How can we do when Buddhism is negatively criticized by others because we get ill-will when Buddhism is criticized?

I can understand how you feel when your Buddhism is negatively criticized by others. However, you cannot control them not to criticize Buddhism and you cannot order them “Don’t criticize Buddhism’. What you can do with someone who criticizes your Buddhism is that you must be aware of what yours is and what his is. You can’t tell him to change his opinion on Buddhism but you can be happy with yours on Buddhism.

Do not take his as yours. Leave his to him. If you cannot differentiate between what yours is and what his is. You will be unnecessarily suffered. I believe that you will be happy with yours on Buddhism; you should be happy with yours as well. His judgment or criticism on Buddhism is his own point of view. Don’t take it as yours. Yours is yours; it will make you forever happy.

Vipassanā is always guiding us to see things as they truly are but not to see things as we want them to be. When you can see things as they are, you are not involved in them so you will be free and happy with very beautiful and innocent smile on your face full of confidence. This is the way how you should learn for your own wisdom and happiness instead of feeling ill-will on the other who criticize your Buddhism. I hope you get.

Questioner: oh! Yes, Sayadaw, perfect. Thank you so much for your wise answers on the Dhamma.

Ashin: You’re welcome.

Author:

Ashin Kekasa is a graduate in Mathematics. He finished his both public and monastic educations. His major interest was Mindfulness-Based Vipassana Meditation instructed in Buddhism. He took six months long retreat course in Mahasi Meditation Center when he was a layman. After his six months long meditation practice, he became a Buddhist ordained in Mahasi Tradition. However, he wanted to know much more about Buddhist philosophy so he moved to Mahagandhayon monastery to study Pali scriptures seriously. He has spent teaching and practicing in Mahagandhayon monastery. He did it well. Then, he moved to the forest for his serious meditation practice. He founded his own forest meditation center 15 years ago. He has been conducting Vipassana retreat for laypeople twice a year. He has also been used to travelling to abroad since 2004 because he is invited by people to teach them meditation. It is just a brief biography of Ashin Kelasa.