly influence their spiritual and existential state.

Practical Implications

In practical terms, this teaching can be applied in various aspects of modern life:

• In personal growth: Encouraging consistent small acts of self-improvement and kindness.
• In business ethics: Promoting integrity and long-term value over short-term, possibly unethical gains.
• In environmental stewardship: Advocating for small, regular actions that contribute to environmental health.

Analysis and Practical Applications

The Urgency of Virtuous Action

The Buddha emphasizes the importance of acting swiftly in doing what is admirable and avoiding evil. This reflects an urgent call to cultivate good habits and virtues actively. For instance, in the workplace, this might manifest as choosing to speak up against unfair practices or offering support to a struggling colleague, actions that reinforce a culture of integrity and compassion.

The Cumulative Nature of Actions

Using the metaphor of a water jar filling drop by drop, the Buddha teaches that both good and evil deeds accumulate over time. This principle can be applied in daily life through consistent small acts of kindness, such as regularly volunteering in local community services or making a habit of reducing personal waste to benefit the environment. Each small action contributes to a larger positive impact over time.

The Delayed Consequences of Actions

The text advises patience and perseverance, as the fruits of one’s actions may not be immediately apparent. For example, the dedication to personal health through regular exercise and a balanced diet might not show immediate results but leads to long-term health benefits and well-being.

The Inevitability of Consequences

There is no escape from the consequences of one’s actions, a teaching that underscores the importance of living ethically in all circumstances. This can be a guiding principle for making decisions, large and small, from choosing products with ethical sourcing to being honest in financial dealings.

The Protection Offered by Virtue

Just as a woundless hand can hold poison without harm, a person who does not commit evil is not touched by its consequences. This can be seen in scenarios where maintaining honesty and integrity protects individuals from legal or social repercussions that befall others who choose deceit.

Call to Action

Reflect on the daily choices you make and consider how they contribute to your ‘jar’ of actions. Are you filling it with drops of kindness and integrity, or are you allowing drops of negativity and harm to accumulate? Start with small, manageable actions that reflect your values, and observe how they influence your life and the lives of those around you.

Conclusion

The teachings of the Buddha on karma and ethical conduct remind us that every action, no matter how small, contributes to the course of our lives. By choosing to act virtuously and avoid evil, we not only enhance our own well-being but also contribute to a more just and compassionate world. Let us be mindful of the drops we add to our jars, cultivating habits that fill our lives with peace and goodness.