III. The Book of the Threes

XI. Enlightenment

[239]

Thus have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was dwelling near Sāvatthī.

There the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," they replied,
and the Exalted One said:

"This, monks, is reckoned to be lamentation²
in the discipline of the Ariyan,
namely, singing.

This is reckoned as causing madness³
in the discipline of the Ariyan,
namely, dancing.

This is reckoned as childishness
in the discipline of the Ariyan,
namely, immoderate laughter
that displays the teeth.

Wherefore, monks, away with the bridge⁴
that leads to singing and dancing!

Enough for you,
if you are pleased righteously⁵
to smile just to show your pleasure."⁶

¹ Comy. says this was a reprimand to the 'Monks of the Six,' who went about singing, dancing and laughing.

² Ruṇṇaṃ = roditaṃ.

³ Ummattakaṃ. Comy. Text has ummatikaṃ.

⁴ Setu-ghāto (bridge-destroying) = paccaya-ghāto. Comy. Cf. supra, text 220; ii, 145; Vin. i, 59; Buddh. Psych. Eth. 87 n.

⁵ Dhamma-pamoditānaṃ sataṃ = kenacideva kāraṇena pamuditānaṃ santānaṃ. Comy.

⁶ Alaṃ sitaṃ sita-mattāya = sitaṃ (karotha) ... pahaṭṭh'ākāra-mattaṃ dassanāya yeva yuttay. Comy.