San Lo Bu Pm Pc 2Abusive Speech
Pāli / Sanskrit:Omasavāda
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THE SCRIPTURE ON ABUSIVE SPEECH (OMASAVĀDA)
Background
The Omasavāda scripture, concerning abusive speech, appears in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, specifically in the Bhikkhu Pātimokkha rules. These are teachings on violations in the bhikkhu community, given in order to protect the nature of practice according to the Buddha-Dharma. The scripture was pronounced in the context of the Buddha's governance of the Sangha and his establishment of unwholesome actions that bhikkhus must avoid in order to maintain purity.
Abusive speech, meaning words of criticism, insult, or slander against others, is recognized as one kind of action that significantly harms communal harmony. In the Vinaya Piṭaka, these are not Pārājika offenses, the offenses of defeat, but belong to a lighter class of violation while still requiring clear recognition of their harmfulness.
Main Content
Omasavāda is defined as speech heard by others with the intention of criticizing or insulting. The word "oma" means mother or is related to origin, while "vāda" means speech or doctrine. This scripture concerns speaking badly about parents, grandparents, or those to whom one owes gratitude, words that deeply harm social feeling.
The Buddha taught that abusive speech violates the principle of ahiṃsā, non-harming. When a bhikkhu uses crude, critical, or insulting words toward someone, especially those worthy of respect, that act not only creates conflict in the community but also harms the mind of both the speaker and the listener. This is contrary to the ideal of the bhikkhu, which is to nurture loving-kindness (mettā) and respect (sīla) in all relationships.
The rule related to Omasavāda requires bhikkhus to actively restrain speech and avoid careless words.
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