Chanting and the 7th precept

Buddhist ethical conduct including the Five Precepts (Pañcasikkhāpada), and Eightfold Ethical Conduct (Aṭṭhasīla).
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EmptyShadow
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Chanting and the 7th precept

Post by EmptyShadow »

I was wondering, does listening to chanting accompanied with music break the 7th precept?
"7. Nacca-gita-vadita-visuka-dassana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from dancing,singing, music, going to see entertainments."

Searching for some metta chanting I saw that in this site: http://www.buddhanet.net/chant-metta.htm thay recommend Imee Ooi chants(thay can be found in YouTube). Although thay are very beautiful thay are accompanied by music and tho thay have the wholesome content thay resemble alot like a song. Is it ok for a monastic or for someone following the 7th precept to listen to them?

Also is there any examples in the suttas about chaning accompanied by music instruments? And what's the difference between chanting and singing?

:namaste:
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dylanj
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Re: Chanting and the 7th precept

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Born, become, arisen – made, prepared, short-lived
Bonded by decay and death – a nest for sickness, perishable
Produced by seeking nutriment – not fit to take delight in


Departure from this is peaceful – beyond reasoning and enduring
Unborn, unarisen – free from sorrow and stain
Ceasing of all factors of suffering – stilling of all preparations is bliss
EmptyShadow
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Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2011 3:34 pm

Re: Chanting and the 7th precept

Post by EmptyShadow »

Thank you dylanj, that link is very helpful.
So from what I understand chanting with intonation is allowable but with drawbacks, as listed in Gītassara Sutta.
And I assume chanting accompanied with music would be out of line with the Dhamma.
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dylanj
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Re: Chanting and the 7th precept

Post by dylanj »

The main thing I got from that thread was Bhikkhu Pesala's comment which by my understanding seems to suggest that intonation alone does not have drawbacks & is not what's being referred to by the sutta, but that melodic intonation i.e. singing is the problem.

So using tone for the sake of smooth & pleasant chanting is not the problem, music is.
Born, become, arisen – made, prepared, short-lived
Bonded by decay and death – a nest for sickness, perishable
Produced by seeking nutriment – not fit to take delight in


Departure from this is peaceful – beyond reasoning and enduring
Unborn, unarisen – free from sorrow and stain
Ceasing of all factors of suffering – stilling of all preparations is bliss
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