TALKING BEHIND OTHERS’ BACKS IS A SERIOUS KARMA OF SPEECH
Caller: Master, you mentioned, “One is halfway to achieving Buddhahood when he is able to guard against creating the karma of speech”. May I ask if the karma of speech includes talking behind others’ backs?
Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s for sure.
Caller: So, it means, regardless of whether the other party is in the right or wrong, we shouldn’t judge them, is that right?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Unless your intention is to help them, only then can you make a comment about them. Otherwise, you are generating negative energy. If your intention is to help him and you talk to him face-to-face, this is positive energy, and as such, it is not considered creating negative karma of speech.
For example, I am ready to help a person today. How is it even possible for me not to comment about him? Would you regard this as a negative karma of speech? This is clearly not.
On the other hand, if I am not with the person concerned today but I make some curt remarks and talk behind his back, it is a negative karma of speech.
Source: Wenda20160605A 46:24, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
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