Rules Concerning Speech In Ayaranga And Dasaveyaliya Suttas

SR No.: 269485
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Collette Caillat
Publisher: Collette Caillat
Total Pages: 15
Language: English
Classification: Article
File Size: 2 MB

Page 11

The Rules Concerning Speech (Bhasa) in the Ayuranga
Let us consider some of the examples adduced by the texts.
In Pannavaṇā, all speech inspired by the four kasayas, koha māņa......, is assimilated to lie, mosa1. On the other hand, according to Ayar, anger etc. are conducive to harsh words (2.4.1.1) that hurt (ib 6). As such, they are prohibited. For its part, Dasav explains, so to say, the sloka 7.11-35 by emphasizing twice, at the beginning, and towards the end of the development, that a wise monk must (even if it is true) avoid all "rough speech which does harm to living beings :
.........pharusā bhāsā guru-bhūovagkāiṇī
sacca vi sa na vattavva... (7.11, cf. 29 c-d).
Without going into all the details and possible digressions, it is interesting to review what is prescribed and what is prohibited in the aforesaid passage. Various recommendations are met with which have been seen to be addressed either to the brahmacarin or the snataka in the DhS. In Dasav 7.12, it is stressed that defect and mutilations should not be pointed to2; that various personal remarks are unacceptable (though they might be true literally speaking) for they might lead to faults of feeling and of conduct. In this connexion, prescribed and recommended terms of address are specified, and detailed in six slokas (14-19). But it is not enough to observe circumspection when addressing mankind: circumspection is necessary also when speaking of all other five sense creatures, pancediya-pāna, and, in particular, no himsa should be suggested against them, whatever their species. Cows, especially, should not be referred to foolishly:
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"(he who) speaks after consideration, controls his senses well, has overthrown the four passions, (and) is without (worldly) support purges (his soul) of the dirt resulting from previous evil deeds (and) is sanctified in this world and the next. Thus I say "trsl. Schubring). Compare Pannav chap. 11 § 830-1, the fourfold oharani-bhāsa: the sacca form is arahaṇī. Cf. chap. 11 § 963.
tah' eva kaṇam'kane' tti... no vae,
"...a monk should not call a one-eyed man...." by this name; cf. Ayar 2.4.2.1.
een 'annena atthena paro jen' uvahammai,
ayara-bhāva-dosa-nnu, na tam bhāsejja pannavam,
"because the person concerned would be hurt by this or similar statement, a thoughtful (monk) should not utter such speech, as he knows (that) faults of conduct and of feeling (would result from it). trsl. cf. Schubring. cf. Äyär 2.4.2.1-2.
tah' eva "hole" "gole" tti.... na tam bhāsejja pannavam, 7.14. etc. Cf. Ayar 2.4.1. 8-11 (on how to address or not to address a man, a woman). Compare Chandogya Upanisad 7.15.2.
Dasav 7.22.