Chapter 19: The Just
True justice and wisdom come from understanding truth and virtue, not external signs.
17 argumentative units
- 01Definition of the Just
True justice comes from understanding right and wrong, leading others through law and equity with intelligence, not through violence.
- 02Refutation: Learning is not mere talk
A truly learned person is not defined by talking much but by patience, freedom from hatred and fear.
- 03Refutation: Law support requires embodied practice
One supports the law not by talking much but by seeing and practicing it directly, never neglecting it.
- 04Refutation: Elderhood is not determined by age
An elder is not made simply by having grey hair; such a person is called 'Old-in-vain' without wisdom.
- 05Definition of true elderhood
A true elder possesses truth, virtue, love, restraint, moderation, freedom from impurity, and wisdom.
- 06Refutation: Respectability is not from appearance or speech
An envious, greedy, and dishonest person cannot gain respectability through mere talking or physical beauty.
- 07Definition of true respectability
True respectability is earned when evil is destroyed from its roots and one is freed from hatred and wise.
- 08Refutation: Samana status is not from tonsure
An undisciplined man who speaks falsehood cannot become a Samana through tonsure, nor can one held captive by desire.
- 09Definition of true Samana
A true Samana is one who quiets all evil, whether small or large, because they have subdued all evil.
- 10Refutation: Bhikshu status is not from begging alone
A Bhikshu is not one who simply asks for alms but one who adopts the whole law.
- 11Definition of true Bhikshu
A true Bhikshu is one who stands above good and evil, remains chaste, and passes through the world with knowledge.
- 12Refutation: Muni is not defined by silence alone
A foolish person observing silence is not a Muni; the wise Muni is one who weighs good and evil and chooses the good.
- 13Further definition of Muni through balance
A true Muni weighs both sides in the world and is thereby recognized as a Muni.
- 14Refutation: Ariya is not from harming creatures
One is not an Ariya simply by injuring living creatures.
- 15Definition of true Ariya
One is called Ariya because of compassion toward all living creatures.
- 16Refutation: Release does not come from external practices alone
Happiness of release is not earned through discipline, vows, learning, trance, or sleeping alone—these practices alone are insufficient.
- 17Final exhortation on desire extinction
A Bhikshu should not be confident until they have fully attained the extinction of desires.