Care for the Truth

~ By Ajahn Jayasāro ~

People often feel that they must make a choice between telling the truth and thereby hurting someone’s feelings, or else telling a ‘white’ lie to spare their feelings. But it is a false dilemma. There are other choices available if we are willing to look. We can care for the truth in many different ways.

A certain man had a badly twisted right leg and was blind in one eye. Fortunately, he had inherited wealth and through hard work was able to increase it considerably. Having achieved great success in the world, he decided that he should have his portrait painted for posterity. One of the most popular artists of the day was approached for the job. However, when the completed portrait was presented to the man, he saw that the artist had painted him as a handsome figure with two good eyes and legs. Furious, he threw the artist out without payment. A second artist was hired. His painting was very lifelike, giving prominence to the man’s blind eye and twisted leg. The man lost his temper again and threw out the second artist. Finally, a third artist was found. When his portrait was revealed, the man was happy at last. The painting showed him with his right leg up on a rock bracing a rifle, his left eye closed shut as he took aim at his prey.

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"Food for the Heart", a series of Dhamma teachings handwritten weekly is posted on the Buddhadāsa Indapañño Archives page with Ajahn's kind permission.

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For other teachings by Ven. Ajahn Jayasāro, please visit the Panyaprateep Foundation website.