Home-leavers should not get involved, either as performers or as the audience. It may seem overly strict, but there is a reason. The more someone experiences such activities, the more persistent are the attachments associated with them. A person may experience relief after a performance, but the catharsis is short-lived, and soon there will be a strong desire to repeat the process. In a sense these activities are addictive: the more you do it, the more you want to do it.

Monks and nuns should have as their goal leaving all desires behind. If they participate in such activities, it will be difficult, if not impossible for them to cut off desires. Monks and nuns should use methods of practice and conceptual guidance from the Dharma to lessen and eventually eliminate desires. The precept serves as a guideline and reminder for home-leavers.

If monks and nuns are not serious about leaving desires behind, there is no reason or need to leave home. However, it is difficult today to avoid all forms of entertainment. One would have to go into seclusion. The walls of the Ch'an Center cannot keep out the sounds of music on the street. Although monastics do not participate in different forms of entertainment, they are not opposed to other people engaging in such activities.

If getting involved in entertainment is unavoidable, a monk or nun should use expedient methods. The solution is simple with visual entertainment ─ don't look. The solution is not as simple with sound. It depends on one's practice. Advanced practitioners can be within range of the sounds and yet not hear them. Home-leavers in situations like this must do the best they can.