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The Rules Concerning Speech (Bhasā) in the Ayāranga
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 not 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 māņavam
na deva deva tti giram vaejjā; *sammucchie unnae vä paoe'
vaejja vā vutthe balāhae'tti (Dasav 7.52). 2 Moreover, the monk will naturally accept seasons and events with due 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. 4 Therefore, one should be careful when speaking of doubtful matters--an advice which is also given by ÁpDhs, as we have seen.5 Dasav and Ayår 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; Ayâr 2.4.1.12-13.
Dasav 7.50-51; Ayar 2.4.1.12-13. Dasav 7.5 : vitaham pi taha-mottim jam giram bhāsae naro tamhā so puttho pāveņam ........ “by a speech which has the appearance of truth though it is untrue, a
man is touched by sin" (trsl. Schubring). 5. Cf. Ayår 2.4.1.2. 6. Dasav 7.6-10 (compare Ayär 2.4.1.2) :
jam attham tu na janejja "evam eyam” ti no vae, jattha sanki 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), 7. Dasav 7,21. 8. Cf. Pannav $ 896 (for a discussion on empirical truths, ib § 862).
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