Bad karma: Delusion is the worst thing

Ajahn Lee, Thai Forest Tradition, via Ven. Sujato; Dhr. Seven, Aloka (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

I'm not deluded. I'm just high.

Delusion seeps into us the way blood seeps throughout every part of our bodies.

When we do unwholesome things (the kinds of karma/actions that bring unwished-for results), we're deluded. When we do mundane good, we're still deluded.

• Supermundane good ("path" and "fruition" consciousness) is free of delusion.

Even though we're well-versed in the Dharma, we cannot yet escape from the overwhelming power of delusion.

No matter how hard we resist, it stays right on our heels. We may want to make merit (karma that produces wished-for results), but when we're deluded, we do not know what to do and what to leave undone.

 

OK, I'm deluded and buzzed.

We simply want the merit. We observe the precepts because we want to be good, but we're trying to do it without knowing what real virtue is.

It's the same when we practice to concentrate. We want results, but we can't distinguish right-concentration from wrong-concentration. We simply keep wanting samadhi and being disappointed.

 

This is called "delusion" insofar as our knowing is not in line with the truth. It's not that we don't know anything. We know, but what we know is at variance with reality, away from truth.

We're like a wayward person who has lost his/her way: We can keep going; it's just that were not on the right path.

 

Suppose, for example, we want to go to Bangkok, but we get confused about the way and start heading toward BangPuu. We're off the path as far as Bangkok is concerned, but we're on the "right" path for BangPuu. We can keep going.

Shut the hell up. Keep partying.

It's not the case that when on the wrong path we can't go. We can, but it's the "wrong" path as far as the result or destination we want.

 

We're simply going to end up disappointed. This is why delusion is called a "demon." It's the worst thing. This is also why wisdom -- knowing and seeing -- is the best thing. We awaken.