Words have power. Like fire, they can warm or burn. Like water, they can nourish or erode. In today’s world of rampant misinformation, prejudice, and online vitriol, practicing Right Speech — one of Buddhism’s Noble Eightfold Path principles—becomes more important than ever. But how do we wield speech with wisdom? How do we balance compassion and honesty in the face of hate and lies?
Speaking Truth Without Harm
Right Speech urges us to refrain from lying, divisive talk, harsh words, and idle chatter. But does that mean we must always be soft-spoken, avoiding discomfort? Not at all. Injustice thrives in silence. Our words must be truthful and beneficial, even if they are firm.
Being frank does not mean being cruel. We can call out falsehoods without venom. We can challenge hate without hatred. The Buddha himself spoke directly and boldly when needed, always aiming to awaken rather than wound.
In the Buddha’s time, society was rigidly divided by the caste system, with the Brahmins (priests) at the top and the Chandala (outcastes, later known as Dalits) at the bottom. These individuals were considered impure and were subjected to severe discrimination. However, the Buddha openly rejected this system.
One day, a Brahmin confronted the Buddha, criticizing him for allowing a Chandala named Sunita to become a monk. In response, the Buddha firmly stated:
“By birth, one is not an outcaste; by birth, one is not a Brahmin. By deeds alone, one becomes an outcaste, by deeds alone, one becomes a Brahmin.”
This was a radical statement at the time. The Buddha was not only defending Sunita but also challenging the entire caste hierarchy. He did not remain silent in the face of injustice—he used Right Speech to dismantle prejudice and affirm the dignity of all beings.
This illustrates how Right Speech is not about avoiding discomfort or staying neutral — it is about using our words to stand up for truth and justice with wisdom and compassion.
Our practice is to navigate this delicate balance: speaking truth with wisdom, not with ego.
Wise Steps: Before speaking, ask: Is it true? Is it helpful? Is it necessary? Is it kind? If the answer is yes, then it is Right Speech.
The Danger of False Compassion
Buddhism teaches deep compassion, but a misguided interpretation of compassion can lead to passivity. Fake politeness, silence in the face of harm, or tolerating lies to “keep the peace” is not true compassion — it is bystander syndrome. Seeing people suffer and doing nothing is, in itself, a form of harm.
Right Speech means using our voice to protect, uplift, and empower. If we refuse to confront harmful rhetoric, we enable it. Compassion must have courage. It is not about avoiding discomfort but about alleviating suffering, even if it means confronting uncomfortable truths.
Wise Tip: When faced with harmful speech, practice compassionate correction. Say, “I understand where you’re coming from, but this belief harms people. Here’s why.”
Silence is Complicity
Compassion is not selective. If we help only the poor and hungry but stay silent when marginalized groups face discrimination, we fail to fully embody true compassion. Allowing hate, lies, prejudice, or violent speech to go unchecked is itself a harmful act. The Buddha understood this deeply.
When people spoke harshly to him, he did not retaliate with anger but instead responded with wisdom. He once asked an accuser, “If someone offers you a gift, but you do not accept it, to whom does the gift belong?” When the person answered, “To the one who offered it,” the Buddha replied, “In the same way, I do not accept your anger. It remains with you.” This response was neither passive nor aggressive — it was a firm yet peaceful way of addressing hostility.
We, too, must speak up for those who are marginalized. When we ignore racism, homophobia, sexism, or any form of discrimination, we contribute to their continuation. If we are not part of the solution, we are part of the problem.
Practical Tip: When someone spreads harmful ideas, do not let them dominate the space. Respond. Educate. Protect.
Right Speech is Not About Avoiding Disagreement
Waylon H. Lewis wisely said, “The main message of Right Speech is don’t be afraid to be disagreeable, to disagree, to present facts, to present empathy.”
Disagreement is not inherently unkind. If we fear conflict so much that we refuse to challenge harmful beliefs, we fail in our duty as Buddhists. Right Speech does not mean always seeking harmony — it means seeking truth with integrity. We must be bold in defending human dignity, even when it makes us unpopular.
Practical Tip: When countering misinformation, do so with patience and clarity. Avoid insults, but do not sugarcoat the truth.
Affirmative Speech for a Just World
Right Speech is not just about avoiding harm — it is about actively creating good. We must use our words to uplift, to heal, and to dismantle prejudice. To ignore intolerance is to allow it to spread. We must never let bigotry be normalized, never let hate find a home in our conversations.
During our Interfaith events, we have seen how, despite coming from different religious backgrounds, we can come together to find common values—compassion, kindness, and the wish to protect others from harm. These shared principles create a safe space for open dialogue and mutual understanding. Instead of focusing on what separates us, we recognize how much we are alike, and in doing so, we strengthen our collective commitment to justice and harmony.
Buddhism is not passive. It is a call to action, a practice of engaged, compassionate wisdom. If we want a world of truth and kindness, we must speak it into existence.
Wise Tip: Find a cause that aligns with Buddhist values and use your voice to support it. Whether it’s LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, or environmental protection, let your words reflect your deepest compassion.
Speak with care. Speak with wisdom. Speak from a place of compassion for all.
Right Speech is not silence in the face of injustice. It is not avoiding difficult conversations for the sake of comfort. It is the courage to stand for truth while holding compassion in our hearts.
Let us embrace the Buddha’s teachings by using our words to protect, uplift, and defend the vulnerable, ensuring that our speech reflects wisdom rather than fear. In a world often clouded by hate and lies, let us choose to be voices of truth and loving-kindness. After all, we are all deeply interconnected.
Your happiness is my happiness, and together, we can create a ripple of compassion that transforms the world.