Jainism For Beginners Level 03

Author(s): Sayampurnashreeji
Publisher: Sayampurnashreeji

Page 95

mind for his fear of sins & his desire to take Diksha because she was a religious woman. However, she wanted to be sure that Aimutta understood what "taking Diksha" meant. So she said, "My son, to take Diksha is a very hard & disciplined life. You will not have a mother nor a father to take care of you. How will you be able to handle such suffering?"
Aimutta said, "Mother, this household life also has a lot of suffering. At least we know that as a monk the suffering will help destroy Karmas & will lead to liberation." His mother was very happy to hear this. However, she wanted to test Aimutta's determination further. She-said, "Son, why are you in such a hurry? Wait for a while. You need to take care of us when we get old, & you will have your own family too."
Aimutta said, "Mother, I learned from Lord Mahavir that no one is young or old. I also learned that no one knows what is going to happen tomorrow. No one knows who will die first or last. So why wait & miss the opportunity which is available to me today?" His mother was very happy that her son fully understood what Diksha meant & what his desire was.She said, "Congratulations, my son. I am very proud of you. You will be a good monk. Do not forget that your goal is to attain liberation & be sure to observe ahimsa (non-violence) throughout your
life. I give you permission to take Diksha." Aimutta said, "Thank you, Mother, I will remember your advice." Aimutta's mother blessed him & wished him success in his new life. She also helped him get permission from his father, King Vijay. A few days later he took Diksha & became a monk called "Balmuni (young monk) Aimutta."
One day Balmuni Aimutta saw some children playing with a paper boat in a water puddle. He became excited about playing & forgot that as a monk he could not play with water. He ran towards the children & asked if he could play with them. The children became excited that a monk wanted to play with them. He took his container & started playing with it as if it were a boat. He said, "Look, my boat is also sailing." Meanwhile, other monks came there & saw him playing with water. They said, "Balmuni, what are you doing? Did you forget that as a monk you should not play with water? Playing with water causes harm to the many living beings that live in the water. As monks, we have taken a vow not to hurt any living being. You have violated your vow & have accumulated some bad Karma."
Balmuni Aimutta realized his mistake. He immediately started repenting, "Oh! What have I done? I promised my mother that I would not
Stories During Bhagwan Mahavir's Life
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