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Blessing Thirty-Eight: 
The Blissful Mind 
LIFE 
A.1 The Darkness of Unknowing 
Besides being the last blessing of the series, the sub-
ject matter of this Blessing is the Stumm bon= of 
the whole of The Manual of Peace — like the sense 
of relief of a traveller who has reached his destina-
tion safely or like a mariner who has reached the 
far shore. It is a relief because all along our journey, 
we have been amidst dangers which have con-
stantly threatened the chances of reaching our des-
tination. 
Especially, for as long as the night is dark, in the 
absence of light, we have no idea how many dan-
gers surround us. Because we don't know, we fear. 
Even a familiar place like our own bedroom can 
become a frightening place as soon as the lights go 
out. However, if we have a little light to throw on 
the situation — whether it be literal light like that 
of a torch or a spotlight, or more profoundly the 
inner brightness that arises as the result of medita-
tion — the darkness of unknowing will be chased 
away. The dangers that lurk in the darkness will be 
vanquished at the same time. In a word, wherever 
there is darkness, there is also danger — wherever 
there is illumination there is safety. 
Our mind also has a darkness inside. It is dark-
ness that has been with us for innumerable lifetimes 
— it is a darkness that blocks our ability to answer 
the eternal questions, such as: "Why were we were 
born", "where have we come from?" or "What is 
the meaning of life?" or "When we die where do 
we go?" Because we have no solutions to the 
fundemental questions that give meaning to life, 
the assumptions on which we base our life are no 
more than guesswork. Sometimes we guess cor-
redly, sometimes not. Tragically, the errors we make 
only serve to worsen the darkness — and we con-
tinue to be haunted by the dangers that lurk there. 
It makes no difference how influentual you are 
in worldly ways. Even if you are the most power-
ful king, emperor or millionaire in the world, it 
doesn't help you to escape from the inner ignorance 
of the eternal questions of life, and so you cannot 
evade the fears that lurk in the darkness of life. 
A.2 Dangers lurking inihe darkness 
We can divide all the sorts of dangers we encoun-
ter in life into two main categories (note the simi-
larity here with the categories of suffering men-
tioned in Blessing Thirty-three I§B.? J): 
1. Built-in Dangers: Everyone without exception 
co-exists with dangers since the day they are born 
— dangers which no-one can avoid sooner or 
later meeting — and even the fear of meeting 
them can cripple our efforts to cultivate good 
deeds in our lives — these dangers correspond-
ing to: 
• the danger of birth Utiti-bhaya]; 
• the danger of old-age [jara-bhaya] 
• the danger of illness [byadhi-bhaya]; 
• the danger of death Imarana-bhayal. 
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2. External Dangers: Apart from the built in dan-
gers, we still have to endure the dangers around 
us in the world that we confront in our every-
day lives. The dangers might come from: 
• people: e.g. fools, false friends, malevolent hus-
bands, exploitative wives or bad neighbours; 
• natural disasters e.g. flooding, earthquakes, 
volcanos or forest fire; 
• evil retribution i.e. when the retribution of evil 
deeds we have done in our past eventually 
catches up with us. 
A.3 The Four Shackles 
The reason why we find ourselves surrounded on 
every side by suffering and why we cannot break 
free of these, being born only to die, life after life, is 
because we are shackled by bonds or shackles [yoga] 
I
230, A.ii.10) which imprison us in the three 
ns of existence. These bonds are not physical 
but act by limiting the access to the wisdom in our 
minds. These bonds are four in number: 
1. the shackle of sensual-indulgence Ikarnayogal: 
For as long as we are still partial to hearing beau-
tiful music, tasting delicious food, wearing well-
cut clothes, seeing beautiful images, touching soft 
things, having an attractive spouse or filling our 
house with possessions, this shackle will tightly 
bind us, ensuring that we never stray from the 
sensual sphere (check) in our future lives; 
2. the shackle of attachment to the absorptions 
[bhavayoga]: This shackle may occur when we 
become attached to our mental attainments at the 
level of the form- and formless-absorptions. As 
soon as a person breaks free of the shackle of sen-
sual indulgence, they will usually be ensnared by 
this one instead. If one dies while still caught in 
this shackle, instead of being able to go to Nir-
vana at death, one will be reborn in the Brahma-
world; 
3. the shackle of views Iclitthiyogal: This is being 
entrenched in one's own erroneous views— such 
as believing that one has no debt of gratitude to 
one's parents, believing in the non-reality of this 
world and the next or believing one can escape 
suffering by doing rites and rituals —such views 
only add to the darkness in the mind, obscuring 
reality — which is why we refer to them as the 
third shackle ...; 
4. the shackle of ignoranceravijjayoga]: This is the 
imprisonment in one's own delusion— delusion 
that prevents one from realizing the Sadhamma 
(truth necessary for attaining enlightenment). 
One's ignorance is the result of a deficit on inter-
nal illumination — not being able to see the path 
to self-liberation. Thus ignorance is counted as the 
fourth of the shackles. 
B. BLISS 
'Bliss', the subject of this final blessing is the sense 
of relief and liberation in the mind which arises 
when one has, through the acquisition of wisdom 
(internal light) surrounded the influence of all dan-
gers and fetters previously mentioned. 
B.1 Definitions 
The quality of mind described by the Pali word 
lhematre from which this Blessing takes its name, 
is translated as 'blissful'. The meaning of this word 
goes deeper than simply happiness, however—
with two characteristics which explain the arising 
of such bliss: 
1. invulnerability to danger: for those who have 
attained complete enlightenment, all four forms 
of shackles mentioned above have been cracked 
open. The mind is thus free — with no further 
limitation, encroachment or awkwardness. No 
further danger can interfere with the mind —
through the virtue of having one's mind perma-
nently immersed in the eternal bliss of Nirvana; 
2. endowment with knowledge: a second way of 
understanding the bliss of the mind found in this 
blessing is that the mind has gained knowledge 
so far-reaching that no further form of delusion 
can obscure one's wisdom. This special wisdom 
coming to one as a result of enlightenment can 
be summarized in several different ways. 
B.2 Knowledge accessible to the blissful mind 
B.2.1 The Threefold Supraknowledgerteviffli) 
A.v.211) 
The Threefold Supraknowledge is insightful wisdom 
acquired during the final stages of enlightenment 
and includes the following three sorts of knowledge: 
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1. the ability to recollect one's own previous 
existences Ipubbenivasanussatifiagal; 
2. the ability to recollect the previous exist-
ences of others kutripapatailaria]; 
3. the knowledge of an utter end to all defile-
ments lascwakkhayarlatusl 
R2.2 The Sixfold Mental Powers [abhirdia] 
(M.281, A.iii.280) 
The sixfold mental powers are another way of de-
scribing the by-products of the wisdom of the en-
lightened: 
1. magical powers [iddhiuidha]: the ability 
to perform certain miracles to do with 
changing the nature of objects — such as 
floating in the air, transmuting the body, 
enlarging or shrinking oneself or making 
oneself invisible; 
2. supranonnal audition Idibbasotat being 
able to hear sounds not audible to others 
3. reading the minds of others ketopariya-
riatzaj: knowing what others are thinking; 
4. the ability to recollect one's own previous 
existences Ipubbenivammussatifiagat 
5. the ability to recollect the previous exist-
ences of others kutripapatailaga]; 
6. the knowledge of an utter end to all defile-
ments lasavakkhayaliagal 
For the sixfold mental powers, the first five are 
worldly [lokiya] accomplishments, the sixth alone 
being transcendental [lokuttara] — this last being 
something that can only be achieved by one's own 
efforts and which is impossible to replicate or know 
from listening to others' experiences. Reaching this 
level in one's practice, one will know for oneself. 
R2.3 The Fourfold Analytical Insights [pati-
sambhida] (A.ii. 160) 
These are mental abilities concerned with the teach-
ing of Dhamma to others. They are attained by those 
who have reached an end of defilements: 
1. analytic insight into consequences lattha-
patisambhidal: the masterful wisdom al-
lowing one to enlarge upon any subject of 
the Dhamma; 
2. analytic insight into causes Whamma-
patisumbhidal: the masterful wisdom al-
lowing one to summarize any subject of the 
Dhamma without losing the core meaning; 
3. analytic insight into language [nirutti-
putisambhida]: masterful insight into lan-
guage allowing one to know the meaning 
of all forms of human and animal commu-
nication; 
4. analytic insight into wit Ipatiblifigapati-
sambhida]: the gift of quick-wittedness in 
expounding the Dhamma allowing one to 
'think on one's feet' and answer questions 
'on the spot'; 
C. BORN 1O PURSUE PERFECTION 
All these sets of supranormal knowledge are fruits 
which may accrue to a greater or lesser extent to 
those earnest in their Dhamma practice. It is for 
this reason that all of us should try to put all thirty-
eight blessings into practice — if we practise truly, 
before long we will avail ourselves of true knowl-
edge of the core of Buddhism and have a knowl-
edge of the supranormal in the footsteps of the 
Buddha and all the arahants. 
If we practice more and more, we will start to 
understand for ourselves the answers to the eter 
nal questions of life. We will begin to know for 
ourself our purpose in life and as we see how the 
Buddha practised virtues (which are none other 
than those outlined in this series of thirty-eight 
blessings) we will realize too that to practice in 
his footsteps is our real task in life. As humans we 
were not born to indulge in materialism, or even 
to find a place for ourselves in heaven. Like the 
Buddha, our aim in life should stop nowhere short 
of Nirvana. Our true aim in life is encapsulated in 
the eternal words of the Great Abbot of Wat 
Paknam: 
Born in search of the Triple Gem — but when 
you find them disperse them! Craving cheats 
us, falsity deludes us and ensnares our roil-
ing, tortured mind — put an end to craving, 
escape falsity, remove yourself from sensual-
ity, follow the threefold aggregates without let, 
complete the sixteen tasks: until invulnerable 
to hardship — you can call it Nirvana if you 
like .. ." 
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1). iusum itArivh LICALIMPLb.S 
111 Metaphor: Released prisoner 
Whenever a prisoner is released from confinement 
and can escape the reach of instruments of torture, 
the freedom he feels will bring him happiness that 
fills both his body and mind. In the same way, those 
who attain Nirvana who have escaped the touch of 
all defilements and fetters, will also have a mind 
suffused with bliss. 
D.2 Ex. Maha-Kappina Thera (J.iv.180, 
A.i.25, SN.A.ii.440, Vsm.393) 
Once, during the time of the Buddha, a king called 
Maha-Kappina with his queen Anoja reigned in the 
frontier kingdom of Kuldthulavati Every morning, 
Maha-Kappina would send out messengers from the 
four gates of the city to seek news from passing traders 
as to the arising of an Enlightened One in the world. 
One day, after the Buddha had arisen in the world, a 
group of traders from Savatthi were visiting 
Kuldchutavati. They told King Maha-Kappina of the 
arising of the Buddha. Just hearing the word 'Buddha' 
King Mahfi-Kappina swooned from rapture. The trad-
ers mentioned the word 'Buddha' a total of three times 
— the king swooning each time he heard the word —
and the same happened when the traders mentioned 
the arising of the Dhamma and the Sangha — he 
swooned a total of nine times. 
Without further ado, the king renounced the throne 
and after rewarding the the merchants handsomely, 
left the palace in search of the Buddha, accompanied 
by all his ministers. The group set off in the direction of 
Sfivatthi, but in their way were three rivers which they 
must cross on horseback: the Aravacchfi, the 
Nilavithana and the Candabhfigit Each time they 
readied the bank of one of the rivers, Mahfi-Kappina 
would make an act of truth saying "if the teacher for 
whom we are seeking is truly a hilly-enlightened Bud-
dha, let not even the hooves of our horses be wetted 
when crossing the river". Miraculously, the river be-
came temporarily solid like land, allowing Maha-
Kappina and his ministers to aoss to the other side. In 
this manner they crossed the three rivers. 
In his meditation, the Buddha perceived Maha-
Kappina's approach and travelled through the air to 
the banks of the Candablifiga where he seated himself 
under a Banyan tree facing them and sent forth radi-
ance as a signal to Maha-Kappina. When Mahfi-
Kappina and retinue met up with the Buddha and had 
paid respect, the Buddha taught them the Dhamma 
and they eventually became arahants, joining the or-
der of monks. 
Anoja and her courtiers renounced the world in a 
similar way and crossed he three rivers as their hus-
bands had done to meet the Buddha. The Buddha made 
the women? husbands invisible to them so that they 
would be no distraction as he preached the Dhamma 
— and the women too could become stream-enterers, 
entering the order under Uppalavahha Bhildchuhi. 
Mahfi-Kappina Thera spent his days in the extasy 
of deep meditation and was so full of happiness that 
he constantly repeated the words'Oh! The Happiness. 
Oh! The Happiness' [oho sukhatp ahosukham] which 
made the other monks suspect that he was longing for 
the pleasures of kingship he had left behind, until the 
Buddha dispelled their doubts. 
C.3 Er. Sakanwina Sutta (517) 
Once during the midday rest period, there was a large 
gathering of forest animals and the sound of all their 
cries was a fearful racket. One angel took a dislike to 
the horrendous sound finding it got on their nerves. 
Howevez hearing the same sound, the response of the 
Buddha was completely different. He declared, "Even 
when all the forest animals gather together at lunch-
time and make such a noise, I am still happy because 
after my almsround and having eaten, it is my time of 
meditation." Understanding that which constitutes true 
happiness, even perceiving the same things as another 
person, one's better understanding of reality will al-
ways allow one to respond in the most positive man-
ner appropriate. 
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INDEXES 
I - GENERAL 
A 
Aadiya Sutta 192 
abandon in hard times, friend who 
doesn't 43 
ability, doing to fullest 115; myth of 
latent 177; vs. knowledge 113 
abortion, prohibited by Buddhism 166 
absent-mindedness 229, 380, 413, 416 
absolving sins 198 
absorptions attainment, for monks 324; 
shackle of 422 
abstain from evil, non-recklessness 
reminds us to 246 
abstaining from unwholesomeness 225-
32, 228-30 
abstinence, 
indispensable 
for 
Buddhists 234; Christian history of 
233 
abstract spiritual concepts, hard to 
learn 331 
abused children 147-8 
academic knowledge, doesn't keep one 
out of prison 37 
accepting what you are 271 
access, amenable location 72 
accidental killing 123 
accommodation, 
overcoming 
attachment to luxury 350-1 
accomplishments, the four 85-6 
accumulatable, character of merit 78 
achievement in life 27 
acknowledgment, rules entailing 127 
acquired wealth, progress by 21 
acquisition, of discretion 28; diligent 40; 
scrupulous 276; without discontent 
276 
acting profession, pitfalls 253 
action, humility of 264; right 245; 
purified 247 
active learning 254 
acts, treating monks with kindly 191 
addictive drugs, as intoxicant 235 
adherence to superstitions 416, 413 
admitting failings, helps learning 254 
adoption, usually reluctant 144 
adultery 106; absolutely not 
committing 200; as defilement of 
action 
199; 
as 
gross 
unwholesomeness 228; committing 
128; not committing 121,122, 1234 
advice, following encourages others to 
give it 313; formative influence on 
discretion 333; patience is not 
ignoring 304 
affairs, taking responsibility for 42 
after giving, intention 190 
afterlife destination, dictated by 
habitual state of mind 359; evidence 
for 359 
afterlife realms, proof for existence of 
359 
age, recollecting to develop conscience 
230 
aggregates, conventional versus 
aggregates 381; dhamma- 386 
aggression caused, mark of external-
based happiness 274; provoking 114; 
unwholesomeness at social level 228; 
vengeful 167 
aggressive, thinking 114 
aging, suffering of 373 
agreeing to disagree, attitude in 
buddhist debate 385 
aim in life 92; lack of clear 92; loss 103; 
prerequisites for highest 96; three 
levels 93; universal 92 
aim in spiritual development 92 
alcohol, as origin of disease 74; as 
unsuitable gift 188-9; benefits of not 
drinking 236; damage arising next 
lifetime from drinking 235, 236; 
dealing in 216; distraction to work 
179; drinking 94, 107; found in roads 
to ruin 199; knowingly drinking 125; 
medical use permissible 235; not 
drinking 122, 124; not knowingly 
drinking 121; omitted from 
defilements of action 199; restraint 
from drinking 233-242; social 
damage from 233 
alms, giving daily 87 
almsgiving every morning 308 
almsround, correct monastic income 
128; monks pass on 66; sole monastic 
livelihood 191 
alone, contented to be 271 
altruism, rare 281; required for 
progress in society 142 
amenable dhamma teachings 66-67; 
definitions 70-1; household level 71; 
local level 71; national level 71; 
neighbourhood level 71 
amenable food 66, 67; household level 
68-9; in the household 173; local level 
68; national level 68; neighbourhood 
level 68 
amenable location 65, 66, 67, 96; 
components 68.72; creating 74; 
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household level 68; inner & outer 73-
4; living in 67-76; local level 68; 
national level 68; neighbourhood 
level 68; relative importance of 
factors 73 
amenable neighbours 66, 67; 
definitions 69; household level 70; 
local level 69; national level 69; 
neighbourhood level 69-70 
amenable resting place 173 
amenable sleeping place 173 
analysis, retrospective 180 
analytical insights rpa.tisambhidaal, 
fourfold 423 
anarchists, absence of 66, 69 
angelic body 356, 378, 379 
angels, respect towards 173 
anger, accumulation of 167; banishing 
400; gravely damaging but short-
lived 412; not expressing in a 
dhamma discussion 335; overcoming 
229, 417; patience in the face of 305 
angered, by decent conversation 30; not 
easily 42-3 
animal kingdom, suffering of birth in 
373 
animals, gift to 190; gratitude to 285 
announcing parent's goodness, by our 
example 147 
annoyance 380; defilement of the 
formless-brahma body 356 
annoying one's aging parents, avoiding 
146 
answering back 311; not 312, 313 
answering questions, four ways 334 
anxieties, 
reduced 
83; 
unwholesomeness at personality 
level 228 
any-bed users' practice 351 
apologizing quickly 264 
appearance 
worsened, 
unwholesomeness at personality 
level 228 
appearance, improved personal 83 
appearances, obsession with 106 
appetite, overcoming slavery to one's 
350 
application, artfulness 113-8 
application, initial 180 
application, sustained 180 
appreciating debt of gratitude, practical 
ways 145 
appreciation of others' virtues, bowing 
helps 53 
appreciation, of debt of gratitude 141 
apprentice, rapport with trainer 253 
apprenticeship 116 
approach to work, appropriate 179 
appropriate spending 41 
appropriate, contentment with what is 
272-3 
approval, merit doesn't imply 78 
arahant 
356, 
381; 
body 
of 
enlightenment 380; gift to 191; 
worthy of respect 55 
arbitration, workplace 219 
arguments, causing 136 
armies, restraint from talk of 336 
armour, merit as protective armour 84 
arrogance 264-5; avoiding 115; damage 
to others 263; damage to self 263; 
damage to society at large 263; harm 
of 2634; overcoming 265; source of 
stubbornness 316; worthy role model 
protects from 52 
artful application, six components of 
114; three categories 114 
artful speech 131.8; basis of spiritual 
dialogue 331; defined 133; qualities 
of 134; those who don't appreciate 
135 
artfulness in application 113.8; 
cultivating 114-6; definition 1134; 
instilling 115.6 
artfulness in knowledge 102-11; 
definition 104 
artfulness in usage 119-29; definition 
120-1; objectives of study 119-20 
artificial morality 226 
asking questions, helps learning 254 
assassination 217 
assistance, not giving those who lack 
gratitude 284 
associating with good friends 40; to 
overcome sensuality 417 
association 44-7; with fools, worthy role 
model reduces possibilities of 52; 
with the wise, cultivating 48 
association, definition 31; principles of 
45-6 
assuming one is right 265 
astrology, causing prevarication 179 
attachment 404; to rites and rituals 
380; in development of greed 275; 
letting go by centring 189; neither in 
whole nor in part 352-3 
attainer made noble, the noble truths 
372 
attainment 
obstructed, 
unwholesomeness at lifestyle level 
228 
attainment, deterioration of previous 
133; falling away from 133; merit 
leading to 84 
attention, capturing listener's 136 
attentive learning 107, 108 
attitude; of respect 59; to possessions 
276 
attitudes, changing one's 374 
attracting favourable circumstances 78 
attraction, in development of greed 275 
attractive gift 189 
attractiveness, irrelevant tosuccessful 
marriage 171 
audience size, should not be motive for 
giving sermons 294 
audience, not compromising by one's 
sermon 294 
aunts as extended family 206 
austerities, categories of 349; monk 
must practise 323; the practice of 
347-56 
austerity 349-352; self-mortification 
349; blessings one to thirty as 
groundwork to 347; defined 349; ten 
virtues of a ruler 201; necessary 
virtues for practising 351-2; thirteen 
forms of intense 349-51; to remove 
defilements 347 
author, physical skilfulness 114 
average person, between extremes of 
good & evil 39 
avoidance, defined 228 
avoidance, levels of 128; planned 229; 
situational 228.9; transcendental 
229 
avoiding evil, the patience to 305 
awareness 120; of responsibilities 248 
awkwardness, unwholesomeness at 
personality level 228 
Aztec civilization, cause of fall 254 
B 
babble, purposeless 129 
backslider's, outlook on the world 346, 
354 
backsliding, alien to buddhism 271; 
overcome 
by 
patience 303; 
overcoming excuses 354 
bad company, associating with 107 
bad deeds; in the guise of good 95; 
dilution of 228; not evened out by 
good deeds 228 
bad friends, distraction to work 179 
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bad habits, defilements as residue of 
348; dhamma talks remind us of our 
331 
bail, helping extended family who need 
208 
bank account, emotional 171 
barbaric society 70 
basic needs, four 207 
battered children 147-8 
battle, restraint from talk of 336 
beasts of burden, letting retire instead 
of slaughtering 285; not working in 
midday sun 285 
beauty, measure of a person's worth 
261; misuse of 287 
bedclothes, as a token of respect 58; as 
suitable gift 188 
beds, as suitable gift 188; restraint from 
talk of 336 
before giving, intention 190 
beggars, always having something to 
give 208 
behaving habitually in a good way 40 
behaviour, habits dictate future 348; 
improved 83; wise one defined in 
terms of 39-40 
being a refuge to a friend 45 
being influenced by a fool 32 
being open, helps learning 254 
being without self, as universal 
characteristic 397-8 
believing in what you do 114 
belongs to doer, character of merit 78 
benchmarks for personal potential 270 
benefactors, available 66,69; needed to 
establish new town 69 
benefit of the doubt, giving dhamma 
teachings 335 
benefit, brought by parents 148; for 
present lifetime 71; latent 283 
recognizing in others 283 
benefiting from things, requires 
knowing their usage 254 
benefits, allocating 218; inability to 
recognize 284, in the present lifetime 
40 
betrays homeland, because of ►ack of 
wise ones 47 
better quality, gift of 188 
beyond 
control, 
as universal 
characteristic 398 
bias, avoiding 202; endangers gratitude 
287; lack of 200-201; refraining from 
200 
biased personality 167 
birth, danger of 421; suffering of 373; 
suffering of being cleaned up after 
373 
birthday, abstaining from sex on 366 
biting the hand that feeds 284 
black arts, unsuitable for monks 325 
blaming others 104 
blessing eighteen, in the sequence of 
the blessings 213 
blessing nine, relation to previous 
blessings 119 
blessing seventeen, place in the 
sequence 205 
blessing six in order of thinks 91, 
objectives 91 
blessing, importance of first 27 
blessings of life, as an ethical system 
22; definition 21; extracurricular 
recompense 19; historical origins of 
20; popular in Thailand 19 
blessings, definition 21, sixth group of 
223 
bliss, defined 422; difficulty in finding 
421.2; summum bonum of all 
blessings 421 
blissful mind 421.424 
blocking monks' way 257; others way 
259 
boastfulness, avoiding 115 
boasting 129; of dhamma knowledge in 
front of a teacher 257; alien to 
dhamma discussion 335; not suitable 
for monk 323, 325; source of 
stubbornness 316 
bodies of knowledge, die without 
respect 254 
bodies, inner 378, 379 
bodily organs, sacrificing 192 
body & mind, constitutes human being 
37 
body 
of 
enlightenment 
380; 
characteristics 378-81 
body, independent of mind 247; sound 
136 
bonds 422 
bonuses, paying 218 
boredom; of marriage 174; of one's 
marriage partner 174 
born, empty-handed 70; those 
competing to be 286; those invited to 
be 286 
borrowing from others 91 
boss, giving as a 188; spouse like a 169 
bottom pinched 367 
bowing 259, 264; connects us with 
others' virtues 53; effectiveness 53-
4; helps us appreciate others' virtues 
53; parents worthy of 148; to a monk 
257,326; 
bowl-eater's practice 350 
brahmacariya, 
brahma-faring 125; defined 357; 
discontentment with 133; in 
everyday life 363.6; practising 365-
6; practising the 357-70 
breadth, knowledge in 108 
breaking precepts, because of lack of 
wise ones 46; effort invested in 124; 
ingratitude of 124 
bribery 217 
bright side, looking on the 306-7 
brightness; in mind 105; self-discipline 
leads to 120 
broken families 168 
brothels, frequenting 94; running 216 
brothers, object of respect 258 
brushing-off of discretion 28 
brush-off, giving others is the source of 
stubbornness 315 
Buddha images, anointing as sign of 
respect 256-7; respecting 256 
Buddha, as object of respect 256-7; 
encountered vicissitudes 398; faith in 
existence of 93; gift to 191; inspires 
practitioners not to backslide 283; 
recollection of when bowing 54; three 
worthy qualities of 55; worthy of 
respect 54-5; more numerous than 
grains of sand in the ocean 388 
Buddhism; founded on correct speech 
131; heart of 246; perpetuated by 
discipline of monks 127 
Buddhist duty to support religion 191-
2 
budget, family 192 
burned out, feeling 403 
burning money, at chinese funerals 174 
business, reinvesting in 192 
businessman's view of profit in life 27 
businessmen, amenable location for 67 
butchery 216 
C 
cabaret 114; eight precepts prohibits 
watching 126 
calibrating discretion 27 
callous answering, source 
of 
stubbornness 315.6 
candles, as a token of respect 58; as 
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suitable gift 188 
cane sugar, consumption allowed after 
midday 125 
capital punishment, humanest 125 
capital, working 192 
career setback, because of family 
problems 139 
careful, non-recklessness more than 
246 
carefulness 247 
casinos 217 
caste system 263 
catalyst, mindfulness as 248 
catalysts, the four 85.6 
catastrophe in student-teacher 
relationship 107 
Catholic way of purification 197 
causes, analytic insight into 423 
caution when associating with fools 32 
celebrities, as role models 51 
celibacy 357, 367; idealized in 
Buddhism 165; practising 367; 
preferable to remarriage for widow 
367; vs. marriage 165.6; 
centre of body 229, 230 
centring mind, to let go of attachments 
189 
cessation of suffering, the noble truth 
of 376 
chambers of a millionaire's heart, four 
40 
champions, restraint from talk of 336 
changing continuously, nature of mind 
234 
chanting 81; beneficial even if meaning 
not known 297; books 57; daily 308, 
323; every evening 87; persuading 
spouse to practice 1734; together in 
family 73 
character deterioration 228; developing 
83; strengthening one's 197; 
weaknesses of 197 
charisma, character of true monk 323 
charnel-ground dweller's practice 351 
chastity 357 
chatted up, being 367 
chatter; idle 129, 132, 200; not 
succumbing because non-drinker 
236; near pagoda 257 
cherishing one's spouse, damage of not 
167-8 
cherishing; one's parents 141-51, 400; 
rationale 141 
child 
and 
parent, reciprocal 
relationship between 147-8 
child, development of respect in 255; 
parental duty to instil with virtue 73 
child's debt of gratitude to parents 143-
5 
childbirth, suffering of undergoing 373; 
unnatural 373 
childhood, loss of self-sufficiency 207 
childishness, avoiding 106 
children sensitive to parental example 
33; abused 147-8; care for parents 
with filial piety 142; have parents as 
role model 51; should listen to 
parents in dhamma conversation 
338; violence in front of one's 167 
China, vengeance across generations 
264 
choicest rice, given to monks on alms 
188 
chores, helping parents with daily 
chores 146 
Christian charity vs. buddhist 
generosity 186 
Christianity, rebirth in early 362 
chronic false view, because of lack of 
wise ones 46 
church, financed by state 191 
circumstances, catalytic 86, 96 
cities, restraint from talk of 336 
civilization, depends on unifying vision 
254 
claims to spiritual attainments, 
punishable by disrobing 127 
clarifying congregation's under-
standing, duty of monks 55 
clean gift 189 
clean slate at birth 77 
cleansing the mind, function of merit 
82 
climate, not extreme 66, 68 
close family 206 
cloth, as suitable gift 188; result of 
giving 193; as a token of respect 58 
clothes, overcoming choosiness about 
349-50; restraint from talk of 336 
clothing, as suitable gift 188; honouring 
parents with gift of 146; result of 
giving 193 
clouded mind, unwholesomeness at 
mind level 227 
clumsiness, unwholesomeness at 
personality level 228 
Cobain, unworthy role model 51 
collective merit 85 
colonization, vulnerability to 263 
combat, suffering of wounds in 373 
comfort zone, dhamma doesn't allow us 
to protect 331 
common sense about the world 27; 
giving way to emotions 348 
communal, gift 186 
companions, associating with evil 94 
comparison of different groups 412 
compassion 120, 148, 199; as true love 
403; basis of wholesome speech 134; 
dhamma taught on the basis of 333; 
recollecting the Buddha's when 
bowing 54; teaching out of 294; 
worthy quality of the Buddha 55 
compassionate intention, giving out of 
193 
compatibility, virtues of 170 
competing to be born 286 
competition, avoiding 274; reduced by 
contentment 270 
complacency 263, 265 
complaints, tolerating parent's 146 
complete in themselves, everyone 165 
complexion, radiant 84; result from 
giving 193 
compliments, thanking others for 265 
compromising yourself, when giving a 
sermon 294 
conceit 416, 413; overcome by 
associating with good friends 417; 
overcome by avoiding flatterers 417; 
overcome by checking oneself for 
false views 417; overcome by 
humility 417; overcome by not 
comparing oneself to others 417 
concentration, right 245; talk about 
135; worthy subject of dhamma 
debate 336 
concern for the object of respect 59 
condemnation, unwholesomeness at 
lifestyle level 228 
conditional: help for extended family 
206; ►ove, repaying debt of 286 
conditioned versus non-conditioned 
phenomena 389 
confession: as a way of purification 197; 
role in Buddhism 198; rules entailing 
127 
confidence 41, 71, 92 
confiding friend 43 
conflict: giving without 193; in 
proportion to community size 305; 
patience in the face of 303 
congratulation, leading to influence 85 
conscience: awareness of builds 
patience 306; inaccuracy 37; protects 
428 A Manual of Peace: 38 Steps towards Enlightened Living 
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human dignity 199 
conscientiousness in responsibilities 
172 
consequences, analytic insight into 423 
consideration: loss of in development of 
greed 275; wise 247 
consistency 45: of a relationship 171; 
to duty 209 
constant friend 43 
Constantine the great 362 
contact with someone knowledgeable 
107 
contagious misapprehension, fools as 
bearers of 29 
contagiousness of habits 28 
contentment 269-80: to be alone 271; 
to do nothing 271; with one's spouse 
166, 199,366, 417; with what you get 
272; cultivating 276-7; defined 271; 
for monks 324; misunderstood 271; 
monks displaying lack of 325; talk 
about 135; types 271-3; with what is 
appropriate 272.3; with what you 
already have 271.2; worthy subject 
of dhamma debate 336 
continued application of mind 356 
contraception, not prohibited by 
buddhism 166 
control,of distance in relationships 178; 
resentment of 177-8 
conventional aggregates 381 
conversing on the Dhamma 326; on 
worldly subjects, monks 325 
Conze, Edward 390 
cooling, self-discipline leads to 121 
cooperation, 
maximized 
by 
contentment 270 
core virtues 92 
corruption 128, 197, 201, 217: at high 
level, because of lack of wise ones 47; 
because of lack of wise ones 46; in the 
name of gratitude 287 
cosmetics, eight precepts prohibits 
wearing 126 
cosmology, as Buddhist metaphysical 
teaching 386 
cottage garden, available 66, 69 
counsellor, character of good friend 336 
courteousness, makes a family worthy 
of help 210 
courting, distraction to work 179 
cousins as extended family 206 
covetousness 129: defilement of 
physical body 356 
craftsmanship, artful use 119 
craving 375 
crawling animal, next-lifetime 
consequence of alcohol 236 
creative thinking 114 
creator god, redundant 359 
criminals: absence of 66, 68; view of 
profit in life 27; 
criticism, accepting even rude 313; 
always a risk to give 312; fool 
reappearing because of inability to 
take 301; hearing out 313; inviting 
313, 317; openness to 311.19; 
recollecting to develop conscience 
230; seeing as revealing hidden 
treasure 316; special considerations 
when giving 134.5; unreliable 
measure of values 214-5 
crossroads, human realm as 95 
crudeness, unwholesomeness at 
personality level 228 
cruelty 106: as mind malfunction 227; 
avoiding 303; origin of ill-health 84; 
preoccupation with 293; to animals 
128; 
cultivation 114 
cultured, character of good friend 336 
custom: compliance with 120; indicator 
of ethical work 215; just 66, 71; 
refusal to comply with ►ocal 30 
D 
daily reflections, to cultivate 
contentment 276 
dancing, eight precepts prohibits 126 
dangers: lurking in the darkness 421-
2; built-in 421; external 422; 
protection from potential 248 
daughters as close family 206 
Dawkins 142 
dawn, Buddhist definition 125 
daydreaming, 
next-lifetime 
consequence of alcohol 236 
dead, attempting to kill something 
already 123 
deaf ear, not turning 312 
dealing in the roads to ruin, because of 
lack of wise ones 47 
death: daily recollection of 265, 406, 
408; danger of 421; imminence of 291; 
suffering of 373 
debate, agreeing to disagree in 
Buddhist 385; live & let live attitude 
in buddhist 385 
debt of gratitude: in unwholesome 
speech 132; repaying 286-7; should 
be repaid to the death 286; 
underestimating 143 
debt problems, incurred by working 
stress 220 
debts, paying off parents' 146; 
prevarication about paying 95 
deceit 128 
decency, favouring 42 
decent talk, those angered by 30 
decision making: affected by 
defilements 348; affected by 
unwholesomeness 227; improved 83 
dedicating merit to deceased 145, 146, 
147 
dedication, in learning 109 
deep thought obstructed, unwhole-
someness at mind level 227 
defeat, rules entailing 127 
defecating out of sight of Buddha 256 
deference, lowering one's head in 264 
defilement 
groups, 
different 
characteristics of 412 
defilements 347.8: allowing to 
precipitate reveals hidden realms 
359; classification of 412; conflict 
with profound truth 301; definitions 
411; difficulty in removing 348-9; 
freedom from subtle 411; fruits of 
having reached an end of 393; 
gradual removal of 349; hard to see 
348; heavy, medium and subtle 413; 
intense removal of 349; practice for 
eradication of 345; removing 348; 
removing by austerity 347; residue 
of bad habits 348; restrained by 
discipline 126; subtle 381; taken for 
granted 348-9; transcending 105; 
versus defilements of action 347; way 
to remove is elusive 349; why we can't 
afford to tolerate the subtle 416-7 
defilements of action 106,119, 128,201: 
avoiding 199; compromised by 
working stress 219; expression 103; 
v.s defilements 347 
degradation, as universal characteristic 
397 
delegating appropriate work 218 
delinquent, persuading others to be 104 
delusion 416,413: defilement of angelic 
body 356; defilement of the form-
brahma body 356; gravely damaging 
and long-lived 412 
demonstrating, not suitable for monks 
322 
Blessing Thirty-Eight: The Blissful Mind 429 
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den of thieves, amenable location 72 
denial, patience in the face of 305 
dens of vice, absent 66 
departed, budget for dedication to 192 
dependency 91 
depletable, character of merit 78 
depression 135 
depth, knowledge in 108 
desecration of religious property 60 
design, physical skilfulness 114 
desire: bias because of 200; in learning 
106; slightly damaging but long-lived 
412 
desiring things in a dishonest way 412, 
413 
despair, suffering of 374 
destiny, four pathways of 95 
destructive thinking 114 
deterioration, 
as 
universal 
characteristic 397 
detriment to society, bringing no 119 
developing conscience 230 
deviousness 414,413: difficult to uproot 
53; not succumbing because non-
drinker 236; unsuitable for monks 
325 
devotion, of parents in raising children 
144 
Dhamma books: reading 81; treating 
carefully 257 
Dhamma debate 334: governing 
principles 336.7; participants 336; 
self-preparation for 334-6; subject 
336; timing 336 
Dhamma discussion: aim to bring forth 
wisdom 335; family 337.8; in 
everyday life 337-8; in the time of the 
Buddha 337; in traditional buddhist 
society 337; practicalities of 
organizing 334-7; should limit scope 
337; to be conducted in just way 337 
Dhamma lectures: listening attentively 
257; never missing 257 
Dhamma listeners, marks of a good 
294-5 
Dhamma practice 197-203: in everyday 
life 201.2; in the sequence of the 
blessings 198; overcoming obstacles 
202 
Dhamma sermons, giving 81; listening 
to 81; not wriggling during 332; 
purpose 291 
Dhamma talk: giving a 333-4; reminds 
us of our bad habits 331 
Dhamma teachers, marks of a good 
2934 
Dhamma teachings: amenable 66, 67, 
70-1; giving the benefit of the doubt 
335; listening regularly to 291.9; 
mocking 57; most important of 
amenable factors 73; overview 245; 
undervaluing 60; worthy of respect 
57 
Dhamma: appropriate occasions to 
listen to 2924; as abstract concept 
331; as object of respect 257; defined 
333; hard to open up mind to 331; 
lifespan curtailed by inappropriate 
discussion 332; must be discussed 
beneficially 332; not detracting from 
value of 332; outcomes of listening to 
the 296.7; practising rather than 
talking 338; progressively deeper 
205; regular discussion of the 331-43; 
six characteristics of 333; to be 
discussed for the dhamma 337 
Dhammakaaya: must be attained to be 
invulnerable 395; allows one to 
understand the reality of life and the 
world 345; eye of 378; not 
maintaining causes backsliding 386 
Dialogue: defined 333; spiritual 331.43 
die in one's place, friend who would 43 
different, self-discipline leads to 
something 120 
diligent acquisition 40 
dilution: of bad deeds 228; of bad karma 
197 
direct answer 334 
directed anger 415, 413 
disability at birth 64 
disappointment: proportional to elation 
398; 
suffering 
of 
374; 
unwholesomeness at lifestyle level 
228 
disasters: absence of 66, 68; helping 
extended family who suffer natural 
208 
discipline 119: for discipline's sake 
127t; householders' 121.2; monastic 
122; variety 121; vs. self-discipline 
121 
discontentment: danger of 275t; objects 
of 275; patience in the face of 305; 
social consequences of 274-6; with 
brahmafaring 133 
discouragement, in students 103 
discovered by a noble, the noble truths 
372 
discrete covetousness 414, 413 
discretion: catalytic 86; comes from 
transactions with real people 27; 
concerning life path 27; dictates as 
person's future 51; differentiates 
people 51; doesn't come unpackaged 
27; effect of a 'hero' on 51-2; formation 
27-8; formative influences on 27, 333; 
importance 27; importance of 
properly calibrating 27; inaccuracy 
37; process of acquiring 28; the 
brushing off of 28; wise one defined 
in terms of 39 
discussing 
dhamma 
331.43: 
beneficially 332; so as not to detract 
from value of 332; making ourselves 
worthy of 321 
disease: absence of infectious 66, 68; 
invulnerable to 84 
disgust, not allowing to perturb mind 
307 
disharmony, from arrogance 263; 
unwholesomeness at social level 228 
dislike 415, 413 
disloyalty to homeland, because of lack 
of wise ones 46 
disposition, built up across lifetimes 
291 
disrobing: because of insulting 133; of 
monks 127; 
distance, psychological 31 
distant past 79 
distilled in mind, character of merit 78 
distortion of teachings, unsuitable for 
monks 325 
distraction, because of insulting 133 
districts, restraint from talk of 336 
distrust, enemy of marriage 171 
divided answer 334 
divine abidings 148 
divisive speech 129; avoiding 40 
divorce 167: becoming more common 
174; stone-walling predicts 170 
doctors, accessible 66, 69 
doing few good deeds but expecting 
miraculous outcomes 244 
doing good deeds: the patience to 305; 
you never did before 353-4 
doing no evil you never did before 353 
doing nothing but expecting results 244 
domestic violence 167 
donations, embezzlement of religious 
donations 60; should not be motive 
for giving sermons 294 
doubt 229, 230, 380, 406, 416, 413: 
Buddhist metaphysics only designed 
430 A Manual of Peace: 38 Steps towards Enlightened Living 
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to alleviate 387; eradicated by faith 
291; hearing sermons when 
succumbing to 292 
downpayment, generosity as 186 
drawing the line 248 
dressing, appropriately 114, 265; 
provocatively 278 
drink, restraint from talk of 336 
drinking: companion 31; defined 235; 
quitting 236-7 
drinks, as suitable gift 188 
drug: abuse 104; addiction 103; as 
unsuitable gift 189; smuggling, spoils 
reputation of all Thais 207; taking 94; 
drunkenness: acceptable to judeo-
christians 233; even without alcohol 
235 
during giving, intention 190 
Dutiya Jana sutta 194 
duty, consistency to 209 
dying, empty-handed 70 
z 
ear, speech pleasant to 136 
earnest in practising dhamma 
teachings, lacking 57 
earning a living, easy 66, 68 
eating: after midday, not 122; 
distraction to work 179; to excess, not 
suitable for monk 323 
economic: by-products, negligible 213; 
equation, Buddhist 213; equivalence 
213; fairness 104, 107; hardship, for 
family 168; non-events 213; outlook, 
western 213 
economics: Buddhist 213-4; fair 119 
education: as object of respect 257; 
giving 41; sex 168; system 66, 68; 
worldly insufficient 19 
educational objects, worthy of respect 
57 
effort: four types of 353.4; in 
unwholesome speech 132; invested in 
breaking a precept 124; not being 
earnest 179; required, mark of 
external-based happiness 274; right 
245; willingness to expend 271 
egotism, versus loving oneself truly 405 
Egyptian civilization, cause of fall 254 
eight precepts 122, 245: components 
125; vs. five precepts 125; vs. 
Sabbath self-discipline 122; to 
cultivate contentment 277; to 
overcome promiscuity 349; uproots 
possessive love 406 
Eightfold Path 377, 391: following 366; 
meditation most important link of 
257 
eighth precept 126 
elation: not allowing to perturb mind 
307; proportional to disappointment 
398 
elders, object of respect 258; respect for 
400 
electioneering, unsuitable for monks 
325 
electricity supply 66, 68 
embezzlement of religious donations 60 
emergency, budget for funds in case of 
192 
emotional bank account 171, 206, 216: 
for extended family 208-9 
emotional trauma, risk of sexual 
relations 166 
emotions: dictating actions instead of 
common sense 348; not allowing to 
monopolize mind 247; picking up on 
negative 404 
employees: duties 218.9; avoiding those 
without gratitude 284; tend not to 
share knowledge 253 
employer, duties 218; worthy of respect 
56 
empty promises 31 
emulable, character of good friend 336 
encouragement: shortage of 207; to 
husband & in-laws 173; 
encroaching on monks 257; on others 
259 
end of the world, unfathomable by 
thought 386 
endangering others, not suitable for 
monk 323 
endearing speech 171 
endearing things, eventually cause 
sorrow 404 
endearingness 40: character of good 
friend 336; of parents 148; 
ends, 
knowledge 
applied 
for 
unwholesome 29 
enemies minimized, benefit of not 
drinking 236 
enemy, spouse like a 168 
enlightenment, body of 378, 379 
enmity, not appeased by further enmity 
418 
enterprises: wrong livelihood 215; 
wrong livelihood in private 215-7 
entertainment: as unsuitable gift 189; 
distraction to work 179; not 
indulging in 122,126 
enthusiasm, in learning 109 
environment: affects peoples' virtue 65; 
influences ethical learning 22 
environmental: considerations in 
metaphysics 65; exploitation 104 
equanimity 148: moderates gratitude 
287 
erotic pictures, as unsuitable gift 189 
establishing 
congregation 
in 
wholesomeness, duty of monks 55 
eternal questions 423; blocked by 
ignorance 421 
ethical learning, principles of 21 
ethics: disregarded 274-5; working 214-
5 
every man to themselves, in society 142 
evil behaviour, prohibiting yourself 
from every sort of 32 
evil intention, source of stubbornness 
315 
evil: avoiding 94, 245; making a clean 
break from past 32; mindfulness of 
abstaining from 258; protecting 
oneself from past 198; relapse into 
225 
evolving things, must some day decay 
399 
exaggerating 128 
example: of our nearest & dearest, 
influences discretion 28; parents 
being an 145 
exclusivity: of gift 186; spiritual 20, 24 
excuses 31: being full of is source of 
stubbornness 315 
exemplifying virtue, duty of good 
teacher 255 
exhaustive, quality of blessings of life 
system 20, 23 
expecting: fortunate outcomes but 
behaving wickedly 244; miraculous 
outcomes, but doing few good deeds 
244; results without the work 244 
expenditure, skilful 276 
experience: mark of personal potential 
270; measure of a person's worth 262; 
speaking from 294 
explanation, duty of good teacher 255 
exposure to hateful things, suffering of 
374 
expressing respect: defined 52-3; 
purpose 52.4; to those worthy of 
respect 51-64; v.s respect 255; with 
body, speech and mind 58 
Blessing Thirty-Eight: The Blissful Mind 431 
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extended family: appropriate times to 
help 208; budget for generosity to 
192; helping is major investment 205; 
helping may err on favouritism 205; 
helping may err on nepotism 205; 
helping not so urgent 205; how to find 
206; importance of helping 206-8; 
looking after 205.11; practicality of 
looking after 208.10; regarding 
everyone as one's 207 
external appearances: don't betray a 
fool 30; recognizing fools by 30 
external-based happiness 273-4 
eye of the Dhammakaya 378 
eye, speech pleasant to 136 
eyes closed, preaching with 295 
eyesight, result from giving 193 
F 
facilitating further teaching 312 
failure in life 77-8 
failure, unwholesomeness at lifestyle 
level 228 
fair economics, in buddhist economics 
214 
faith 41, 71, 92: as virtue of 
compatibility 170; Dhamma sermons 
arouse 291; eradicates doubt 291; 
giving out of 193; in speaker, lack of 
135; instilled by discipline of monks 
127; in Triple Gem, encouraging 
parents towards 147; ordained in 
spite of lacking 325; turtle-head 41 
false friend: fools as 31; in positions of 
influence 47 
false view 129, 296: defilement of 
physical body 356; early signs of 103; 
entrenched 59; humility ensures 
freedom from 264; overcome by 
wisdom 417; source of stubbornness 
316; worsened in workplace 219 
false view of individuality 416, 413 
false witness 201 
familiarity, endangers gratitude 287 
families: broken 168; internal politics 
205; single parent 174; worthy of help 
210 
family: budget 192; catalytic 96; ceraTes 
around television 337; Dhamma 
discussion 337-8; economic hardship 
168; even bodhisattva succumbed to 
408; hardship, unwholesomeness at 
social level 228; harmony in 139; 
looking after one's extended 205.11; 
measure of a person's worth 261; 
problems 167; recollecting to develop 
conscience 230; tradition, giving out 
of 187 
famous families children, hard to get 
independent reputation 261 
fantasies, sexual 168 
fanning, physical skilfulness 114 
fashionable values 19 
father, defined 144 
fault finding 254: abstaining from 312 
fault, finding 48, 104, 116, 253 
faults: more easily detected by 
outsiders 311; not letting obscure 
favours received from others 286 
faulty analysis of situations, 
unwholesomeness at mind level 227 
favour, never reclaiming one owed 287 
favouring: self-discipline & orderliness 
43; the honest & decent 42; the 
improper 30 
favouritism 205 
favours: appreciating 283; forgetting 
others' 284; giving to procure future 
187; giving to repay 187; honouring 
goodness of one who has done a 283; 
initiating 281; repaying 283 
fear: bias because of 200; eradicated by 
faith 291; giving out of 187; in 
learning 106-7; of coming death 373; 
of the consequences of doing evil 199, 
230 
feeling a liking for fools 32 
feeling slighted, suffering of 374 
feet: pointing one's 58; thinking on one's 
334 
fellow congregation members as 
extended family 206 
female animal to male animal, 
unsuitable gift 189 
female prisoners, prohibited to men 123 
feng shui 65 
fetters 229.30, 356, 381, 406: 
defilements concluded as 416 
field of merit, parents as a child's first 
148 
fifth group of blessings 183 
fifth precept 124 
fighting: not suitable for monk 322; 
when insulted, not 307 
filial piety 141: but doesn't listen to 
parents' advice 284; children take 
care of parents with 142; 
fundamental of virtues 142; helps 
meditation progress 142 
financial: independence 104; support 
withheld 60 
finding fault, avoiding 48 
fire, should never underestimate a 
small 295 
first absorption, prince Siddhartha's 
attainment of 358 
first blessing, importance of 27 
first precept 123 
fishermen, amenable location for 67 
fishing 128 
five precepts 120, 121.2, 245: 
components 122-4; protects from the 
unfortunate realms 360; reduces 
antisocial behaviours 405; vs. eight 
precepts 125 
five virtues (paticadhamma) 120: 
cultivating 199.200; indicator of 
ethical work 215 
flattery 31: avoiding 265 
flesh, dealing in 216 
flexibility of mind, function of merit to 
bring 82 
flowers: as a token of respect 58; as 
suitable gift 188; restraint from talk 
of 336 
fluctuations of mind, daily 38.9 
followers, measure of a person's worth 
262 
food supply, good all year round 66, 68 
food: amenable 66, 67,68-9; as suitable 
gift 188; for the body 178; for the 
mind 178; greed for 275; restraint 
from talk of 336; result of giving 193; 
self-sufficient 66, 69 
fools 29: avoiding the influence of 31-2; 
bearers 
of 
contagious 
misapprehension 29; behaviour 
towards others 31; caution when 
associating with 32; deeper meaning 
of not associating with 295; 
feebleness of 29; identified by words 
& actions 30; in the outside world 33; 
inside 33; knowing your potential 
when associating with 32; knowledge 
dangerous to 105-6; misunderstand 
profit in life 42; not associating with 
27.35; not worthy of respect 57; 
protecting ourselves from 29; putting 
in quarantine 31; reappearing 
because of lack of patience 301; 
recognizing 29-31; unrecognizable by 
external appearances 30; varieties of 
33; vs. wise man 37-9; worthy role 
model distances one from 52 
forest-dweller's practice 350-1 
432 A Manual of Peace: 38 Steps towards Enlightened Living 
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forfeiture & confession, rules entailing 
127 
forgery 217 
forgetting favours received 284 
forgetting good deeds, respect as way 
to avoid 53 
forgiveness 41-2,80, 186: result of 193 
form realms, attachment to the 380 
form sphere 356, 360: happiness of 363 
form-absorption 356 
formation of discretion 27-8 
form-brahma body 356, 378, 379 
formless realms, attachment to the 380 
formless sphere 356, 360: happiness of 
363 
formless-brahma body 356, 378, 379 
formless-plane of mind 358: Prince 
Siddhartha's attainment of 358 
formless-pleasure, craving for 375-6 
form-plane of mind 358: Prince 
Siddhartha's attainment of 358 
form-pleasure, craving for 375 
fortune-tellers, cause prevarication 179 
fortune-telling: pseudo-science of 
statistics 128; unsuitable for monks 
128, 323, 325 
four bases of sympathy, as Buddhist 
teaching for practice 386 
four chambers of a millionaire's heart 
40 
four foundations of success 180: as 
buddhist teaching for practice 386 
four virtues of the householder 192 
fourth group of blessings 139 
fourth precept 124 
fraud 197 
free, mark of inner-based happiness 
274 
frequenting games & shows 31 
frequently meeting up with a wise one 
44 
friend: being someone others feel 
privileged to call a 197; constant 43; 
giving as a 188; helpful 43; of wise 
counsel 43; protective 43; spouse like 
a 169; sympathetic 43; who gives 
more than is asked 43; who is a 
refuge 43 
friends as extended family 206; budget 
for generosity to 192; formative 
influence on discretion 333; measure 
of a person's worth 262 
friendship, destruction by alcohol 235; 
result of encouraging others to make 
merit 84; wise one's 43-4 
fruits of having practised until reaching 
an end of defilements 393 
fuel, as suitable gift 188 
fulfilment, result from giving 193; mark 
of inner-based happiness 274 
fun of the Dhamma, not making 257 
function in society, knowing one's 270 
funds, shortage of 207 
funeral, helping extended family who 
have a 208; real purpose 406 
future, brightness depends on 
discretion 51 
gains, not teaching out of motivation 
for 294 
gambling 31, 94, 107: distraction to 
work 179; monks encouraging 325 
games: frequenting 31; unsuitable for 
monks 325 
Ganges, sacrificial bathing in 198 
gang-fighting 103, 265 
garden, cottage 66, 69 
gardening, physical skilfulness 114 
garlands, restraint from talk of 336 
gene, selfish 142 
generosity 40, 41, 45, 79, 80,185-196, 
199, 365: abstract 186; basic virtue 
185-6; benefit of not drinking 236; 
categories 186; concrete 186; 
cultivating 187-90; defined 186; 
degree of 192; encouraging parents 
towards 147; in ten virtues of a ruler 
201; leading to wealth 85; mark of 
personal potential 270; on a daily 
basis 248; overcomes greed 349; 
perfection of 190; persuading spouse 
to practice 173; reasons for 186-7; 
respect for 186; to cultivate 
contentment 276.7; vs. christian 
charity 186 
genetically identical twins 77 
gentle: speech 265; teaching 333 
gentleness, in ten virtues of a ruler 201 
gesture of respect 58 
gestures, exaggerated 257 
getting around to doing work 179 
getting closer to fools 31 
ghost-stories, restraint from talk of 336 
gift of wellbeing, catalytic 86 
gift: appropriate 188; benefit to 
recipient 80; communal 186; 
dedication of merit from 189; 
exclusivity of 186; nature of 188-9; 
personal 186; pure 190; quality of 
186; quality of 188; to a saint 190 
gifts: homage through 54; wives should 
be given 172 
ginger, consumption allowed after 
midday 125 
giver, pure 190 
giving: a discourse on the dhamma 81; 
for giving's sake 187; more than is 
asked, friend that 43; resources 171, 
208, things to fools 33; to those who 
give to us 173; appropriate amount 
191; importance of 185.6; nothing to 
those who give us nothing 173; 
results of 192; 
giving up frivolous behaviour, to 
overcome sensuality 417 
globalization, blessings of life cope with 
20 
Gnostics 362 
GNP, misleading as economic indicator 
276 
god, blaming 375 
gold & silver, not handling 122 
good & evil: ability to discriminate 25; 
average person between the 
extremes of 39 
good actions, non-recklessness reminds 
us to do 246 
good conduct, makes a family worthy 
of help 210 
good deeds: assisting others to 80; 
continuing even when insulted 307; 
having done in one's past 77-89; 
mindfulness of doing 258; performing 
continuously 32 
good fortune, congratulating others on 
their 44 
good friends: associating with 40; 
characteristics of 336 
good health, from not torturing animals 
84 
good qualities, identifying in others 254 
good, self-discipline leads to 120 
goodness: comes as part of the 
exemplifier 25; doesn't come 
unpackaged 25 
goodwill of critics, appreciating 313 
goody-goody, reluctance to be 177 
go-slows 219 
gossip: as worldly vicissitude 396; 
avoiding 200; behind back 31; 
malicious 129; not succumbing 
because non-drinker 236; not 
suitable for monk 323; restraint from 
Blessing Thirty-Eight: Me Blissful Mind 433 
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talk of 336 
Gottman, John 170 
government, just 66, 69 
grace: character of true monk 323; 
physical 83 
gradual removal of defilements 349 
graduates, uselessness of fresh 113 
grandparents as extended family 206 
grasping: defilement of the form-
brahma body 356; for existence 230; 
for the form realms 414, 413; for the 
formless realms 414, 413; for the 
sensual realms 414, 413 
gratitude 40, 281-9: abused as 
corruption 287; appreciating our debt 
of 142; benchmark for judging 
strangers 142; benefit of not drinking 
236; bolsters respect 282-3; debt of 
141; debt of in unwholesome speech 
132; defined 283; degrees of 2834; 
developing in everyday life 286-7; 
development in children 286.7; 
expressing facilitates receiving 
criticism 313; for favours received 
281; important factor in cherishing 
parents 141; in the cultivation of 
virtue 2824; instilling from early age 
284, 286-7; makes family worthy of 
help 210; necessity of 142; not 
employing those who lack 284; not 
helping those who lack 284; objects 
of 284-6; pitfalls 287; setting example 
to one's children 142; vs. respect 284-
5 
Great abbot of Wat Paknam 388, 423 
Great Seth 362 
greed: defilement of angelic body 356; 
defilements of 412; overcome by 
being generous 349; overcome by 
contentment 417; overcoming 229; 
removing from the mind 80; slightly 
damaging but long-lived 412; 
symptomology of 275 
grim-reaper 408 
gross unwholesomeness 228.9 
group eight, introduction to 301 
group of blessings, first 25 
groupings of blessings, relationship 22 
grudge, bearing a 374 
guarding required, mark of external-
based happiness 274 
guiding a friend in the direction of 
heaven 44 
gullibility 92: makes it too easy to 
accept criticism 314; next-lifetime 
consequence of alcohol 236 
gun-running 217 
H 
habits: contagious 28,38; dictate future 
behaviour 348; prevarication about 
improving bad 95 
habitual evil-doers, identifying 25 
habitual state of mind, may dictate 
afterlife destination 359 
habituation to unwholesomeness, 
nature of mind 234 
hair-dye, eight precepts prohibits 
wearing 126 
hallucinations, 
next-lifetime 
consequence of alcohol 236 
handicapped child, risk of sexual 
relations 166 
hands, holding in a gesture of respect 
259 
handsomeness, misuse of 287 
hands-on knowledge 105 
handwriting, messy 115 
hanging out on the street 103 
hankering after impossibilities, 
avoiding 270 
happiness 356: as worldly vicissitude 
396; benefit of not drinking 236; 
brought to monastic community by 
discipline 126; dependent on external 
factors 2734; expressing facilitates 
receiving criticism 313; function of 
merit to bring 82; inner 274; of monk, 
spiritually derived 323; result from 
giving 193; self-sufficiency in 274; 
transcendental versus spiritual 371; 
two types 273.4; vs. poverty 273.4 
happy monk, exemplifies virtue 301 
happy society, result of merit 85 
harbouring bias, because of lack of wise 
ones 46 
hard times: friend who doesn't abandon 
one in 43; helping extended family 
who are in 208; not abandoning a 
friend in 45 
hard to pacify, nature of mind 234 
hardship: patience in the face of 305; 
unwholesomeness at social level 228 
harmonious society, result of merit 85 
harmony: in family life 139; lacking in 
earning livelihood 168; speaking to 
engender 400 
harsh speech 129: avoiding 40 
hatred: bias because of 200; defilement 
of angelic body 356; defilement of the 
form-brahma body 356; defilements 
of 415; gravely damaging but short-
lived 412; in learning 106 
having done good deeds in one's past 
77-89, 96 
having heard much, basis of spiritual 
dialogue 331 
health: destruction by alcohol 235; 
drunkenness concerning good 235; of 
body & mind 73; result from giving 
193; safeguarding 114; too precious 
for recklessness 244; undermined, 
risk of sexual relations 166; 
ungrateful to body to destroy 285.6 
hearing teachings 108 
heart of Buddhism 246 
heaven: as afterlife destination, helping 
parents towards 146-7; as buddhist 
metaphysical teaching 386; attained 
by receiving monk at home 326; 
generosity first step to 185; giving to 
reborn in 187; guiding a friend in the 
direction of 43; misunderstood in 
modern literature 389; seven virtues 
of the king of 400 
heavenly birth, not true aim in life 423 
hell: as Buddhist metaphysical 
teaching 386; falling into because of 
insulting 133; mindfulness of 
suffering in 258; misunderstood in 
modern literature 389; non-
recklessness reminds us about 246; 
recollecting to develop conscience 
230; suffering of birth in 373; 
themselves, those who can't be 
bothered 38 
help: accepting only when really 
necessary 286; conditional for 
extended family 206; one-off 206; 
spiritual 209-10; unconditional for 
close family 206 
helpful friend 43 
helpfulness 171: dhamma taught on the 
basis of 333 
helping & acting for their welfare 45 
helping hand, lending a 209 
helping: ourselves before helping others 
205; society as a monk 368; wise ones 
in times of need 44 
helplessness 403 
Hemingway, unworthy role model 51 
Hendrix, unworthy role model 51 
hereafter, profit in life for 41 
hereditary sin 142 
hero, effect on one's discretion 51.2 
434 A Manual of Peace: 38 Steps towards Enlightened Living 
EFTA01129536

hesitation before giving 194 
hiding faults, source of stubbornness 
316 
hindrances 229, 398: freedom from, for 
monks 324; overcome by meditation 
229 
Hindu: conduct 120, 121; purification 
198; reincarnation 362; concept of 
self 390 
holistic, quality of blessings of life 
system 20, 23 
Holy Sites of buddhism, respecting 256 
holy-life 357 
homage: risking one's life to pay 61; 
through gifts 54; through practice 54 
home location: choosing 72-3; 
improving amenability 73 
home visit, by a monk 326 
homosexuality, no genetic explanation 
142 
honesty: of population 66, 69; favouring 
42 
honour: as worldly vicissitude 396; 
attained by receiving monk at home 
326; destruction by alcohol 235; merit 
doesn't imply 78 
honouring parents, while alive 146 
Homer, I.B. 390 
hospitality: as filling in gaps 258; as 
object of respect 258; budget for 192; 
material 258; spiritual 258; to monks 
257; training one's subordinates in 
258 
house interior, well planned 66, 68 
household leader, responsible 66, 70 
household: proper care of 172; violence 
167; wife given responsibility for 172 
householder, four virtues of 192 
house-to-house seeker's practice 350 
housing, honouring parents with gift of 
146 
how alcohol affects the mind 234-5 
human being, constitutes body and 
mind 37; made of two parts 347 
human body 378, 379 
human dignity: in Buddhist economics 
214; responsibility for 103.4 
human environment, influence ethical 
learning 22 
human life, preciousness of 95 
human realm, as crossroads 95 
human relations, objective of 
expressing respect to train oneself in 
255 
human rights, difficulties of 37 
human status, recollecting to develop 
conscience 230 
human strengths, the four 29 
humane culture, objective of expressing 
respect to perpetuate 255 
humble person, characteristics 264-5 
humility 80,186, 261-8, 264-5: 
humility, allows to accept criticism 312-
3; basis of spiritual dialogue 331; 
characteristics 264; defined 264; 
leading to high social standing 85; 
makes family worthy of help 210; vs. 
respect 262-3 
Humphreys, Christmas 390 
hunger: of spirit 93; of the mind 19 
hungry-ghosts, suffering of birth in 373 
hurt, of love 404 
husband: as close family 206; 
cherishing 
one's 
165-176; 
contentment with 271; duties to wife 
171.2 
hypocrisy, lying as mental 124 
Hyppolitus 362 
I 
ideals, underestimated 104 
idle chatter 40, 129 
ignorance 230, 380, 413, 416: bias 
because of 200; darkness of 421; 
dealing with stubbornness from 317; 
defilements of 415; gravely damaging 
and long-lived 412; in learning 106; 
shackle of 422; source 
of 
stubbornness 314; unwholesomeness 
at personality level 228; uprooting 81 
ignoring: another's respect 256; good 
advice, not patience 304 
ill, helping extended family who are 208 
ill-chosen words, inappropriate from an 
old person 209 
illegality, indicator of non-ethical work 
215 
illness: danger of 421; grave because of 
insulting 133; loss of self-sufficiency 
207; recovered from slower with age 
408; self-induced 119 
ill-temper, not succumbing because 
non-drinker 236 
ill-will 229: provoking 114 
immaterial problems, material 
solutions to 348 
immodesty, not indulging in 122, 126 
impatience, unwholesomeness at 
personality level 228 
impermanence 397 
impoliteness when making an offering 
64 
importance of discretion 27 
improper, favouring the 30 
improvement 116 
impurity, as mind malfunction 227 
inanimate, objects gratitude to 285 
incense: as suitable gift 188; lighting 
244 
incest 123, 124: gravest consequence of 
desire 412 
incompatible 
working 
hours, 
distraction to work 179 
inconsiderate, disadvantages of being 
253 
independence: of body and mind 247; 
lost at certain times of life 206-7 
India's colonization by Britain 263 
indolent sleeping habits, avoiding 126 
Indonesian constitution 122 
inefficient study 103 
inferiority complex 416 
inflexibility of mind, unwholesomeness 
at mind level 227 
influence of fools: avoiding 31-2; worthy 
role model protects from 52 
influence: attained by receiving monk 
at home 326; on formation of 
discretion 27 
ingratitude: blindness to virtue 141; 
degrees of 284; expressed by 
breaking a precept 124 
initial application of mind 356 
initial body of enlightenment 356 
injustice: patience in the face of 307-8; 
unwholesomeness at social level 228 
in-laws, proper care of 172,173 
inner bodies 378, 379 
inner bodies of experience 358 
inner environment, amenable 73 
inner experience versus sphere of 
mental experience 356 
insecticide, selling 216 
insight 378, 379 
inspiration: to perform virtue, running 
out of 167; mark of personal potential 
270 
inspiring pictures 114 
instability of mind, unwholesomeness 
at mind level 227 
instilled behaviour, from a fool 32 
instilling oneself with basic virtues 251 
instruction, thorough 107 
insult: less difficult to tolerate than 
Blessing Thirty-Eight: The Blissful Mind 435 
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praise 306; not succumbing because 
non-drinker 236; to face vs. behind 
back 132 
insulting: speech 129; those of virtue, 
retribution of 133 
integrity, in ten virtues of a ruler 201 
intellectual resources, artful use 119 
intelligence: destruction by alcohol 235; 
no gene for 77; result front giving 193 
intensive removal of defilements 349 
intention: strength, in breaking precept 
124-5; to give 187.8; behind words 
1334; important starting point for 
abstention 228; pure 190; right 245; 
strength of, in unwholesome speech 
132 
interaction without transaction 33 
interest, lacking genuine 253 
interfering in others' affairs 30 
internal: environment, protecting 74; 
support, for dying parents 146 
interpersonal level, purification at a 
197 
intoxicants 235: not consuming 122; not 
knowingly consuming 121; restraint 
from drinking 233.242 
invited to be born 286 
invulnerability: to worldly vicissitudes 
395.401; requires attainment of 
dhammakaaya 395; requires 
attainment of four noble truths 395; 
requires attainment of nirvana 395; 
useful to study even before 
enlightenment 395; to danger, 
quality of bliss 422 
1% stunted progress in spite of high 67 
Irenaeus 362 
irritability 230, 413, 415: controlling 
303 
Islamic law 120, 121 
J 
Jataka stories, told to children by old-
folks 337 
jaundice, damage from alcohol 233 
jealousy, reducing 85, 271; source of 
stubbornness 316 
jewellery: eight precepts prohibits 
wearing 126; wearing expensive 278 
job satisfaction 276: in Buddhist 
economics 214 
joining in: with fools 32, 33; with wise 
ones 44 
Jones, unworthy role model 51 
Joplin, unworthy role model 51 
joy 356: maintaining the mind full of 
304 
just society, result of merit 85 
justice 66, 69 
K 
Kamanita 322 
karma, dilution of bad 197; faith in law 
of 93; not superficially evident 77; 
transfer between lives 391; 
retribution, defunct 197 
keenness in work 177, 179-80 
keeping eight precepts 366: to overcome 
sensuality 417 
keeping five precepts 41, 79, 81, 365 
Ki.mdada sutta 193 
Kierkegaard 121 
killing 106,128: people 128; punishable 
by disrobing 127; absolutely not 200; 
as defilement of action 199; as gross 
unwholesomeness 228; avoiding 
brings long life 84; not 121, 122, 123 
kind words 45 
kings: object of respect 258; should 
never underestimate a young 295; 
restraint from talk of 336 
knowing: how to say something 114; 
what to say 114; where you stand 
270-1 
knowledge: accessible to the blissful 
mind 422-3; accurate 22; applied for 
own and others benefit 116; applied 
for unwholesome ends 29; artfulness 
in 102-11; body of 253; dangerous to 
fool 105.6; definition of artfulness in 
104; different aspects 108; function 
of merit to bring 83; gift of 186; 
inaccurate 22; instilling in the mind 
103; management 253; measure of a 
person's worth 262; memorizing 109; 
nature of 104.6; of an end to all 
defilements 423; of past and future, 
benefit of not drinking 236; quality 
of bliss 422; recollecting to develop 
conscience 230; result of giving 193; 
sharing between employees 253; 
spiritual vs. worldly; strength of 29; 
supra-normal eightfold 324; three 
levels 104; training, too precious for 
recklessness 244; transforming into 
skills 114.5; vs. ability 113; vs. 
wisdom 37; 
Kohlberg, Lawrence 281 
Kumarakassapa Thera's mother 175 
L 
laity, reciprocal relation with monks 
191 
lamentation, suffering of 374 
land-measuring, corrupt 217 
language, analytic insight into 423 
last word, wanting is source of 
stubbornness 315 
latent benefit 283 
late-serving refuser's practice 350 
law and order, breakdown of 263 
law of karma, as buddhist metaphysical 
teaching 386 
law: compliance with 119; just 66, 71 
laxity, concerning monastic conduct 
325 
lay-jobs, monks volunteering for 325 
laypeople, 
way 
to 
overcome 
stubbornness 316-7 
laziness 92,94, 107,271: as ingratitude 
177; avoiding 115; distraction to work 
179; not tolerated by buddhism 177; 
overcoming 351 
leading to roads of ruin 31 
leaning on others 91 
learn Dhamma, lack of interest to 60 
learned: becoming 108.9; vs. wise 105-
6 
leamedness104: 93, 102-11 
learning: atmosphere of 66, 71; 
attentively 107; enthusiasm 103; 
material & spiritual complementary 
109; never tiring of 103; process 107-
9; respectfully 107 
leave for employees 218 
legacy, being worthy of 145, 146 
lethargy, cured by sport 180 
letting go, of a gift 189 
levels of mind versus realms of 
existence 357-362 
liberation: principles of 362-3; requires 
sense-restraint 353; talk about 135; 
worthy subject of dhamma debate 
336 
lies: avoiding 40; not telling 45, 121, 
122; not succumbing because non-
drinker 236; telling 132 
life: adjusting to cheerfully 272; aims 
and priorities 92; curtailed 373; 
experience 77; extension, result of 
giving 193; laying down one's 192; 
making a mess of one's 27; setting 
oneself up properly in 91.8 
lifespan, drunkenness concerning long 
235 
436 A Manual of Peace: 38 Steps towards Enlightened Living 
EFTA01129538

lifestyle: merit function at level of 83-
5; success at the level of 78 
light, result of giving 193 
limitation, principle of 121 
limits of knowledge, admitting ones 
335 
line, knowing where to draw 120 
liquor, unsuitable gift 54 
listeners, marks of a good dhamma 294-
5 
listening attentively 108, 313; 
patiently, character of good friend 
336; to dhamma sermons 81; to 
inappropriate things 307; to spiritual 
teachings, encouraging parents 
towards 147; to the dhamma, 
appropriate occasions 292; to the 
dhamma, basis of spiritual dialogue 
331; to the dhamma, objectives 291; 
to the dhamma, outcomes 296-7; to 
others opinions 136 
listening regularly to dhamma 
teachings 291-9; defined 292 
litter, helping pick up 365-6 
live & let live, attitude in buddhist 
debate 385 
livelihood: almsround as sole monastic 
191; avoiding wrong 215.8; lack of 
harmony in earning 168; pure for a 
monk 324; purity of 127-8; right 245; 
selecting 201; unwholesome 104 
liver disease, damage from alcohol 233 
livestock, rearing for slaughter 216 
living: in an amenable location 67-76; 
in someone else's house 91; together 
vs. marriage 166 
local law, compliance with 120 
location: accessible from other countries 
66, 68; amenable 66,67, 68; catalytic 
96; Dhamma amenability 67; factors 
for amenable 67; general amenability 
67; making it amenable 74 
long term plan, resolution as 189 
longevity 84 
long-life:from avoiding killing 84; result 
from giving 193; too precious for 
recklessness 244 
long-sighted knowledge 108 
looking after one's extended family, 
defined 206 
looking: at inappropriate things 307; 
down on others 230; down on yourself 
295; down on yourself, not 271; down, 
on one's wife 171; down, on sermon 
content 294-5; for good in people, 
helps learning 254 
losing sleep, avoiding 272 
loss of: honour, as worldly vicissitude 
396; wealth, as worldly vicissitude 
396 
lottery 94: form of gambling 128; 
tickets, wrong for monks to sell 128; 
tips, not suitable for monk 323; 
love: hurts 404; possessive 403; 
possessive vs. true 405; true 403 
loved ones, separation from 374 
loving kindness 40, 148, 365: can 
appease enmity 418; Dhamma 
taught on the basis of 333; overcomes 
sensuality 417; overcomes temper 
349; perfection of 190; undermined 
by selling alcohol 216 
loving yourself truly 405 
low: mind radiance 227; places 57; 
potential of mind 227; quality mind 
227; -down people 284 
loyalty: in repaying debts of gratitude 
286; to one's boss 218; towards wise 
ones 44 
lucky charm 20, 21 
lust 413, 414 
luxuries, avoiding fighting over 271 
lying, absolutely not 200; to yourself 
three times, to lie to others once 124 
M 
Ma'ngala sutta 21, 150 
madness: because of insulting 133; 
next-lifetime consequence of alcohol 
236 
mafia, absence of 66, 68 
magical powers 423 
maintaining: Dhammakaya, prevents 
backsliding 386; good habits you 
already possess 354; state of mind 
247 
making way for a monk 326.7 
making yourself known to a wise one 
44 
male animal to female animal, 
unsuitable gift 189 
malfunction, of mind 227 
malicious gossip 129: as worldly 
vicissitude 396 
management, knowledge 253 
manifesting true respect, objective of 
expressing respect 255 
manners: in meeting with a monk 326; 
consistency in 264; physical 
skilfulness 114 
manpower, shortage of 207 
market gardeners agreement 123 
market, proximity 66, 68, 72 
marriage 170: boredom with 174; 
breakdown, analyzing 174; cannot be 
sustained by physical attraction 364; 
challenge of 171; happiest day is first 
364; legal registration of 170; 
maintaining relationship 171-4; 
misunderstood 168; not advocated by 
buddha 165; not compulsory in 
western culture 165; of no interest 
to those at brahma level 358; opting 
for celibacy after children left home 
165; partner, boredom with 174; 
pinning one's hopes on 405; 
principles of happy 173; requires 
responsibility 166; tolerated by 
buddhism 166; vs. celibacy 165.6; vs. 
living together 166; western 
attitudes to 165 
masquerading as a monk 368 
mass media, values portrayed by 166 
mastery, function of merit to bring 83 
matchmaking services: as unsuitable 
gift 189; unsuitable for monks 325 
material: aim in life exclusively 93, 94; 
motivation to accept criticism 314; 
needs, supply monastic community 
with 191; objects, gift of 80, 186; 
pauper 274; possession, sacrificing 
192; profit in life, defined 40.1; 
prosperity vs. amenable location 67-
8; solutions to immaterial problems 
348 
material/spiritual aim in life 94 
materialism, not true aim in life 423 
mattress, laziness induced by soft 126 
maturity, spiritual 281 
meal, communal within family 73 
mealtime, communal 66, 71 
meaning in life eroded, risk of sexual 
relations 166 
meat-eating, acceptable for beasts who 
have died of old age 285 
mechanics, physical skilfulness 114 
media irresponsibility, discourages lay 
generosity 191 
medical: ethics 253; profession, pitfalls 
253• professions, wrong livelihood in 
217; use of alcohol 235 
medicine, honouring parents with gift 
of 146 
meditating 245: before dhamma 
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discussion 335; every evening 87; 
regularly to develop patience 307; to 
facilitate benefit from criticism 317 
meditation centre, debt of gratitude to 
285 
meditation object, mindfulness of 258; 
non-recklessness reminds us to 
recollect 246 
meditation progress, helped by filial 
piety 142 
meditation retreat, sometimes requires 
solitude 250 
meditation 79, 81,93, 199, 377: antidote 
to wandering mind 229; as object of 
respect 257-8; cultivating in earnest 
257.8; daily 92, 277; encouraging 
parents towards 147; every evening 
308; fear of 405; foundation of 
patience 307; helped by reflection on 
death 406; important for monks 368; 
maintaining one's mind in 295; most 
important link of eightfold path 257; 
necessary for enlightenment 257; 
necessary for relinquishing sense-
attachment 363; necessary to 
practising austerity 351; on a daily 
basis 248; overcomes defilements 
303; overcomes hindrances 229; 
overcoming defilements 105; 
progress by disinterest in results 269; 
regular 116, 202, 405; risking one's 
life for 250; striving in 353; upgrades 
mind quality 38 
medium unwholesome 229 
meeting of the order, rules entailing an 
initial & subsequent 127 
meeting up with fools 31 
memorizing knowledge 108 
mental: deficiency from alcohol 233, 
236: powers, sixfold 423; suffering, 
patience in the face of 305; work in 
Buddhism 214; skilfulness 114 
mercenary 31 
merit 78-9: accruing 79-82; caution in 
studying 86-7; characteristics 78.9; 
collective 85; confusion about english 
term 78; dedicating merit to deceased 
145, 146, 147; deserves gratitude 
285; effects publicly visible 78; 
functions 82-5; gratitude to 285; 
implies being deserved 78; knowing 
how to accrue 87; knowing the 
importance of 87; motivation to 
accrue 
87; 
mundane 
vs. 
transcendental 79; outcomes of 84-
5; overcoming shyness to accrue 87-
8; persuading others to share 84; 
prevarication 91; quality of 79; 
rejoicing in 81, 186; speed of taking 
effect 85.6; ten major ways to accrue 
80-2 ; three major ways to accrue 79; 
transfer of 80.1, 186; visible to 
advanced meditators 78 
mess, making one's life a 27 
metaphysical: answers, only implied by 
Buddha 387; teachings, Buddhist 386 
metaphysics of buddhism, designed 
only to alleviate doubts 387 
midday sun, not letting beasts of 
burden work under 285 
Middle Way 376 
military, wrong livelihood in 217 
millionaires in Buddhist times 195 
millionaire's heart, four chambers of 40, 
94 
mind: blissful 421.424; cleansing 82; 
day-to-day fluctuations 38.9; 
differences from one person to the 
next 38; effect of quality differences 
38; effect of quality on wisdom 38; 
food for 178; giving to improve 
quality of 187; habitually pure, wise 
one 42; hard to open to the dhamma 
331; humility of 265; hunger of 19; 
independent of body 247; instilling 
knowledge in 103; levels of 357-8; 
maintaining state 
of 
247; 
malfunction 227; merit function at 
level of 82-3; nature of 347; not 
allowing to succumb to emotions 247; 
not allowing to wander 247; purified 
by generosity 185-6; qualities of mind 
without defilements 393; quality 
improved, character of merit 78; 
quality of 38; quality, upgraded by 
meditation 38; raising quality 82; 
sound 136; speech pleasant to 136; 
success at the level of 77; 
unwholesomeness at 227; wandering, 
as medium unwholesomeness 229 
mindfulness 199, 247.8: as non-
recklessness 258; benefit of not 
drinking 236; benefits 247; 
cultivating 406; for monks 324; 
functions 247-8; metaphors for 248; 
properties 247; right 245; worthy role 
model facilitates 52 
minding your own business 304 
ministering to congregation in 
kindness, duty of monks 55 
ministers, restraint from talk of 336 
minor faults, blinding one as to virtues 
48 
mirror, inner, for personal potential 270 
miscarriage, risk of sexual relations 166 
misconduct, sexual 172 
misery, reducing one's 374 
misfortunes: not laughing at others' 44; 
unwholesomeness at lifestyle level 
228 
mistaken killing 123 
mistreating: children 147-8; friends, 
because of lack of wise ones 46 
mistresses 278 
misunderstanding of marriage 168 
misuse of rank or position, because of 
lack of wise ones 46 
mockery: doesn't dissuade to do good 
deeds 304; of Dhamma teachings 57 
moderation: contentment as knowing 
274; helping only those who know 
279; in eating, to cultivate 
contentment 276; not in all things 
376 
modest dress, necessary for Dhamma 
discussion 335 
monarch, object of respect 258 
monarchs, righteous 66, 70: worthy of 
respect 56 
monastic code of conduct: following 324; 
restraint according to 127 
monastic community: discipline brings 
peace 126; offering a meal toga, 191; 
supplying with material needs 191; 
worthy of respect 55-6 
monastic discipline 367-8t: components 
127-8t; objectives 126-7 
monastic life: protects from sorrow 406; 
training in contentment 277 
money: as a token of respect 58; 
worshipping 104, 107, 276 
monks: budget for support to 192; 
giving out of sympathy for 187; 
happiness, spiritually derived 323; 
needs, attending 257; not worthy of 
respect, characteristics 325; pass on 
almsround 66; receiving at one's 
home 326; receiving full benefit from 
325; recognizing teaching 321-2; 
reciprocal relation with laity 191; 
should meditate 368; should never 
underestimate a young 295; striving 
for nirvana, worthy of respect 55; 
treating badly 326; treating with 
respect at ones home 326; way to 
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overcome stubbornness 316 
monkeys, three 304 
Monroe, unworthy role model 51 
moodiness, leading to bad complexion 
84-5 
moon, unworthy role model 51 
moral: approaches to unwholesomeness 
226-7; support for fools 32 
morale, obstacle to Dhamma practice 
202 
morality: artificial 226; deterioration 
60; natural 226; possessions 
appropriate to one's level of 273; 
theistic 226 
Morrison, unworthy role model 51 
mortal blunders, because of insulting 
133 
mother, spouse like a 169 
mothers, working 172 
motivation, initial 180 
mouth, one is ample 131 
mudslinging 129: reducing 271; source 
of stubbornness 316 
mugging 128 
multi-factorial, quality of blessings of 
life system 20, 23.4 
multi-level, quality of blessings of life 
system 20, 23 
mundane merit 79 
murder, with no witnesses 120 
music, eight precepts prohibits playing 
126 
mutual danger, only helping in the case 
of 31 
myrobalan, consumption allowed after 
midday 125 
N 
naked eye, can see only two realms of 
existence 358 
namedropping 265 
national wellbeing, undermined by 
wrong livelihood 215 
nationality, contentment with 271 
natural: disasters, danger of 422; 
morality 226 
nature vs. nurture dichotomy 65, 77 
near death experience 359 
need vs. want, discerning 128, 192 
needs, budget for immediate 192; giving 
away things surplus to 192; the four 
basic 207 
neighbours, amenable 66, 67, 69-70 
nepotism 197, 201, 205 
new town, establishing requires 
benefactor 69 
next life, profit for 71-2 
nightlife 94 
Nirvana, accessible to all 391; as a 
realm of existence 387-8; as a state 
of mind 387; as final destruction 388; 
characteristics 389-91; defined 387; 
generosity as path to 185; location of 
388; misunderstood in modern 
literature 
389; 
modern 
understanding pioneered by 
Phramonkolthepmuni 388; must be 
attained to be invulnerable 395; 
practicality of attaining 391; 
terminologies concerning 387-9; the 
attainment of 385-392 
no remaining refuge for congregation 
60 
noble eightfold path 245 
noble in themselves, the noble truths 
372 
noble silence 334 
noble 
thought 
obstructed, 
unwholesomeness at mind level 227 
noble truths: becoming unified with 
386; defined 371.2; invisible to those 
who 
have 
not 
attained 
dhammakaaya 381; method of seeing 
378; must be attained to be 
invulnerable 395; overlooked for 
aeons 372; seeing the four 371.84 
noise, lack of disturbing 66, 68 
non-anger, in ten virtues of a ruler 201 
non-association, practising in everyday 
life 32-3 
non-discriminatory, quality of blessings 
of life system 20, 23 
non-gratitude to parents, theories 142-
3 
non-greed 40 
non-hatred 40 
non-recklessness 245-7: as object of 
respect 258; benefit of not drinking 
236; defined 245; importance of in 
dhamma overview 245-6; more than 
being careful 246 
non-recklessness in the dhamma 243-
250: components 246.7; cultivating 
248; defined 246 
non-returner 356, 381: body of 
enlightenment of 380; worthy of 
respect 55 
non-violence, in ten virtues of a ruler 
201 
norm, self-discipline as 121 
normal state, patience as maintaining 
303 
normal, role models dictate what we 
consider 51 
no-self 390 
not associating with fools 27-35 
not-self 390 
nuns, ordaining as 367; prohibited to 
men 123 
nursing, physical skilfulness 114 
nurture influences of environment 65 
nutgall, consumption allowed after 
midday 125 
0 
obedience, to teacher 107 
objects of respect: secular 258-9; 
spiritual 256-8 
objects, not worthy of respect 57-8 
objects, worthy of respect 56 
obsequiousness, bowing out of 53 
observation, fosters skilfulness 115 
obsession with appearances 106 
obstacles 398: overcoming 92 
obstinacy, reflecting on the harm of 316 
occasion, chosen to mention something 
134 
occupational training, too precious for 
recklessness 244 
offering to a monk 326 
off-limits, monks going to places that 
are 325 
old age, spirituality in 94 
old folks, tell children jaataka stories 
337 
old maid, no dishonour 367 
old man, with young wife 170 
old people, tend to talk a lot 146 
old-age: danger of 421; looking after 
parents in 146; loss of self-sufficiency 
207 
older generation, role in dhamma 
discussion 337 
once-returner 356,380,381: worthy of 
respect 55 
one-meal eater's practice 350 
one-off help 206 
one-pointedness 229, 356 
one-upmanship, alien to dhamma 
discussion 335 
open covetousness 413, 414 
open house to monks, keeping 191 
open-air dweller's practice 351 
openness to criticism, as interactive 
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virtue 301; basis of spiritual dialogue 
332; characteristics 312-4; fifth stage 
of patience 311; ulterior motives for 
314; defined 312 
opposites highlighted, quality of 
blessings of life system 20, 24 
ordain, persuading a person to 209 
ordained, despite lack of faith 325 
ordaining: for one's parents 147; with 
an aim in mind 324 
orderliness, favouring 43 
ordinand, low-quality 59 
ordination: benefits of temporary 277; 
helping extended family who have an 
208; taking 367 
origin of suffering, the noble truth of 
375-6 
origin of unwholesomeness 227 
orphans, helping extended family who 
are 208 
outcomes of generosity, speed of 1923 
outlaws, absence of 66, 68 
outsiders, help us recognize our faults 
311 
Oviidapfitimokkha 245 
overcoming previous evil habits 353 
overestimating oneself 263: source of 
stubbornness 315 
overlength dhamma discussion to be 
avoided 336 
P 
Pacoekabuddha: gift to 191; gives latent 
benefit 283 
pagoda: building a 62; honouring with 
flowers 62; respecting 256; worthy of 
respect 56-7 
pain, suffering of 374 
painting, physical skilfulness 114 
panic, restraint from talk of 336 
paranoia, next-lifetime consequence of 
alcohol 236 
parent 
and 
child, 
reciprocal 
relationship between 147-8 
parental: advice 284; responsibility to 
be an example 33; time, worth more 
to children than money 73 
parental role 103 
parents 143: announcing goodness of 
141, 147; as close family 206; beating 
children out of anger 51; cherishing 
141.51, 400; contentment with 271; 
expectations of 145.6; helping 
irresponsible 148; how to treat aging 
146; -in-law as close family 206; 
inspire schoolchildren to study 283; 
most accessible example of virtue 
141; object of respect 258; rationale 
for cherishing 141; repaying 
deceased 147; role model for young 
children 51; should dominate 
dhamma conversation 338; telling 
lies 51; theories of non-gratitude to 
142-3; to the whole world 147; with 
filial piety, cared for by children 142; 
worthy of respect 56 
partial perception, non attachment to 
352 
partiality, because of lack of wise ones 
47 
passive learning 254 
past 79: good deeds, recollecting to 
develop conscience 230; having done 
good deeds in one's 77-89; recent vs. 
distant 79 
path to the cessation of suffering, the 
noble truth of 376.8 
patience 303-10: as interactive virtue 
301; at the fifth level, openness to 
criticism as 311; basis of spiritual 
dialogue 332; bolstered by respect 
282; characteristics 303-4; fool 
reappearing because of lack of 301; 
foundation of wisdom 303; founded 
on meditation 307; in ten virtues of 
a ruler 201; in the face of hardship 
305; in the face of mental suffering 
305; in the face of physical suffering 
305; in the face of temptation 306; 
►evels of 305.6; training oneself in 
306.7; misunderstandings 304.5; 
necessary to practising austerity 351; 
strengthened 83 
patricide cults 143 
patron, needed to establish new town 
69 
patronizing: another's respect 256; 
being 138; speech 265 
patrons, available 66, 69 
paupers, two types 274 
paying respect to 
paying respect, method 58-60; to those 
worthy of respect, consequences of 
not 59.60 
peace: brought to monastic community 
by 
discipline 
126; 
envoy, 
characteristics of a 135.6 
peaceful: action 322; society 85; speech 
323 
peacefulness mark of inner-based 
happiness 274 
peer-pressure 51, 53 
people: danger of 422; rare sorts of 281; 
varieties of 39 
peoples worth measure of 261.2 
perfection, pursuing 423 
perfectionism, causing procrastination 
177 
perfume: eight precepts prohibits 
wearing 126; restraint from talk of 
336 
permanent property, result of giving 
193 
persistence 366 
person keeping: the precepts, gift to 
190; no precepts, gift to 190 
personal: gift 186; purification at a 197; 
potential 270; service, to teacher 107 
personality: biased 167; developing 83; 
merit function at level of 83; success 
at the level of 78; unwholesomeness 
of 228 
persons worthy of respect 54-6 
persuading others: to do evil 30; to 
share merit 84 
pessimistic world view 167 
photographs of respected people 57 
photography, physical skilfulness 114 
Phramonkolthepmuni, 
greatest 
modern understanding of Nirvana 
388 
physical attraction 364; care 144; 
disappointment 374; health of 
population 213.4; strength 29; 
suffering, patience in the face of 305; 
work in Buddhism 214; skilfulness 
114 
physical body 356: deserves gratitude 
285-6 
pick-pocketing 215 
picture of yourself, as unsuitable gift 
189 
piety, filial 141 
pillar of society 183 
pitfalls, in a body of knowledge 253 
place in society, knowing one's 270 
planes of mind 358: subdivisions within 
358; vs. spheres of existence 359.60 
planned avoidance 229 
plumbing, physical skilfulness 114 
poisons: as unsuitable gift 189; dealing 
in 216 
polite manners, suitable for monk 323 
polite speech 400: necessary for 
dhamma discussion 335 
440 A Manual of Peace: 38 Steps towards Enlightened Living 
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