White Tara said:
“There is a category of people whose lips seem never to stop moving, and everything they say is mean and hurtful. They take pleasure in causing harm to others through spreading gossip and rumors, which ultimately leads to significant problems for everyone involved.”
White Tara continued:
“When one hurts others with their words - one has a poisonous tongue. In the future, such people will end up in the three lower realms, where they will be reborn as venomous snakes. When people of this category fall into the three lower realms, they may also become venomous beasts, venomous birds, or other venomous creatures. Even if they manage to reborn as humans again, they will continue to engage in endless arguments and find delight in deception.”
We often hear about the following:
Gossipers: People who frequently visit others’ homes to enjoy discussing the faults and shortcomings of others.
Spreaders of Rumors: People who discuss the right and wrong actions of others.
Friendship Sabotagers: People who intentionally create conflict between close friends.
Hypocrites: People who are deceitful and two-faced.
Stubborn Arguers: Two parties who both claim to be right.
These people provide many justifications for their actions, but these reasons are skewed and cause harm to countless people.
In fact, troubles caused by poisonous tongues should not be underestimated. They could trigger:
Wars between countries.
Wars between clans.
Wars between races.
Wars within families.
Wars between individuals.
In religion -
Devadatta’s poisonous tongue was very destructive. He greatly exaggerated the shortcomings in the Buddha’s life.
These lies spread in the Sangha.
This caused the Sangha to be divided. As a result, half the monastic community left the Buddha to follow Devadatta, and the other half remained faithful to the Buddha.
The Sangha had split asunder.
This was one of the Buddha’s Ten Worries, one of his biggest worries at that time.
There will inevitably be similar people who spread rumors and cause discord within our True Buddha School.
Gossiping about this and that.
These individuals may seem like True Buddha disciples, but their actions only create disharmony among the followers. Therefore, it is important for wise individuals to pay close attention and listen carefully to detect such situations.
Who is causing rifts within the Sangha?
Who is causing discord among disciples?
Who is forming exclusive groups?
It is very apparent.
(I won't reveal the identities, but disciples should remain observant.)
***
White Tara said:
“Speak kind words.”
She continued:
“Silence is golden. Learn to speak less, and recite Buddha epithets and mantras more.”
White Tara said:
“Refrain from talking.”
I observed:
All these actions fall under the category of causing discord. Such people are equally guilty of creating harmful speech. A dharma propagator with a poisonous tongue will end up in the three lower realms.
Why not search within your heart and ask:
Do I have a poisonous tongue?
If yes, it is important to quickly repent and purify yourself through appropriate practices.
It is extremely easy to commit faults from the undesirable habit of a poisonous tongue. Some people even derive pleasure from their hurtful words. The harm caused to others is just as damaging as the harm caused to oneself. It is something to dread!