RIGHT SPEECH
Refraining from Frivolous Speech
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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)
I assert and proclaim such a teaching that one does not quarrel with anyone in the world. (MN 18)
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It is entirely
natural that people have differences of opinion. It is not entirely
necessary that they quarrel about these by getting angry, abusive, or
dismissive, or otherwise generating unhealthy and harmful emotions. It
is enough to hold and express your own opinions and let others hold and
express theirs. You can still encourage them to change their opinions
but to do so in discussion and conversation rather than with
quarreling.
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See if you can
imagine what sort of a teaching you might follow such that you would not
be inclined to quarrel with anyone in the world. Do you have to take it
personally when someone disagrees with you? Do you need to have other
people change their opinions to align with yours? See what it feels like
to acknowledge that others have different opinions than yours and to
feel at ease with that, with no need to have them change.
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Tomorrow: Reflecting upon Social Action
One week from today: Refraining from False Speech
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Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.
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