How the Mouth Can Burn Away All Merit: A Lesson from the Speaking Ill of Others

Have you ever spoken a single sentence and regretted it for a lifetime? In the Dhammapada, the Buddha tells the story of the monk Kokālika—a person who, just because he "liked to speak ill of others," had to endure a terrifying karmic consequence. This story remains profoundly relevant today, reminding us of the immense power of our words.

The Mouth Can Kill

Kokālika had left the home life, but he carried a harmful habit: he loved to criticize others. Wherever he went, he would speak ill of the two chief disciples of the Sangha, Sāriputta and Moggallāna. The Buddha admonished and corrected him three times, yet he stubbornly persisted. The result was that the blessings from merit he had accumulated over many lifetimes were burned away. His body became covered with foul-smelling sores, and no one would approach him. After death, he fell into hell.

Truly, the human mouth can sometimes destroy the person.

From Gossip to Malice

Venerable Thích Chân Quang points out that the habit of speaking ill does not arise suddenly. It begins with the mind's need for information, which then becomes a need for gossip. To make the stories more interesting, we seek sensational elements, which are often tales of wrongdoing. From there, the habit of criticism forms like an addiction. The more we criticize, the more we feel superior to others.

"If I can criticize them, I feel I am better than them. And all merit is gone, completely exhausted."

The Three Flaws of Speech

Venerable Thích Chân Quang summarizes three levels of danger in speech:

1. Liking to speak – the first flaw, tormenting others with meaningless words. 2. Speaking incorrectly – stating false doctrines or facts, which harms merit. 3. Criticizing – the most serious, causing division and creating hatred.

The Karmic Consequences of Verbal Karma

Those who sow envy through their words will be rejected by everyone. A body that is sick and foul-smelling is a manifestation of the loneliness where no one holds them dear. Before speaking, try asking yourself: will these words make people love each other or hate each other?

Before speaking, consider whether after these words, people will grow in love or in hatred.

Speaking Words of Love Creates Boundless Merit

Words cost nothing, yet they can create great merit or great sin. A word of praise, an introduction of someone who understands the teachings well, a piece of gentle advice—these are all seeds of blessing. Practice speaking with kind, gentle, and courteous speech, as the Buddha taught: "The bhikkhu restrains his speech in words that are harmonious, beneficial, and spoken with a mind of loving-kindness."

Start with Yourself

Look within yourself and listen to see at which level you stand among the three flaws of speech. Each day, each time you are about to open your mouth, you can choose to speak a positive word. This is the only way to protect your blessings from merit and build a life of peace and happiness. Because, as the Buddha taught, a single kind word can make a whole soul blossom.