略說善惡 (Brief Discussion on Good and Evil)

這篇來聊聊善惡，無關涅槃

雖然世間的對錯沒有辦法說的清楚

但是佛教對於善、惡還是有明確的定義

先前文章略說阿毗達摩有提到名法

心所就是其中的一部分

從表中可以看到十四不善心所跟二十五美心所

這就是其所定義的善、惡

如果以人作為基準點的話

所謂的善就是提升

所謂的惡就是下墜

提升指的就是可以維持人身

或是可以轉生到天界享樂

下墜則是沒辦法維持人身

藉由轉生到畜牲、惡鬼、阿修羅、地獄等處受苦

在現世中也可以從善、惡中，得樂或受苦

以五蘊來看的話，色、受、想、行、識，表中可以看到受、想在七遍一切心中

所謂的遍一切心就是不管是善、惡的心都會含有的心

色的部分是單獨的色法

有興趣可以看尊者們編撰的"阿毗達摩講要"或是"阿毗達摩概要精解"

這邊只做粗略的概說

行蘊呢則是五十二心所裡除了想跟受以外

所謂的造作好，造作壞就是行蘊的功能了

識呢?? 就是先前文章尊者提到的一心

回到主題

從表中可以清楚的看出其善、惡的定義

筆者是認為可以再細分更多種類

這部分留給修毗婆奢那的讀者自行去挖掘

大體上平常在觀心的時候能看到什麼就看什麼

不需要刻意的去抑制不善心的生起

或是刻意製造善心的生起

除非發現自己快要被不善心控制了

那這個時候逃走是可以的

暫時的脫離會升起不善心的環境

之後再來觀

在種善因的時候(佈施、持戒、禪定)

也不需要勉強

盡力也量力而為

發現不善心不斷生起的時候要知道錯了

不斷的這樣看著善、惡心的生滅

就這樣諸惡莫作，眾善奉行，自淨其意，善法不執

之後有空再來聊聊轉生的機制

雖然已不是我，但仍然是充滿著希望

等不及的讀者可以先去看尊者們的著作

"阿毗達摩講要"或是"阿毗達摩概要精解"

願各位幸福無煩惱

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Let’s talk about good (kusala) and evil (akusala), unrelated to Nibbāna.

Although it is hard to clearly define right and wrong in the world,
Buddhism has clear definitions for what constitutes good and evil.
In a previous article, we briefly discussed the Abhidhamma and mentioned nāma,
which includes cetasikas (mental factors) as a part of it.

From the chart, we can see the fourteen unwholesome (akusala) mental factors and twenty-five beautiful (sobhana) mental factors.
This is the Abhidhamma's definition of good and evil.
If we use humans as the reference point,
what we call "good" leads to upliftment,
and "evil" leads to degeneration.

Upliftment refers to what sustains a human life
or allows rebirth in the heavenly realms to enjoy pleasures.

Degeneration means failing to maintain a human life,
leading to rebirth in realms like animals, hungry ghosts, asuras (demons), or hell, where suffering prevails.

Even in the present life, one can experience happiness or suffering based on good or evil actions.

Looking through the lens of the five aggregates (pañcakkhandha)—form (rūpa), feeling (vedanā), perception (saññā), volitional formations (saṅkhāra), and consciousness (viññāṇa)—we see that feeling and perception are found in the seven universal mental factors (sabbacitta-sādhāraṇa).
These universal mental factors are present in both good and evil minds.
The physical form (rūpa) stands alone in the rūpa-dhamma.
For more details, you may refer to works like "A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma" or "Abhidhammattha Sangaha," written by respected teachers.
Here, I’m offering a simplified overview.

As for saṅkhāra (volitional formations),
it refers to all fifty-two mental factors, excluding feeling and perception.
The function of creating good or bad actions belongs to saṅkhāra.

What about viññāṇa (consciousness)?
That was discussed in a previous article where the venerable teacher referred to it as "one mind."

Returning to the main point,
from the chart, we can clearly see the definition of good and evil.
I believe it can be further subdivided into more categories,
but I’ll leave that exploration to the vipassanā practitioners among the readers.
Generally speaking, when observing the mind,
just see whatever arises.
There’s no need to deliberately suppress unwholesome thoughts,
nor force wholesome thoughts to arise.

Unless you find yourself about to be overwhelmed by unwholesome thoughts—
in that case, it’s okay to escape for the moment.
Temporarily remove yourself from the environment that is triggering unwholesome thoughts,
then come back and observe later.

When planting wholesome causes (such as giving, keeping precepts, or meditating),
there is no need to force yourself.
Do your best within your limits.
If you notice unwholesome thoughts constantly arising,
then recognize that something has gone wrong.

Keep watching the arising and passing of wholesome and unwholesome thoughts.

In this way, "Commit no evil, cultivate good, and purify your mind"—all without clinging to the idea of goodness.

Next time, we’ll discuss the mechanism of rebirth.
Although it won’t be “me” anymore, there is still hope.
For those eager to know more, you can refer to the venerable teachers' works,
like "A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma" or "Abhidhammattha Sangaha."

May everyone be happy and free from suffering.