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Kusala

References:

[AN 2.19] Kusala Sutta.
Anguttara Nikaya II.19: Skillful. Translated from the Pāḷi by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
Wings to Awakening: Part I: Basic Principles A. Skillfulness
[DN 33]
Long Dialogs of the Buddha, #33: (Sangiti Sutta) 2s 33.2.8: The Recital, TW and CAF Rhys Davids trans.
Skillful Means
[SN 1.7.9 n.18] 'Expert'


Pāḷi MO Hare Horner Punnaji Bodhi Nanamoli Rhys Davids (Mrs)Rhys Davids Thanissaro Walshe Woodward Warren
Kusala expertise, skillful skill wholesome wholesome wholesome proficiency proficiency, expertise [SN 1.7.9 n.18] skillfulness skill the good

 


 

The trick here is to remember that it is not simply knowing what is skillful that is the important thing, but actually applying the knowledge to one's behavior. What makes for 'expertise' in this is the rapidity with which one can apply the knowledge. The ability to 'turn on a dime' when one recognizes that one is off track.
— p.p.

 


 

'Monks, do ye abandon evil. It can be done. If it were impossible to abandon evil I would not bid you do so. But since it can be done, therefore I say unto you, "Abandon evil, monks."
If this abandoning of evil conduced to loss and sorrow, I would not say "Abandon evil." But since it conduces to profit and happiness, therefore do I say unto you, "Monks, do ye abandon evil."

— AN 2.19, Woodward

 

§

 

ATI Glossary: Kusala: Wholesome, skillful, good, meritorious. An action characterized by this moral quality (kusala-kamma) is bound to result (eventually) in happiness and a favorable outcome. Actions characterized by its opposite (akusala-kamma) lead to sorrow.

 


 

Pāḷi Text Society
Pāḷi English Dictionary
Edited by T. W. Rhys Davids and William Stede
[EDITED ENTRY]

 

Kusala: 1. (adj.) clever, skilful, expert; good, right, meritorious M I.226;... Esp. appl. in moral sense (=puñña), whereas akusala is practically equivalent to pāpa...With kamma = a meritorious action... ācāra-k- good in conduct...; parappavāda- skilled in disputation...; magga- (and opp. amagga-) one who is an expert as regards the Path (lit. and fig.) S III.108; samāpatti-, etc. A V.156 sq.; sālittaka-payoge k- skilled in the art of throwing pot-sherds... 2. (nt.) a good thing, good deeds, virtue, merit, good consciousness..."he makes this world shine, who covers an evil deed with a good one" M II.104...- In special sense as ten kusalāni equivalent to the dasasīlaṃ (cp. sīla) M I.47; A V.241, 274. All good qualities (dhammā) which constitute right and meritorious conduct are comprised in the phrase kusala-dhammā
- akusala adj.: improper, wrong, bad; nt.: demerit, evil deed D I.37, 163;...

 


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