Lzh Mi Bi Pm Sk 45Laughing Loudly
Pāli / Sanskrit:Ujjagghika
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AN EXPLANATION OF THE SUTTA ON LAUGHING LOUDLY (UJJAGGHIKA)
Background
The Ujjagghika Sutta (Laughing Loudly) is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. It is part of the disciplinary regulations in the monastic community (Saṅgha), intended to cultivate conduct and govern the mind in communal life.
The Vinaya Piṭaka is not merely a set of prohibitions or punishments, but a collection of practical guidelines that help those gone forth cultivate virtue, develop concentration, and grow in wisdom. This sutta is directly related to controlling action, speech, and attitude in daily life, especially outward expressions such as loud laughter.
The historical background shows that the Buddha always taught that a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī should maintain dignity and proper deportment in every action. This is not out of impulsiveness or punishment, but to protect one’s own practice and show respect for the teaching as well as for others.
Main Content
The Ujjagghika Sutta concerns the conduct of laughing loudly (ujjagghikā—boisterous, loud laughter) among those gone forth. According to the disciplinary principles of the Saṅgha, loud laughter is not encouraged, because it is not in harmony with the dignity and composure of one who has gone forth in search of liberation.
The Buddha taught that loud laughter arises from a mind not yet settled, still governed by ignorance (avijjā), greed (lobha), and hatred (dosa). Loud laughter is often accompanied by a heedless and unmindful mood, may weaken concentration, and distract both oneself and others from the work of practice.
This sutta does not say that bhikkhus may not smile or be joyful. Rather, it teaches one to laugh in a refined and self-controlled way, not allowing the mind to be swept away by external emotions. This is part of sīla (virtue), an important foundation for developing samādhi (concentration) and paññā (wisdom).
Practical Meaning
This sutta teaches us about self-mastery in every detail of daily action.
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