Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Dh Sk 37Nātyastikākṛtā niṣatsyāma
Pāli / Sanskrit:Nātyastikākṛtā niṣatsyāma
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Commentary on the Nātyastikākṛtā Niṣatsyāma Sutta
Background
The Nātyastikākṛtā Niṣatsyāma Sutta is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, the collection of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. The Vinaya Piṭaka is a compilation of rules of practice and communal discipline for the Sangha, established by the Buddha to maintain harmony, purity, and spiritual progress within the renunciant community.
This text deals with inappropriate conduct related to drama and entertainment performances in which bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs should not participate or which they should not watch. The title Nātyastikākṛtā (nāṭya = drama, performance; astikā = inappropriate; kṛtā = done) indicates unwholesome actions related to performing arts. Niṣatsyāma (niṣ = to refuse, not) is a verb indicating not doing or abandoning.
The context arose when the Buddha observed that some bhikkhus were drawn into theatrical performances, music, dancing, and other worldly entertainments, which ran counter to the principles of austere living and renunciation of things that stimulate sensual desires.
Main Content
The text clearly stipulates that renunciants must not attend, organize, or take part in theatrical performances, dancing, singing, or similar entertainments. These activities are considered wrong (micchā) because:
First, they are places where sensual pleasure is concentrated and sensual desire (kāma-chanda) is stimulated, contrary to the aim of the Sangha, which is to train the mind to be free from desire.
Second, such performances are often accompanied by alcohol, other intoxicants, and very worldly behavior, leading to the weakening of Dharma practice (dhamma-chaya).
Third, attending such events may lead to intimacy with worldly people of impure mind, violating the principle of avoiding unsuitable associations (asappāya-santhava).
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