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A Manual of the Path Factors

III. The Exposition of Right Speech

There are four types of right speech. They are:

  1. Abstinence from falsehood (musāvādavirati).
  2. Abstinence front back-biting (pisunavācāvirati).
  3. Abstinence from abusive speech (pharusavācāvirati).
  4. Abstinence from frivolous talk (samphappalāpavirati).

1. Abstinence from Falsehood

Speaking untruth to make it appear as truth, and speaking truth as though it were untruth, mean speaking falsehood. Abstinence from speaking falsehood is musāvāda virati.

2. Abstinence from Back-biting

The kind of talk that makes two friends lose confidence in and regard for each other, that creates dissension between two persons or that slanders another is back-biting. Abstinence from such back-iting is pisunavācā virati.

3. Abstinence from Abusive Speech

Speaking with anger and using abusive language regarding race, family, personal traits, occupation, etc., amounts to offensive and abusive words. Abstinence from such speech is pharusavācā virati.

4. Abstinence from Frivolous Talk

There are certain plays and novels that are of no benefit; they are written merely for the sake of entertainment.

Attha, Dhamma, and Vinaya

Words relating to benefit (attha) are those that could bring long life, health, and honestly acquired wealth in this existence, and good results such as human rebirth, etc., in the next.

Words relating to Dhamma are those that relate to ways and means for attainment of the above-mentioned good results.

Words relating to Vinaya are those that relate to the rules of conduct for laity and monks, guiding them towards the destruction of greed and hatred.

Words relating to attha, dhamma, and vinaya are not found in all plays and novels. Narrating such plays and novels to others amounts to frivolous talk. Avoidance of such talk is samphappalāpa virati. Thirty-two types of unbeneficial talk (‘tiracchāna kathā’ lit. ‘animal talk’) are included in samphappalāpa.

Those who wish to develop wisdom should not waste time indulging in such thirty-two types of talk. Those who are developing mental calm (samatha) and insight (vipassanā), should know the limit even of speech associated with attha, dhamma, and vinaya.

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