The Buddha gives Cunda the Silversmith an even higher ideal regarding someone who abstains from divisive speech. One of the branches of the eightfold noble path. For example, it may seem “true” to us at a given moment that someone we’re dealing with is rude and disrespectful. "What is right speech? "Right Speech" is more than just "correct" speech. Of course, for those of us who aren’t engaged 24-7 in strict monastic training, conversation can a harmless pleasure and a way to connect with other people – even when, in a certain sense, a particular conversation can’t be said to be literally “useful.” Personally, I think we can examine the nature of our speech in order to know whether or not it’s idle in a negative sense. Not Getting Discouraged: Right Speech is Extremely Challenging! Abusive speech is another thing the Buddha said we needed to avoid. I spent 5 years of my life pursuing a sociology degree in university, where being … Along with Action and Livelihood, it is interconnected to the other parts of the Eightfold Path -- Right Mindfulness, Right Intention, Right View, Right Concentration, and Right Effort. Access to Insight (BCBS Edition), 3 July 2010, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an05/an05.198.than.html. Usually in Buddhism Right Speech is described as speech which is truthful, speech which is affectionate, speech which is helpful and speech which promotes concord, and wrong speech is the opposite of these things. Part of Buddhist liberation is letting go of concern for “I, me, and mine,” and if you pay attention, its exactly concern for “I, me, and mine” that causes your speech to be less than honest, or to be judgmental, harsh, or inconsiderate. Right Speech means to abstain from lying, tale-carrying, use of harsh language and vain talk. Engaging in inappropriate sexual behavior. By using Learn Religions, you accept our, The Eightfold Path: The Way to Enlightenment in Buddhism, Right Livelihood: The Ethics of Earning a Living, Why 'Right Intention' Is Important in Buddhism, An Introduction to the Fourth Buddhist Precept: Truthfulness, Thich Nhat Hanh's Five Mindfulness Trainings, The Metta Sutta: A Beloved Buddhist Teaching, The Second Precept of Buddhism: Not Stealing. [xi] Ibid, © 2007-2020 Domyo Burk, All Site Content, 41 - Dogen’s Genjokoan Part 4: Moon in a Dewdrop and Views of the Ocean, 43 - The Value of Buddhist Prayer Part 1: Paradox of Prayer in a Nontheistic Spiritual Tradition, Right Speech Is an Essential Part of the Buddhist Path, Abstaining from Abusive Speech and Idle Chatter. Modern communication technology has given us a culture that seems saturated with "wrong" speech -- communication that is hateful and deceptive. It’s very useful to keep this definition of “right” in mind when practicing right speech, because it points to how it isn’t just about acting in a way that makes you a “good” person, it’s about the most effective, compassionate, and authentic way to communicate and interact with other people. If your speech is not useful and beneficial, teachers say, it is better to keep silent. Right speech is an essential part of Shakyamuni Buddha’s very first teaching of the Noble Eightfold Path, his prescription for spiritual liberation and insight. From here on out, I’ll be focusing on what it means to actually practice right speech, not arguing for why we should do it. Finally, once we connect with right intention, we use right effort to do the – often hard – work of restraining or modifying our speech. It is notable that “right speech” appears to be a positive category, describing the ways in which one ought to speak, yet it is defined negatively, as four types of speech to avoid. The second part of … As with most Buddhist teachings, 'Right Speech' is a bit more complicated than keeping your mouth clean. Buddhism. “[3] In the case of words that the Tathagata knows to be factual, true, beneficial, but unendearing and disagreeable to others, he has a sense of the proper time for saying them. At other times, of course, we sincerely want to help, or feel the need to point something out. Clearly, he taught that paying attention to how you express yourself verbally was considered an essential part of practice. Alternatively, our speech may trigger defensiveness or anger in others, or demoralize or confuse them. Right speech (samyag-vāc / sammā-vācā) in most Buddhist texts is presented as four abstentions, such as in the Pali Canon thus: And what is right speech? He defined it as abstinence from false speech, abstinence from malicious speech, abstinence from harsh speech, and abstinence from idle chatter. Now we arrive at another of the Buddha’s teachings on right speech: The five things you should consider before speaking. If Not, at Least Timely? If Not, at Least Timely? Abusive speech may be aggressive and overt, but it can also be passive aggressive and more subtly cruel or unkind. As recorded in the Pali Canon, the historical Buddha taught that Right Speech had four parts: Pali Canon, the historical Buddha taught that Right Speech had four parts: Practice of these four aspects of Right Speech goes beyond simple "thou shalt nots." Right speech is part of Shakyamuni Buddha’s very first teaching of the Noble Eightfold Path. Access to Insight (BCBS Edition), 30 November 2013, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.058.than.html. The There vada school , literally means „the school of the elders‟. No matter what we say, it will not be mindful, because we'll be speaking only our own ideas and not in response to the other person.". After all, why are we speaking? If you want to stop suffering, the Buddha taught, there is an eightfold path of practice to that end: right view, right motivation, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. If we limit our speech to what’s really factual and true, it will be more likely to be endearing. Because of its power to do good but also harm, the Buddha laid great stress on Right Speech. He says, “Thus reconciling those who have broken apart or cementing those who are united, he loves concord, delights in concord, enjoys concord, speaks things that create concord.” So not only are we asked not to gossip, we’re asked to take delight in harmony and friendship between people – even people we don’t agree with or don’t particularly like. Chapter IV RIGHT SPEECH, RIGHT ACTION, RIGHT LIVELIHOOD (Samma Vaca, Samma Kammanta, Samma Ajiva) The next three path factors -- right speech, right action, and right livelihood -- may be treated together, as collectively they make up the first of the three divisions of the path, the division of moral discipline (silakkhandha). Meaning of The Eightfold Path’s Right Speech The third of the Eightfold Path is right speech. Kind of makes you think about how much less we’d end up saying if we followed the Buddha’s guidelines on speech, doesn’t it? It's something that you can practice every time you speak. Do we have judgments in our mind about the person we’re speaking to – that they’re stupid, weak, pathetic, inferior, deluded, stubborn, etc.? Of course, the Buddha makes it clear right speech may sometimes not be endearing. Speaking primarily in order to show we’re right doesn’t qualify as “helpful” or “beneficial” speech from the Buddhist point of view. And that’s just the external effects of our speech! Buddha’s Disciplines on “Right Speech” The quoted discipline I used for this poem is found in Anguttara Nikaya . In this episode, I’ll start out by discussing the four kinds of speech the Buddha said you need to abstain from if you want to practice right speech, namely, lying, divisive speech, abusive speech, and idle chatter. Sometimes we may still decide it’s important to speak. This is why, at times, Buddha talked about being “made pure” through appropriate verbal action. The facts are that someone did something, we didn’t like it, and we’re thinking that the other person’s actions were rude and disrespectful. ); “Right Speech: samma vaca”, edited by Access to Insight. In the Buddha's teaching and in the Eightfold Path, Right Speech or Perfect Speech gets a whole step, a whole stage, a whole aspect of the spiritual life to itself. Buddhism Right Speech For many of us, right speech is the most difficult of the precepts to honor. Our expression will end up being more honest, accurate – and probably easier for people to listen to – if we stick to the facts. It was a great relief when the cab ride was over. Overview of Topics in This Episode It seems to be human nature to try get as many people on our side as possible, as if the more people who agree with or admire us, the more legitimate our behavior or positions. Certainly, we cannot banish ugly words from our lives, but we can choose to not soak in them. [vi] “Abhaya Sutta: To Prince Abhaya” (MN 58), translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. understanding, Right resolve, Right speech, Right action, Right livelihood, Right effort, Right mindfulness and Right meditation. Frankly, even if we’re convinced we should speak, failing to consider how our words are going to make someone feel shows either self-centeredness or folly. http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.061.than.html, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an10/an10.176.than.html, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.058.than.html, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.02.0.than.html, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sacca/sacca4/samma-vaca/index.html, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an05/an05.198.than.html, 40 – Being Beneficial Instead of Right: The Buddhist Concept of Skillful Means, 36 – Buddha’s Teachings Part 3: The Noble Eightfold Path, 27 – Buddha’s Teachings Part 2: The Four Noble Truths, 22 – How Buddhists Should Behave: Evolution of the Buddhist Precepts Part 1, 154 – Avatamsaka Sutra – Each One of Us Has Unique Bodhisattva Gifts to Offer – Part 1, 153 – Kshanti, The Perfection of Endurance: Life’s Not Always a Bed of Roses, 152 – Lotus Sutra 3: This Means YOU – The Lost Son Parable, 151 – The Emptiness of Self and Why It Matters, 150 – Zazen as the Dharma Gate of Joyful Ease, Spoken with kindness and good-will (that is, hoping for the best for all involved), Endearing (that is, spoken gently, in a way the other person can hear), Timely (occasionally something true, helpful, and kind will. For example, I noticed early on in my practice that in conversations with people, I really wanted to connect with them. Do not slander others or speak in a way that causes disharmony or enmity. At times it may be helpful to share our opinions or point out something we think is wrong or harmful. The Buddha taught us how to purify ourselves through being mindful of our actions as a means of progressing toward higher understanding. Having said that, I will now quote those more knowledgeable than myself that have given me a larger perspective. It was affirming to see them nod, implying that our experiences were similar and they appreciated my insightful sharing. Suffice it to say that “wrong” speech, if you don’t mind using the term, creates problems in your life that are not conducive to Buddhist contemplative practice: People get upset with you, or don’t believe you because they realize you’ve been less that truthful, or retaliate with their own wrong speech, or worse. As I discussed earlier when I covered idle chatter, this doesn’t mean we should never say anything unless we’re sure it’s going to be useful or help someone. She is the author of "Rethinking Religion" and has covered religion for The Guardian, Tricycle.org, and other outlets. It means speaking truthfully and honestly; speaking in a way to promote harmony and good will; using language to reduce anger and ease tensions; using language in a way that is useful. [ix] AN V (From The Patimokkha, Ñanamoli Thera, trans. Sometimes people justify harsh speech because they are speaking on behalf of a worthy cause. Sure, sometimes, due to ignorance, people go about seeking happiness in deluded and harmful ways. Many of us commit this transgression of speech with regularity when we want to get people on our side against others. Yogic tradition has it that speech must pass before three barriers prior to being uttered aloud. Then the question of whether our speech will actually be helpful becomes critical. The same can be said for peaceful words, thoughts, and actions. But in general, people don’t set out to be evil. In response, other people will start listening more to what you say, and will be more likely to respond in kind. Yet practicing right speech is fundamental both to helping us become trustworthy individuals and to helping us gain mastery over the mind. [iii] “Abhaya Sutta: To Prince Abhaya” (MN 58), translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. As in, this is the “right” key to open the door. The Noble Eightfold Path by Bhikkhu Bodhi. The word samma has a sense of being perfected or completed, and vaca refers to words or speech. The best way to evaluate whether we are indulging in divisive speech is to be honest with ourselves about our underlying intention. Right Speech is not just a personal virtue. The Buddha was precise in his description of Right Speech. Speech that the Tathāgata knows to be untrue, incorrect, unbeneficial, but affectionate and pleasing to others, he does not say it. Speech that the Tathāgata knows to be true, correct, beneficial,³ but harsh and displeasing to others, he knows the right time to say it. Then I’ll go into my favorite teaching about the five things you should consider before speaking. It's not so easy to find speech that leads to peace and group harmony. In order to practice right speech, actually, we need to develop and employ other aspects of the Eightfold Path, especially right mindfulness, right intention, and right effort. What does it mean to practice 'Right Speech'? The program was a litany of the host's resentments and anger toward other individuals and groups. All of the elements of the Eightfold Path are typically translated as starting with the word, “right,” but this shouldn’t be taken as a judgmental moral injunction, or a suggestion that if you do something “wrong” in Buddhism you’ll be kicked out or disqualified from Buddhist practice. The second point to consider before speaking is whether what we’re about to say is likely to be helpful or beneficial. “[5] In the case of words that the Tathagata knows to be factual, true, unbeneficial, but endearing and agreeable to others, he does not say them. And then we explode. Finding the proper time for saying something may determine whether or not it will end up being beneficial. [i] “Ambalatthika-rahulovada Sutta: Instructions to Rahula at Mango Stone” (MN 61), translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Because the Tathagata has sympathy for living beings.”[vii], Note that the Prince Abhaya sutta doesn’t identify specifically that right speech should also be spoken with kindness or affection – perhaps because the assumption is the Tathagata, or Buddha, is naturally motivated by good-will for other beings. [iv] “Samaññaphala Sutta: The Fruits of the Contemplative Life” (DN 2), translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. I see my work around speech in this area as learning to be more mindful instead of just engaging in idle chatter, finding how to say what would actually be beneficial, and having more of an orientation of good-will toward others rather than just acting on my own agenda of wanting intimacy. Sometimes we can remind ourselves of the importance of speaking with good-will, and we’ll be able to extend some warmth, patience, and benefit-of-the-doubt to those we’re speaking to or about. Abstain from false speech; do not tell lies or deceive. When you make a practice of these positive forms of right speech, your words become a gift to others. The person who follows right speech speaks the truth, is devoted to it, is reliable and does not deceive men. That speech is truly well spoken. This reminds us that our speech is not just our speech. Will What We Say Be Helpful? Not speaking divisively. In Pali, Right Speech is samma vaca. When we find ourselves doing this, it helps to shut up for a while, practice mindfulness, and pay more attention to the people we’re talking to. Right speech (samma vaca) is the third of the eight factors of the Noble Eight-fold Path and the first of the three factors of the division of moral discipline (sila). It is illustrated by the eight-spoke dharma wheel because the path is composed of eight parts or areas of activity that work together to teach us and help us manifest the dharma. In other words, wrong speech is that which is untruthful, harsh, … Barbara O'Brien is a Zen Buddhist practitioner who studied at Zen Mountain Monastery. While various teachers and schools of Buddhism trans-late the four elements of right speech in slightly different ways, there is one thing they all agree on: right speech is a guideline for communicating in a loving, compassionate, and authentic way. However, what about when we find our attitude toward others is still less than kind, affectionate, or based in good-will? Access to Insight (BCBS Edition), 30 November 2013, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an10/an10.176.than.html. Ultimately, stirring up acrimony is planting karmic seeds that will hurt the cause we think we're fighting for. Chances are, if we speak with good-will, it’s more likely someone will be able to hear and accept what we have to say, and will benefit from it. Your message will be more likely to get across if your speech in some way appeals to the other person’s better nature. Learn Religions uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Basically, you create agitation in your life just when – assuming you want to practice the Buddhist path – you should be calming your mind. If we try to keep our speech true and factual, and if we’re sincerely keeping in mind what’s best for all involved, maybe it’s okay to venture into potentially divisive speech. At times, however, we just want the gratification of others agreeing with us against some party we resent, look down on, or fear. The moral discipline portion of the Buddhist Noble Eightfold Path is Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood. Are We Speaking with Kindness and Good-Will? Through the internet and mass media, the speech of one person can be flung around the world. Do they speak up if you leave some space for them to talk? 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