SIXTH LECTURE,

CALLED

.

Gosala.

'Listen, Ardraka , to what (Mahavira) has done. At first he wandered about as a single monk; but now he has surrounded himself by many monks, and teaches every one of them the Law at length. (1)

'The inconstant man has decided upon this mode of life : to stand up in a crowd of men, surrounded by monks, and to teach his doctrines for the benefit of many people. Therefore his former and his present life are not of a piece. (2)

'Either to live as a single mendicant (was right conduct) or his present life; therefore both do not agree with each other.'

Ardraka.

"His past, present, and future lives agree with each other; for he is really always single and alone (though he be now surrounded by many followers). (3)

"For if a Sramana or Brahmana who causes peace and security, comprehends the nature of movable and immovable living beings and explains it in a crowd numbering thousands, he realises singleness, remaining in the same mental condition as before . (4)

"It is no sin to teach the Law, if (he who teaches it) is patient and resigned, subdues his senses, avoids bad speech, and uses virtuous speech. (5)

"He who (teaches) the great vows (of monks) and the five small vows (of the laity ), the five Asravas and the stoppage of the Asravas, and control, who avoids Karman in this blessed life of Sramanas, him I call a Sramana." (6)

Gosala.

('As your Law makes it no sin for Mahavira to surround himself by a crowd of disciples), so according to our Law an ascetic, who lives alone and single, commits no sin if he uses cold water, eats seeds, accepts things prepared for him, and has intercourse with women.' (7)

Ardraka.

"Know this: those who use cold water, eat seeds, accept things especially prepared for them, and have intercourse with women, are (no better than) householders, but they are no Sramanas. (8)

"If those who eat seeds, use (cold) water, and have intercourse with women, are admitted to be Sramanas, then householders too are Sramanas; for they do the same things . (9)

"Monks who eat seeds and use cold water, who beg alms as a means of living, will, though they leave their relations, be born again and again, and will not put an end to mundane existence." (10)

Gosala.

'In making this statement you blame all philosophers alike! '

Ardraka.

"Every philosopher praises his own doctrines and makes them known. (11)

"Sramanas and Brahmanas blame one another when they teach (their doctrines). (The truth, they

say,) is all on their side; there is none on that of the opponents. But we blame only the (wrong) doctrines and not at all (those who entertain them). (12)