Warrington Wolves • Re: Tonight's game v Wigan.

Is it though? The word has no intrinsic insult value, it's what the listener applies to it.

If you heard a swear word in a different language that you did not understand, you would not know. The word remains the same it's all about the intepretation and how the listener wants to react.

In reminds me a little of a Buddhist approach which would be to take this swearing situation as a learning opportunity and instead of "reacting" to it (taking offence) take it as a chance to learn about why this is hurtful to you and if it even actually is hurtful or if perhaps you are carrying around some heavy preconceptions about things that could be shed and hopefully lead to a more fulfilling and happier life.


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Another thought provoking idea, along the same lines, is expressed in The Story of the Angry Young Man and The Buddha

It is said that one day the Buddha was walking through a village. A very angry and rude young man came up and began insulting him, saying all kind of rude words.

The Buddha was not upset by these insults. Instead he asked the young man, “Tell me, if you buy a gift for someone, and that person does not take it, to whom does the gift belong?”

The young man was surprised to be asked such a strange question and answered, “It would belong to me, because I bought the gift.”

The Buddha smiled and said, “That is correct. And it is exactly the same with your anger. If you become angry with me and I do not get insulted, then the anger falls back on you. You are then the only one who becomes unhappy, not me. All you have done is hurt yourself.”

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