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Studies in Jainology, Prakrit
involves himsā or injury of some kind or other. But when a sage or preceptor extends sound and beneficial advice to others regarding their bad habits or vices etc., he cannot be said to have ultered false words, even though the concerned person may feel, ashamed, uncomfortable or hurt (for the time being). Hence intention is always the determining factor in each case.
With a view to explaining the deeper implications of the Minor Vow of Truth - Satyānuvrata, thc Jainācāryas, both the Digambara and Śvetāmbara, have given in their treatises on the Householder's Code of Conduct - Śravakācāra various classifications of asatya - falsehood and satya - truth.
Lastly, we should note, that these Acāryas have cautioned the householder against five principle aticāras-transgressions!o , lo be meticulously avoided in the course of their righteous life :
(i) mithyopadesa - false preaching or advice (ii) rahasobhākhyāna - disclosing other's secrets (iii) kūtalekhākrti - forgery (iv) nyāsopaharana - breach of trust
(v) sakāramantrabheda - divulging inferences drawn from behaviour or gestures
All this deliberation, with relevant textual evidence from ancient and medieval authorities on the Householder's Code of Conduct "Śrāvaka- dharma or Śrāvakācāra’, leads us to conclude that the Jainācāryas investing Satya - truth with considerably wider connotation and special interpretation is a very thoughtful and commendable effort that ultimately goes to strengthen the Jaina Supreme Doctrine of Ahimsā.
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