The Importance of Right Speech I undertake the training rule to refrain from false speech (the fourth precept) Better than a thousand meaningless statements Is one meaningful word Which, having been heard, Brings peace. ~ Dhammapada 100 (translated by Gil Fronsdal) Question What is the most destructive organ in the human body? What is the most helpful organ in the human body? Answer The tongue (along with the lips, lungs, teeth and vocal chords) Talking is our primary mode of interacting with each other. Speaking with care is the most effective tool we have for cleaning up our inner life and making our relationships better. Words can connect and heal people and can also alienate and harm people. Words often produce powerful, lasting effects on both the speaker and the listener. Sometimes those effects are unintended, but if your words are well chosen, they can bring peace to you and others. Whether you are aware of it or not, every word you say has the potential to ease or afflict yourself and others. Spoken or written words, sign language, and non-verbal expressions – which are all forms of speech – shape our relationships with others. For the sake of efficiency, we often communicate by rote. “Good morning” can be a helpful shorthand to say, “Hello, everything’s basically OK over here”. “Rats!” (or something similar) expresses frustration... Read more: buddhasadvice.wordpress/speech/
Posted on: Mon, 05 May 2014 18:38:20 +0000