Lzh Mi Bi Vb Pc 174Dancing and Singing

Explanation of the Naccagīta Sutra (Dancing and Singing)

Background

The Naccagīta Sutra (Nàcca-gīta, meaning "dancing and singing") is recorded in the Vinaya Pitaka of the Theravada tradition, specifically in the Pātimokkha, the list of ethical rules that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs must observe. This text is not a profound sermon, but a practical disciplinary rule reflecting specific situations in the life of the Sangha during the Buddha's time.

This sutra arose from events in the bhikkhu community, especially in rural areas or deprived circumstances, when some who had gone forth participated in entertainments such as dancing and singing. The Buddha and the elder monks saw that these actions were not in accordance with the spirit of practice and the discipline of the Sangha, because they created distraction of mind and denied the goal of liberation.

Main Content

The Naccagīta Sutra states that bhikkhus must not take part in dancing (nacca) or singing (gīta). This is not merely a simple prohibition, but an expression of a larger principle in the Vinaya Pitaka: such activities are regarded as unsuitable to the appearance and character of one who has gone forth.

According to the Vinaya Pitaka, such actions are classified as Pācittiya, lighter offenses requiring confession, because they are not among the most serious violations, but they still run contrary to the spirit of the Noble Path. The basic reason is that dancing and singing create states of intoxication, stimulate sensory desire, and agitate the mind, drawing it away from the stillness necessary for meditation and insight.

This sutra also reflects the practicality of the Buddha: he did not forbid activities because they are abstractly "evil," but because they produce negative consequences for the progress of individual practice and for the honor of the Sangha.

Practical Meaning

In a modern context, the Naccagīta Sutra should not be understood mechanically or extremely.