Volume 52. June 5, 2024
For the first time in American history, a former president of the United States has been found guilty (34 times!) of criminal activity. On May 30, 2024, Donald Trump became a convicted felon.
In a rambling, incoherent speech the next morning, Trump spewed invective at the judge, the witnesses and the prosecutors.
He displayed no contrition, no humility, no admission of guilt.
Only contempt, defiance and spite.
Yet, he was able to reflect on his ignominious achievement.
In a brief moment of clarity and rare introspection, he said, “Falsifying business records … that sounds so bad to me.”
It sounds bad because it is bad.
Simply put, falsifying business records means not telling the truth. In a word, lying.
The Buddha considered telling the truth so important that he included Right Speech as one facet of the Eightfold Path.
In the Pali Canon, the historical Buddha defines Right Speech.
He asks, “What is right speech? Abstain from lying, divisive talk and abusive rants. This is called right speech.”
He continues, “Speak words that do not torment or harm others. Speak only pleasant words.”
“Before you speak, reflect: Will my words hurt someone? Will I speak gently or harshly? Will I speak with a kind heart or with inward malice?”
“While you are speaking, reflect: Are my words hurting someone? Am I speaking gently or harshly? Am I speaking with a kind heart or with inward malice?”
“After you speak, reflect: Did my words hurt someone? Did I speak gently or harshly? Did I speak with a kind heart or with inward malice?”
“If your words have happy results, then you will be joyful.”
Others will be joyful too.
Lying hurts people. It’s a sign of delusion and the desire to delude others. Right Speech means if you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all.
In a grander sense, all words are lies. The Buddha came to this realization. The first words he spoke after enlightenment were: “This cannot be taught.”
To speak of it is to slander it.
The Absolute cannot be conveyed in words. Yet, to help others reach enlightenment, he had to use deluding lies, that is, words.
The Buddhist poet Ashvaghosha phrased the quandary this way: “We use words to get free of words until we get to the Wordless.”
So, if we must use words, let’s use Right Speech.
Then, all our verbal acts will be found not guilty.
The Buddha Times 