Lzh Sarv Bi Vb Sk 26Not Noisy (2nd)

SUTRA ON NOT BEING NOISY (THE SECOND TIME)

Dutiyaappasadda - Vinaya Piṭaka

Background

The “Not Noisy (The Second Time)” text belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Theravada Buddhist tradition, in the Parivarabhāṇavāra, the concluding section of the discipline. This text concerns disciplinary regulations in the Sangha, intended to maintain the purity and discipline of the community of practitioners.

At that time, in the Sangha community, there were bhikkhus who did not restrain their speech, frequently made noise, and created sounds in the dwelling hall, disturbing others who were practicing. The Buddha saw that this problem would obstruct the learning and practice of the whole Sangha, so he gave concrete guidance to remedy it.

This text is called “the second time” because it is one of the rules that the Buddha repeated or clarified a second time when he found that previous occasions had not been effective enough or needed clearer explanation for the whole Sangha.

Main Content

The text prescribes that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs should not create noise in the dwelling places of the Sangha, especially places intended for practice, meditation, and Dharma study. Noise includes frivolous talk, loud laughter, or any sound that is not related to practice.

The Buddha emphasized the benefits of maintaining quiet: helping those in meditation not be disturbed, supporting concentration of mind, and creating a favorable environment for steeping oneself in and applying the Dharma. In addition, quiet also expresses mutual respect in the Sangha and reflects the spirit of those who have gone forth to seek liberation.

The text also points out exceptions, such as times when discussion of the Dharma is necessary, or emergency circumstances, but these cases must be understood according to the spirit of the rule, not used as excuses for further violations.