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Chapter 17: Statement of the Pupil's Enlightenment
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Explanation & Discussion:
The Guru has given instructions to the pupil out of innate compassion. He does not expect something in return. However, if someone does anything good for us, it is customary to reciprocate. This is normal courtesy. In ancient times, the pupils used to go to the preceptor's hermitage for learning. At the end of the study, they would offer something to their Guru, which was known as Daxinä.
Here the pupil achieved self-realization from the teaching of the Guru, and feels that he should offer something in return. But he cannot think of anything that can be commensurate to the teaching of the Guru. After realizing the significance of the soul, he has lost the importance of everything in the world. As such, he cannot conceive of any worldly object worth offering to the Guru.
As the pupil reflects over the soul, he realizes that it is unique; nothing is comparable to it. Since he realized the existence of the soul by virtue of the Guru's teaching, he feels as good as the soul having been granted by the Guru. Of course, that can not be returned; but he understands that the Guru would feel happy if he follows his precepts. To attach all possible importance to the soul, to consider everything from the point of view of its well being, and thereby to reach an ever increasing purity, constitute the right way of following the Guru. The pupil therefore makes up his mind to pursue that mode.
In spiritual pursuit, acting according to the guidance and instructions of a Guru is vital. Ächäräng Sutra therefore states, "Änäe Dhammo, Änäe Tavo". It means that carrying out the instructions of the Guru and omniscient Lords obediently is real religion and penance. It is also said that the continual adoration of the innate compassion of the Guru leads to the realization of the soul. The scriptures even go to the length of saying that mere one word of a Guru, if properly resorted to, can lead to liberation. The pupil therefore decides to offer himself at the lotus feet of the Guru.
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