Hi guys, do you think revenge is appropriate just to teach someone
a lesson? I mean by keeping mute and doing nothing about
it isn't really cowardish.
If appropriate one can teach that person a lesson, but not
through revenge which I think will not serve the purpose.
One must use skillful means to bring the message across and not
act blindly according to our emotions. Always abide in and rely on
Awareness rather than the unstable fluctuating stream of thoughts
and emotions.
For example the Buddha reprimanded his son, but used skillful
means to bring out his message and teach him a lesson.
http://www.blia.org/english/publications/booklet/pages/08.htm
Excerpt:
The Buddha would
get angry with those who were only concerned with their own welfare
and had no regard for the hardships of others. The Buddha could
also become displeased when a prank, even that of a youngster,
ended up hurting others. Let me illustrate with the following
example. Before the Buddha renounced his life of a prince, he had a
son by the name of Rahula. When Rahula was still a young child, he
followed the example of his father and renounced his household life
to become a monk. As he was quite young, he was very mischievous
and liked to tell little white lies. Once, someone asked
Rahula, "Do you know where
the Buddha is right now?" Although he knew
full well that the Buddha was in the room to his left, he purposely
pointed to the right and told the other person, "The Buddha is
over there, over there." When the person
came back empty-handed, Rahula was very pleased with himself.
Later, the Buddha learned of this incident and called Rahula to
come before him. When Rahula saw the stern look on the Buddha, he
did not dare to say a word. Quietly, he went to fetch a basin of
water for the Buddha to wash his feet, hoping that the Buddha would
soon start to preach. After the Buddha washed his feet, the Buddha
told Rahula, "Take this basin
of water and drink it!" Rahula was
shocked with what he just heard, and he replied,
"Lord Buddha, the
water used for washing the feet is very filthy and is not suitable
for drinking!"
The Buddha
instructed, "When you tell
lies, your mouth is as filthy as the dirty water in this basin.
Nobody would want you, either!"
Rahula then went
to discard the water. Afterwards, the Buddha told him,
"Use this basin to
hold your food!"
Rahula appeared
very troubled and said, "Lord Buddha, this
basin that was used for washing the feet is very dirty; I cannot
put my food into it!"
The Buddha
reproached him, "When your mouth
often tell lies, it is just as filthy as this basin. It cannot be
used to store anything wholesome."
As soon as he
finished, the Buddha gave the basin a kick. The basin rolled
noisily for quite a distance and Rahula was frightened. The Buddha
asked Rahula, "Are you worried
that I may ruin the basin?"
"No, the basin is
a cheap basin. If it is broken, I can buy a new one. It does not
matter!"
The Buddha again
reprimanded Rahula, "Children who tell
lies are just like this cheap basin; no one would feel sorry even
if it is ruined."
From this
incidence, we learn that the Buddha does not put up with those who
lie and deceive others. The manner the Buddha used to teach Rahula
stems from the high hopes parents have for their children, which is
why we say, "When the love is
deep, the reprimand is severe." The
Buddha's anger is out of
compassion, not out of hatred. The love of parents for their
children is very much like the love of the
Buddha!