Rules Concerning Speech in The Ayaranga and Dasaveyaliya Sutras

Author(s): Collete Caillat
Publisher: Z_Aspect_of_Jainology_Part_3_Pundit_Dalsukh_Malvaniya_012017.pdf

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The Rules Concerning Speech (Bhasa) in the Ayaranga
binding into an organic unity prescriptions which are also found, but more or less scattered, in different sections of the Dhs, and which have been somewhat differe. ntly elaborated in the Pāli scriptures. In fact, as is natural, the Jainas' ethical teachings in this field are linked with their metaphysical tenets.
Let me first sketch how the DhS approach the subject.
Sometimes--exceptionally--the approach is a general one; e. g., when ApDhS introduces the chapters on penance, it explains that "A wise man who has eradi. cated the (faults) which destroy creatures, obtains salvation"1. "(These are) anger exultation, grumbling, covetousness, perplexity, doing injury, hypocrisy, lying, gluttony, calumny, envy, lust, secret hatred, neglect to keep the senses in subjection, neglect to concentrate the mind...",krodho harso roso lobho moho dambho droho mrşodyainātyāşa-parivādāvisāyā kāma-manyu anātmyam @yogas, teşām yoga-mülo nirghātaḥ (ApDhS 1.8.23.5) On the contrary, "freedom from anger (akrodha-)...., truthfulness (satyavacana-)..., silencing slander (2-paió una-) uprightness, affability (arjava-mārdava-)...., peace with all created beings, concentration (of the mind on the contemplation of the Atman), regulation of one's conduct according to that of the Aryas (āryava-) - these (good qualities) have been settled by the agreement (of the wise) for all (the four) orders....”? Similar precepts are also ordained by Manu, who applies them to the snātaka : . satyadharmāryavratteşu fauce caivārametsada
vāg-bahūdara-samyatah,
"Let him always delight in truthfulness,...; let him keep his speech, his arms and his belly under control” (Mn 4.175). As a matter of fact, Manu is in accordance with Gautama who, among the duties of the Snātaka (ch. 9). prescribes :
He shall keep his organ, his stomach, his hands, his feet, his tongue, and his eyes under due restraint”4, further :
satya-dharma (68), ārya-vrttaḥ (69... syāt (72), “He shall always speak the truth.” “He shall conduct himself (as becomes) an Aryan."
1. nirhytya bhūta dāhiyān kşemam gacchati panditah,
(trsl. Bühler). 2. Ib 6. Cf. also 1.11.31.25 (trsl., SBE 1.11.31.23) :
krodhadimsca bhüta-dahiyān dosan varjayet, "and let him (the snātaka) avoid the faults that destroy the creatures,
such as anger and the like.” 3. Bühler translates : "in truthfulness, (obedience to the sacred law *";
but cf. Gaut DhS, 9.68, infra. 4. na Sifnodara-pāni-pada-vāk-caksuś cäpalāni kuryāt.