Question: Why are the Bodhisattva Precepts worded to be against playing of games, such as (Chinese or English) chess? How can they be ‘harmful’?
Answer: According to the ‘Thirty-Third [Light] Precept Against Evil Karmas Of Perceiving And Watching’ (第三十三邪业觉观戒) in the ‘Brahma Net Sūtra’s Bodhisattva Precepts’ Text’ 《梵网菩萨戒本》:
If as Buddhas’ [Bodhisattva] disciples… They must not gamble with dice, play surrounding chess [i.e. similar to “go”], prasena [i.e. a form of military chess], flicking chess, six bets, hitting of balls, tossing of stones into pitch-pots, and “connecting of paths to eight paths to walk to the city” [i.e. a form of board game]… Each and every one must not be done. If there are those intentionally doing them, they commit a light defiled transgression.’ (若佛子！… 不得樗蒲、围綦、波罗赛戏、弹綦、六博、拍毬、掷石投壶、牵道八道行城… 一一不得作。若故作者，犯轻垢罪。)
Note that gambling is listed before a list of various games to represent all kinds, from competitive sports to esports too. This means that gambling itself is more heavily prohibited than gaming only, while there might be gambling through gaming too, which makes each worse. Beyond playing of games for exercising the body and mind, there are three main issues with playing of games.
First, indulgence and addiction in them wastes time and energy, as they do not really benefit anyone spiritually. Second, they give rise to victory and loss, which can spur greed and hatred, that lead to the breaking of other precepts, in the hope of scoring and avenging. Third, they are wrong if they are tied to gambling, which is to squander our blessings with greed and delusion.
However, playing of games can benefit when growing up, and when ageing with dementia, for (re)learning about interacting, thinking, focusing, motor coordinating and such. Intentions are key. If there is playing of games, it should not be with greed to win, and with hatred when losing. There should not be gloating when winning, and resenting when losing. Being bad at sports should not make us bad sports!
Unfortunately, some games like international football do lead to riots. Even if a player has not much greed or hatred, the opponents and their fans might, leading to conflicts, injuries and deaths. This is when a game is far from being just a game. If we observe our minds carefully, most, if not all games, are seldom merely games. Even so-called ‘friendly’ matches can disturb our peace of mind, and that of others.
Related Article:
Is It Alright For Buddhists To Gamble?
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2017/03/is-it-alright-for-buddhists-to-gamble
