Lzh Mu Bu Pm Pc 64Playing
Pāli / Sanskrit:Hasadhamma
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The Hasadhamma Sutta - On Laughter and the Spirit of Humor
Background
The Hasadhamma Sutta (Pāli: hasa = laughter, dhamma = teaching, doctrine) is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of Theravāda Buddhism, specifically in the Pātimokkha, the basic code for bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs. This discourse relates to rules concerning social conduct and the moral qualities of one who follows the Buddha.
The background for the arising of this discourse is rooted in events that took place at Sāvatthi, where the Buddha often resided and taught. Discourses in the Vinaya Piṭaka were often established after the Buddha’s disciples created situations of violation or disturbance in the Sangha, from which the Buddha laid down rules to protect the spirit of collective practice.
Main Content
The Hasadhamma Sutta revolves around the issue of cheerfulness, laughter, and humor within the monastic community. In general, the rules in the Pātimokkha do not completely forbid laughter or a joyful state of mind, but they teach that one must maintain awareness and not allow amusement to become a reason for negligence in practice.
The Buddha emphasized that a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī must preserve the standards of wholesome conduct (sīla) in all circumstances, even during moments of ease. However, cheerfulness should not become an excuse for neglecting prohibitions or acting contrary to the spirit of practice. In particular, humorous conversations or games should not lead to distortion of the Dharma, joking about spiritual matters, or distraction from the tasks of practice.
The discourse teaches about the balance between artificiality and truth in the life of practice. A true practitioner need not be heavy and gloomy, but should not allow playfulness to obscure the goal of liberation.
Meaning for Practice
The Hasadhamma Sutta contains an important lesson about balance in practice.
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