________________
discipline, you cannot realize the truth. And the truth is that you are God and God is the highest state of consciousness. That is the meaning of the statement. "I am the way and the truth and the truth will make you free." Jesus also taught nonviolence and he practiced love toward all. I have learned much from his example.
Jesus had two important disciples, St. Thomas and St. Peter. Although most people know a lot about St. Peter since he was a very political person and he organized the First Church of Rome, they do not know that St. Thomas was a very sensitive and holy person, like Christ himself. St. Thomas want to India and he taught, healed, and learned there. He was a true disciple of Christ and a very great prophet.
There is an ancient legend about Christ that he married Mary Magdalene and that their union produced children. Although I do not know how much truth to attach to this story, it is written about in the new book Holy Blood, Holy Grail. If this is true, then Jesus Christ was like Lord Buddha, Lord Krishna, Lord Mahavira, and Socrates, who also were married and had children.
The point is that many of the great teachers and self-realized beings of the world also lived ordinary lives. For we are all equal before the truths of life, death, and freedom.
Jain Education International
172
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org