“See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" is a common phrase, usually used to describe someone who doesn’t want to be involved in a situation. But where did the saying originate?
Unfortunately, no one knows for sure how it evolved. Because the saying is typically associated with three monkeys one covering his eyes, one covering his ears, and the other covering his mouth it is believed that the saying may have its origin in a 17th century temple in Japan.
The Nikko Toshogo Shrine, also known as the Sacred Stable, in Japan has a carving of three wise monkeys. Many scholars believe the monkeys were carved as a visual representation of the religious principle, “If we do not hear, see, or speak evil, we ourselves shall be spared all evil."
Others believe that the saying originated from a Japanese play on words. “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil," translated into Japanese is, “mizaru, kikazaru, iwazaru." The Japanese word for monkey is “saru", and sounds very similar to the verb-ending “zaru". It is easy to see how the saying may have originated from a fun play on words. The only problem with this explanation is that the three wise monkeys aren’t originally from Japan.
In the eighth century A.D. a Buddhist monk from China introduced the three wise monkeys to Japan. They were associated with a fearsome blue-faced deity called Vadjra. It is believed that the monkeys’ gestures were a representation of a command of the deity to “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil."
Just as there is disagreement about the origin of the phrase, there are differing explanations of the meaning of “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil." Some contend that it is a proverb reminding us not to be so snoopy, so nosy, and so gossipy. Others say that it is a warning to stay away from places where immoral acts are taking place. Whatever the origin and meaning of “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil," it is one of the most visual phrases in existence. It’s impossible to hear it spoken without thinking of three wise, but very cute, little monkeys.
» left by Apollyon from Philly (1 year 93 days ago.)
The origins of the three monkies have nothing to do with what htey represent- it is a warning to NOT BECOME LIKE these MONKIES
Imagine thse 3 monkies- watching a 4th monkey being beaten- what type of report would they give the police
Once cannot see so he will tell what was heard
One cannot speak so he cannot say anything
one cannot hear but can see and speak so he can say what he saw, if he could only hear the question or the details of what happened or who started what
The three monkeys are what happens to man as he grows into the ladders of society and builds walls between himself and his community- no one monkey is better off than the other (rock paper scissors) but togther, they make a 4th monkey with no ailments or hanidcaps- Check urslef before u wreck urself
great discussion, we are forgetting that in Japanese folk law, the monkeys that see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil, are supposed to stop sanshi and ten nei ( i think) which are worms in everyones body, from noticing any evil present in anyones body, therefore the person will be seen as good and will leave life and go to heaven.
im getting a tattoo of this, not decided if its gonna be monkeys or not, but the meaning for me is, if i carry this message on my body, then it can help me forget the evil i may have spoke, heard and seen throughout my life. perhaps i also want it to remind others that evil is forever present and that they should pay attention to it around them rather than being blind to it.
» left by Brian, born again from Zeerust, North West, RSA (351 days 21 hours ago.)
The origin of this phrase is no matter. What matters the most is that we must learn the truth and walk in it. God can not be symbolised with anything, whether images, portrays or objects, thus we know that there are 3 witness but 1 in heaven. God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Someone out the is trying to deceive people with such things as the 3 wise monkeys. For further studies, consult your bible on Psalm1:1, John16. God bless you and stay away from the worldly philosophy. Remember: those who observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy
If God is that the Father and God is the Son, does that mean that God's mother is also his wife? I think this "Father Son Holy Ghost" business represents the Shark Jump in Christianity, where in trying to make sense, the rationale has actually disintegrated.
It is silly to ascribe a neo-Christian judgment to Japanese mythology.
» left by Anne from Beaverton, OR (223 days 19 hours ago.)
You can't rationalize God. We don't have to try and make sense of Him. He explains and shows Himself all on His own. But you have to have faith first. If you expect Him to prove that He is alive and real, He won't. When you have whole-hearted faith that God exists, it is then that He shows Himself to you.
God the Father is God in Heaven. He created the Heavens and the earth, etc.
God the Son is God living in flesh and blood, to "humanize" himself so that His people can relate to Him - He became flesh, so that He could die for us and remove us from sin.
And God the Spirit, is God in us. The Holy Spirit lives in us and creates us as a new person, and guides us through our Christian life. In this way, we are in Him, and He is in us. Think of it as if you are in a swimming pool, and you drink some of the water. You are in the pool, and the pool is in you.
God doesn't have a mother, He just is. And He doesn't have a wife. He impregnated Mary through His Holy Spirit. But since Mary was His child, you could technically say that Jesus' mother was His sister. But if you and your husband are children of God, then you two are also brother and sister.
So as a woman, Ann, I'm a bit appalled as I am by all women who buy into this idea that the three faces of God are all male. Where is your face in this? Or but you are a lowly woman, a worm of the dust?
If at all it matters, the carving of the 3 monkeys is a part of a much larger relief running around the whole stable. It represents a cycle of life, by using monkeys as a metaphor. To the left of the 3 monkeys it is the representation of the birth and to the right is the adolescence. The place of the 3 monkeys that see, hear, and speak no evil is the representation of the childhood innocence.
» left by Trenton from Oklahoma (199 days 3 hours ago.)
If you cannot see evil, cannot hear evil, and cannot speak of evil. Then you cannot even begin to know what "evil" is. Not knowing or seeking to know one is not using their intrinsically human capacities to interact with, inquire about, and evaluate constructed social realities. Thus one is not fully human but more monkey. The spirit, soul, heart, or pith of human does not exist without critical thought. One need not have the capacity for site to understand, or hearing to listen, or speech to be heard. Renounce dogmatic absolutism and resist the spiritual genocide of humanity.
IMO it similar to karma, if you speak no evil, or do no evil, you shall not hear no evil and see no evil. It all goes together, so it how u choose to see it. Monkeys usually live in groups also, so look at the ppl around you. This can relate.
» left by Colleen from Sarina, Qld, Australia (80 days 17 hours ago.)
The monkey's could just very well represent the EVIL in spreading untruths ... This continues in society even today through the mediums of newspapers, magazine, television, computers and human conversation ... Trust and truth is something that is not always valued and as a society we are so gullible that we believe most of what we hear, see and speak, regardless if it is actual or factual, or even the simplest of confidences are not treated sacred, and that by breaking that trust, we leave a long and lasting affect on ourselves, others and our lives ...
I think the first monkey represents peanut butter, the second jam, and the third bananas. Alone they are nothing good, but together their SOOOOOOOO YUMMY! Also i think that if God gives you lemons......GET ANOTHER GOD!
I think the three monkeys can be reinterpreted several different ways apparently. I was thinking that from the Judeo Christian standpoint it does say somewhere in the Old testament to pass by from seeing what is bad. In that context I believe it was referring to the the orgies bail worshipers used to have along side of the road in ancient Mesopotamia. So not looking at evil is also a christian principal. However pretending that evil doesn't exist is wrong, such as ignoring or covering up the evil deeds of criminals, corrupt governments and institutions. Maybe the three Monkeys are supposed to be somewhat puzzling and that's part of there charm. Although the article does mention that this was a commandment of a Buddhist deity. According to the Dali Lama the Buddha was in hell where his brains were turned by machines and he wished that no other sentient being would ever have to experience the pain of being in hell where there brains where turned by machines so that at that moment he was re born the Buddha. Obtaining enlightenment or nervana is the primary goal of a buddhist and in truth all sentient beings do not wish to suffer although they do suffer.
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