2nd January 2000

Say no to lies

In the ‘Rahulovada Sutta’, it is stated , “Rahula, before saying anything you must think of what effect your statement will have on others. In thinking thus, one will realise the consequences of what one is going to say. Think if it will hurt another, if it will cause sorrow to another, or if it will cause another to lose their comfort. Then it is a bad deed, and one should avoid such instances. Don’t speak such words.”

Thus in the ‘Rahulovada Sutta’ it is demonstrated with examples lying is a grave wrong. Rahula was shown a bowl half full of water and asked how much water was there in the container. He said, ‘Lord that container is half full.’

“Rahula turn that bowl over, now turn it upright and see if there is water in it.” Ven. Rahula’s response was, ‘No, my Lord. Now this bowl is empty.’ “Rahula understand, similarly, if a person deceives, his life too will be empty like this bowl and if a person can lie, there is no sin that he cannot commit.”

Modern day society is an apt example to demonstrate this. It is apparent to everyone our governing system is based upon deception.

In a governing system begun upon a lie, automatically society is pushed towards other forms of evil.

Thus it is clearly demonstrated how intellectual deterioration of people takes place.

Today bad morals have over powered society, suffocating people’s good morals.

Lying never brings about good results. Although people philosophise saying sometimes it is necessary to lie for the sake of another person, such people understand the gravity of this only when the evil repercussions of saying a lie come back to them and the others involved in perpetrating the deception.

Although at this moment in time one cannot see the depths one has fallen to, the intellectual deterioration occurred through participating in a lie and the further deception required to come out of the pit one has fallen into, in reality a deceiver’s life moves from sadness to further sadness.

Very often lies are told because the person does not have the determination to keep away from deceit, and because one does not endeavour to avoid the committing of unwholesome deeds with intention.

Thus, a person’s determination to keep away from committing unwholesome deeds with intention, will in a difficult moment help him find solutions and ways to come up with methods to avoid having to speak untruths. Such a person’s strength and commitment to honesty will give him the courage to speak the truth at all times.

Inside the glass house 

Editorial/ Opinion Contents