廣弘明集 27.45

27.45

次懺口業。此是患苦之門。禍累之始。書曰。一言可以興邦。一言可以喪國。又曰。言行君子之樞機。樞機一發榮辱之主。經云。不得離間惡口妄言綺語。諂曲華詞構扇狡亂。故知有言之患招報實重。廣如自愛經彰斯業相。又如經云。失命因緣尚不妄語。何況戲笑構扇是非。常以直心懺悔口業。

Next, repenting the karma of speech: this is the gate of troubles and suffering, the beginning of disaster and burden. A classic says: 'A single word can make a country flourish; a single word can make a country ruin.' It also says: 'Speech and action are the pivot and spring of the superior person; once the pivot and spring are released, they govern glory and disgrace.' A sūtra says: 'One must not engage in divisive speech, harsh speech, false speech, or frivolous speech; flattering, crooked, florid words, instigating trouble, deceit, and disruption.' Therefore we know that the troubles of speech invite retribution that is truly heavy. It is broadly detailed as in the Zi'ai jing, which reveals the characteristics of this karma. Furthermore, as a sūtra says: 'Even for causes and conditions where one loses one's life, one still does not speak falsely, how much less in jest and ridicule, instigating right and wrong.' One should constantly repent the karma of speech with a straight mind.