White Tara said:
“Using unkind words is ‘harsh speech.’ This cruel way of speaking creates negative karma. Words that hurt others violate samaya.”
White Tara said:
“Do not reveal other people’s private matters. Do not hurt others with harsh or abusive words. Do not use obscene language. Also, do not speak ill of others behind their backs.”
I would say:
- Obscene language.
- Angry or bitter speech.
- Humiliating or vilifying others.
- Exposing other people’s private matters.
These are all examples of karmic transgressions caused by harsh speech, which break the samaya of speech.
I remember a famous writer who was highly talented and intelligent, but eventually took his own life. Before he died, he left behind a note with four words: “Human gossip is terrifying!”
Those four words are enough to make anyone tremble.
I also remember an entrepreneur who was at the height of his success. Because the media exposed part of his private life — something that was not actually a serious failure — he took his own life by jumping off Penghu Bridge.
When I heard the news, I felt deeply saddened.
All such events are caused by harsh speech.
I came to realize this:
Whether Chinese or foreign, all media have tabloid outlets. They do not stop until they have provoked people with sensational language. Whether the story is true or not, they spare no effort in humiliating, criticizing, or defaming others.
Many people enjoy reading this kind of news, which is one reason tabloid journalism continues to exist.
The main focus of these outlets is exposing the private lives of famous people.
Someone once asked me:
“Are these media outlets sinful?”
I replied:
“If the facts are true and the reporting is accurate, fair, just, and objective, then I think that is still acceptable. But if the facts are distorted, the reporting is untrue, unjust, unfair, or subjective, then I would say that is harsh speech.”
In fact, harsh speech has karmic consequences:
It leads to rebirth in the three lower realms.
In future lives, such people will often speak in ways that anger others.
They will take delight in harsh speech.
***
I have often said:
In this life, I have lived amid hurtful and defamatory speech. If I paid attention to it, my worries would never end.
So I ignore it all.
I know this is the human world, and that is simply how it is.
Even when I know the accusations are untrue, I do not want to argue publicly to clear my name.
There was even another group that used a troubled woman to defame me severely, but I did not respond.
I also did not care about reports from various media outlets. Even if the world were thrown into chaos, I would not be concerned. Even if my disciples saw those reports and decided to turn their backs on me, I would not care.
Why?
Because this is the human world.
***
An awakened person knows that all living beings are one body and that they all posses buddha-nature.
Sentient beings are our parents or relatives from past lives.
I will not harm sentient beings.
Harming others is the same as harming oneself. Therefore, I vowed never to sue other people.
When others slander me, it gives me the opportunity to practice the paramita of patient endurance.
Do not engage in harsh speech.
You will only hurt yourself.