Right Speech (sammā-vācā)
Skillful qualities / Noble Eightfold Path / Right Speech
Part of tag cluster Right Speech in key topic The Noble Eightfold Path
Subtags: False speech, Malicious speech, Harsh speech, Idle chatter, Admonishment/feedback, Listening, Blame and praise, Nonviolent Communication
See also: Energy, Patience
28 excerpts, 1:49:27 total duration

All excerpts (28) Most relevant (14) Questions about (11) Answers involving (14) Stories (1) Texts (1)

Metta Retreat, Session 2 – Sep. 10, 2008

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9. “Could you talk more about working with the hindrance of doubt?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Doubt ] // [Fear] [Aversion] [Sensual desire] [Mindfulness of body] [Tranquility] [Mindfulness of feeling] [Right Speech] [Delusion]

Simile: A dish of muddy water placed in a dark cupboard (SN 46.55). [Similes]


The Whole of the Path, Session 1 – Jun. 22, 2013

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4. “If my sister has unwholesome friendships, how can I help her redirect these?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Family] [Spiritual friendship] // [Compassion] [Judgementalism] [Right Intention] [Right Speech] [Admonishment/feedback]

Story: An Abhayagiri monk skillfully conveys concerns to his father. [Right Speech] [Abhayagiri]


New Year, New Life, Session 1 – Dec. 16, 2013

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5. “You said you have to adjust and think about contemplating. But how can you do that in your working time?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Right Effort] [Directed thought and evaluation] [Discernment] [Everyday life] // [Mindfulness] [Clear comprehension] [Happiness] [Recollection]

Quote: “In daily life, in contact with the world, do you still breathe?” — Ajahn Chah. [Ajahn Chah] [Mindfulness of breathing]

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Follow-up: “In Bangkok, there is lots of news that makes people crazy and divisive. When you see this news, you feel upset and angry.” [News ] [Conflict] [Aversion] [Right Speech] [Politics and society] [Proliferation]

Quote: “I don’t care. Not in the sense that I don’t think it’s serious or that it’s not a problem. But I don’t care in the sense that I don’t want to be getting involved in whatever side people are working themselves up about, because the problem is much deeper than that. We have to pay attention to the deeper problem, both in the human condition and politically.” [Human]


Buddhist Identity in the Modern World – Aug. 15, 2015

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15. “Can you say more about how living up to cultural expectations can be skillful?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Conscience and prudence] [Skillful qualities] [Buddhist identity] // [Killing] [Sense restraint] [Clear comprehension] [Compassion] [Malicious speech] [Right Speech]


Suttas You've Never Heard Of, Session 2 – Jun. 25, 2016

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13. “When you’re living on the precepts, how do I relate to (for example) a friend who tells me about an affair they are having?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Jotipālo. [Precepts] [Spiritual friendship] [Sexual misconduct] // [Skillful qualities] [Admonishment/feedback] [Discernment] [Right Speech] [Vinaya] [Abhayagiri]

Quote: “Don’t admonish your fellow monks before the meal.” — Ajahn Chah. Quoted by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah] [Monastic life] [Food] [Eating after noon]


Thanksgiving Retreat 2016, Session 6 – Nov. 24, 2016

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15. “How do I deal with a negative person? His/her perspectives are mostly in the way of downsides, pointing out people’s faults, his/her bad experiences, etc. If that person is a life partner or family member, how to turn him/her to become better?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Aversion] [Family] // [Right Speech] [Patience]


Teen Weekend 2017 – Sep. 2, 2017

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17. “Have you broken any precepts where only you know if you broke them?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Vinaya] [Ajahn Pasanno] // [Right Speech]

Story: Ajahn Pasanno’s uncle offers him alchohol. [Intoxicants] [Truth]


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27. “What do you think of our president right now?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Politics and society] // [Right Speech]


The New Ajahn Chah Biography, Session 2 – Apr. 21, 2018

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12. “What can you offer dying people who didn’t have the opportunity to engage in Buddhist practice?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Death] [Compassion] // [Listening] [Patience] [Tranquility] [Equanimity] [Fear] [Right Speech] [Chanting]


Chanting, Session 1 – Jun. 2, 2018

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13. “The fourth precept used to be translated as false and harmful speech. In the new chanting book, it’s just lying. Is there a reason for this?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [False speech] [Pāli] [Chanting] // [Right Speech]

Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 130

Sutta: MN 41: Saleyyaka Sutta


The Path of Practice, Session 2 – Jun. 16, 2019

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6. Comment: I’m concerned about how much time people spend on computers, and I think it’s sad that people use electronic devices rather than talk with each other. [Technology] [Community]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno.

Follow-up: “Should I say anything to my son who is on his device half the time during his brief, infrequent visits?” [Children] [Right Speech]

Story: Abhayagiri’s computer policy for monks. [Abhayagiri] [Social media] [Sense restraint] [Vinaya]


Abhayagiri 25th Anniversary Retreat, Session 12 – Jun. 12, 2021

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8. “How do you deal with anger?” Answered by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Aversion ] // [Sense restraint] [Right Speech] [Mindfulness of body] [Proliferation] [Spaciousness] [Patience] [Goodwill]


Abhayagiri 25th Anniversary Retreat, Session 16 – Jun. 13, 2021

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8. “What duty do we have to parents who often act foolishly and use harmfull and abusive language?” Answered by Ajahn Ñāṇiko. [Parents] [Abuse/violence] // [Right Speech]

Story: Ajahn Ñāṇiko’s grandfather vows to treat his children with kindness. [Family] [Goodwill]


Abhayagiri 25th Anniversary Retreat, Session 19 – Jun. 14, 2021

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13. “I have loaned something to my brother, and he just won’t give it back to me no matter how many times I ask him. How would you approach this situation?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Family] [Virtue] // [Right Speech] [Clear comprehension]