The Buddha was big on discernment. When someone asked him what makes someone an Outcast/Lowlife he gave a pretty detailed answer. I’ve condensed it from the Sutta:
- Harms living creatures and has no kindness for creatures
- Irritable, hostile, wicked, offensive, deceitful, deficient in view
- Destroys Villages, Cities
- Thieves & Muggers
- Lying to someone about owing a debt
- Lying to others to create wealth
- Making up stories about stuff that didn’t happen.
- Trying to sleep with others committed sexual partners
- Not taking care of parents in old age
- Abusing family verbally or physically
- Asked what is good, teaches what is actually bad.
- Gives advice with a hidden agenda.
- Hides bad deeds from others.
- Eats at another’s place, doesn’t return the favor.
- Lies to religious people (monks, nuns, nobles).
- Abuses or doesn’t share food with religious people (monks, nuns, nobles).
- Extols themselves and disparages others.
- Bullies
- Wealth hoarders
- Oppressors
- Insults the Buddha or the Buddha’s disciples.
- Claims to be perfected – but isn’t (this is considered the lowest)
Someone isn’t permanently an Outcast/Lowlife, but while doing these things, they can fall into this category.
I originally read it in this book
The Buddha’s Teachings on Social and Communal Harmony - Edited and introduced by Bhikkhu Bodhi
v1.0 - Last edit 14-November-2021
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