Aṇguttara-Nikāya
III. Tika Nipāta
XI. Sambodhi Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
or
More-Numbered Suttas
III. The Book of the Threes
XI. Enlightenment
Sutta 103
Ruṇṇa Suttaṃ
Lamentation[1]
Translated from the Pali by
F.L. Woodward, M.A.
Copyright The Pali Text Society
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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 lamentation[2]
in the discipline of the Ariyan,
namely, singing.
This is reckoned as causing madness[3]
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 bridge[4]
that leads to singing and dancing!
Enough for you,
if you are pleased righteously[5]
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.
Buddh. Psych. Eth. 87 n.: "Cf. D. i, 156, and MPS. 16, 17. It is striking that here and in the following answer no diminution of moho (dullness) is included. Cf., however, below, §1143. Ignorance (= dullness) is only realy conquered in the Fourth Path. The diminution is described (Asl. 238) as coming to pass in two ways; vicious dispositions arise occasionally and no longer habitually, and when they do arise it is with an attenuated intensity. They are like the sparse blades of grass remaining in a newly mown field, and like a flimsy membrane or a fly's wing."
— p.p.
[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.
