________________
18
to the sādhu. After the gift of ghee had been made, Dhana paid homage to the munis, making grow his bulb of merit, as it were, with the water of the tears of joy. They bestowed 'dharmalābha,' equal to a perfect charm for the accomplishing of all happiness, and went to their retreat. At that time, by the power of his gift the seed of the tree of mokşa, the seed of enlightenment, difficult to gain, was acquired by the merchant. At night he went again to the munis' abode, entered, bowed to the guru, saying, "Instruct me.” The Sūri Dharmaghosa gave this sermon, almost equal to that of a Srutakevalin, 26 in a voice like thunder.
Sermon (146–201) "Dharma is the highest happiness. Dharma bestows heaven and emancipation. Dharma shows the road for crossing the wilderness of samsāra. Dharma nourishes like a mother, protects like a father, pleases like a friend, and is loving like a kinsman. Dharma imparts very fine qualities like a guru. Dharma confers a distinguished position like a master. Dharma is a mansion of bliss. Dharma is a shield in danger from enemies. Dharma is heat for the destruction of cold. Dharma knows the weak points of sins. From dharma a creature could become a king, from dharma a Rāma, from dharma an ardhacakrin, from dharma a cakrin, from dharma a god, and from dharma an Indra. From dharma one attains Ahamindraship in the Graiveyaka and Anuttara heavens.27 From dharma one attains Arhatship. What is not accomplished by dharma ? Dharma is so-called from supporting creatures who have fallen into a bad condition of existence. It is fourfold with the divisions of liberality
26 145. One who knows all the scriptures thoroughly.
27 151. In these two heavens, the highest, the gods have no dis. tinction of rank, and all are called 'Ahamindras.' Bșhat. 3, p. 4b. K. p. 302.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
