Ethical Doctrines in Jainism

SR No.: 006955
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kamalchand Sogani
Publisher: Jain Sanskruti Samrakshak Sangh Solapur
Publication Year: 2001
Total Pages: 322
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 8 MB

Page 105

IV. ACARA OF THE HOUSEHOLDER
83
2) sinful (sāvadya), and 3) disagreeable (apriya)." To explain the fourth form of falsehood, 1) back-biting, ridiculous speech, harsh language and violent words are comprised under condemnable speech.2 Besides, useless gossiping, language inciting unfounded beliefs, and superstitions should also be grouped under it. 2) Sinful speech comprises the use of language for defence, for running the household and for professional purposes. 3) Disagreeable words are those which arouse uneasiness, engender fear, excite repugnance, inflame dolour, and intoxicate brawl.
SATYAŅUVRATA: Of these forms of falsehood, it is beyond the power of the householder to shun totally the use of words concerning his household affairs, the 'affairs relating to his profession and safety; and these necessarily entail Himsā. The avoidance of sinful (sāvadya) speech is not possible without imperilling his life, and that of his dependents, just as it is not possible for him to abandon the Hiṁsā of one-sensed Jīvas. Thus the householder should abandon all other forms of falsehood except sinful speech. This is the gross form of the vow of truth or Satyāņuvrata. It should be noted that Samantabhadra allows not telling the truth, if it endangers the life of any one in Satyānuvrata." The truthful man should denounce exaggeration, fault-finding and indecent speech; and speak words that are noble, beneficial and balanced. He should be grave, equanimous, noblecharactered personality, philanthropist, kind and sweet-tongued. He should not extol himself, and calumniate others. 10 Nor should he hide the merits of others that are existent, and describe those of himself that are non-existent. In order to maintain the purity of the vow, one should steer clear of the following Aticāras," which are; 1) false preaching, 2) divulging the secrets of a couple, 3) forgery, 4) not to return the deposited articles of a man in full, if he has forgotten the actual number, and 5) disclosing one's secret purposes.
NATURE OF STEYA (STEALING): We now proceed to deal with the nature of stealing (steya) and Acauryāņuvrata. Stealing means the
1 Puru. 95. 2 Ibid. 96. 3 Puru. 96. 4 Ibid. 97. SIbid. 98. 6 Ibid. 101. 7 Ratna. Srāva. 55; Vasu. Śrāva. 210. 8 Kartti. 334,; Yaś. and Ic. p. 266. Yas. and Ic. p. 266. 10 Yas. and Ic. p. 266. 11 Puru. 184; Tasū. VII-26., Uvāsagdasão I. 46., Sägā.
Dharma. IV. 45;. The Aticāras of this vow show wide divergence. We have followed the Tattvärthasūtra and its commentary, the Sarvärthasiddhi.