The attitudes of ‘religious’ founders to insults

Sri Lankan media and social media have recently focussed much on “insulting the Buddha”. I will not rehearse the legitimate reactions made by various religious leaders and others, as they are well known. However I write for the benefit of many who try to adhere to the way of life advocated by the Buddha to his followers, and to those who similarly relate to Hindu, Muslim, and Christian traditions. I do so, by sharing what I consistently do; that is always looking back to the attitude of the founders I follow. The long experience of doing so enables me to continue with a mind calm and collected, without which I cannot be well and happy.

I refer to the first collated discourse in the collection of long discourses (Dīgha Nikāya) of the Pāli Tipiṭaka, namely, what is commonly called the Brahmajāla Sutta, meaning “all embracing net of views”. There, in the face of both adverse criticism and praise of the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha, the Buddha teaches his followers that they should not feel insulted, or have animosity, since anger or being troubled would only be creating an obstacle for themselves, since it affects the right understanding as to whether the adverse statements were rightly or wrongly spoken. The Buddha taught further, that his followers should unravel what is false and point it out as false. Similarly, the Buddha related that to situations of praise of the Buddha, Dhamma, or Sangha, advising that his followers should not give way to attitudes of jubilation, joy, and exultation toward such praise, for if they were to become so in such a situation, they would only be creating an obstacle to acknowledge what is fact as fact, and reject any undue praise for that which is not fact.

Following that teaching of the Buddha, I analysed one negative assertions made against the Buddha and ‘Buddhists’ recently reported in the press. This was: “in a Buddhist’s mind, they never hear the love of Buddha as their focus is enlightenment”. Now, that is necessarily said by a voice guided by a grossly ignorant mind, as to that statement at the very least. One has only to look at the numerous references to universal, unconditional, selfless love (mettā) in the Pāli Tipiṭaka, and the Karaṇīyamettā Sutta, 1.8 of the Sutta Nipāta in the Khuddaka Nikāya in the said canon, which are also easily accessible via the internet, to understand the immaculate quality of that type of love and its boundless quantity, and that the practice of it is indispensable in the path toward Enlightenment.

Turning to the Vedic Hindu tradition, it is said that one who bears criticism is a vitandam, or nindanam, and given the person’s serenity of mind in such situations, is regarded as a panditam (wise person). Giving, accepting as well as understanding criticism was considered to be the hallmark of learning, civility, dignity as well as wisdom, in Vedic India. (See: https://www.vedic-management.com/the-vedic-perspective-on-criticism/).

Although I am uncertain of its authenticity, the Islamic tradition, has a story of an old woman who abused Prophet Muhammad.  One day when Prophet Muhammad was walking, he saw an elderly woman carrying a heavy load. So, the Prophet asked if she needed help, for which the woman was very grateful. However, as they were walking together, the woman continuously talked badly of Prophet Muhammad, but the Prophet remained silent and did what he was doing, carrying her load. When they reached the woman’s home, and the Prophet put down the load he was carrying, the woman inquired who he was. The Prophet merely said that he was Muhammad, the very one she was insulting.

As for Jesus, he said to his followers: “You have heard that it has been said, you shalt love thy neighbour, and hate your enemy; but I say to you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you …” (Matthew 5:43–44; see also Luke 6: 26 –29).

I end by stating that the modern scientific view is that “ego” is that part of the self, which apart from other things, has the incessant need to be seen in a positive light, and hence detests adverse criticism, and thrives on praise, be it rightly or wrongly expressed (see: humanistic psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman, Ph.D. “The Pressing Need for Everyone to Quiet Their Egos: Why quieting the ego strengthens your best self”. Scientific American. 21 May 2018).

Nirmal Fernando (curlsu@hotmail.com)