Right Speech

July 31, 2014

Dear Readers,

Thank you for continuing to learn about the Noble Eightfold Path. If you want to see the old newsletters about the Noble Eightfold Path, scroll down to the "Old Newsletters" section and click on the links. This month, we will be learning about the third step on the Noble Eightfold Path, Right Speech. But first, lets review.

Life has dukkha (suffering). The way to be free of suffering is to follow the Noble Eightfold Path by practicing eight points: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration. Try to follow the Noble Eightfold Path in your life, and you will have complete happiness, free from suffering.

Now we will concentrate on something we can do to remain on the Noble Eightfold Path. What is Right Speech? Right Speech is choosing and using your words wisely when you say them. Right Speech is also speaking without unwise or bad speech. There are four major types of speech that you should avoid:

1. Do not lie.

2. Do not say things that will cause others to disagree or fight.

3. Do not say anything insulting or rude.

4. Do not chatter about unimportant things.

There are four major right types of speech that you should use:

1. Always tell the truth

2. Say things to try and help people work together.

3. Always speak kindly, politely, and friendly.

4. Always speak with reason and purpose.

When we have right speech, we do not harm the others around us. With good speech, we can help people, and make everything around us better.

How can you use Right Speech? Use the four major right types of speech listed above. If you accidentally said something bad or wrong, it's okay. Just remember to learn from your mistake, and always try to have right speech.

Now we have completed learning about three steps on the Noble Eightfold Path: Right View, Right Intention, and Right Speech. Remember to check back in August to learn about the next step, Right Action.

Thank you for learning!

Ruvini