“Topics to avoid in conversation for the sake of harmony: politics, food, money, people who aren’t present, sports, scandals, etc. Where is the long list printed?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Idle chatter]
Reference: Buddhist Monastic Code Vol. 1, p. 397: Explanation of animal talk in the discussion of Bhikkhu Pācittiyā 6.
Sutta: AN 10.69: Topics of Discussion.
Thanksgiving Retreat 2012, Session 5, Excerpt 17
“Could you speak more about the list of topics for speech to remind you of practice (AN 10.69)?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Idle chatter] [Right Speech]
Follow-up: “What about the worldly topics of conversation?”
Right Speech and Living with Ourselves [2016], Session 1, Excerpt 12
Readings by Ajahn Pasanno:
The Island by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Amaro, Chapter 13, pp. 235-239:
Suttas: AN 10.2; MN 118.15; SN 56.11.2; SN 51.20.