When the Buddha explained the ten nonvirtuous actions to abandon, four are devoted to our speech. Our words are an incredibly powerful tool; they can build ourselves and others up. Or they can tear ourselves and others down. In a sentence they can destroy a relationship, friendship, or employment; such is the power of our speech. In fact, a mindfulness practice of purifying our speech is one that can change our lives completely. 

 

The Four Nonvirtous Action of Speech

1. Lying
2. Divisive speech
3. Harsh speech 
4. Idle chatter 

 

5 Factors of Right Speech:

1. Is it true?
2. Is it beneficial? 
3. Is it kind?
4. Is it spoken with a mind of good will?
5. Is is the right time?

 

The karmic results of the 4 Nonvirtuous actions of speech which are similar to the cause, explained by Je Tsongkhapa:

• [as a result of lying] others would slander you a great deal, and they would deceive you; 

• [as a result of divisive speech] your helpers would not get along and would misbehave;

• [as a result of offensive speech] you would hear unpleasant and quarrelsome speech; [183]
•  [as a result of senseless speech] your words would not be respected or understandable, and your confidence would not be unshakable;

 

Je Tspnkhaoa also explained that abandoning the four nonvirtues of speech is the karmic cause of trustworthy words., “The effect of trustworthy words is that through kind speech, purposeful behavior, and being one whose aims are the same as the disciples’, you gather living beings and mature (teach and guide) them.”

 

“The word is pure magic, and when you adopt the first agreement, magic just happens in your life. Your intentions and desires come easily because there is no resistance, there is no fear; there is only love. You are at peace, and you create a life of freedom and fulfillment in every way. Just this one agreement is enough to completely transform your life into your personal heaven. Always be aware of how you are using the word, and be impeccable with your word.”

—Adapted from The Fifth Agreement: A Practical Guide to Self-Mastery. Copyright© 2010 by Miguel Angel Ruiz, M.D., Jose Luis Ruiz, and Janet Mills. Reprinted by Permission of Amber-Allen Publishing, Inc., San Rafael, California

 

Seeing danger in what’s not dangerous 

And not seeing danger in what is, 

Those who take up wrong views 

Go to a bad rebirth. (317) 

-Buddha, The Dhammapada

 

References and Links

 

Buddha.The Dhammapada. Translated by Gil Fronsdale. (Kindle). Shambala, Boston and London, 2011, pp. 78 (Link)

 

Je Tsongkhapa. Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, by Je Tsongkhapa, Volume 1 (Kindle). Translated by the Lamrim Chenmo Translation Committee. Joshua Cutler, Editor-in-Chief, and Guy Newlan, Editor.

 

Right Speech. Access to Insight (website).

https://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sacca/sacca4/samma-vaca/index.html

 

The Fifth Agreement: A Practical Guide to Self-Mastery. Copyright© 2010 by Miguel Angel Ruiz, M.D., Jose Luis Ruiz, and Janet Mills. Reprinted by Permission of Amber-Allen Publishing, Inc., San Rafael, California. https://www.thefouragreements.com/the-first-agreement-be-impeccable-with-your-word/