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Sunday, May 23, 2010

Which is greater, good or bad?


The king asked: "Venerable Nagasena, which is greater, good or bad?"
"Good is greater, Sire; bad is only small."
"In what way?"

"Sire, someone acting badly is remorseful, saying: 'An evil deed was done by me,' and thus evil does not increase. But someone doing good is not remorseful. Because of freedom from remorse, gladness arises, from gladness comes joy, because of joy the body is tranquil, with tranquil body one is happy, and the mind of one who is happy is concentrated. One who is concentrated sees things as they really are, and in this way good increases." -Milindapanha 84