Kusala; Akusala

Renderings

• kusala: welfare

• kusala: good/excellent

• kusala: wholesome

• kusala: well behaved

• kusala: an expert

• kusala: a pandit

• kusalā: the wise (people)

• kusala: proficient

• kusala: spiritual proficiency

• kusala: knowledgeable

• kusala: spiritually wholesome

• kusala: what is spiritually wholesome

• akusala: improficient

• akusala: ignorant

• akusala: badly behaved

• akusala: spiritually unwholesome

• akusala: what is spiritually unwholesome

• akusala: unwholesome

Introduction

Rendering akusala and kusala

Rendering akusala and kusala as spiritually unwholesome or wholesome is justified by their association with defilement and purity, with uninsightfulness and insightfulness, as seen in the following passages:

1) He has been struck down by unvirtuous, spiritually unwholesome factors that are defiling, and which lead to renewed states of individual existence, suffering, unpleasant karmic consequences, and future birth, old age, and death.
☸ avadhiṃsu naṃ pāpakā akusalā dhammā saṅkilesikā ponobhavikā sadarā dukkhavipākā āyatiṃ jātijarāmaraṇiyā (M.3.116).

2) Even so did I see the danger, degradation, and defilement in spiritually unwholesome factors, and in spiritually wholesome factors and in the practice of unsensuousness, I saw the advantage and associated purity.
☸ Evameva kho ahaṃ bhikkhave addasaṃ akusalānaṃ dhammānaṃ ādīnavaṃ okāraṃ saṅkilesaṃ kusalānaṃ dhammānaṃ nekkhamme ānisaṃsaṃ vodānapakkhaṃ. (M.1.115).

3) There are these three kinds of spiritually unwholesome thoughts that produce spiritual blindness, uninsightfulness, ignorance (of things according to reality), and are destructive of penetrative discernment, vexatious, and not conducive to the Untroubled. Which three?
☸ Tayo’me bhikkhave akusalavitakkā andhakaraṇā acakkhukaraṇā aññāṇakaraṇā paññānirodhikā vighātapakkhikā anibbānasaṃvattanikā. Katame tayo? (It.82).

• There are these three kinds of spiritually wholesome thoughts that produce insightful vision, knowledge (of things according to reality), lead to the development of discernment, are undistressing, and are conducive to the Untroubled. Which three?
☸ Tayo’me bhikkhave kusalavitakkā anandhakaraṇā cakkhukaraṇā ñāṇakaraṇā paññāvuddhikā avighatapakkhikā nibbānasaṃvattanikā katame tayo? (It.82).

Essence of akusala: five hindrances

The essence of akusala is found in the five hindrances, because:

• If one were to say of anything ‘a spiritually unwholesome heap,’ it is about the five hindrances that one could rightly say this.
☸ Akusalarāsī ti bhikkhave vadamāno pañcanīvaraṇe sammā vadamano vadeyya.

Each of the five hindrances is called:

• a spiritual obstruction, a spiritual hindrance, a spiritual defilement, a weakener of penetrative discernment.
☸ āvaraṇā nīvaraṇā cetaso upakkilesā paññāya dubbalīkaraṇā (S.5.95).

Essence of kusala: four bases of mindfulness

The essence of kusala is found in four bases of mindfulness, because:

• If one were to say of anything ‘a spiritually wholesome heap,’ it is about the (contemplation of the) four bases of mindfulness that one could rightly say this.
☸ Kusalarāsī ti bhikkhave vadamāno cattāro satipaṭṭhāne sammā vadamāno vadeyya (S.5.145-6).

The (contemplation of the) four bases of mindfulness is called:

• the one-destination path for the purification of beings
☸ ekāyano ayaṃ bhikkhave maggo sattānaṃ visuddhiyā (S.5.142).

Kusala and akusala: conduct of body, speech, and mind

1) Akusala is found in conduct like frivolous speech (samphappalāpo akusalaṃ) and killing (pāṇātipāto akusalaṃ).

2) Refraining from such conduct is kusala (samphappalāpā veramaṇī kusalaṃ).

3) Akusala is found in mental conduct:

• Sensuous thought, unbenevolent thought, malicious thought. These are called spiritually unwholesome thoughts.
☸ kāmasaṅkappo vyāpādasaṅkappo vihiṃsāsaṅkappo ime vuccanti thapati akusalasaṅkappā.

4) Refraining from such conduct is kusala:

• Unsensuous thought, thought of goodwill, compassionate thought. These are called spiritually wholesome thoughts
☸ nekkhammasaṅkappo avyāpādasaṅkappo avihiṃsāsaṅkappo ime vuccanti thapati kusalasaṅkappā (M.2.28).

Kusala and akusala: mental states

Akusala is found in mental states:

• Greed is spiritually unwholesome
☸ abhijjhā akusalaṃ

• Ill will is spiritually unwholesome
☸ vyāpādo akusalaṃ

• Wrong view (of reality) is spiritually unwholesome
☸ micchādiṭṭhi akusalaṃ

Kusala is found in their opposites.

• Non-greed is spiritually wholesome
☸ anabhijjhā kusalaṃ

• Goodwill is spiritually wholesome
☸ avyāpādo kusalaṃ

• Right perception (of reality) is spiritually wholesome
☸ sammādiṭṭhi kusalaṃ (M.1.47).

People and objects: not kusala or akusala

Therefore people and objects (apart from mental objects) are not spiritually wholesome or unwholesome. Neither, in themselves, are religious teachings, which instead we call ‘wholesome’ and ‘unwholesome’:

• Kālāmas, if you yourselves should consider: “These teachings are wholesome… you should accept and abide by them.
☸ Yadā tumhe kālāmā attanā’va jāneyyātha ime dhammā kusalā… atha tumhe kālāmā upasampajja vihareyyātha (A.1.190)

• Kālāmas, if you yourselves should consider: “These teachings are unwholesome… you should abandon them.
☸ Yadā tumhe kālāmā attanāva jāneyyātha ime dhammā akusalā… atha tumhe kālāmā pajaheyyātha (A.1.190).

But the practice of religious teachings is a different matter:

• Wrong view (of reality), wrong thought, wrong speech, wrong conduct, wrong means of livelihood, wrong endeavour, wrong mindfulness, wrong inward collectedness, wrong knowledge (of things according to reality), wrong liberation (from perceptually obscuring states): this is called spiritually unwholesome.
☸ Micchādiṭṭhi micchāsaṅkappo micchāvācā micchākammanto micchāājīvo micchāvāyāmo micchāsati micchāsamādhi micchāñāṇaṃ micchāvimutti idaṃ vuccati bhikkhave akusalaṃ (A.5.241).

• Right perception (of reality),right thought, right speech, right conduct, right means of livelihood, right endeavour, right mindfulness, right inward collectedness, right knowledge (of things according to reality), right liberation (from perceptually obscuring states): this is called spiritually wholesome.
☸ Sammādiṭṭhi sammāsaṅkappo sammāvācā sammākammanto sammāājīvo sammāvāyāmo sammāsati sammāsamādhi sammāñāṇaṃ sammāvimutti idaṃ vuccati bhikkhave kusalan ti (A.5.241).

Illustrations

Illustration: kusalaṃ, welfare

He asked after his comfort and welfare.
☸ Sukhañca kusalaṃ pucchi (Sn.v.981).

Illustration: kusalā, wholesome

These teachings which are wholesome, noble, and which lead to deliverance (from suffering) and to enlightenment.
☸ Ye te bhikkhave kusalā dhammā ariyā niyyānikā sambodhagāmino (Sn.p.139).

Illustration: kusalā, wholesome

Kālāmas, if you yourselves should consider: “These teachings are wholesome… you should accept and abide by them.
☸ Yadā tumhe kālāmā attanā’va jāneyyātha ime dhammā kusalā… atha tumhe kālāmā upasampajja vihareyyātha (A.1.190)

Illustration: akusalehi, unwholesome

A person whose spiritual qualities are wholly black and unwholesome
☸ samannāgato hoti ekanta kāḷakehi akusalehi dhammehī (A.4.11-13).

Illustration: akusalā, unwholesome

Kālāmas, if you yourselves should consider: “These teachings are unwholesome… you should abandon them.
☸ Yadā tumhe kālāmā attanāva jāneyyātha ime dhammā akusalā… atha tumhe kālāmā pajaheyyātha (A.1.190).

Illustration: kusalaṃ, good

(He would reflect:) “Since I received something, that is alright,” or “Since I received nothing, that is good.”
☸ Alatthaṃ yadidaṃ sādhu nālatthaṃ kusalaṃ iti

Being the same in either event, he (would) return to that same tree.
☸ Ubhayeneva so tādī rukkhaṃvupanivattati (Sn.v.712).

Illustration: kusalā, good/excellent

I would not say anything about Mahānāma the Sakyan except what is excellent and good.
☸ mahānāma sakkaṃ na kiñci vadāmi aññatra kalyāṇā aññatra kusalā ti (S.5.374).

COMMENT

Kalyāṇā and kusalā are synonyms here. Both could be rendered ‘excellent’ or ‘good.’

Illustration: kusalā, the wise

One should not dispute. Spiritual purity is not attained thereby, say the wise.
☸ na hi tena suddhiṃ kusalā vadanti (Sn.v.830).

Illustration: kusalo, well behaved

Whoever in this world amongst those living the religious life has attained the (supreme) attainment, who is well behaved always, who understands the teaching, who is attached to nothing, who is liberated (from perceptually obscuring states), and in whom there are no states of repugnance, he is one of good conduct.
☸ Yo idha caraṇesu pattipatto kusalo sabbadā ājānāti dhammaṃ
Sabbattha na sajjati vimutto paṭighā yassa na santi caraṇavā so (Sn.v.536).

Illustration: kusalo, proficient

In a moment I can fashion the bodily forms of 100,000 people. I am proficient in supernormal transformations. I am master of psychic power.
☸ Ahaṃ vikubbanāsu kusalo vasībhūtomhi iddhiyā (Th.v.1194).

Illustration: kusalo, proficient

A meditator (jhāyī) can be:

• proficient in attaining inward collectedness but improficient in maintaining inward collectedness
☸ samādhismiṃ samāpattikusalo hoti na samādhismiṃ ṭhitikusalo.

• proficient in maintaining inward collectedness but improficient in emerging from inward collectedness
☸ samādhismiṃ ṭhitikusalo hoti na samādhismiṃ vuṭṭhānakusalo (S.3.264-269).

Illustration: kusalo, proficient

Someone declares his arahantship. The Perfect One or his disciple who is a meditator, proficient in attaining inward collectedness, proficient in reading others’ minds, proficient in reading the habits of others’ minds, closely examines, questions and talks with him.
☸ tathāgato vā tathāgatasāvako vā jhāyī samāpattikusalo paracittakusalo paracittapariyāyakusalo samanuyuñjati samanugāhati samanubhāsati (A.5.155).

Illustration: kusalena, proficient

With (the assistance of) the enlightened kinsman of the Sun clan, who is proficient in methods of teaching, having applied myself properly (to the eightfold path) I removed my mind from states of individual existence
☸ Upāyakusalenāhaṃ buddhenādiccabandhunā
Yoniso paṭipajjitvā bhave cittaṃ udabbahinti (Th.v.158).

Illustration: kusalaṃ, spiritually wholesome; kusalaṃ, spiritual proficiency

An individual endowed with which ten qualities is one whom I describe as being perfect in what is spiritually wholesome, of the highest spiritual proficiency, an invincible ascetic who has attained the supreme attainment?
☸ sampannakusalaṃ paramakusalaṃ uttamapattipattaṃ samaṇaṃ ayojjhaṃ

The one possessed of the right perception (of reality) of a finished disciple… the right liberation (from perceptually obscuring states) of a finished disciple.
☸ asekhāya sammādiṭṭhiyā samannāgato hoti… asekhāya sammāvimuttiyā samannāgato hoti (M.2.29).

Illustration: akusala, improficient

Then that poor tailor, having kneaded mud and made bricks, erected wattle and daub walls. But because he was improficient, the piling was crooked and the wall fell down.
☸ Atha kho so daḷiddo tunnavāyo sāmaṃ cikkhallaṃ madditvā iṭṭhakāyo cinitvā kuḍḍaṃ uṭṭhāpesi. Tena akusalakena citā vaṅkā bhitti paripati (Vin.2.159).

Illustration: kusalo, knowledgeable

On what grounds, bhante, can a bhikkhu be called knowledgeable about elements of existence?
☸ Kittāvatā pana bhante dhātukusalo bhikkhu ti alaṃ vacanāyā ti.

There are these eighteen elements of sensation, Ānanda:
☸ Aṭṭhārasa kho imā ānanda dhātuyo:

The phenomenon of sight… phenomenon of the mental sphere of sensation.
☸ cakkhudhātu… manoviññāṇadhātu ti

Through knowing and seeing these eighteen elements of sensation (according to reality), Ānanda, a bhikkhu can be called knowledgeable about elements of existence.
☸ Imā kho ānanda aṭṭhārasa dhātuyo yato jānāti passati ettāvatā pi kho ānanda dhātukusalo bhikkhū ti alaṃ vacanāyā ti (M.3.62).

Illustration: akusalo, unknowledgeable

A cowherd cannot help his herd to prosper if he does not know about bodily form, and is unknowledgeable about physical characteristics
☸ na rūpaññū hoti na lakkhaṇa kusalo hoti (A.5.359).

Illustration: kusalo, knowledgeable; akusalo, ignorant

‘The man ignorant of the path’ represents the common man.
☸ puriso amaggakusalo ti kho tissa puthujjanassetaṃ adhivacanaṃ

‘The man knowledgeable about the path’ represents the Perfect One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One.
☸ Puriso maggakusalo ti kho tissa tathāgatassetaṃ adhivacanaṃ arahato sammāsambuddhassa (S.3.108-9).

Illustration: kusalo, pandit

Maintaining their own dogmatic views, contentious, different (so-called) pandits say: “Whoever knows this knows Perfect Truth. Whoever rejects it is not spiritually perfected.”
☸ Sakaṃ sakaṃ diṭṭhiṃ paribbasānā vigayha nānā kusalā vadanti
Yo evaṃ jānāti sa vedi dhammaṃ idaṃ paṭikkosamakevalī so (Sn.v.978).

Illustration: kusalo, expert

Bhante, I am well known as a charioteer, and an expert in the parts of a chariot. All the parts of a chariot are well known to me.
☸ Ahaṃ hi bhante rathiko saññato kusalo rathassa aṅgapaccaṅgānaṃ sabbāni me rathassa aṅgapaccaṅgāni suviditāni (M.1.395-6).

Illustration: akusale, badly behaved

Bhante, a transgression overcame us, in that, foolishly, stupidly, and badly behaved, we suspended a pure bhikkhu, not an offender, without cause, without reason.
☸ accayo no bhante accagamā yathā bāle yathā mūḷhe yathā akusale ye mayaṃ suddhaṃ bhikkhuṃ anāpattikaṃ avatthusmiṃ akāraṇe ukkhipimha (Vin.1.315).

Illustration: akusalaṃ, badly behaved

‘A transgression overcame me, bhante, in that, foolishly, stupidly, and badly behaved, I deprived my father of life―a righteous man, a righteous king―for the sake of sovereign rulership.’
☸ Accayo maṃ bhante accagamā yathābālaṃ yathāmūḷhaṃ yathā akusalaṃ yo’haṃ pītaraṃ dhammikaṃ dhammarājānaṃ issariyassa kāraṇā jīvitā voropesiṃ (D.1.85).

Illustration: kusalesu, spiritually wholesome

Also, bhante, the Blessed One’s teaching concerning spiritually wholesome factors is unsurpassed.
☸ Aparaṃ pana bhante etadānuttariyaṃ yathā bhagavā dhammaṃ deseti kusalesu dhammesu.

That is, these spiritually wholesome factors: the (contemplation of the) four bases of mindfulness, the four modes of right inward striving, the four paths to psychic power, the five spiritual faculties, the five spiritual powers, the seven factors of enlightenment, the eightfold path.
☸ Tatrime kusalā dhammā seyyathīdaṃ cattāro satipaṭṭhānā cattāro sammappadhānā cattāro iddhipādā pañcindriyāni pañca balāni satta bojjhaṅgā ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo (D.3.102).

Illustration: kusala, spiritually wholesome; akusala, spiritually unwholesome

Three spiritually unwholesome ways of thought: sensuous thought, unbenevolent thought, and malicious thought.
Tayo akusalavitakkā: kāmavitakko vyāpādavitakko vihiṃsāvitakko.

Three spiritually wholesome ways of thought: unsensuous thought, benevolent thought, compassionate thought.
Tayo kusalavitakkā: nekkhammavitakko avyāpādavitakko avihiṃsāvitakko (D.3.215).

Illustration: akusalehi, spiritually unwholesome

Secluded from sensuous pleasures and spiritually unwholesome factors, a bhikkhu enters and abides in first jhāna, which is accompanied by thinking and pondering, and rapture and physical pleasure born of seclusion (from sensuous pleasures and spiritually unwholesome factors).
☸ Idhāvuso visākha bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṃ savicāraṃ vivekajaṃ pītisukhaṃ paṭhamaṃ jhānaṃ upasampajja viharati (M.1.303).

Illustration: akusalā, spiritually unwholesome

In seeing a visible object via the visual sense, do not grasp its aspects and features. Since by abiding with the faculty of sight unrestrained (from grasping, through mindfulness), greed, dejection, and unvirtuous, spiritually unwholesome factors would pursue you.
☸ Cakkhunā rūpaṃ disvā mā nimittaggāhino ahuvattha mānuvyañjanaggāhino yatvādhikaraṇamenaṃ cakkhundriyaṃ asaṃvutaṃ viharantaṃ abhijjhādomanassā pāpakā akusalā dhammā anvāssaveyyuṃ (S.4.178).

Illustration: kusala, spiritually wholesome

‘Having gone forth (into the ascetic life) in search of what is spiritually wholesome, seeking the supreme state of sublime peace, I approached Āḷāra Kālāma.’
☸ So evaṃ pabbajito samāno kiṃkusalagavesī anuttaraṃ santivarapadaṃ pariyesamāno yena āḷāro kālāmo tenupasaṅkamiṃ (M.1.163).

Illustration: akusala, spiritually unwholesome

How is a bhikkhu an ascetic?
☸ Kathañca bhikkhave bhikkhu samaṇo hoti?

He has quieted down unvirtuous, spiritually unwholesome factors that are defiling, and which lead to renewed states of individual existence, suffering, unpleasant karmic consequences, and future birth, old age, and death.
☸ Samitāssa honti pāpakā akusalā dhammā saṅkilesikā ponobhavikā sadarā dukkhavipākā āyatiṃ jātijarāmaraṇīyā (M.1.280).

Illustration: akusala, spiritually unwholesome

There are these three kinds of spiritually unwholesome thinking (akusalavitakkā). Which three?

• thinking concerned with not wanting to be despised;
☸ anavaññattipaṭisaṃyutto vitakko

• thinking concerned with gains, honour, and renown
☸ lābhasakkārasilokapaṭisaṃyutto vitakko

• thinking concerned with feeling sorry for others
☸ parānuddayatāpaṭisaṃyutto vitakko (It.72).

Illustration: kusalānaṃ, spiritually wholesome; akusalānaṃ, spiritually unwholesome

If, friends, one could enter and abide amidst spiritually unwholesome factors and dwell happily in this very lifetime, without distress, vexation, and anguish, and if, with the break up of the body, after death, one could expect the realm of happiness, then the Blessed One would not praise the abandonment of spiritually unwholesome factors.
☸ Akusale cāvuso dhamme upasampajja viharato diṭṭhe ceva dhamme sukho vihāro abhavissa avighāto anupāyāso apariḷāho kāyassa ca bhedā parammaraṇā sugati pāṭikaṅkhā nayidaṃ bhagavā akusalānaṃ dhammānaṃ pahānaṃ vaṇṇeyya.

But because one who enters and abides amidst spiritually unwholesome factors abides in misery in this very lifetime, with distress, vexation, and anguish, and because he can expect (rebirth in) the plane of misery with the demise of the body at death, the Blessed One praises the abandonment of spiritually unwholesome factors.
☸ Yasmā ca kho āvuso. Akusale dhamme upasampajja viharato diṭṭheva dhamme dukkho vihāro savighāto saupāyāso sapariḷāho kāyassa ca bhedā parammaraṇā duggati pāṭikaṅkhā tasmā bhagavā akusalānaṃ dhammānaṃ pahānaṃ vaṇṇeti.

“If, friends, one who enters and abides amidst spiritually wholesome factors would abide in misery in this very lifetime, with distress, vexation, and anguish, and if, with the demise of the body at death, he could expect (rebirth in) the plane of misery, then the Blessed One would not praise the undertaking of spiritually wholesome factors.
☸ Kusale cāvuso dhamme upasampajja viharato diṭṭhe ceva dhamme dukkho vihāro abhavissa savighāto saupāyāso sapariḷāho kāyassa ca bhedā parammaraṇā duggati pāṭikaṅkhā nayidaṃ bhagavā kusalānaṃ dhammānaṃ upasampadaṃ vaṇṇeyya

But because one who enters and abides amidst spiritually wholesome factors abides happily in this very lifetime, without distress, vexation, and anguish, and because he can expect the realm of happiness with the demise of the body at death, the Blessed One praises the undertaking of spiritually wholesome factors.”
☸ Yasmā ca kho āvuso kusale dhamme upasampajja viharato diṭṭhe ceva dhamme sukho vihāro avighāto anupāyāso apariḷāho kāyassa ca bhedā parammaraṇā sugati pāṭikaṅkhā tasmā bhagavā kusalānaṃ dhammānaṃ upasampadaṃ vaṇṇetī ti (S.3.8-9).

Illustration: kusalaṃ, spiritually wholesome; kusala, what is spiritually wholesome

And what is spiritually wholesome (katamañcāvuso kusalaṃ)?

• refraining from killing is spiritually wholesome
☸ pāṇātipātā veramaṇī kusalaṃ

• refraining from stealing is spiritually wholesome
☸ adinnādānā veramaṇī kusalaṃ

• refraining from sexual misconduct is spiritually wholesome
☸ kāmesumicchācārā veramaṇī kusalaṃ

• refraining from lying is spiritually wholesome
☸ musāvādā veramaṇī kusalaṃ

• refraining from malicious speech is spiritually wholesome
☸ pisuṇāya vācāya veramaṇī kusalaṃ

• refraining from harsh speech is spiritually wholesome
☸ pharusāya vācāya veramaṇī kusalaṃ

• refraining from frivolous speech is spiritually wholesome
☸ samphappalāpā veramaṇī kusalaṃ

• non-greed is spiritually wholesome
☸ anabhijjhā kusalaṃ

• goodwill is spiritually wholesome
☸ avyāpādo kusalaṃ

• right perception (of reality) is spiritually wholesome
☸ sammādiṭṭhi kusalaṃ

And what is the origin of what is spiritually wholesome
☸ katamañcāvuso kusalamūlaṃ

• Non-greed is an origin of what is spiritually wholesome.
☸ alobho kusalamūlaṃ

• Non-hatred is an origin of what is spiritually wholesome.
☸ adoso kusalamūlaṃ

• Discernment of reality is an origin of what is spiritually wholesome.
☸ amoho kusalamūlaṃ (M.1.47).

Illustration: akusalā, spiritually unwholesome; kusala, what is spiritually wholesome

When a bhikkhu is focusing on some meditation object that arouses unvirtuous, spiritually unwholesome thoughts connected with desire, hatred, and undiscernment of reality, then he should focus on some other meditation object connected with what is spiritually wholesome.
☸ Idha bhikkhave bhikkhunā yaṃ nimittaṃ āgamma yaṃ nimittaṃ manasikaroto uppajjanti pāpakā akusalā vitakkā chandūpasaṃhitāpi dosūpasaṃhitāpi mohūpasaṃhitāpi tena bhikkhave bhikkhunā tamhā nimittā aññaṃ nimittaṃ manasikātabbaṃ kusalūpasaṃhitaṃ (M.1.119).

Illustration: kusalaṃ, spiritually wholesome; akusalaṃ, spiritually unwholesome

What is spiritually unwholesome?
☸ Katamañca bhikkhave akusalaṃ

The tenfold path of wrong factors.
☸ micchādiṭṭhi micchāsaṅkappo micchāvācā micchākammanto micchāājīvo micchāvāyāmo micchāsati micchāsamādhi micchāñāṇaṃ micchāvimutti.

This is called spiritually unwholesome
☸ Idaṃ vuccati bhikkhave akusalaṃ.

What is spiritually wholesome?
☸ katamañca bhikkhave kusalaṃ

The tenfold path of right factors.
☸ sammādiṭṭhi sammāsaṅkappo sammāvācā sammākammanto sammāājīvo sammāvāyāmo sammāsati sammāsamādhi sammāñāṇaṃ sammāvimutti.

This is called spiritually wholesome
☸ Idaṃ vuccati bhikkhave kusalan ti (A.5.241).

Illustration: kusala, spiritually wholesome

Bhikkhus, there are these four streams of merit, streams of what is spiritually wholesome, conditions that nourish happiness. What four?
☸ puññābhisandā kusalābhisandā sukhassāhārā

In this regard, a noble disciple has unshakeable faith in the (perfection of the) Buddha’s (enlightenment)… in the (excellence of the) teaching… in the (excellent qualities of the) community of disciples… possesses the virtues dear to the Noble Ones
☸ ariyasāvako buddhe… dhamme… saṅghe aveccappasādena samannāgato hoti… ariyakantehi sīlehi samannāgato hoti (S.5.391).

Illustration: akusalehi, spiritually unwholesome

He is emancipated from unvirtuous, spiritually unwholesome factors that are defiling and which lead to renewed states of individual existence, suffering, unpleasant karmic consequences, and future birth, old age, and death.
☸ Visaṃyutto pāpakehi akusalehi dhammehi saṅkilesikehi ponobhavikehi sadarehi dukkhavipākehi āyatiṃ jātijarāmaraṇikehi (A.2.12).

Illustration: kusalānaṃ, spiritually wholesome

It is by the undertaking of spiritually wholesome factors that this merit increases.
☸ Kusalānaṃ bhikkhave dhammānaṃ samādānahetu evamidaṃ puññaṃ pavaḍḍhati (D.3.58).

Illustration: akusalaṃ, spiritually unwholesome; kusalaṃ, spiritually wholesome

Conduct produced from, born of, due to, originated by greed, hatred, and undiscernment of reality is spiritually unwholesome and blameworthy.
☸ yaṃ bhikkhave lobhapakataṃ… dosapakataṃ… mohapakataṃ kammaṃ mohajaṃ mohanidānaṃ mohasamudayaṃ taṃ kammaṃ akusalaṃ taṃ kammaṃ sāvajjaṃ

It has unpleasant karmic consequences and leads to the (further) origination of karmically consequential conduct. It does not lead to the ending of karmically consequential conduct.
☸ taṃ kammaṃ dukkhavipākaṃ taṃ kammaṃ kammasamudayāya saṃvattati. Na taṃ kammaṃ kammanirodhāya saṃvattati.

Conduct produced from, born of, due to, originated by non-greed, non-hatred, and discernment of reality is spiritually wholesome and blameless.
☸ yaṃ bhikkhave alobho… adoso… amohapakataṃ kammaṃ amohajaṃ amohanidānaṃ amohasamudayaṃ. Taṃ kammaṃ kusalaṃ taṃ kammaṃ anavajjaṃ

It has pleasant karmic consequences and leads to the ending of karmically consequential conduct. It does not lead to the origination of karmically consequential conduct.
☸ taṃ kammaṃ sukhavipākaṃ taṃ kammaṃ kammanirodhāya. Na taṃ kammaṃ kammasamudayāya saṃvattati (A.1.263).

Illustration: kusalesu, spiritually unwholesome

He was resolute in applying himself to spiritually wholesome factors… By undertaking that karmically consequential conduct, heaping it up, lavishly and abundantly, with the demise of the body at death he was reborn in the realm of happiness, in the heavenly worlds.
☸ daḷhasamādāno ahosi kusalesu dhammesu… so tassa kammassa katattā upacitattā ussannattā vipulantā kāyassa bhedā parammaraṇā sugatiṃ saggaṃ lokaṃ upapajjati (D.3.145-6).