The Perfection of Truthfulness - Practice with truthfulness

“Only the man of wisdom is skilful in providing for the welfare of all beings....

Not deceiving, undertaking to give support to others,

and not uttering speech that deviates from the truth,

this is called practice with truthfulness.”
This is the practice of the Sammasambuddha, the Exalted One. This is skilfulness in providing for the welfare of all beings, by teaching them the way to eradicate attachment. He shows the danger of akusala and explains the way to develop kusala. He does not deceive, he tries to give support to others and does not utter speech that deviates from the truth. This is called practice with truthfulness.
If someone is not truthful in the practice that leads to the realization of the noble Truths, he will be attached to possessions, honour and fame; he will encourage others to follow a practice that does not lead to the eradication of defilements. Some people say that one should just practise and not study, that it is not necessary to have understanding of the Dhamma, whereas others say that one should first study and have understanding before one practises. Whom should we believe? We should consider ourselves what the right cause is that brings the appropriate effect. If we trust another person we should know for what reason. Is it because he is famous, or because he explains the right cause that brings the appropriate effect and is able to help people to have right understanding of the Dhamma?
Truthfulness is the dhamma that enhances the arising and development of all kusala, because truthfulness is sincerity with regard to the eradication of defilements. When kusala does not arise we may realize that we are not sincere in its development, and this, in turn, can be a condition for its arising. When akusala arises we should, again, be truthful and this can condition sati sampajanna to be aware of the characteristic of akusala. In this way akusala can be abandoned and kusala can be developed.
The Bodhisatta developed in his daily life all kinds of kusala to a high degree, including very subtle and refined kusala. People who have not yet realized the noble Truths should follow in the Bodhisatta’s steps. This means that one should develop all degrees of panna with the aim to eradicate defilements. We should reflect on the daily life of the Bodhisatta before he attained Buddhahood. He was truthful in developing kusala with the aim to abandon and eradicate defilements.