The Ten Wholesome Actions (daśakuśalakarma) constitute fundamental ethical guidelines in Buddhism that orient practitioners toward positive karmic results and favourable conditions for continued spiritual practice. Rather than arbitrary prohibitions, these precepts describe the natural conduct of a mind progressively freed from ignorance, craving, and aversion - the three poisons at the root of suffering.
The actions are traditionally categorized according to the three doors through which karma is created:
Actions of Body (3)
- Refraining from killing - not taking the life of any sentient being
- Refraining from stealing - not taking what has not been freely given
- Refraining from sexual misconduct - abstaining from sexual acts that cause harm
Actions of Speech (4) 4. Refraining from lying - speaking truthfully and honestly 5. Refraining from divisive speech - not creating discord between others 6. Refraining from harsh speech - speaking gently, avoiding insults 7. Refraining from idle gossip - speaking meaningfully and purposefully
Actions of Mind (3) 8. Refraining from covetousness - releasing intense desire for others’ possessions 9. Refraining from malice - maintaining freedom from hatred and ill-will 10. Refraining from wrong views - cultivating correct understanding of karma and the Four Noble Truths
The progression from body through speech to mind reflects Buddhism’s recognition that outer conduct flows from inner disposition. The final three precepts address the Consciousness from which all action arises - aligning with the contemplative traditions’ shared insight that genuine transformation requires working at the level of mind itself.
See also Five Precepts, sīla, Eightfold Path, karma, right action, Buddhist ethics.