Right and Wrong: Sayadaw U Jotika

26/01/2011

by Cittasamvaro

Following is an extract from a conversation with respected Burmese Bhikkhu Sayadaw U Jotika. Taken from memory, so apologies for any error.

Right and Wrong

I don’t like this idea of heaven and hell so much, of punishments and rewards. To my way of thinking I do something because I feel it is the right thing to do. I do not do it for some reward. I do not fear some punishment.

If you say my action will have this result or that result; promise me a reward or punishment, then I feel it demeans what I do.

I do what I do because I love to do it. That is enough.

I want to respect myself, and I want others to respect me also. So I do what I think is right. If I do what I think is wrong – how can I respect myself? How will others respect me?

It is because I have love for myself that I do what I think to be the right thing. If you really love yourself, how can you do the wrong thing?

Sayadaw will be giving an all too rare public talk for us on Tuesday 1st February. Click here for details.