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up his father's kindly face. The silence and beauty of the moment embraced them.
When he opened his eyes, Rup's father took his son's hands and spoke with deep calm and love in his voice.
“Yes, my dear son, I give you my blessings. I don't want to stand in your way. Let the family's arguments evaporate into thin air! Your longing is real; you must listen to it. I have one suggestion, however. Once you are a monk, it will be difficult for you to set your own time to go on a pilgrimage. You will be in the company of your master and fellow monks. I would like to see you take the time now, before your ordination, to go to one extraordinary place - Pavapurl. There, where Lord Mahavira breathed the last — there you must go before any-where else. For there you will have a connection with that Enlightened Soul to whom you are going to surrender in order to unfold yourself. This will be a blessing for you. I will accompany you on this holy pilgrimage. It will be a blessing for us both."
Father and son embraced. It was the dawn of a new awareness of one another, a new feeling of mutual reverence. It was the beginning of an everlasting friendship. Their differences — in age, in hopes and dreams and opinions, were transcended in that moment. The structure called 'father and 'son' simply fell away as they became united in a loving space beyond form and definition
Ecstasy at Pāvāpuri
Rup and his father made their way to Pāvāpuri. Originally, Pāvāpuri was called Apāpāpuri, or the 'town without pāpa or sin.' It is located in the ancient land of Magadh, now known as Bihar State. This land is regarded as sacred, because it has acted as a silent witness to the sanctified presence of many Jain
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