A Presentation of the 10 Demeritorious Actions through a Hokkien Poem. English translations are shown.

1. 1
A Hokkien Poem That Teaches
The 10 Demeritorious Actions

2. 2
Oo Min Kia Mai Cho
A Choot Si Khor Tho
There are things you must not do
Such things can lead to rebirth
in suffering realms

3. 3
Tham Sim Chin Hong Hiam
Lu A Khor Chin Thiam
Greed and Covetousness
are dangerous
You will suffer terribly

4. 4
Kah Kee Kor Kah Kee
Si Leow Khor Ooi Khee
Being Selfish and Self-Centered
Upon death he goes to a woeful state

5. 5
Lu Mai Seng Tay Ork
Chee Jit Hor Lang Tock
Don’t be hot-tempered and angry
One day you will be hit or
assaulted by others

6. 6
Mai Gheen Chui Chui Poon
Lu A Huih A Koon
Do not hate anybody
Your blood can boil
(Your blood pressure can rise)

7. 7
Goo Chee A Hai Lu
A Khor Chin Jia Ku
Delusion or Ignorance will harm you
There will be pain or suffering for a long time

8. 8
Bo Sian Sin Eng Ko
Si Leow Kah Chai Lo
You don’t believe in Kamma?
You will know after death

9. 9
Lu Mai Kong Pian Uah
A Khee Khor Ooi Tuah
Do Not Tell Lies
It can bring you to a suffering state

10. 10
Kong Uah Ai Cheah Sit
Eau Kin Ai Lau Sik
We must speak the truth
It’s important to be honest

11. 11
Mai Sai Chua Long Choo
A Hor Lang Phab Lu
Don’t slander or carry tales
You can be beaten up

12. 12
Kong Lang Pai Bo Ho
A Hor Lang Sak Toh
Talking bad about others is wrong
People can assault or hit you down

13. 13
Chor Uah Beh Sai Kong
A Choh Lang Bo Song
Harsh Speech should not be used
It can hurt a person’s feelings

14. 14
Meh Lang, Lay Lang Mai
A Seong Chin Lee Hai
Don’t scold or use abusive speech
This can great wound a person’s heart

15. 15
Lang Mai Kong Eng Uah
Lu Cho Peng Iu Puah
Don’t gossip or talk frivolously
You can break up friendship

16. 16
Mai Kong Tang Kong Sai
Lang Luah Lu Kah Chai
Don’t indulge in empty, useless talk
You’ll regret when you get blamed

17. 17
Thai Lang Pai Eng Ko
Lu A Chin Khor Lo
Killing is bad Kamma
One will face great suffering

18. 18
Chong Seng Mai Cho Thiah
Lu A Chin Pai Mia
Don’t hurt sentient beings
You’ll have a very painful life

19. 19
Mai Thau Thek Ming Kia
Au Si Lu Khor Mia
Do not steal things
You will suffer in future lives

20. 20
Mai Lau, Mai Chiak Lang
A Khor Siang Ka Thang
Don’t swindle, don’t cheat others
You can suffer like a worm

21. 21
Lu, Gua Mai Sia Imm
Ka Theng Hor Kooi Chim
We must not commit sexual misconduct
In time we will be ‘kissed’ by the devil

22. 22
Luan Luan Lai Boh Cho
Ang Boh Bay Ga Loh
If there is no sexual immorality
Husbands and wives won’t quarrel

23. 23
Lang Bo Cho Pai Su
Hwa Hee, Peng Aun Oo
If we do not do wrong things
Happiness and Peace Will Be With Us

24. 24
The End
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin
“Refrain from any bad deed”
This wise advice we must heed