By 佛光大學佛教研修院碩士班

　　 In Buddhism, the inspiration and effort to strive upwards is called “Right Effort{1}.” Right effort can be further divided into four types, and they are called “The Four Right Efforts” (Samyakprahana).

1. Prevent evil from arising{2}: While one should not allow thoughts of violating the pure precepts to arise, any behavior that violates these precepts needs greater efforts to be prevented. All obstacles of defilements should be avoided; all desires and delusiosn should be purified; erroneous views must be prevented; and all forms of attachment should be eliminated.

Unwholesome dharmas are unwholesome thoughts, speech and deeds. One should make effort in subduing unwholesome thought, as well as greed, hatred, and ignorance by not speaking harsh words{3}, not lying{4}, not speaking with a double tongue, and flattering{5} languages. One should make effort in no killing, no stealing, and no sexual misconduct. This is the first right effort - prevent evil from arising.

2. Put an end to existing evil{6}: Human beings are not sages, it is human to err. Ordinary people cannot help but be ruffled by emotions. The disturbance of passion, rise of greed, hatred and ignorance, the evil deeds committed and mistakes made everywhere have caused more and more unwholesome dharmas to grow, like an elephant trapped deeper and deeper in the mire.

At this point, the only way is to use a clear mind, the determination to eradicate evil completely, diligence and bravery, and the sword of wisdom to severe all unwholesome thoughts, unwholesome speech and wholesome deeds. This is the second right effort - put an end to existing evil.



【Key Words】

{1}Right Effort：正勤，亦即正精進

{2}Prevent evil from arising：未生的惡法使其不生

{3}Harsh words：惡口

{4}Lying：妄言

{5}Flattering：綺語

{6}Put an end to existing evil：已生的惡法使它斷除