Question: How can we practise Right Speech during social occasions when all seem to be gossiping?
Answer: What we can do is listen if it is not appropriate to leave, but not add to the gossip. Ask sensible questions to get everyone to think about whether the gossip is even true or good to spread. This has to be done skilfully, in terms of ‘wondering aloud’ and offering alternative points of view, but not in terms of defending and reprimanding anyone personally.
This is how you can subtly direct the conversation towards Right Speech. It might not work totally or immediately, but at least attempts to make the chat more skilful for the good of all. You can also subtly change the subject to a more important one. This means you can make the chat, at least on your part, both appropriately social and more spiritual at the same time.
Question: Is it common to only have Buddhist (spiritual) friends?
Answer: It is natural to have less worldly (and superficial) friends as we grow older. The older we get, the more should we to realise that it is not the quantity but the quality of friends that matters more. It is often said that it is already remarkable if we have one or two very good friends at any one time, which include spouses. May we be better Dharma friends to one another.
