“There are these four ways of answering questions. Which four?

1. There are questions that should be answered categorically [straightforwardly yes, no, this, that].
2. There are questions that should be answered with an analytical (qualified) answer [defining or redefining the terms].
3. There are questions that should be answered with a counter-question.
4. There are questions that should be put aside.

These are the four ways of answering questions. ”

—Buddha

The Lesson
This brings up for me that these are four ways to approach life also- and one needs to be capable of, in spiritual living especially, to know which sort of question you are answering in each moment, for each circumstance.

Knowing this is the lesson behind the obvious wisdom inherent in ways to answer the four questions. In some respect, it’s whether or not you understood that, which defines your level of discrimination (not the word discrimination that you have heard of negatively, but rather more like in the sense of discernment).

Our suggestion is that you look at each of these carefully when choosing how to respond to situations, people and circumstances that arise naturally in life.

Om Mani Padme Hum,
DurgaDas

Tags: questions, discrimination, questions, Answers