Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Speech: Refraining from Malicious Speech

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RIGHT SPEECH Refraining from Malicious Speech 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 is angry and revengeful. Such a person dwells disrespectful and undeferential towards 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)

Reflection Anger is considered in Buddhist thought to be an unhealthy emotion. It may be justified, and it may even be effective, but indulging anger always comes at a cost. It harms you as much as or more than the person to whom it is directed. One famous Buddhist image is of a person who tries to hurt someone with a burning torch while facing into the wind and ends up burning himself even more. Something similar happens when we exact revenge, another unhealthy state. Daily Practice Learn to recognize anger when it arises in your mind and to discern the many ways it can damage yourself and others. Is anger really necessary in this situation, and is it helpful? It is hard to see how destructive anger is as we get caught up in it in the moment and swept away. But if we can manage to pause and examine carefully what is going on, the danger and harmfulness of anger can become apparent. Tomorrow: Reflecting upon Verbal Action One week from today: Refraining from Harsh Speech Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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