Emeritus Professor of Pali and Buddhist Studies Asanga Tilakaratne eloquently guided a thought-provoking discussion on the conceptualization of dishonesty as illustrated in the Ambalaṭṭhikā Rāhulovāda Suttra. With careful dissections of the original texts, the group discussed and reflected upon the suttra’s implications on what truly constitutes a lie, how this can be blurred based on the context and reason for action and whether certain lies are indeed immoral and condemned as sins.
The discussion facilitated participants to apply Buddhist philosophy to even seemingly minute actions in their daily lives, and reminded us that the consequences of actions should be considered with respect to ourselves, other individuals and the collective grouping of others and ourselves.
