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Cursing?
I once read, from a book i don't remember, about a list of things that Buddha said will hinder someone from attaining nirvana.
One thing that i found interesting was "Cursing".
It really took me by surprise to see Buddha claim that a series of syllabus that were frowned upon by society would be inherently bad.
I cant picture a word, which only has the meaning that we give it (normally in an effort to conform to the language around us). being inherently.
Am I wrong? Right? Any clarification on this would be great, thanks.
Cheers!!!!
One thing that i found interesting was "Cursing".
It really took me by surprise to see Buddha claim that a series of syllabus that were frowned upon by society would be inherently bad.
I cant picture a word, which only has the meaning that we give it (normally in an effort to conform to the language around us). being inherently.
Am I wrong? Right? Any clarification on this would be great, thanks.
Cheers!!!!
0
Comments
If you speak words that are offensive to others, you are not practicing Right Speech very well.
There's a whole section at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sacca/sacca4/samma-vaca/index.html about Right Speech that you should check out.
But i personally don't find much wrong with cursing around with friends in private, or when i stub my toe.
I think intention is a key factor again.
But alas, i am probably HORRIBLY wrong, haha.
So our volition, our intent, should probably be to not use them altogether. This is a part of Right Effort.
Once i came to terms that curse words are nothing other than certain syllables in a certain order, i found it hard to be convinced that it could be inherently bad.
Again, if I'm not sure that the said word is indeed "Negative", it would be hard for it to plant a "Negative" seed.
Again, I'm not trying terribly hard to debate you, Stephen. Haha, I'm trying to find alternate views on this matter.
And in that case, knowing something that is offensive to people, it's a good idea to find a better way of saying it. S'all I'm sayin' bro.
Perhaps then Buddhism isn't the path for you. I myself am examining if this is the case for me too (not about cursing but other teachings I find myself perplexed by).
At the end of the day, IME, there is nothing wrong with questioning the teachings, in fact the Buddha encouraged it. But I think if there are key components of the teachings one can't accept (in this case, Right Speech) then perhaps it is us who are incorrect and not the teaching.
Please be aware this is just my musings on the matter and in no way directed solely to you and your view on cursing.
Respectfully,
Raven
I'm sorry, I'm still new here and haven't see that thread.
My apologies,
Raven
"Oh yes, cursing is wrong, but if I do it like this, it's ok...."
"Shouldn't curse in *this* situation, but of course, in *that* situation, it's fine...."
"Of course, I never curse in public, but in private I swear like a trooper..."
This is all part of self-control, self-discipline and not accruing negative kamma, in whichever way we do it.
watching our mouth is not only one of the 5 Precepts, but a huge factor on the Eightfold path.
It's there.
in black and white.
And further elaborated on by the Buddha.
Just how much clearer do you need it to be, before you see, understand and accept that, in whatever situation, whatever circumstance, whatever time, whatever thought....It's wrong?
It's considered wrong because it is born of inappropriate thought, transforms into inappropriate speech and can lead to an inappropriate situation.
So one should diligently practice to speak only that which is wholesome, appropriate, skilful and carefully considered.
Get over it.
Absolutely right.
Look inward when you are cursing. Are you cursing because you are angry? Are you cursing because it's a habit and you are just mindlessly throwing out the words?
Either situation is one that a Buddhist should attend to. I think that rather than the words themselves being "bad", these words are likely a symptom of an underlying mental state that needs to be addressed and corrected.
Here's the link if you're interested.
I've had a potty mouth my whole life, so don't find ANY words offensive.
Mtns
but in this case he was probably talking about "CURSE" -"ING"
...you shouldn't have ill will... or intent....towards people. like voodoo/revenge/evil..
LOL.
buddha doesn't have aversion to words...or language..please....
Accordingly to my teacher, the answer to that is "yes".
I have a hard time accepting that answer. But I have been taking lessons from this Tibetan monk for over 10 years now, and many things that I initially found hard to accept I have since come to see for myself as being true. Maybe this one will too, eventually, so I try not to reject it outright.
Thanks for that Jason - it was VERY interesting
- Raven
Most of the time cursing is used to vent frustration or anger, which probably isn't "skillful speach". When I curse thus, I infect others with my negativity.
On the other hand, curse words can be used, I believe, skillfully. For instance, they can shake one out of a stupor or inertia. Or, in the context of jokes, they can just be hilarious.
If harsh speech and its result are beneficial I see no problem. Beautiful words with horrendous results are all too common.
As Aj Chah says "true but not right, right but not true."
Also, keep questioning. What are syllables, where is the mind, what is logic, what is this what is that? Natural mindfulness will arise, and this natural unforced effortless mindfulness will lean towards 'compassionate' thought and actions anyways. It's just the way it is.