Page 118 - Extinguishment of self, in search of dhamma

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how to analyze and improve, here we can develop. We study numerous languages: Thai, English, Chinese. We study them all so that we can use them at the appropriate time. But, our spoken language, the words that we use—what type of language do we feel is nice, is agreeable? The type of language that is called the right speech (sammavaca)— not malicious speech (pisunavaca), not harsh speech (pharusavaca). Words that are agreeable, soft—pleasing to the listeners. Sometimes, soft and sweet sound is not necessary, but speaking well, speaking nicely, pleasing to the listeners—here we can develop, here we can improve.
It is just like our manners—yes, our mind is resplendent, serene—but here we need to continue to study, continue to develop. See how we can correct, how we can improve (Translator’s note: Our manners). This can be developed. As we develop like this, as we have the intention to correct our character—it will steadily improve. Do it often, do it repeatedly. You ask: Where does our character come from? It comes from things we did repeatedly, in our past lives. Things that we did repeatedly in our past lives become attached to us until this life. They became our character. But, then we say that in this life we cannot change it—it is our intrinsic character. This is an excuse! Then, in the past lives, how did we accumulate all these to become like this in this life? Otherwise, people cannot develop. After we develop our mind, we need to develop our physical body (Translator’s note: As in our manners,