RIGHT SPEECH
Refraining from Frivolous Speech
|
Frivolous speech is
unhealthy. Refraining from frivolous speech is healthy. (MN 9)
Abandoning frivolous speech, one refrains from frivolous speech. One
speaks at the right time, speaks only what is fact, and speaks about
what is good. One speaks what is worthy of being overheard, words that
are reasonable, moderate, and beneficial. (DN 1) One practices thus:
"Others may speak frivolously, but I shall abstain from frivolous
speech." (MN 8)
When a person commits an offense of some kind, one should not hurry to
reprove them but rather should consider whether or not to speak. If you
will be troubled, the other person will be hurt, and you can help them
emerge from what is unhealthy and establish them in what is healthy,
then it is proper to speak. It is a trifle that you will be troubled and
they will be hurt compared with the value of helping establish them in
what is healthy. (MN 103)
|
|
|
|
The teachings
on right speech are encouraging us to take the matter of communication
more seriously than we often do. Often a lot of chattering is not
conveying anything important, and it has a tendency to be distracting,
making us less attentive. Speaking carefully about what is true and good
brings greater value to our speech and renders it more worthy of being
overheard.
|
|
|
The example
offered in this passage suggests that we should not jump to reprimand
someone when they have committed some small offense. Pausing to consider
whether to speak up breaks the momentum of a quick, reflexive reaction.
It may turn out to be appropriate to speak, but the key issue is
whether it would be helpful to do so. Note that whether speaking up
would be troublesome or might hurt the other person is a trifle in
comparison to the benefit of “helping establish them in what is
healthy.”
|
|
Tomorrow: Reflecting upon Social Action
One week from today: Refraining from False Speech
Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media
#DhammaWheel
Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.
No comments:
Post a Comment