Living by the Sīla of the Noble Ones —The Fourth Ground for Self-Declaration | Veḷudvāreyya Sutta (SN 55.7)

12. Ariyakantehi Sīlehi — Sīla Dear to the Noble Ones

ariyakantehi sīlehi samannāgato hoti:
He is endowed with sīla that are dear to the noble ones.

akhaṇḍehi:
unbroken,

acchiddehi:
uninterrupted,

asabalehi:
unblemished,

akammāsehi:
undefiled,

bhujissehi:
liberating,

viññuppasatthehi:
praised by the wise,

aparāmaṭṭhehi:
not grasped with attachment,

samādhisaṃvattanikehi:
conducive to concentration.

Further Notes

1. Akhaṇḍehi — Unbroken

Ethical conduct (sīla) is described as akhaṇḍa when it remains unbroken and is not violated. This means maintaining one's sīla consistently, even when doing so is difficult or inconvenient. For example, a person who values honesty remains truthful even when lying might bring personal benefits. Genuine integrity is demonstrated not merely by behaving ethically when others are watching but also by upholding one's principles in private. The essential message is that true morality requires consistency rather than convenience.

2. Acchiddehi — Uninterrupted

Ethical conduct is described as acchidda when it is free from gaps or breaches. It emphasises the continuity of moral discipline across different situations and relationships. For instance, a person should not practise kindness towards friends while treating strangers with disrespect, or behave honestly at work while deceiving family members. Although akhaṇḍa and acchidda are closely related, the former emphasises conduct that is not broken, while the latter highlights the absence of gaps or breaches. The essential message is that ethical principles should guide our behaviour consistently, regardless of the circumstances.

3. Asabalehi — Unblemished

Ethical conduct is described as asabala when it is free from blemishes or moral defects. This quality encourages us to examine not only our outward behaviour but also the intentions behind our actions. For example, helping someone merely to manipulate them or gain a personal advantage may appear generous outwardly, but the intention compromises the purity of the action. Therefore, genuine ethical conduct requires us to recognize and gradually abandon selfish motives that undermine our actions. The essential message is that morality should be free from the stains of unwholesome intentions.

4. Akammāsehi — Undefiled

Ethical conduct is described as akammāsa when it is pure and free from defilement. It emphasizes maintaining moral discipline without allowing greed, hatred, dishonesty, or other unwholesome influences to corrupt our behaviour. For instance, a person should not exploit others while presenting themselves as virtuous or use religious activities merely to gain prestige and recognition. This quality invites us to examine whether our conduct genuinely reflects wholesome intentions or whether it is influenced by hidden selfishness. The essential message is that genuine virtue requires inner sincerity rather than merely maintaining an outward appearance of goodness.

5. Bhujissehi — Liberating

Ethical conduct is described as bhujissa when it is liberating or emancipating. Buddhist morality is not intended merely to restrict our freedom but to free us from the burdens created by unwholesome actions and mental habits. For example, dishonesty can lead to fear, anxiety, and the constant need to conceal the truth, whereas honesty allows us to live with greater peace of mind. Similarly, generosity weakens possessiveness, and non-hatred helps free us from the burden of resentment. By practising ethical conduct, we gradually reduce the influence of greed, hatred, and delusion. The essential message is that morality helps liberate us from the very tendencies that create suffering.

6. Viññuppasatthehi — Praised by the Wise

Ethical conduct is described as viññuppasattha when it is worthy of the approval of wise and discerning people. This means that our conduct should be guided by wisdom rather than by popularity, social expectations, or the desire to impress others. Something does not become morally right simply because it is widely accepted or praised. Wise people examine the intentions behind an action and its consequences for oneself and others. Therefore, we should evaluate our decisions by considering whether they are honest, fair, compassionate, and genuinely wholesome. The essential message is that ethical conduct should deserve the approval of wisdom, not merely the applause of society.

7. Aparāmaṭṭhehi — Not Grasped with Attachment

Ethical conduct is described as aparāmaṭṭha when it is not grasped or appropriated through attachment. This quality reminds us that even the practice of morality can become a source of suffering when we develop conceit or cling to the identity of being a virtuous person. For example, someone who observes the precepts might begin to believe that they are superior to those who do not follow them, using their moral achievements to criticize or humiliate others. Buddhism encourages us to practise ethical conduct sincerely without turning it into a possession of the ego. This does not mean abandoning moral principles but relinquishing attachment, pride, and self-glorification associated with them. The essential message is to practise morality for inner purification rather than to establish our superiority over others.

8. Samādhisaṃvattanikehi — Conducive to Concentration

Ethical conduct is described as samādhisaṃvattanika when it contributes to the development of concentration (samādhi). When we act dishonestly, harm others, or engage in unwholesome behaviour, we may experience remorse, anxiety, fear, or mental agitation, making it difficult to settle the mind. Conversely, living ethically helps reduce remorse arising from our own misconduct and creates favourable conditions for tranquillity and concentration. This explains why ethical discipline is an essential foundation for meditation in the Buddhist path. Meditation/cultivation does not begin only when we sit quietly; our everyday actions also influence the quality of our minds. The essential message is that a life guided by ethical conduct supports a peaceful mind, which in turn supports concentration and the development of wisdom.