PRACTISE VERBAL TOLERANCE
Master Jun Hong Lu: Those who are gracious and broad-minded are able to take in all sorts of remarks, be it kind or harsh; their modesty allows them to be open to the opinions and suggestions of others.
Such a person will also let others finish saying their piece. This demonstrates their apparent magnanimity and tolerance and a manifestation of their inner compassion and strength.
It takes courage to be receptive to the opinions of others. Many people get upset and dismiss these opinions because they lack the courage to listen.
It takes patience to hear someone out. Without patience, one will never get to listen to those truthful and kind words from others.
“Being tolerant of others’ words” is not about not differentiating between right and wrong or telling the good from the bad. It is the wisdom that allows us to distinguish between kind and harsh speech, and the magnanimity with which one can take in both hypocritical flattery as well as the blunt words of others.
Your heart must be as vast as the ocean, able to accept others’ opinions. only then will you be capable of change. Without owning up to your own mistakes, you will never change your attitude.
In traditional Chinese culture, there’s a saying that goes, ‘Listen to both sides and you will be enlightened, heed only one side and you will be benighted’. The practice of being tolerant to others’ words will allow you to help other sentient beings as tolerance always leads to greatness.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk, Jakarta, Indonesia, 12 March 2018
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