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a time such as now.

how can we, as individuals, counteract the onslaught of false speech from powers, governments, organizations, companies, and individuals?

Buddhism has guidance within its Fourth Precept. 

traditionally the Fourth Precept is stated as “I undertake the training rule to abstain from false speech.“ the Precept can be understood as not causing or  participating in deceit and false speech. why? because it causes harm.

Thich Nhat Hanh imbuing the Fourth Precept with nuance and further awareness, and retitling it The Fourth Mindfulness Training: Deep Listening and Loving Speech writes, “ Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I am committed to cultivating loving speech and deep listening in order to bring joy and happiness to others and relieve others of their suffering. Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I am determined to speak truthfully, with words that inspire self-confidence, joy, and hope. I will not spread news that I do not know to be certain and will not criticize or condemn things of which I am not sure. I will refrain from uttering words that can cause division or discord, or that can cause the family or the community to break. I am determined to make all efforts to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.”

as a practice, we can follow the 5 guidelines for Right Speech: Is our speech timely, true, gentle, beneficial, and spoken with a mind of good-will?

may we all practice being truth tellers and revolutionaries of speech in a time of deceit.

~j

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