Wholesome and Unwholesome Actions

Meaning

The courses (patha) of wholesome (kusala) and unwholesome (akusala) action (kamma) are the 10 fundamental patterns of kamma creation through intentional deeds, revealing the mechanism of cause and effect at the level of body, speech, and mind.

The key distinction between wholesome and unwholesome actions is the intention behind the deed and its root: non-greed, non-aversion, non-delusion (for kusala) versus greed, aversion, delusion (for akusala).

The Ten Courses of Action

The suttas often define something through negation. If the unwholesome action is theft, then the wholesome one is abstaining from it - non-stealing. In Pali this is easily done by adding the prefix “a” to the relevant word (e.g., a-kusala). Deliberate cultivation of the opposite of the unwholesome action is usually also implied.

Bodily

1. Killing / Abstaining from killing, cultivating compassion.
2. Stealing / Abstaining from stealing, cultivating generosity and honesty.
3. Sexual misconduct / Abstaining from misconduct, cultivating respect and fidelity.

Verbal

1. Lying / Abstaining from lying, cultivating truthfulness.
2. Slander / Abstaining from slander, cultivating speech that unites people.
3. Harsh speech / Abstaining from harsh speech, cultivating kind and polite speech.
4. Idle chatter / Abstaining from idle chatter, cultivating meaningful and useful speech.

Mental

1. Covetousness / Abstaining from greed, cultivating contentment and non-attachment.
2. Ill-will / Abstaining from ill-will, cultivating loving-kindness (metta) and compassion.
3. Wrong views / Abstaining from wrong views, cultivating right understanding (samma ditthi).

Practical Significance

Kusala-akusala is a “checklist” for reviewing one’s actions, words, and thoughts throughout the day, recognizing the karmic seeds we sow. One can start with any point. For example, spending one day carefully monitoring speech and noticing each time there is an urge to gossip. By practicing wholesome courses, we move along the Eightfold Path, develop inner peace, and form right views.