The Right Speech

The Right Speech is a Pal Buddhist School public speaking competition that helps students nurture priceless personal characteristics through the exploration of worldly topics and the Buddha’s teachings.

Right Speech helps students develop confidence, courage, and a greater understanding of how the Dhamma relates to their lives. It is one of Pal Buddhist School's 'Training Grounds' that allow students to learn the Dhamma through experience and practise. 

Competition Highlights:

• Right Speech 2021 - High School Grand Final Round
• Right Speech 2021 - Primary School Grand Final Round

Right Speech 2021 - High School Grand Final Round

High School Speech Topic

Due to the increase in emotional sensitivity of the Millennial Generation and Generation Z, we have been faced with the rise of a ‘cancel culture’ on a global scale. This has led to acts like:

• Not being allowed to use the words ‘mother’, ‘father’, and students’ real names at universities and schools as it is seen as derogatory to the LGBTI+ community
• The cease in publication of a number of Dr Seuss titles because of unintentional ‘racist depictions’
• Needing to have ‘trigger warnings’ for every time a topic about rape, murder, sexuality, abuse, animal cruelty, suicide, etc. is about to be raised
• The vilification of Disney’s classics like Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan and The Jungle Book, who have been accused of raising racist and sexist suggestions
• The changing of company names and brands because of racist implications, such as “whitening products”, “Coco Pops”, “Red Skins”, and “Coon” cheese.
• … and many more

To what extent is the victim mentality (Moral Code #1, ‘to think with a reckless victim-based mindset’) responsible for the hyper-sensitive culture that has allowed the Millennial Generation to accentuate in them, increased egocentricity? 

Jeslyn (Year 11) - High School 1st Place

Janesa (Year 11) - High School 2nd Place

Jasmine (Year 8) - High School 3rd Place

Right Speech 2021 - Primary School Grand Final Round

Primary School Speech Topic

Prevalent in today's society is a tendency to victimise oneself. This means frequently accusing and blaming others (instead of ourselves), getting offended easily, and seeking unwholesome attention.

To what extent does reckless victim-based thinking work against the cultivation of social and communal harmony? 

Jocelyn (Year 6) - Primary School 1st Place