Out of love for the Master, many people curse back at those who speak ill of him. That impulse is deeply human — but what does the Buddha’s teaching say about it? In Nepal on February 23, 2026, Master Minh Tue gave a truth that few want to hear: that action does not protect the Master — it only harms the one who does it.
Buddhist disciple asks: In the case where out of love for you, they see someone speaking ill of you and turn to curse that person back, is that good Master? (February 23, 2026 – Nepal)
Master Minh Tue answers:
That is harming oneself.
When we curse, hatred and anger arise, the good roots just sown are stolen by hatred and anger, and at that time we are equal to the evil person.
If a person has both good and evil, the good helps to reduce the evil.
As for someone fully concentrated on evil, wherever they go they will be chased away and degraded.
* Master Minh Tue always gives brief and concise answers suitable for the listener in each circumstance. Below is a deeper explanation and analysis so that those who wish to learn can thoroughly grasp the Master’s teachings.
The Ego’s swapping of concepts
This problem is very subtle and traps many people. We justify our angry actions under the guise of “protecting the true Dharma,” “protecting the virtuous.” But fundamentally inside, it is an explosion of the Ego. We get angry because our belief is insulted, our idol is criticized.
The Master points straight to the devastating consequence: “That is harming oneself.”
Good roots are burned by the fire of Anger
There is an old saying: “A spark of anger burns down a forest of merit.” When you generate a mind of love and respect for a true practitioner, that is when you plant the seed of Good Roots. But the moment you open your mouth to curse and use abusive words to attack someone else, that good seed is immediately burned by the fire of hatred and anger.
The most terrifying thing the Master points out is: “At that time we are equal to the evil person.” Do you think you are a “good person” fighting against the bad? No. In the realm of karma, when your mind is filled with malice, hatred, and murderous intent through every word, you and that slanderer stand in the same ranks. There is no difference in terms of compassion here.
Protecting the true Dharma with Wisdom and Compassion
If you truly love the Master, the best way to protect him is not by arguing on social media. It is to demonstrate the virtues of a Buddhist learner: Be calm, tolerant, and guard your speech (karma of speech).
Karma is very fair. The fact that “someone fully concentrated on evil will be chased away” is the natural operation of the law; you do not need to act on behalf of heaven with vicious words. The more we nourish anger under the guise of protecting the truth, the further we stray from the path of liberation.
In your view, what is the right way to protect the Dharma and those who practice it?
Leave a comment below to share your perspective and learn from one another.
