Question: What should I do if I think there is something improper about a ‘Buddhist’ monastic or organisation?
Answer: It is best to word your thoughts in writing clearly and politely, to send them to the monastic or organisation, for review and reply… before considering a higher authority later, if needed. Your thoughts can also be conveyed in conversation sincerely, to the appropriate person(s) in charge; not anyone else, who is unlikely to be able to review or reply properly.
You should not merely rant on and on to someone else, who also does not have the facts to review and reply properly, much less to exact any changes, if needed. Complaining to many others ‘randomly’ creates the illusion of actively doing something constructive, while it is actually destructive in the following three ways.
[1] First, ranting with worked-up emotions destroys your own peace of mind immediately. Because there is merely ranting, it does not restore any peace of mind. Every time the same issue is ranted on, any existing peace of mind dissipates again. This continual loss of peace might be all for nothing, if there was faulty perception of the facts. It will be a waste of time and ‘efforts’ too.
[2] Second, ranting might become slandering (诽谤), which is ill mischaracterising, as that ranted about is usually not based on full facts; just limited perception. As Buddhists, we should know that slander, especially of who or what represents Buddhism, be it in part or whole, can create much evil karmas (恶业). Words heard or read cannot be taken back fully, even after correction.
[3] Third, even if there is no slandering, ‘speaking of the Four Assemblies’ faults’ (说四众过) can also create evil karmas. (The Four Assemblies are Buddhist monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen.) * This is so as it can destroy the reputation of Buddhists and Buddhism in part, which can lead to immature listeners being disappointed, who might condemn Buddhists and Buddhism on the whole.
Thus, there should be addressing of the matter to the right ones, ideally with proposed solutions too. Not only will this not be destructive, it will be constructive too. You can also consider joining (or forming) an organisation to create the changes you hope to see, to have skin in the game, to walk the talk. If not, do you not deserve to be complained against, for just being a destructive complainer?
* (The Four Assemblies do NOT include those pretending to be proper Buddhist monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen, as these are actually con-men and con-women exploiting ‘Buddhist culture and practices’ out of delusional greed. To protect the reputation of the actual Four Assemblies, these scammers should be reported to legal authorities directly and immediately.)
If still uncertain on what best to do, there should be discussion with a more mature Buddhist (teacher or senior) who knows better. Instead of carelessly broadcasting others’ perceived faults, these ‘faults’ should only be spoken of to discuss on how to address them, and to warn others if those in question are definitely wrong, AND proven to be unrepentant when their faults are addressed.
