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## Dasha Shruta Skandha Sutra
## First Dasha
This Sutra describes how to protect the earth-bodied beings:
**"Sasarakh-paani-paaye" (15) "Sarajask-paani-paada" (15)**
**Word-by-word meaning:** Sasarakh - filled with sentient dust, paani-paaye - those with hands and feet.
**Meaning:** If a householder's hands and feet are covered in sentient dust, one should not accept alms from them.
**Commentary:** This Sutra shows how to protect earth-bodied beings. A monk should not accept alms from a householder whose hands and feet are covered in sentient dust. Accepting alms in such a situation would be a violation of earth-bodied beings, which would lead to a violation of the self and restraint. Additionally, when a monk returns after excreting, they should wash their hands and feet before sitting on an asana. Failure to do so would be a violation of earth-bodied beings, as their feet would inevitably be covered in sentient dust before washing. The implication is that one should strive to be careful in this way.
The question arises as to why such actions lead to non-concentration. The answer is that violence against living beings results in non-concentration. However, the mention of "Mrittika" (earth) here is indicative of the protection of all six-bodied beings. The scriptures prescribe the protection of the following six-bodied beings:
1. Earth-bodied
2. Water-bodied
3. Fire-bodied
4. Air-bodied
5. Plant-bodied
6. Animal-bodied
Since a non-violent soul is worthy of the state of concentration, every individual seeking concentration should completely avoid violence.
Next, the Sutra-maker describes how a concentrated soul should speak during the night and day, and how speaking in a certain way can lead to non-concentration.