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F ORUM FORUM | E AS TERN HORIZ ON 5
NEWS | EASTERN HORIZON 577

Sometimes the Buddha appeared harsh in Are they telling us the truth? Do we know them well
reproaching his students but it was always without or only casually? How old is the person? Do they face
anger or hatred. If this is also skilful means, what are difficulties at home? Do they have a history of sexual,
the dangers for modern day teachers in using such physical, or emotional abuse, and if so, how have they
an approach in a similar manner? dealt with it? Has the person asked us for advice or are

we giving it because it is needed? What tone of voice
Aggacitta: The Buddha was full of pure compassion and and what words are best to express our ideas given who
wisdom and his harsh instructions were manifestations we’re speaking to? Are we the right person to give them
of such qualities. But modern day teachers may lack certain advice, or would the person be more receptive
genuine compassion and their harsh words may be if the same ideas were expressed by someone else? And
motivated by a mixture of anger, frustration, spite, most important, what is our motivation? It must be one
conceit and delusion. And especially for the students of of genuine care and kindness.
a charismatic teacher, devoted unquestioned acceptance
of such conduct could encourage the teacher to even The Buddha has always emphasized the need to
become a sociopathic cult leader. speak the truth but we sometimes hear comments
that out of compassion to save a life, it is alright to
Min Wei: While the Buddha’s harsh reproaches were tell an untruth. Can this be a skilful means too?
skillful means devoid of anger or hatred, modern-
day teachers must exercise caution when employing Aggacitta: The stock explanation of false speech (e.g.
similar approaches. The dangers lie in potential in Sāleyyaka Sutta MN 41) reads: “… in full awareness
misinterpretation and the risk of emotional harm. he speaks falsehood for his own ends, or for another’s
Unlike the Buddha, whose profound insight and ends, or for some trifling worldly end.” According to
compassion were unwavering, contemporary teachers this definition, the end doesn’t matter; as long as all the
might inadvertently project personal frustrations factors are fulfilled, the dark kamma of false speech has
or biases. This can lead to students feeling judged, been committed.
discouraged, or alienated, undermining their spiritual
growth. Moreover, the modern cultural context, with its In AN 4.232-238 the Buddha describes four types of
emphasis on psychological safety and mutual respect, kamma:
may not easily accommodate harsh methods. Teachers 1. Dark kamma with dark results
should ensure that any corrective measures are 2. Bright kamma with bright results
Source:
grounded in genuine compassion and understanding, 3. Dark and bright kamma with dark and bright results
clearly communicated as part of a caring, supportive 4. Kamma that is neither dark nor bright with neither
relationship. Balancing firmness with empathy and dark nor bright results, leading to the ending of
transparency can help maintain the integrity of such kamma.
approaches without causing unintended harm.
Telling an untruth (dark kamma) to save a life (bright
Tsepal: Guiding others on the path is a weighty kamma) belongs to the third category. The dark result
responsibility and must be done with care. We must could be experienced later as loss due to being lied to,
be sensitive to who the person is and what their actual and the bright result as happiness and well being due to
questions are because often people aren’t clear about being saved by a lie told by someone else.
what they want to know. We must also be motivated
by kindness and not by a wish to be important in the Min Wei: Yes, telling an untruth to save a life can be
other’s eyes or to control them. considered skillful means. The Buddha emphasized
speaking the truth as a fundamental ethical principle,
So many factors need to be examined when deciding but his teachings also recognize the importance of
how to skilfully speak to someone: Is the person asking compassion and context. In situations where speaking
a Dharma question or are they seeking personal advice? the truth could cause significant harm, such as risking
What is our relationship to them? Do they trust us? someone’s life, an untruth motivated by genuine