[Buddha-l] swearing

[[DPD Web] Shen Shi'an]

Actually, i think it's very "simple" -
Swearing or not, gentle or not, 
"Different strokes for different folks", thus the myriad skilful means.
(Some of these "strokes" would include whacks of the Zen stick!)

________________________________

From: buddha-l-bounces at mailman.swcp.com
[mailto:buddha-l-bounces at mailman.swcp.com] On Behalf Of Piya Tan
Sent: Saturday, September 30, 2006 5:58 PM
To: Buddhist discussion forum
Subject: Re: [Buddha-l] swearing


Yes, I agree now, my intelligence has been greatly exaggerated in not
seeing more clearly your true intention.



	That's not the point I'm making. I'm saying that in some
instances 'apiyaa' words spoken by wise people will have more effect
than formulating a thought in such a way that no one might be affected
emotionally. And it's this being emotionally affected that will lead to
insight. In Zen monasteries master slap their students with a stick to
'awaken' them - not really sammaa sankappo (more specifically, not to
harm; sammaa kammanto doesn't mention physical action), if you ask me,
but it /has/ led some students to more discipline. 

 
 

Besides spending a short spell at the Berkeley Zen Centre in the 90s (hi
Alan Senauke, hope you're reading this, too) and using the zabuton and
shashi, I know little else about Zen. I have heard two versions of what
in Chinese is called the xiangpan ("fragrant stick'): one is that it is
used simply to "refresh" a drowsy meditator: both the beater and beatee
then gassho to each other in formal Zen style. The other is that it is
used in a sort of "punitive" way. Not sure about this latter one. 
 
Do enlighten me.


	Back to Dhamma, I think some occasions require 'akaarunika'
(unkind) expressions. They are not a goal, but a means to achieve an
end. 

 
In the Pali texts we often find the Buddha using the term mogha-purisa
(lit "empty man" or or the hollow man of poetry) to address those less
tractable followers. Interestingly he does not seem to use this term for
those outside the Teaching (?) 
 
Piya

 
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