Shame and the fear for unwholesome deeds ...a key to this path.

It is fascinating how something very basic such as following the five precepts can lead to enlightenment. This is the power of the Dhamma, the teachings of the Buddha. The path is very gradual and can be done. In this sutta too, just like the post below (Avijja Sutta), shows that association with bad friends (Asathpurisa Sevanaya) can hinder the path. The shame and the fear for unwholesome deeds as well as the diligence to prevent or get rid of unwholesome deeds can be considered as the first three "stepping stones" in this path. This is basically morality or following the precepts.

Thayodhamma sutta (Abandon three things at a time).

To abandon

1. Birth

2. Old age

3. Death

You have to abandon

1. Greed (passion)

2. Hatred

3. Delusion

To abandon the above three you have to abandon

1. Personality view

2. Doubt

3. Rituals and observances

To abandon the above three you have to abandon

1. Drowsiness of the mind

2. Following the wrong path

3. Unwise attention

To abandon the above three you have to abandon

1. Unmindfulness (wrong mindfulness)

2. Unawareness

3. Mental distraction

To abandon the above three you have to abandon

1. Dislike to see the noble ones

2. Dislike to hear the noble teachings

3. Fault-finding mind

To abandon the above three you have to abandon

1. Conceit

2. Unrestraint

3. Immorality

To abandon the above three you have to abandon

1. Lack of confidence

2. Dislike to listen to others

3. Laziness

To abandon the above three you have to abandon

1. Unfriendliness

2. Disobedience

3. Bad Friends (Asathpurisa Sevanaya)

To abandon the above three you have to abandon

1. Shamelessness

2. Fearlessness

3. Non-diligence

To listen to MP3 of Thyodhamma Suttahttp://www.gautamabuddha.ca/bana/english/14_Kitariri_Sutta.MP3(In the link it should read Thayodhamma sutta, not Kitagiri sutta)