Starting Spiritual Practice
Is making a photograph look better deception? How does practice view retouching?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
Retouching alone cannot make every situation equivalent. Consider intention and the harm caused by an unreal presentation. Beautifying a photograph differs in gravity from assuming an identity, gaining trust and defrauding someone.
We discussed a Japanese motorcyclist who edited his middle-aged appearance into a beautiful woman and admitted wanting more attention when discovered. Some fans still enjoyed the images afterwards. We distinguished sharing attractive pictures from using false photographs in online dating to request money, considering motives and effects. But claiming no malice cannot replace examining actual harm.
Facing oneself honestly includes admitting what one did. I value not escaping or continuing concealment. Some fans’ support does not require every misled person to accept it. A wish to make people happy also requires honestly examining whether benefits obtained through deception are being hidden.