Vb 14Analysis of the Precepts

– The Book of Analysis

14. Analysis of the Precepts

1. Analysis According to Abhidhamma

PTS cs 703BA 376 PTS vp 285 The five precepts are: The precept that is abstaining from killing beings; the precept that is abstaining from taking that which is not given; the precept that is abstaining from sexual misconduct; the precept that is abstaining from false speech; the precept that is abstaining from intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness.

PTS cs 704Therein what is the precept that is abstaining from killing beings ? At the time when, in one abstaining from killing beings, good consciousness characteristic of the plane of desire arises, accompanied by mental pleasure, associated with knowledge; that which at that time is avoiding, desisting from, refraining from, abstaining from, not committing, not doing, being guiltless of, not over-stepping the limit of, destroying the causeway to killing beings. This is called the precept that is abstaining from killing beings. (As also are) The remaining states associated with the abstention.

Therein what is the precept that is abstaining from killing beings ? At the time when, in one abstaining from killing beings, good consciousness characteristic of the plane of desire arises, accompanied by mental pleasure, associated with knowledge; that which at that time is volition, being volitional, state of being volitional. This is called the precept that is abstaining from killing beings. (As also are) The remaining states associated with the volition.

Therein what is the precept that is abstaining from killing beings ? At the time when, in one abstaining from killing beings, good consciousness characteristic of the plane of desire arises, accompanied by mental pleasure, associated with knowledge; that which at that time is contact,* exertion, non-wavering. This is called the precept that is abstaining from killing beings.

– See Dhammasaṅgaṇī paragraph 1 .

Therein BA 377 what is the precept that is abstaining from killing beings ? At the time when, in one abstaining from killing beings, good consciousness characteristic of the plane of desire arises, accompanied by mental pleasure, associated with knowledge, with instigation. Accompanied by mental pleasure, not associated with knowledge. PTS vp 286 Accompanied by mental pleasure, not associated with knowledge, with instigation. Accompanied by indifference, associated with knowledge. Accompanied by indifference, associated with knowledge, with instigation. Accompanied by indifference, not associated with knowledge. Accompanied by indifference, not associated with knowledge, with instigation;

that which at that time is avoiding, desisting from, refraining from, abstaining from, not committing, not doing, being guiltless of, not over-stepping the limit of, destroying the causeway to killing beings.

This is called the precept that is abstaining from killing beings. (As also are) The remaining states associated with the abstention.

– Each should read with the same introductory and completing sections of this paragraph.

PTS cs 705Therein what is the precept that is abstaining from killing beings ? At the time when, in one abstaining from killing beings, good consciousness characteristic of the plane of desire arises, accompanied by indifference, not associated with knowledge, with instigation; that which at that time is volition, being volitional, state of being volitional. This is called the precept that is abstaining from killing beings. (As also are) The remaining states associated with the volition.

Therein what is the precept that is abstaining from killing beings ? At the time when, in one abstaining from killing beings, good consciousness characteristic of the plane of desire arises, accompanied by indifference, not associated with knowledge, with instigation; there is contact,* exertion, non-wavering. This is called the precept that is abstaining from killing beings.

– See Dhammasaṅgaṇī paragraph 1 .

PTS cs 706Therein what is the precept that is abstaining from taking that which is not given . The precept that is abstaining from sexual misconduct . The precept that is abstaining from BA 378 | false speech .* The precept that is abstaining from intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness ? At the time when, in one abstaining from intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness, good consciousness characteristic of the plane of desire arises, accompanied by mental pleasure, associated with knowledge; that which at that time is avoiding, desisting from, refraining from, abstaining from, not committing, not doing, being guiltless of, not over-stepping the limit of, destroying the causeway to intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness.

This is called the precept that is abstaining from intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness. (As also are) The remaining states associated with the abstention.

– The individual precepts should be dealt with in the same manner as the final one.

Therein what is the precept that is abstaining from intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness ? At the time when, in one abstaining from intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness, good consciousness characteristic of the plane of desire arises, PTS vp 287 accompanied by mental pleasure, associated with knowledge; that which at that time is volition, being volition, state of being volitional. This is called the precept that is abstaining from intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness. (As also are) The remaining states associated with the volition.

Therein what is the precept that is abstaining from intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness ? At the time when, in one abstaining from intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness, good consciousness characteristic of the plane of desire arises, accompanied by mental pleasure, associated with knowledge; that which at that time is contact,* exertion, non-wavering. This is called the precept that is abstaining from intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness.

– See Dhammasaṅgaṇī paragraph 1 .

Therein what is the precept that is abstaining from intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness ? At the time when, in one abstaining from intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness, good consciousness characteristic of the plane of desire arises, accompanied by mental pleasure, associated with knowledge, with instigation. Accompanied by mental BA 379 | pleasure, not associated with knowledge. Accompanied by mental pleasure, not associated with knowledge, with instigation. Accompanied by indifference, associated with knowledge. Accompanied by indifference, associated with knowledge, with instigation. Accompanied by indifference, not associated with knowledge. Accompanied by indifference, not associated with knowledge, with instigation;

that which at that time is avoiding, desisting from, refraining from, abstaining from, not committing, not doing, being guiltless of, not over-stepping the limit of, destroying the causeway to intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness.

This is called the precept that is abstaining from intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness. (As also are) The remaining states associated with the abstention.

– Each should be read with the same introductory and completing sections of this paragraph

PTS cs 707Therein what is the precept that is abstaining from intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness ? At the time when, in one abstaining from intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness, good consciousness characteristic of the plane of desire arises, accompanied by indifference, not associated with knowledge, with instigation; that which at that time is volition, being volitional, state of being volitional. This is called the precept that is abstaining from intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness. (As also are) The remaining states associated with the volition.

Therein what is the precept that is abstaining from intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness ? At the time when, in one abstaining from intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness, good consciousness characteristic of the plane of desire arises, accompanied by indifference, not associated with knowledge, with instigation; PTS vp 288 that which at that time is contact,* exertion, non-wavering. This is called the precept that is abstaining from intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness.

– See Dhammasaṅgaṇī paragraph 1 .

PTS cs 708The five precepts are: The precept that is abstaining from killing beings; the precept that is abstaining from taking that which is not given; the precept that is abstaining from sexual misconduct; BA 380 | the precept that is abstaining from false speech; the precept that is abstaining from intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness.

PTS cs 709Therein what is the precept that is abstaining from killing beings ? At the time when, in one abstaining from killing beings, good consciousness characteristic of the plane of desire arises, accompanied by mental pleasure, associated with knowledge, inferior, intermediate (or) superior; having wish dominant; having energy dominant; having consciousness dominant; having reason dominant; having wish dominant, inferior, intermediate (or) superior; having energy dominant, inferior, intermediate (or) superior; having consciousness dominant, inferior, intermediate (or) superior; having reason dominant, inferior, intermediate (or) superior;

that which at that time is avoiding, desisting from, refraining from, abstaining from, not committing, not doing, being guiltless of, not over-stepping the limit of, destroying the causeway to killing beings.

This is called the precept that is abstaining from killing beings. (As also are) The remaining states associated with the abstention.

Therein what is the precept that is abstaining from killing beings ? At the time when, in one abstaining from killing beings, good consciousness characteristic of the plane of desire arises, accompanied by mental pleasure, associated with knowledge, inferior, intermediate (or) superior; having wish dominant; having energy dominant; having consciousness dominant; having reason dominant; having wish dominant, inferior, intermediate (or) superior; having energy dominant, inferior, intermediate (or) superior; having consciousness dominant, inferior, intermediate (or) superior; having reason dominant, inferior, intermediate (or) superior; that which at that time is volition, being volitional, state of being volitional.

This is called the precept that is abstaining from killing beings. (As also are) The remaining states associated with the volition.

Therein what is the precept that is abstaining from killing beings ? PTS vp 289 At the time when, in one abstaining from killing beings, good consciousness characteristic of the plane of desire arises, accompanied by mental pleasure, associated with knowledge, inferior, intermediate (or) superior; having wish dominant; having energy dominant; having consciousness dominant; having reason BA 381 | dominant; having wish dominant, inferior, intermediate (or) superior; having energy dominant, inferior, intermediate (or) superior; having consciousness dominant, inferior, intermediate (or) superior; having reason dominant, inferior, intermediate (or) superior; that which at that time is contact,* exertion, non-wavering. This is called the precept that is abstaining from killing beings.

– See Dhammasaṅgaṇī paragraph 1 .

Therein what is the precept that is abstaining from killing beings ? At the time when, in one abstaining from killing beings, good consciousness characteristic of the plane of desire arises, accompanied by mental pleasure, associated with knowledge, with instigation. Accompanied by mental pleasure, not associated with knowledge. Accompanied by mental pleasure, not associated with knowledge, with instigation. Accompanied by indifference, associated with knowledge. Accompanied by indifference, associated with knowledge, with instigation. Accompanied by indifference, not associated with knowledge. Accompanied by indifference, not associated with knowledge, with instigation, inferior, intermediate (or) superior; having wish dominant; having energy dominant; having consciousness dominant;

having wish dominant, inferior, intermediate (or) superior; having energy dominant, inferior, intermediate (or) superior; having consciousness dominant, inferior, intermediate (or) superior; that which at that time is avoiding, desisting from, refraining from, abstaining from, not committing, not doing, being guiltless of, not over-stepping the limit of, destroying the causeway to killing beings.

This is called the precept that is abstaining from killing beings. (As also are) The remaining states associated with the abstention. 2 (As also are) The remaining states associated with the volition. 3 Contact,* 4 exertion, non-wavering. This is called the precept that is abstaining from killing beings.

– Each should be read with the same introductory and appropriate completing sections of this paragraph

– 2 This whole paragraph is repeated but with the ending for volition.

– 3 This whole paragraph is repeated but with the ending for contact, etc.

– 4 See Dhammasaṅgaṇī paragraph 1 .

PTS cs 710Therein what is the precept that is abstaining from taking that which is not given ? The precept that is abstaining from BA 382 | sexual misconduct . The precept that is abstaining from false speech .* The precept that is abstaining from intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness ? At the time when, in one abstaining from intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness, good consciousness characteristic of the plane of desire arises, accompanied by mental pleasure, associated with knowledge, inferior, intermediate (or) superior; having wish dominant; having energy dominant; having consciousness dominant; having reason dominant; having wish dominant, inferior, intermediate (or) superior;

PTS vp 290 having energy dominant, inferior, intermediate (or) superior; having consciousness dominant, inferior, intermediate (or) superior; having reason dominant, inferior, intermediate (or) superior; that which at that time is avoiding, desisting from, refraining from, abstaining from, not committing, not doing, being guiltless of, not over-stepping the limit of, destroying the causeway to intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness.

This is called the precept that is abstaining from beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness. (As also are) The remaining states associated with the abstention. 2 (As also are) The remaining states associated with the volition. 3 Contact,* 4 exertion, non-wavering. This is called the precept that is abstaining from intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness.

– The individual precepts should be dealt with in the same manner as the final one.

– 2 This whole paragraph is repeated but with the ending for volition.

– 3 This whole paragraph is repeated but with the ending for contact, etc.

– 4 See Dhammasaṅgaṇī paragraph 1 .

PTS cs 711Therein what is the precept that is abstaining from intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness ? At the time when, in one abstaining from intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness, good consciousness characteristic of the plane of desire arises, accompanied by mental pleasure, associated with knowledge, with instigation. Accompanied by mental pleasure, not associated with knowledge. Accompanied by mental pleasure, not associated with knowledge, with instigation. Accompanied by indifference, associated with knowledge. Accompanied by indifference, associated with knowledge, with instigation. Accompanied by indifference, not associated with BA 383 | knowledge. Accompanied by indifference, not associated with knowledge, with instigation,

inferior, intermediate (or) superior; having wish dominant; having energy dominant; having consciousness dominant; having wish dominant, inferior, intermediate (or) superior; having energy dominant, inferior, intermediate (or) superior; having consciousness dominant, inferior, intermediate (or) superior; that which at that time is avoiding, desisting from, refraining from, abstaining from, not committing, not doing, being guiltless of, not over-stepping the limit of, destroying the causeway to intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness.

This is called the precept that is abstaining from intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness. (As also are) The remaining states associated with the abstention. 2 (As also are) The remaining states associated with the volition. 3 Contact,* 4 exertion, non-wavering. This is called the precept that is abstaining from intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness.

– Each should be read with the same introductory and appropriate completing sections of this paragraph

– 2 This whole paragraph is repeated but with the ending for volition.

– 3 This whole paragraph is repeated but with the ending for contact, etc.

– 4 See Dhammasaṅgaṇī paragraph 1 .

PTS cs 712What states are preceptive? At the time when good consciousness characteristic of the plane of desire arises, accompanied by mental pleasure, associated with knowledge, having visible object, ideational object or is concerned with whatever (object); at that time there is contact, 2 there is non-wavering. These states are preceptive. PTS vp 291

– Intermediate sense objects.

– 2 See Dhammasaṅgaṇī paragraph 1 .

What states are preceptive? At the time when good consciousness characteristic of the plane of desire arises, accompanied by mental pleasure, associated with knowledge, with instigation. Accompanied by mental pleasure, not associated with knowledge. Accompanied by mental pleasure, not associated with knowledge, with instigation. Accompanied by indifference, associated with knowledge. Accompanied by indifference, associated with knowledge, with instigation. Accompanied by indifference, not associated with knowledge. Accompanied by indifference, not associated with knowledge, with instigation, having BA 384 | visible object, 2 ideational object or is concerned with whatever (object); at that time there is contact, 3 there is non-wavering. These states are preceptive.

– Each should be read with the same introductory and appropriate completing sections of this paragraph

– 2 Intermediate sense objects.

– 3 See Dhammasaṅgaṇī paragraph 1 .

PTS cs 713What states are preceptive? At the time when he develops the path for rebirth in the plane of form. Develops the path for rebirth in the formless plane. 2 Develops supramundane jhāna tending to release, dispersive of continuing rebirth and death; he, for the abandoning of wrong view, for the entering of the first stage, aloof from sense pleasures, 3 attains and dwells in the first jhāna that is hard practice and knowledge slowly acquired; at that time there is contact, 4 there is non-wavering. These states are preceptive.

– See appropriate sections of paragraph 624 .

– 2 See appropriate sections of paragraph 626 .

– 3 See paragraph 205 .

– 4 See Dhammasaṅgaṇī paragraph 277 .

(Here Ends) Analysis According to Abhidhamma

2. Interrogation

PTS cs 714The five precepts are: The precept that is abstaining from killing beings; the precept that is abstaining from taking that which is not given; the precept that is abstaining from sexual misconduct; the precept that is abstaining from false speech; the precept that is abstaining from intoxicating beers, wines and spirits causing heedlessness.

PTS cs 715Of the five precepts how many are good; how many bad; how many neither-good-nor-bad.* How many with cause of bewailing; how many without cause of bewailing?

– Remaining appropriate triplets and couplets.

1. The Triplets

PTS cs 716(The five precepts) Are only good. Sometimes are associated with pleasant feeling; sometimes are associated with neither- BA 385 | painful-nor-pleasant feeling. Are productive of resultants. Are not grasped (by craving and false view), are objects of the attachments. Are not corrupt, are objects of the corruptions. Are accompanied by initial application, accompanied by sustained application. Sometimes are accompanied by zest; sometimes are accompanied by pleasure; sometimes are accompanied by indifference.

(The five precepts) Are not to be abandoned either by the first path or by the subsequent paths. Have no roots to be abandoned either by the first path or by the subsequent paths. PTS vp 292 Are cumulative (of continuing rebirth and death).

Are neither of the seven supramundane stages nor of the final supramundane stage. Are low. Have low objects.

Are intermediate. Are of no fixed (resultant time). Should not be said to have either, path as their object; path as their cause or path as their dominating factor.

Sometimes are risen; sometimes are not risen; should not be said to be, bound to arise. Sometimes are past; sometimes are future; sometimes are present. Have present objects.

Sometimes are internal; sometimes are external; sometimes are both internal and external. Have external objects. Are not visible, are not impingent.

2. The Couplets

PTS cs 717(The five precepts) Are not roots. Are accompanied by roots. Are associated with roots. Should not be said to be, roots also accompanied by roots; (they) are accompanied by roots but are not roots. Should not be said to be, roots also associated with roots; (they) are associated with roots but are not roots. Are not roots, are accompanied by roots. Are with cause. Are conditioned. Are not visible. Are not impingent. Are not material. Are mundane. Are cognizable by one way; are not cognizable by another way.

(The five precepts) Are not defilements. Are objects of the defilements. Are not associated with the defilements.

Should not be said to be, defilements also objects of the defilements; (they) are objects of the defilements but are not defilements. Should not be said to be, defilements also associated with the defilements or associated with the defilements but are not defilements. Are not associated with the defilements, are objects of the defilements.

Are not fetters. Are not ties. Are not floods. Are not bonds. Are not hindrances. Are not perversions. Have objects. Are not consciousness. Are mental concomitants.

Are associated BA 386 | with consciousness. Are conjoined with consciousness. Are generated by consciousness.

Are co-existent with consciousness. Accompany consciousness. Are conjoined with, generated by consciousness.

Are conjoined with, generated by, co-existent with consciousness. Are conjoined with, generated by, accompany consciousness. Are external.

Are not derived. Are not grasped. Are not attachments. Are not corruptions.

– Complete as for defilements in this paragraph

(The five precepts) Are not to be abandoned by the first path. Are not to be abandoned by the subsequent paths. Have no roots to be abandoned by the first path.

Have no roots to be abandoned by the subsequent paths. Are accompanied by initial application. Are accompanied by sustained application.

Sometimes are with zest; sometimes are without zest. Sometimes are accompanied by zest; sometimes are not accompanied by zest. Sometimes are accompanied by pleasure; sometimes are not accompanied by pleasure.

Sometimes are accompanied by indifference; sometimes are not accompanied by indifference. Are characteristic of the plane of desire. Are not characteristic of the plane of form.

Are not characteristic of the formless plane. Are included (i.e. are mundane). Do not tend to release.

Are of no fixed (resultant time). Are surpassable. Are without cause of bewailing.

(Here Ends) Interrogation

Analysis of the Precepts is Ended

The Book of Analysis , an English translation of the Pali Abhidhamma Vibhaṅga. Translated by Paṭhamkyaw Ashin Thiṭṭila (Seiṭṭhila) . Published by Pali Text Society, 1969 .

This SuttaCentral edition was prepared by Manfred Wierich and Ven. Vimala and proofread by Ariya Baumann . Some changes were introduced:

– Internal and external links were added, so that readers can easily click the numerous references.

– Some abbreviations were expanded.

– Obvious oversights and errors were corrected, all of them minor.

The pagination of the original PTS edition can be found on the margins. Unless the page break begins a new paragraph, a vertical bar indicates the beginning of the new page.