Lzh Mg Bi Vb Pc 124Dancing and Singing

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– THE PRECEPTS OF THE BHIKKHUNĪS

– EXPLAINING THE FIRST SECTION OF THE 141 PĀCITTIYAS

124. PRECEPT: WATCHING A PERFORMANCE OF THE ARTS.

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Rājagaha, at that time a group of six bhikkhunīs went to a gathering place for music and entertainment and took seats to watch. When the performers began their performance, the bhikkhunīs burst into loud laughter, causing the crowd to follow along and laugh with them. Then, when everyone was laughing, the bhikkhunīs fell silent, as though they were sitting in meditation. When the crowd stopped laughing, the bhikkhunīs would clap their hands and roar with laughter again. In this way, the people turned away from the performers to look at the bhikkhunīs. Because of this, the performers were unable to collect their fees and became angry, rebuking them: "Because of these female ascetics, we are unable to collect our money."

The bhikkhunīs then reported the matter to Mahāpajāpatī. In the end, the Buddha inquired, and they replied:

—It is truly so, Blessed One!

—That is a wrongful thing. Why did you watch music and entertainment? From now on, I do not permit watching music and entertainment.

Thereupon the Buddha taught: Even those who have already heard this must hear it again:

—If a bhikkhunī watches a performance of music and entertainment, she commits a pācittiya offense.

EXPLANATION:

Music and entertainment: Performances of various kinds such as dancing, singing, playing cymbals, and beating drums. Watching at minimum four persons perform constitutes a pācittiya offense.

Pācittiya: As stated above; one may not watch music and entertainment. If a bhikkhunī is on almsround and encounters the king or the king's consort processing in a ceremonial procession accompanied by music and entertainment, and she happens to see it, there is no offense. However, if she is in a low place and deliberately climbs to a higher place in order to look and watch, she commits a pācittiya offense.

If a donor wishes to make an offering to the Buddha and prepares various kinds of musical instruments, grinding of incense, and fashioning of garlands, and then says to a bhikkhunī: "Venerable one, please help me arrange these offerings," then at that time she may help them. If while there she hears the sound of music and feels a sense of delight in it, she should leave.

If a bhikkhu watches music and entertainment, he commits a dukkaṭa offense. Therefore the Blessed One spoke (as above).

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: THE TRIPIṬAKA MASTER BUDDHABHADRA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

VERIFICATION OF MEANING: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH