The Lord Buddha once visited Ambalattika temple where Venerable Rahula was living and, by using a mirror as a simile, explained to him how to purify the three outlets. It is clear that this explanation demonstrates the only way to the purification of the mind.
‘Rahula, what use could one make of a mirror?’
‘Sir, it helps to examine the impurities on one’s body.’
‘Likewise Rahula, one should think wisely before performing an action, uttering a word or indulging in thoughts.
‘Rahula, when you feel like performing any physical action, you should scrutinize it. If you see that an action could bring about misery unto yourself, or to others, bring about suffering or causes misery to both, then you should refrain from committing such an act. if you realize that an act would not bring about misery to you or to another or to both, such an act is meritorious and gives good results, then you should perform such an act.
‘Rahula, when any physical action is being performed, you should examine it. If you see that the action could bring about misery unto you or to others or to both, then you should not proceed with it. You should avoid committing that action. If you realize that an act is meritorious, it would bring about good results unto you, to others or to both, you should perform such an act.
‘Rahula, you should also examine an act after performing it, and if you realize that it could bring about evil results unto you, to others or to both, then you should bring it to light and abstain from committing it once again. If after performing an act, you feel that it brought forth positive results and fulfillment to you or to others or to both, then together with happiness and contentment of the act you should indulge in more meritorious acts continuously.’
Lord Buddha thus advises Venerable Rahula to think wisely and scrutinize his words and thoughts similarly.
‘Rahula, the Buddhas and their followers have all purified their physical, mental and verbal actions by contemplating and scrutinizing themselves. Therefore, Rahula, you should discipline yourself by constantly scrutinizing and contemplating your physical, mental and verbal actions.
Source : Beauty of the white lotus – Gangodawila Soma Thero