[811] Origin at Sāvatthī. Now on that occasion the group-of-six bhikkhus sat in an inhabited area laughing a great, loud laugh … "I will not sit in an inhabited area with loud laughter" — thus the training should be undertaken.
One should not sit in an inhabited area with loud laughter. Whatever bhikkhu, out of disrespect, sits in an inhabited area laughing a great, loud laugh, commits an offense of wrongdoing (dukkaṭa).
There is no offense: for one who acts unintentionally; for one who is absent-minded; for one who does not know; for one who is ill;³ if, when there is a laughable matter, he merely smiles; in emergencies;⁴ for one who is mad; for the first offender (ādikammika).
# 1–2. These readings should be examined; for a sick person has no need of laughter, and in emergencies there is no occasion for it. 3–4. These readings too should be examined in the manner stated.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.