The Word That Soothes and Enlightens

Terms

Sanskrit : Samyag-Vāc (सम्यग्वाच्)

Pāli : Sammā-Vācā

Etymology

The term is composed of:

— Samyag / Sammā: right, harmonious, correct;

— Vāc / Vācā: speech, language, expression.

Right Speech means:

« to speak in a right way »

or

« to use speech with wisdom and benevolence ».

Translations in the major languages of Buddhism

Sanskrit: Samyag-Vāc

Pāli: Sammā-Vācā

Chinese: 正語 (Zhèng Yǔ)

Tibetan: ཡང་དག་པའི་ངག་ (Yangdakpé Ngak)

Japanese: 正語 (Shōgo)

Korean: 정어 (Jeongeo)

Vietnamese: Chánh Ngữ

Thai: สัมมาวาจา (Samma Vacha)

English: Right Speech

French: Right Speech

Definition

Right Speech is the third branch of the Noble Eightfold Path.

The Buddha attaches great importance to speech.

Words can:

— soothe;

— encourage;

— transmit wisdom;

but also:

— hurt;

— divide;

— deceive;

— create conflicts.

Right Speech consists of using language in a conscious and beneficial way.

What the Buddha recommends avoiding

LYING

Intentionally distorting the truth.

SLANDER

Creating divisions between people.

HARSH SPEECH

Speaking with aggression, contempt, or cruelty.

IDLE CHATTER

Empty words that scatter the mind and feed confusion.

What the Buddha encourages

TRUTHFULNESS

Speaking with sincerity.

HARMONY

Promoting understanding and unity.

BENEVOLENCE

Choosing respectful words.

USEFULNESS

Saying what truly helps.

Before speaking

A Buddhist tradition invites us to ask ourselves several questions:

Is it true?

Is it useful?

Is it benevolent?

Is it the right time?

If the answer is yes, the speech is more likely to be right.

Right Speech in daily life

It concerns:

— conversations;

— social networks;

— emails;

— teachings;

— family exchanges;

— inner dialogue.

Even the way we talk to ourselves influences our quality of life.

Understanding according to traditions

THERAVĀDA

Right Speech constitutes one of the foundations of Buddhist ethics.

MAHĀYĀNA

It is deeply linked to compassion and the wish to help beings.

VAJRAYĀNA

Speech is considered a powerful energy that can become a support for Awakening.

Associated images and symbols

THE BELL

Clear and harmonious speech.

THE LOTUS

Purity of expression.

THE BRIDGE

Communication between beings.

THE LAMP

Speech that enlightens.

Associated concepts

019NOBLEPATH

020VIEWRIGHT

021INTENTIONRIGHT

023ACTIONRIGHT

028_COMPASSION

029_BENEVOLENCE

046_SILA

Quote

« A true, useful word spoken at the right time is a treasure. »

— Inspired by the Pāli Canon

Buddhachannel — A simple practice

Today, carefully observe your words.

Before answering someone, take a conscious breath.

Then ask yourself:

Is what I am about to say true?

Is it useful?

Is it benevolent?

Sometimes, a single right word can transform a relationship, soothe a tension, or open a heart.

Keywords

Right Speech • Sammā-Vācā • Communication • Truth • Benevolence • Ethics • Harmony • Noble Path • Compassion • Buddhism

Buddhachannel Multilingual Buddhist Encyclopedia

022SPEECHRIGHT

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