Preach the revered Dhamma to others with respect and dignity
The Buddha has proclaimed to the monks a comprehensive and lucid code of conduct to be safeguarded and followed at all times. It covers the gamut of a Bhikkhu’s life. Preaching being a most notable occupation of a monk, the Buddha has dealt at length with this subject, mainly in the Vinayapitaka and to a lesser extent in the Suttapitaka. The moment a monk takes over the viginipatha and assumes the sanctified role of disseminating the profoundest phenomenon on earth.
He is to assume that the Thathagatha himself is present with him, so that it is required of him to be meticulously on track with His great teaching.He is to refrain from looking around the audience, abstain from grimacing and distorting of the mouth (mukavikara) and gesticulating with his hands (hasthavikara).
The Buddha says in the following passage;
“The lion, Bhikkhus, is a designation for the Thathagatha, the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One. When the Thathagatha teaches the Dhamma to an assembly, this is His lion’s roar. If the Thathagatha teaches the Dhamma to the Bhikkhus, He teaches it respectfully and not disrespectfully. If the Thathagatha teaches the Dhamma to the Bhikkhunis… to male lay followers… to female lay followers, He teaches it respectfully and not disrespectfully. If the Thathagatha teaches the Dhamma even to worldlings such as food-carriers and huntsmen He teaches it respectfully, not disrespectfully. For what reason? Because the Thathagatha has respect for the Dhamma, reverence for the Dhamma.” –KukudaVagga – Anguttara Nikaya
Hence, it is clear that the preaching of the Noble Dhamma and the conduct and demeanour that should accompany the preaching are not matters to be compromised, since the sublime truth is at all times sacred and sacrosanct, to be respected and revered. In the course of Buddhist history, countless number of men and women with samsaric merit have attained one or all four stages of deliverance whilst intently and wholeheartedly following a well-prepared sermon delivered by an astute, disciplined monk, well versed in the Thripitaka and unwavering from his line of concentration. Slapstick humour and light-hearted banter have no place in it at all, because they detract a follower from a path that is extremely difficult to comprehend, the path of cessation of the misery of existence. They are a positive impediment to progress towards the “ultimate happiness”.
The Buddha advises the Bhikkhus magnificently;
“Bhikkhus, in the Noble One’s discipline singing is lamentation. In the Noble One’s discipline, dancing is lunacy. In the Noble One’s discipline to laugh excessively, displaying one’s teeth, is a thing of the boys. Therefore Bhikkhus, in regard to singing and dancing let the bridge be demolished. When you rejoice in the Dhamma you may show a mild smile.” –Sambodhi Vagga – Anguttara Nikaya
One of the three primary rules pronounced by Lord Buddha to Arahat Maha Kassapa, the third great disciple of His Order at the moment of his ordination was that when listening to a sermon, he should do so with single-minded attention and absolute, total focus. The Buddhist canon records an instance where an aged female devotee attained Sowanhood whilst listening to a sermon of Bhikkhu Nagasena. The Bhikkhu attained the stage thereafter, contemplating on his own sermon (Milinda Panna). Maha Arahat Assagutta exclaims in tranquil happiness, “Sadhu, Sadhu, Nagasena you have hit two beings with a single arrow!” Decidedly such sermons are devoid of funny anecdotes, comic tales and cheap trappings.
Evocation of laughter while preaching either to attract crowds or for any other reason is inimical to the exalted teaching and is counter-productive to undivided attention and reverential devotion, which are mandatory pre-requisites to proceed on the path. It stands to the detriment of the preacher as well as the listener.
Another pointed pronouncement of Lord Buddha is quoted below;
“The majority of beings merely run up to the shore, and just a handful crosses the stream. Those who live in the Dhamma well-articulated, cross realms of the Mara and reach the farther shore.” –PandithaVagga – Dhammapada
We are fortunate that there are still some erudite, pious, respected monks in this part of the world who revere the Dhamma and preach it to others as expected of them by the Buddha.
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