RIGHT SPEECH
Refraining from Harsh Speech
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Harsh speech is unhealthy.
Refraining from harsh speech is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning harsh speech,
one refrains from harsh speech. One speaks words that are gentle,
pleasing to the ear, and affectionate, words that go to the heart, are
courteous, and are agreeable to many. (DN 1) One practices thus: “Others
may speak harshly, but I shall abstain from harsh speech.” (MN 8)
The monks at Kosambi had taken to quarreling and brawling and were deep
in disputes, stabbing each other with verbal daggers. They could neither
convince one another nor be convinced by others; they could neither
persuade one another nor be persuaded by others. The Buddha then said to
them: “What can you possibly know, what can you see, that you take to
acting like this? It will lead to your harm and suffering for a long
time.” (MN 48)
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This is such an incisive question: What can you possibly know or see to make you act like this?
We think it must be something compelling for someone to turn against
their own best interests and harm themselves. What higher purpose
justifies this? These brawling and quarreling people were not only
stabbing each other with verbal arrows, but by doing so they were also
inflicting a lot of harm upon themselves.
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The next time
you are engaged in an argument with someone, stop and look inward,
examining your state of mind and body. Notice the physical tension and
the harsh emotional attitude of the moment. Now ask yourself: Does the issue under dispute really require inflicting damage on myself? Can you feel the harm and suffering involved in such agitated and aversive emotional states? Let it go; you’ll be better off.
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Tomorrow: Reflecting upon Mental Action
One week from today: Refraining from Frivolous Speech
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