Lzh Mg Bi Pm Sk 5Na dundumaṁ
Pāli / Sanskrit:Na dundumaṁ
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Na Dundumaṁ Sutta: The Teaching on Sounds Not to Be Followed
Context
The Na Dundumaṁ Sutta is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, which preserves the rules of training of the Theravāda Buddhist Sangha. This sutta appears within the context of guidelines on ethical discipline for bhikkhus and bhikkhunis. The word "Na" means "not," while "Dundumaṁ" refers to resounding sounds or meaningless calls — commonly used to indicate sounds that are stimulating, attention-drawing, or capable of arousing strong emotions.
The Blessed One taught this sutta in order to help his disciples understand the importance of sense restraint (indriya-saṃvāra) in practice. These are not rigid rules but rather wisdom in the conduct of life, helping practitioners limit unnecessary engagement with the external world and deepen their focus on the path of inner breakthrough.
Principal Content
In this sutta, the Buddha teaches that virtuous disciples should not chase after sounds or phenomena that disturb and agitate the mind. This includes music, words intentionally designed to stir the emotions, or sounds from nature that are capable of enchanting the mind or causing loss of concentration.
Instead, practitioners should cultivate their minds to withdraw from these conditioned stimulations. Not because such things are absolutely unwholesome, but because they are doorways through which craving (lobha), aversion (dosa), and delusion (moha) — the three fires that blaze around the mind — find entry. When the eye sees a beautiful sight, the ear hears a melodious sound, or the nose smells a pleasant fragrance, the mind tends automatically to cling, generating chains of craving that lead to suffering.
The Buddha points out that the true practitioner is one who understands that these conditioned stimulations are "not worthy of being chased after." This is wisdom (paññā), not pride nor uncontrolled renunciation. It is a conscious choice, step by step turning the mind toward more noble qualities — meditation, insight, and liberation.
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