Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Speech: Refraining from Frivolous Speech

 

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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)

Reflection 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. Daily Practice 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.

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Via Daily Dharma: Set Today’s Tone

 

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Set Today’s Tone “May I relate to myself, to others, and to the events around me with kindness, understanding, and less judgment. May I use my day in a way that is in tune with my deeper values.” In this way, set the tone for the day. Thupten Jinpa, “Two Exercises for Turning Intention into Motivation” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Hollow Bamboo Breathing By Will Johnson Try out this breathing practice for journeying into deeper states of self.  Read more »

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Via Daily Dharma: Recollecting the Buddha

 

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Recollecting the Buddha By valuing and honoring the awakened nature of the Buddha, we sense our own potential to awaken. When done in the container of dharma practice, this does not feed conceit but nearly the opposite—it supports both wholesome humility and self-respect. Kim Allen, “Getting to Know the Buddha” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Opening Up to Grief By Bonnie O’Brien Jonsson In the search for her lost father, a daughter finds the dharma.  Read more »

ia Dhamma Wheel | Right View: Understanding the Noble Truth of the Way to the Cessation of Suffering

 

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RIGHT VIEW Understanding the Noble Truth of the Way to the Cessation of Suffering And what is the way leading to the cessation of suffering? It is just this noble eightfold path; that is, right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right living, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration. (MN 9) One perfects their ethical behavior by abandoning the taking of life, dwelling without taking life, with rod and weapon laid aside, gentle and kindly, and with compassion for all living beings. (DN 2)

Reflection The first and perhaps most important of the basic ethical precepts is committing yourself to the practice of harmlessness. This means not only no deliberate killing but also refraining from any kind of assault against living beings. The phrase used above literally means “laying down the stick” and broadly speaking is construed as not only abandoning any overt acts of violence but also softening the heart internally with kindness and compassion. Daily Practice How can you bring more harmlessness to your daily life? It  is an emotional attitude more than anything else. It involves seeing things through the eyes of other beings and recognizing that they do not want and do not deserve to be assaulted. Begin by brushing insects away rather than killing them, slowing down to avoid animals on the road, and in every way increasing your sensitivity to the inherent value of life.  Tomorrow: Cultivating Equanimity One week from today: Understanding the Noble Truth of Suffering Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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Via Daily Dharma: Pursue Truth

 

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Pursue Truth To pursue the true reality of dharma is nothing other than not getting involved in useless discussion.  Eihei Dogen Zenji, “The Eight Qualities of a Great Person” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

The Great Buddha of Ibiraçu By Haley Barker The largest Buddha statue in the West sits calmly in Brazil. Read more » 2025 Tricycle Film Festival March 14–27, 2025 We invite you to join us for the second annual virtual Tricycle Film Festival from March 14–27, offering five feature-length films and five short films that you can watch all festival long, plus a live event with Ed Bastian, director of The Dalai Lama’s Gift. Get your ticket »