Bi Sk 1414. Being noisy
Pāli / Sanskrit:Dutiyaappasadda
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Commentary on the Scripture Concerning Noise (Dutiyaappasadda)
Background
This scripture belongs to the Vinaya Pitaka within the Pāli Canon of the Theravāda tradition, preserved in the Bhikkhunī Suttavibhaṅga — the section explaining the rules for bhikkhunīs. These are ethical regulations pertaining to the daily conduct of the community of female monastics, aimed at protecting mental stillness within the community of practitioners.
The historical picture behind these regulations reveals communal life in Buddhist monasteries. Bhikkhunīs living together in a community needed to maintain a quiet environment for the practice of meditation and the study of the Dharma. Noise was not merely a nuisance; it directly hindered the work of practice, disrupted concentration, and caused distraction for others. Accordingly, the Blessed One laid down specific regulations concerning the control of sound within the monastic community.
Main Content
The scripture "Being Noisy" (Dutiyaappasadda) addresses the matter of making noise or producing loud sounds within the monastery without necessity. This regulation encompasses various forms: speaking loudly, laughing boisterously, striking or knocking against objects in ways that produce noise, or any action that creates auditory disturbance in shared spaces.
Specifically, a bhikkhunī should not cause unreasonable noise, particularly during hours of scriptural study, meditation practice, or at times that ought to be periods of quiet. When communication is necessary, it must be carried out gently and skillfully. Rather than requiring absolute silence, the Vinaya Pitaka encourages discernment — knowing when to speak, when to be silent, and how to speak in such a way as to cause no disturbance to others.
This regulation reflects a profound principle: in the life of practice, every action of one person affects the community. Kindness and respect are expressed not only in intention, but also in each concrete action — including the manner in which we produce sound.
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