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Here is the English translation, preserving the Jain terms:
The Sutrakritanga Sutra states, "They prohibit and forbid, but they too are ignorant of the true meaning. They obstruct the livelihood (vrittichhedaṃ) and means of subsistence of living beings." (20)
Thus, the king or another wealthy person, who is engaged in digging wells, ponds, performing yajnas, running agricultural fields, etc. for the purpose of acquiring merit, asks the mumukṣus (aspirants for liberation) about the merit in these activities. In response, the Sutrakara (author of the Sutras) explains what should be done and said.
"They do not speak in either way, whether there is or there is not merit again.
Abandoning the impurity of karma, they attain nirvāṇa." (21)
Commentary: The monks do not say whether there is merit in food-related or water-related donations or not. They, the faultless speakers, having abandoned the impurity of karma, attain nirvāṇa.
If the monks were to say that there is merit, then it would imply that the destruction of infinite subtle and gross living beings is always there, and only a few get temporary satisfaction. Therefore, they do not say "there is merit" or "there is no merit." This is because if they negate the merit, it would create an obstacle for those who desire it.
Thus, the monks remain silent on this matter. Our diet, free from the forty-two faults, is appropriate for the aspirants of liberation, as it is said:
"Drinking the cool water, white as the rays of the moon, from the wells and ponds, the groups of living beings become delighted in mind, their thirst completely quenched. When the flood of water is dried up by the rays of the sun, the endless (living beings) go to destruction. Therefore, the group of monks remains indifferent towards the wells and ponds, etc." (1)
In this way, in both cases, by remaining silent, they abandon the impurity of karma and attain nirvāṇa.