A half-truth is a half-lie too. An already whole truth with additions to that extent makes it a lie too.
– Stonepeace | Books
In the Abhasita Sutta
(Discourse On What Was Not Said),
Sakyamuni Buddha said,
‘… [T]hese two slander the [Buddha] Tathagata…
[1] He who explains what was not said… by the Tathagata as said…
[2] [H]e who explains what was said… by the Tathagata as not said…’
Saying ‘what not said’ by the Buddha as ‘what said’
is the first form of slanderous lying,
that puts false words in the Buddha’s mouth.
Saying ‘what said’ by the Buddha as ‘what not said’
is the second form of slanderous lying,
that takes true words away from the Buddha’s mouth.
Since ‘what not said’ by the Buddha is always not the Dharma,
to attribute ‘what not said’ to him as the Dharma
also misrepresents and slanders the true Dharma.
Since ‘what said’ by the Buddha is always the Dharma,
to not attribute ‘what said’ to him as the Dharma
also misrepresents and slanders the true Dharma.
Since ‘what not said’ by the Buddha is never to the Sangha,
to attribute ‘what not said’ to the Sangha to him
also misrepresents and slanders the true Dharma that the Sangha needs to know.
Since ‘what said’ by the Buddha is always to the Sangha,
to not attribute ‘what said’ to the Sangha to him
also misrepresents and slanders the true Dharma that the Sangha needs to know.
The above is how the worst forms of slander can occur –
from slander of the Buddha,
to slander of the Dharma,
to slander of the Sangha,
that lead to the worst karmic retribution.
Thus, study the true sutras, to learn that truly taught.
I solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
– Scottish Affirmation For Sworn Testimony
Related Articles:
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https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2017/05/who-should-we-learn-the-dharma-from
Why Denounce Precept-Breaking ‘Buddhist Teachers’?
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2017/08/why-denounce-precept-breaking-buddhist-teachers
Are All In Monastic Robes Beyond Question?
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2017/06/are-all-in-monastic-robes-beyond-question
The Buddha’s Admonition Against Making False Spiritual Claims
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2015/01/the-buddhas-admonition-against-making-false-spiritual-claims
What Would The Buddha Do When He Is Slandered?
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2010/02/what-would-the-buddha-do-when-he-is-slandered
