Significance of Slander
Slander is the act of making false spoken statements that damage someone's reputation, a concept addressed across various philosophies and religions. In Buddhism, it includes damaging statements about individuals, such as monks or deities. Tibetan Buddhism highlights the repercussions of slander on the monastic community, while Vaishnavism views it as rebuking through falsehoods. Mahayana and Theravada texts elaborate on the moral implications of slander, illustrating its ability to harm individuals and provoke serious ethical concerns within communities.
Synonyms: Defamation, Calumny, Denigration, Disparagement, Vilification, Harmful gossip, False accusation, Maligning
In Dutch: Laster; In Finnish: Herjata; In Spanish: Calumnia; In German: Verleumdung
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Slander'
In Buddhism, slander encompasses making false accusations, damaging statements about individuals, and misrepresentations of teachings, often leading to serious repercussions within the community and ethical violations, ultimately associated with harmful speech and negative karma.
From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) According to the story, slander is mentioned as one of the qualities that a person must use in order to be successful in gaining wealth.[1] (2) The act of making false spoken statements damaging to a person's reputation, which the councillors attempted to use against the Great Being.[2] (3) False accusations made by slaves against Prince Peerless, misleading his brother into believing he sought the throne.[3]
From: Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) The act of making false statements about others, damaging their reputation.[4] (2) The act of making false accusations against someone, as done by the village chief against Magha and his friends.[5] (3) The false accusations the Venerable Dabba faced from a group of bhikkhus, leading to challenges in his virtuous life.[6]
From: Vinaya Pitaka (4): Parivara
(1) False statements made with the intention to harm someone's reputation, categorized into different forms.[7]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) Slander against the Buddha, such as accusations of killing Sundari, prompted the Buddha to proclaim his true qualities and his four fearlessnesses to counteract these false claims.[8] (2) The act of making false statements about someone to harm their reputation, regarded as a harmful type of speech.[9] (3) Making false and damaging statements about others, which is discouraged in ethical practice.[10] (4) The act of Kokalika proclaiming accusations against the two disciples in various locations.[11] (5) Harmful speech that causes suffering to others, contributing to the wrongdoings of individuals punished in hell.[12]
From: Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra
(1) The act of making false statements against the Buddha or his teachings, which is associated with Mara.[13]
From: The Great Chariot
(1) Speaking slanderous words that bring about dissension and discord among people, creating division and conflict.[14] (2) The act of making false spoken statements that damage someone's reputation.[15]
From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)
(1) False statements made about the Dharmasvamin that led to serious repercussions within the monastic community.[16]
Hindu concept of 'Slander'
In Hinduism, Slander signifies making false statements that harm an individual's reputation, exemplified by accusations against Sugriva. It also encompasses rebuking through malicious distortions, ultimately aiming to damage a person's standing.
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) A form of rebuking that involves making false or damaging statements about someone.[17]
From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Griffith)
(1) The act of making false statements that damage a person's reputation; in this context, it refers to accusations against Sugriva.[18]
From: Hayanaratna: The Jewel of Annual Astrology
(1) Slander, as described in the text, can lead to quarrels, and is considered in relation to planetary configurations that influence outcomes and events related to the seventh house.[19]
The concept of Slander in local and regional sources
Slander involves false accusations that harm someone's reputation. In this context, it specifically pertains to damaging claims about Chu Yuan's integrity and loyalty to the king, affecting his standing and perception among others.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) False accusations that affected Chu Yuan negatively, particularly regarding his integrity and loyalty to the king.[20]
Classical concept of 'Slander'
From: The History of Herodotus
(1) Slander is described as a most grievous thing, where the wrongdoers are two and the person who suffers wrong is one.[21]
From: The Nicomachean Ethics of Aristotle
(1) A challenge that the connection of virtue can withstand, unlike others that are quickly altered, differing in numerous other aspects, and thus appearing not to be true connections.[22]