Hi Nina,

I've been away from my computer a lot and am trying to catch up--hope this
isn't too late.

----- Original Message -----
From: nina van gorkom <nilo@...>
To: mike <mlnease@...>
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2003 10:07 AM
Subject: hymns

> Dear Mike,
> please would you repost to Pali yahoo your post on Hymns? It is the right
> time now.
> Thanks,
> Nina.

Bhikkhus, there are these five dangers when Dhamma is chanted with a long,
singing sound:

He is pleased with himself regarding that sound, (= pride)

Others are pleased regarding that sound (they have regard for it but not for
Dhamma)

Householders look down upon him (as music is for those who enjoy
sense-pleasures)

While trying for accuracy of sound his concentration is broken, (he neglects
the meaning of what he is chanting)

People coming after fall into views (by emulation) ("saying: Our teachers
and preceptors sang it thus" [Commentary] -- a source of both pride and
quarreling among later generations of Buddhists).

-- Vinaya Pitaka, ii. 108

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/bps/wheels/wheel206/chanting.html