Mind Moment

Be good. Do good. Pay attention.

“Be good, do good, pay attention” is intended to be a condensed statement of the Buddha’s teaching in simple everyday English.

Be good refers to living a morally upright life. It is usually equated with the five precepts: to abstain from killing, stealing, lying, sexual misconduct, and abusing intoxicants.

Do good is about developing wholesome thoughts and actions such as charity, helpfulness, kindness, and compassion.

Pay attention refers to wholesome attention to one’s thoughts and actions, called mindfulness and clear comprehension. You have to be aware of what you are doing to develop be good and do good, and it is key to success in meditation.

“To cease from all evil,
To cultivate good,
To purify one’s mind-
This is the advice of the Buddhas.”

The Dhammapada