Daily Zen

Even though the training in ethics takes many forms, the ethics of abandoning the ten non-virtues is their basis. Of the ten non-virtues, three pertain to bodily actions, four to verbal actions, and three to mental actions. 

The three mental non-virtues are:

1. Covetousness: thinking, "May this become mine," desiring something that belongs to another.

2. Harmful intent: wishing to injure others, be it great or small injury.

3. Wrong view: viewing some existent thing, such as rebirth, cause and effect, or the Three Jewels*, as non-existent.

The opposite of these ten non-virtues are the ten virtues, and engaging in them is called the practice of ethics.

*The core of Buddhism: Buddha, his doctrine (Dharma), and the Spiritual Community.

From "The Pocket Dalai Lama," edited by Mary Craig, 2002. Reprinted by arrangement with Tambala Publications, Boston, www.tambala.com.  

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