Following is Buddha's algorithm on what should be "right speech". [The text is part of a Buddhist sutta (sutra) which can viewed here. The sutta takes jibes at motives of a Jain Digambar monk (nigantha) in trying to pull Buddha into a difficult disucssion and thus disparage his teachings. No way to ascertain the validity. Would like to explore if Jain texts take same jibes at Buddha. For now, I am only interested in Buddha's algorithm]
Algorithm:
[1] In the case of words that are known to be unfactual, untrue, unbeneficial (or: not connected with the goal), unendearing & disagreeable to others, do not say them.
[2] In the case of words that are known to be factual, true, unbeneficial, unendearing & disagreeable to others, do not say them.
[3] In the case of words that are known to be factual, true, beneficial, but unendearing & disagreeable to others, have a sense of the proper time for saying them.
[4] In the case of words that are known to be unfactual, untrue, unbeneficial, but endearing & agreeable to others, do not say them.
[5] In the case of words that are known to be factual, true, unbeneficial, but endearing & agreeable to others, do not say them.
[6] In the case of words that are known to be factual, true, beneficial, and endearing & agreeable to others, have a sense of the proper time for saying them.
In this algorithm, there are 3 variable : A (factual, true), B (benfecial) and C (endearing, agreeable). There should exist 8 cases for 3 variables. The sutta refers to only 6 conditions. It missed out on [!A B C] and [!A B !C] case. Assuming that all acceptable cases must have a True value for B, both these cases could also be acceptable. Exploring further:
[!A B C] : Something like what was done in the movie "Life is Beautiful". The father tells lies to his son which are endearing and are meant to keep son's moral high. Are these acceptable? I guess yes.
[!A B !C] : Something like reverse psychology to motivate someone. Army commander saying that all new cadets are deplorable and are wimps as they are not pushing themselves hard enough. Are these acceptable? I cannot make up my mind.
I just added to Buddha's algorithm!!!! :)
BTW, help me with [!A B !C] case if you can.
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2 comments:
[!A B C] : This case yes i would say acceptable, but have a sense of whom to say it to. Sucking up to a boss, lavish false compliments to a girl, gainful but they don't really feel so good at the end of the day when you are being true to yourself. Personal opinion, lot of people might not mind it, so acceptable there i guess.
[!A B !C] : I've never liked the concept of reverse psychology, negative motivation. It's totally unacceptable to me. It makes a person take the simplest of things like a challenge, completely out of line if taken in relation to your previous post of karm karo, phal ki chinta mat karo. Motivation is positive, it has to stay that way for me. So, do not say it is my verdict on this one.
Love your post :)
Thanks for sharing
Cool blog!!!
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