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Is It Right To Not Bother About What Is Right Or Wrong? 不管对错对不对?

Question: I came across the below message (in Chinese, as translated in English).

谁对谁错,不要去过问。
[1] On who is right and who is wrong, do not ask and get involved.
谁好谁坏,千万别评论。
[2] On who is good and who is bad, absolutely do not comment.
装聋作哑,远离是非。
[3] Pretend to be deaf and be dumb, to far depart from right and wrong.

沉默不语,减少矛盾。
[4] Be silent and do not speak, to reduce conflicts.
不管不问,就快乐。
[5] Do not care and do not ask, and you will be happy.
少管少说,就是福。
[6] Care less and speak less, and you will be blessed.

Is the above ‘advice’ right?

Answer: If all follow the above, will there be even one Bodhisattva or Buddha who takes initiative to help others in need? Will the Bodhisattva or Buddha path even be practicable? Will there even be one Bodhisattva or Buddha then?

As misattributed to the philosopher Edmund Burke, but possibly paraphrased from him, ‘The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.’

[1] If there is no one asking about right and wrong to stand up for justice, the wrong and unjust might take over the world. Is this the kind of world we want to live in? What if you become a victim, with those wrong hurting you?

[2] If there is no one commenting about what is good and evil (bad), those evil might overwhelm the world. Is this the kind of world we want to live in? What if you become a victim, with the evil harming you?

[3] If everyone acts deaf and dumb, who will listen to those suffering and speak up for them? Is this the kind of world we want to live in? What if you are suffering, with no one listening to your request for help, to speak up for you?

[4] How can merely being silent reduce conflicts, since some conflicts need more communication with clarifications in words to be resolved?

[5] How can not caring bring happiness, since happiness comes from caring for one another with compassion and wisdom skilfully, and from being care for well?

[6] How can caring and speaking less bring blessings, since caring and speaking to benefit bring blessings to oneself and others instead?

If the above so-called amoral ‘advice’ is followed, you will not even be able to care for any family member, much less anyone else. Such is classic pseudo-advice that might seem somewhat sensible at first, but is ill advice upon deeper reflection.

The key is to always speak and act to respond appropriately with compassion and wisdom when needed; not to be a dull and unfeeling wooden block to everything. Our moral bearings for our thoughts, words and deeds must be clear and align with the precepts. Only when it is truly pointless to say and do anything should there be silence and inaction.

Please Be Mindful Of Your Speech, Namo Amituofo!

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