Bliss

Author(s): Amarmuni
Publisher: Sanmati Gyan Pith Agra

Page 95

Attachment is bondage, detachment liberation
"I am alone, there is nobody else in my life", the old man replied. "What is your livelihood?" asked the Svāmi. "I chop wood and sell it to earn my living", he answered.
"Do you have a house to stay in?"
The old man smiled sadly, "It could be called a house! It is nothing but a dilapidated shelter. Everytime it rains, the house is ruined and I set it right each time with some grass. This is my life and this is my work." So saying, the old woodcutter heaved a heavy sigh.
80
Sudharma Svāmī asked him, "Brother, will you live your entire life like this without earning any merit for your life after this one? You need some good deeds in your bag for your next life. Otherwise your condition there will be piteous indeed!"
To this he responded, "My entire life has been spent in providing food for myself. If I know no better, how can I do anything for my afterlife? Who will pave the path and provide shelter for a poor old man like me?"
Listening to the pathetic story of the old man, Sudharma Svāmi was deeply moved. He said, "Oh good man! If you wish, the sangha (congregation) will give you shelter. You can become a monk and thereby perform deeds that will keep you in good stead for your afterlife." This was like a divine boon for the old man. With great happiness, he set off along with Sudharmā Svāmī as his disciple.
The question before us is whether this act of compassion by Sudharma Svāmī is to be considered as possessiveness or greed to obtain one more disciple? No, his intention was not to obtain a disciple who would serve him and attend to his needs. Compassion for the old man was his impulse. His sole aim was to help the man to improve the quality of his life by offering him shelter and brotherhood in the congregation.
Once, Lord Mahāvīra was asked a question, "Can having a disciple be considered as possessiveness or not?"
He replied, "The answer lies in the intention rather than in