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Chapter 2: Collection of Examples
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12. The story of Govinda-vachana in the commentary on the Upadesha-pada.
This story of Govinda-vachana is found. As it happened, in a certain city, a Suri was insulted by the wicked. ||1|| Govinda, a Shakyabhikshu, was a great orator, a destroyer of the pride of all learned men, and he was striving to uplift the Danavas. ||2|| Pair. || He went to the vihara, accompanied by the Munis, who were well-versed in the scriptures, proficient in the art of debate, and wise in logic. ||3|| Sri-Gupta, a Suri, was a great luminary, a shining star of the great beings. He was a virtuous man, and he stood firm in his place, adorned with great fame. ||4|| As the moon shines brightly in the sky, adorned with the stars, so he shone brightly among his own followers. ||5|| As the fragrance of flowers fills all directions, so the minds of the people were filled with the fragrance of his virtues. ||6|| The people of that city, who were well-versed in the virtues, were filled with joy at the sight of the Suri. They were like thorns in the lotus feet of the Suri. ||7|| They heard the Dharma spoken by the Jinas, which destroys karma. They were filled with joy and meditation, and their minds were filled with the teachings of the Suri. ||8|| A great wave of knowledge spread throughout the city. I do not think there was anyone who was not amazed by the Suri. ||9|| As a person who has removed seven veils becomes proud, so Govinda became proud when he heard the teachings of the Suri. ||10|| Who, in the presence of me, who am an ocean of knowledge, can achieve fame in the dark? ||11|| With pride in his heart, he challenged the Suri to a debate. ||12|| He was defeated by the Suri, who was like a torrent of rain, and his arguments were scattered like dust. ||13|| He realized that he was not equal to the Suri. He thought, "I will not be defeated by him until I have mastered the scriptures." ||14|| He left the city and went to a distant land. He studied the scriptures diligently, and he became confident in his knowledge. ||15|| He was eager to debate with the Suri again. He was determined to defeat him. ||16|| He was not able to defeat the Suri, who was like a great wave, and he was defeated again. ||17|| He went to another city and studied the scriptures again. He was determined to defeat the Suri. ||18|| He challenged the Suri to a debate again, but he was defeated again. ||19|| He went to another city and studied the scriptures again. He was determined to defeat the Suri. ||20|| He studied the scriptures of the plants, and he argued that plants are living beings. ||21||
He said, "This is also a living being, this is also a living being. This is also a sentient being, this is also a sentient being. This is also a mind-possessing being, this is also a mind-possessing being. This is also a being that is cut and joined, this is also a being that is cut and joined. This is also a being that has food, this is also a being that has food. This is also a being that is not a self, this is also a being that is not a self. This is also a being that has four elements, this is also a being that has four elements. This is also a being that is subject to change, this is also a being that is subject to