RIGHT SPEECH
Refraining from Malicious Speech
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Malicious speech is
unhealthy. Refraining from malicious speech is healthy. (MN 9)
Abandoning malicious speech, one refrains from malicious speech. One
does not repeat there what one has heard here to the detriment of these,
or repeat here what he has heard there to the detriment of those. One
unites those who are divided, is a promoter of friendships, and speaks
words that promote concord. (DN 1) One practices thus: “Others may speak
maliciously, but I shall abstain from malicious speech.” (MN 8)
Disputes occur when a person adheres to their own views, holds onto them
tenaciously, and relinquishes them with difficulty. Such a person
dwells disrespectful and undeferential toward others, causing harm and
unhappiness for many. If you see any such root of a dispute either in
yourself or externally, you should strive to abandon it. And if you do
not see any such root of dispute either in yourself or externally, you
should practice in such a way that it does not erupt in the future. (MN
104)
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If you look
around you will easily see that so many of the disputes taking place in
the world are rooted in the human tendency to become attached to views
and opinions. It is natural for people to disagree, but it is neither
necessary nor inevitable for them to argue about it. Views are learned
ways of organizing our understanding of the world, and when held lightly
they are beneficial, but they can easily become a source of trouble.
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Notice when you
see people attached to their views, when they are holding on to them
tenaciously, and when they relinquish them with difficulty. Next, notice
when you do these things yourself. Try looking at things from different
points of view, if only to train your own mind to become more agile and
avoid getting locked in to particular perspectives. Notice how many
things can be seen from many different points of view.
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Tomorrow: Reflecting upon Verbal Action
One week from today: Refraining from Harsh Speech
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