what is right speech?
So often we hear about friends fighting because someone had said something that has offended someone else.
In the heat of the moment it is easy to blurt out whatever we feel. Often, in a state of anger, we say things just to spite the other person. Hit below the belt, as some would say.
Society encourages us to speak our minds. Unfortunately, if the mind is untrained and remains tainted with misconceptions and illusions, speaking our mind could sometimes cause pain and harm for ourself and others.
There is a Chinese saying that illnesses are often caused by what we eat, and problems are often caused by our speech.
Right Speech is not just about not telling lies or gossiping. It is about stating what is true, at the right time when it is beneficial to others.
Speech is such a common thing. Humans engage in it for nearly every waking moment. Even in our dream state, we dream about conversations we have with others. It is one action that we do often without thinking much about it.
Right Speech fundamentally is to uphold the 4 basic virtues of 1) not telling lies, 2) no divisive speech, 3) no abusive speech and 4) no idle chatter.
When you engage in lies, rude language, speaking ill to cause discord and engaging in mindless gossip, they only serve to distract your mind and create hardship for yourself and others around you.
While you may not feel it at that time of speaking, it will affect you and others down the road. Make an effort to control your harsh speech at all times, keep vigilant and stay away from idle talk, and be mindful not to lie.
Related in one sutra (Abhaya Sutta), The Buddha explains the factors that determine what is and is not worth saying. There are three:
whether or not a statement is true
whether or not it is beneficial, and
whether or not it is pleasing to others.
This virtue of right speech in different situations is thus based on its truth value, utility value and emotive content.
Here is an extract for you:
[1] In the case of words that the Tathagata knows to be unfactual, untrue, unbeneficial (or: not connected with the goal), unendearing and disagreeable to others, he does not say them.
[2] In the case of words that the Tathagata knows to be factual, true, unbeneficial, unendearing and disagreeable to others, he does not say them.
[3] In the case of words that the Tathagata knows to be unfactual, untrue, unbeneficial, but endearing and agreeable to others, he does not say them.
[4] In the case of words that the Tathagata knows to be factual, true, unbeneficial, but endearing and agreeable to others, he does not say them.
[5] In the case of words that the Tathagata knows to be factual, true, and beneficial, but unendearing and disagreeable to others, he has a sense of the proper time for saying them.
[6] In the case of words that the Tathagata knows to be factual, true, beneficial, and endearing and agreeable to others, he has a sense of the proper time for saying them. Why is that? Because the Tathagata has sympathy for living beings.”
The Buddha would only state those things that are true and beneficial. He would also have a sense of time for when pleasing and unpleasing things should be said. A false statement no matter how beneficial is not entertained.
I urge you to practice Right Speech. Right Speech is not just a step in the Eightfold Path, it has significance in cultivating the One Heart.
什么是正语？
我们经常听到朋友因为某人说了讨厌的话而争吵。常常我们会一时冲动说出自己当下的情绪。
因为一时的愤怒或是一时的情绪上的不受控，说一些刺激对方或者伤害对方自尊心的话。
社会鼓励我们要勇于表达自己的意見和想法。同时，如果我们的思维未达到一定的历练，并且充满了各种对人生观的误解 ，我们的言语也将因此为他人和自己带来不必要的痛苦和伤害。正如谚语所说，病从口入，祸从口出。
正语是在恰当的时间，建立在有益于他人的前提下，陈述事实，而不仅仅是简单的“不撒谎，不八卦。
言语是人类每时每刻都会需要进行的社交行为，即使在睡梦中，我们也会梦到与他人的对话。同时，我们也通常不会对”言语“这件社交行为多加思考。
佛学的“正语“的基本概念是建立在主要的四个美德：1）不说谎，2）不挑拨离间，3）不用恶语相向，4）不闲聊。
相反地，当你说谎、恶意的言语相向、用言语进行挑拨离间，以及参与毫无意义的闲聊及八卦，你的注意力将因而涣散及不集中，因此，这将为你和身边的人带来不必要的困扰。
或许你在言语的当下可能没有多大的感触，但这些不当的言语将在未来的日子对你和其他人带来一定的影响。所以我们更应时刻的努力练习佛学中的“正语”，透过正语的基本四大概念，不说谎，控制情绪性的言语，远离无意义的八卦闲聊，平且谨记不说谎。
佛陀在一部经典中《无畏王子经》解析了判断言语，是否值得说的三个主要因素：陈述是否真实，是否有益，是否讨人喜欢。因此，正确的言语“正语”在不同的情况下，取决于其真实性、实用性和其情感内容。以下是节选：
[1] 关于那些如来知道是不真实、不真正、不有益（或：与目标无关）、不可爱和令人不悦的话语，他不说。
[2] 关于那些如来知道是真实、真正、不有益、不可爱和令人不悦的话语，他不说。
[3] 关于那些如来知道是真实、真正、有益但不可爱和令人不悦的话语，他有适当的时机来说。
[4] 关于那些如来知道是不真实、不真正、不有益但可爱和令人愉快的话语，他不说。
[5] 关于那些如来知道是真实、真正、不有益但可爱和令人愉快的话语，他不说。
[6] 关于那些如来知道是真实、真正、有益和可爱和令人愉快的话语，他有适当的时机来说。为什么？因为如来怜悯众生。
佛陀只说真实和有益的话语。他也知道在何时说令人愉快和不愉快的话语。不论有多么有益，虚假的话语都不会被接受。
我敦促你实践正语。因为这正语不只是八正道的一步，对培养一心有着重要的意义。