13. Reflection Before Thinking 13.1 Yadeva tvaṃ, rāhula, manasā kammaṃ kattukāmo ahosi, tadeva te manokammaṃ paccavekkhitabbaṃ: And whatever mental action (thought) you intend to perform, Rāhula, you should first reflect: Today, many people simply think whatever comes to mind without asking whether those thoughts are wholesome, beneficial, or true. The Buddha reminds us that just as we choose our words and actions carefully, we should also learn to examine our thoughts before allowing them to shape our emotions, decisions, and behaviour. This is the beginning of wisdom and mental freedom. 13.2 Yannu kho ahaṃ idaṃ manasā kammaṃ kattukāmo idaṃ me manokammaṃ attabyābādhāyapi saṃvatteyya, parabyābādhāyapi saṃvatteyya, ubhayabyābādhāyapi saṃvatteyya—akusalaṃ idaṃ manokammaṃ dukkhudrayaṃ dukkhavipākan’ti? Would this thought lead to my own dukkha , to the dukkha of others, or to the dukkha of both? Is it an unwholesome mental action that brings suffering and painful results? The Buddha...
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