Re:List of games that Buddha would not play
by qntty on Friday December 31, 2021 @01:46PM
(#29751114)
This isn't aimed at all of his followers (monastic and lay), just at the monks. Here's the quote from Brahmajāla Sutta:
> “Or he might say: “Whereas some honourable recluses and brahmins, while living on food offered by the faithful, indulge in the following games that are a basis for negligence: [...]
In other words, if you've giving up everything you own to live as a monk and only eat because of the generosity of others, you shouldn't waste time with things that aren't useful for spiritual development. If you're a layperson, do what you want.
Based on the surrounding context of the quote, it seems like this is an elaboration of the 7th of the 8 precepts, which also prohibits other forms of entertainment. The 8 precepts are followed by monks and occasionally by lay people during periods of intense practice like retreats, but during daily life, lay people follow the 5 precepts which don't prohibit entertainment.
> “Or he might say: “Whereas some honourable recluses and brahmins, while living on food offered by the faithful, indulge in the following games that are a basis for negligence: [...]
In other words, if you've giving up everything you own to live as a monk and only eat because of the generosity of others, you shouldn't waste time with things that aren't useful for spiritual development. If you're a layperson, do what you want.
Based on the surrounding context of the quote, it seems like this is an elaboration of the 7th of the 8 precepts, which also prohibits other forms of entertainment. The 8 precepts are followed by monks and occasionally by lay people during periods of intense practice like retreats, but during daily life, lay people follow the 5 precepts which don't prohibit entertainment.