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Gachchhachar-Prakirnak-7/1- Gatha-39
any other reason, degrade the jinas faith.
[40] Meaning- O' humble disciple! Up to this point I have briefly described the characteristics of the Acharya. O' patient one! Now listen to the characteristics of the monastic group from me.
Description of the Monks' Characteristics:--
[41] Meaning-The real monastic group is the one that consists of the monks who are in the know of scriptural meaning, who are desirous of liberation from the mundane existence, who are devoid of sloth and negligence, who observe their monastic vows of steadfastly, whose monastic conduct is incorruptible and who are free from the blemishes of attachment and aversion.
[42] Meaning- (The monks must) stay in the company of such omniscient or ordinary monks who have overcome eight types of prides, controlled their passions and restrained their sense organs.
[43] Meaning- O' Gautam! A spiritual aspirant ought to shun the company of a monk who is devoid of desire to seek the supreme accomplishment, for such monks only lead one to bad destinies.
[44-45] Meaning- The words of the canon-learned (Acharya) must be accepted immediately and without an exception, even though they may be as bitter as the most potent poison. For, such words are, in essence, not poison but nectar. They (the learned masters) are harmless, don't kill and even if one dies in the process of obeying them, one become immortal.
[46-47] Meaning- The words of the canon-ignorant (Acharya) mustn't be accepted under any circumstances, even though they may be as sweet as the nectars. For, such words are, in essence, not nectar but like the most potent poison. By accepting the words of the canon-ignorant (Acharya) one dies (a spiritual death) immediately and never liberates oneself from the eternal cycle of births and deaths.
[48] Meaning-One (a Spiritual aspirant0 must leave the company of the canonignorant and the unrighteous by body, mind and speech. One must regard them as thieves, highwaymen and robbers (who rob one of one's spiritual goals).
[49] Meaning- it is batter to immolate oneself by unhesitatingly entering flaming fires than as thieves, highwaymen and robbers (who rob one of one's spiritual goals)
[50] Meaning-Gautam! That monastic group isn't really a monastic group where the disciples are so given to attachment, aversion and pride that their anger rises even as they are reconciled by their guru.
[51] Meaning- O' blessed one! It is possible to ensure maximum separation of accumulated karma while staying in a good monastic group because, there, one is shielded from vices by constant reminder, correction and motivation.
[52-53] Meaning- (in a good monastic group) the humble disciple humbly obeys the instructions of the spirit master and bears the monastic hardships patiently...These,
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