Lzh Mu Bu Pm Sk 99Nātyastikākṛtasya
Pāli / Sanskrit:Nātyastikākṛtasya
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An Explanation of the Nātyastikākṛtasya Sutta
Background
The Nātyastikākṛtasya Sutta (Concerning Unbelieving Actors) is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravada Buddha-Dharma tradition. It belongs to the system of recited discipline (Pātimokkha) and the ethical rules for bhikkhus and bhikkhunis in the early Buddhist community.
This context appears during the lifetime of the Buddha Śākyamuni, when the Sangha communities were developing strongly. The Buddha and his great disciples often had to face complex ethical situations, especially concerning the interaction of the monastic community with secular society. This sutta warns monastics of the danger of taking part in entertainments, especially activities of an untruthful nature or those that deceive the public.
Main Content
The Nātyastikākṛtasya Sutta focuses on warning bhikkhus not to participate in theatrical performances in which the actors do not have true faith (astikā), or in which the performers do not believe in the Buddha-Dharma. This is an important ethical matter related to the purity of the Sangha and the maintenance of the principles of practice.
The reason for the Buddha’s instruction comes from a basic principle: bhikkhus must stay away from activities that create excitement, sensuality, or actions of a deceptive nature. When participating in theatrical performances, especially those of an untruthful character, monastics are easily drawn into emotions and impure thoughts, and may harm the image of the Buddhist Sangha in the community.
The sutta emphasizes that the association of bhikkhus with those who do not have true faith, or with impure activities, can lessen the respect that people have for the religious community. This is why the Theravada Buddhist Pātimokkha contains specific regulations on the conduct of monastics in secular society.
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