Lzh Mg Bu Vb Sk 17Laughing Loudly (2nd)

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– CLEARLY EXPLAINING THE OPENING PORTION OF THE RULES OF TRAINING FOR THE COMMUNITY:

17. "One must train: one must not laugh while seated in the house of a layperson."

When seated in the house of a layperson, one must not laugh. When receiving a meal at a monastery or sitting before preceptors, ācāryas, or senior bhikkhus, one must also not laugh. Even if there is something worthy of laughter, one must not laugh loudly in such a way as to expose the teeth and gums entirely.

One should contemplate impermanence, suffering, emptiness, and non-self; reflect upon death; or else bite one's tongue. If one is unable to restrain laughter, one should still not laugh loudly so as to expose the gums, but should take the edge of one's robe to cover one's mouth as a means of restraint. If one is lax in the sense faculties while seated in the house of a layperson and laughs, this is to show disregard for the rule of training.

Except in cases where the mind is disturbed by madness, there is an offense. Therefore it is said:

"One must train: one must not laugh while seated in the house of a layperson."

When the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Śrāvastī, as described at length above. At that time, the group of six bhikkhus covered their heads while seated in the house of a layperson, and the people of the world mocked them:

—Why do the śramaṇas, sons of the Śākyas, cover their heads while seated in the house of a layperson, just like harlots or honey-gatherers?

Then they asked:

—Venerable Ones, do you have a headache and fear the sunlight falling upon your heads? Why do you cover your heads? These are people of corrupt character—what moral conduct could they possibly have!

The bhikkhus then reported the matter to the Blessed One. The Buddha immediately instructed that the group of six bhikkhus be summoned. When they had come, the Buddha asked:

—Did this matter truly occur as reported?

—It truly happened thus, Blessed One.

—From this day forward, you must not cover your heads while seated in the house of a layperson.

Thereupon the Buddha commanded all the bhikkhus dwelling in the city of Śrāvastī to assemble, and for the sake of ten benefits he established a precept for the bhikkhus—which all must hear again even if they have already heard it:

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: THE TRIPIṬAKA MASTER BUDDHABHADRA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH THE ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

MEANING VERIFIED BY: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH