One Who Clings to Views Quarrels
How can one transgress one's own view, settled in it by preference? Drawing one's own conclusions, one speaks only as one already knows — and there the quarrel begins.
Have I hardened my opinion into "truth," shutting the door to any other view?
📝Reflection
The Buddha did not ask us to discard opinions. He warned only against the mind that "clings" to them. The moment I harden my view into absolute truth, every other view becomes wrong, and quarrel sprouts there. In politics, religion, or a daily squabble, the root of conflict is usually the firm conviction that "I am right." The insight here is chilling: once I have drawn all my conclusions in advance, I hear nothing, even while pretending to listen. Only one who holds a view as lightly as sand in the palm keeps an empty hand free to receive something new. The firmness of conviction and the suppleness of wisdom often lie on opposite sides.
🌱Apply It Today
When you clash over an opinion today, instead of preparing a rebuttal, listen while asking: "is there a tenth in their words that I don't yet know?"
This verse is read as universal humanistic wisdom, not religion — no faith is promoted, and the reflection is 100% original ONGO content.
