Lzh Mi Bu Pm Sk 46Laughing Loudly (2nd)

THE SECOND SUTTA ON LAUGHING LOUDLY (Dutiyaujjagghika)

Background

The Second Sutta on Laughing Loudly (Dutiyaujjagghika) is recorded in the Vinaya Pitaka, the legal and disciplinary division of the early Buddhist canon. Within the Vinaya system, this text is not a discourse on doctrine, but a training regulation for bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs, those who have gone forth according to the teaching of the Buddha Śākyamuni.

The Vinaya Pitaka was not established arbitrarily, but through specific events that occurred in the Sangha community. The rules (pātimokkha) were gradually formulated by the Buddha to maintain discipline, internal harmony, and the honor of the Sangha in the eyes of the world.

The title “Laughing Loudly” (ujjagghika) refers to a specific action or attitude that the Buddha needed to regulate. It is part of his careful concern for actions that seem small but affect collective practice.

Main Content

In the early Vinaya texts, loud laughter is not only a natural expression, but also relates to a mental attitude. This text, designated as the second (Dutiya), shows that there are at least two texts on this subject, implying that the Buddha had to repeat the teaching or that the Sangha had multiple cases requiring special instruction.

Laughing loudly (ujjagghika) in the context of the Vinaya Pitaka is usually considered in relation to actions appropriate to the body of a monastic. The Buddha taught that practice is related not only to the mind, but also to the outward expressions of the body. A bhikkhu or bhikkhunī should maintain dignity, moderation, and careful consideration.

When one laughs loudly or noisily, it may be regarded as a sign of distraction, lack of propriety, or even a condition leading to misunderstanding among laypeople. The Vinaya Pitaka does not completely forbid laughter, but emphasizes that actions should be appropriate to the context of practice.