Tolerance versus hiding your head in the sand

[Prasadachitta]

The Buddha was never coy about calling a spade a spade was he. He, as in all things provides the model for Right Speech.
On the one hand his speech is always tempered and appropriate to the stuation, on the other hand he doesnt pull his punches. A lesson for those of us who tend to be over-emphatic, as well as to those who see all expression of dissent or disagreement as contradicting Right Speech.

Thank you PeterB,

Very succinctly put. This is pretty much what I am trying to get at.


Gabe

[Jechbi]

The Buddha was never coy about calling a spade a spade was he. He, as in all things provides the model for Right Speech.
On the one hand his speech is always tempered and appropriate to the stuation, on the other hand he doesnt pull his punches. A lesson for those of us who tend to be over-emphatic, as well as to those who see all expression of dissent or disagreement as contradicting Right Speech.

Personally, I think we have to be very cautious if we look to the Buddha as a role model for right speech, because the Buddha knew the right time to say thnhgs, and he knew his audience. Most of us lack that clarity of wisdom. So we might say very defensible things, but we're much more likely than the Buddha to do so at the wrong time, and with words that are not most helpful to the intended recipient.

Knowing the Buddha's words is kind of like having a sharp knife in the house. You treat it with care, and you don't threaten people with it. (And it's probably best if children don't play with it, especially without supervision.)

[Prasadachitta]

Knowing the Buddha's words is kind of like having a sharp knife in the house. You treat it with care, and you don't threaten people with it. (And it's probably best if children don't play with it, especially without supervision.)

Hi Jechbi,

I think it is best to use ones own words perhaps inspired and guided by those which come from tradition and always properly qualified as applying only to that which is provisionally perceived.

Personally, I think we have to be very cautious if we look to the Buddha as a role model for right speech,

I agree with the value of caution as a general guiding principle.

Kindly

Gabe

[PeterB]

The Buddha was never coy about calling a spade a spade was he. He, as in all things provides the model for Right Speech.
On the one hand his speech is always tempered and appropriate to the stuation, on the other hand he doesnt pull his punches. A lesson for those of us who tend to be over-emphatic, as well as to those who see all expression of dissent or disagreement as contradicting Right Speech.

Personally, I think we have to be very cautious if we look to the Buddha as a role model for right speech, because the Buddha knew the right time to say thnhgs, and he knew his audience. Most of us lack that clarity of wisdom. So we might say very defensible things, but we're much more likely than the Buddha to do so at the wrong time, and with words that are not most helpful to the intended recipient.

Knowing the Buddha's words is kind of like having a sharp knife in the house. You treat it with care, and you don't threaten people with it. (And it's probably best if children don't play with it, especially without supervision.)

The reasons you give , the level of mindfulness and equanimity involved to follow the Buddhas example in the use of speech, are precisely why he is the ideal model. Our own attempts to emulate him may fail time after time, but he sets the bar for our own attempts, along with the rest of the Eightfold path, all of which presents a constant challenge each and every day as far as I am concerned.

[genkaku]

I wonder:

It seems to me that the Eightfold Path is a free-standing invitation. It needs no help from Gautama, and whether or not he enunciated such suggestions -- while nice and perhaps inspiring -- is purely secondary.

The importance of the Eightfold Path does not lie with Gautama, however grateful anyone might be for his efforts and wisdom. The importance lies specifically with those who choose to exercise -- succeed or fail... no difference -- its wisdoms. Let's not get sidetracked.

Just noodling.

[PeterB]

We may differ in the nature of the inspiration that we find here Adam. The reason that the Eightfold Path is an inspiration to me lies in the fact that it was discovered, or rediscovered by a Buddha, and therefore carries hs authority. The fact that what he rediscovered is basic to the nature of things is available to me, to any degree,because of his blazing the trail. I am certainly not on this message Board as a result of being able to figure out any of this stuff for myself.

[christopher:::]

Nicely stated, Peter.