139 (Day) Threefold Purification of the Precepts (Sīla) #5: Not Dividing People Through Speech: Veḷudvāreyya Sutta (SN 55.7)| Study Notes from BMV Monday Sutta Study with Bhante Dr. G. Chandima
6. Pisuṇavācā — Abstaining from Divisive Speech
6.1 Puna caparaṃ, gahapatayo, ariyasāvako iti paṭisañcikkhati:
Furthermore, householders, the noble disciple reflects in this way:
- The noble disciple continues the same method of wise reflection (paṭisañcikkhati), now applying it to divisive or slanderous speech (pisuṇā vācā).
6.2 Yo kho maṃ pisuṇāya vācāya mitte bhindeyya, na metaṃ assa piyaṃ manāpaṃ.
If someone were to cause my friends to become divided from me through divisive speech, that would not be pleasing or agreeable to me.
- The disciple considers his/her own experience. He recognizes that having someone damage his friendships through slander, or words that create division, would be painful and unwelcome.
6.3 Ahañceva kho pana paraṃ pisuṇāya vācāya mitte bhindeyyaṃ, parassapi taṃ assa appiyaṃ amanāpaṃ.
And if I were to cause another person's friends to become divided from them through divisive speech, that would likewise be unpleasant and disagreeable to that person.
- The disciple now applies the same reflection to another person. Just as I would not want someone to destroy my friendships through divisive speech, another person would not want this done to them.
6.4 Yo kho myāyaṃ dhammo appiyo amanāpo, parassa peso dhammo appiyo amanāpo.
Whatever is unpleasant and disagreeable to me is likewise unpleasant and disagreeable to another.
- This is the principle of ethical reciprocity. Other people experience the loss and disruption of relationships just as I do.
6.5 Yo kho myāyaṃ dhammo appiyo amanāpo, kathāhaṃ paraṃ tena saṃyojeyyan’ti.
Whatever is unpleasant and disagreeable to me, how could I inflict that same thing upon another?
- The disciple turns the recognition into a moral question: if I would not want my relationships damaged through divisive speech, how could I deliberately cause the same harm to someone else?
6.6 So iti paṭisaṅkhāya attanā ca pisuṇāya vācāya paṭivirato hoti, parañca pisuṇāya vācāya veramaṇiyā samādapeti, pisuṇāya vācāya veramaṇiyā ca vaṇṇaṃ bhāsati.
Having reflected in this way, he/she himself/herself abstains from divisive speech, encourages others to abstain from divisive speech, and speaks in praise of abstaining from divisive speech.
- The reflection produces three levels of ethical practice:
- Personal restraint — he/she refrains from divisive speech.
- Encouraging others — he/she encourages others to abstain from divisive speech.
- Praising the virtue — he/she speaks in praise of abstaining from divisive speech.
Thus, the teaching is not merely about avoiding gossip. It concerns protecting relationships, preventing conflict, and using speech to maintain harmony.
6.7 Evamassāyaṃ vacīsamācāro tikoṭiparisuddho hoti.
In this way, his verbal conduct becomes purified in three respects.
- This is the second of the verbal precepts in this sequence. His/her verbal conduct (vacīsamācāra) becomes threefold pure through his own restraint, encouraging others to practise restraint, and praising the value of avoiding divisive speech.
Slandering
Making false or damaging statements about someone that harm their reputation (He steals donations, when the speaker knows this is untrue).
Backbiting
Speaking negatively about someone behind their back, especially to damage their reputation or relationships (Telling other committee members about someone's alleged faults while that person is absent).
Divisive speech
Speaking in a way that separates people who are united or increases hostility between people who are already divided (Telling A, “B says you are incompetent,” to make A distrust B).
Can backbiting occur without divisive speech?Backbiting without necessarily dividing people: Someone privately complains about another person's habits to a listener who has no relationship with that person. The speech may still be malicious or harmful, but division between two people is not necessarily its immediate purpose or result.
Slander without necessarily dividing people: Someone spreads a false accusation about a public figure to damage that person's reputation, without trying to turn one person against another.
Divisive speech without lying: Someone repeats a true but damaging statement about A to B specifically to provoke resentment and destroy their friendship. Even truthful information can be used divisively.
Some Early Buddhist Stories of Backbiting and Its Karmic Consequences
Dhammapada 281: Those who divide others through their speech may suffer a terrible rebirth as a ghost with a body that is half pig and half human (Read the story of the Pig-Ghost).
1. I abstain from divisive speech.
I avoid gossip — such as forwarding rumours about a friend in a WhatsApp group.
I do not speak badly about one person to another — such as criticizing a colleague behind their back.
I do not add fuel to arguments — such as making negative comments when two friends quarrel.
I do not share private conversations that cause mistrust — such as forwarding a friend's personal message without permission.
I do not post insulting comments that divide people online — such as attacking someone for having a different opinion.
I do not spread rumours that create conflict — such as sharing unverified news about a neighbour or others.
I avoid gossip — such as forwarding rumours about a friend in a WhatsApp group.
I do not speak badly about one person to another — such as criticizing a colleague behind their back.
I do not add fuel to arguments — such as making negative comments when two friends quarrel.
I do not share private conversations that cause mistrust — such as forwarding a friend's personal message without permission.
I do not post insulting comments that divide people online — such as attacking someone for having a different opinion.
I do not spread rumours that create conflict — such as sharing unverified news about a neighbour or others.
2. I encourage others to abstain from divisive speech.
I gently discourage gossip — such as saying, “Let us not talk badly about someone who is not here.”
I encourage people with disagreements to speak calmly — such as suggesting that two friends discuss their misunderstanding peacefully.
I encourage others to verify information before spreading it — such as saying, “Let us check whether this news is true before forwarding it.”
I encourage people to include everyone — such as inviting a lonely classmate to join an event.
I encourage respectful discussions — such as reminding friends, “We can disagree without insulting one another.”
I encourage forgiveness and reconciliation — such as suggesting that two family members settle their misunderstanding peacefully.
I gently discourage gossip — such as saying, “Let us not talk badly about someone who is not here.”
I encourage people with disagreements to speak calmly — such as suggesting that two friends discuss their misunderstanding peacefully.
I encourage others to verify information before spreading it — such as saying, “Let us check whether this news is true before forwarding it.”
I encourage people to include everyone — such as inviting a lonely classmate to join an event.
I encourage respectful discussions — such as reminding friends, “We can disagree without insulting one another.”
I encourage forgiveness and reconciliation — such as suggesting that two family members settle their misunderstanding peacefully.
3. I speak in praise of abstaining from divisive speech.
I praise those who respect people's privacy — such as saying, “I appreciate how you keep people's personal matters confidential.”
I praise people who bring others together — such as telling a community leader, “I admire how you unite everyone.”
I praise those who resolve disagreements peacefully — such as saying, “You handled that argument with great patience.”
I praise people who promote friendship online — such as appreciating a message that encourages harmony.
I praise those who respect people's privacy — such as saying, “I appreciate how you keep people's personal matters confidential.”
I praise people who bring others together — such as telling a community leader, “I admire how you unite everyone.”
I praise those who resolve disagreements peacefully — such as saying, “You handled that argument with great patience.”
I praise people who promote friendship online — such as appreciating a message that encourages harmony.
15 Causes of Slandering and Backbiting
1. Jealousy (Someone feels threatened by another person's success, popularity, talents, wealth, or recognition.)
2. Competition (Someone wants to become more successful than another person and tries to damage their reputation.)
3. Personal Revenge (Someone wants to hurt a person who previously insulted, rejected, embarrassed, or offended them.)
4. Resentment (Someone has accumulated anger or bitterness and uses gossip to release it or make others share their negative feelings.)
5. Insecurity (Someone feels inferior to another person and tries to make that person appear less capable or less worthy.)
6. Desire for Power (Someone wants to weaken a rival and gain control, authority, or influence within a group.)
7. Desire for Recognition (Someone wants to appear more knowledgeable, virtuous, competent, or trustworthy by making another person look bad.)
8. Fear of Losing Position (Someone fears that another person may replace them, receive a promotion, gain leadership, or become more influential.)
9. Desire to Gain Allies (Someone tells negative stories about another person to persuade others to take their side in a disagreement.)
10. Misunderstanding (Someone misinterprets another person's words or actions, assumes bad intentions, and spreads an inaccurate account.)
11. Unresolved Conflict (Someone avoids speaking directly to the person concerned and instead complains about them to other people.)
12. Prejudice and Personal Bias (Someone dislikes a person because of their background, beliefs, personality, affiliations, or way of life and interprets everything they do negatively.)
13. Desire to Protect One's Own Image (Someone shifts blame onto another person to conceal their own mistakes, misconduct, or shortcomings.)
14. Group Loyalty and Taking Sides (Someone spreads negative information about an opposing group to defend their friends, colleagues, family, or organization.)
15. Habit and Social Bonding (Someone gossips to entertain others, fit into a social circle, gain acceptance, or feel that they belong.)
1. Jealousy (Someone feels threatened by another person's success, popularity, talents, wealth, or recognition.)
2. Competition (Someone wants to become more successful than another person and tries to damage their reputation.)
3. Personal Revenge (Someone wants to hurt a person who previously insulted, rejected, embarrassed, or offended them.)
4. Resentment (Someone has accumulated anger or bitterness and uses gossip to release it or make others share their negative feelings.)
5. Insecurity (Someone feels inferior to another person and tries to make that person appear less capable or less worthy.)
6. Desire for Power (Someone wants to weaken a rival and gain control, authority, or influence within a group.)
7. Desire for Recognition (Someone wants to appear more knowledgeable, virtuous, competent, or trustworthy by making another person look bad.)
8. Fear of Losing Position (Someone fears that another person may replace them, receive a promotion, gain leadership, or become more influential.)
9. Desire to Gain Allies (Someone tells negative stories about another person to persuade others to take their side in a disagreement.)
10. Misunderstanding (Someone misinterprets another person's words or actions, assumes bad intentions, and spreads an inaccurate account.)
11. Unresolved Conflict (Someone avoids speaking directly to the person concerned and instead complains about them to other people.)
12. Prejudice and Personal Bias (Someone dislikes a person because of their background, beliefs, personality, affiliations, or way of life and interprets everything they do negatively.)
13. Desire to Protect One's Own Image (Someone shifts blame onto another person to conceal their own mistakes, misconduct, or shortcomings.)
14. Group Loyalty and Taking Sides (Someone spreads negative information about an opposing group to defend their friends, colleagues, family, or organization.)
15. Habit and Social Bonding (Someone gossips to entertain others, fit into a social circle, gain acceptance, or feel that they belong.)
These fifteen situations can be grouped under several unwholesome mental roots and motivations:
Greed (lobha): wanting recognition, power, status, or advantage.
Hatred (dosa): wanting to hurt, punish, humiliate, or undermine another person.
Delusion (moha): misunderstanding the situation, accepting assumptions as facts, or failing to recognize the harm caused by one's speech.
20 Ways to Stop Backbiting and Divisive Speech
1. Examine your intention (right intention — sammā saṅkappa).
(Ask yourself: Am I trying to help someone, solve a problem, protect another person, or damage someone's reputation?)2. Recognize jealousy (issā).
(When someone succeeds, receives praise, or becomes popular, notice any jealousy that arises instead of expressing it through negative talk.)
3. Manage anger and resentment (dosa).
(Do not speak about someone while you are emotionally overwhelmed. Allow the anger to settle before deciding what needs to be said.)
4. Question your assumptions.
(Do not assume that you know another person's motives. Ask whether you have sufficient evidence or are interpreting the situation through your own biases.)
5. Develop mettā (loving-kindness).
(Practise wishing others well, including people you dislike, compete with, or find difficult to accept.)
6. Think before you speak.
(Pause and consider whether your words are true, beneficial, timely, and appropriate.)
7. Do not repeat everything you hear.
(Avoid passing along rumours, private conversations, unverified allegations, and stories that serve no constructive purpose.)
8. Refuse to carry messages between opposing parties.
(Do not tell one person what another person supposedly said merely to provoke anger, jealousy, or suspicion.)
9. Speak directly to the person concerned.
(If a genuine problem exists, address it respectfully with the person rather than recruiting others to your side.)
10. Separate facts from interpretations.
(Say what you actually witnessed or know. Avoid exaggeration, speculation, and presenting personal opinions as established facts.)
11. Learn when to remain silent.
(If a conversation becomes malicious gossip, you do not need to contribute, agree, or keep listening. You can gently change the subject or leave.)
12. Listen to both sides before judging.
(Do not accept one person's account as the complete truth without considering the circumstances and hearing relevant perspectives.)
13. Do not take sides unnecessarily.
(You can care about a friend without automatically agreeing with everything they say about another person.)
14. Become a reconciler rather than a divider.
(Encourage mutual understanding, clarify misunderstandings, and help people resolve disagreements when it is appropriate and safe to do so.)
15. Correct your mistakes and repair the harm.
(If you have spread a rumour or damaged someone's relationships, stop repeating it, correct false information, and apologize where appropriate.)
16. Do not share information without properly verifying the facts. (Do not accept rumours, assumptions, one-sided stories, or unverified allegations as truth. Check the facts carefully before repeating anything that could damage another person's reputation.)
17. Do not forget the dignity and worth of other human beings. (Even when someone has made a mistake, treat them with compassion and respect. Do not use their weaknesses, private struggles, or past mistakes to humiliate them or destroy their reputation.)
18. Do not carelessly interfere with other people's relationships or marriages. (Before sharing information about someone's private life, consider whether it is true, necessary, and appropriate to disclose. A careless statement, a misleading accusation, or information revealed to the wrong person at the wrong time can destroy trust, damage a marriage, separate families, and cause lasting suffering.)
19. Do not assume that everything you know must be shared. (Even when information is true, it may not be necessary or beneficial to disclose it. Consider the purpose, timing, circumstances, and person to whom you are speaking. Protecting someone's privacy and dignity can sometimes be wiser than revealing every detail.)
20. Do not speak when it is wiser and more compassionate to let go. (Not every rumour needs a response, every disagreement needs your involvement, or every mistake needs to be discussed. Sometimes, the wisest action is to refrain from speaking, release resentment, and allow the matter to pass—provided that silence does not expose someone to harm or conceal serious wrongdoing.)
These fifteen situations can be grouped under several unwholesome mental roots and motivations:
Greed (lobha): wanting recognition, power, status, or advantage.
Hatred (dosa): wanting to hurt, punish, humiliate, or undermine another person.
Delusion (moha): misunderstanding the situation, accepting assumptions as facts, or failing to recognize the harm caused by one's speech.
2. Recognize jealousy (issā). (When someone succeeds, receives praise, or becomes popular, notice any jealousy that arises instead of expressing it through negative talk.)
3. Manage anger and resentment (dosa). (Do not speak about someone while you are emotionally overwhelmed. Allow the anger to settle before deciding what needs to be said.)
4. Question your assumptions. (Do not assume that you know another person's motives. Ask whether you have sufficient evidence or are interpreting the situation through your own biases.)
5. Develop mettā (loving-kindness). (Practise wishing others well, including people you dislike, compete with, or find difficult to accept.)
6. Think before you speak. (Pause and consider whether your words are true, beneficial, timely, and appropriate.)
7. Do not repeat everything you hear. (Avoid passing along rumours, private conversations, unverified allegations, and stories that serve no constructive purpose.)
8. Refuse to carry messages between opposing parties. (Do not tell one person what another person supposedly said merely to provoke anger, jealousy, or suspicion.)
9. Speak directly to the person concerned. (If a genuine problem exists, address it respectfully with the person rather than recruiting others to your side.)
10. Separate facts from interpretations. (Say what you actually witnessed or know. Avoid exaggeration, speculation, and presenting personal opinions as established facts.)
11. Learn when to remain silent. (If a conversation becomes malicious gossip, you do not need to contribute, agree, or keep listening. You can gently change the subject or leave.)
12. Listen to both sides before judging. (Do not accept one person's account as the complete truth without considering the circumstances and hearing relevant perspectives.)
13. Do not take sides unnecessarily. (You can care about a friend without automatically agreeing with everything they say about another person.)
14. Become a reconciler rather than a divider. (Encourage mutual understanding, clarify misunderstandings, and help people resolve disagreements when it is appropriate and safe to do so.)
15. Correct your mistakes and repair the harm. (If you have spread a rumour or damaged someone's relationships, stop repeating it, correct false information, and apologize where appropriate.)
16. Do not share information without properly verifying the facts. (Do not accept rumours, assumptions, one-sided stories, or unverified allegations as truth. Check the facts carefully before repeating anything that could damage another person's reputation.)
17. Do not forget the dignity and worth of other human beings. (Even when someone has made a mistake, treat them with compassion and respect. Do not use their weaknesses, private struggles, or past mistakes to humiliate them or destroy their reputation.)
18. Do not carelessly interfere with other people's relationships or marriages. (Before sharing information about someone's private life, consider whether it is true, necessary, and appropriate to disclose. A careless statement, a misleading accusation, or information revealed to the wrong person at the wrong time can destroy trust, damage a marriage, separate families, and cause lasting suffering.)
19. Do not assume that everything you know must be shared. (Even when information is true, it may not be necessary or beneficial to disclose it. Consider the purpose, timing, circumstances, and person to whom you are speaking. Protecting someone's privacy and dignity can sometimes be wiser than revealing every detail.)
20. Do not speak when it is wiser and more compassionate to let go. (Not every rumour needs a response, every disagreement needs your involvement, or every mistake needs to be discussed. Sometimes, the wisest action is to refrain from speaking, release resentment, and allow the matter to pass—provided that silence does not expose someone to harm or conceal serious wrongdoing.)
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