Agam 30 Prakirnak 07 Gacchachar Sutra

Author(s): D S Baya
Publisher: Agam Ahimsa Samta Evam Prakrit Samsthan

Page 56

GACCHĀCĀRA PRAKIRNAKA : 7
14.
The Ācārya must accept the clothes, pots and shelters for the monks of his monastic group in accordance with the canonical dictates and the prevailing circumstances.
15–16. Know that the Acārya that does not so accept the monastic
necessities as per the canonical dictates, who, upon ordaining monks and nuns, do not insist on the observance of the rules of monastic life, who treat the newly ordained disciples with affection but do not show them the correct path should, actually, be treated as an enemy.
17.
The sweet-tongued Ācāryas who do not preach the beneficial conduct to their disciples are not their benefactors. On the contrary, those who treat them harshly but show them the correct path are their benefactors.
18.
Also, a disciple, who does not caution his master when he (the Ācārya) succumbs to negligence and starts neglecting the rules of monastic life, is an enemy of his master.
(He should say) “O' master! if great men like you succumb to negligence, who will support us when we start going wrong?”
20.
The essence of Lord Jina's preaching is in the practice of right knowledge, belief and conduct. One who motivates and establishes the members of one's monastic group to follow them is the true Ācārya.
21.
One who accepts the food, monastic equipage and shelter for promoting the monastic conduct while avoiding the flaws of their production, procurement and acquisition is truly righteous.