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Difference between revisions of "Consistency"

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[[Consistency]] is the quality of always being the same and is an important [[principle]] in both [[Buddhist philosophy]] and [[ethics]]. To be genuine, a [[truth]] must be consistent in that it is not contradicted by [[reality]]. For example, the [[Buddha’s]] statement ‘All [[conditioned things]] are [[suffering]]’ (Dhp.278) is rightly called a [[noble truth]] because it is impossible to find a [[conditioned thing]] that offers total and lasting [[satisfaction]]. Also, two contradictory [[Wikipedia:concept|concepts]], statements or [[beliefs]] cannot both be true, although they may well both be false. This is what the [[Buddha]] meant when he said: ‘[[Truth]] is one.’ (''Ekaṃ hi saccaṃ'', Sn.884).
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[[Consistency]] is the [[quality]] of always being the same and is an important [[principle]] in both [[Buddhist philosophy]] and [[ethics]]. To be genuine, a [[truth]] must be consistent in that it is not contradicted by [[reality]]. For example, the [[Buddha’s]] statement ‘All [[conditioned things]] are [[suffering]]’ (Dhp.278) is rightly called a [[noble truth]] because it is impossible to find a [[conditioned thing]] that offers total and lasting [[satisfaction]]. Also, two [[contradictory]] [[Wikipedia:concept|concepts]], statements or [[beliefs]] cannot both be true, although they may well both be false. This is what the [[Buddha]] meant when he said: ‘[[Truth]] is one.’ (''[[Ekaṃ hi saccaṃ]]'', Sn.884).
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[[Ethical]] [[truths]] must also be consistent. Certain {{Wiki|behaviour}} cannot be wrong in one situation and right in another.  
 
[[Ethical]] [[truths]] must also be consistent. Certain {{Wiki|behaviour}} cannot be wrong in one situation and right in another.  
  
Thus it is wrong to kill, no {{Wiki|matter}} what the circumstances. However, the [[Buddha]] [[recognizes]] that there is a difference between killing out of [[rage]] or [[jealousy]] and killing in self-defence. The first is completely wrong while the second can be what he called ‘mixed’ (''[[vītimissa]]''),i.e. a mixture of different degrees of wrong and right (M.I,318). [[Consistency]] is also important in many areas of the [[spiritual]] [[life]]. The [[Buddha]] said that the sign of a worthwhile [[teacher]] is that there is [[consistency]] between how he or she acts in public and in private and that their good qualities endure through changing circumstances (M.I,318). He also said that a [[characteristic]] of the [[enlightened]] [[person]] is a [[harmony]] between their [[understanding]] and their [[actions]] (''[[vijjācaraṇasampanno]]'').
 
  
For example, they truly understand that [[forgiveness]] is the [[highest]] [[form]] of [[letting go]] and, therefore, they are able to forgive anyone, even those who have been very {{Wiki|cruel}} to them. The [[Buddha]] said that he ‘preaches what he practises and he practises what he preaches.’ (It.122). This was because he had understood the [[truth]] at the deepest level so that it was completely integrated into every aspect of his being. For him, [[consistency]] was effortless and natural.
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Thus it is wrong to kill, no {{Wiki|matter}} what the circumstances. However, the [[Buddha]] [[recognizes]] that there is a difference between {{Wiki|killing}} out of [[rage]] or [[jealousy]] and {{Wiki|killing}} in self-defence. The first is completely wrong while the second can be what he called ‘mixed’ (''[[vītimissa]]''),i.e. a mixture of different degrees of wrong and right (M.I,318). [[Consistency]] is also important in many areas of the [[spiritual]] [[life]]. The [[Buddha]] said that the sign of a worthwhile [[teacher]] is that there is [[consistency]] between how he or she acts in public and in private and that their good qualities endure through changing circumstances (M.I,318). He also said that a [[characteristic]] of the [[enlightened]] [[person]] is a [[harmony]] between their [[understanding]] and their [[actions]] (''[[vijjācaraṇasampanno]]'').
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For example, they truly understand that [[forgiveness]] is the [[highest]] [[form]] of [[letting go]] and, therefore, they are able to {{Wiki|forgive}} anyone, even those who have been very {{Wiki|cruel}} to them. The [[Buddha]] said that he ‘preaches what he practises and he practises what he preaches.’ (It.122). This was because he had understood the [[truth]] at the deepest level so that it was completely integrated into every aspect of his being. For him, [[consistency]] was effortless and natural.
 
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[http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=82 www.buddhisma2z.com]
 
[http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=82 www.buddhisma2z.com]

Latest revision as of 17:45, 21 December 2023

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Consistency is the quality of always being the same and is an important principle in both Buddhist philosophy and ethics. To be genuine, a truth must be consistent in that it is not contradicted by reality. For example, the Buddha’s statement ‘All conditioned things are suffering’ (Dhp.278) is rightly called a noble truth because it is impossible to find a conditioned thing that offers total and lasting satisfaction. Also, two contradictory concepts, statements or beliefs cannot both be true, although they may well both be false. This is what the Buddha meant when he said: ‘Truth is one.’ (Ekaṃ hi saccaṃ, Sn.884).


Ethical truths must also be consistent. Certain behaviour cannot be wrong in one situation and right in another.


Thus it is wrong to kill, no matter what the circumstances. However, the Buddha recognizes that there is a difference between killing out of rage or jealousy and killing in self-defence. The first is completely wrong while the second can be what he called ‘mixed’ (vītimissa),i.e. a mixture of different degrees of wrong and right (M.I,318). Consistency is also important in many areas of the spiritual life. The Buddha said that the sign of a worthwhile teacher is that there is consistency between how he or she acts in public and in private and that their good qualities endure through changing circumstances (M.I,318). He also said that a characteristic of the enlightened person is a harmony between their understanding and their actions (vijjācaraṇasampanno).


For example, they truly understand that forgiveness is the highest form of letting go and, therefore, they are able to forgive anyone, even those who have been very cruel to them. The Buddha said that he ‘preaches what he practises and he practises what he preaches.’ (It.122). This was because he had understood the truth at the deepest level so that it was completely integrated into every aspect of his being. For him, consistency was effortless and natural.

Source

www.buddhisma2z.com