Lzh Mi Bu Pm Sk 18Nātyastikākṛtā niṣatsyāma

Explanation of the Nātyastikākṛtā Niṣatsyāma Sutta

Background

The Nātyastikākṛtā Niṣatsyāma Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition and is found within the detailed code of discipline for the community of monks and nuns. Although the title uses Sanskrit elements, its content and context reflect the ancient Pāli tradition, especially in regulating behaviors considered violations or unsuitable in religious life.

The Vinaya Piṭaka was compiled after the Buddha Śākyamuni entered nirvana, under the supervision of the elders. Its principal purpose is to maintain the purity of the Sangha and ensure that those gone forth follow the spirit of the teaching. These rules are not arbitrary laws, but were established on the basis of specific events that arose in the early Buddhist community.

Main Content

The Nātyastikākṛtā Niṣatsyāma Sutta concerns restrictions on forms of entertainment and artistic performance in the monastic community. Specifically, it deals with participation in performance activities, for nātya means drama, music, and dance, which members of the Sangha should not join.

In accordance with the Theravāda spirit, Buddhism encourages monastics to focus on the three trainings (tisikkhā): discipline, concentration (samādhi), and wisdom (paññā). Any action that scatters the mind from the goal of liberation is regarded as an obstacle. Forms of entertainment such as dancing, singing, and theatrical display stimulate emotion and reproduce greed, desire, and delusion, the three unwholesome poisons (akusala) that Buddhism aims to transcend.

This sutta structures specific regulations concerning situations in which one should not participate in such activities, or, if participation occurs, it must be done with carefulness and heightened awareness. It also states clearly the karmic (kamma) consequences of violating these rules, from loss of purity and shame to the Sangha to negative effects on one’s personal progress in practice.