Jainism For Beginners Level 02

Author(s): Sayampurnashreeji
Publisher: Sayampurnashreeji

Page 96

attachment & lustfulness & gained control over his inner enemies. It was time for his faith to be tested.
The monsoon season was approaching & the monks had to settle in one place during the rainy season; Sthulibhadra & three other monks (Sadhus) who had attained a high level of equanimity wanted to test their faith & determination by spending the monsoon time (Four months) under the most adverse conditions. Each one chose the most adverse conditions for themselves. One of them requested permission from his Acharya to stay at the entrance of a lion's den; another wanted to spend the time near a snake's hole; the third wanted to spend the four months on top of an open well. The Acharya knew that they were capable of withstanding these hardships & permitted them. Sthulibhadra humbly requested that he would like to spend the monsoon in the picture gallery of the residence of Kosha. The Acharya knew how difficult this test would be for Sthulibhadra. However, the Acharya also knew Sthulibhadra's determination & felt that spiritually he would not progress any further without passing this test. Therefore, he permitted Sthulibhadra to spend the monsoon at Kosha's house.
been sure if she would ever see him again. She was missing him & was happy to see him again. However she did not know the true purpose of his return. They both had their goals for the monsoon season. Kosha endeavored to win him back into her life. She used all her seductive skills & felt that having him live in her picture gallery was to her advantage. Sthulibhadra's goal was to overcome the strong temptation of Kosha's beauty. Who would win? Sthulibhadra's strong faith & determination served him well during this test. He focused his mind on spiritual meditation. He spent his time meditating on the transitory nature of life & the need to break away from the cycle of birth & death. Ultimately, Kosha realized the wastefulness of her life & became his disciple. Sthulibhadra emerged spiritually stronger from this experience.
GANDHARS ACHARYAS
Sthulibhadra approached Kosha & asked her permission to stay in the picture gallery during the monsoon season. Kosha was surprised to see him. He had left her in such an ambivalent state that she had not
At the end of the monsoon, all the monks returned & described their experience. The first three monks described their success & they were congratulated. When Sthulibhadra reported the success of his test the Acharya rose from his seat in all praise & hailed
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