Buddhism and criticism

A quotation from the Yogacara Buddhism book I finished last week, that I have wanted to share for a while:

Criticism of others is something to always be restrained, or even better, not done at all. If we who are deeply attached to our selves, and who are under the sway of negative mental factors such as conceit and envy, compare ourselves with others and criticize them while abiding in this condition, we cannot but end up doing nothing but praising ourselves, and either slandering others or envying them. (trans. A.C. Muller)

Rev. Tagawa also points out in the next paragraph that this is specifically called out in the Bodhisattva Precepts practiced by many in Buddhism, specifically #7:

A disciple of the Buddha shall not praise himself and speak ill of others, or encourage others to do so. He must not create the causes, conditions, methods, or karma of praising himself and disparaging others.

As a disciple of the Buddha, he should be willing to stand in for all sentient beings and endure humiliation and slander — accepting blame and letting sentient beings have all the glory. If instead, he displays his own virtues and conceals the good points of others, thus causing them to suffer slander, he commits a Parajika [serious] offense.

This is especially true on the Internet, where it’s easy to say something to someone else that’s mean and critical, and with underlying selfish intentions. Religion is especially bad about this because people cannot help but be self-righteous when they feel their views are more correct and superior to someone else’s. How can there be no ego in that kind of discussion?

Or, to quote from Dave Barry:

People who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share yours with them.

A good reason to keep your religious views focused on wholesome intentions, not egotistical ones.

P.S. I deserve plenty of criticism for saying stupid and mean things on the Internet and in person. I am definitely not exempt. It’s good to reflect on Rev. Tagawa’s words in any case.