The Seventy-seventh of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

77) The Seventy-seventh Gate: Right speech

Right speech is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] concepts, voice, and words all are known as sound: (Nishijima/Cross)

Right speech is a gate of realizing Dharma; it knows that all names, sounds, and phrases are mere echoes. (Tanahashi)

Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all buddhas; Practice Right Speech, That we may know all concepts, voice, and words as sound.

Reflection Prompts:

1. Resolve the difference in these two translations.

2. Speculate how Right Speech leads to either conclusions?

3. Write a new Gate Gatha.

Capping Verse:

When words do no harm—
Wispy clouds
Leave no rain behind

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[aprapti]

aprapti


sat

[Tairin]

Thank you Shokai

1. Resolve the difference in these two translations.

I don’t think there is any difference. “concepts, voice, and words” are “names, sounds, and phrases”.

2. Speculate how Right Speech leads to either conclusions?

I think that both translations are trying to say that we shouldn’t get caught up in concepts, names, tone of voice, sounds, words or phrases. All of them are subject to our perception and interpretation. In some cases Right Speech could be silence and that would speak volumes.

A few words
Can say more
Than many words


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Jishin]

With every word that we release,
We have the power to harm or bring peace,
The words we speak, they echo far,
And leave their mark like a shooting star.

Right speech is what we need to find,
A path that leads us to be kind,
To speak with love and honesty,
And let our words set others free.

For every sound and every voice,
Is just an echo, a fleeting noise,
And when we learn to speak with care,
We find the truth that's always there.

May we practice Right Speech each day,
And let our words light up the way,
To compassion, love, and empathy,
For all beings, including you and me.

For when our words are true and just,
They bring us closer, they build our trust,
And the wispy clouds that we release,
Bring peace and love, and everlasting peace.

Gassho, Jishin, ST, LAH