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The Sagacious Buddhist Blog

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by the Buddhist Anagārika Pasannacitta

(a.k.a. Anagārika Michael Turner)
​


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When Monks or Nuns Use Wrong Speech While Giving Dharma Talks [Quick Q&A]

9/10/2022

3 Comments

 
When monastics tell jokes, use props, make fun, employ sarcasm, or raise their voices while giving Dharma talks.
Buddhist Monks in Prayer

What does the Dhamma-Vinaya have to say about monastics who employ wrong speech when sharing or discussing the Dhamma? Is this ever OK?


​In this short "dharma bite," I answer this single question.


​Question

When a Buddhist monk or nun uses a bunch of jokes, props, yelling, et cetera in a Dhamma talk, I often feel a sense of discomfort while listening to them and I actually find that it rubs me the wrong way.  Can you share your thoughts on this?


​Answer

These days we have access to many kinds of Buddhist teachers on the internet, be they monastics or laypersons.  In a crowded field of competing voices, some teachers lean toward more exaggerated teaching styles in order to express themselves, set themselves apart, or to build a core audience.

Being energetic and compelling to watch or listen to is one thing, but some teachers choose to employ some rather unorthodox or uncommon behaviours to convey their Dhamma teachings, such as the examples you mentioned in your question (e.g., jokes, props, yelling).  So, is this OK?

Technically speaking, being untruthful in any way whatsoever, which includes the telling of jokes, being sarcastic, speaking tongue-in-cheek, is a breach of the Vinaya, the Buddhist Monastic Code — more details on that below.  Additionally, yelling is wrong speech and using props can be deemed as unskillful; both of which can be classified as further breaches of the Vinaya.
​

Though, some people (mostly non-monastic ones) may argue that these ancient codes of conduct should be applied within reason and that there should be some leniency in regard to the extent to which a monastic should hold-rigid to such rules... however, rules are in-place for Buddhist monks and nuns for good reasons, and your bristling response and discomfort in regard to this eccentric style of dharma talk is inline with the spirit of why there is a rule about this in the Buddhist Monastic Code:
​
From Vinaya, Chapter 8, Pācittiya, 1:

"...untruths meant as jokes, even when meant to amuse or entertain rather than to deceive, would fall under this rule as well..."
​
"In addition, the Commentary quotes a few statements that today would be classified as exaggeration or sarcasm, saying that these, too, are forbidden by this rule... this is not to deny the value or potential wisdom of humor; simply to note that a bhikkhu’s sense of humor should be kept in service to his values, and that the most memorable wit is memorable precisely because it tells the straight truth."

​​This isn't meant to suggest that our monastic teachers should be dry and monotonous robots... of course not; personality and enthusiasm within our teachers are desirable and sought-after qualities, but there is a difference between teaching with charisma and being "on-stage."

What I have been taught by my monastic teachers is that, as a general rule, it's best that dharma teachers, and especially monastics, not engage in joke-telling, intentional sarcasm, and (especially) yelling when teaching or discussing the Dhamma. 

Of course that being said... monastics are humans and they represent a vast range of personalities, beliefs, and positions on the Buddhist spectrum of spiritual enlightenment; and, they each bring to their teachings their own style, and in doing so, they attract an audience that is most suited to their particular teaching tenor.

Thank you for asking this question; may you have found my answer to be satisfactory and valuable.

Update: see the comment section below for some direct feedback regarding this post from a colleague, and my response.

With mettā,
​

Anagārika Michael Turner
Awakened Buddhist Teacher
Advanced Applied-Dharma & Sīla Trainer

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3 Comments
Anagārika Michael Turner link
7/11/2022 13:53:04

I received feedback that I thought would be good to share. A colleague of mine suggested that this post was an anti-monk diatribe and asked that I consider whether or not I feel holier-than-thou as a result. Here was my reply:

Oh my, and, oh no; an "anti-monk" diatribe. That certainly wasn't the intention, I was just answering a question with the answer as it was taught to me by my teachers (since I am a dharma teacher by metier). I certainly don't feel any holier or less holier than others, be they monastics or otherwise for the effort, but I do hope that I give those who do (or decide to) teach the dhamma something to consider when they do provide teachings, that would be nice :) I'd like to think that everything I do is in service of others than in service to myself. I tend to do so to a fault (perhaps) over the past few years. But I do appreciate that you took the time to give me some thoughts. It can be difficult to tell what motivates others, not being in their heads of course.

Reply
Anonymous reddit user
7/11/2022 20:57:56

Your blog and articles have been very helpful, solid content. Thank you. 🙏

Reply
Anagārika Michael Turner link
7/11/2022 21:04:03

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and to provide your feedback; that is very kind and generous of you 🙏 May your day be a good one :)

And, feel free to subscribe, I am working on a new teaching, albeit a more esoteric one on the dangers of meditative attainments in lieu of spiritual ones, but I am not yet sure if I will post it. Stay tuned!

With mettā,
Anagārika Michael

Reply



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    Anagārika Michael Turner Buddhist Teacher, Dhamma Trainer, Dharma Coach
    Anagārika Pasannacitta

    Hi! My name is Pasannacitta (my layperson name is Michael Turner).

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Pasannacitta is a pre-monastic ariya-puggala and a full-time Buddhist anagārika; and he is also a deeply accomplished streamentry mentor and applied-dharma teacher. He emphasises and teaches the practical application of the Buddha's teachings in our everyday lives to overcome our human problems that stand in the way of making measurable progress toward Buddhist enlightenment and he is particularly adept at explaining them in ways that can be easily understood and practiced by Western Buddhists. He has been meditating and cultivating the views and techniques that generate indestructible resilience, inner-strength, and direct experience for more than 30 years and has helped countless numbers of students enhance and course-correct their practice to make veritable progress along the path toward Nibbāna.


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