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 13

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The Rules Concerning Speech (Bhasa) in the Дyaranga
Self-control is further required when speaking of atmospheric phenomena. It will be remembered, in this connection, that Gaut DhS, etc. specify, in particular, how to mention the rain-bow (supra). But, whereas the DhS seem to express some form of taboo, the Jainas aim at being accurate and consistent; the words chosen by the religious person should nct contradict with the objective truths attained by the (Jaina) scientists; therefore, "he should not say that a cloud, the sky, or a man is a god, (but) he should (simply) state (the fact) that a cloud has formed itself or has risen high, or that a thunder-cloud has sent down rain":
tah' eva meham va naham va māṇavam na deva deva tti giram vaejjā; *sammucchie unnae vā paoe'
vaejja va "vutthe balähae' tti (Dasav 7.52).2 Moreover, the monk will naturally accept seasons equanimity,
Self-control, samjaya, is all the more advocated as it often happens that false appearances are confused with truth, and hence, are conducive to lies and to sin. Therefore, one should be careful when speaking of doubtful matters--an advice which is also given by ApDhS, as we have seen. Dasav and Ayar apply this consideration to trivial remarks, especially to those concerning future events, which, by nature, are uncertain; and, also, to those that concern the 'sex of various animals."
Consequently, attention must also be paid to grammar and grammatical correction, of which Ayar recalls the fundamental constituents (2.4.1.3). Thus,
1. Cf. ApDhS 1.11.31.16, etc. supra.
2.
Cf. ib 53; Ayar 2.4.1.12-13.
Dasav 7.50-51; Ayar 2.4.1.12-13.
Dasav 7.5:
3.
4.
and events with due
5.
6.
7.
8.
vitaham pi taha-mottim jam giram bhāsae naro
tamha so putṭho pāveṇam.........
"by a speech which has the appearance of truth though it is untrue, a
man is touched by sin" (trsl. Schubring).
Cf. Ayar 2.4.1.2.
Dasav 7.6-10 (compare Ayär 2.4.1.2):
jam attham tu na jänejja "evam eyam" ti no vae,
jattha sanka bhave jam tu "evam eyam" ti no vae,
"if (a monk) does not know (or) has some doubt.... he should not say "it
is thus"
(Dasav 7. 8-9 (trsl. Schubring).
Dasav 7.21.
Cf. Pannav § 896 (for a discussion on empirical truths, ib § 862).