Expert: Anandapanyo Bhikkhu - 1/17/2010

Question
Dear Venerable Anandapanyo,

1. If a Buddhist comes across some money (just a few coins) on the streets, etc. with no one frantically searching for it in sight, is it morally wrong for the individual to pick up the money and claim it as his/her own?

2. How would you advise that I curb my lust? I only meditate about 10 minutes a day, combining breathing-in-and-out with the recitation of a mantra (being a Mahayanan Buddhist). I don't think it helps me much with my problem though.

Yours sincerely,

Vincent.

Answer
Dear Vincent,

Thank you for the opportunity to answer your questions.

"1. If a Buddhist comes across some money (just a few coins) on the streets, etc. with no one frantically searching for it in sight, is it morally wrong for the individual to pick up the money and claim it as his/her own?"

In order to determine if something is wrong or not, you must consider two criteria:

1. Does this action (or speech) cause distress for anyone?

If there is obvious there is no owner, no one will be distressed. Therefore it is most likely not causing distress for anyone.

2. How are you mentally dealing with this action (speech)?

In any action, there is always a result. The result also has bearing on whether an action is wrong or not. Do you feel doubt in your mind? After taking it, do you feel regret? Does this money remind you of something you feel you did wrong?

After taking it, do you feel happy - as if you just won something at someone else's expense? Do you feel like you have made a gain at someone else's expense? Are you experiencing greed and desire?

In order for an action to be morally right, you must not break conventional law (understanding) and you must not feel guilt or remorse. In addition, even if you have not done anything wrong, you must not rejoice in the perceived loss of another.

So, for this action to be morally right:

1. Are you certain this money no longer has an owner?
2. How you feel about this inside? If you are neutral and feel nothing. Then it is fine, take the money. But if you feel greed, or happiness in someone else's misfortune, you would be better off not taking the money.

"2. How would you advise that I curb my lust? I only meditate about 10 minutes a day, combining breathing-in-and-out with the recitation of a mantra (being a Mahayanan Buddhist). I don't think it helps me much with my problem though."

In order to curb lust (or anything for that matter), you must do more than just recite a mantra or meditate. All reciting a mantra and meditating will do is keep your mind temporarily occupied. This is equivalent to running away from your shadow. However, sometimes, if you are overwhelmed by your problem, you must run away so that you can fight another day. However, the most important thing is to fight your problem. The only weapon you have to fight your problem is your thoughts. You think it through. Ask yourself these questions:

What am I lusting for? (money, sex, power, fame?)

How am I going to feel before I get it?
How am I going to feel while I get it?
How am I going to feel after I get it?

How am I going to feel if I don't get it?

What are the costs of getting it? (anger, desire, embarrassment, shame?)
What are the true benefits of getting it?

Will there be any after effects from getting it?

Will I be hurt in any way from getting it?
Will I suffer in any way from getting it?

Will others be hurt in any way from my getting it?
Will others suffer in any way from getting it?

What kind of person would I be if I get it?
What king of person would others perceive me to be if I get it?

And this last part is the most important: You must your past as proof. In a court of law, you need evidence in order to prove your case. You cannot just say something and hope others will believe it. This works the same way in your mind. Your desires have overtaken you many many many times in the past. In order to defeat it, you must provide evidence. Ask yourself these questions:

Last time I had a desire like this, what happened before I got it? after I got it? What did it really feel like? What actual problems did I encounter? Was I satisfied? Did getting it quell my desire?

In order to curb lust, greed, desire, anger or ANY feeling, you must see it for how it TRULY is, how is has TRULY been and how it TRULY will be. The reason you still want it is because you are desiring an image, a fantasy your mind has created. Once you see the truth, through wisdom and experience, you will no longer desire this object or experience and lust will no longer exist. This is the only way to curb or destroy lust, greed or any feeling. Meditation and recitation cannot accomplish this. They merely delay the lust, greed or feelings hoping they will go away. But unfortunately for all human beings, we are a slave to our greed and desires. So, until we actually take some action (through contemplation and understanding the truth), we will always be a slave to our desires and their negative consequences.

I hope I have answered your questions

Sincerely,

Phra Anandapanyo