$JES 904 Compendium of Jainism (Jain Academic Bowl Manual 3rd Edition)

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 314

01 - Gautam-swämi
F02 Story - Ganadhars and Acharyas
Änand Shrävak's Clairvoyance Knowledge
Gautam-swami was living his life as a Jain monk, observing all the austerities and following the five great vows. Once, while returning from Gochari (getting food or alms), he learned that many people were going to pay homage to Anand Shrävak (a Jain layman). He also learned that Anand Shrävak had attained clairvoyance knowledge, also known as Avadhi-jnän, by performing severe penance and austerities. Since Anand Shrävak was one of Mahävir's followers, Gautam-swämi decided to visit him.
When Anand saw Gautam-swämi approaching his house, he was very happy. Though weak from his austerities, he got up and welcomed Gautam-swämi, who inquired about Anand's health and asked about his special knowledge. Anand respectfully replied to Gautam-swämi, "Reverend Guru, have attained Avadhi-jnän. With this knowledge, I can see as high as the first heaven and as low as the first hell." Gautam-swämi explained to Anand, "A layman (Shrävak) can attain Avadhi-jnän, but not to this magnitude. You need to do Prayashchitta (atonement) for believing you can do this." Anand was puzzled. He knew that he was correct but his guru questioned his truthfulness and told him to repent for it. He therefore politely asked Gautam-swämi, "Does one need to repent for speaking the truth?" Gautam-swami was equally puzzled and replied, "No one has to repent for speaking the truth." Thinking that he would confirm this with Bhagawan Mahävir, Gautam-swami left Anand.
Gautam-swami returned to Bhagawan Mahävir and asked about Anand's clairvoyance knowledge. Mahävir replied, "Gautam, Anand was telling the truth. He can see as high as the first heaven and as low as the first hell. Rarely can a layman attain such a level of Avadhi-jnän. You should repent for your mistake of doubting him." Gautam-swami set aside his alms and immediately returned to
Anand and asked for his forgiveness. Offering Food to 1500 Hermits
On another occasion, Gautam-swami went to a temple on Mount Ashtapad to pay homage to the 24 Tirthankars. The mountain was very difficult to climb. At the foothill of the mountain, fifteen hundred hermits were trying to climb the mountain but were unsuccessful. Upon seeing Gautam-swami complete this difficult journey, they were very impressed and decided to be his disciples then and there. Gautam-swämi preached to them about true religion and the correct ways of penance and accepted them as his disciples. All fifteen hundred hermits became Jain monks. Gautam-swami realized that they were hungry and offered them kheer rice pudding) from a small Pätra (bowl). They began to wonder how Gautam-swami would feed all of them, but Gautam-swami requested all the hermits to sit down. Since he possessed a special power called Akshin-mahanasi Labdhi (non-diminishing power), he served everyone kheer from his small bowl. While serving kheer, he kept his thumb in the bowl, invoking the power. To everyone's surprise, the kheer in this
small pätra was able to serve all of them well. Gautam-Swami's Keval-Jnän
As time passed, all the disciples of Gautam-swami attained keval-jnän, the ultimate knowledge. However, Gautam-swami was still unable to attain it. He became worried that he might not attain Keval-jnän in this life. One day, Gautam-swämi asked Lord Mahävir, "Ten other scholars joined me on the day that I accepted Diksha and all eleven of us became your disciples. Nine of them have attained keval-jnän. All of my disciples have attained Keval-jnän. Why am I so unlucky that I am not able to attain Keval-jnän?" Lord Mahävir replied, "Gautam, it is because you have too much affection for me. In order to attain keval-inän you must overcome all types of attachment, including attachment to your beloved Guru. Until you give up your attachment towards me, it will not be possible for you to attain Keval-jnän." On the day that Lord Mahävir was going to attain nirvana (liberation), he sent Gautam-swämi to a nearby village to preach to a man named Devsharma. On his way back, Gautam-swami learned that Lord Mahävir had attained nirvana. He lapsed into a state of shock and sorrow, "Lord Mahavir knew that this was his last day on Earth. Why did he send me away?" Gautam-swämi could not stop his tears. He also thought, "I could not attain keval-inän while Mahävir was alive. Now there is no hope
Page 314 of 398
Compendium of Jainism - 2015