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Chapter:-2 Collection of Examples
189
The Suri said, "O Divine One, the path of liberation is difficult to attain."
I will tell you a story, a parable, about the nature of the path. ||33||
The Suri was asked by Ganga Datta, "O Venerable One, what did you do in the past? What kind of karma did you create?" ||34||
When he was asked this, the Guru said, "Listen carefully." ||35||
"In a city, at the gate of the king, Siri Sehara, there was a merchant. He was very wealthy and had strong attachments." ||36||
"The king had a beautiful palace, adorned with precious jewels. The merchant had five hundred sons." ||37||
"They were all very greedy and envious, and they were always fighting with each other. They were constantly desiring wealth and possessions." ||38||
"They committed many terrible sins, such as stealing, lying, and violence. They also indulged in excessive eating and drinking, and they were very cruel." ||39||
"They suffered from many diseases and illnesses, and they died and were reborn in hell and the animal realm. They experienced much suffering." ||40||
"Because of their karma, they were born as humans in this world. They were still attached to their past desires and actions." ||41||
"They were filled with sorrow and remorse, and they realized the truth of the Dharma. They became awakened and sought refuge in the teachings." ||42||
"They renounced the world and became monks. They lived in forests, villages, and cities, practicing the fourfold path." ||43||
"They spent many years in the monastic life, living a pure and blameless life. They were very disciplined and renounced all worldly possessions." ||44||
"One day, a monk said to them, 'O Great Souls, you have practiced this path for a long time. Now, you should renounce even your food and drink.'" ||45||
"There are four types of renunciation, and you should practice them all. You should renounce your desires, your attachments, your speech, and your thoughts." ||46||
"Renunciation is a difficult path, and there will be many obstacles. But if you are determined, you will succeed." ||47||
"One of the monks was very happy to hear this. He took his food and drink and went to a cave in the mountains." ||48||
"He sat down in meditation, and he was very focused. He renounced all his possessions, and he was free from all attachments." ||49||
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