(Minghui.org) Ordinary people often curse when they get emotional, and they take certain catchphrases as daily mantras. They are used to speaking this way and can’t even notice that what they're saying is wrong. As practitioners, however, Master Li Hongzhi, Falun Dafa's founder, taught us to not curse. In addition, He told us: 

“As a practitioner, the first thing you should be able to do is to not fight back when you are beaten or sworn at—you must be tolerant.” (Lecture Nine, Zhuan Falun)

I've been cultivating for more than 20 years, and I always thought I met Master’s requirement of not cursing or swearing. But recently, I suddenly realized that this matter is not that simple. There are many words and phrases that today’s people think are expressions of tone or emotion and are not considered cursing. 

In the 1950s, everyone knew these words were inappropriate. Presently, even higher-level cultivators can see that such words are blasphemous and create karma.

I recall three of us were sharing our cultivation experiences. One practitioner talked about how she was uncomfortable with the words and actions of a regular person she had frequent contact with. I told her that looking down on the behavior of others is the same as looking down on them, which is also an aspect of jealousy.

Because we talked about jealousy in the exchange, it also got my attention. So when I got home, I read the section in Zhuan Falun on jealousy.

Master Li said, 

“I’ve scored a hundred, I’ve scored a hundred.” The child runs home from school. Even before opening his door, a neighbor already begins to curse from inside his house, “What’s so great about getting a hundred? Show off! Who hasn’t scored a hundred?” (Lecture Seven, Zhuan Falun)

I thought, there are no curse words in this passage; why did Master say “curse”? I repeatedly thought about it and understood, it turns out that speaking badly about someone amounts to cursing in cultivation.

So I searched and read all of Master’s teachings on cursing. One of them surprised me again: 

“When others see this very foolish person, they will all verbally abuse him, “You’re such a fool.”” (Lecture Nine, Zhuan Falun) 

So ridiculing people, laughing at them, insulting them, etc.- any harm caused to others is the same as cursing for cultivators.

I’m in my 50s, and I remember when there was a consensus that children and grandchildren should not call their elders by their names at any time unless they met someone unfamiliar. If a child called his or her elders by their name, it was disrespectful.

When a subordinate speaks to a superior, he or she should be modest and respectful in mind and language. The same is true when a junior speaks to an elder. Men and women should not look at or speak to each other in a rude manner. Otherwise, they are being offensive, rebellious, or even insulting, which is the same as cursing.

After comprehending the requirements of the Fa for people’s words and actions, I was given a hint to read the higher principles on this topic.

Master said, 

“Tathagata Buddhas refer to human beings as ordinary beings, but even higher divine beings at very high levels look upon Tathagatas, upon reaching that plane and looking back, as ordinary beings. In the eyes of a divine being at that high of a level, human beings don’t amount even to microorganisms. Upon taking a look, [they would say,] “Such a rotten place, demolish it! Destroy it!” Earth is such a place. Those who show pity toward human beings are the Buddhas in closest proximity to human beings. Jesus was at the level of Tathagata, and so was Lao Zi. Those at higher levels don’t care about human affairs. If human beings call out to them, they cannot hear it. A human being’s so much as calling out their names amounts to insulting them. It’s like a sound coming from a lump of feces, calling out your name.” (“The Decline of the Human Race and Emergence of Enlightened Beings”, Zhuan Falun Volume II) 

Let’s correct our thoughts and achieve the pure, altruistic state required of practitioners so that we can better assist Master in Fa-rectification and save sentient beings.

[Editor's note: Views expressed in this article represent the author's own opinions, for which the author is solely responsible. Readers should evaluate the article's merits on their own.]