Agam 30 Prakirnak 07 Gacchachar Sutra

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

Page 64

GACCHĀCĀRA PRAKĪRNAKA : 15
42.
(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 senseorgans.
43.
O'Gautama ! 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. The words of the canon-learned (Ācārya) 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. The words of the canon-ignorant (Acārya) mustn't be
accepted under any circumstances, even though they may be as sweet as the sweetest of nectars. For, such words are, in essence, not nectar but like the most potent poison. By accepting the words of the canon-ignorant (Ācārya) one dies (an spiritual death) immediately and never liberates oneself from the eternal cycle of births and deaths.
48.
One (a spiritual aspirant) must leave the company of the canon-ignorant and the unrighteous by body, mind and speech. One must regard them as thieves, highwaymen and robbers (who rob one of one's spiritual goal).
49.
It is better to immolate oneself by unhesitatingly entering the flaming fires than to keep the company of the unrighteous rogues.