Sri Lanka, Feb. 12 -- Corruption is a scourge that has afflicted societies for millennia, cutting across geographical boundaries and moral codes. It pervades systems of governance, distorts economies and erodes trust.

In some of his discourses, the Buddha's teachings remind us that corruption is not merely a societal ill but an ethical one, impacting both individuals and communities. Here are some precise examples from the Tipitaka:

The Description of Corruption

In the Brahmajala Sutta, (The Divine Net, Long Discourses, Digha Nikaya1), the Buddha provides a precise description of corruption. Here, corruption is described as "Ukkotanavancananikatisacyoga" - the crooked practice of bribery, corruption, and fraud.

The Buddha's definition...