Explain the Ten Good Deeds in Buddhist Philosophy

Buddhist teachings stress on ten good deeds. Sharing, moral living, unselfishness and service to humanity will help maintain harmony in the world.

Buddha taught his disciples that everyone must perform ten meritorious actions in order to lead a happy and wholesome life and thus promote not only their welfare, but also those around them and society as a whole. Only if the society is at peace, will the nation be and the world itself will be free from fear. The present condition of the world does call for such teachings to be propagated and practiced by all. The teachings of the Buddha should be imbibed in order to save this world from destruction being caused by terrorism and vices like drugs and intoxicants.
The ten good deeds which are to be practiced by the followers of Buddha are:
1. Giving to poor and needy
2. Being moral and righteous
3. Mental culture
4. Respecting others
5. Service to others
6. Sharing results of good deeds
7. Becoming happy in others achievements
8. Practicing what is preached about Dhamma
9. Absorbing what is heard and learnt about Dhamma
10. Transforming one’s attitudes according to rules of teachings.
The Buddha has advised the followers of Buddhism to perform these ten meritorious deeds and accumulate the results of these good deeds just like water is collected in a vessel by accumulating water droplets. If a person performs these good deeds, he will naturally become an inspiration for young minds to follow and emulate. In the modern era, the young are easily being misled by the glamour of the materialistic world which is not permanent and soon the person wastes his precious life before he realizes his folly and the falseness of this world.

Giving to others who are needy and in poverty is a great gesture of humanity and will benefit both the giver and the recipient also. Sharing what one has with others grant mental peace and stability and the blessings of those who got gifts will protect from danger.
Morality is the need of the hour and Buddhism promotes the virtue of morality. A person should forego lust and behave in a responsible way towards his fellow human beings. Adultery, rape and other unusual sexual practices are grave sins and destroy the harmony of society. Therefore people should behave morally and responsibly towards others in order to be a rightful citizen.
The attitudes of the mind are reflected through the face, words and actions of man. Mental culture should be high in order to promote peace and also urge others to follow the Dhamma.
Respecting other human beings and all forms of life and showing reverence to teaches and elders will surely grant blessings and keep alive the feeling of mutual respect and friendship in society. If all were to follow the good deed of respect, then there will be no malice or disharmony in society.
Selfless service is a great virtue and is becoming a rare quality in society today. Providing free service to others will certainly elevate one’s progress towards Buddha hoodBuddhahood. God is present in every form of life and by serving others, one is serving God.
When one is rewarded and if it is shared with others selflessly, then it is really a meritorious deed which deserves praise. The feeling of selfishness and ego will be wiped out of the mind and the person will become fit to receive God’s grace.
Praising other people’s achievements will clear the mind of ego and will promote the feeling of magnanimity and thus remove jealousy which is the sole reason for many crimes committed today.
A Buddhist follower should preach and teach what he has learnt from his teacher. By sharing knowledge, the greatest good deed will be done because it means that others will be transformed mentally and will become better persons and this will in turn ensure a moral society.
Listening to Dhamma and absorbing the teachings will make a follower progress easily and faster towards Nirvana and this is the highest goal of a Buddhist follower.
If one is transformed mentally and transforms one’s views, the person will be fit for others to follow and revere. A morally upright person is a good example for others to follow and imitate in order to become better.
Vices, bad habits and evil tendencies will tarnish the mind of man and a person should always be wary of these and try always to follow the principles of the Buddha. If a person commits a sin, then he alone will be responsible for the bad effects also. Bad deeds will result in great suffering and hinder a person’s progress in spirituality. Good deeds will purify the mind and promote peace in society. Only the results of good deeds will follow a person after death and not the material wealth he has hoarded. The Buddha advised all followers to perform the ten good deeds and earn merit in life and hereafter.