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gyani sat. Gautam became very upset and he began to think: "These people are nothing but ignorant village and forest dwellers who have no culture and no knowledge of a spiritual system. They are not worthy of these seats." When Lord Mahavira arrived he saw what Gautam was thinking and he said to him, "Gautam, this is not right. You do not understand our system correctly. The meditators do not have to understand anything about Jainism or of the Arihantas, to get enlightenment. For their faith, their knowledge and their conduct are so perfect that they have already become enlightened."
Gautam was so demoralized that he could not think about what Lord Mahavira said. All he could think, was, "How is it possible that these people have become enlightened? I have been doing service for Lord Mahavira for these many years and in one instant, they become totally enlightened. It is not just!"
Again, Lord Mahavira saw Gautam's thoughts and he said, "Gautam, you must put your attachments aside if you are to become enlightened. You must see that you are a result of your karma, your nine past lives. You cannot think that Lord Mahavira is superior to the tradition of the Arihantas. For the Arihantas accepted everyone and everyone has the potential for total enlightenment, in one instant, if their faith, their knowledge, their actions, are perfect. Gautam, you must go deep inside your Self and see this truth."
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