Speech must, without exception, be true. That which is untrue is no expression of our authentic self. One who speaks falsely shall, in lives to come, bear the karmic consequence of a disfigured and misshapen form of speech — for…
The elders and venerable ones have offered this reflection as a reminder for the cultivation of mindfulness: “When dwelling alone, guard well your thoughts; when dwelling among companions, guard well your words.” Even speech that is well-intentioned, when offered without…
Whatever one has heard or witnessed — upon due verification — should the speaking of it cause demerit to diminish and merit to increase, then such a matter is not only worthy of being spoken, but ought to be spoken…
Whatever one may have witnessed with one’s own eyes — should the speaking of it cause demerit to increase and merit to diminish — the Blessed One declared: “It ought not to be spoken of further.” Consider well: even in…
Over the past week, we have no doubt encountered a great deal of news — some of it auspicious, and some of it far from auspicious, leaving the heart unsettled upon hearing it. The Self Enlightened Lord Buddha has given…
Whatever one comes to know — having received the information and reflected upon it carefully, whether from texts, scriptures, or any other source — it is not enough simply to have heard or come to know something. If speaking of…
When news of an unfavorable nature comes to one’s attention — and its truth or falsehood has yet to be established — one must not hasten to pass it on to others. Verify it first with due diligence. Without such…
When dissatisfied with a person or a situation, do not waste your time cursing or reviling — for this is yet another form of accumulating demerit through unwholesome expression. What, then, is the better way forward? When one is on…
Every excuse that comes from a person’s mouth contains some mixture of truth and falsehood. Sometimes, at best, it may be seven parts truth and three parts falsehood — or perhaps only three parts truth and seven parts falsehood. In…
