Five Precepts Blues; #4.4 - It's a Sin to Tell a Lie/Rahulovada Sutta

Fats Waller ~ It's a Sin to Tell a Lie

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A lot of attention is given to Siddhartha, the father, questioning his leaving his wife and son to pursue his enlightenment, but less focus is given to Buddha, the father. After all, he did return and ordain his son, Rahula, as the first Sāmanera, and eventually helped him awaken as an arhants, in my opinion, the greatest gift a parent could give.

After Rahula's ordination, the Buddha's teaching to him was on the importance of telling the truth, telling him that truth was the highest of all virtues. To realize Nibbana, one should not break the precept of Truth.

Here is a section from the beginning of the Rahulovada Sutta;

Then the Blessed One, having left a little bit of water in the water dipper, said to Ven. Rahula, "Rahula, do you see this little bit of left-over water remaining in the water dipper?"

"Yes, sir."

"That's how little of a contemplative there is in anyone who feels no shame at telling a deliberate lie."

Having tossed away the little bit of left-over water, the Blessed One said to Ven. Rahula, "Rahula, do you see how this little bit of left-over water is tossed away?"

"Yes, sir."

"Rahula, whatever there is of a contemplative in anyone who feels no shame at telling a deliberate lie is tossed away just like that."

Having turned the water dipper upside down, the Blessed One said to Ven. Rahula, "Rahula, do you see how this water dipper is turned upside down?"

"Yes, sir."

"Rahula, whatever there is of a contemplative in anyone who feels no shame at telling a deliberate lie is turned upside down just like that."

Having turned the water dipper right-side up, the Blessed One said to Ven. Rahula, "Rahula, do you see how empty & hollow this water dipper is?"

"Yes, sir."

"Rahula, whatever there is of a contemplative in anyone who feels no shame at telling a deliberate lie is empty & hollow just like that.

Further along in the Sutta, the Buddha ads;

When anyone feels no shame in telling a deliberate lie, there is no evil, I tell you, he will not do. Thus, Rahula, you should train yourself, 'I will not tell a deliberate lie even in jest.'

"What do you think, Rahula: What is a mirror for?"

"For reflection, sir."

"In the same way, Rahula, bodily actions, verbal actions, & mental actions are to be done with repeated reflection.

The Sutta can be read in here at Access to Insight