If my parents say “You shouldn’t always tell the truth” or “don’t go to monasteries or retreats”, should I obey them? If I choose to protect my fourth precept, it would mean I’m disobeying them. If I go to a monastery, it would also mean I’m disobeying them. Is it bad kamma to disobey parents or are we supposed to always obey them and do as they say?
Honor them with gratitude. Practice with compassion. Seek understanding, not conflict.
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4th precept is don’t lie. Doesn’t mean tell everyone every single truth you know. Secrets is part of how monks is supposed to live too. So keeping secret is compatible with don’t always tell the truth. One can remain silent, or direct conversation away if there’s something that is better left unsaid.
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