WHAT IS DOUBLE-TONGUED SPEECH?
Master Jun Hong Lu: There will be no arguments or misunderstandings whatsoever if everyone refrains from committing double-tongued speech.
What is double-tongued speech? It is essentially sowing discord between people, stirring up conflicts. This is something you should refrain from. A person who observes this discipline is one who cultivates virtuous speech – this has been the case both in the past and the present.
When you speak divisively, you cause others to make much ado about nothing and be troubled. If you gossip everywhere you go, you will affect others’ mental and physical well-being or even trigger violence to erupt.
Unfortunately, those who commit double-tongued speech choose to believe that they are speaking and standing up for justice, claiming that they are never afraid to speak what’s necessary. Do not deceive yourself that you are persuading or advising two parties in different ways because in fact, you are creating disputes with your words.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms (Audio), Episode 8, 27 March 2020
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