Special Topics
Speak Well, Speak Right
Is talking hard? We do it all day long. Is talking easy? We still put our foot in our mouth all the time. Studies show that men speak around seven thousand words a day, women around twenty thousand. Meetings, reports, instructions, reminders, catching up with friends, small talk, heart-to-hearts, romance, venting, sharing news…We’re constantly talking, but are we actually connecting? How do we stop saying the wrong thing or sending the wrong message? How do we express ou...
【The Basics】The Buddha’s Teachings on Speech I
Lesson 1: Silence Those who have gone forth should practice two things: first, noble silence; and, second, discussion of the Dharma text. When you gather in the lecture hall, you should likewise either maintain noble silence or engage in discourse on the Dharma. Dirgha Agama, Fascicle 18, Chapter 1: Jambudvipa The Madhyama Agama records an occasion at the Peacock Grove near Rajagṛha, where a group of non-Buddhist practitioners had gathered, engaging in loud conver...
【The Basics】The Buddha’s Teachings on Speech II
Lesson 5: Right Speech If one sees wrong speech as wrong speech, this is considered right view. If one sees right speech as right speech, this is also considered right view. What is wrong speech? False speech, divisive speech, harsh speech, and frivolous speech—these are considered wrong speech. What is right speech? Abstaining from false speech, from divisive speech, from harsh speech, and from frivolous speech—this is considered right speech. Madhyama Āgama, Fascicle 49 ...
[Q&A] Speaking Well in Daily Life
After taking a course on speech from the Buddha and the great patriarchs, in many different times, places, and situations of real life, do you find yourself wondering when to speak, when not to speak, and how best to speak? ■ Editorial Office Q1: False speech creates negative karma of the mouth, so is it okay to tell a well-intentioned lie? Among the Five Precepts is the precept against false speech, and Buddhists all know they shouldn’t lie. But in certain exceptio...