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– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– CLEARLY EXPLAINING THE BEGINNING SECTION OF THE SEKHIYA RULES:

5. "A rule of training: Speak softly when entering a householder's home."

One must not call out to one another in a loud voice when entering a householder's home. If one wishes to call to another, one should snap one's fingers. If the person ahead does not hear, one should ask someone seated nearby to convey the message. If one is unrestrained in one's sense faculties and does not train in speaking softly when entering a householder's home, this is to disregard a rule of training. However, if one's mind is deranged, there is no offense. Therefore it is said:

"A rule of training: Speak softly when entering a householder's home."

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Sāvatthī, as told in full above. At that time, the group of six bhikkhus entered a householder's home laughing, talking, and joking, and so were mocked by the people of the world:

—Why is it that Samaṇas, sons of the Śākyan, behave like royal princes and ministers, like dissolute and licentious men, laughing and joking together as they enter a householder's home?

Then someone asked:

—Venerable sir, why do you show all your gums — are you trying to sell your teeth? There are no courtesans in there, so why are you laughing? These are degenerate men; what virtue do they possess?

The bhikkhus then brought this matter and reported it to the Blessed One. The Buddha had the group of six bhikkhus summoned. When they had come, the Buddha asked:

—Did this matter truly occur?

—It is true, Blessed One.

—Why is it that you, living within the discipline of the Noble Ones, laugh and joke about and expose your gums? From now on, you must not laugh and joke when entering a householder's home.

Thereupon the Buddha commanded all the bhikkhus residing in the city of Sāvatthī to assemble, and for the sake of ten benefits, established this training rule for the bhikkhus; even those who have already heard it must hear it again:

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: TRIPIṬAKA BUDDHABHADRA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH SAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

Editorial Verification: Thích Đỗng Minh