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AN 5.209PTS AN 3.2511 min read

The Sound of Singing

Gītassarasutta

Why you shouldn’t recite Dhamma in an overly drawn-out singing style.

Translated by Bhikkhu Sujato · Pāli: Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka · Public domain (CC0) via SuttaCentral

  • 0.1Aṅguttara Nikāya 5.209Numbered Discourses 5.209
  • 0.221. Kimilavagga21. With Kimbila

0.3GītassarasuttaThe Sound of Singing

1.1PTS 3.251“Pañcime, bhikkhave, ādīnavā āyatakena gītassarena dhammaṁ bhaṇantassa.“Mendicants, there are these five drawbacks in reciting with a drawn-out singing voice.1.2Katame pañca?What five?1.3Attanāpi tasmiṁ sare sārajjati, parepi tasmiṁ sare sārajjanti, gahapatikāpi ujjhāyanti:You relish the sound of your own voice. Others relish the sound of your voice. Householders complain:1.4‘yatheva mayaṁ gāyāma, evamevaṁ kho samaṇā sakyaputtiyā gāyantī’ti, sarakuttimpi nikāmayamānassa samādhissa bhaṅgo hoti, pacchimā janatā diṭṭhānugatiṁ āpajjati.‘These ascetics who follow the Sakyan, sing just like us!’ When you’re enjoying the melody, your immersion breaks up. Those who come after follow your example.1.5Ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca ādīnavā āyatakena gītassarena dhammaṁ bhaṇantassā”ti.These are the five drawbacks in reciting with a drawn-out singing voice.”

1.6Navamaṁ.