This document discusses insults and how Buddhists should respond to them. It provides examples of insults in different Asian languages and reflects on the Dhammic lessons within each one. The key points are: 1) Insults hurt others and violate right speech, so we should avoid them and respond calmly if insulted. 2) When insulted, we should practice patience, avoid anger, and reflect on our own faults rather than reacting. 3) The examples mock different negative traits like exaggerating, drunkenness, boredom, dishonesty, lack of manners, and status-seeking, reflecting on how greed and lack of mindfulness can lead to harm.

1. Learning From Insults
Insults are words or acts which offend the honour of others. They belittle, ridicule or
slander other people. As good Buddhists, we should practise Right Speech – to refrain
from lying, using harsh speech, slander and gossip or frivolous talk.
We should not hurt others with insults. Some people think that , sometimes insults meant
as jokes or given in humour are harmless. I do not wish to argue on this and I leave it to
your better judgement. However, we must be careful and mindful and use our wisdom.
When other people hurl insults at us, we should
• practise patience and tolerance.
• check ourselves from getting angry.
• take it as an opportunity to practise patience and humility.
• look at ourselves to see if we can correct any of our faults and weaknesses.
• view them positively (and perhaps in lighten vein ).
If we need to defend ourselves , explain or clarify, then do so calmly, with tact and
METTA.
The following is a fictitious and humourous presentation of some insults. Examine and
reflect on them and see what Dhamma elements you can learn from them.
Mr. Pang Tuah Pow ( Hokkien pun for “exaggerating” )
is like a Microscope – he magnifies everything !
Reflection: Beware of our speech. Be mindful. Nobody likes the
“Boaster” or the “Egoist”. Exaggerating can amount to lying – a break of the 4th Precept.
When Mr Chew Sian Ong ( Hokkien pun for “King Drinker” )
drinks, he loses his inhibitions and gives exhibitions !
Reflection : When one drinks liquor, intoxication can result. A break of
the 5th Precept can lead to breaching the other 4 Precepts – abusing and even
killing others; stealing and cheating; molesting; wrong speech.
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2. It’s easy to recognize En. Boh San Kan ( Malay pun for
Mr. “Boring” ). If you see two fellows together and one
looks bored, he’s the other.
Reflection: We need to be very mindful in our interaction with
others. Too often, we bore others with long, long empty talks. However, we have to
practise patience in being good listeners when others talk !
When Mr Chin Chow Khar ( Hokkien pun for Mr. “Dishonest”)
left his last apartment, his landlady actually wept – he
owed six months’ rent.
Reflection: Today, there is so much Dukkha that arises out of our
greed – desire and greed for money and material wealth, name and
position, power and status. There are a lot of “Kiasu’s” all over. Too many, too often just
care about themselves. We cheat, we lie , we use questionable methods to ACHIEVE, to
GET and to ATTAIN !
“ You said your name is ‘ Mo Lay Mau’ ( Cantonese pun
for “ No Manners” ) ?
I am sorry I couldn’t remember but your nasty manners
are certainly familiar.”
Reflection:
These days, in the mad rush in the rat race, we too often forget some very important
principles of Human Relationship. And one of these is manners and courtesy. We take
things for granted and lack the human touch. We forget the great importance of words
like “Thank You”, “Please”, “Sorry”, “Excuse Me”, “How are you?” “Good Day” and so
on. No one likes an ill-mannered and self-centred person.
Beware ! When Miss Quah Kwan Lan ( Hokkien pun for
Miss “ Look up to Status “) is courting you,
she is deciding whether she can get someone better !
Reflection : It’s a highly materialistic world today. It’s indeed
strange that so many people live as if life is permanent and certain.
When we contemplate on the fact of uncertainty and impermanence, then perhaps we can
see the urgency for Dhamma practice before it is too late. We need to integrate Dhamma
Practice into our ever increasingly busy lives.
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