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Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law The Great Analysis The chapter on training The subchapter on laughing loudly Laughing loudly Origin story At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery. At that time the monks from the group of six were laughing loudly while walking in inhabited areas. … Final ruling “‘I will not laugh loudly while walking in inhabited areas,’ this is how you should train.” One should not laugh loudly while walking in an inhabited area. If a monk, out of disrespect, laughs loudly while walking in an inhabited area, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. Non-offenses There is no offense: if it is unintentional; if he is not mindful; if he does not know; if he is sick; if he merely smiles when something is funny; if there is an emergency; if he is insane; if he is the first offender. The first training rule is finished.