The Noble Eight fold Path

(The Fourth Noble Truth :  Magga : The Path)

1. Right Speech

Speech is gift of great value, since through it we can express thoughts and ideas which can be shared with others. Just a word can change a man’s outlook towards good and evil. Very few of us care to use this wonderful gift of speech for our own and other’s welfare. Much trouble and misunderstanding could be avoided , if only people would be more thoughtful and gentle in what they say and more accurate and sincere in what they write.  Man’s peech often indicates his character.

Buddha enumerated four types of virtues for  Right speech:

1. Abstain from falsehood and speak the truth : Buddha was very emphatic with regard to this evil of lying. He said , even for fun, one should not lie. A person, who can lie easily, can do any evil.

2. Abstain from Slander or tale-bearing :  It is the next evil that a tongue can commit. To slander another is most wicked for it entails making a false statement intended to damage someone’s reputation.  The slanderer commits two crimes simultaneously, he says what is false, because his report is untrue and then he back-bites.

3. Abstain from harsh words and be pleasant and courteous:  A gentle word can melt the hardest heart, while a harsh word can cause untold agony. We should think twice before we speak ill of anyone., for it is attempt to damage his character, his good name.

The Buddha said that the language of the heart , is always simple, greatful and full of power.

4.Abstain from frivolous talk or gossip:  People are too fond of idle talk, of maliciously disparaging others. The gossip columns  in NewsPapers are just as bad. Men and women with time on their hands , indulge in endless chatter, amusing themselves at the expense of others. One does not become wise by talking a lot, and also to keep silent does not turn a foolish ignoramus person into a sage.