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BOOK I, LECTURE 3, CHAPTER 3.
should answer them1: You speak thus, wavering between two ways of life (viz. that of householders and monks). (11)
'You eat out of the vessels 2 (of householders, and make them) bring food for a sick brother; you eat seeds and drink cold water3, and what has been especially prepared (for you when sick). (12)
'You are infected by great faults, you are void of discrimination, and your resolutions are bad. It is not good to scratch a wound too much, for it will grow worse.' (13)
They should be instructed in the truth by one who knows it and is free from passions: 'Yours is not the right way, you speak and act without consideration. (14)
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This your talk is weak, like the top of a bamboo, (when you say: a sick brother) may eat the food brought by a householder, but not that brought by a monk! (15)
'(And when you say that) our religious precepts are wholesome only for householders (not for monks, we reply that our prophet had) no such (inconsistent) ideas when he taught (his Law).' (16)
When (these heretics) cannot prove (their assertion) by any arguments they give up the discussion, and fall back on their bold (assertion). (17)
1 According to Sîlânka the Âgîvikas or the Digambaras are
intended.
2 For these heretics carry the principle of absolute poverty so far as to reject even the use of almsbowls.
3 Bîgôdaka.
The meaning is that the overdoing of the principle of poverty is just as harmful as the scratching of a wound.
Apadinna apratigña, explained by râgadvêsharahita.
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