[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [The World of Courtesans](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973) › c5.46 # The World of Courtesans c5.46 The World of Courtesans c5.46 - **Language:** English ### [c5.46](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c5.46) In Buddhist literature courtesans are very closely associated with dancing, singing, drinking and other forms of amusements. As is shown by the epics and the \*Jatakas\*, wherever people gathered for pleasure, courtesans and trollops followed. The \*Brahmajala Sutra\* gives the following list of shows which the \*bhikkhus\* were not allowed to attend since these were bound to divert their attention: dancing (\*naccham\*), singing (\*gitam\*), instrumental music (\*vaditam\*), dramatic shows at the fairs (\*pekkham\*), ballad recitations (\*akkhanam\*), hand music or playing of cymbals (\*panisaram\*), chanting of poetry (\*vetalam\*), playing on earthen pots as a drum (\*kumbhathunam\*), fairy scenes (\*sobhanagarakam\*), acrobatic feats by the Chandalas (\*chandala-vamsadhopanam\*), combat of elephants, buffaloes, bulls, goats, rams, cocks and quails, bouts at quarter staff (\*danda- \*yuddham\*), boxing and wrestling, sham fights (\*uyyodhikam\*), roll calls (\*balaggam\*), manoeuvres (\*sena-byuham\*) and reviews (\*anikadasanam\*). - [Previous: c5.45](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c5.45) - [Next: c5.47](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c5.47) - [Up: c5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c5) ## Linked texts (1) - [Brahmajālasutta](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.theravada.sp.digha.1) — Pāli --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c5.46](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.chandra-1973.c5.46) · Pramāṇa