Question: Is it so that whether a precept is considered broken or not depends mainly on the integrity of the intention behind the action?
Answer: Yes, the nature of the intention decides the nature of karma created, be it good or evil. We can only take the best course of action based on the best of our intention, which comes from whatever compassion and wisdom we have in the moment. This however, does not mean ‘anything goes’…
This means it is important to keep learning and practising the Dharma, to keep increasing our compassion and wisdom, so that our actions will be from ever more compassionate and wise intentions, with ever more pure motivations.
In this way, our best intentions will lead to the best actions with the best outcomes. Also, when great compassion and great wisdom combine, great skilful means for accomplishing great actions with great outcomes will arise.
