We might wonder why the Buddha makes such a serious statement about views when we are fully entitled to our views and opinions. Granted that freedom, however, we can’t deny the fact that all our faults stem from a wrong view of things. This is the root of the matter.

When a seed is planted, its roots suck in moisture and nutrients from the earth to produce its own fruit - bitter or sweet as the case may be. The roots follow the intrinsic nature of the seed. Even so, one’s bodily, verbal and mental behaviour is fully influenced by the view one holds. One must also face its consequences-evil or good as the case may be.

It is this truth that the Buddha tries to put across through the following exhortation to his disciples.

"Monks, in the case of a man of wrong views, whatever bodily, verbal or mental action he does, accords fully with the view he has taken up. Whatever intentions, aspirations, determinations and preparations there may be in him, all that will conduce to what is unpleasant, unhappy and disagreeable-to what is not beneficial but painful. And why so? Because his view, monks is evil. Monks, a margosa seed or a bitter-gourd seed or a bitter pumpkin seed thrown on moist earth imparts its bitterness, sourness and unpleasantness to whatever essence of earth and moisture it lays hold of. Why so? Because the seed, monks, is bad. It is the same, monks, in the case of that man of wrong view because his view is evil."

‘Monks, in the case of a man of right views, whatever bodily, verbal or mental action he does, accords fully with the view he has taken up . Whatever intentions, aspirations, determinations and preparations there may be in him, all that will conduce to what is pleasant happy and agreeable-to what is beneficial and blissful. And why so? Because his view, monks is good. Monks a seedling of sugar-cane, or a paddy seed or a grape seed thrown on moist earth imparts its sweetness, pleasantness and deliciousness to whatever essence of earth and moisture it lays hold of. Why so? Because the seed, monks is good. It is the same, monks, in the case of a man of right view, because his view is good.’

-A.N.I.32

‘As one sows the seed

So one reaps the fruit

The doer of good reaps

The fruit of good

The doer of evil

An evil fruit.’

- S.N.I.227