donkey and a harlot together at a certain place and at a certain time, should at a subsequent time, when he sees a donkey, infer also the presence of a harlot: but this is (manifestly) incorrect. (Similarly) if the converse negative fact that “where there is no fire there is also no smoke” (alone) is to prove the (above) fact (when one sees) that there is neither a dog’s tail nor a fox’s tail in the hind part of a donkey, he should not infer the presence of a dog’s tail, when he sees the tail of a fox at another place.
“Both Comparison and Deduction are subordinate to Example, Assertion, Reason and Example may be correct or fallacious. “A correct Assertion is that which has a clear subject and a clear predicate distinct and well defined; as for instance (the Assertion) sound is eternal or non-eternal.’ Here sound is the subject, eternity or non-eternity is the predicate.
“Right Reason is of three kinds: it may be founded on the Assertion itself; or it may be from Analogy or from the Negative proposition. If it is from Analogy, it should be from a perfect similitude, for instance, if it is intended to assert that sound is non-eternal (the Reason by Analogy would be) ‘even as non-eternal as a jar.’ If it is from a Negative Proposition it is as follows: ‘whatever is eternal is not made as the sky.’ To be made: and to appear during a certain action, constitute a proper reason for non-eternity, according to Assertion, Analogy and the Negative Proposition.
“Right Example is of two kinds : it may be Positive or Negative. A Positive Example is (as follows) :—‘Non-eternity is concomitant with Jars and the like.’ A Negative Example is to show that the effect (predicate) does not exist where the cause (reason) does not exist. The above are correct premises (in argument).” [1]
Having explained the means by which a correct knowledge of the nature of things may be obtained, the Buddhist monk proceeded to expound the doctrines of Buddha as follows :— “Once upon a time when all the sentient beings (of this world) were wholly bereft of wisdom, Vâman (the beautiful) quitted
- ↑ The Mani-Mekalai explains further in detail Fallacious Assertion, Fallacious Reason and Fallacious Example.—I omit them however a their description is too technical to be interesting to the general reader. (XXIX. 143-473.)
