Reciting the Patimokkha

General Theravada topics
1

When we are reciting the Patimokkha, should we recite it in a normal speaking tone like in a conversation instead of a chanting tone?

For example, when we get to this part, should we give a few seconds for someone to confess their offense? Should we also recite it in a normal speaking tone instead of a chanting tone? I just want to do things as they were done 2500 years ago.

“Venerables, the four rules on expulsion have been recited. If a monk commits any one of them, he is no longer part of the community of monks. As before, so after: he’s expelled and excluded from the community. In regard to this I ask you, ‘Are you pure in this?’ A second time I ask, ‘Are you pure in this?’ A third time I ask, ‘Are you pure in this?’ You are pure in this and therefore silent. I’ll remember it thus.’

2

Tones are allowed by the Buddha, but we don’t know much about the tone patterns. Different styles to chant the pātimokkha but rarely pure speaking voice is done. Even a single tone chanting style, makes things flow better.

You have English listed and quoted. This is different and not relevant to pātimokkha chanting.

There are many samples of chanting the pātimokha including mine here.

3

Hello Venerable Sir, thank you for answering.

Suppose it was in pali. Should we pause each time we say “Are you pure in this?” to give someone time to confess?

4

Some monks do and some monks don’t. It depends on the reciter’s wish.

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