Conforming to the various lands

In preaching the Dharma, there is no justification for using one exclusive language. All that I desire is that the sense and the reasoning are not deficient. It is necessary to preach according to the understanding of those to whom we speak. That is why it is said that one should conform oneself to the various lands. 

—Buddha Shakyamuni, Vinayamatrika

 

When I approached various large assemblies, even before I sat down or began to speak, whatever might have been their sort I made myself of like sort, whatever their language so was my language. And I rejoiced them with a talk on Dharma, made it acceptable to them, inspired them, and gladdened them. 

—Buddha Shakyamuni, Digha Nikaya

About Tashi Nyima

Venerable Tashi Nyima is the Preceptor at Nying Je Ling (Universal Compassion Buddhist Congregation).
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2 Responses to Conforming to the various lands

  1. contoveros says:

    I didn’t know this until now. Maybe I can help spread the Dharma without using words like “Buddha, Dharma or Sangha.” I can talk about wisdom and loving kindness and how one can rejoice when realizing karma is arising in life’s situations,

    Thanks.

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