The Perfection of Truthfulness - Assertion of Truth II

As we read in the “Basket of Conduct”, the Bodhisatta highly valued truthfulness. He spoke the truth, saying that he was only for seven days a recluse wholeheartedly, with full confidence in kusala. He expressed his confidence in kusala and in truthfulness by a solemn utterance, an “Assertion of Truth”. This was the condition for the brahman youth to recover. An “Assertion of Truth” is a forceful affirmation of faith in the truth which can create a direct effect on someone else’s condition.
Some people may have doubts about the “Assertion of Truth” referred to in the above quoted passage. Or, they may have heard that an Assertion of Truth can bring its result according to one’s wish. However, when a person has to experience suffering and distress, he cannot, in order to overcome his suffering, utter an Assertion of Truth without knowing what truthfulness is and without understanding its high value. It is essential that one, before making an Assertion of Truth, sees the superiority and the benefit of truthfulness. Moreover, it is necessary to develop the perfection of truthfulness.
If someone develops kusala and his goal is the realization of the four noble Truths, he should know that the way leading to this goal is the development of all the perfections. If someone accumulates the perfection of truthfulness together with the other perfections so that they gain strength, and if he sees the benefit of truthfulness, he may express an Assertion of Truth. However, not everyone can do so, it also depends on the power of his kusala and the degree of his understanding of truthfulness.