________________
(A) EXTERNAL APPEARANCE OR
DISTINGUISHING MARKS
(356) Apparel is no proof of a person's being selfcontrolled; for, does not a person without self-control wear the same dress? Does not poison kill a person who swallows it, even if he changes his dress?
(357) People wear various kinds of dresses to win the confidence of others. A distinguishing mark is useful to a person who is self-restrained to show the people that he is a monk.
(358) Fools put on various types of insignia of false ascetics or householders and maintain that this outer mark provides the path to liberation.
(359) He, who is devoid of strength like a hollow fist, is untested like a false coin and a bead of glass shining like a diamond, will have no respect from the wise who know the truth.
(360) Know that it is the mental state and not the dress that is the first distinguishing mark of spirituality. Jinas state that it is the mental state that is the cause of virtues and vices.
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