Whenever I see these popular 3 wise monkeys, they always remind me to be mindful of my thoughts and actions. They embody the Confucian saying: "Look not at what is contrary to propriety; listen not to what is contrary to propriety; speak not what is contrary to propriety; make no movement which is contrary to propriety" (非禮勿視， 非禮勿聽，非禮勿言， 非禮勿動).
It may be that this phrase was shortened and simplified after it was brought into Japan, and became "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil". The three monkeys are Mizaru, covering his eyes, who sees no evil, Kikazaru, covering his ears, who hears no evil; and Iwazaru, covering his mouth, who speaks no evil. Sometimes there is a 4th monkey depicted with the three others; the last one, Shizaru, symbolizes the principle of "do no evil". He may be shown crossing his arms.
Just as there is disagreement about the origin of the phrase, there are differing explanations of the meaning of "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil".
- Some simply take the proverb as a reminder not to be snoopy, nosy and gossipy.
- Some associate the 3 monkeys with the fearsome six-armed deity Vajrakilaya and link the proverb to the teaching of Buddhism that if we do not hear, see or talk evil, we ourselves shall be spared all evil (referring to the Three Vajra, which is body, speech and mind).
- Others believe the message is that a person who is not exposed to evil (through sight or sound) will not reflect that evil in their own speech and actions.
- Today "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" is commonly used to describe someone who doesn't want to be involved in a situation, or someone willfully turning a blind eye to the immorality of an act in which they are involved.
- In many interpretations it can be seen as a way to avoid spreading evil. Do not listen to evil things so they do not influence you. Do not read things that are evil or look upon evil things so they do not influence you, and lastly do not repeat verbally evil things so they cannot be spread about.
May each of us keep in mind and put to practice this powerful yet simple principle of "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" in our daily lives, and thus may we develop profound wisdom.
It may be that this phrase was shortened and simplified after it was brought into Japan, and became "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil". The three monkeys are Mizaru, covering his eyes, who sees no evil, Kikazaru, covering his ears, who hears no evil; and Iwazaru, covering his mouth, who speaks no evil. Sometimes there is a 4th monkey depicted with the three others; the last one, Shizaru, symbolizes the principle of "do no evil". He may be shown crossing his arms.
Just as there is disagreement about the origin of the phrase, there are differing explanations of the meaning of "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil".
- Some simply take the proverb as a reminder not to be snoopy, nosy and gossipy.
- Some associate the 3 monkeys with the fearsome six-armed deity Vajrakilaya and link the proverb to the teaching of Buddhism that if we do not hear, see or talk evil, we ourselves shall be spared all evil (referring to the Three Vajra, which is body, speech and mind).
- Others believe the message is that a person who is not exposed to evil (through sight or sound) will not reflect that evil in their own speech and actions.
- Today "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" is commonly used to describe someone who doesn't want to be involved in a situation, or someone willfully turning a blind eye to the immorality of an act in which they are involved.
- In many interpretations it can be seen as a way to avoid spreading evil. Do not listen to evil things so they do not influence you. Do not read things that are evil or look upon evil things so they do not influence you, and lastly do not repeat verbally evil things so they cannot be spread about.
May each of us keep in mind and put to practice this powerful yet simple principle of "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" in our daily lives, and thus may we develop profound wisdom.
No comments:
Post a Comment