8 precepts entertainment

Is the precept about entertainments only in the Vinaya ? or is it discussed in the suttas?

The 8 precepts, including the one on entertainments, are listed in AN 8.41. If you search on Uposatha you’ll find other references in the suttas.
https://suttacentral.net/an8.41/en/sujato?layout=plain&reference=none&notes=asterisk&highlight=false&script=latin

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For a detailed understanding of the entertainment clause in the eight and ten precepts, the Pali commentators refer the reader to the following passage from the Majjhimasīla section of the Brahmajālasutta, DN1:

“Or he might say: ‘Whereas some honourable recluses and brahmins, while living on food offered by the faithful, attend unsuitable shows, such as:

shows featuring dancing, singing, or instrumental music;
theatrical performances;
narrations of legends;
music played by hand-clapping, cymbals, and drums;
picture houses;
acrobatic performances;
combats of elephants, horses, buffaloes, bulls, goats, rams, cocks and quails;
stick-fights, boxing and wrestling, sham-fights, roll-calls, battle-arrays, and regimental reviews—
the recluse Gotama abstains from attending such unsuitable shows.’

“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:

aáč­áč­hapada (a game played on an eight-row chess-board);
dasapada (a game played on a ten-row chess-board);
ākāsa (a game of the same type played by imagining a board in the air);
parihārapatha (“hopscotch,” a diagram is drawn on the ground and one has to jump in the allowable spaces avoiding the lines);
santika (“spellicans,” assembling the pieces in a pile, removing and returning them without disturbing the pile);
khalika (dice games);
ghaáč­ika (hitting a short stick with a long stick);
salākahattha (a game played by dipping the hand in paint or dye, striking the ground or a wall, and requiring the participants to show the figure of an elephant, a horse etc.);
akkha (ball games);
paáč…gacÄ«ra (blowing through toy pipes made of leaves);
vaáč…kaka (ploughing with miniature ploughs);
mokkhacika (turning somersaults);
ciáč…gulika (playing with paper windmills);
pattāិaka (playing with toy measures);
rathaka (playing with toy chariots);
dhanuka (playing with toy bows);
akkharika (guessing at letters written in the air or on one’s back);
manesika (guessing others’ thoughts);
yathāvajja (games involving mimicry of deformities)—
the recluse Gotama abstains from such games and recreations.’

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Do PC gaming breakthe precepts?

Important to note, lay people are typically advised to follow 5 precepts, and if they go a step further 8 on uposotha days.

As for the question; I would think PC gaming would count as entertainment 
 but I think the internet probably would as well.

I would say yes, watching shows breaks the precept and a video game is a show that you control what happens, it’s also a game which is also against the precept.

The underlying principle is to not escape dukkha via sensual desire, hence it’s a precept taken up by lay people during uposatha.

Basically you’re supposed to feel the discontent of doing nothing head on, and deal with it in a way that’s not your typical defense mechanism against boredom/restlessness, but instead with satipatthana and yoniso manasikara as per MN 2

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With great respect and appreciation for your wisdom.

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Does this precept include reading a novel? Thanks

You could probably even ask yourself, ‘is this (whatever the activity is) entertaining me?’ if the answer is yes, then I think it becomes obvious.

It is important to understand the motivational intent behind precepts.

They safeguard one from common sources of woe and cut away at that which prevents clarity of mind from developing which is one of the primary objectives of the path. What matters is your motivational intent behind what entertainment you are seeking and if it is motivated by craving that is marked by giving rise or perpetuating suffering.

They are structures or supports.

There is the one who doesn’t break common law only because there are laws in place and they are seeking to turn away from unhelpful habits (conscience blossoming). There is one who will do what they wish regardless (corrupted conscience). Then there is the one who even if the laws were not present would not do such things (conscience blossomed).

This thread may be of interest: Reading Tolkien

In general, opinion seems to be divided. For example, at Amaravati Monastery they have some fantasy novels in the library (Terry Pratchett, Tolkien, J.K. Rowling IIRC). Then again, some other monasteries might disallow something like this. Go figure :slight_smile:

I think reading novels is synonymous to narrations of legends/storytelling from the list in DN1.

People seems to ignore it because there were no books at the time of the Buddha, and therefore no specific rule about books. But in spirit, indulging in storytelling is the same as reading novels.

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