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THE PRACTICAL PATH.
should never speak without deliberation, nor in wrath. Speech when the speaker is influenced by greed is to be condemned, and the same is the case when one is moved by fear. To tell a falsehood for fun, or from the desire to return a smart repartee, is also to be
avoided. (iii) Non-stealing. A monk is required to be
exceedingly careful in respect of this vrata. He should not even enter any one's house without the permission of the owner, though there be reason to believe that his presence would be welcomed ; nor even use any article belonging to another monk without first
obtaining his permission for the purpose. (iv) The vow of absolute celibacy. One should
not look at the feminine form, nor occupy any seat previously occupied by a woman or by a female animal or an eunuch, nor recall to mind the incidents of any past experience of pleasure in connection with the female sex, nor decorate one's person, nor eat highly
seasoned food. (v) The vow of renunciation. All liking for
pleasant touch, taste, smell, form (beauty), or word (literature), and for all the objects of the five senses, also hatred or loathing for unpleasant objects, must be completely surrendered to the pursuit of the sublime Ideal of
the soul. These are the five great vows of asceticism ; and,
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