Exploring the Path - Pāli Course

This chapter presents various suttas that support understanding and applying the outstanding principles of right and noble speech. Sammāvācā is probably the most difficult link of the Ariyo Maggo to be maintained and is depicted here in a further short selective part of the Vibhaṅgasuttaṃ¹. Sammāvācā often stands on slippery grounds in an environment where one can so easily fall into the trap of wrong speech not only due to ignorance but mostly due to hope of āmisakiñcikkhahetu – some imaginary little gain.

Right speech is characterized by the abstention from the four constituents of wrong speech: ‘musāvādo, pisuṇā vācā, pharusā vācā, samphappalāpo – ayaṃ, bhikkhave, micchāvācā’ – ‘false speech, backbiting and slander, offending and harsh words and useless chatter, this O’ Bhikkhus is wrong speech!’

Safeguarding right speech through the determination to uphold it by avoiding unwholesome verbal actions, reinforces positive social behavior and wholesome conduct. However being embedded within the Noble Eightfold Path, as the first link in the threefold section of sīla, indicates its importance for spiritual achievements. Upholding all the three parts of moral and ethical standard enhances harmony and peace, not only for the outside world around but it also operates as a base for mental calm and natural harmony within, itself again a prerequisite for spiritual development:


The ability to communicate orally and in writing is one of the special features of mankind – words can bolster friendship, concord, boost amity and convey wisdom. But words can also create disharmony, break friendship and foster enmity, yield conflicts. Performance of wrong speech is linked to micchāsaṅkappo where the drive to achieve possible desired benefits results in the volition to deceive, delude or harm, thus rooted in rāga – dosa and – moha. Micchāvācā will result in detrimental effects while maintaining sammāvācā represents a prerequisite for higher achievements. Right speech is always based on commitment to truthfulness which again grounds in wisdom: