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86
Mahāvira's Words by Walther Schubring
different sense instruments have not [yet] decreased, you should be aware indeed
of the advantage to yourself, so I say.)* May he (the) prudent (one) put an end to the displeasure (of monastic life); 15 (if out of ignorance the right moment is missed then), through enticement, some indolent
ones turn back [to worldliness), overshadowed by delusion: if one had set out (with the call] "we want to be without property”, (43) then one sinks (now) into what the (fulfilled] wishes have brought. Out of ignorance [these] monks rack their brains; yet over and over
again delusion dominates. (Sunk [in it they can proceed) 'neither backwards nor for20 wards').44 Liberated, however, are those who have reached the shore.
by driving away desire from the mind through non-desire (one does not sink into what
the [fulfilled] wishes have brought.)"S If one has driven away desire and has set out (as a monk] (free of effective action 46 such 25 a person knows and sees, on the basis of deliberation he does not desire (anymore]), hence (this one) is called a houseless one.
[4.] He donates 47 for himself, he donates to relations, friends, the dead, gods,
princes, intruders, guests, beggars, monks; through [all] theses different deeds 29a violent acts are employed either out of fear or out of (48) 30, 296
hope in the belief of obtaining liberation from evil. 'A prudent one who recognizes this (as being injurious]' should commit acts of violence through these deeds neither himself, nor make another commit acts of violence through these deeds, nor
approve of it that another commits acts of violence through these deeds. (This is the way that the best ones have proclaimed so that (you,) an experienced one, will not be tainted in this life. So, I say,49* (75)
43 Cf. Sūy, 2, 1, 19 (WB).
no havvãe no pārāe is a quotation (Sūy. II 1, 6, 8, etc.), therefore the single quotes ..... 45 These words in 7, 22 of the edition should also be in single quotes, as a verse quotation. 46 akamme should explain nikkhamma, but this means niskramya. A play on words might also be intended.
47 Before this is a repetition of the words 6, 15-18: from "exerting himself day and night" till "here in the world (there is a fight over and over again." There is no place for it in connection with those parts to which this place belongs according to the form (2B). It has been repeated apparently because of the related content in what follows.
48 See Appendix 4 for the word -bala here.
49 A comparison of the context with parallel places and the idea of an earlier metre ... magge āriehim paveie; ... jah' ettha kusale nóvalippae) makes me shift these words to 2A.
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