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The Eight spoked Wheel of Dharma is also known as the Dharmachakra or Wheel of Life. It is a symbolic of the Eightfold Path of dharma, the Buddha's teaching to eliminate suffering and gain enlightenment.

Right Speech is the first principle of ethical conduct in the Noble Eightfold Path and one spoke of the Wheel of Dharma. The Wheel with its eight segments is symbolic of the Eightfold Path delineated by the Buddha as a means to eliminate suffering and gain enlightenment.

 And what is right speech? Abstaining from lying, from divisive speech, from abusive speech, and from idle chatter: This is called right speech. -Buddha,  Magga-vibhanga Sutta (Pali text)

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[On Abandoning false speech]  He speaks the truth, holds to the truth, is firm, reliable, no deceiver of the world. [On Abandoning divisive speech] What he has heard here he does not tell there to break those people apart from these people here…Thus reconciling those who have broken apart or cementing those who are united, he loves concord, delights in concord, enjoys concord, speaks things that create concord… -Buddha, The Samaññaphala Sutta
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[On Abandoning abusive speech] He speaks words that are soothing to the ear, that are affectionate, that go to the heart, that are polite, appealing and pleasing to people at large… -Buddha, Kevatta Sutta
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[On Abandoning idle chatter] He speaks in season, speaks what is factual, what is in accordance with the goal, the Dhamma, and the Vinaya. He speaks words worth treasuring, seasonable, reasonable, circumscribed, connected with the goal… -Buddha, Cunda Kammaraputta Sutta

Right Speech means speaking truthfully and honestly in a way to promote harmony and good will; to reduce anger and ease tensions and to be of use. If your speech is not beneficial, it is probably better to keep silent.

Right Speech means speaking truthfully and honestly in a way to promote harmony and good will; to reduce anger and ease tensions and to be of use. If your speech is not beneficial, it is probably better to keep silent.

Abbess Taitaku Patricia Phelan writes “In Seeking the Heart of Wisdom, Jack Kornfield suggests practicing with Right Speech by trying to speak from the heart, and by avoiding gossip both negative and positive. This means not talking about people or talking behind their backs, but speaking directly to them. Sometimes this is called as no third party information. If you are irritated or having a problem with someone or even when you have something positive to express, the practice is to speak directly with the person involved, not to talk about it to someone else.”

Mose Allison’s song, Your Mind Is On Vacation, serves as a warning to remind us to be mindful in speech. A “mind on vacation” seems the very definition of non-mindfulness. As a work of art the song may be viewed as didactic in nature. This song is like a correctly timed slap by a Zen Master to shock his student into a different way of thinking, as recounted in countless Zen stories.

 

Your Mind Is On Vacation by Mose Allison

You sittin here and yakkin’ right in my face.
You comin’ on exactly like you own the place.
You know if silence was golden
You couldn’t raise a dime,
Because your mind is on vacation and your mouth is workin’ overtime.

You quotin’ figures and droppin’ names.
You tellin’ stories and playing games.
You’re overlaughin’ when things ain’t funny.
You tryin’ to sound like the big money.
You know if talk was criminal
You’d lead a life of crime,
Because your mind is on vacation and your mouth is workin’ overtime.

You know that life is short,
Talk is cheap.
Don’t be makin’ promises that you can’t keep.
You don’t like this little song I’m singin’
Just grin and bear it.
All I can say is if the shoe fits wear it.
If you must keep talkin’
Please try to make it rhyme,
Because your mind is on vacation and your mouth is workin’ overtime.

Watch the Live Video for Your Mind Is On Vacation

Right Speech, by Abbess Taitaku Patricia Phelan

Five Reasons Not To Speak of the Faults of Others

Right Speech; If You Can’t Say Something Nice…

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